Toothbrush employing an acoustic waveguide
First Claim
1. A toothbrush comprising:
- a toothbrush head having an outwardly extending acoustic waveguide; and
a handle operatively connected to the toothbrush head, the handle having a component that vibrates the toothbrush head.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power toothbrush (10) is disclosed having a handle (15) containing a rechargeable battery (12), an ultrasonic drive circuit (14), a sonic component (16) such as a motor, and a control unit (18). The handle is connected to a toothbrush head (20) preferably having a plurality of bristles (26) and an ultrasonic transducer (22) that is operatively connected to a waveguide (24) that extends from the toothbrush head generally adjacent the bristles. The waveguide facilitates the transmission of acoustic energy into the dental fluid. It is contemplated that the waveguide may be utilized in manual or power toothbrushes, and in a combination without the sonic component, or in a combination without the ultrasonic transducer. Toothbrushes disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, and stimulating dental tissue.
184 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A toothbrush comprising:
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a toothbrush head having an outwardly extending acoustic waveguide; and
a handle operatively connected to the toothbrush head, the handle having a component that vibrates the toothbrush head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A toothbrush comprising:
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a toothbrush head having an outwardly extending acoustic waveguide;
an ultrasonic transducer operably connected to the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer transmits sound waves having a frequency greater than about 20 kHz to the acoustic waveguide; and
a handle operatively connected to the toothbrush head. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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- 39. A removable toothbrush head having a base, a plurality of bristles extending from the base, and an acoustic waveguide extending from the base.
Specification