Closed system mouthpiece with light and heat generation to activate a formulation to increase its volume
First Claim
1. A method of treating an oral cavity of a user, including the steps of:
- a) providing a mouthpiece in which at least one heat source is embedded and connectable to a source of power;
b) said mouthpiece including a peripheral sealing member comprising two concentric sealing members;
c) coating rearward facing surfaces of said mouthpiece with a gel;
d) inserting said mouthpiece into said oral cavity with said sealing member sealing said oral cavity;
e) activating said at least one heat source and raising temperature of said gel until said temperature reaches a threshold temperature at which said gel transforms into a foam and spreads within said oral cavity;
f) maintaining said mouthpiece sealing said oral cavity for a desired time period;
g) after said desired time period has expired, removing said mouthpiece and rinsing said oral cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method employs a closed system mouthpiece using light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user'"'"'s mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.
47 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method of treating an oral cavity of a user, including the steps of:
-
a) providing a mouthpiece in which at least one heat source is embedded and connectable to a source of power; b) said mouthpiece including a peripheral sealing member comprising two concentric sealing members; c) coating rearward facing surfaces of said mouthpiece with a gel; d) inserting said mouthpiece into said oral cavity with said sealing member sealing said oral cavity; e) activating said at least one heat source and raising temperature of said gel until said temperature reaches a threshold temperature at which said gel transforms into a foam and spreads within said oral cavity; f) maintaining said mouthpiece sealing said oral cavity for a desired time period; g) after said desired time period has expired, removing said mouthpiece and rinsing said oral cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of treating an oral cavity of a user, including the steps of:
-
a) providing a mouthpiece in which at least one heat source and at least one light source are embedded and connected to a source of power; b) said mouthpiece including a peripheral sealing member and a central bite tab extending rearwardly; c) coating rearward facing surfaces of said bite tab with a gel; d) inserting said mouthpiece into said oral cavity, with said sealing member sealing said oral cavity; e) activating said at least one heat source and raising temperature of said gel until said temperature reaches a threshold temperature at which said gel transforms into a foam and spreads within said oral cavity; f) maintaining said mouthpiece sealing said oral cavity; g) measuring pH of said oral cavity, and when pH of said oral cavity is within a desired range, removing said mouthpiece and rinsing said oral cavity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of treating an oral cavity of a user, including the steps of:
-
a) providing a mouthpiece in which at least one heat source is embedded and connectable to a source of power; b) said mouthpiece including a peripheral sealing member; c) coating rearward facing surfaces of said mouthpiece with a gel; d) inserting said mouthpiece into said oral cavity with said sealing member sealing said oral cavity; e) activating said at least one heat source and raising temperature of said gel until said temperature reaches a threshold temperature at which said gel transforms into a foam and spreads within said oral cavity; f) maintaining said mouthpiece sealing said oral cavity for a desired time period; g) after said desired time period has expired, removing said mouthpiece and rinsing said oral cavity; and h) further including the step of providing said mouthpiece with a pH sensor immersible in saliva within said oral cavity. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification