Finger cot accessory for oral hygiene in people with special needs.

Abstract

This is an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene in people with special needs. It is an accessory finger cot (10) for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - or healthcare professionals, for example, dentists, assisting dentists, to aid and stabilize dental procedures, and also nursing professionals and caregivers in hospital and home settings, in the care of bedridden people; said finger cot (10) is formed by a single piece configured by a tubular rod (11) with an opening (11a) of width (l1) and length (c1) for placing the user caregiver's finger (ud) and an end opener (12) for the dental arch of the person with special needs - PNE - (un).

Description

1 / 6 Accessory finger brush for oral hygiene in people with special needs. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention patent relates to an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - where, notably, said finger cot is comprised of a rigid body that provides the opening and stabilization of the mouth in an open position in a safe, comfortable and easy way, enabling oral hygiene practices in people with special needs - PNE - by their caregivers, as well as, it can be used by dentists in clinical examinations, by dental assistants to aid and stabilize dental procedures, and also by nursing professionals and caregivers in hospital and home settings, in the care of bedridden people. HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[002] It is known that the daily reality of a person with special needs (PNE) - and their guardians or caregivers - is surrounded by challenges imposed by the different impairments or restrictions presented, such as the difficulty of oral hygiene, which for this reason can lead to oral problems.

[003] The aforementioned difficulty in performing adequate oral hygiene is often caused by motor impairments in people with special needs, which prevent the mouth from opening and maintaining a cooperative position for brushing movements, leading to a worsening of oral health.

[004] Another issue that contributes to the appearance of cavities is the fact that medications used for serious illnesses can dry out the mouth or contain sugar in their composition, in addition to also contributing to excessive gum growth.

[005] Currently, there are some models of devices on the market specifically designed to maintain mouth opening during oral hygiene, such as a mouth opener made of rubber and formed by a trapezoidal monobloc piece, said piece having at least two lateral walls with recesses that allow the teeth to rest and, consequently, the positioning of the Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, page 12 / 23 2 / 6 mouth in open position for oral hygiene practice.

[006] Although the aforementioned device allows the mouth of the PNE to open, it is a fact that the device's design causes it to occupy a large part of the opening and, consequently, makes oral hygiene difficult.

[007] Another model of mouth-opening device for people with disabilities consists of a rubber finger cot that is part of a stabilizing kit for people with disabilities for oral hygiene. Although said kit includes a finger cot to facilitate mouth opening, it is different from the finger cot now requested. State of the Art Analysis

[008] Research conducted in specialized databases found documents relating to mouth-opening devices for people with disabilities, such as those presented in document no. 2.Patent application PI 0503085-4 refers to a mouth locking device, also known as a mouth opener, for use in various dental treatments. It comprises a triangular plastic piece with a small outer flap and a large central hole, applied between the upper and lower jaws in any position in the mouth to keep it open. It is locked in place by small rounded cradles where a tooth can be fitted, preventing the device from moving forward or backward. This provides a free field for general dental work, allowing the patient to rest and relax without constantly having to keep their jaw open, which causes tension and physical discomfort.

[009] Document No. MU 8003230-3 deals with a bucco-labial retractor, opener and support together with an aspirator and tongue protector, to assist in the dental field with the purpose of keeping the mouths of patients and users open, together with an aspirator and tongue trimmer designed to eliminate debris and protect the tongue against possible injuries that may occur during handling. Equipped with rotating movements in the arches, support rods with angle adjustment for opening the mouth, holes for eliminating debris and saliva, and a tongue trimmer plate. Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, page 13 / 23 3 / 6

[010] The aforementioned documents, despite belonging to the same field of application, differ from the present invention in question, as will be seen below, thus ensuring that it fully meets the legal requirements for patentability. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[011] The objective of the invention is to present an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - comprising a rigid body and whose construction provides the opening and stabilization of the mouth in an open position in a safe, comfortable and easy way, enabling oral hygiene practices in people with special needs - PNE - by their caregivers.

[012] The objective of the invention is to present an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - whose design allows the caregiver's finger to adapt comfortably and safely, and can be used by the fingers of both hands, according to the operator's preference.

[013] The invention aims to present an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene in people with special needs (PNE) that allows internal visualization of the mouth, including the most posterior regions, facilitating visual monitoring by the caregiver. Therefore, it can also be applied and used by healthcare professionals, for example, dentists, in clinical examinations, dental assistants, to aid and stabilize dental procedures, and also nursing professionals and caregivers in hospital and home settings, in the care of bedridden individuals.

[014] The invention aims to present an accessory finger cot for oral hygiene that enables the prevention of oral health problems resulting from poor home hygiene, in addition to promoting safety, especially for the fingers, of caregivers of these patients during oral hygiene practices.

[015] One advantage lies in the fact that the innovative finger cot has a shape adapted to ergonomics, fitting the index finger and a fitting that allows freedom of movement, as well as being usable for both right and left hand fingers.

[016] Another advantage lies in the fact that the finger tab provides a solid end close to the handle. Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, page 14 / 23 4 / 6 to the tip of the finger, thus allowing access to the inner oral regions through mouth opening, as well as stability and greater control of the dental arches in the proper position to allow efficient introduction of the toothbrush during brushing. TESTS

[017] Tests on a volunteer with cerebral palsy, carried out using the prototype finger cot, prototyped in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer - ABS Plus, proved its effectiveness and efficiency, adequately providing dental brushing with the use of a toothbrush and toothpaste.

[018] The objectives of the proposal were not only achieved, enabling the introduction and free movement of the brush in the mouth and visualization of the interior of the oral cavity, but it also proved possible for its use by other health professionals, such as dentists and nurses. The acceptance by the volunteer patient was total, as was that of her guardian, who could perceive the ease of use and safety that the finger toothbrush provides.

[019] The research concluded that the proposed objectives of providing hygiene for people with disabilities using the finger cot were indeed met, in form and function, but could be improved in terms of applicable materials. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[020] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present invention and in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached to the description, where, in an exemplary, though not limiting, manner, its operation is represented:

[021] figures 1 and IA represent front and rear perspective views of the finger tab in question;

[022] figures 2 and 2A show the side and bottom views;

[023] Figure 3 reveals a longitudinal cross-sectional view AA indicated in Figure 2A;

[024] Figure 3A illustrates a side view of the finger cot and the positioning of the caregiver's finger; and Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, page 15 / 23 5 / 6

[025] Figure 4 shows an illustrative view of the use of the innovative finger cot. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[026] With reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention patent refers to an ACCESSORY FINGER HANDLE FOR ORAL HYGIENE IN PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, more precisely it is an accessory finger hand (10) for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - or health professionals, for example, dental surgeons, assisting dental surgeons, to aid and stabilize the dental procedure, and also nursing professionals and caregivers in hospital and home settings, in the care of bedridden people.

[027] According to the present invention, said finger cot (10) is formed from a single piece made of rigid plastic such as styrene-butadiene copolymer - ABS - or another suitable type of high mechanical resistance for compression stresses and precision of shapes, being formed by a tubular rod (11) with an opening (11a) of width (II) and length (cl) for the placement of the finger of the carer user (UD) and an extreme opener (12) of the dental arch of the person with special needs - PNE - (UN).

[028] The tubular wall of the rod (11) is arched in radius (rl) and whose opening (11a) has an oblong shape with a recess (11b) made on the edge (11c) configuring a slightly sinuous step.

[029] Said tubular rod (11) develops in a tapered shape until it reaches the opening portion (12) of the dental arch, which, in turn, comprises a solid cylindrical end provided with an annular flange (12a) of larger diameter (d2) in relation to the diameter (dl) of the tapered portion and which forms a limiting stop (BL) for bite fitting.

[030] The solid portion (12b) provides a waisted peripheral wall designed to maintain the dental arch in an open position and a flat posterior wall (12c).

[031] For use, the caregiver (UD) simply puts on the finger cot (10) and positions the opener portion (12) between the dental arch of the person with special needs - PNE (UN), configuring the opening and thus allowing oral hygiene.

[032] It is understood that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced with regard to certain details of construction and form, Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, pp. 16 / 23 6 / 6 without this implying a departure from the fundamental principles that are clearly substantiated in the claim framework, it being understood that the terminology used was not intended to be limiting. Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, pp. 17 / 23

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIMS 1. ACCESSORY FINGER HANDLE FOR ORAL HYGIENE IN PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, more precisely it is an accessory finger hand (10) for oral hygiene in people with special needs - PNE - or health professionals, for example, dental surgeon, assisting the dental surgeon, to aid and stabilize the dental procedure, and also nursing professionals and caregivers in hospital and home environments, in the care of bedridden people; characterized by the finger hand (10) being formed by a single piece configured by a tubular rod (11) with an opening (11a) of width (II) and length (cl) for the placement of the user caregiver's finger (UD) and an extreme opener (12) of the dental arch of the person with special needs - PNE - (UN); the tubular wall of the rod (11) is arched in radius (rl) and whose opening (11a) has an oblong shape with a recess (11b) made on the edge (11c) configuring a slightly sinuous step;said tubular rod (11) develops in a tapered shape until it reaches the opening portion (12) of the dental arch, which, in turn, comprises a solid cylindrical end provided with an annular flange (12a) of larger diameter (d2) in relation to the diameter (dl) of the tapered portion and which forms a limiting stop (BL) for bite fitting; the solid portion (12b) provides a contoured peripheral wall designed to maintain the dental arch in an open position and a flat posterior wall (12c).

2. ACCESSORY FINGER COAT FOR ORAL HYGIENE IN PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the finger cot (10) is formed from a single piece made of rigid plastic such as styrene-butadiene copolymer - ABS - or another suitable type with high mechanical resistance to compression stress and precision of shape. Petition 870200062197, dated 05 / 19 / 2020, pp. 18 / 23

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