| Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teethRelated Patent Categories: Brushing, Scrubbing, And General Cleaning, Machines, Brushing, Handle MountPower toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050283928, Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of PCT application No. IB2004/0510, filed on Jun. 24, 2004, which designated the United States of America. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to power toothbrushes, and more specifically concerns power toothbrushes which use acoustic wave action to produce a cleansing effect for the teeth of the user. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In general, power toothbrushes for cleaning teeth, including plaque removal, are well known. Typically, such power toothbrushes rely on a set of bristles attached to a bristle mounting plate which is moved by a driver to scrub the surfaces of the teeth. There are various known bristle configurations which are designed to effectively scrub exposed surfaces on the teeth, as well as to reach to some extent between the teeth or just under the gum line. Such brushing devices which rely on the scrubbing action of bristles for cleaning typically require significant pressure exerted by the user against the teeth to accommodate the differences in the shapes of the various teeth and to effectively clean the teeth. However, such pressure exerted against the teeth by the bristles typically results in a significant abrasion effect, including damage to both the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. This is of course undesirable, but often unavoidable to obtain the desired cleansing. [0004] There are also limitations on the size (length and diameter) of the bristles insofar as while a small size may be desirable to reach between the teeth and under the gum line, the bristles still must be stiff enough to effectively scrub the teeth. Hence, with respect to a bristle-type toothbrush, effective cleaning is important but it is also desirable that as light a pressure as possible on the bristles be used, to reduce abrasion and tissue damage. [0005] In addition, ultrasonic energy is used, either alone, or in addition to bristle action, to clean plaque from teeth. However, the level of ultrasonic energy used in the mouth is typically too low to be effective for plaque removal if reasonable safety is to be maintained. [0006] Still other toothbrushes, particularly those using a resonant system, produce some degree of acoustic action by moving fluids in the mouth by the action of the moving bristles at the resonant frequency of the toothbrush. However, the resonant frequency of such a toothbrush is typically not the most effective frequency for all areas of the mouth. Further, the acoustic effect of such devices, produced by the bristle action, is typically not sufficient by itself to produce a clinically effective cleansing action. Such devices still rely to a significant extent on the scrubbing action of the bristles for cleaning. [0007] The fact that the bristles themselves create the limited acoustic effect described above is significant relative to the effectiveness of the acoustic action. Increasing the amount of acoustic energy generated, in order to make that portion of the cleansing action more effective, will result in increased bristle motion and tissue abrasion. Further, providing additional power to increase the acoustic effect will result in additional bulk and cost to the device. [0008] Hence, it is desirable to have a toothbrush which effectively cleans teeth, including the hard to reach areas, such as between the teeth and under the gum line, which relies primarily on acoustic action not produced by bristle movement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] Accordingly, the present invention is a power toothbrush which includes a handle portion, a head portion, the head portion containing a member for creating acoustic action outwardly from the head portion, acting on fluid in a user's mouth; and a drive system for moving the acoustic member relative to the teeth, such that when the head portion is operatively positioned in the mouth of a user, the acoustic member moves toward and away from the teeth of the user, wherein movement of the acoustic member causes an acoustic wave action on fluid contacting the teeth, producing a cleansing effect on the teeth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram showing one embodiment of the acoustic toothbrush of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the operation of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing in more detail a portion of the toothbrush in FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the toothbrush of the present invention. [0014] FIGS. 5A-5B show surface additions to the embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 to accomplish direct engagement of the teeth. [0015] FIGS. 6-8 show various views of another embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8. [0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a further embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIGS. 11-13 are cross-sectional views of variations of a still further embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Continue reading about Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth... Full patent description for Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth 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 Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Thruster pig Next Patent Application: Power toothbrush with unique handle Industry Class: Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12546 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
