Intra-oral light-therapy apparatuses and methods for their use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a mouthpiece configured to be disposed within a mouth of a patient, a plurality of light emitters being disposed within the mouthpiece and arranged in one or more rows, the plurality of light emitters being configured to emit light to alveolar soft tissue of the patient, the mouthpiece including a bite tray, the mouthpiece further including a flange coupled to the bite tray, the flange having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, the posterior portion of the flange defining a groove configured to render the posterior portion of the flange deflectable toward the bite tray;
a bill coupled to the mouthpiece, the bill configured to be disposed externally to the mouth when the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth; and
an electronics assembly, at least a portion of the electronics assembly being disposed within the bill, the electronics assembly configured to control operation of the one or more rows of light emitters, the electronics assembly configured to send a first signal to cause a first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters to emit light, the electronics assembly configured to receive a second signal from a second light emitter, the second signal associated with reflection of the light emitted from the first light emitter, the electronics assembly configured to detect whether the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth based on the second signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient'"'"'s mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.
292 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a mouthpiece configured to be disposed within a mouth of a patient, a plurality of light emitters being disposed within the mouthpiece and arranged in one or more rows, the plurality of light emitters being configured to emit light to alveolar soft tissue of the patient, the mouthpiece including a bite tray, the mouthpiece further including a flange coupled to the bite tray, the flange having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, the posterior portion of the flange defining a groove configured to render the posterior portion of the flange deflectable toward the bite tray; a bill coupled to the mouthpiece, the bill configured to be disposed externally to the mouth when the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth; and an electronics assembly, at least a portion of the electronics assembly being disposed within the bill, the electronics assembly configured to control operation of the one or more rows of light emitters, the electronics assembly configured to send a first signal to cause a first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters to emit light, the electronics assembly configured to receive a second signal from a second light emitter, the second signal associated with reflection of the light emitted from the first light emitter, the electronics assembly configured to detect whether the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth based on the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a mouthpiece configured to be disposed within a mouth of a patient, the mouthpiece including a bite tray and a flange coupled to the bite tray, the mouthpiece including a plurality of light emitters disposed within the flange, at least a first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters being configured to emit light to alveolar soft tissue of the patient, a posterior portion of the mouthpiece defining a hinge mechanism between at least a portion of the bite tray and at least a portion of the flange, the hinge mechanism configured to render a posterior portion of the flange deflectable towards an upper surface of the bite tray; a bill coupled to an anterior portion of the mouthpiece, at least a portion of the bill configured to be disposed externally to the mouth when the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth; and an electronics assembly, at least a portion of the electronics assembly being disposed within the bill, the electronics assembly configured to control operation of the plurality of light emitters, the electronics assembly configured to send a first signal to cause at least the first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters to emit light, the electronics assembly configured to receive a second signal from a second light emitter of the plurality of light emitters, the second signal indicative that the second light emitter detected a predetermined threshold amount of the light emitted from the first light emitter and reflected by the patient'"'"'s oral tissue, the electronics assembly configured to send a third signal in response to receipt of the second signal, the third signal configured to cause at least the first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters the emit light to the alveolar soft tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a mouthpiece configured to be disposed within a mouth of a patient, a plurality of light emitters being disposed within the mouthpiece, the plurality of light emitters being configured to emit light to alveolar soft tissue of the patient, the mouthpiece including a bite tray and a flange coupled to the bite tray, the mouthpiece having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, the posterior portion of the mouthpiece defining a recess configured to render a posterior portion of the flange deflectable towards an upper surface of the bite tray, wherein the recess is not present in the anterior portion of the mouthpiece; a bill coupled to the anterior portion of the mouthpiece, the bill configured to be disposed externally to the mouth when the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth; and an electronics assembly, at least a portion of the electronics assembly being disposed within the bill, the electronics assembly configured to control operation of the plurality of light emitters, the electronics assembly configured to send a first signal to cause a first light emitter of the plurality of light emitters to emit light, the electronics assembly configured to receive a second signal from a second light emitter of the plurality of light emitters, the second signal associated with an amount of the light emitted from the first light emitter and reflected by the patient'"'"'s oral tissue, the electronics assembly configured to detect whether the mouthpiece is disposed within the mouth based on the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification