Light-emitting toothbrush and method of whitening teeth
First Claim
1. A toothbrush comprising:
- a head having a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side of the head;
a handle detachably affixed to a second side of the head;
a light source which emits light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nanometers to about 700 nanometers; and
a light guide having a first end disposed within the head and a second end optically coupled to the light source, wherein light entering the second end of the light guide is guided towards the first end and directed out of the first side of the head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light-emitting toothbrush comprising a head having a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side, a handle detachably affixed to a second side of the head, a light guide having a first end disposed within the head and a second end disposed within the handle, and a light source optically coupled to the second end of the light guide. The light source emits light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nanometers to about 700 nanometers. Light from the light source entering the light guide is guided to the first end of the light guide and out of the first side of the head. Thus the light emitted from the head illuminates teeth while brushing.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A toothbrush comprising:
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a head having a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side of the head;
a handle detachably affixed to a second side of the head;
a light source which emits light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nanometers to about 700 nanometers; and
a light guide having a first end disposed within the head and a second end optically coupled to the light source, wherein light entering the second end of the light guide is guided towards the first end and directed out of the first side of the head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A toothbrush comprising:
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a body having a head portion and a handle portion;
a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side of the head portion;
a light source which emits light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nanometers to about 700 nanometers; and
a light guide having a first end disposed within the head portion and a second end optically coupled to the light source, wherein light entering the second end of the light guide is guided towards the first end and directed out of the first side of the head. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of whitening teeth comprising:
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applying a bleaching solution to the teeth or to a plurality of bristles affixed to a first side of a toothbrush, the bleaching solution including an oxidizer;
generating light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nm to about 700 nm;
guiding the generated light out of the first side of the toothbrush; and
brushing the teeth with the toothbrush. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification