Light-emitting toothbrush and method of whitening teeth

• US 6,623,272 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kathleen Clemans
• Original Assignee: Kathleen Clemans
• Inventors: Clemans, Kathleen
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/008,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20030104340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 433/29, 433/215, 433/216
• US Class Current: 433/215
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/066 Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0654 Lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities

Abstract

A light-emitting toothbrush comprising a head having a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side, a handle detachably affixed to a second side of the head, a light guide having a first end disposed within the head and a second end disposed within the handle, and a light source optically coupled to the second end of the light guide. The light source emits light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nanometers to about 700 nanometers. Light from the light source entering the light guide is guided to the first end of the light guide and out of the first side of the head. Thus the light emitted from the head illuminates teeth while brushing.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a head having a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side of the head;

a handle detachably affixed to a second side of the head;

a light source which emits light in a spectrum ranging from at least 350 nanometers to at least 700 nanometers;

at least one band pass filter optically coupled to the light source and adapted to pass light at wavelengths between about 350 nanometers and about 700 nanometers; and

a light guide having a first end disposed within the head and a second end optically coupled to the at least one band pass filter, wherein light entering the second end of the light guide is guided towards the first end and directed out of the first side of the head.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed within the handle.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the light source is optically coupled to the light guide through an optical fiber.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the at least one band pass filter is adapted to pass light at wavelengths between about 350 nanometers and about 500 nanometers.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the first end of the light guide is optically coupled to the plurality of bristles such that light is guided out of the head through the bristles.

6. A toothbrush comprising:

a body having a head portion and a handle portion;

a plurality of bristles affixed to and extending from a first side of the head portion;

a light source which emits light in a spectrum ranging from at least 350 nanometers to at least 700 nanometers;

at least one band pass filter optically coupled to the light source and adapted to pass light at wavelengths between about 350 nanometers and about 700 nanometers; and

a light guide having a first end disposed within the head portion and a second end optically coupled to the at least one band pass filter, wherein light entering the second end of the light guide is guided towards the first end and directed out of the first side of the head.

7. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the light source is disposed within the handle.

8. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the light source is optically coupled to the light guide through an optical fiber.

9. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the at least one band pass filter is adapted to pass light at wavelengths between about 350 nanometers and about 500 nanometers.

10. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the first end of the light guide is optically coupled to the plurality of bristles such that light is guided out of the head through the bristles.

11. A method of whitening teeth comprising:

applying a bleaching solution to the teeth or to a plurality of bristles affixed to a first side of a toothbrush, the bleaching solution including an oxidizer;

generating light having a spectrum ranging from about 350 nm to about 700 nm;

guiding the generated light out of the first side of the toothbrush; and

brushing the teeth with the toothbrush.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein generating light includes generating light from a light source disposed within the toothbrush.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein generating light includes generating light from a light source disposed externally to the toothbrush and optically coupling the light source to the toothbrush.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein generating light includes filtering light with a band pass filter to pass a spectrum ranging from about 350 nm to about 500 nm.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein guiding the generated light out of the first side of the toothbrush includes guiding the light through the plurality of bristles.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of carbamide peroxide, carbamyl peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perhydrol urea, peroxyacetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.