Plaque detection using a stream probe
First Claim
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
- an oral insertion portion;
a body portion containing detection electronics;
at least one parameter sensor in electrical communication with the detection electronics configured to measure a change in a parameter;
a stream probe detection apparatus in the oral insertion portion configured to detect the presence of a substance on a dental surface, the apparatus comprising;
a distal probe portion configured to be immersed in a first fluid,the distal probe portion defining a distal tip having an open port to enable the passage of a second fluid therethrough,the at least one parameter sensor configured such that passage of the second fluid through the distal tip enables detection of a substance that may be present on the dental surface based on measurement by the detection electronics of a change in the pressure signal detected by the at least one parameter sensor, correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the detection electronics determining, based on the change in the pressure signal, whether the substance present on the dental surface is more hydrophilic than the dental surface, wherein the distal tip is composed of at least two different materials such that the distal tip has a non-uniform wear profile,wherein the detection electronics, based on the change in pressure signal, is configured to determine if the substance present on the dental surface is plaque.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (100, 100′) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112′) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100′) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112′). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may also have a non-uniform wear profile. The at least one distal probe portion (110) may include two or multiple components to improve performance and reliability.
16 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
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an oral insertion portion; a body portion containing detection electronics; at least one parameter sensor in electrical communication with the detection electronics configured to measure a change in a parameter;
a stream probe detection apparatus in the oral insertion portion configured to detect the presence of a substance on a dental surface, the apparatus comprising;a distal probe portion configured to be immersed in a first fluid, the distal probe portion defining a distal tip having an open port to enable the passage of a second fluid therethrough, the at least one parameter sensor configured such that passage of the second fluid through the distal tip enables detection of a substance that may be present on the dental surface based on measurement by the detection electronics of a change in the pressure signal detected by the at least one parameter sensor, correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the detection electronics determining, based on the change in the pressure signal, whether the substance present on the dental surface is more hydrophilic than the dental surface, wherein the distal tip is composed of at least two different materials such that the distal tip has a non-uniform wear profile, wherein the detection electronics, based on the change in pressure signal, is configured to determine if the substance present on the dental surface is plaque. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting the presence of a substance on a dental surface, the method comprising:
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immersing in a first fluid a distal probe portion, the distal probe portion defining a distal tip having an open port to enable the passage of a second fluid therethrough, and due to passage of the second fluid through the distal tip, detecting by means of at least one parameter sensor a substance that may be present on the dental surface based on measurement by detection electronics of a change in a pressure signal detected by the at least one parameter sensor correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the detection electronics determining, based on the change in the pressure signal, whether the substance present on the dental surface is more hydrophilic than the dental surface, and if so, the detection electronics providing at least one of an audible or visual alarm, wherein the detection electronics, based on the change in pressure signal, determines if the substance present on the dental surface is plaque. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification