Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Device with applicator having specific movement
Patent
1993-07-02
1995-10-17
Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Device with applicator having specific movement
15 24, 15 29, A61H 900, A61F 500, A46B 1300
Patent
active
054585635
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to toothbrushes. More particularly, this invention relates to toothbrushes and a portable oral hygiene system for bedridden users.
Conventionally, water is applied to the bristled head of a toothbrush to assist the cleansing action of a dentifrice applied to its bristles, and following brushing, there is the need to rinse the mouth. To the able bodied or to those able to sit upright without undue difficulty, cleaning the teeth is not particularly troublesome.
However, when it is the case of a bed-ridden patient, not able to sit upright, or only able to sit upright with considerable difficulty and discomfort, cleaning the teeth is particularly troublesome, and especially rinsing the mouth, as neither the application of water to assist the action of the dentifrice nor subsequent rinsing of the mouth can be effected in conventional manner with the patient in the prone position.
The object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush that overcomes those difficulties mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a toothbrush for selective connection to a source of fluid and to a spent fluid disposal means, is characterised by a handle portion, said handle portion including a first passageway extending through the handle portion from a bristled head portion at one end of the handle portion to the opposite end of the handle portion, said first passageway being connectable at the said opposite end of the handle portion to the source of fluid, said handle portion further including a second passageway disposed adjacent to the first passageway and extending through the handle portion from the bristled head portion to the said opposite end of the handle portion, said second passageway being connectable at said opposite end of the handle portion to the spent fluid disposal means, said handle portion still further including an air-bleed passage extending along the length of the handle portion and communicating at one end thereof with the bristled head portion, said air-bleed passageway communicating to atmosphere at a point remote from the bristled head portion.
A toothbrush selectively connectable to a source of fluid and to a spent fluid disposal means, the said toothbrush being characterised by
said handle portion including a first passageway extending through the handle portion from the bristled head portion to the opposite end of the handle portion, said first passageway having a cross-sectional area towards said bristled head portion smaller than the cross-sectional area of said first passageway towards said opposite end of said handle portion, said first passageway being connectable at the said opposite end of the handle portion to the source of fluid,
said handle portion further including a second passageway disposed adjacent to the first passageway and extending through the handle portion from the bristled head portion to the said opposite end of the handle portion, said second passageway being connectable at the said opposite end of the handle portion to the spent fluid disposal means,
and said handle portion further including an air-bleed passage extending along the length of the handle portion and communicating at one end thereof with the bristled head portion, said air-bleed passageway communicating to atmosphere at a point remote from the bristled head portion.
The connection of the fluid supply means to a source of fluid may simply be a hose attached to the conduit or to the handle portion that communicates with the first passageway, the hose extending to e.g. a conventional water tap. However, and particularly in hospitals, a patients bed may not be in reasonably close proximity to a water tap. Therefore, a self-contained fluid source may be provided, such as a relatively small container that can be placed in an elevated position with respect to the patient to gravity feed fluid to the toothbrush, or a relatively small container that includes a pump to pump fluid to the toothbrush. With either construction of
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patent: 2303667 (1942-12-01), Taborski
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patent: 4181997 (1980-01-01), O'Rourke
patent: 4672953 (1987-06-01), DiVito
patent: 5062413 (1991-11-01), Bullard
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