Plaque detection using a stream probe
First Claim
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
- an oral insertion portion containing a toothbrush component with bristles;
a body portion containing a pump portion having a plunger to supply a gas stream at a proximal end thereof, a proximal probe portion in fluid communication with the pump portion, and detection electronics;
a first parameter sensor positioned at plunger in electrical communication with the detection electronics for measuring a change in gas pressure in the proximal pump portion;
a stream probe detection apparatus configured to detect the presence of a substance on a dental surface, the apparatus comprising;
a distal probe portion in the oral insertion 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 gas, therethrough,the parameter sensor configured such that an increase in pressure signal detected by the parameter sensor is conveyed to the detection electronics if a substance outside of the stream probe and on the dental surface is at least partially obstructing the passage of gas through the open port of the distal tip.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (100, 100′) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal 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. 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 second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
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an oral insertion portion containing a toothbrush component with bristles; a body portion containing a pump portion having a plunger to supply a gas stream at a proximal end thereof, a proximal probe portion in fluid communication with the pump portion, and detection electronics; a first parameter sensor positioned at plunger in electrical communication with the detection electronics for measuring a change in gas pressure in the proximal pump portion; a stream probe detection apparatus configured to detect the presence of a substance on a dental surface, the apparatus comprising; a distal probe portion in the oral insertion 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 gas, therethrough, the parameter sensor configured such that an increase in pressure signal detected by the parameter sensor is conveyed to the detection electronics if a substance outside of the stream probe and on the dental surface is at least partially obstructing the passage of gas through the open port of the distal tip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification