Dental Device Comprising a Light Guide and a Light Source
First Claim
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1. A dental device comprising:
- a body comprising a handle and a head for being at least partially inserted into a mouth;
a light source for emitting light of at least a wavelength and disposed within the body opposite the head;
a light guide having a first end optically coupled with the light source and a second end disposed proximate the head, wherein the second end of the light guide is for refracting at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source into the air for illuminating at least a portion of an inside of the mouth;
a control circuit coupled with the light source; and
,a battery compartment coupled with the control circuit.
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Abstract
A novel dental device is disclosed for facilitating oral hygiene. The device includes a light source and a light guide, where light from the light source is propagated through the light guide so that it refracts from the end thereof. Through this refraction it at least partially illuminates bristles, or dental floss or a dental pick and in use illuminates, at least partially, teeth and gums within the mouth. Preferably the dental device utilizes a light source of such a wavelength that facilitates killing of bacteria.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dental device comprising:
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a body comprising a handle and a head for being at least partially inserted into a mouth; a light source for emitting light of at least a wavelength and disposed within the body opposite the head; a light guide having a first end optically coupled with the light source and a second end disposed proximate the head, wherein the second end of the light guide is for refracting at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source into the air for illuminating at least a portion of an inside of the mouth; a control circuit coupled with the light source; and
,a battery compartment coupled with the control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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10. A dental device according to claim 10 wherein the at least a wavelength of the light source is at least within an infrared and ultraviolet spectrum.
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11. A dental device according to claim comprising:
- a removeable dental pick that is removeably coupled with the head and disposed proximate the second end of the light guide for being at least partially illuminated by light refracting from the second end of the light guide.
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14. A method comprising:
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providing a dental device body; providing handle as part of the body; providing a head as part of the body opposite the handle; providing a light source disposed in the handle; providing a light guide optically coupled with the light source at a first end; providing at least a surface for refraction of the light guide at a second end, which is opposite the first end; propagating light from the light source through the light guide; and refracting light from the at least a surface for refraction proximate the head.
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18. A dental device comprising:
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a body comprising a handle and a head, where the head is disposed opposite the handle; a light source for emitting light of at least a wavelength and disposed within the body opposite the head; at least one of bristles and dental floss and a dental pick disposed proximate the head; a light guide having a first end optically coupled with the light source and a second end disposed proximate the head, wherein the second end of the light guide is for refracting at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source into the air for illuminating at least one of bristles and dental floss and a dental pick; a control circuit coupled with the light source; and
,a battery compartment coupled with the control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification