Reciprocating germicidal toothbrush and system

• US 7,168,122 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert H. Riddell
• Original Assignee: Robert H. Riddell
• Inventors: Riddell, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US11/329,811
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0034 with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces
• 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 1/088 Illuminating devices or attachments for examination of the mouth A61B1/24 and A61B1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle

Abstract

A germicidal toothbrush that includes a head with perpendicularly aligned bristles made of an optical fiber capable of transmitting germicidal ultraviolet light. The toothbrush includes a main optical fiber that extends longitudinally inside the handle and terminates inside a brush head cavity. Perpendicularly aligned and attached to the brush head is a plurality of bristles. The distal end of the main optical fiber includes a sloped surface so that coherent ultraviolet light may be emitted at a critical angle so that it enters the ends of the bristles and then travels longitudinally therein to the surrounding teeth and gum surfaces. The ends of the bristles are coupled to a metal bar that connects to a connecting rod. The connecting rod is coupled to an internal electric motor that that causes the bristles to reciprocate back and forth on the head.

Claims

1. An optical fiber toothbrush with bristles, comprising:

a. a handle;

b. a toothbrush head attached to said handle, said toothbrush head including a longitudinal axis and an inner cavity;

c. a main optical fiber that extends longitudinally inside said handle and into said inner cavity in said toothbrush head;

d. a plurality of bristles each made of at least one optical fiber capable of transmitting light, each said bristle extends from said toothbrush head and includes a proximal end that extends into said inner cavity, said distal end of said bristle being aligned with the end of said main optical fiber so that light transmitted through said main optical fiber is transmitted to said proximal end of said bristles; and

,

e. means for moving said proximal ends of said bristles longitudinally inside said toothbrush head so that said bristles reciprocating in fore and aft directions on said toothbrush head.

2. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said proximal ends of said bristles inside said toothbrush head is a longitudinally aligned bar coupled to an electric motor located inside said handle.

3. The toothbrush as recited in claim 2, further including a battery located inside said handle and connected to said electric motor to provide an electric current thereto.

4. The toothbrush as recited in claim 2, further including a switch mounted on said handle and coupled to said electric motor enabling said electric motor to be turned on or off.

5. The toothbrush as recited in claim 3, further including a switch mounted on said handle and coupled to said electric motor enabling said electric motor to be turned on or off.

6. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, wherein said toothbrush head is removably connected to said handle.

7. The toothbrush as recited in claim 2, further including a connecting rod connected to said bar, a pinion gear connected to said electric motor and a main gear used to couple said rotational movement of said pinion gear to said connecting rod, said connecting rod able to move longitudinally inside said toothbrush when said main gear is rotated.

8. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, further including a light box with a near infrared light source located therein and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

9. The toothbrush as recited in claim 1, further including a near infrared light source located inside said light box to provide near infrared light to said bristles in said toothbrush.

10. The toothbrush as recited in claim 2, further including a light box with an ultraviolet light source located therein and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

11. The toothbrush as recited in claim 6, further including a light box with a near infrared light source located therein and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

12. The toothbrush as recited in claim 10, further including a near infrared light source located inside said light box to provide near infrared light to said bristles in said toothbrush.

13. The toothbrush as recited in claim 3, further including a light box with an ultraviolet light source located therein, and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

14. The toothbrush as recited in claim 3, further including a light box with a near infrared light source located therein and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

15. The toothbrush as recited in claim 13, further including a near infrared light source

located inside said light box to provide near infrared light to said bristles in said toothbrush.

16. The toothbrush as recited in claim 5, further including a light box with an ultraviolet light source located therein, and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

17. The toothbrush as recited in claim 5, further including a light box with a near infrared light source located therein and a primary fiber optic that extends between said light box and said main optical fiber in said toothbrush.

18. The toothbrush as recited in claim 16, further including a near infrared light source located inside said light box to provide near infrared light to said bristles in said toothbrush.