Oral treatment devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses an oral treatment device that emits light onto the surface of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an oral piece in the mouth, the oral piece in the mouth including: a lamp support structure; a first lamp and a second lamp; each of the first lamp and the second lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly; and a lamp holding component connected to the lamp support structure. In one embodiment, the oral treatment device can be a tooth whitening device.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with the application date of December 19, 2016, application number "201680074893.1", and invention name "Oral Treatment Device". Background Art

[0002] Oral treatments such as teeth whitening are becoming more and more popular. Dentists and patients are looking for technologies that are both convenient and comfortable. Typically, in order to whiten the user's teeth, a composition containing hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth and allowed to remain in contact with the teeth to be bleached for a period of time. Current systems can be used to allow the user to apply radiation or light to the surface of the teeth pre-coated with the whitening composition to enhance the effectiveness of the whitening composition. However, for one or more reasons, such as the need for complex head mounting gears, the need to be handheld or the need for furniture-like mounting lamps, the currently available systems are both cumbersome and hard, and undesirable. Specifically, the current system cannot evenly and effectively cover the entire tooth surface. The radiation or light is emitted to the user's pre-coated teeth. Therefore, a tooth whitening device that can effectively emit radiation or light to the user's teeth is needed. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, the invention may be directed to a teeth whitening system that emits electromagnetic radiation, such as light, onto the surfaces of a user's teeth.

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device, which includes an intra-oral oral piece, the intra-oral oral piece including: a lamp supporting structure, the lamp supporting structure including a lamp supporting surface with a concave curvature and a front surface with a convex curvature, the lamp supporting structure being formed of a first material; a lamp, the lamp including a flexible sheet body with a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light emitters embedded in the flexible sheet body, the light generated by the light emitters being emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body; the lamp is mounted to the lamp supporting surface of the lamp supporting structure so that the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp presents a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly, the lamp being capable of being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power supply; and a protective component overmolded onto the lamp assembly, the protective component being formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness less than that of the first material.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device, comprising an intraoral oral piece, the intraoral oral piece comprising: a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface; a first lamp and a second lamp, each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprising a plurality of light emitters, light generated by the light emitters being emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; each of the first lamp and the second lamp being mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first lamp and the second lamp being capable of being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power supply; and a lamp holding component connected to the lamp support structure, the lower portion of the first lamp and the upper portion of the second lamp being held between the lamp holding component and the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device comprising an intraoral oral piece, the intraoral oral piece comprising: a lamp support surface; a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element electrically coupled to a control circuit having a power supply, the first electrical contact element comprising a first contact surface, the second electrical contact element comprising a second contact surface, each of the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element and the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element forming a part of the lamp support surface; a lamp comprising a plurality of light emitters, light generated by the light emitters being emitted from a rear surface of the lamp, and a first electrical contact member and a second electrical contact member, the first electrical contact having a first contact surface forming a first part of a front surface of the lamp, the second electrical contact having a second contact surface forming a second part of the front surface of the lamp; and the lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface such that: (1) the first contact surface of the first electrical contact member of the lamp contacts the first contact surface of the first electrical contact member; and (2) the second contact surface of the second electrical contact member of the lamp contacts the second contact surface of the second electrical contact member.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device comprising a control circuit having a power supply, and an intra-oral oral piece, the intra-oral oral piece comprising: a first electrical conductor configured to have a first charge, a second electrical conductor configured to have a second charge opposite to the first charge, and a third electrical conductor configured to have the first charge; a first lamp and a second lamp, each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprising: a plurality of light emitters configured to generate light; and a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact; the first lamp is positioned above the second lamp; and the first electrical conductor electrically couples the power supply to the first electrical contact of the first lamp, the third electrical conductor electrically couples the power supply to the first electrical contact of the third lamp, and the second electrical conductor couples the power supply to each of the second electrical contact of the first lamp and the second electrical contact of the second lamp.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device, comprising an intraoral oral piece, the intraoral oral piece comprising: a lamp support structure having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a lamp comprising a plurality of light emitters, the light emitters being configured to generate light emitted from the lamp, the lamp being mounted to the lamp support structure to form a lamp assembly, the lamp being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power supply; and a protective component connected to the lamp assembly, the protective component being formed of an elastomeric material, the protective component comprising a first wing portion extending beyond a first side edge of the lamp support structure and a second wing portion extending beyond a second side edge of the lamp support structure, the first wing portion and the second wing portion forming a flexible distal portion of the intraoral oral piece.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention may be an oral treatment device, comprising an intraoral oral piece, the intraoral oral piece comprising: a lamp, the lamp comprising a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes embedded in the flexible sheet body, the light generated by the light-emitting diodes being emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body, the lamp being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power supply; and the flexible sheet body comprising a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material, the flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes being printed onto the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body; and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp has a concave curvature and is exposed so as to form the light-emitting surface of the oral piece.

[0010] In even another aspect, the present invention can be an oral treatment device, the device comprising an intraoral oral piece, the intraoral oral piece comprising: a first light emitting surface configured to emit light onto the user's maxillary teeth, the first light emitting surface having a concave curvature; a second light emitting surface configured to emit light onto the user's mandibular teeth, the second light emitting surface having a concave curvature; the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface are located on opposite sides of a horizontal reference plane; the first light emitting surface is inclined so that a first acute angle is formed between the first light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane; and the second light emitting surface is inclined so that a second acute angle is formed between the second light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane.

[0011] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1is a rear perspective view of a teeth whitening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of a teeth whitening device;

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a teeth whitening device;

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A rear view of a teeth whitening device;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A front view of a teeth whitening device;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a teeth whitening device, the exploded view being obtained from a front perspective view of the teeth whitening device;

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a teeth whitening device, the exploded view being obtained from a rear perspective view of the teeth whitening device;

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of an upper portion of a housing of a teeth whitening device;

[0021] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a lower portion of a housing of a teeth whitening device;

[0022] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of an electrical contact component of a teeth whitening device;

[0023] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of an electrical contact component of a teeth whitening device;

[0024] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of an anchoring component of a teeth whitening device;

[0025] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of an anchoring component of a teeth whitening device;

[0026] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a curved support plate of a teeth whitening device;

[0027] Fig.15yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a curved support plate of a teeth whitening device;

[0028] Fig.16 yes Figure 1 A rear view of a curved support plate of a teeth whitening device;

[0029] Fig.17 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a first flexible lamp and a second flexible lamp of a teeth whitening device;

[0030] Fig.18 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a first flexible lamp and a second flexible lamp of a teeth whitening device;

[0031] Fig.19 It is taken along line XIX Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a first flexible lamp and a second flexible lamp of a teeth whitening device;

[0032] Fig. 20 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a light holding component of a teeth whitening device;

[0033] Fig.21 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a light holding component of a teeth whitening device;

[0034] Fig. 22 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of a protective component of a teeth whitening device;

[0035] Fig.23 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a protective component of a teeth whitening device;

[0036] Fig.24 yes Figure 1 A rear view of a protective component of a teeth whitening device;

[0037] Fig.25 is along Figure 2 XXIV Intercepted Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a teeth whitening device;

[0038] Fig.26 is along Figure 4 The view of XXV is captured Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a teeth whitening device;

[0039] Fig. 27 is along Figure 4 The view of XXVI is captured Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a teeth whitening device;

[0040] Fig.28 is a rear perspective view of the curved support plate;

[0041] Fig.29 yes Fig.28 A rear perspective view of a curved support plate to which an anchoring member is coupled to form a lamp support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 A rear perspective view of a lamp support structure with a first flexible lamp and a second flexible lamp mounted to a lamp support surface of the lamp support structure, thereby forming a lamp assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Fig.31 yes Fig.30 a rear perspective view of a lamp assembly of FIG. 1 with a lamp retaining member coupled to the lamp assembly;

[0044] Fig.32 yes Fig.31 a rear perspective view of a lamp assembly of with a guard member overmolded thereto to form a mouthpiece;

[0045] Fig.33 yes Fig.32 a rear perspective view of a mouthpiece of the embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece being positioned so that the anchoring element cooperates with the lower portion of the housing;

[0046] Fig.34 yes Fig.32 A rear perspective view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 1 with the upper portion of the housing added to complete the Figure 1 Assembly of teeth whitening devices;

[0047] Fig.35 yes Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a teeth whitening device, wherein the light emitter is activated to generate light; and

[0048] Fig.36 yes Fig.35 Rear view of a teeth whitening device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0050] The description of the illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered as part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be understood as referring to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings described later or in the discussion. These relative terms are only for the convenience of description, and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a specific orientation unless explicitly indicated. Terms such as "attachment", "attachment", "connection", "connection", "interconnection" and similar words refer to the relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to each other or directly or indirectly through an intermediate structure, and the attachment or relationship of the two movable or immovable, unless otherwise explicitly described as not being the case. In addition, the features and benefits of the present invention are illustrated with reference to the embodiments shown. Therefore, the present invention should obviously not be limited to such exemplary embodiments that show some possible non-limiting combinations of features that can exist alone or in other feature combinations.

[0051] In addition, it should be noted that although the oral treatment device of the present invention is described herein as a tooth whitening device, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in certain embodiments, the oral treatment device of the present invention can be configured to emit light for other oral treatment purposes, including but not limited to: enhancing oral tissue healing, antibacterial purposes, treating tooth sensitivity, disinfection, cleaning, and combinations thereof. In such other embodiments, the characteristics of the light emitted by the oral treatment device of the present invention will be selected to achieve the desired treatment, such as wavelength, intensity, power, optical density, and / or other characteristics. In other embodiments, the benefits of the oral treatment device can be determined by the oral care materials used in combination with it. For example, in certain embodiments, the oral care treatment device can be used in combination with other oral care materials, including but not limited to: antibacterial agents, anti-sensitivity agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-adhesive agents, plaque indicators, flavorings, sensory agents, breath fresheners, gum health agents, and colorants. Examples of such agents include metal ion agents (e.g., stannous ion agents, copper ion agents, zinc ion agents, silver ion agents), triclosan, triclosan monophosphate, chlorhexidine, alexidine, hexetidine, sanguinarine, benzalkonium chloride, salicylanilide, domiphene bromide, cetylpyridinium chloride, tetradecylpyridinium chloride, N-tetradecyl-4-ethylpyridinium chloride (TDEPC), octenidine, delmopinol, octopirox, nisin, essential oils, furanones, bacteriocins, flavanoids, flavonoids, folic acid, vitamins, minerals, hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium percarbonate, PVP-H2O2, polymer-bound peroxides, potassium nitrate, plugging agents, bioactive glass, arginine salts, arginine bicarbonate, bacalin, polyphenols, ethyl pyruvate, guanidinoethyl dithiocarbamide ... disulfide), tartar control agents, anti-stain ingredients, phosphates, polyvinylphosphonic acid, PVM / MA copolymers, enzymes, glucose oxidase, papain, ficin, ethyl lauroyl argininate, menthol, carvone and anethole, various flavoring aldehydes, esters and alcohols, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, wintergreen oil, sassafras oil, clove oil, sage oil, eucalyptus oil, marjoram oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil and / or orange oil.

[0052] See also Figures 1 to 5, a tooth whitening device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. As will be described in more detail below, the tooth whitening device 100 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the form of light, which helps tooth whitening. In some embodiments, the tooth whitening device 100 itself can be used to whiten the user's teeth by simply generating light on the face of the user's teeth. However, in certain other embodiments, the tooth whitening device 100 can be used in combination with a tooth whitening composition. Suitable tooth whitening compositions include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide compositions, urea peroxide compositions, calcium peroxide compositions, sodium perborate compositions, combinations thereof, or any other oral care materials known to be able to whiten teeth or found to be able to whiten teeth. In such embodiments, the tooth whitening composition can be directly applied to the desired surface (such as the face) of the user's teeth, or it can be applied to the tooth whitening device 100 itself. No matter which way it is applied, the tooth whitening composition is in contact with the user's teeth, and the light emitted from the tooth whitening device 100 passes through the tooth whitening composition to irradiate teeth at the same time.

[0053] Additionally, although the present invention is shown in the illustrated embodiment as light emitted from the tooth whitening system 100 to contact the buccal surface of the teeth, in other embodiments, the tooth whitening system 100 can be configured to emit light to the lingual, incisor, and / or occlusal surfaces of the teeth instead of, and / or in addition to, emitting light to the buccal surface of the teeth. In such embodiments, the light can be positioned within the bite plate and / or in the back wall of the mouthguard opposite the lingual surface of the teeth.

[0054] The teeth whitening system 100 generally includes an oral piece 101 and a housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the size and shape of the oral piece 101 are determined so that the oral piece can be inserted into the oral cavity of the user during use, and thus can be considered to be a substantially intraoral component. In contrast, the size, shape, and orientation of the housing 102 are determined so that the housing protrudes from the oral cavity of the user during use of the teeth whitening system 100, and thus can be considered to be a substantially extraoral component. In one embodiment, the housing 102 and the oral piece are configured so that the teeth whitening system 100 is a self-contained, hands-free device that can be placed in the oral cavity and supported in the user's mouth using only the person's teeth.

[0055] The housing 102 and the mouthpiece 101 are coupled together such that the mouthpiece 101 extends from the housing 102 in a direction generally opposite to the direction of light emitted from the mouthpiece 101. The mouthpiece 101 (which, as discussed below, may be formed from multiple components) generally includes a body including an arched wall 104 and an occlusal platform 105 extending horizontally from the arched wall 104. The curvature of the arched wall 104 generally corresponds to the dental arch of the human dentition.

[0056] The arched wall 104 includes a first light emitting surface 106 located above the occlusal platform 105 and a second light emitting surface 107 located below the occlusal platform 105. The first light emitting surface 106 has a concave curvature and is configured to emit light onto the upper teeth of the user. The second light emitting surface 107 also has a concave curvature and is configured to emit light onto the lower teeth of the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitted by the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 are generated by a first flexible lamp and a second flexible lamp, respectively, the details of which will be described below in conjunction with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 to Figure 7 as well as Figures 17 to 19 However, in other embodiments, the light emitted by the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 can be generated using other light sources embedded in the arched wall 104 and / or transmitted to the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 using light pipe technology or other suitable technology. As will be discussed in more detail below, when the teeth whitening system 100 is being used, the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 are positioned and oriented within the mouthpiece 101 to be located close to the user's maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth and have an optimal orientation relative to the user's maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth.

[0057] The arched wall 104 and the bite platform 105 together form a first groove 108 and a second groove 109 for receiving the user's teeth during teeth whitening. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the arched wall 104 includes a first light emitting surface 106 and extends upward from the upper surface of the bite platform 105, thereby forming the first groove 108. The lower portion of the arched wall 104 includes a second light emitting surface 107 and extends downward from the lower surface of the bite platform 105, thereby forming the second groove 109. During use, the oral piece 101 is inserted into the user's mouth so that the bite platform 105 is stuck or clamped between the user's maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth. When positioned in this way, the first light emitting surface 106 is adjacent to the facial surface of the user's maxillary teeth, and its curvature is such that the first light emitting surface 106 generally corresponds to at least the front of the maxillary teeth dental arch. Similarly, the second light emitting surface 107 is adjacent to the facial surface of the user's mandibular teeth, and its curvature is such that the second light emitting surface 107 generally corresponds to at least the front portion of the dental arch of the mandibular teeth.

[0058] It should be noted, however, that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the oral piece 101 can be designed in such a manner that the occlusal platform 105 is omitted. In one such embodiment, the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 can be maintained as separate and distinct light emitting areas, each of which emits light only onto the facial surfaces of the maxillary teeth and the facial surfaces of the mandibular teeth, respectively. In another such embodiment, the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 can be merged into a single light emitting area that emits light onto the facial surfaces of both the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth. In another embodiment, the occlusal platform 105 can be omitted, and only a single light emitting surface that emits light only onto the facial surfaces of the maxillary teeth or the facial surfaces of the mandibular teeth at any given time can be provided. In yet another embodiment, the occlusal platform 105 can be included, and only one of the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface can be provided. In yet another embodiment, the mouthpiece 101 may be made into two separable parts, one of which comprises a first light emitting surface 106 for emitting light onto the upper teeth, and the other comprises a second light emitting surface 107 for emitting light onto the lower teeth of the user.

[0059] In certain embodiments, the oral piece 101 (including all parts of the oral piece that come into contact with the oral cavity) is formed of a biocompatible material (such as a food-grade polymer). Suitable biocompatible materials include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), silicone, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and other plastics. Of course, all embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other materials may also be used to construct the oral piece 101 and its various parts. In certain embodiments, the oral piece 101 or at least a portion thereof may be formed of an elastomeric material. This will be described in more detail below.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 102 includes a control circuit 200 (see Fig.25 ). The control circuit 200 generally includes a suitably programmed processor, a storage device, a power supply 201, a timer and an actuator 202, and other components that can be operably coupled together. The control circuit 200 can in turn be operably electrically coupled to each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B so that the control circuit 200 can control the operation thereof.

[0061] The appropriately programmed processor may be any suitable microprocessor-based programmable logic controller, personal computer, etc., having a memory for storing various instructions to control the operation of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B. The processor is programmed with algorithms to receive data from various other electronic components and sensors, analyze the data, and cause these electronic components to operate in a desired or predetermined manner based on instructions stored in a memory device or integrated memory area of ​​the processor.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 201 is operable to be electrically coupled to the processor and the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B so that electrical energy can be provided to the three, thereby supplying power to the three. The power supply 201 can be one or more batteries, battery cells, printed batteries, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, or a control circuit that stores electrical energy. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the power supply can be omitted, and as an alternative, the electronic components of the teeth whitening device 100 can be powered by a plug coupled to a power supply (such as a wall socket). Although not shown herein, the teeth whitening device 100 can be part of a larger system including a docking base with charging capabilities. In one such embodiment, the teeth whitening device 100 is part of a system including a docking base with a charging circuit, which is configured to charge the rechargeable battery of the teeth whitening device 100 by inductive charging.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 202 is a depressible button. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the actuator 202 can be any type of device that, when actuated, energizes and / or de-energizes one or more of the electronic components stored within the housing 102. For example, the actuator 202 can be a slide switch, a touch pad, a knob, or any other component that, when actuated, causes the teeth whitening device 100 to function as described herein. In other embodiments, the actuator 202 can be a sensor or other device that is automatically activated when the oral piece 101 of the teeth whitening device is inserted into the oral cavity, such as a temperature sensor, a water-activated sensor activated by saliva, a proximity sensor, a humidity sensor, or any other suitable sensor or switch.

[0064] The actuator 202 can be operably coupled to a processor such that when the actuator 202 is pressed or otherwise actuated, the processor initiates operation of the teeth whitening system 100, as described in greater detail below.

[0065] Now also see Figure 6 to Figure 7, the teeth whitening device 100 is shown in an exploded state. It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment, the mouthpiece 101 of the teeth whitening device 100 is a multi-component structure that generally includes a curved support plate 400, an anchoring member 500, an electrical contact member 50, a first flexible lamp 300A and a second flexible lamp 300B, a lamp holding member 600, and a protective member 700. In other embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components may be omitted, and in even further embodiments, the mouthpiece 101 may include only a single component to which at least one of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B is mounted, as discussed below. The first flexible lamp 300A and the second flexible lamp 300B may be electrically coupled to the control circuit 200 in series or in parallel.

[0066] Now also see Figures 6 to 9 as well as Figure 24 to Figure 26 , the housing 102 generally includes an upper portion 150 and a lower portion 151. The upper portion 150 and the lower portion 151 of the housing 150 form an internal chamber 109 when joined, and the electronic components of the control circuit 200 are arranged in the internal chamber. When assembling the teeth whitening device 100, the internal chamber 109 is sealed to prevent water and other fluids from entering. The housing 102 can be formed by any suitable material, including hard plastics such as PP, or any other hard plastic material described herein. If necessary, an elastomeric material (such as a thermoplastic elastomer) can be overmolded onto the upper portion 150 and the lower portion 151 of the housing 102. This overmolding can be used to seal the interface between the upper portion 150 and the lower portion 151 of the housing 102 and / or provide a gripping surface for the user.

[0067] The housing 101 extends from a proximal end 110 to a distal end 111. The distal end 111 is configured to allow the mouthpiece 101 to be coupled thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 111 of the housing is expanded and has an opening 113 through which the mouthpiece 101 extends to be mounted to the housing 102. The opening 113 is defined by a closed geometric edge 118 of the distal end 111 of the housing 102. The opening 113 forms a passage to a mounting chamber 119. The mounting chamber 119 terminates at a housing wall 114. The housing wall 114 separates the mounting chamber 119 of the housing 102 from the interior chamber 109 of the housing 102. The housing wall 114 includes a first anchor hole 115, a second anchor hole 116, and an electrical connection hole 117. The housing wall 114 is formed by a combination of an upper wall portion 114A that is a part of the upper portion 150 of the housing 102 and a lower wall portion 114B that is a part of the lower portion 151 of the housing 102 .

[0068] As will be described in more detail below, the first anchoring hole 115 and the second anchoring hole 116 provide a feature through which the anchoring elements 521A and 521B of the mouthpiece 101 extend, thereby allowing the anchoring elements 521A and 521B to mechanically cooperate with the housing 101 to secure the mouthpiece 110 to the housing 102. In addition, the electrical connection hole 117 forms a passage from the mounting cavity 119 to the internal cavity 109 so that electrical conductors (discussed in more detail below) can extend therein for electrically coupling the control circuit 200 to the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, thereby providing a mechanism by which power from the power supply 201 can be provided to the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B.

[0069] See now Figure 10 to Figure 11 , which show an electrical contact member 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As will be described in more detail below, the electrical contact member 50 is installed in the mouthpiece 101 and is configured to provide necessary electrical energy from the power source 201 to each of the flexible lamps 300A and 300B so that the flexible lamps 300A and 300B can be activated.

[0070] The electrical contact component 50 generally includes an integrally formed unitary base structure 51 formed of a dielectric material. The base structure 51 includes a base section 52 and a first tab 53A, a second tab 53B, and a third tab 53C extending from the base section 52. Each of the first tab 53A, the second tab 53B, and the third tab 53C is substantially elongated and extends parallel to each other in a spaced-apart manner. Each of the first tab 53A, the second tab 53B, and the third tab 53C is provided with a conductive material, thereby converting each of the first tab 53A, the second tab 53B, and the third tab 53C into a first electrical contact element 54A, a second electrical contact element 54B, and a third electrical contact element 54C, respectively. The conductive material may be in the form of a metal coating, an embedded metal trace, an embedded wire, or a combination thereof.

[0071] In one embodiment, each of the first electrical contact element 54A, the second electrical contact element 54B, and the third electrical contact element 54C are electrically isolated from each other. In another embodiment, since the first electrical contact element 54A and the third electrical contact element 54C carry the same charge when coupled to the control circuit 200, the first electrical contact element 54A and the third electrical contact element 54C can be electrically connected. However, in such an embodiment, the first electrical contact element 54A and the third electrical contact element 54C will still be electrically isolated from the second electrical contact element 54B, which carries a charge opposite to that carried by the first electrical contact element 54A and the third electrical contact element 54C when coupled to the control circuit 200.

[0072] The first electrical contact element 54A includes a first contact surface 55A. The second electrical contact element 54B includes a second contact surface 55B. The third electrical contact element 54C includes a third contact surface 55C. In the illustrated embodiment, the second contact surface 55B is a stepped surface including a first portion 56A and a second portion 56B that are horizontally offset from each other. As discussed below, the first portion 56A of the second contact surface 55B contacts the second electrical contact 312A of the first flexible lamp 300A, while the second portion 56B of the second contact surface 55B contacts the second electrical contact 312B of the second flexible lamp 300B. On the other hand, the first contact surface 55A contacts only the first electrical contact 311A ​​of the first flexible lamp 300A, while the third contact surface 55C contacts only the first electrical contact 311B of the second flexible lamp 300B. In other embodiments, the second contact surface 55B may not be stepped, and may be designed to contact only a single electrical contact of one of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B.

[0073] It should be further noted that in certain embodiments, the first electrical contact element 54A, the second electrical contact element 54B, and the third electrical contact element 54C can be separate and distinct structures. In one such embodiment, each of the first electrical contact element 54A, the second electrical contact element 54B, and the third electrical contact element 54C can be a tab that is individually mounted within the mouthpiece. In other embodiments, electrical energy can be supplied to the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B by simple electrical conductors (such as wires and / or traces embedded within the mouthpiece 101). In such an embodiment (as with the embodiment shown above), the first electrical conductor is configured to have a first charge, the second electrical conductor is configured to have a second charge opposite to the first charge, and the third electrical conductor is configured to have a first charge.

[0074] Now also see Figure 12 to Figure 13 as well as Fig.24 , which illustrate an anchoring member 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The anchoring member 500 generally includes a curved plate section 510 and an anchoring section 520. The anchoring section 520 protrudes from a front surface 511 of the curved plate section 510. The curved plate section 510 also includes a rear surface 512, which, as discussed below, forms a portion of the lamp mounting surface when the anchoring member 500 and the curved support plate 400 are assembled. The rear surface 512 of the curved plate section 510 has a concave curvature. In one embodiment, the concave curvature of the curved plate section 510 is selected to generally correspond to the dental arch of the user's dentition, specifically to the anteriormost portion of the dental arch of the dentition.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear surface 512 of the curved plate section 510 is a stepped surface that includes a first surface portion 512A, a second surface portion 512B, and a support surface portion 513 extending between the first surface portion 512A and the second surface portion 512B. As discussed in more detail below, the first surface portion 512A and the second surface portion 512B are horizontally offset from each other so that the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B can be mounted in the mouthpiece 101 with a desired offset amount and tilted orientation.

[0076] As discussed in more detail below, the anchoring portion 520 of the anchoring component provides a mechanism by which the mouthpiece 101 can be mounted to the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring portion 520 includes a first anchoring element 521A and a second anchoring element 521B. In other embodiments, a single anchoring element can be utilized to fix the mouthpiece 101 to the housing 102. Each of the anchoring elements 521A and 521B is illustrated as a pile member having a column 522A-B and a head 523A-B. For each of the anchoring elements 521A and 521B, the head 523A-B has a cross-section that is increased compared to the column 522A-B, thereby forming a flange (or shoulder) at the end of the column 522A-B. As will be described in more detail below, the flange (or shoulder) facilitates the mechanical fit of the anchoring elements 521A and 521B with the housing wall 114.

[0077] The bent plate section 510 of the anchoring member 500 also includes a central hole 530. The central hole 530 provides a passage through the bent plate section 510 through which the second electrical contact element 54B extends when the mouthpiece 101 is assembled. The bent plate section 510 also includes a first locking hole 531A and a second locking hole 531B for receiving the snap-fit ​​tabs 630A and 630B of the light holding member 600 (discussed in more detail below). The locking holes 531A and 531B are located along the horizontal centerline of the anchoring member 500, which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends along the support surface portion 513.

[0078] The anchoring member 500 also includes a first lamp retaining feature 535A and a second lamp retaining feature 535B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lamp retaining feature 535A and the second lamp retaining feature 535B are in the form of angled protrusions protruding from the upper edge 536 and the lower edge 537 of the curved plate section 510, respectively. As described below, the first retaining feature 535A is provided to engage the edge of the first flexible lamp 300A, and the second retaining feature 535B is provided to engage the edge of the second flexible lamp 300B. In certain embodiments in which the mouthpiece may include only a single flexible lamp, the anchoring member 500 may be formed so that the first lamp retaining feature 535A and the second lamp retaining feature 535B engage opposite edges of the same flexible lamp. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the rear surface 512 may not be stepped, but rather a continuous smooth surface.

[0079] The anchoring member 500 also includes a plurality of protrusions 540A-D protruding from the front surface 511 of the curved plate section 510. When the anchoring member 500 is coupled with the curved support plate 400 to form the lamp support structure 1000 (see Fig.28 ), the protuberances 540A-D provide a mechanism to ensure that the anchoring member is properly aligned and coupled to the curved support plate. In certain embodiments, the anchoring member 500 is formed of a rigid material such as PP.

[0080] Now also see Figures 14 to 16 , which illustrate a curved support plate 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The curved support plate 400, in combination with the anchoring member 500, provides a lamp support structure 1000 that provides a degree of structural rigidity to the mouthpiece 101 to support the flexible lamps 300A-B, particularly during the manufacturing process. The curved support plate 400 is a thin curved plate structure having a front surface 401 and a rear surface 402. In some embodiments, the curved support plate 400 is formed of a rigid material such as a hard plastic (e.g., PP).

[0081] As discussed in more detail below, the rear surface 402 of the curved support plate 400 forms a portion of the lamp support surface 1001. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear surface 402 of the curved support plate 400 and the rear surface 512 of the anchoring member 500 together define the lamp support surface 1001 to which each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B is mounted. It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the anchoring member 500 or the curved support plate 400 may be omitted, such that the lamp support structure 1000 is formed by only the other of the anchoring member 500 or the curved support plate 400. In still other embodiments, the lamp support structure 1001 may be the only component having a curved lamp support surface.

[0082] The rear surface 402 of the curved support plate 400 has a concave curvature, which in certain embodiments generally corresponds to the dental arch of the user's dentition. On the other hand, the front surface 401 of the curved support plate 400 has a convex curvature. In one embodiment, the concave curvature of the rear surface 402 matches the convex curvature of the front surface 401, so that the curved support plate has a generally constant thickness along its length.

[0083] The curved support plate 400 includes a central hole 403 extending therethrough. The central hole 403 is configured to allow the anchoring portion 520 of the anchoring member 500 to protrude from the front surface 401 of the curved support plate 400 when the curved support plate 400 and the anchoring member 500 are coupled together. The front surface 402 of the curved support plate 400 also includes a plurality of recesses 404A-D formed therein. Each of the recesses 404A-D includes a base plate 405A-D and a pool wall 406A-D. Grooves 407A-D are respectively disposed in each of the pool walls 406A-D, forming a passage between the recesses 404A-D and the central hole 403. As discussed below, the grooves 407A-D allow the molten thermoplastic elastomer to flow into the recesses 404A-D during the injection molding of the protective member 700, thereby forming an elastomer pad portion 770A-D in the recesses 404A-D.

[0084] The curved support plate 400 also includes a lamp alignment feature for maintaining the flexible lamps 300A-B in their selected positions relative to the curved support plate 400. As shown, the lamp alignment feature includes a first rib 421A and a second rib 421B protruding from the rear surface 402 of the curved support plate 400. It can be seen that each of the first rib 421A and the second rib 421B includes two U-shaped rib sections that are designed to engage with the corners of the first flexible lamp 300A and the second flexible lamp 300B. Although the lamp alignment feature is shown as two ribs, the lamp alignment feature can take a variety of structures, such as but not limited to posts, notches, tabs, overhangs, and combinations thereof.

[0085] The curved support plate 400 also includes a plurality of holes 422A-D, which are provided for the purpose of cooperating with the plurality of protrusions 540A-D of the anchoring member 500 when the curved support plate 400 and the anchoring member 500 are coupled together. The holes 422A-D are located on the tabs 423-D extending into the central hole 403. In other embodiments, the holes 422A-D can be located at other locations on the curved support plate 400.

[0086] Now also see Figures 17 to 19 , which show a first lamp 300A and a second lamp 300B according to the present invention. Fig.19Only a cross section of the first lamp 30A is shown in FIG. 3 , but it should be understood that the second lamp 300B has the same laminate structure as the first lamp 300A.

[0087] Each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B includes a flexible sheet body 301A-B, respectively. As shown in the figure, the flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B is an elongated sheet with sufficient flexibility so that it can be bent from a planar state into a shape of a dental arch having a contour curvature substantially corresponding to the user's dentition. In one embodiment, when no bending force is applied to the lamps 300A and 300B, the flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B is in a planar state.

[0088] The flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B generally includes a front surface 302A-B and a rear surface 303A-B. Each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B also includes a plurality of light emitters 304A-B embedded in the flexible sheet body 301A-B, and the light generated by these light emitters is emitted from the rear surface 303A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B (see also Figure 34 to Figure 35 ). In one embodiment, the light emitted by the plurality of light emitters 304A-B has a wavelength in the range of 375nm to 520nm. In another embodiment, the light emitted by the plurality of light emitters 304A-B has a wavelength in the range of 400nm to 430nm. In yet another embodiment, the light emitted by the plurality of light emitters 304A-B has a wavelength in the range of 405nm to 415nm.

[0089] The flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B includes an upper edge 305A-B, a lower edge 306A-B, a first side edge 307A-B and a second side edge 308A-B. The flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B also has a length measured from the first side edge 307A-B to the second side edge 308A-B. The flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B is a laminated structure that generally includes a flexible lens plate 309A-B, a flexible reflective layer 310A-B, and a first electrical contact 311A-B and a second electrical contact 312A-B. A plurality of light emitters 304A-B are arranged between the flexible lens plate 309A-B and the flexible reflective layer 310A-B. As mentioned below, in some embodiments, the plurality of light emitters 340A-B can be printed directly onto the flexible lens sheets 309A-B. In addition, in some embodiments, the flexible reflective layers 310A-B can also be printed onto the flexible lens sheets 309A-B after the plurality of light emitters 340A-B.

[0090] In one embodiment, the flexible lens plate 309A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B has a rear surface 313A-B and a front surface 314A-B. The rear surface 313A-B of the flexible lens plate 309A-B forms the rear surface 303A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B. The flexible lens plate 309A-B can be formed by a transparent biocompatible material such as transparent PET. In one embodiment, a plurality of light emitters 304A-B are light emitting diodes ("LEDs") printed on the front surface 314A-B of the flexible lens plate 309A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B. In one such embodiment, these LEDs can be printed on the front surface 314A-B with conductive ink 315A-B.

[0091] Printed LEDs can be formed by depositing micro-LED chips via conductive ink formulations that can be printed into any shape to best conform to tooth and jaw structures, which is an ideal approach to optimize efficacy. Specifically, in some embodiments, gallium nitride can be used to form LEDs, which can then be mixed with resins and binders to form inks, and a standard screen printer can be used to deposit the resulting ink onto the desired surface. Although printed LEDs are described herein, in some embodiments, multiple light emitters 304A-B can be any type of light source, particularly a solid-state light source, which can include LEDs, OLEDs, HBLEDs, electroluminescent elements, and the like. In certain other embodiments, multiple light emitters 304A-B can be printed inorganic LEDs, conventional micro-LEDs surface-mounted to flexible substrates / circuits, organic LEDs (OLEDs), or electroluminescent elements. In other embodiments, multiple light emitters 304A-B can be any of the LEDs mentioned herein, which are mounted to a rigid substrate rather than a flexible substrate.

[0092] For each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, the first electrical contact 311A-B has a first contact surface 316A-B that forms a first portion of the front surface 302A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B. Similarly, for each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, the second electrical contact 312A-B has a second contact surface 317A-B that forms a second portion of the front surface 302A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B.

[0093] As shown, for each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, each of the first electrical contact 311A-B and the second electrical contact 312A-B is in the form of an elongated strip extending the entire length of the lamp 300A-B. For the first lamp 300A (being the upper lamp in the mouthpiece 101), the first electrical contact 311A ​​is adjacent to the upper edge 305A, while the second electrical contact 312A is adjacent to the lower edge 306A. For the second lamp 300B (being the lower lamp in the mouthpiece 101), the first electrical contact 311B is adjacent to the lower edge 306B, while the second electrical contact 312B is adjacent to the upper edge 305B. For each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, the first electrical contact 311A-B extends generally parallel to the second electrical contact 312A-B.

[0094] In one embodiment, the illumination area of ​​each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B (ie, the area of ​​the rear surface 303A-B including the plurality of light emitters 304A-B) is within 6 cm 2 Up to 11cm 2 range, more preferably within 7 cm 2 Up to 10cm2 range, and most preferably within 8 cm 2 Up to 9cm 2 The height of the irradiated area can be within 0.5cm 2 Up to 3cm 2 range, and more preferably within 0.5 cm 2 Up to 2cm 2 Within the range, 1cm 2 The length of the irradiated area may be in the range of 6 cm to 11 cm, more preferably in the range of 7 cm to 10 cm, and most preferably in the range of 8 cm to 9 cm.

[0095] Now also see Figure 20 to Figure 21 , which illustrate a lamp holding component 600 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As will be discussed in more detail below, the lamp holding component 600 is used to hold the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B to the lamp support surface 1001 when assembling the oral piece (and during injection molding of the protective component 700 onto the lamp assembly 2000). In one embodiment, the lamp holding component 600 is formed of a rigid material such as a hard plastic. Suitable hard plastics include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of ethylene (polyethylene), propylene (polypropylene), butadiene, polyamide, cellulose, SAN, acrylic, ABS, vinyl compounds and polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate), or other known thermoplastics used in the manufacture of oral hygiene devices.

[0096] The lamp holding member 600 generally includes a lamp engaging portion 610 and a plate portion 620. The lamp engaging portion 610 includes a first arcuate surface 611 that contacts the lower portion of the first lamp 300A and a second arcuate surface 612 that contacts the upper portion of the second lamp 300B. It can be seen that because the lamps 300A and 300B are supported on the lamp supporting surface 1001 in a horizontally staggered manner in one embodiment, the first arcuate surface 611 and the second arcuate surface 612 of the lamp holding member 600 are also horizontally staggered from each other in certain embodiments.

[0097] The lamp holding member 600 also includes a locking feature that locks the lamp holding member 600 to the anchoring member 500 to ensure that the lamp 300A-B is compressed between the two components and / or fixed in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking feature of the lamp holding member 600 includes a first locking tab 630A and a second locking tab 630B that are configured to snap-lock to the anchoring member 500. More specifically, the lamp holding member 600 is coupled to the anchoring member by inserting the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B through the locking holes 531A and 531B of the anchoring member 500. During insertion, the chamfered surfaces 631A and 631B of the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B contact the rear surface 512 of the curved plate section 510 of the anchoring member 500 and cause the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B to flex. Once fully inserted through the locking holes 531A and 531B of the anchoring member 500, the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B snap back to their normal state, thereby causing the locking surfaces 632A and 632B of the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B to cooperate and mechanically engage with the edge portion of the curved plate section 510 of the anchoring member 500, which defines the locking holes 531A and 531B of the anchoring member 500.

[0098] It can be seen that the plate portion 620 is a flat plate structure extending horizontally from the lamp engaging section 610. When the mouthpiece 101 is assembled, the plate portion 620 of the lamp holding component 600 extends horizontally from the lamp supporting surface 1001 (see Fig.30 ). As will be described in further detail below, in certain embodiments, when the mouthpiece is fully assembled, the light retaining member 600 is embedded in the occlusal platform of the mouthpiece 101. In addition to retaining the first and second lights 300A, 300B to the light support surface 1001, the light retaining member 600 also helps maintain the proper contour of the arched wall 104 of the mouthpiece 101.

[0099] In some embodiments, the lamp holding member 600 can be omitted altogether. In such embodiments, the function of the lamp holding member 600 can be performed by the guard member. In other embodiments, the lamp holding member 600 can be integrated into the lamp support structure. In another embodiment, the lamp support structure can include a plate portion similar to the plate portion 620 that protrudes from the lamp support surface.

[0100] Now also see Figure 22 to Figure 24, which show a protective component 700 according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective component 700 is an integral, one-piece component. In one embodiment, the protective component 700 is formed of a material that makes the user feel comfortable when inserting the oral piece 101 into the oral cavity. In one such embodiment, the hardness value of the material forming the protective component 700 is less than the hardness value of the material (or multiple materials) forming the lamp support structure 1000 (in the illustrated embodiment, the lamp support structure 1000 is formed by a combination of an anchoring component 500 and a curved support plate 400, but in other embodiments it can be a single component). To this end, in one embodiment, the protective component 700 is formed of an elastomeric material. Suitable elastomeric materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic elastomers, rubbers, silicones, or other biocompatible elastic materials suitable for oral hygiene equipment (including thermosetting elastomers, etc.).

[0101] The guard member 700 generally includes a wall portion 750 and an engagement platform portion 760. The engagement platform portion 760 extends horizontally from the wall portion 750. The wall portion 750 can be conceptually divided into an upper wall portion 751 and a lower wall portion 752. In an embodiment including the engagement platform portion 760, the engagement platform portion 760 is located between the upper wall portion 751 and the lower wall portion 752. In other embodiments, the engagement platform portion 760 can be omitted.

[0102] The wall portion 750 includes a center portion 710 and a first wing portion 720A and a second wing portion 720B. The center portion 710 is in the shape of an arch, and its curvature corresponds to the front of the dental arch of the human dentition. The first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B extend from opposite sides of the center portion 710 and are located on these opposite sides, thereby substantially continuing the curvature corresponding to the dental arch of the human dentition. As will be discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, the first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B are formed entirely of an elastomeric material to ensure flexibility, thereby making the user feel comfortable. In some such embodiments, the first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B maintain their flexible properties because the lamp support structure 1000 does not extend into the first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B, but is only located in the center portion 710.

[0103] The center portion 710 includes a first frame portion 711 and a second frame portion 712. More specifically, the upper wall portion 751 includes the first frame portion 711 and the lower wall portion 752 includes the second frame portion 712. The first frame portion 711 includes a closed geometric edge 713 that defines a first window 714 through which the rear surface 303A of the first lamp 300A remains exposed when the mouthpiece 101 is assembled. The second frame portion 712 includes a closed geometric edge 715 that defines a second window 716 through which the rear surface 303B of the second lamp 300B remains exposed when the mouthpiece 101 is assembled. As will be discussed in more detail below, when the mouthpiece 101 is assembled, the first frame portion 711 seals the perimeter of the rear surface 303A of the first lamp 300A and the second frame portion 712 seals the perimeter of the rear surface 303B of the second lamp 300B.

[0104] The shield member 700 also includes a plurality of pad portions 770A-D. When the mouthpiece is assembled, the plurality of pad portions 770A-D are disposed in the plurality of recesses 404A-D of the curved support plate 400, respectively. Allowing the molten elastomeric material to flow into the recesses to form the plurality of pad portions 770A-D helps equalize pressure on the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B during the injection molding process in which the shield member 700 is overmolded onto the lamp support structure 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pad portion 770A and the second pad portion 770B are located within the first window 714, while the third pad portion 770C and the fourth pad portion 770D are located within the second window 716. The first pad portion 770A and the second pad portion 770B are respectively located in the first recess 404A and the second recess 404B, and contact not only the bottom plate 405A and the bottom plate 405B of the first recess 404A and the second recess 404B, but also the front surface 312A of the first lamp 300A. The third pad portion 770C and the fourth pad portion 770D are respectively located in the third recess 404C and the fourth recess 404D, and contact not only the bottom plate 405C and the bottom plate 405D of the third recess 404C and the fourth recess 404D, but also the front surface 312B of the second lamp 300B.

[0105] See now Figures 25 to 34 , the assembly process of the teeth whitening device 100 will be described together with the discussion of the teeth whitening device 100 in an assembled state. Fig.28Initially, a curved support plate 400 is provided. In one embodiment, the curved support plate 400 is formed of a first material such as a hard plastic using injection molding or other suitable process. Suitable hard plastics include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of ethylene (polyethylene), propylene (polypropylene), butadiene, polyamide, cellulose, SAN, acrylic, ABS, vinyl compounds, polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate) and polycarbonate (or blends thereof), or other known thermoplastics used in the manufacture of oral hygiene devices. In other embodiments, the first material can be another suitable rigid material that can properly support and protect the flexible lamps 300A-B during the injection molding process of the protective member 700 (discussed below).

[0106] See now Fig.25 and Fig.29 , an anchoring member 500 is provided and coupled to the curved support plate 400, thereby forming a lamp support structure 1000. Because the lamp support structure 1000 is formed by the combination of the anchoring member 500 and the curved support plate 400, it should be noted that for the purpose of this patent, the lamp support structure 1000 can be said to include the above-mentioned Figure 12 to Figure 13 as well as Figures 14 to 16 Various features of any of those components described.

[0107] When coupling the anchoring member 500 to the curved support plate 400, the anchoring section 510 of the anchoring member 500 is inserted through the central hole 403 of the curved support plate 400. When the anchoring section 510 passes through the central hole 403, the plurality of protrusions 540A-D protruding from the front surface 511 of the anchoring member 500 enter the plurality of holes 422A-D of the curved support plate 400, respectively, thereby ensuring proper relative alignment and fit between the anchoring member 500 and the curved support plate 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact member 50 has been previously mounted to the anchoring member 500 before being mounted to the curved support plate 400. Therefore, in Fig.29 In the embodiment, the electrical contact component 50 has been installed and integrated into the lamp supporting structure 1000.

[0108] Although the lamp support structure 1000 is formed by a combination of the anchoring member 400 and the curved support plate 500 in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the lamp support structure 1000 can be an integrally formed single component structure. In other embodiments, more than two components can be used to form the lamp support structure 1000.

[0109] The lamp support structure 1000 includes a lamp support surface 1001 (which is formed by a combination of the rear surfaces 402, 512 of the curved support plate 400 and the anchoring member 500 in the illustrated embodiment). The lamp support surface 1001 has a concave curvature, which in one embodiment generally corresponds to a dental arch of a human dentition. The lamp support structure 1000 also includes a front surface 1002 (which is formed by a combination of the front surfaces 401, 511 of the curved support plate 400 and the anchoring member 500 in the illustrated embodiment). Thus, the lamp support structure 1000 includes a curved plate section 1010 having a first thickness measured from the front surface 1002 to the lamp support surface 1001. In one embodiment, each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B has a second thickness measured from the rear surface 303A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B to the front surface 302A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B. In one embodiment, the ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness is in the range of 0.5 to 2.5.

[0110] The lamp support structure 1000 includes an upper curved edge 1003, a lower curved edge 1004, a first side edge 1005 extending between the upper curved edge 1003 and the lower curved edge 1004, and a second side edge 1006 extending between the upper curved edge and the lower curved edge. Anchoring elements 521A-B protrude from the front surface 1002 of the lamp support structure 1000. The lamp support structure 1000 also includes lamp alignment features 421A-B, lamp retention features 535A-B, and recesses 405A-D formed in the lamp support surface 1001, as described above in conjunction with Figure 12 to Figure 13 as well as Figures 14 to 16 Described in more detail.

[0111] The electrical contact member 50 is mounted to the lamp support structure 1000 so that the electrical coupling of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B can be easily achieved. Specifically, the electrical contact member 50 is mounted to the lamp support structure 1000 so that: (1) the first contact surface 55A of the first electrical contact element 54A forms a part of the lamp support surface 1001; (2) the second contact surface 55B of the second electrical contact element 54B forms a part of the lamp support surface 1001; and (3) the third contact surface 55C of the third electrical contact element 54C forms a part of the lamp support surface 1001. In one embodiment, the first contact surface 55A, the second contact surface 55B, and the third contact surface 55C of the electrical contact member 50 are substantially flush with the rest of the lamp support surface 1001. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first contact surface 55A, the second contact surface 55B and the third contact surface 55C of the electrical contact member 50 is located (horizontally) in the central portion of the lamp support structure, wherein the second contact surface 55B of the second electrical contact element 54B is positioned (vertically) centrally, while the first contact surface 55A of the first electrical contact element 54A is positioned adjacent to the upper curved edge 1003, and the third contact surface 55C of the third electrical contact element 54C is positioned adjacent to the lower curved edge 1004.

[0112] It can be seen that the lamp support structure 1000 is a stepped surface in the central region, and the support surface portion 513 forms a step between the upper surface portion 512A and the lower surface portion 512B that are horizontally offset from each other. Conceptually, the upper surface portion 512A can be considered as the first riser portion of the lamp support surface 1001, and the lower surface portion 512B can be considered as the second riser portion of the lamp support surface 1001. In the illustrated embodiment, the second contact surface 55B is also a stepped surface including a first portion 56A and a second portion 56B that are horizontally offset from each other. The first portion 56A of the second contact surface 55B is surface-aligned with the upper surface portion 512A, and the second portion 56B of the second contact surface 55B is surface-aligned with the lower surface portion 512B.

[0113] Now also see Figure 25 to Figure 26 as well as Fig.30 Once the lamp support structure 1000 is provided, the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B are mounted to the lamp support surface 1001 of the lamp support structure 1000, thereby forming the lamp assembly 2000. Because the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B are flexible, the lamps 300A and 300B are bent to present the curvature of the lamp mounting surface 1001, thereby causing the rear surface 313A of the flexible sheet body 301A of the first lamp 300A and the rear surface 313B of the flexible sheet body 301B of the second lamp 300B to present a concave curvature. The first lamp 300A is mounted above the second lamp 300B.

[0114] On the front surface 302A-B of the flexible sheet body 301A-B of the lamp 300A-B, the first electrical contact 311A-B and the second electrical contact 312A-B of the lamp 300A-B are in surface contact with the contact surface 55A of the first electrical contact element 54A, the contact surface 55B of the second electrical contact element 54B, and the contact surface 55C of the third electrical contact element 54C. Specifically, the first contact surface 55A of the first electrical contact element 54A is in surface contact with the first electrical contact 311A ​​of the first lamp 300A. The third contact surface 55C of the third electrical contact element 54C is in surface contact with the first electrical contact 311B of the second lamp 300B. With respect to the second electrical contact element 54B, the first portion 56A of the second contact surface 55B contacts the second electrical contact 112A of the first flexible lamp 300A, and the second portion 56B of the second contact surface 55B contacts the second electrical contact 112B of the second flexible lamp 300B. In one embodiment, surface contact between these contact surfaces is sufficient to achieve the desired electrical coupling, so electrical coupling is achieved only through surface contact. In another embodiment, these contact surfaces can be welded together to increase reliability.

[0115] from Fig.30 As can be seen in the figure, the electrical contact member 50 has a portion 75 protruding from the front surface 1002 of the lamp support structure 1000 near the anchoring elements 521A-B. The portion 75 includes an exposed portion of each of the first electrical conductor 54A, the second electrical conductor 54B, and the third electrical conductor 54C to facilitate coupling to the control circuit 200 (discussed below).

[0116] Proper positioning of the flexible lamps 300A-B to the lamp support structure 100 (and maintaining the proper position of these flexible lamps) is achieved through lamp alignment features 421A-B and lamp retention features 535A-B. As discussed in more detail above, the lamp alignment features include a first rib 421A and a second rib 421B protruding from the lamp support surface 1001. It can be seen that the second rib 421A engages the first corner and the second corner of the flexible sheet body 301A and 301B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B, while the second rib 421B engages the third corner and the fourth corner of the flexible sheet body 301A and 301B of each of the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B. Additionally, a first lamp retention feature 535A and a second lamp retention feature 535B also protrude from the lamp support surface, wherein the first retention feature 535A engages the upper edge 305A of the first flexible lamp 300A, and the second retention feature 535B engages the lower edge 306B of the second flexible lamp 300B. It can also be seen that the first retention feature 535A extends through the notch 375A formed in the upper edge 305A of the first flexible lamp 300A, and the second retention feature 535B extends through the notch 375B formed in the lower edge 306B of the second flexible lamp 300B.

[0117] Now also see Fig.25 , Fig. 27 and Fig.31 Once the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B are in place against the lamp support surface 1001, the lamp holding member 600 is aligned with the lamp support structure 1000 and coupled to the lamp support structure. Specifically, the lamp holding member 600 is aligned with the lamp support structure 1000 so that the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B are aligned with the locking holes 531A and 531B of the lamp support structure 1000. The lamp holding member 600 is moved toward the lamp support surface 1001 so that the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B are inserted through the locking holes 531A and 531B of the anchoring member 500. During the insertion, the chamfered surfaces 631A and 631B of the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B contact the lamp support surface 1001 and flex the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B. Once fully inserted through the locking holes 531A and 531B, the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B snap back to their normal state, thereby causing the locking surfaces 632A and 632B of the first locking tab 630A and the second locking tab 630B to mate and mechanically engage with the front surface 1002 of the lamp support structure 1000.

[0118] During this process, the first arcuate surface 611 of the lamp holding member 600 contacts the lower portion of the first lamp 300A, while the second arcuate surface 612 of the lamp holding member 600 contacts the upper portion of the second lamp 300B. Thus, the lamps 300A-B are pressed against the lamp supporting surface 1001. In one embodiment, the lower portion of the first lamp 300A may be compressed between the lamp holding member 600 and the lamp supporting surface 1001, while the upper portion of the second lamp 300B is compressed between the lamp holding member 600 and the lamp supporting surface 1001.

[0119] Now also see Figure 25 to Figure 27 as well as Fig.32 Once the lamp assembly 2000 is fully assembled (eg Fig.31 ), the protective component 700 is overmolded onto the lamp assembly 2000, thereby forming the mouthpiece 101. As discussed above, the protective component 700 includes a first frame portion 711 and a second frame portion 712. The first frame portion 711 includes a closed geometric edge 713 that defines a first window 714 through which the rear surface 303A of the first lamp 300A remains exposed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rear surface 303A of the first lamp 300A (which is also the rear surface 313A of the flexible lens plate 309A) also serves as the first light emitting surface 106. Similarly, the second frame portion 712 includes a closed geometric edge 715 that defines a second window 716 through which the rear surface 303B of the second lamp 300B remains exposed when the mouthpiece 101 is assembled. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rear surface 303B of the second lamp 300B (which is also the rear surface 313B of the flexible lens sheet 309B) also serves as the second light emitting surface 107.

[0120] The first frame portion 711 forms an annular seal around the periphery of the rear surface 303A of the first lamp 300A. The second frame portion 712 forms an annular seal around the periphery of the rear surface 303B of the second lamp 300B. In addition, during the overmolding process of forming the shield component 700, the molten elastomeric material flows into the recesses 405A-D of the lamp support surface 1001, thereby forming the pad portions 770A-D. Allowing the molten elastomeric material to flow into the recesses 405A-D to form the plurality of pad portions 770A-D helps to equalize the pressure on the first lamp 300A and the second lamp 300B during the injection molding process in which the shield component 700 is overmolded onto the lamp support structure 1000. The first pad portion 770A and the second pad portion 770B are respectively located in the first recess 404A and the second recess 404B, and contact not only the bottom plate 405A and the bottom plate 405B of the first recess 404A and the second recess 404B, but also the front surface 312A of the first lamp 300A. The third pad portion 770C and the fourth pad portion 770D are respectively located in the third recess 404C and the fourth recess 404D, and contact not only the bottom plate 405C and the bottom plate 405D of the third recess 404C and the fourth recess 404D, but also the front surface 312B of the second lamp 300B.

[0121] As in Fig.26 As can be best seen in FIG. 1 , the shield member 700 also includes a first wing portion 720A that extends beyond a first side edge 1005 of the lamp support structure 100 and a second wing portion 720B that extends beyond a second side edge 1006 of the lamp support structure 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B are formed entirely of an elastomeric material, thereby providing flexibility at the ends of the mouthpiece 101 for user comfort. The lamp support structure 1000 does not extend into the first wing portion 720A and the second wing portion 720B. However, it can be seen that once the shield member 700 is formed, at least a portion of the front surface 1002 of the lamp support structure 1000 remains exposed.

[0122] Now also see Fig. 27 as well as Figure 33 to Figure 34Once the mouthpiece 101 is formed, it is coupled to the housing 102, thereby securing the mouthpiece 101 to the housing 102 and sealing all electronic components. Specifically, the control circuit 200 is disposed in an appropriate position in the lower portion 151 of the housing 102. The mouthpiece 101 is positioned so that the anchoring elements 521A, 521B are located above the first open slot 198A and the second open slot 198B formed into the lower section of the housing wall 114. The position of the mouthpiece 101 is lowered so that the anchoring elements 521A, 521B enter the first open slot 198A and the second open slot 198B, wherein the column portions 522A-B extend through the first open slot 198A and the second open slot 198B, and the head portions 523A-B cover the opposite sides of the housing wall 114. The upper portion 150 of the housing 102 is then positioned on top of the lower portion 151 of the housing 102. The upper portion 150 comprises an upper section of the housing wall which also comprises open slots which, when coupled to the lower portion 151 , complete the housing wall 114 and form the first and second anchoring holes 116 , 117 .

[0123] Now see separately Fig.25 In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 101 is designed so that the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 are located on opposite sides of the horizontal reference plane HH. The first light emitting surface 106 is inclined so that a first acute angle θ1 is formed between the first light emitting surface 106 and the horizontal reference plane HH. The second light emitting surface 107 is inclined so that a second acute angle θ2 is formed between the second light emitting surface 107 and the horizontal reference plane HH.

[0124] The occlusal platform 105 extends from the first light emitting surface 106 and the second light emitting surface 107 along the horizontal reference plane HH. In one embodiment, the first acute angle θ1 and the second acute angle θ2 are different from each other. In another embodiment, the first acute angle θ1 and the second acute angle θ2 are the same. Each of the first acute angle θ1 and the second acute angle θ2 is in the range of 75° to 89°.

[0125] It can be seen that the lower edge 306A of the first lamp 300A is horizontally offset relative to the upper edge 305B of the second lamp 300B. In addition, the first lamp 200A and the second lamp 200B are horizontally offset from each other such that the first lamp 300A is closer to the housing 102 than the second lamp 300B when measured along the reference plane HH. In some embodiments, the body of the mouthpiece 101 can be formed from a single component that includes a lamp support surface to which the first lamp and / or the second lamp is mounted.

[0126] As used throughout, ranges are used as a shorthand way of describing each value within a range. Any value within a range may be selected as a range endpoint. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between a definition in the present disclosure and a definition in a cited reference, the present disclosure shall prevail.

[0127] Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific examples (including currently preferred modes of carrying out the invention), it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are numerous variations and permutations of the systems and techniques described above. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be broadly interpreted as set forth herein.

[0128] The present invention also includes, for example, the following technical solutions:

[0129] 1. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0130] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0131] a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface having a concave curvature and a front surface having a convex curvature, the lamp support structure being formed of a first material;

[0132] A lamp, the lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light emitters embedded in the flexible sheet body, wherein light generated by the plurality of light emitters is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body;

[0133] the lamp being mounted to the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure such that the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp exhibits a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly, the lamp being operatively coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and

[0134] A shield member is overmolded onto the lamp assembly, the shield member being formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness less than a hardness of the first material.

[0135] 2. An oral treatment device according to item 1, wherein the light support structure includes a light alignment feature, which maintains the light in a selected position relative to the light support structure.

[0136] 3. An oral treatment device according to item 2, wherein the lamp alignment feature includes: a first rib protruding from the lamp supporting surface, the first rib engaging a first corner and a second corner of the flexible sheet body of the lamp; and a second rib protruding from the lamp supporting surface, the second rib engaging a third corner and a fourth corner of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0137] 4. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the lamp supporting structure also includes at least one recess formed into the lamp supporting surface of the lamp supporting structure; and wherein the protective component includes a pad portion in the recess, the pad portion contacts the bottom plate of the recess and the front surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0138] 5. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the protective component is an integrally formed unitary piece of the elastomeric material.

[0139] 6. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the protective component includes a frame portion, the frame portion seals the periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp, the frame portion of the protective component defines a window, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp remains exposed through the window.

[0140] 7. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the lamp support structure includes an upper curved edge, a lower curved edge, a first side edge extending between the upper curved edge and the lower curved edge, and a second side edge extending between the upper curved edge and the lower curved edge; and wherein the protective component also includes a first wing portion extending beyond the first side edge of the lamp support structure and a second wing portion extending beyond the second side edge of the lamp support structure.

[0141] 8. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the lamp support structure includes a curved plate section having a first thickness measured from the lamp support surface to the front surface of the lamp support structure; wherein the lamp has a second thickness measured from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body to the front surface of the flexible sheet body; and wherein the ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness is in the range of 0.5 to 2.5.

[0142] 9. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein at least a portion of the front surface of the light support structure remains exposed.

[0143] 10. The oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising:

[0144] a housing for accommodating the control circuit; and

[0145] an intraoral oral piece coupled to and extending from the housing; and

[0146] The light support structure includes an anchoring element extending from the front surface of the light support structure, the anchoring element cooperating with the housing to secure the intraoral oral piece to the housing.

[0147] 11. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the light support structure comprises an anchoring member and a curved support plate coupled together to jointly define the light support structure.

[0148] 12. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the light support structure further comprises a light retention feature that engages an upper edge or a lower edge of the light.

[0149] 13. An oral treatment device according to item 12, wherein the light retention feature extends through a recess in the upper edge or lower edge of the light.

[0150] 14. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp includes a flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface; and wherein the plurality of light emitters are light-emitting diodes printed on the front surface of the flexible lens plate, and the rear surface of the lens plate forms the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0151] 15. An oral treatment device according to item 14, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting diode has a wavelength in the range of 375nm to 520nm.

[0152] 16. An oral treatment device according to item 15, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting diode has a wavelength in the range of 405nm to 415nm.

[0153] 17. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact for providing electrical energy from the power supply to the plurality of light emitters, each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact having a contact surface forming a portion of the front surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0154] 18. An oral treatment device according to claim 17, wherein the first electrical contact is an elongated strip extending the length of the lamp adjacent to the upper edge of the lamp, and the second electrical contact is an elongated strip extending the length of the lamp adjacent to the lower edge of the lamp; and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are electrically isolated from each other.

[0155] 19. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0156] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0157] a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface;

[0158] a first lamp and a second lamp, each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprising a plurality of light emitters, light generated by the plurality of light emitters being emitted from a rear surface of the lamp;

[0159] Each of the first lamp and the second lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first lamp and the second lamp being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and

[0160] A lamp holding member is coupled to the lamp supporting structure, a lower portion of the first lamp and an upper portion of the second lamp being held between the lamp holding member and the lamp supporting surface of the lamp supporting structure.

[0161] 20. The oral treatment device according to item 19, further comprising:

[0162] Each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprises:

[0163] a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the flexible sheet body forming the rear surface of the lamp; and

[0164] said plurality of light emitters embedded within said flexible sheet body; and

[0165] wherein each of the first lamp and the second lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface such that the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of each of the first lamp and the second lamp exhibits a concave curvature; and

[0166] wherein a lower portion of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp and an upper portion of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp are held between the lamp holding member and the lamp supporting surface of the lamp supporting structure.

[0167] 21. An oral treatment device according to item 20, wherein the lamp holding component includes a first arched surface in contact with the lower portion of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp and a second arched surface in contact with the upper portion of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp.

[0168] 22. An oral treatment device according to item 21, wherein the first arched surface and the second arched surface of the light holding component are horizontally offset from each other.

[0169] 23. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 20 to 22, wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, the flexible sheet body includes a flexible lens plate and a flexible reflective layer, the multiple light emitters are arranged between the flexible lens plate and the flexible reflective layer, and wherein the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forms the rear surface of the flexible sheet body.

[0170] 24. An oral treatment device according to item 23, wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, the flexible sheet body includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact for providing electrical energy from the power supply to the plurality of light emitters, and each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact has a contact surface forming a portion of the front surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0171] 25. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 23 to 24, wherein the plurality of light emitters are light emitting diodes printed onto the front surface of the flexible lens plate.

[0172] 26. The oral treatment device according to any one of items 20 to 25, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises:

[0173] a shield member coupled to the lamp assembly, the shield member comprising:

[0174] a first frame portion defining a first window through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp is exposed;

[0175] a second frame portion defining a second window through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp is exposed; and

[0176] The engaging platform portion is located between the first lamp and the second lamp, and the lamp holding component is embedded in the engaging platform portion.

[0177] 27. An oral treatment device according to item 26, wherein the light support structure includes a plurality of recesses formed into the light support surface; and wherein the protective component includes a pad portion that fills each of the recesses.

[0178] 28. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 26 to 27, wherein the guard component is an integrally formed unitary piece of elastomeric material.

[0179] 29. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 19 to 28, wherein the light retaining component is snap-locked to the light support structure.

[0180] 30. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 19 to 29, wherein the light holding member includes a plate portion extending horizontally from the light supporting surface.

[0181] 31. The oral treatment device according to any one of items 19 to 30, further comprising:

[0182] a housing for accommodating the control circuit; and

[0183] an intraoral oral piece coupled to and extending from the housing; and

[0184] The lamp support structure includes an anchoring element extending from a front surface of the lamp support structure, the anchoring element cooperating with the housing to secure the lamp assembly to the housing.

[0185] 32. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 19 to 31, wherein the light support structure includes a light alignment feature that maintains the first light and the second light in a selected position relative to the light support structure.

[0186] 33. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 19 to 32, wherein the lamp support structure includes an upper curved edge, a lower curved edge, a first side edge extending between the upper curved edge and the lower curved edge, and a second side edge extending between the upper curved edge and the lower curved edge; and wherein the protective component also includes a first wing portion extending beyond the first side edge of the lamp support structure and a second wing portion extending beyond the second side edge of the lamp support structure.

[0187] 34. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0188] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0189] lamp support surface;

[0190] a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element electrically coupled to a control circuit having a power source, the first electrical contact element including a first contact surface and the second electrical contact element including a second contact surface, each of the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element and the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element forming a portion of the lamp support surface;

[0191] A lamp comprising: a plurality of light emitters, light generated by the plurality of light emitters being emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; and a first electrical contact having a first contact surface forming a first portion of a front surface of the lamp and a second electrical contact having a second contact surface forming a second portion of the front surface of the lamp; and

[0192] The lamp is mounted to the lamp supporting surface such that: (1) the first contact surface of the first electrical contact of the lamp contacts the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element; and (2) the second contact surface of the second electrical contact of the lamp contacts the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element.

[0193] 35. The oral treatment device according to item 34, further comprising:

[0194] A lamp, comprising:

[0195] a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the flexible sheet body forming the rear surface of the lamp, and the front surface of the flexible sheet body forming the front surface of the lamp; and

[0196] said plurality of light emitters embedded within said flexible sheet body; and

[0197] wherein the lamp is mounted to the lamp supporting surface such that the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp exhibits a concave curvature.

[0198] 36. An oral treatment device according to item 35, wherein each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the lamp is in the form of an elongated strip extending from a first side edge of the lamp along the length of the flexible lamp body to a second side edge of the lamp.

[0199] 37. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 36, wherein the lamp includes an upper edge and a lower edge, the first electrical contact of the lamp is adjacent to the upper edge of the lamp, and the second electrical contact of the lamp is adjacent to the lower edge of the lamp.

[0200] 38. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 38, wherein the portion of the lamp supporting surface formed by the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the first contact element and the second contact element is located in a central portion of the lamp supporting surface.

[0201] 39. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 38, wherein the light support surface has a concave curvature.

[0202] 40. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 39, wherein the intraoral oral piece includes a protective component, the protective component includes a frame portion defining a window, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp is exposed through the window.

[0203] 41. An oral treatment device according to item 40, wherein the frame portion of the protective component seals the periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0204] 42. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 40 to 41, wherein the intraoral oral piece also includes a lamp supporting structure, the lamp supporting structure includes the lamp supporting surface, the lamp supporting structure and the lamp together form a lamp assembly, and the protective component is an integrally formed unitary piece of elastomeric material that is overmolded onto the lamp assembly.

[0205] 43. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 41 to 42, wherein the protective component holds the lamp so that: (1) the first contact surface of the first electrical contact of the lamp is in surface contact with the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element; and (2) the second contact surface of the second electrical contact of the lamp is in surface contact with the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element.

[0206] 44. The oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 43, further comprising:

[0207] a housing containing the control circuit, an intraoral mouthpiece coupled to the housing and extending from the housing; and

[0208] The oral cavity piece in the mouth also includes:

[0209] an anchoring element cooperating with the housing to secure the light assembly to the housing; and

[0210] An electrical contact component includes the first electrical contact element, the second electrical contact element, and a base section extending from the front surface of the mouthpiece, the base section including exposed portions of the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element for electrically coupling to the control circuit.

[0211] 45. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 35 to 43, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp includes a flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface; and wherein the plurality of light emitters are light-emitting diodes printed on the front surface of the flexible lens plate, and the rear surface of the lens plate forms the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0212] 46. ​​An oral treatment device according to item 45, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp further comprises a flexible reflective layer, and the plurality of light emitters are arranged between the flexible lens plate and the flexible reflective layer.

[0213] 47. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 45 to 46, wherein the light-emitting diodes are printed onto the front surface of the flexible lens plate using conductive ink.

[0214] 48. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 45 to 47, wherein the flexible lens plate is formed from a biocompatible material.

[0215] 49. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0216] a control circuit having a power supply; and

[0217] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0218] a first electrical conductor configured to have a first charge, a second electrical conductor configured to have a second charge opposite to the first charge, and a third electrical conductor configured to have the first charge;

[0219] A first lamp and a second lamp, each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprising:

[0220] a plurality of light emitters configured to generate light; and

[0221] a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact;

[0222] The first lamp is positioned above the second lamp; and

[0223] The first electrical conductor electrically couples the power supply to the first electrical contact of the first lamp, the third electrical conductor electrically couples the power supply to the first electrical contact of the third lamp, and the second electrical conductor couples the power supply to each of the second electrical contact of the first lamp and the second electrical contact of the second lamp.

[0224] 50. An oral treatment device according to item 49, wherein each of the first lamp and the second lamp further includes: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; the plurality of light emitters are embedded in the flexible sheet body so that light generated by the plurality of light emitters is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body; and wherein the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of each of the first lamp and the second lamp has a concave curvature.

[0225] 51. An oral treatment device according to claim 50, wherein the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of each of the first lamp and the second lamp remains exposed; and wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact forms a part of the front surface of the flexible sheet body.

[0226] 52. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 50 to 51, wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact is a strip of conductive tape.

[0227] 53. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 50 to 52, wherein the flexible sheet body of each of the first lamp and the second lamp has a length extending from a first side edge to a second side edge; and wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact is in the form of an elongated strip extending the length of the flexible sheet body.

[0228] 54. An oral treatment device according to item 53, wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, the flexible sheet body has an upper edge extending from the first side edge to the second side edge and a lower edge extending from the first side edge to the second side edge; wherein for the first lamp, the first electrical contact is adjacent to the upper edge of the flexible sheet body, and the second electrical contact is adjacent to the lower edge of the flexible sheet body; and wherein for the second lamp, the first electrical contact is adjacent to the lower edge of the flexible sheet body, and the second electrical contact is adjacent to the upper edge of the flexible sheet body.

[0229] 55. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 50 to 54, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises an electrical contact component, the electrical contact component comprising the first electrical conductor, the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor.

[0230] 56. An oral treatment device according to item 55, wherein the electrical contact member includes a base segment, and each of the first electrical conductor, the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor extends from the base segment.

[0231] 57. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 55 to 56, wherein each of the first electrical conductor, the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor comprises an elongated tab that is parallel to and spaced apart from each other.

[0232] 58. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 55 to 57, wherein the electrical contact component comprises an integrally formed unitary structure formed from a dielectric material; and wherein each of the first electrical conductor, the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor is formed from a conductive material applied to the unitary structure.

[0233] 59. The oral treatment device according to any one of items 55 to 58, further comprising:

[0234] a housing containing the control circuit, an intraoral mouthpiece coupled to the housing and extending from the housing; and

[0235] The oral cavity piece in the mouth also includes:

[0236] an anchoring element that cooperates with the housing to secure the oral piece within the mouth to the housing; and

[0237] Wherein the electrical contact member extends from the front surface of the mouthpiece and has an exposed portion for electrically coupling each of the first electrical conductor, the second electrical conductor, and the third electrical conductor to the power source.

[0238] 60. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 55 to 59, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises a protective component, the protective component comprising: a first frame portion defining a first window, through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp is exposed; and a second frame portion defining a second window, through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp is exposed.

[0239] 61. An oral treatment device according to item 60, wherein the first frame portion of the protective component seals the periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp; and wherein the second frame portion of the protective component seals the periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp.

[0240] 62. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 60 to 61, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface having a concave curvature, the first lamp and the second lamp being mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly.

[0241] 63. An oral treatment device according to item 62, wherein the protective component is an integrally formed unitary piece of elastomeric material overmolded onto the light assembly.

[0242] 64. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0243] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0244] a lamp support structure having an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;

[0245] a lamp including a plurality of light emitters configured to produce light emitted from the lamp, the lamp being mounted to the lamp support structure to form a lamp assembly, the lamp being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and

[0246] A protective component connected to the lamp assembly, the protective component is formed of an elastomeric material, the protective component includes a first wing portion extending beyond the first side edge of the lamp support structure and a second wing portion extending beyond the second side edge of the lamp support structure, the first wing portion and the second wing portion forming a flexible distal portion of the oral piece within the mouth.

[0247] 65. An oral treatment device according to item 64, wherein the lamp further comprises: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; the plurality of light emitters are embedded in the flexible sheet body so that light generated by the plurality of light emitters is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body; and wherein the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp has a concave curvature.

[0248] 66. An oral treatment device according to item 65, wherein the protective component includes a frame portion defining a window, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp is exposed through the window.

[0249] 67. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 64 to 66, wherein the protective component is an integrally formed unitary piece of the elastomeric material.

[0250] 68. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 64 to 67, wherein each of the first wing portion and the second wing portion consists solely of the elastomeric material.

[0251] 69. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 64 to 68, wherein the protective component includes an arcuate bite platform portion extending horizontally from the lamp, the arcuate bite platform portion having a first distal edge and a second distal edge, the first wing portion extending beyond the first distal edge of the bite platform, and the second wing portion extending beyond the second distal edge of the bite platform.

[0252] 70. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0253] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0254] A lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded in the flexible sheet body, light generated by the plurality of light emitting diodes being emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body, the lamp being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and

[0255] The flexible sheet body comprises: a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material, the flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface; and the plurality of light emitting diodes are printed on the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body; and

[0256] The rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp has a concave curvature and is exposed so as to form a light emitting surface of the mouthpiece.

[0257] 71. An oral treatment device according to item 70, wherein the intraoral oral piece includes a protective component, the protective component includes a frame portion defining a window, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp is exposed through the window.

[0258] 72. An oral treatment device according to item 71, wherein the frame portion of the protective component seals the periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

[0259] 73. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 71 to 72, wherein the intra-oral oral piece also includes a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure includes a lamp support surface on which the lamp is mounted, thereby forming a lamp assembly; and the protective component is an integral piece of elastomeric material that is integrally formed and molded onto the lamp assembly.

[0260] 74. An oral treatment device according to item 73, wherein the light support structure is formed from hard plastic.

[0261] 75. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 70 to 74, wherein the lamp comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact; each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the lamp is in the form of an elongated strip extending from a first side edge of the lamp along the length of the flexible lamp body to a second side edge of the lamp.

[0262] 76. An oral treatment device according to item 75, wherein the light includes an upper edge and a lower edge, the first electrical contact is adjacent to the upper edge, and the second electrical contact is adjacent to the lower edge.

[0263] 77. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 75 to 76, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the light extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0264] 78. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 70 to 77, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp includes a reflective layer.

[0265] 79. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 70 to 78, wherein the light-emitting diodes are printed onto the front surface of the flexible lens plate using conductive ink.

[0266] 80. An oral treatment device, comprising:

[0267] An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising:

[0268] a first light emitting surface configured to emit light onto the maxillary teeth of a user, the first light emitting surface having a concave curvature;

[0269] a second light emitting surface configured to emit light onto mandibular teeth of a user, the second light emitting surface having a concave curvature;

[0270] The first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface are located on opposite sides of a horizontal reference plane;

[0271] The first light emitting surface is inclined such that a first acute angle is formed between the first light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane;

[0272] And the second light emitting surface is inclined so that a second acute angle is formed between the second light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane.

[0273] 81. The oral treatment device according to item 80, further comprising:

[0274] The intraoral oral piece includes a first light and a second light, the first light and the second light being operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source;

[0275] Each of the first lamp and the second lamp comprises:

[0276] a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and

[0277] a plurality of light emitters embedded in the flexible sheet body, light generated by the plurality of light emitters being emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body;

[0278] The first light emitting surface is the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp; and

[0279] The second light emitting surface is the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp.

[0280] 82. An oral treatment device according to item 81, wherein for each of the first lamp and the second lamp, the flexible sheet body includes a flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface; and wherein the plurality of light emitters are light-emitting diodes printed on the front surface of the flexible lens plate, and the rear surface of the lens plate forms the rear surface of the flexible sheet body.

[0281] 83. An oral treatment device according to item 82, wherein the flexible lens plate is formed from a biocompatible material.

[0282] 84. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 81 to 83, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises:

[0283] a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface having a concave curvature; and

[0284] Each of the first lamp and the second lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface such that the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of each of the first lamp and the second lamp exhibits a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly.

[0285] 85. An oral treatment device according to item 84, wherein the lamp supporting surface is a stepped surface having a first vertical plate portion, a bearing surface portion and a second vertical plate portion, the first lamp is mounted to the first vertical plate portion and the second lamp is mounted to the second vertical plate portion, thereby forming a lamp assembly.

[0286] 86. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 84 to 85, wherein the intraoral oral piece also includes a protective component connected to the lamp assembly, the protective component including: a first frame portion defining a first window, through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the first lamp is exposed; and a second frame portion defining a second window, through which the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the second lamp is exposed.

[0287] 87. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 86, wherein the intraoral oral piece further comprises an occlusal platform extending from the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface along the horizontal reference plane.

[0288] 88. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 87, wherein the first acute angle and the second acute angle are different.

[0289] 89. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 87, wherein the first acute angle and the second acute angle are the same.

[0290] 90. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 81 to 86, wherein each of the first lamp and the second lamp includes a first side edge, a second side edge, an upper edge and a lower edge; and wherein the lower edge of the first lamp is horizontally offset relative to the upper edge of the second lamp.

[0291] 91. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 81 to 86 and 90, wherein the first lamp and the second lamp are horizontally offset from each other so that when measured along the reference plane, the first lamp is closer to the housing than the second lamp.

[0292] 92. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 91, wherein each of the first acute angle and the second acute angle is an angle that does not include end values.

[0293] 93. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 92, wherein each of the first acute angle and the second acute angle is in the range of 75° to 89°.

[0294] 94. An oral treatment device according to any one of items 80 to 93, wherein each of the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface is flat in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane.

Claims

1. An oral treatment device, comprising: An oral cavity piece in the mouth, the oral cavity piece in the mouth comprising: Lamp support surface: a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element electrically coupled to a control circuit having a power source, the first electrical contact element including a first contact surface and the second electrical contact element including a second contact surface, each of the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element and the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element forming a portion of the lamp support surface; A lamp, comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the front surface of the flexible sheet body forms the front surface of the lamp, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body forms the rear surface of the lamp; a plurality of light emitters embedded within the flexible sheet body and configured to generate light that is emitted from the rear surface of the lamp; and a first electrical contact having a first contact surface forming a first portion of the front surface of the lamp and a second electrical contact having a second contact surface forming a second portion of the front surface of the lamp; and The lamp is mounted to the lamp supporting surface so that: (1) the first contact surface of the first electrical contact of the lamp contacts the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element; (2) the second contact surface of the second electrical contact of the lamp contacts the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element; and (3) the rear surface of the flexible sheet body presents a concave curvature.

2. An oral treatment device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the lamp is in the form of an elongated strip, which extends from a first side edge of the lamp to a second side edge of the lamp along the length of the flexible sheet body.

3. The oral treatment device of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the lamp comprises an upper edge and a lower edge, the first electrical contact of the lamp is adjacent to the upper edge of the lamp, and the second electrical contact of the lamp is adjacent to the lower edge of the lamp.

4. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the portion of the lamp support surface formed by the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element is located in a central portion of the lamp support surface.

5. The oral treatment device of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the light support surface has a concave curvature.

6. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the intraoral oral piece includes a protective component, the protective component includes a frame portion defining a window, and the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp is exposed through the window.

7. The oral treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the frame portion of the protective member seals a periphery of the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp.

8. An oral treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the intraoral oral component further comprises a lamp support structure, the lamp support structure comprises the lamp support surface, the lamp support structure and the lamp together form a lamp assembly, and the protective component is an integrally formed, unitary piece of elastomeric material overmolded onto the lamp assembly.

9. An oral treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the protective component holds the lamp so that: (1) the first contact surface of the first electrical contact of the lamp is in surface contact with the first contact surface of the first electrical contact element; and (2) the second contact surface of the second electrical contact of the lamp is in surface contact with the second contact surface of the second electrical contact element.

10. The oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising: a housing containing the control circuit, an intraoral oral piece coupled to the housing and extending from the housing; and The oral cavity piece in the mouth also includes: an anchoring element that cooperates with the housing to secure the oral piece within the mouth to the housing; as well as An electrical contact component includes the first electrical contact element, the second electrical contact element, and a base section extending from the front surface of the mouthpiece, the base section including exposed portions of the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element for electrically coupling to the control circuit.

11. An oral treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp comprises a flexible lens plate having a front surface and a rear surface; and wherein the plurality of light emitters are light-emitting diodes printed on the front surface of the flexible lens plate, and the rear surface of the lens plate forms the rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp. 12 . The oral treatment device according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible sheet body of the lamp further comprises a flexible reflective layer, and the plurality of light emitters are disposed between the flexible lens plate and the flexible reflective layer.

13. The oral treatment device of claim 11, wherein the light emitting diodes are printed onto the front surface of the flexible lens sheet using conductive ink.

14. The oral treatment device of claim 11, wherein the flexible lens plate is formed of a biocompatible material.

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