Method and apparatus for oral care

• US 20060240386A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Nanotech Holdings Incorporated (Nano Magic, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nano-Proprietary, Inc. (Nano Magic, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruberto, John, Yaniv, Zvi
• Application Number:
  US11/405,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20060240386A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/215
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/06 Implements for therapeutic treatment radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/413 Nanosized, i.e. having sizes below 100 nm
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/81 Preparation or application process involves irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/02 characterised by special physical form
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/29 Titanium; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention comprises an oral care system that comprises a photocatalytic solution. The photocatalytic solution may comprise titanium oxide nanotubes. The system may also include an oral instrument that is coupled to a light source. The photocatalytic solution will degrade oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from the light source. The photocatalytic solution may be disposed, for example, within, on or about a dentifrice. The titanium oxide nanotubes may be rectangular in cross-section, anatase in form and less than 500 nm in width, less than 500 nm in length, and less than 5000 nm in height.

Claims

1. An oral care system comprising:

a photocatalytic solution, said photocatalytic solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes; and

an oral instrument, said instrument operatively coupled to a light source;

wherein said photocatalytic solution substantially degrades oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from said light source.

2. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said photocatalytic solution is disposed substantially within a medium chosen from the group consisting of a dentifrice, an oral rinse, a dental floss and a tablet.

3. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially rectangular in cross-section and substantially anatase in form.

4. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially less than 500 nm in width, substantially less than 500 nm in length, and substantially less than 5000 nm in height.

5. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said oral instrument comprises a night guard that further comprises a substantially translucent portion for transmitting light from said light source to the oral cavity.

6. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said oral instrument comprises a toothbrush.

7. The oral care system of claim 6, wherein said toothbrush comprises a substantially translucent portion for transmitting light from said light source to the oral cavity.

8. The oral care system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises an ultraviolet light source.

9. An oral care solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes, wherein said solution substantially degrades oral pollutants upon exposure to illumination from a light source.

10. The oral care solution of claim 9, said nanotubes being substantially rectangular in cross-section.

11. The oral care solution of claim 9, said nanotubes being substantially anatase in form.

12. The oral care solution of claim 9, said solution comprising a medium selected from the group consisting of a dentifrice, an oral rinse and a dental floss.

13. The oral care solution of claim 9, wherein said titanium oxide nanotubes are substantially less than 500 nm in width, substantially less than 500 nm in length, and substantially less than 5000 nm in height.

14. The oral care solution of claim 9, said solution not comprising binders.

15. An method for providing oral care comprising:

applying a photocatalytic solution within an oral cavity of a patient, said photocatalytic solution comprising titanium oxide nanotubes;

illuminating said solution with light from an oral instrument, said instrument operatively coupled to a light source; and

degrading oral pollutants upon exposing said oral cavity to illumination from said light source.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of illuminating said solution substantially overnight.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of mechanically agitating said solution with said oral instrument, said instrument comprising a tooth brush.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of applying said solution within said oral cavity using dental floss, said floss comprising said solution.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of applying said solution within said oral cavity using said oral instrument, said oral instrument comprising a night guard.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said light source comprises an ultraviolet light source.