Short wavelength visible light-emitting toothbrush with an electronic signal interlock control

• US 9,439,503 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oralucent, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OraLucent, LLC.
• Inventors: Barnes, Mike, Lawrence, Timothy, Shepherd, Greg, Zastawny, Mathieu Julien Jean Emile, Dooley, Thomas Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Crandall, Lynsey
• Application Number:
  US14/946,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0004 with a controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0008 with means for controlling duration, e.g. time of brushing
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0012 with a pressure controlling device
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0022 with an electrical means
• 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 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/004 with an acoustic signalling means, e.g. noise
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0044 with light signalling means A46B15/0034, A46B15/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0046 with vibrating signalling means
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0085 Brushes provided with an identification, marking device or design
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/16 Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities

Abstract

A short wavelength visible light-emitting toothbrush with an electronic interlock control device preventing operation when the toothbrush is removed from the user'"'"'s mouth. The electronic interlock control over operation is necessary to prevent accidental eye exposure to the high intensity light source with a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm. The light-emitting toothbrush activates upon formation of an electrical circuit between the brush handle in contact with the users hand and the brush head or brush bristles in contact with moisture contained in a human mouth such as saliva or water mixed with toothpaste but deactivates immediately when removed from the mouth, thus protecting the user'"'"'s eyes from direct exposure to the high power light source contained in the brush-head.

Claims

1. A method of treating teeth comprising:

Providing a toothbrush, wherein the toothbrush comprises bristles, an electrical circuit and a light source configured to emit light at a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm;

Grasping the toothbrush with a hand of a user;

Inserting the bristles of the toothbrush into a mouth of the user and thereby completing a signal loop through the hand of the user, the electrical circuit and the mouth of the user;

Flowing current from the toothbrush through the hand and mouth of the user, due to the completion of the signal loop;

wherein the current is in the range of 10 to 100 nanoamperes;

Activating the light source, due to the flow of current;

Illuminating an inside of the user'"'"'s mouth with the light from the light source.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising removing the bristles from the mouth of the user, thereby disabling the flow of the electrical current from the toothbrush through the hand and mouth of the user as connected by the user'"'"'s body and deactivating the source of light.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a step of closing a make/break switch on the brush to enable operation by making a current path through the switch prior to inserting the bristles into the mouth of the user.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising terminating brushing when a signal is received from the brush that a time period has elapsed.