Photocatalysis process toothbrush

Abstract

A photocatalysis process toothbrush comprising a handle with a grip at a proximal end and a head at a distal end thereof. The head has at least one group of bristles and at least one blue light emitter is provided on an upper surface of the head for emitting blue light in a direction generally parallel to the bristles. At least one blue light source is provided for radiating blue light, in a wavelength band between 420 nm to 480 nm, and a power source is provided for energizing the at least one blue light source. The blue light is at least one of modulated emission with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 872,761 filed on Dec. 4, 2006 and entitled “TOOTH BRUSH WITH BLUE LIGHT SOURCE” and such teaching and disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to dental hygiene and, in particular, to a toothbrush which emits radiation, in the near ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, in order to oxidize and destroy potentially harmful bacteria and / or other contaminants or compounds contained within the mouth and also activate a photo catalyst that may be deposited on the teeth and the gums of the person utilizing the toothbrush during normal brushing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The use of photocatalysis in dental hygiene processes is well established and stems from processes for purifying gases and liquids and for controlling bacteria and other microorganisms in gases and liqu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]A primary object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush which emits radiation, in the near ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, to oxidize and destroy potentially harmful bacteria and / or other contaminants or compounds contained within the mouth.

[0011]A further object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush which emits blue light within the 420 nm to 480 nm wavelength band, of the electromagnetic spectrum to avoid the normal hazards associated with using UV radiation as well as the corresponding FDA restrictions.

[0013]A still further object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture which has a power source that is light weight and can be readily recharged or replaced as needed.

Problems solved by technology

The currently UV photocatalytic toothbrushes which are marketed to consumers, however, have a number of significant problems, not the least being the potential hazards associated with such devices.

Compounding this problem is the fact that UV light within this wavelength range is nearly invisible to a user or patient, so that it is difficult to determine where the emitted UV beam is directed or aimed.

In addition, the duration of irradiation of the catalytic particles, at any particular location within the mouth, is typically very short during the normal toothbrushing process, thus requiring higher power levels of UV radiation in order to obtain effective catalytic reactions.

This problem is further compounded by the normal deterioration of the light transmission capability of the brush end elements, such as the lenses and the fiber optic elements, over time.

Up until now it is in fact the potential hazards of UV radiation that has limited the use of the UV dental hygiene processes to dentists and oral hygienists and the practical application of these methods to consumer toothbrushes and devices accordingly faces significant hurdles.

In addition, all laser devices emitting coherent radiation of 1 milliwatt or more in the visible wavelengths, and all devices emitting laser radiation at any power level in the non-visible wavelengths, such as the UV and IR wavelengths, are presently prohibited from being sold to the general public.

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