METHOD AND TOOLS FOR ORAL HYGIENE

• US 20030059738A1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biolitec Unternehmensbeteiligungs II AG
• Original Assignee: CeramOptec Industries Incorporated (Biolitec AG)
• Inventors: Neuberger, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 6,561,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/08 Decorative devices for handbags or purses
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/06 Ladies' handbags
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0046 Dental lasers surgical lasers A61B18/20; working by laser beam in general B23K26/00; lasers per se H01S3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/26 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/063 Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/434 Luminescent, Fluorescent; Optical brighteners; Photosensitizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/35 Ketones, e.g. benzophenone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/498 having 6-membered rings or their condensed derivatives, e.g. coumarin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9789 Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/02 Stomatological preparations, e.g. drugs for caries, aphtae, periodontitis
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses

Abstract

A method and material for self-cleaning of the teeth and mouth using a source of light in the visible range in conjunction with a photosensitive oral hygiene composition possessing a broad absorption spectrum in the visible range. The invention selectively eliminates harmful bacteria by use of a photosensitive agent and a light source. The present invention involves the use of a light-providing dental device to activate a photosensitive agent and destroy harmful bacteria in the oral cavity. It prevents or deters oral diseases, inflammations, and infections.

Claims

1. An oral hygiene composition comprising:

a photosensitizer, having a broad absorption spectrum at visible wavelengths, said photosensitizer being safe for consumption in modest quantities.

a compound for protecting the photosensitizer from the harmful effects of blood serum, saliva, or other bodily fluids in the oral cavity.

2. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitizer is an extract St. John'"'"'s Wort.

3. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitizer is hypericin.

4. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitizer is erythrosin B.

5. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitizer is a targeting photo-pharmaceutical that can selectively reduce harmful bacteria in an oral cavity.

6. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 5, wherein said vector molecules are antibodies.

7. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 4, wherein said product vector molecules are polyLysine residues.

8. An oral hygiene composition according to claim 1 where said oral hygiene composition adheres well to affected areas of the oral cavity, allows attachment of said photosensitizer to desired locations, and has sufficient resistive characteristic to the decomposing effects of saliva and other natural bodily defenses.

9. A dental hygiene device comprising:

at least one light source, having emission wavelength characteristics which overlap the absorption characteristics of said oral hygiene composition of claim 1;

at least one light source having power output matching requirements for activating said oral hygiene composition of claim 1;

means to transmit light from said at least one light source to said oral hygiene composition within a user'"'"'s oral cavity.

10. A method for oral hygiene comprising the steps of:

applying a oral hygiene composition as claimed in claim 1 to surfaces within a user'"'"'s oral cavity;

activating said oral hygiene composition with a dental hygiene device of claim 9;

and

rinsing any residue from said user'"'"'s oral cavity.