Method and system for improved measurement of localized oral inflammation by using centroid sampling

Abstract

For localizing the gingival inflammation within a user's mouth, the following steps are carried out by using an oral care device (10) of (i) sequentially emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) in a first sequential pattern, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths; (ii) sequentially emitting (530) light in a second sequential pattern which is the reverse of the first sequential pattern; (iii) obtaining (540), by a light detector (40), reflectance measurements to generate first reflectance data from light emitted in the first sequential pattern, and to generate second reflectance data from light emitted in the second sequential pattern; (iv) averaging (550), by a controller (30), first reflectance data and second reflectance data for each wavelength to generate averaged reflectance data; and (v) determining (570), by using the averaged reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to methods and systems for improved detection of localized gingival inflammation using oral care devices. Background technique [0002] Proper brushing, including when and how often you brush, can help promote long-term dental health. People who don't brush their teeth regularly or don't brush enough can experience many dental problems, especially in specific areas or parts of the mouth. Among people who regularly brush their teeth, even when following standard brushing routines (such as brushing for two minutes twice a day), incorrect brushing habits can lead to poor brushing coverage and, consequently, to failure in the cleaning process. Surfaces that have been adequately cleaned. [0003] In fact, an estimated 50 percent of adults in the United States suffer from periodontal disease, which can range in severity from gingivitis to periodontitis. However, consumers often fail to detect the early signs of...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, existing methods and devices do not adequately identify or quantify tissue inflammation, especially localized inflammation

For example, the detection of gingival inflammation is poorly achieved with handheld devices because these devices either analyze a large area of ​​the mouth, resulting in a large signal-to-noise ratio that interferes with detection, or require a large number of measurements that are not user-friendly

Additionally, the movement of the user's hand can cause artifacts and poor readings on handheld devices

Periodontal disease often goes undetected as a result

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