| Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrushUSPTO Application #: 20070298370Title: Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle, a neck attached to the handle, and a head attached to the neck. The head has a bristle holder having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The toothbrush further includes a light emitting element disposed in the bristle holder, wherein the light emitting element is capable of providing light having wavelengths between about 390 nm to about 770 nm and having a radiometric power of between about 5 mW/cm2 to about 200 mW/cm2. (end of abstract)
Agent: The Procter & Gamble Company Intellectual Property Division - West Bldg. - Cincinnati, OH, US Inventors: Aleksey Mikhailovich Pinyayev, Chanchal Kumar Ghosh, John Geoffrey Chan, Ping Wang USPTO Applicaton #: 20070298370 - Class: 433029000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Having Means To Emit Radiation Or Facilitate Viewing Of The Work The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070298370. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/832,168 filed on Apr. 4, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/501,266 filed Sep. 9, 2003, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to illuminated electric toothbrushes that utilize a light emitting diode, particularly a light emitting diode that illuminates the brushing area. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Lighted toothbrushes have traditionally been manual brushes having a light disposed on or in the handle of the toothbrush with fiber optics carrying the light from the handle to the head of the toothbrush. However, light that is transmitted by fiber optics often diminishes in luminous intensity and/or flux density as it is transmitted. Therefore, it was desired to have a light disposed in or on the head of the toothbrush such that no fiber optic materials are necessary to transmit the light. Additionally, it was desired to have an electric lighted toothbrush. [0004] In order for a light to be disposed on the head of a toothbrush, especially an electric toothbrush, the size must be minimized to allow sufficient space for bristles, and sufficient space for the mechanics of the electric toothbrush. A standard light emitting diode may be of the proper size; however such a device may not be able to deliver light having sufficient luminous intensity and/or flux density to provide an oral care benefit. A high power non-standard light emitting diode may be able to deliver the desired luminous intensity and/or flux density. However, the high power diodes use a high current level, and thus generate a high level of heat. Generating a high level of heat in the oral cavity can overheat the pulp chamber, which can result in pulpitis or other damage to oral tissues. Accordingly, there is a need for an illuminated electric toothbrush comprising a light emitting diode that emits light having a luminous intensity of at least about 7 candelas and/or flux density of at least about 30 mW/cm.sup.2 which can safely be used safely in the oral cavity without damaging the teeth and/or other oral surfaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In some embodiments, a toothbrush constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle, a neck attached to the handle, and a head attached to the neck. The head has a bristle holder having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. A light emitting element is disposed in the bristle holder, wherein the light emitting element is capable of providing light having wavelengths between about 390 nm to about 770 nm and having a radiometric power of between about 5 mW/cm.sup.2 to about 200 mW/cm.sup.2. [0006] In some embodiments, a method of applying light to the oral cavity comprises the steps of obtaining a toothbrush having a light emitting element. Switching the toothbrush on and applying light having wavelengths of between about 420 nm to about 490 nm and having a radiometric intensity of between about 5 mW/cm.sup.2 to about 200 mW/cm.sup.2 to the oral cavity for about 10 seconds to about 10 minutes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: [0008] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting diode. [0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting diode having more than one light emitter, and a single optical output. [0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illuminated electric toothbrush in accordance with the present invention. [0011] FIG. 4 is a top planar view of the electric toothbrush of FIG. 3. [0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the electric toothbrush of FIG. 3. [0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the head of the electric toothbrush. [0014] FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional side view of the head of the electric toothbrush. [0015] FIG. 7 is a partial front elevational view of a head and neck of another embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 8 is a partial front elevational view of a head and neck of yet another embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 9 is a partial front elevational view of a head and neck of still another embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 10 is a partial front elevational view of a head and neck of yet another embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 11 is a partial front elevational view of a head and neck of yet another embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and dentifrice system Next Patent Application: Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush Industry Class: Dentistry ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Illuminated electric toothbrushes emitting high luminous intensity toothbrush patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.27767 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
||
