Dental cleansing implement
First Claim
1. A dental cleansing implement for coupling to a handle member with an electric motor drive means, the cleansing implement comprising an elongate member that includes a thin, elongate shaft having a free end portion structured for complete insertion in the interproximal spaces and a mounting portion connected with the shaft, the mounting portion including structure adapted to be coupled to the electric motor drive means, the elongate member being adapted to be at least one of rotated or oscillated by the electric motor drive means about a shaft longitudinal center line, the free end portion of the shaft being made of a flexible and resilient material, and the free end portion including a bent portion in the shape of a crescent, approximately, wherein during use the bent portion is inserted in the interproximal spaces and at least one of rotated or oscillated by the electric motor drive means, and wherein said material is sufficiently flexible for the bent portion to conform automatically to respective dimensions of individual interproximal spaces of the interproximal spaces during rotation of the bent portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dental cleansing implement having a thin, elongate shaft. The shaft includes a free end portion suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion or the like. The mounting portion is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line. The free end portion of the shaft is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent, approximately.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A dental cleansing implement for coupling to a handle member with an electric motor drive means, the cleansing implement comprising an elongate member that includes a thin, elongate shaft having a free end portion structured for complete insertion in the interproximal spaces and a mounting portion connected with the shaft, the mounting portion including structure adapted to be coupled to the electric motor drive means, the elongate member being adapted to be at least one of rotated or oscillated by the electric motor drive means about a shaft longitudinal center line, the free end portion of the shaft being made of a flexible and resilient material, and the free end portion including a bent portion in the shape of a crescent, approximately, wherein during use the bent portion is inserted in the interproximal spaces and at least one of rotated or oscillated by the electric motor drive means, and wherein said material is sufficiently flexible for the bent portion to conform automatically to respective dimensions of individual interproximal spaces of the interproximal spaces during rotation of the bent portion.
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22. A dental cleansing instrument, comprising:
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a handle member including a housing and an electric motor drive means; and a receiving sleeve including a proximal end structured for removably coupling to an end of the housing, and a distal end having an opening; and an elongate member substantially encompassed by the receiving sleeve, including a mounting portion structured for removably coupling with the electric motor drive means, and an elongate shaft having a free end portion projecting out through the opening of the distal end of the receiving sleeve, wherein the free end portion is structured for complete insertion in the interproximal spaces and wherein during use, the free end portion is at least one of rotated and oscillated by the electric motor drive means about a shaft longitudinal center line, the free end portion being made of a flexible material, and the free end portion including a bent portion approximately in the shape of a crescent. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification