Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Reexamination Certificate
2007-11-20
2007-11-20
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
C433S119000, C601S142000
Reexamination Certificate
active
10981735
ABSTRACT:
A power toothbrush (10) is disclosed having a handle (15) containing a rechargeable battery (12), an ultrasonic drive circuit (14), a sonic component (16) such as a motor, and a control unit (18). The handle is connected to a toothbrush head (20) preferably having a plurality of bristles (26) and an ultrasonic transducer (22) that is operatively connected to a waveguide (24) that extends from the toothbrush head generally adjacent the bristles. The waveguide facilitates the transmission of acoustic energy into the dental fluid. It is contemplated that the waveguide may be utilized in manual or power toothbrushes, and in a combination without the sonic component, or in a combination without the ultrasonic transducer. Toothbrushes disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, and stimulating dental tissue.
REFERENCES:
patent: RE2875 (1868-02-01), Ames et al.
patent: 3196299 (1965-07-01), Kott
patent: 3335443 (1967-08-01), Parisi et al.
patent: 3563233 (1971-02-01), Bodine
patent: 3809977 (1974-05-01), Balamuth et al.
patent: 3828770 (1974-08-01), Kuris et al.
patent: 3840932 (1974-10-01), Balamuth et al.
patent: 3941424 (1976-03-01), Balamuth et al.
patent: 3980906 (1976-09-01), Kuris et al.
patent: 4071956 (1978-02-01), Andress
patent: 4192035 (1980-03-01), Kuris
patent: 4333197 (1982-06-01), Kuris
patent: 4731019 (1988-03-01), Martin
patent: 4991249 (1991-02-01), Suroff
patent: 5138733 (1992-08-01), Bock
patent: 5150492 (1992-09-01), Suroff
patent: 5247716 (1993-09-01), Bock
patent: 5311632 (1994-05-01), Center
patent: 5343883 (1994-09-01), Murayama
patent: 5369831 (1994-12-01), Bock
patent: 5378153 (1995-01-01), Giuliani et al.
patent: 5546624 (1996-08-01), Bock
patent: RE35712 (1998-01-01), Murayama
patent: 5938612 (1999-08-01), Kline-Schoder et al.
patent: 5987681 (1999-11-01), Hahn et al.
patent: RE36669 (2000-04-01), Zilincar, III
patent: 6190167 (2001-02-01), Sharp
patent: 6203320 (2001-03-01), Williams et al.
patent: 6421865 (2002-07-01), McDougall
patent: 6421866 (2002-07-01), McDougall
patent: 6446295 (2002-09-01), Calabrese
patent: 6500121 (2002-12-01), Slayton et al.
patent: 6513182 (2003-02-01), Calabrese et al.
patent: 6619957 (2003-09-01), Mosch et al.
patent: 2002/0095734 (2002-07-01), Wong
patent: 2002/0116775 (2002-08-01), Wong
patent: 2002/0124333 (2002-09-01), Hafliger et al.
patent: 2003/0060736 (2003-03-01), Martin et al.
patent: 2003/0079304 (2003-05-01), Dworzan
patent: 2003/0079305 (2003-05-01), Takahata et al.
patent: 10165228 (1998-06-01), None
patent: 2004148079 (2004-05-01), None
patent: 506421 (1978-03-01), None
patent: 9213498 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 9415546 (1994-07-01), None
Apfel, R.E., and C.K. Holland, “Gauging the Likelihood of Cavitation from Short-Pulse, Low-Duty Cycle Diagnostic Ultrasound,”Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 17(2):179-185 (1991).
Chang, P.P., et al., “Thresholds for Inertial Cavitation in Albunex Suspensions Under Pulsed Ultrasound Conditions,”IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 48(1):161-170, Jan. 2001.
Holland, C.K., and R.E. Apfel, “An Improved Theory for the Prediction of Microcavitation Thresholds,”IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 36(2):204-208, Mar. 1989.
Krasovitski, B., and E. Kimmel, “Shear Stress Induced by a Gas Bubble Pulsating in an Ultrasonic Field Near a Wall,”IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 51(8):973-979, Aug. 2004.
Leighton, T.G., “Bubble Population Phenomena in Acoustic Cavitation,”Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 2(2):S123-S136, 1995.
Mesiwala, A.H., et al., “High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Selectively Disrupts the Blood-Brain Barrier in Vivo,”Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 28(3):389-400, Mar. 2002.
Poliachik, S.L., et al., “Activation, Aggregation and Adhesion of Platelets Exposed to High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound,”Ultrasoound in Medicine and Biology 27(11):1567-1576, 2001.
Rooney, J.A., “Hemolysis Near an Ultrasonically Pulsating Gas Bubble,”Science 169(948):869-871, Aug. 28, 1970.
Roy, R.A., et al., “An Acoustic Backscattering Technique for the Detection of Transient Cavitation Produced by Microsecond Pulses of Ultrasound,”Journal of Acoustics Society of America 87(6):2451-2458, Jun. 1990.
Singer, C.A., et al., “The Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Mediates Estrogen Neuroprotection After Glutamate Toxicity in Primary Cortical Neurons,”Journal of Neuroscience 19(7):2455-2463, Apr. 1, 1999.
Stoodley, P. et al., “Biofilm Material Properties as Related to Shear-Induced Deformation and Detachment Phenomena,”Journal of Industrial Microbiology&Biotechnology 29(6):361-367, Dec. 2002.
Zauhar, G. et al., “Studies of Acoustic Streaming in Biological Fluids with an Ultrasound Doppler Technique,”British Journal of Radiology 71(843):297-302, Mar. 1998.
Mourad Pierre D.
Olson Francis G.
Seawall Jason L.
Thompson Roger Lee
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Spisich Mark
University of Washington
LandOfFree
Toothbrush employing an acoustic waveguide does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Toothbrush employing an acoustic waveguide, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Toothbrush employing an acoustic waveguide will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3822792