Oral care system and method

Abstract

The invention provides an oral care system (1) comprising a detection system (2) for detecting tartar in a subject's oral cavity, and an electrochemical system (3) for generating ions during an electrochemical process for delivery into the subject's oral cavity. The one or more processors (4) are configured to obtain, via the detection system, a tartar indication indicative of tartar in the oral cavity of the subject, and to control the electrochemical process provided by the electrochemical system based on the tartar indication. The invention also provides a method of controlling an electrochemical system of such an oral care system, and a related computer program.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, and more particularly to an oral care system. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling an electro - chemical system of the oral care system, and a related computer program. Background Art

[0002] The accumulation of calcified deposits in the body can be problematic. Dental plaque is an example of a calcified deposit.

[0003] Dental plaque, also known as early dental calculus, is a risk factor for gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental plaque contains different calcium phosphate crystalline phases, and the solubility of these crystalline phases varies. Some calcium phosphate crystalline phases have poor water solubility, making dental plaque difficult to remove.

[0004] Currently, dental plaque is often treated / removed only by dentists and dental hygienists using mechanical or ultrasonic scalers.

[0005] This method of removing dental plaque is generally relatively safe because it is performed by oral care professionals. However, in - office procedures require the patient / subject to visit a dental clinic. In addition, using mechanical or ultrasonic - assisted scraping of dental plaque often causes discomfort and sometimes even pain during the procedure.

[0006] There is a desire to provide dental - plaque - related treatment solutions that address such challenges, particularly those that can be performed safely and / or effectively in the patient's own home.

[0007] US2015 / 297085 A1 discloses a dental instrument and a method of using the same, which uses low - intensity excitation light having a first frequency or intensity to detect when the dental instrument is placed in the user's mouth, and uses high - intensity excitation light, which may have a second frequency, to detect dental plaque or treat dental diseases.

[0008] US10179038B2 discloses an improved oral care appliance incorporating one or more electrode pairs. Within each electrode pair, a sacrificial metal is used, which decomposes when a potential difference is applied across the electrode pair. Ions are released when the metal decomposes, and these ions contribute to oral health. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments.

[0010] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, an oral care system is provided, comprising: a detection system for detecting dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity; an electrochemical system for generating ions during an electrochemical process for delivery into the subject's oral cavity; and one or more processors configured to: obtain a dental calculus indication indicative of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity via the detection system; and control the electrochemical process provided by the electrochemical system based on the dental calculus indication.

[0011] As used herein, the term "dental calculus" may refer to an early stage of dental calculus including inorganic substances and some organic substances.

[0012] In some embodiments, the dental calculus includes, for example, dental calculus defined by octacalcium phosphate-containing dental calculus.

[0013] Ions generated electrochemically may be suitable for treating various dental calculus-related problems.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ions generated by the electrochemical system are one or more ions selected from hydrogen ions, zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and silver ions.

[0015] Hydrogen ions can help lower the pH value near tooth components (e.g., teeth) in the oral cavity. The decrease in pH value helps dissolve dental calculus.

[0016] In embodiments where hydrogen ions are generated by the electrochemical system, the electrochemical system may be arranged to generate hydrogen ions via electrolysis of water (e.g., water included in saliva).

[0017] Zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions can provide various oral health benefits, such as antibacterial effects.

[0018] In embodiments where zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions are generated by the electrochemical system, the electrochemical system may include one or more sacrificial electrodes containing zinc, tin, copper, and / or silver.

[0019] More generally, the present disclosure is at least partially based on the insight that the presence or absence of dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity can be beneficially used as a guide for controlling ion generation by the electrochemical system.

[0020] Specifically, when the electrochemical system is configured to generate hydrogen ions, detecting dental calculus can justify lowering the pH value near the subject's tooth components to dissolve the dental calculus. On the other hand, if no dental calculus is detected or only a small amount of dental calculus is detected, it may be necessary to control the electrochemical system to avoid lowering the pH value or even increase the pH after previously delivering hydrogen ions to minimize the risk of enamel dissolution. This is because enamel, like dental calculus, is more easily dissolved under lower pH conditions.

[0021] In embodiments where other ions than hydrogen ions (e.g., zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions) are generated in an electrochemical system, it may be desirable to limit the generation of such ions to when dental calculus can be detected in the subject's oral cavity, as detection of dental calculus indicates a need for therapeutic ion treatment (e.g., antibacterial treatment). On the other hand, if no dental calculus or only a small amount of dental calculus is detected, it may be desirable to control the electrochemical reaction to avoid the generation of such ions, e.g., to extend the working life of a sacrificial electrode from which the ions can be electrochemically generated.

[0022] The oral care system accordingly includes a detection system for detecting dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity, and one or more processors. The (s) processor(s) is / are configured to obtain an indication of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity via the detection system and to control the electrochemical system based on the indication of dental calculus to provide an electrochemical process, e.g., electrochemically generating ions and / or delivering electrochemically generated ions into the subject's oral cavity.

[0023] Dental calculus detection in particular makes low-pH-driven dental calculus dissolution safer by helping to reduce the risk of uncontrolled and unnecessary dissolution of the protective enamel of healthy teeth. This means that the oral care system according to the present disclosure can be used for at-home dental calculus removal.

[0024] The detection system can utilize any suitable dental calculus detection principle, e.g., a detection principle that differentiates one or more characteristics of dental calculus relative to tooth enamel.

[0025] For example, the detection system can include an ion detection system that is configured to detect dental calculus, e.g., by a release rate of one or more ions from tooth enamel being different from, in particular lower than, a release rate of one or more ions from dental calculus.

[0026] This difference in release rate may reflect the fact that dental calculus is formed through a process of gradual calcification and crosslinking network formation from a biofilm containing organic matter to a predominantly or even completely inorganic dental stone.

[0027] In some embodiments, the detection system can include a material hardness detection system that is configured to detect dental calculus by hardness measurement, e.g., by a tapping element configured to tap on a material in the subject's oral cavity.

[0028] In such embodiments, the detection system can be configured to detect dental calculus based on a hardness difference between dental calculus and tooth enamel.

[0029] Dental calculus tends to be softer than tooth enamel, especially in its early stages of formation.

[0030] In some embodiments, the detection system includes an optical detection system for optically detecting dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity.

[0031] It has been found that optical detection of dental plaque is particularly advantageous, at least in part because of the differences in the interaction of dental plaque and tooth enamel with light. This may be due to the different chemical / structural properties of dental plaque compared to tooth enamel.

[0032] The optical detection system can, for example, include an imaging system for imaging the subject's oral cavity and / or a non-imaging optical detection system, e.g., including one or more photodiodes and one or more optical fibers.

[0033] In some embodiments, the detection system includes a spectroscopic detection system configured to spectroscopically detect the presence of dental plaque in the subject's oral cavity. Thus, the dental plaque indication can be based on the spectroscopic detection of the presence of dental plaque.

[0034] This spectroscopic detection of the presence of dental plaque can utilize the different chemical / structural properties of dental plaque compared to tooth enamel, resulting in spectral differences between these materials that can be discerned spectroscopically. The key point of the present disclosure is to utilize spectral information to distinguish dental plaque from tooth enamel.

[0035] In some embodiments, one or more processors are configured to execute a spectral comparison algorithm to distinguish dental plaque from tooth enamel, where the dental plaque indication includes the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

[0036] In other words, the spectral comparison algorithm (which can also alternatively be referred to as a "spectral matching algorithm") can run on a processor, and the result of the spectral comparison algorithm can be used to generate a control signal for controlling an electrochemical system. For example, such a control signal can initiate or terminate an electrochemical process, such as the generation of (hydrogen) ions, based on the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

[0037] In some embodiments, the spectroscopic detection of dental plaque in the subject's oral cavity includes infrared spectroscopic detection. Infrared spectroscopic detection (e.g., using mid-infrared and / or near-infrared radiation) can provide a relatively convenient and reliable method for distinguishing tooth enamel from dental plaque.

[0038] In such embodiments, an electrochemical system can be adaptively controlled based on infrared optical measurements of the materials in the oral cavity, e.g., by turning on or off an electrochemical treatment.

[0039] When the electrochemical process includes generating hydrogen ions for delivery into the subject's oral cavity, control based on infrared optical measurements can provide a particularly convenient and reliable method to help minimize the risk of uncontrolled / unnecessary dissolution of healthy tooth enamel.

[0040] In some embodiments, an electrochemical system includes a control device and one or more pairs of conductive elements, such as electrodes for contacting an aqueous solution. In these embodiments, one or more processors may be configured to trigger the control device to provide an electrical signal based on a calculus indication indicating the presence of calculus, the electrical signal causing at least one electrode of the one or more pairs of electrodes to generate hydrogen ions from water in the aqueous solution and deliver them into the oral cavity of a subject.

[0041] In such embodiments, the hydrogen ions may help to lower the local pH near the subject's teeth to help dissolve calculus.

[0042] Variations in the control signal can control the generation and / or neutralization of hydrogen ions.

[0043] Variations in the electrical signal (e.g., over time) can provide control over the generation of hydrogen ions, which is in contrast to uncontrolled hydrogen ion generation, for example, by providing a constant voltage across the electrodes by a continuously applied DC power source. This can more precisely control the local pH at which the subject's teeth are located, thus facilitating the use of an oral care system at home.

[0044] It should be noted that the term "electrical signal" as used herein may refer to a voltage signal or a current signal. Alternatively, the impedance can also be controlled.

[0045] In some embodiments, variations in the electrical signal limit the rate of change of hydrogen ion generation, for example, relative to a constant voltage equivalent to the peak amplitude of the electrical signal provided across the electrodes by a DC power source.

[0046] Alternatively, or additionally, variations in the electrical signal can promote hydrogen ion neutralization, for example, by an electrical signal including or defined by a bidirectional waveform applied to the electrodes. The neutralization promotion provided by such a bidirectional waveform will be explained in more detail below.

[0047] In some embodiments, the electrical signal includes a periodic variation in at least one of amplitude, polarity, and frequency. This may help to control the accumulation of hydrogen ions and thus help to control the local pH.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the electrical signal includes a bidirectional waveform. Altering the polarity of the electrodes alternately by such a bidirectional waveform helps to limit the progression of the low pH "front" emitted from the electrodes and stabilize the pH. This is because, after the polarity is changed, the hydrogen ions previously generated at one of the electrodes may be neutralized by the hydroxide ions currently generated at the same electrode.

[0049] In some embodiments, the positive peak amplitude of the bidirectional waveform is different from the negative peak amplitude of the bidirectional waveform. This may result in a continuous but controllable increase or decrease in pH at a specific location.

[0050] In some embodiments, one of the positive peak amplitude and the negative peak amplitude is at least 1.1 times, e.g., about 1.5 times, the other of the positive peak amplitude and the negative peak amplitude.

[0051] In a set of embodiments, the electrical signal is a continuous waveform, such as a sine wave or a square wave. Such a continuous waveform can be regarded as providing a continuously varying electrical signal.

[0052] In another set of embodiments, the electrical signal is a pulsed electrical signal. Such a pulsed electrical signal can result in a more gradual and controllable change in pH compared to, for example, a situation where the voltage across an electrode pair remains constant.

[0053] In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the pulsed electrical signal is less than or equal to 90%, preferably less than or equal to 75%, and most preferably less than or equal to 50%.

[0054] The duty cycle is the percentage of the ratio of the pulse duration (or pulse width) to the total period of the waveform. The smaller total current "on" time associated with the pulsed electrical signal, as compared to a constant voltage across the electrode pair, helps to limit the progression of the low pH "front" described above.

[0055] In certain embodiments, the electrical signal (current or voltage) is both a pulsed signal and a bipolar signal. In these embodiments, the duty cycle associated with the positive component of the bipolar electrical signal can be the same as or different from the duty cycle associated with the negative component of the bipolar electrical signal.

[0056] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more pairs of electrodes at which hydrogen ions are generated can be inserted into the subject's mouth. In these embodiments, the aqueous solution can include the subject's saliva and / or one or more oral care agents.

[0057] Such (multiple) oral care agents can be at least one selected from toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening agents.

[0058] More generally, it is noted that the aqueous solution can include one or more types of ions in addition to water.

[0059] In some embodiments, the oral care system includes at least one cleaning element for mechanically and / or fluidly cleaning the interior of the subject's mouth.

[0060] In such embodiments, the tartar removal facilitated by ion generation can be enhanced by the (multiple) cleaning elements.

[0061] Any suitable type of cleaning element may be considered. At least one cleaning element may include bristles for brushing the interior of the subject's oral cavity, and / or a fluid delivery nozzle for cleaning the interior surface of the subject's oral cavity. Alternatively or additionally, at least one cleaning element may include a cup made of an elastic material for rubbing the surface of the interior of the subject's oral cavity. For example, such a cup may be a so-called dental cup.

[0062] In some embodiments, one or more processors are configured to control the movement of at least one cleaning element and / or the fluid delivery from the at least one cleaning element.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the oral care system may include an actuator configured to cause movement of at least one cleaning element and / or fluid (i.e., liquid and / or gas) delivery from the at least one cleaning element.

[0064] Such an actuator may be controllable (e.g.) by the (one or more) processors to implement mechanical and / or fluid treatment modes of the oral care system.

[0065] The actuator may include, for example, a drive train, such as a drive train including an electric motor and / or a hydraulic or pneumatic pump.

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more processors are configured to control the movement of at least one cleaning element and / or fluid delivery based on a calculus indication.

[0067] In such embodiments, one or more processors may be configured to control the actuator based on a calculus indication such that the actuator causes movement of at least one cleaning element and / or fluid delivery from the at least one cleaning element.

[0068] Thus, in addition to the electrochemical process, mechanical and / or fluid cleaning may be implemented based on a calculus indication, e.g., by calculus-based fluid pump control, e.g., controlling fluid injection pressure, flow rate, volume, and / or frequency; and / or controlling the drive train, e.g., controlling drive train characteristics such as frequency, scan amplitude, and / or type of movement.

[0069] For example, the type of movement adjustment may involve adding a ("jackhammer-style") tapping movement on the basis of oscillatory, rotational, or translational movement.

[0070] In these embodiments, an actuator controller based on calculus indication can assist in removing electrochemically treated (e.g., softened) calculus more quickly. It should be noted that the organic components in calculus may be less affected by the electrochemical process than the inorganic components. In other words, the electrochemical process can help remove at least partially the substance that can be regarded as the calcium phosphate scaffold of calcification, and the actuator control (e.g., implemented simultaneously or after the electrochemical process) can help remove the organic substances that are no longer or less held on the tooth component by the calcium phosphate scaffold that has been at least partially removed.

[0071] Accordingly, the operation of the (plural) cleaning elements can be advantageously associated with the ions generated by the electrochemical system to calculus detection. This can facilitate the oral treatment using the oral care device in a safe and effective manner.

[0072] In some embodiments, one or two electrodes are mechanically coupled to the actuator such that the movement of the actuator causes the movement of the electrodes.

[0073] In such embodiments, the movement of the actuator can result in an increase in the effective area, in other words, an increase in the footprint area, where the electrochemical treatment provided by the electrodes is implemented.

[0074] In some embodiments, one or more processors are configured to control the electrochemical system to initiate the generation of ions based on a calculus indication indicating the presence of calculus at a certain location in the subject's oral cavity, and to terminate the generation of ions based on the detection of enamel at that location.

[0075] Accordingly, the electrochemical treatment (e.g., through hydrogen ion generation) may be turned on in response to the detection of calculus and stopped in response to the detection of enamel at the same location. The latter may be due to the dissolution of calculus.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, the (plural) processors may be configured to adjust the power used by the electrochemical system to generate ions based on the calculus indication indicating the amount of calculus (such as the amount of calculus relative to enamel) present at the location in the subject's oral cavity.

[0077] For example, if the calculus indication indicates that the calculus layer does not show a reduced thickness, or the rate of reduction of the calculus layer thickness is equal to or lower than a threshold, during the electrochemical process, the (plural) processors may be configured to increase the power used by the electrochemical system to generate ions and / or may issue a notification to the user (e.g., to the subject's dental care provider).

[0078] Accordingly, the oral care system can provide an electrochemical process suitable for relatively stubborn calculus deposits.

[0079] In some embodiments, as the calculus layer thickness decreases, the electrical power (i.e., the electrochemical treatment dose) can be reduced. This helps to protect the tooth enamel from any adverse effects associated with the electrochemical treatment.

[0080] In some embodiments, the oral care system includes an oral care component that can be inserted into a subject's oral cavity. In these embodiments, the oral care component can be included in the brush head of a toothbrush, such as the brush head of a toothbrush.

[0081] In such embodiments, at least one ion - generating electrode can be included in the oral care component.

[0082] Thus, ions can be generated within the oral cavity, which can facilitate the transport of ions within the oral cavity.

[0083] As an alternative or supplement to the at least one ion - generating electrode included in the oral care component, the (multiple) detection elements of the detection system (e.g., the detection elements including the optical elements of the above - mentioned optical detection system) can be included in the oral care component.

[0084] Including the (multiple) detection elements (e.g., the brush head) in the oral care component can provide a relatively straightforward way to arrange the detection system to allow calculus detection.

[0085] In some embodiments, at least one ion - generating electrode and a detection element are included in the oral care component (e.g., the brush head). This can provide a relatively direct implementation enabling a combination of calculus detection and ion transport within the subject's oral cavity.

[0086] In some embodiments, the oral care system includes an output device, and one or more processors are configured to control the output device to provide a notification to the user based on a tooth calculus indication.

[0087] In this way, the user can be informed of the subject's calculus condition at any time.

[0088] In some embodiments, the notification includes an alert to schedule a dentist appointment, for example, based on a calculus indication that shows that after a certain number of times (e.g., a predetermined number of times) of treatment using the oral care system, or after treating the subject with the oral care system for a period of time (e.g., brushing time), the calculus has not been removed.

[0089] In these embodiments, the user can be at least one of the subject and their dental care provider. In embodiments where the dental care provider is notified by the notification, the notification can provide an alert to the dental care provider to schedule an appointment with the subject, for example, for triage purposes.

[0090] More generally, an oral care system may include or be a toothbrush, a dental tray, an irrigator, or a professional dental instrument operated by a dentist or a dental hygienist. In particular, an oral care system in the form of a toothbrush is mentioned.

[0091] It is noted that an oral care system including a toothbrush, a dental tray, and an irrigator can be regarded as an example of a personal oral care system. Such a personal oral care system can be used by a user at home on their own.

[0092] According to another aspect, a method for controlling an electrochemical system of an oral care system is provided, the oral care system further including a detection system for detecting dental plaque in a subject's oral cavity, the method comprising: obtaining, by the detection system, a dental plaque indication indicative of dental plaque in the subject's oral cavity; and controlling the electrochemical system based on the dental plaque indication.

[0093] Ions, such as hydrogen ions, zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions, can be delivered into the subject's oral cavity as described above. In some embodiments, the method does not include delivering ions into the subject's oral cavity, and correspondingly, the method does not include any treatment steps.

[0094] According to another aspect, a computer program including computer program code is provided, which, when the computer program runs on one or more processors included in an oral care system, the oral care system including a detection system for detecting dental plaque in a subject's oral cavity and an electrochemical system for generating ions, causes the one or more processors to implement the method according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0095] One or more non-transitory computer-readable media can be provided, on which a computer program is stored, the computer program including computer program code configured to, when the computer program runs on one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the method according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0096] More generally, the embodiments described herein related to methods and computer programs can be applicable to oral care systems, and the embodiments described herein related to oral care systems can be applicable to methods and computer programs.

[0097] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] To better understand the present invention and to more clearly show how to implement the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0099] Figure 1Schematically depicts an oral care system according to a first example;

[0100] Figure 2 Schematically depicts Figure 1 the use of the oral care component of the oral care system shown on teeth with tartar;

[0101] Figure 3 Schematically depicts an oral care system according to a second example;

[0102] Figure 4 Schematically depicts an oral care system according to a third example;

[0103] Figure 5 Schematically depicts an oral care system according to a fourth example;

[0104] Figure 6 Provides a block diagram of an oral care system according to a fifth example;

[0105] Figure 7 Provides Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) diffuse reflectance spectra of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP);

[0106] Figure 8 Provides FTIR specular reflectance spectra of HAp and OCP;

[0107] Figure 9 Provides first derivative FTIR diffuse reflectance spectra of HAp and OCP, represented as raw reflectance;

[0108] Figure 10 Provides a schematic diagram of stratified tartar on the tooth pellicle layer;

[0109] Figure 11 Provides a graph showing the solubility of two related crystalline phases of calcium phosphate as a function of pH;

[0110] Figure 12 Schematically depicts a part of an oral care system according to a sixth example;

[0111] Figure 13 Schematically depicts a part of an oral care system according to a seventh example;

[0112] Figure 14 Schematically depicts a part of an oral care system according to an eighth example;

[0113] Figure 15A Shows a circuit for providing a unipolar pulsed electrical signal;

[0114] Figure 15B Shown by Figure 15AThe bipolar signal (upper) and unipolar pulsed electrical signal (lower) provided by the circuit shown;

[0115] Figure 16 Schematically depicts the movement of an actuator-driven electrolytic electrode according to one example;

[0116] Figure 17 Schematically depicts a part of an oral care system according to a ninth example;

[0117] Figure 18 Shows a part of an oral care system according to a tenth example;

[0118] Figure 19 Provides a graph of the depth of tartar and enamel dissolution within 30 seconds relative to the voltage across the electrolytic electrode;

[0119] Figure 20 Schematically depicts a 2D simulation device including two electrolytic electrodes;

[0120] Figure 21A Provides a graph of a constant voltage;

[0121] Figure 21B Provides when an electrical signal as shown is provided to the electrode Figure 21A and the pH at different points near the electrode Figure 20 shown relative to time;

[0122] Figure 22A Provides a graph of the electrical signal according to a first example;

[0123] Figure 22B Provides when an electrical signal as shown is provided to the electrode Figure 22A and the pH at different points near the electrode Figure 20 shown relative to time;

[0124] Figure 23A Provides a graph of the electrical signal according to a second example;

[0125] Figure 23B Provides when an electrical signal as shown is provided to the electrode Figure 23A and the pH at different points near the electrode Figure 20 shown relative to time;

[0126] Figure 24 Provides a graph of the electrical signal according to a third example;

[0127] Figure 25 Provides a graph of the electrical signal according to a fourth example;

[0128] Figure 26A flowchart of a method according to the first example is provided;

[0129] Figure 27 A flowchart of a method according to the second example is provided; and

[0130] Figure 28 A flowchart of a method according to the third example is provided. Detailed Description

[0131] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0132] It should be understood that although the detailed description and specific examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, they are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are only schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout all the drawings to indicate the same or similar components.

[0133] The present invention provides an oral care system that includes a detection system for detecting dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity and an electrochemical system for generating ions during an electrochemical process and for controlled delivery within the subject's oral cavity. One or more processors are configured to obtain a calculus indication indicative of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity via the detection system and to control the electrochemical process provided by the electrochemical system based on the calculus indication. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the electrochemical system of such an oral care system, as well as a related computer program.

[0134] Figure 1 An oral care system 1 according to one embodiment is schematically depicted. The oral care system 1 includes an electrochemical system 3 for generating ions and delivering them to the subject's oral cavity ( Figure 1 not visible in)

[0135] These ions may be suitable for treating various calculus-related problems.

[0136] In some embodiments, the ions generated by the electrochemical system 3 are one or more selected from hydrogen ions, zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, silver ions.

[0137] Hydrogen ions may help to lower the pH in the oral cavity near tooth components (e.g., teeth). This reduction in pH may contribute to the dissolution of dental calculus, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0138] In embodiments where hydrogen ions are generated by the electrochemical system 3, the electrochemical system 3 may be arranged to generate hydrogen ions via the electrolysis of water (e.g., water in saliva), as described in more detail below.

[0139] Zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions can provide various oral health benefits, such as antibacterial effects.

[0140] In embodiments where the electrochemical system 3 generates zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions, the electrochemical system 3 can include one or more sacrificial electrodes containing zinc, tin, copper, and / or silver.

[0141] More generally, the present disclosure is at least partially based on the insight that the presence or absence of dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity can be beneficially used as a guide to control ion generation in the electrochemical system 3.

[0142] Specifically, when the electrochemical system 3 is configured to generate hydrogen ions, the detection of dental calculus can justify lowering the pH near the subject's tooth surface to dissolve the dental calculus. On the other hand, if no dental calculus is detected or only a small amount of dental calculus is detected, it may be necessary to control the electrochemical system 3 to avoid lowering the pH and even increase the pH after previous delivery of hydrogen ions to minimize the risk of dissolution of healthy or intact tooth enamel. This is because tooth enamel, like dental calculus, is more prone to dissolution at lower pH conditions.

[0143] In embodiments where the electrochemical system 3 generates ions other than hydrogen ions (such as zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions), it may be desirable to limit the generation of such ions to cases where dental calculus is detectable in the subject's oral cavity, because the detection of dental calculus indicates a need for ion treatment (e.g., antibacterial ion treatment). On the other hand, if no dental calculus is detected or only a very small amount of dental calculus is detected, it may be necessary to control the electrochemical reaction to avoid the generation of such ions, for example, to extend the working life of the sacrificial electrodes from which the ions are electrochemically generated.

[0144] To this end, the oral care system 1 includes a detection system 2 for detecting dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity, and one or more processors 4. The processor 4 is configured to obtain a dental calculus indication indicative of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity via the detection system 2 and control the electrochemical system 3 based on the dental calculus indication to provide an electrochemical process, such as electrochemically generating ions and / or delivering electrochemically generated ions into the subject's oral cavity.

[0145] Dental calculus detection is particularly helpful in reducing the risk of uncontrolled and unnecessary dissolution of the protective enamel of healthy teeth, thus making low-pH-driven dental calculus dissolution safer. This means that the oral care system 1 according to the present disclosure can be used for at-home dental calculus removal.

[0146] The detection system 2 can utilize any suitable dental calculus detection principle, for example, a detection principle that differentiates one or more characteristics of dental calculus relative to tooth enamel.

[0147] For example, the detection system 2 may include an ion detection system configured to detect dental calculus, for example, by a release rate of one or more ions from dental enamel being different from (e.g., lower than) a release rate of one or more ions from dental plaque.

[0148] This difference in ion release rate may reflect that dental calculus is formed by a biofilm containing organic matter through a process of calcification and crosslinking network formation into mainly or even completely inorganic dental stone.

[0149] In some embodiments, the detection system 2 may include a material hardness detection system configured to detect dental calculus via hardness measurement, for example, via a tapping element (not visible) configured to tap a material in a subject's oral cavity.

[0150] In such embodiments, the detection system 2 may be configured to detect dental calculus based on a hardness or (viscoelastic) stiffness difference between dental calculus and dental enamel.

[0151] Dental calculus tends to be softer than dental enamel, especially in its early formation stage.

[0152] In some embodiments, the detection system 2 includes an optical detection system for optically detecting dental calculus within a subject's oral cavity.

[0153] Optical detection of dental calculus has proven to be particularly advantageous, at least in part because of differences in the interaction of dental calculus and dental enamel with light. This may be due to dental calculus and dental enamel having different chemical / structural properties, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0154] In some embodiments, for example Figure 1 in the illustrated embodiment, the oral care system 1 includes an oral care component 5 that can be inserted into a subject's oral cavity. In these embodiments, the oral care component 5 may be included in the brush head of a toothbrush, for example, defined within the brush head of the toothbrush. Figure 1 An example is shown in

[0155] The electrochemical system 3 may include at least one ion generating electrode 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D, such as (a plurality of) water electrolysis electrodes and / or (a plurality of) sacrificial electrodes, for generating ions to be delivered into a subject's oral cavity.

[0156] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 in the illustrated embodiment, at least one ion generating electrode 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D is included in the oral care component 5.

[0157] Thus, ions can be generated within the oral cavity, which can facilitate the delivery of ions within the oral cavity.

[0158] In embodiments where the ions include hydrogen ions, at least one hydrogen ion-generating electrode 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D can be inserted into the subject's oral cavity, the aqueous solution includes water, and hydrogen ions are generated from the water via electrolysis, and the water includes the subject's saliva and / or one or more oral care agents, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and / or whitening agent. This can provide a relatively simple method to provide a lower pH near the subject's teeth.

[0159] In some embodiments, the electrochemical system 3 includes a control device ( Figure 1 not visible in the figure) and one or more pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D for contacting an aqueous solution, such as the subject's saliva and / or one or more oral care agents, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and / or whitening agent. In these embodiments, as described in more detail below, the control device can provide an electrical signal that causes at least one of the one or more pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D to generate hydrogen ions from the water in the aqueous solution.

[0160] In such an embodiment, the processor(s) 4 can be configured to trigger the control device to provide an electrical signal based on a calculus indication indicating the presence of calculus.

[0161] In embodiments where the detection system 2 includes, for example, an optical detection system, the optical detection system can include, for example, an imaging system for imaging the subject's oral cavity (e.g., including photodiodes and optical fibers) and / or a non-imaging optical detection system.

[0162] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 shown, the optical detection system 2 includes at least one optical element 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D for emitting and / or receiving light. The at least one optical element 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D can be inserted into the subject's oral cavity.

[0163] The optical element(s) 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D can be of any suitable type as long as they can emit and / or receive light to allow optical calculus detection.

[0164] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 the embodiment shown, the optical element(s) 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D include optical fibers, for example in the form of optical fibers, arranged to emit and / or receive light within the subject's oral cavity. Other possibilities for the optical element(s) 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D can also be considered, as will be described in more detail below.

[0165] As an alternative or supplement to at least one of the ion - generating electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D in the oral care assembly 5, the oral care assembly 5 may further include (a plurality of) detection elements. For example, it may include detection elements in the form of optical elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D. Figure 1 An example is shown.

[0166] Including (a plurality of) optical elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D in the oral care assembly 5 (e.g., the brush head) can provide a relatively straightforward way to arrange the optical detection system 2, thus allowing tartar detection.

[0167] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 the embodiment shown, at least one ion - generating electrode 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D and (a plurality of) detection elements (e.g., (a plurality of) optical elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) are included in the oral care assembly 5 (e.g., the brush head). Thus, the oral care assembly 5 can be regarded as a combined detection and treatment module, for example, including optical illumination and sensing elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and treatment electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D.

[0168] This can provide a relatively straightforward and easy - to - implement method for detecting tartar and delivering ions in a subject's oral cavity. Specifically, the oral care assembly 5 including the brush head can be inserted into the subject's oral cavity so that the detection system 2 can detect the presence of tartar in the subject's oral cavity and facilitate the delivery of ions generated by the electrochemical system 3 in the subject's oral cavity.

[0169] In some embodiments, the oral care system 1 includes at least one cleaning element 8 for mechanically and / or fluidly cleaning the interior of the subject's oral cavity. In these embodiments, tartar removal facilitated by ion generation can be enhanced by (a plurality of) cleaning elements 8.

[0170] Any suitable type of cleaning element 8 can be considered. In Figure 1 the non - limiting example shown, at least one cleaning element 8 includes bristles for brushing the interior of the subject's oral cavity. Alternatively or additionally, at least one cleaning element 8 can include a cup made of an elastic material for rubbing the surfaces in the subject's oral cavity. For example, such a cup can be a so - called dental cup.

[0171] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 the embodiment shown, the oral care device 1 includes an actuator 9 configured to cause the movement and / or fluid delivery of at least one cleaning element 8.

[0172] In such an embodiment, one or more processors 4 may be configured to control the actuator 9 based on the calculus indication such that the actuator 9 causes movement of at least one cleaning element 8 and / or fluid delivery.

[0173] Accordingly, in addition to the electrochemical process, mechanical and / or fluid cleaning may be implemented based on the calculus indication, such as via calculus-based fluid pump control, such as controlling fluid jet pressure, flow rate, volume, and / or frequency; and / or control of the drive train, such as controlling drive train characteristics, such as frequency, scan amplitude, and / or type of movement.

[0174] For example, the type of movement adjustment may involve adding a ("hammering") tapping movement on the basis of oscillatory, rotational, or translational movement.

[0175] In these embodiments, the actuator controller based on the calculus indication may help to remove the electrochemically treated (e.g., softened) calculus more quickly, noting that the organic components in the calculus may be less affected by the electrochemical process than the inorganic components. In other words, the electrochemical process may help to at least partially remove the substance that can be regarded as the calcified calcium phosphate scaffold, while the actuator control (e.g., implemented simultaneously with or after the electrochemical process) may help to remove the organic substances that are no longer or less held on the tooth component by the at least partially removed calcium phosphate scaffold.

[0176] Accordingly, the operation of the (one or more) cleaning elements 8 can be advantageously associated with the ion generation function of the electrochemical system 3 to calculus detection. This helps to perform oral treatment using the oral care device 1 in a safe and effective manner.

[0177] In an embodiment where the (one or more) cleaning elements 8 are arranged to be driven by the actuator 9 to provide fluid delivery from the (one or more) cleaning elements, such fluid delivery may include delivering a liquid into the oral cavity after delivering hydrogen ions into the oral cavity. In other words, the (one or more) processors 4 may be configured to control the actuator 9 such that the actuator 9 causes the liquid to be delivered from the (one or more) cleaning elements after controlling the electrochemical system 3 to generate hydrogen ions for delivery to the subject's oral cavity.

[0178] Such liquid delivery may help to increase the pH near the tooth component after delivering hydrogen ions. This may more safely dissolve calculus via delivering hydrogen ions into the subject's oral cavity.

[0179] In a non-limiting embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the optical detection system 2 includes optical elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D in the form of (one or more) photodiodes and optical fibers, which are arranged around at least a pair of ion generation electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D. In Figure 1In the specific embodiments shown, the optical fiber and the ion generation electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D are arranged in a rhombus pattern on a plane, as shown by the parallelogram drawn around the circles representing the optical elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and the circles representing the ion generation electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D.

[0180] More generally, the electrochemical system 3 may include four electrochemical electrode configurations 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D, which are surrounded by four optical sensing elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D of the optical detection system 2 (e.g., based on optical fibers and photodiodes).

[0181] Reference Figure 2 , this arrangement may facilitate the sensing of enamel 11 and dental plaque 14 by the detection system 2 (e.g., an optical detection system), especially when the oral care component 5 (e.g., the brush head) is moved within the oral cavity. Figure 2 The gum line 13 is also schematically depicted.

[0182] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 the embodiments shown, two or more optical sensing elements 7A, 7B, 7D, 7C of the optical detection system 2 are each arranged at corresponding lateral positions within the oral care component 5 (e.g., the brush head), and two or more optical sensing elements 7B, 7A, 7C, 7D are each arranged at corresponding longitudinal positions within the oral care component 5, the longitudinal direction of the oral care component 5 extending transversely with respect to the lateral direction.

[0183] This quadruple arrangement of the optical sensing elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D may facilitate the detection of dental plaque during the lateral movement of the oral care component 5, as shown by the double-headed arrow indicating the lateral / horizontal movement (e.g., brush movement) in Figure 2 , and the detection of dental plaque during the up-and-down longitudinal / vertical movement.

[0184] The arrangement of the four optical sensing elements 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D may allow for differential measurement (e.g., comparative measurement) of substances within the subject's oral cavity, and may accordingly control the electrochemical system 3, e.g., switch the electrode signals based on the substances (e.g., dental plaque or enamel), as well as the horizontal or vertical movement of the oral care component 5 (e.g., the brush head).

[0185] Figure 3 Schematically depicted is an oral care system 1 having an oral care component 5 corresponding to that shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , but the arrangement of the cleaning elements 8 (in this case, the bristles) is slightly different with respect to the oral care component 5.

[0186] In some embodiments, for example Figure 4As shown, the optical detection system 2 includes an optical element 7E, for example, in the form of a spectral camera.

[0187] The spectral camera can be configured to image different wavelength windows (in other words, bandwidths).

[0188] In such embodiments, the position of the spectral camera may be offset from the position(s) of the ion generation electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D in the oral care component(s) 5, for example, offset from one or two pairs of the ion generation electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D. This offset is Figure 4 denoted by the distance Δ, which is the distance from the outer periphery of the nearest electrode(s) 6D, 6C to the spectral camera and the center of the spectral camera aperture.

[0189] Due to this offset Δ, for example, the initial brushing process or the brushing stroke during the brushing process can be used to image the teeth to evaluate the presence of dental plaque. If dental plaque is detected, the electrochemical system 3 can be controlled to activate ion generation when the brush reaches the corresponding position again during a subsequent second process or stroke.

[0190] Real-time position sensing of the oral care component 5 (e.g., the brush head) can be employed in such embodiments. For this purpose, the oral care component 5 may include one or more sensors (not shown in the figure), such as accelerometers and / or inertial measurement units, and the processor(s) 4 can be configured to predict the position of the oral care component 5 based on data from one or more sensors.

[0191] For example, the processor(s) 4 can be configured to execute machine learning algorithms to achieve real-time device position estimation and / or future position prediction or forecasting.

[0192] Figure 5 Schematically depicts an oral care system 1 having an oral care component 5 corresponding to that shown in Figure 4 , but the arrangement of the cleaning element 8 (in this example, the bristles) is slightly different relative to the oral care component 5.

[0193] It is worth noting that Figures 1 to 5 the oral care component 5 shown is not limited to being incorporated into a toothbrush (e.g., as a brush head or included in a brush head), but can alternatively be implemented in a full or partial mouthpiece or other types of oral care devices, such as a combined brushing-flossing device or other devices.

[0194] The oral care system 1 can include a toothbrush, a mouthpiece, a rinser, or a professional dental instrument that can be operated by a dentist or a dental hygienist. Particular mention is made of the oral care system 1 in the form of a toothbrush.

[0195] It should be noted that an oral care system 1 in the form of, for example, a toothbrush, a mouthpiece, and a irrigator can be regarded as an example of a personal care oral system 1. Such a personal care oral system 1 can be used by a subject himself in his own home.

[0196] Figure 6 A block diagram of the oral care system 1 is provided. The oral care system 1 includes the above-described detection system 2, an electrochemical system 3, and an actuator 9.

[0197] The actuator 9 can be controlled to implement mechanical and / or fluid cleaning modes, for example, via a drive train motion as described above.

[0198] In an embodiment where the detection system includes or employs an optical detection system 2, the optical detection system 2 can include a spectral module, for example, including a light source and an optical detector, and / or a spectral camera or other optical devices, such as optical fibers, to obtain spectral information.

[0199] In some embodiments, the optical detection system 2 includes a light source, for example, an infrared wavelength light source, for example, (a plurality of) mid-infrared light-emitting diodes, for example, for providing a spectral range of 2.7 to 4.7 μm. Alternatively or additionally, the optical detection system 2 can include (a plurality of) optical fibers / (a plurality of) waveguides, (a plurality of) sensor elements (for example, for detecting reflected infrared light, such as a photodiode), and / or a hyperspectral camera (such as a hyperspectral camera). Such a spectral camera can, for example, include complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensing elements.

[0200] The electrochemical system 3 can be regarded as or include an electrochemical processing unit or a battery, which includes (a plurality of) ion-generating electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D.

[0201] (A plurality of) processors 4 can include, for example, the form of a microcontroller, which is configured to obtain a calculus indication indicating calculus in a subject's oral cavity via the detection system 2, and control the electrochemical system 3 to provide an electrochemical treatment, for example, electrochemically generate ions, based on the calculus indication.

[0202] (A plurality of) processors 4 can also be configured to control the actuator 9 such that the oral care system 1 operates in mechanical and / or fluid cleaning modes while controlling the electrochemical system 3 (optionally, the electrochemical system 3 and the actuator 9).

[0203] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 the embodiment shown, the oral care system 1 includes an output device 10, where (a plurality of) processors 4 are configured to control the output device 10 based on the calculus indication to provide a notification to the user.

[0204] In this way, the user can know the tartar condition of the subject at any time.

[0205] In some embodiments, the notification includes an alert for scheduling a dentist appointment. For example, based on a tartar indication that indicates that after a certain number of treatments (such as a predetermined number) with the oral care system 1, or after treating the subject with the oral care system 1 for a period of time (e.g., brushing time), the tartar has not been removed.

[0206] In these embodiments, the user can be at least one of the subject and their dental care provider. In embodiments where the dental care provider is notified via the notification, the notification can provide an alert for the dental care provider to schedule an appointment with the subject, for example for triage. This example will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 27 Describe this example in more detail.

[0207] In some embodiments, the processor(s) 4 is configured to execute a spectral comparison algorithm to distinguish tartar from tooth enamel, wherein the tartar indication includes the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

[0208] In other words, the spectral comparison algorithm can run on the processor(s) 4, and the result of the spectral comparison algorithm can be used to generate a control signal for controlling the electrochemical system 3. For example, such a control signal can start or terminate an electrochemical treatment, such as ion generation, based on the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

[0209] The electrochemical mode of the oral care system 1 can be activated or deactivated based on the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

[0210] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 the embodiment shown, the oral care system 1 includes a spectral input 4M for running the spectral comparison algorithm. The spectral input 4M can be stored, for example, in the local memory of the oral care device (e.g., toothbrush) including the oral care system 1, and / or stored in a cloud-based server.

[0211] The detection system 2 can detect tartar in any suitable manner.

[0212] In some embodiments, the detection system 2 includes, for example, in the form of a spectral detection system, which is configured to detect the presence of tartar in the subject's oral cavity spectroscopically. Thus, the tartar indication can be based on the spectral detection of the presence of tartar.

[0213] This method of spectroscopically detecting the presence of tartar can utilize the different chemical / structural properties of tartar and tooth enamel, resulting in spectral differences between these materials that can be discerned by spectroscopy. The key point of the present disclosure is to utilize spectral information to distinguish tartar from tooth enamel.

[0214] In some embodiments, spectral detection of dental plaque in a subject's oral cavity includes infrared spectral detection. Infrared spectral detection (e.g., using mid-infrared and / or near-infrared radiation) can provide a relatively convenient and reliable method for differentiating tooth enamel and dental plaque.

[0215] In such embodiments, an electrochemical system 3 can be adaptively controlled based on infrared optical measurements of substances in the oral cavity, e.g., by turning on or off the electrochemical treatment.

[0216] When the electrochemical treatment includes generating hydrogen ions for delivery into the subject's oral cavity, control based on infrared optical measurements can provide a particularly convenient and reliable method to help minimize the risk of uncontrolled / unnecessary dissolution of healthy tooth enamel.

[0217] To illustrate the above infrared spectral detection, Figure 7 FTIR diffuse reflectance spectra of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP) are provided. HAp is a component of tooth enamel, while OCP is the main inorganic component of early dental plaque.

[0218] Figure 7 Band B1 in [reference] is in the range of 3500 - 3600 cm -1 -1, and this band provides distinct spectral differences, noting that there is a clear peak for HAp and none for OCP between HAp and OCP.

[0219] Figure 8 FTIR specular reflectance spectra of HAp and OCP are provided, from which it can be clearly seen that the overtone of this band is located at approximately 7000 cm -1 -1 (see band B2 in [reference]), and the overtone of this band can also be used to differentiate tooth enamel and dental plaque. Figure 8 In addition to observing the absolute reflection / absorbance signal, first-order or second-order derivative spectra, and / or spectral band ratios can be evaluated to better differentiate tooth enamel and dental plaque.

[0220] First-order derivative FTIR diffuse reflectance spectra of HAp and OCP are shown, presented as raw reflectance. Figure 9

[0221] In some embodiments, the optical detection system 2 includes a combination of a light-emitting diode and a photodiode, and their arrangement takes advantage of the relatively low reflectivity of dental plaque within the above wavelength window.

[0222] Light from a 2.8 or 1.4 μm wavelength light-emitting diode (3600 or 7200 cm -1 -1) can be normalized with the background reflection from a 2.4 μm wavelength light-emitting diode (4200 cm -1 -1).

[0223] More generally, spectral measurements can be achieved using an infrared light source, a Bragg grating, and an infrared detector. It should be noted that, for example, a camera can be employed as the infrared detector.

[0224] Figure 10 The enamel layer 11 of a tooth and the pellicle layer 12 located on the enamel layer 11 are schematically depicted. Figure 10 Dental plaque 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D located on the pellicle layer 12 is also shown.

[0225] Figure 10 The shown dental plaque 14A-D includes several different calcium phosphate crystalline phases, which have different water solubilities. The outermost dental plaque layer 14A farthest from the pellicle layer 12 includes dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), the layer 14B adjacent to the dental plaque layer 14A includes octacalcium phosphate (OCP), the layer 14D closest to the pellicle layer 12, and the layer 14C located between the layer 14B and the layer 14D may include a relatively small amount of hydroxyapatite (HAp). As previously mentioned, HAp is a key component of the enamel layer 11.

[0226] The water solubility of HAp is lower than that of OCP, and the water solubility of OCP is lower than that of DCPD, such that the relative and / or absolute water solubility decreases in the direction of arrow 16. However, the absolute solubility of OCP and DCPD in water is low, and they are close to the enamel layer 11, thus impeding the removal of dental plaque, especially for subjects at home.

[0227] The water solubility of the above crystalline phases has been found to be related to pH. Specifically, decreasing the pH can contribute to dissolution in an aqueous solution. Figure 11 There is provided Figure 18 and Figure 20 , showing the variation of the solubility of tartrate-containing calcium phosphate crystalline phases with pH. Figure 11 Overall, it shows that for both OCP ( Figure 18 ) and HAp ( Figure 20 ), the calcium ion concentration dissolved in the solution increases with the decrease of pH; at pH 5.5, the solubility of OCP is almost two orders of magnitude higher than that of HAp.

[0228] Figure 11 The dashed line 22 in

[0229] This disclosure is based in part on the recognition that by controlling the local pH of teeth to be less than 7 but equal to or greater than 5.5, OCP and DCPD in dental calculus 14 (especially early dental calculus) can be dissolved with minimal or no damage to tooth enamel 11. This is because such a pH range can minimize the dissolution of HAp in tooth enamel 11, as Figure 11 shown.

[0230] Figure 12 Schematically depicts an electrochemical system 3 according to an example. The control device 102 is configured to provide an electrical signal. The electrochemical system 3 further includes a pair of electrodes 6A, 6B for contacting an aqueous solution. The pair of electrodes 6A, 6B are each connected to the control device 102 and are configured to generate hydrogen ions from water in the aqueous solution in response to the electrical signal.

[0231] Generating hydrogen ions (i.e., H + ions) from water in an aqueous solution implies that the potential difference between the electrodes 6A, 6B caused by the electrical signal is sufficient to cause water electrolysis to occur.

[0232] The electrodes 6A, 6B can be made of any suitable conductive material that can electrochemically generate hydrogen ions by electrolyzing water. For example, the electrodes 6A, 6B can be selected from platinum electrodes, platinum-coated electrodes (such as platinum-coated titanium electrodes), gold electrodes, gold-coated electrodes, carbon electrodes (such as graphite electrodes), and polymer-based electrodes (where a conductive material is embedded in the polymer, such as a conductive material selected from platinum, gold, or carbon, such as graphite).

[0233] Each electrode in the pair of electrodes 6A, 6B can be a non-sacrificial electrode. The term "non-sacrificial electrode" can mean that both electrodes 6A, 6B are made of a conductive material that does not (or hardly) decompose into ions in response to the electrical signal.

[0234] Referring again to Figure 12 , when the electrode 6A operates as a cathode, the following reaction may occur: (or, )

[0235] The generation of hydroxide ions (or the consumption of hydrogen ions) may increase the pH near the electrode 6A. When the electrode 6B operates as an anode, this local increase in pH represented by the region 106A around the electrode 6A in Figure 12 may have a smaller effect on the solubility of dental calculus 14 than the local decrease in pH near the electrode 6B (represented by the region 106B around the electrode 6B): (or ). This is because, as previously described, decreasing the pH (i.e., increasing the hydrogen ion concentration) can promote the dissolution of dental calculus (as shown by the dental calculus dissolution point 108 near the electrode 6B in Figure 12 ).

[0236] The electrode pairs 6A, 6B can be spaced apart from each other by any suitable distance 110, such as a distance 110 greater than 50 μm, for example between 50 μm and 1 mm.

[0237] A distance 110 greater than 50 μm may help to inhibit the immediate neutralization of hydrogen ions generated at the anode by hydroxide ions generated at the cathode.

[0238] For example, the pH front can cover half of the distance (L / 2) of 25 μm in about 0.07 s (L 2 / 4D, where D = 9×10 -9 m 2 / s, which is the diffusion coefficient of H + ions). The lower limit of 50 μm may mean that the total treatment time > 0.07 s. This total treatment time is the period during which an electrical signal is provided to the electrode pairs 6A, 6B, for example, a predetermined period (thus, in embodiments where the electrical signal is a pulse, it is not the on / off time of the current in the pulse).

[0239] More generally, it has been found that a constant voltage across the electrode pairs 6A, 6B provided by a DC power supply can provide relatively uncontrolled hydrogen ion generation. In contrast, an electrical signal (e.g., a time-varying electrical signal) helps to enhance the control of hydrogen ion generation, and thus enhance the control of the local pH to which the subject's teeth are exposed. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0240] In some embodiments, for example Figure 13 the embodiment shown, the oral care system 1 includes an actuator 9 connected to a control device 102. In such an embodiment, the actuator 9 can be configured to move in accordance with an electrical signal generated by the control device 102.

[0241] The term "move in accordance with an electrical signal" in this context can mean that the actuator control signal provided by the control device 102 for controlling the movement of the actuator 9 and the electrical signal are the same, or one of the actuator control signal and the electrical signal is based on the other of the actuator control signal and the electrical signal.

[0242] For example, the actuator control signal can be in phase with the electrical signal, or a phase difference can be defined between the actuator control signal and the electrical signal.

[0243] Thus, the movement of the actuator 9 (e.g., causing the movement of the oral care component 5 (e.g., the brush head)) can be provided simultaneously with the generation of hydrogen ions, while enhancing tartar removal.

[0244] In some embodiments, in addition to the electrical signal contributing to the generation of hydrogen ions at the electrode pairs 6A, 6B, the movement of the actuator 9 in accordance with the electrical signal provided to the electrodes 6A, 6B can also be a specific cleaning movement provided by the promoting actuator 9, such as a reciprocating movement.

[0245] Any suitable type of actuator 9 can be considered, such as an electric motor, such as a reciprocating electric motor (not visible in the figure).

[0246] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 the embodiment shown, the system 1 includes at least one cleaning element 8 for mechanically cleaning the interior of the oral cavity, and the at least one cleaning element 8 is mechanically coupled to the actuator 9 such that the movement of the actuator 9 causes the movement of the at least one cleaning element 8.

[0247] Any suitable type of cleaning element 8 can be considered. In Figure 13 the non-limiting example shown, the at least one cleaning element 8 includes bristles for brushing the subject's oral cavity. In this embodiment, the tartar removal promoted by the hydrogen ion generation can be enhanced by the movement of the bristles caused by the actuator 9 moving in accordance with the electrical signal.

[0248] The reciprocating movement of the actuator 9 (e.g., the above-mentioned reciprocating electric motor) can be provided in accordance with a periodically varying electrical signal.

[0249] In such an embodiment, the reciprocating movement of the actuator 9 can cause the cleaning element 8 (e.g., the bristles) to move correspondingly in a reciprocating manner.

[0250] Such a periodically varying electrical signal can also contribute to the control of the local pH, particularly to help reduce the risk of the local pH at one or both of the electrodes 6A, 6B dropping below a certain pH, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0251] This combination of mechanical tartar decomposition and low local pH-assisted tartar dissolution may be particularly effective and can also benefit, for example, from the subject using the system 1 at home.

[0252] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 the embodiment shown, the control device 102 includes a drive train circuit system 116 that is configured to provide an actuator control signal to control the actuator 9 and to provide an electrical signal to the electrode pair 6A, 6B.

[0253] In such an embodiment, the actuator control signal can be the same as the electrical signal, thereby providing a simple and cost-effective electrical design advantageously.

[0254] In alternative embodiments, such as Figure 14As shown, the control device 102 includes, in addition to a drive train circuit system 116 configured to provide an actuator control signal, an electrode control circuit system 118 configured to convert the drive train control signal into an electrical signal for providing to the electrode pair 6A, 6B.

[0255] The electrode control circuit system 118 may, for example, specifically include only passive electronic components, such as (a plurality of) diodes, (a plurality of) resistors, and / or (a plurality of) capacitors, which are arranged to convert the driveline control signal into an electrical signal.

[0256] An example of such an electrode control circuit system 118 is shown in Figure 15A . In this example, the diode converts Figure 15B the AC signal shown in the upper part into a rectified output waveform in which there is no negative half-cycle, as Figure 15B shown in the lower part.

[0257] The drive train circuit system 116 may be implemented in any suitable manner, such as by a drive train circuit system 116 including a microcontroller (e.g., a motor microcontroller) configured to generate an actuator control signal.

[0258] It should also be noted that Figure 15A and Figure 15B the AC signal in the shown example does not need to be provided via the drive train circuit system 116. In other examples, it may be provided by a power supply, for example, a main power supply (not visible in the figure) arranged to supply power to the system 1.

[0259] In such an example, the control device 102 may include the electrode control circuit system 118 to provide a monopolar pulse signal (as Figure 15B shown in the lower part) from the AC signal provided by the power supply, while omitting the drive train control circuit system 116.

[0260] In some embodiments, such as Figure 16 shown, one or both of the electrodes 6A, 6B are mechanically coupled to the actuator 9 such that the movement of the actuator 9 causes the movement of the (a plurality of) electrodes 6A, 6B.

[0261] In Figure 16 the non-limiting example shown, the electrical signal 120 is a periodic bipolar electrical signal that varies with time t.

[0262] In Figure 7 the positive polarity half-cycle 120A of the electrical signal 120 shown, the actuator 9 and the electrodes 6A, 6B exhibit a first movement. In the negative polarity half-cycle 120B of the electrical signal 120, the actuator 9 and the electrodes 6A, 6B exhibit a second movement that is a mirror image of the first movement. In Figure 16In [the figure], the gradient / slope of the electrical signal 120 is represented by the dashed line 122.

[0263] This can be achieved by the control device 102, which provides an actuator control signal to control the actuator 9, and this signal is in phase with the electrical signal supplied to the electrodes 6A, 6B.

[0264] The movement of the actuator can increase the effective area, in other words, the footprint, where the electrochemical treatment provided by the electrodes 6A, 6B is carried out. In addition, the alternating polarity means that the generation of hydrogen ions occurs simultaneously but sequentially on the electrodes 6A, 6B, thereby further contributing to increasing the effective area for the electrochemical treatment. In addition, the periodic electrical signal can also help control the local pH, especially reducing the risk that the local pH at the electrodes 6A, 6B drops below a specific pH, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0265] In an alternative embodiment, the control device 102 can be configured to provide an actuator control signal to control the actuator 9, where a phase difference is defined between the actuator control signal and the electrical signal supplied to the electrodes 6A, 6B.

[0266] Therefore, the electrical signal can be out of sync with the actuator control signal and thus out of sync with the movement of the actuator 9 (e.g., the movement of the brush head, such as the reciprocating movement of the brush head).

[0267] This phase difference can be introduced in any suitable way, such as via one or more capacitors, inductors, etc. Therefore, relatively few electrical components (in addition to the electrical components for providing the actuator control signal) may be required to provide the phase difference.

[0268] In some embodiments, in addition to the drive train circuitry 116 configured to provide the actuator control signal, the control device 102 further includes electrode control circuitry 118 configured to convert the actuator control signal into an electrical signal supplied to the electrodes 6A, 6B, such that the phase difference between the actuator control signal and the electrical signal is deliberately defined.

[0269] In some embodiments, for example Figure 17 in the illustrated embodiment, the oral care system 1 includes multiple pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D. In these embodiments, the control device 102 can be configured to supply an electrical signal to each pair of the multiple pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D.

[0270] The oral care system 1 can be powered in any suitable way, such as via a main power supply and / or one or more batteries 124. In embodiments where the oral care system 1 is powered by one or more batteries 124, the control device 102 can be configured to generate an electrical signal, such as a current or voltage signal, from the direct current generated by the one or more batteries 124.

[0271] The first electrical connector 126A can connect the control device 102 to one of the electrodes 6A, 6B of the electrode pair 6A, 6B, and the second electrical connector 126B can connect the control device 102 to the other electrode 6B of the electrode pair 6A, 6B.

[0272] In Figure 17 In the non - limiting example shown, the oral care system 1 includes two pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D. The first electrical connector 126A connects the control device 102 to electrodes 6A and 6C, and the second electrical connector 126B connects the control device 102 to electrodes 6B and 6D.

[0273] In some embodiments, for example Figure 17 In the embodiment shown, the oral care system 1 includes a toothbrush that includes a brush head 128 attached to a handle 130. In such embodiments, the electrode pair 6A, 6B is preferably included in the brush head 128, and the control device 102 (e.g., together with the (one or more) processors 4) is included in the handle 130.

[0274] In Figure 17 In the non - limiting example shown, one or more batteries 124 are housed within the handle 130 together with the (one or more) processors 4 and / or the control device 102.

[0275] In some embodiments, the brush head 128 including the electrode pair 6A, 6B is detachably coupled to the handle 130 so that the brush head 128 can be replaced without replacing the control device 102 included in the handle 130. In such embodiments, the first electrical connector 126A and the second electrical connector 126B between the control device 102 included in the handle 130 and the electrode pair 6A, 6B included in the (replacement) brush head 128 can be established while the brush head 128 is attached (e.g., snap - fit or push - fit) to the handle 130.

[0276] In Figure 17 In the non - limiting example shown, each of the multiple pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D is included in the brush head 128.

[0277] In some embodiments, for example Figure 17 In the embodiment shown, at least one cleaning element 8 includes bristles, and the bristles extend further from the brush head 128 than each of the electrode pair 6A, 6B, such that the electrode pair 6A, 6B is recessed relative to the bristles.

[0278] At least one cleaning element 8, and in some cases the entire brush head 128, can be moved by the actuator 9 as previously described.

[0279] In embodiments where at least one cleaning element 8 includes a cup formed of an elastic material, one or both of the electrode pairs 6A, 6B may be mounted within the cup.

[0280] In an embodiment as Figure 17 shown, the oral care system 1 includes multiple pairs of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D, and the oral care system 1 may include multiple cups. In these embodiments, one or both electrodes of each pair of electrodes 6A, 6B; 6C, 6D may be respectively mounted inside a corresponding cup among the multiple cups.

[0281] The electrodes 6A, 6B may be arranged relative to each other in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the electrodes 6A, 6B are arranged such that one of the electrodes 6B defines an outer electrode 6B that at least partially surrounds the other electrode 6A, and the electrode 6A defines an inner electrode 6A. Figure 17 An example is shown in

[0282] Figure 17 Regions 106A around the electrode 6A and regions 106B around the electrode 6B are also shown. In one of the regions 106A and 106B, the local pH may increase due to the generation of hydroxide ions according to the electrical signal, while in the other region 106B and 106A, the local pH may decrease due to the generation of hydrogen ions, as previously combined with Figure 12 described.

[0283] As an alternative or in addition to one of the electrodes 6B that defines an outer electrode 6B that at least partially surrounds the inner electrode 6A, the pair of electrodes 6A, 6B may be interleaved.

[0284] The term "interleaved" as used herein may mean that each of the electrodes 6A, 6B has a plurality of electrode members spaced apart from each other, and the electrode members of one of the electrode pairs 6A, 6B are arranged in the spaces between the electrode members of the other electrode of the electrode pair 6B, 6A.

[0285] This may provide a particularly efficient arrangement of the space of the electrode pair 6A, 6B, especially when the electrode pair 6A, 6B is to be included in the brush head 128 and / or mounted within a cup where the space may be limited.

[0286] Figure 18 A non-limiting example of such an interleaved arrangement of the electrode pair 6A, 6B is depicted.

[0287] Similar to the Figure 17 non-limiting example shown, Figure 18 the oral care system 1 shown includes a cleaning element 8 composed of bristles. In the latter non-limiting example, multiple peripheral bristle clusters are arranged around a centrally located cross electrode pair 6A, 6B.

[0288] In some embodiments, such as Figure 18 the embodiment shown, the oral care system 1 includes a cup 132 for insertion into a subject's oral cavity, the cup 132 having a groove 134 in which one or both of the electrode pairs 6A, 6B are mounted. In this way, the cup 132 can assist in protecting the electrode pairs 6A, 6B and minimizing the risk of accidental contact of the electrode pairs 6A, 6B with the tissues within the subject's oral cavity.

[0289] The cup 132 can be made of any suitable material, such as an electrically insulating material. In some embodiments, the cup 132 is made of an elastic material for rubbing the surfaces within the subject's oral cavity, as previously described.

[0290] The cup 132 made of an elastic material can open and bend to the contour of the subject's teeth to assist in selectively removing stains and cleaning between the teeth.

[0291] Any suitable elastic material can be considered for making the cup 132, such as silicone rubber.

[0292] In some embodiments, such as Figure 17 and Figure 18 the embodiment shown, the brush head 128 is attached (e.g., detachably coupled) to the handle 130 (in this case in the form of a toothbrush) of the oral care system 1 via a neck member 136. The neck 136 can extend between the upper portion of the handle 130 and the lower end of the brush head 128.

[0293] Figure 19 A curve 138 showing the relationship between the depth of calculus dissolution within 30 seconds and the continuous DC voltage across the electrode pairs 6A, 6B is provided. As the voltage increases, the local pH decrease caused by the generation of hydrogen ions results in deeper calculus dissolution. However, Figure 19 a curve 140 showing the relationship between the depth of enamel dissolution within 30 seconds and the continuous DC voltage across the electrode pairs 6A, 6B is also provided, which shows that a relatively low pH environment caused by a relatively high voltage can result in enamel dissolution.

[0294] Figure 20 A 2D simulation device is schematically depicted, which includes two electrolytic electrodes 6A and 6B, located in a 0.1M KCl solution (corresponding to Figure 10 the experimental measurement results shown. The saliva - toothpaste mixture also has a conductivity of a similar order of magnitude), where d = 145 μm, w = 500 μm. L1 and L2 represent the domain boundaries. This 2D simulation device is used to evaluate various electrical signals in the exemplary embodiments.

[0295] Figure 21AA graph is provided of a constant voltage (step signal) across the electrodes 6A, 6B supplied by a DC power supply, while Figure 21B A graph is provided of the pH over time at the corresponding points 142A, 144A, 146A near the electrodes 6A, 6B as shown when an Figure 21A electrical signal as shown is supplied to the electrodes 6A, 6B. Figure 20 Graphs 142B, 144B, 146B of the pH over time at the corresponding points 142A, 144A, 146A near the electrodes 6A, 6B as shown.

[0296] Although applying a DC signal results in a relatively large change and strong drift in pH, a relatively rapid / uncontrolled drop in pH to below pH 5.5 can be observed in graph 146B (corresponding to Figure 20 point 146A in Figure 21B ). (See region 148 in

[0297] Figure 22A A graph of the electrical signal according to the first example is provided, where the electrical signal is periodic and bipolar, Figure 22B A graph is provided of the pH over time at the corresponding points 142A, 144A, 146A near the electrodes 6A, 6B as shown when an Figure 22A electrical signal as shown is supplied to the electrodes 6A, 6B. Figure 20 Graphs 142C, 144C, 146C of the pH over time at the corresponding points 142A, 144A, 146A near the electrodes 6A, 6B as shown.

[0298] To be able to compare with Figure 22A and Figure 22B it is noted that the strength of the constant voltage shown in Figure 21A is normalized.

[0299] It can be seen that the electrical signals shown in Figure 22A and Figure 22B result in a relatively rapid stabilization of the pH and a relatively small overall change in pH, having stabilized at around pH 5. Thus, the variation of the electrical signal can enhance the control of hydrogen ion generation and thereby enhance the local pH to which the subject's teeth are exposed.

[0300] In some embodiments, such as Figure 22A and Figure 22B shown, the electrical signal includes a periodic amplitude variation. This may help control the accumulation of hydrogen ions and thereby help control the local pH.

[0301] Alternatively or additionally, the electrical signal includes or is itself a bidirectional waveform. Figure 22AShows an example of such a waveform. By alternating the polarities of electrodes 6A and 6B with such a bidirectional waveform, it helps to limit the progress of the low pH "front" emitted from electrodes 6A and 6B and stabilize the pH. This is because, after the polarity change, the hydrogen ions previously generated at one of electrodes 6A and 6B may be neutralized by the hydroxide ions currently generated at the same electrodes 6A and 6B.

[0302] In some embodiments, such as Figure 22A and Figure 22B shown, the electrical signal comprises (or is itself) a continuous waveform. Specifically, Figure 22A shows a continuous waveform in the form of a sine wave.

[0303] In alternative embodiments, the electrical signal comprises or is itself a pulsed electrical signal. Such a pulsed electrical signal can be generated, for example, in the manner described above in connection with Figure 15A and Figure 15B described.

[0304] Figure 23A Provides an electrical signal diagram according to a second example, wherein the electrical signal is periodic, pulsed (10 Hz, 10% duty cycle) and monopolar, and Figure 23B provides when Figure 23A shown electrical signal is applied to electrodes 6A and 6B, Figure 20 shown corresponding pH vs. time graphs 142D, 144D, 146D at points 142A, 144A, 146A near electrodes 6A and 6B.

[0305] In contrast to Figure 21A and Figure 21B constant voltages, in Figure 21A and Figure 21B constant voltages, the pH reaches an unsafe value of pH 4 relatively quickly, Figure 23A and Figure 23B pulsed signals result in a more gradual and controlled pH change, reaching pH 4.8 after about 0.5 seconds.

[0306] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 24 , the duty cycle of the pulsed electrical signal is less than or equal to 90%, preferably less than or equal to 75%, and most preferably less than or equal to 50%. The duty cycle is the percentage of the pulse duration (or pulse width) to the total period 150 of the waveform. Relative to Figure 21A and Figure 21B constant voltages in, the smaller total current "on" time associated with the pulsed electrical signal helps to limit the progress of the low pH "front".

[0307] In certain embodiments, such as Figure 24As shown, the electrical signal (current or voltage) is both a pulsed signal and a bipolar signal. Each half-cycle of the signal can be applied with a given duty cycle. In Figure 24 the non-limiting example shown, the duty cycle is 50%.

[0308] The duty cycle associated with the positive component of the bipolar electrical signal can be the same as or different from the duty cycle associated with the negative component of the bipolar electrical signal.

[0309] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the duty cycle may not be employed.

[0310] In some embodiments, the electrical signal can be defined by an asymmetric pulse. Such an asymmetric electrical signal may help induce a preferential pH change at a specific location.

[0311] In certain embodiments, such as Figure 25 the embodiment shown, the electrical signal is a bidirectional waveform, and the positive peak amplitude 152 of the bidirectional waveform is different from the negative peak amplitude 154. This may result in a continuous but controllable increase or decrease in pH at a specific location. Thus, the stronger control provided by the pulsed electrical signal relative to the application of a constant voltage can be combined with creating "extreme" pH regions near the electrodes 6A, 6B by limiting the periodic neutralization caused by the polarity change.

[0312] In some embodiments, at least one of the positive peak amplitude 152 and the negative peak amplitude 154 is at least 1.1 times the other of the positive peak amplitude 154 and the negative peak amplitude 152.

[0313] In Figure 25 the non-limiting example shown, the negative peak amplitude 154 is 1.5 times the positive peak amplitude 152. The average signal is represented by the dashed line 156 in Figure 25 .

[0314] In some embodiments, the control device 102 is configured to provide an electrical signal to the electrode pair 6A, 6B for a predetermined period of time after the electrochemical system 3 is controlled by the (one or more) processors 4 to provide an electrochemical treatment, and then terminate the provision of the electrical signal to the electrode pair 6A, 6B. This predetermined period of time (e.g., in combination with the variation of the electrical signal) may help control the accumulation of hydrogen ions generated by the electrodes 6A, 6B.

[0315] This predetermined period of time can be the same as or different from the (another) predetermined period of time during which the actuator 9 moves according to the electrical signal. For example, the another predetermined period of time during which the actuator 9 moves according to the electrical signal can be longer than the predetermined period of time for providing the electrical signal to the electrode pair 6A, 6B.

[0316] Figure 26A flowchart of method 200 is provided. The method 200 controls an electrochemical system (and optionally an actuator and the electrochemical system) of an oral care system, which also includes a detection system for detecting dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity. The oral care system can be the oral care system of any of the embodiments described herein.

[0317] Method 200 includes obtaining 202, via the detection system, a dental calculus indication indicative of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity, and controlling 204 the electrochemical system to generate ions based on the dental calculus indication.

[0318] The ions, such as hydrogen ions, zinc ions, tin ions, copper ions, and / or silver ions, can be delivered into the subject's oral cavity as described above. In some embodiments, method 200 does not include delivering ions into the subject's oral cavity, and correspondingly, method 200 does not include any treatment steps.

[0319] Figure 27 A flowchart of method 300 (e.g., a computer-implemented method in the form of a software algorithm) according to a non-limiting illustrative example is provided.

[0320] (Multiple) processors 4 can execute Figure 27 the software method 300 shown to establish safe and efficient use of the oral care system 1, particularly safe and efficient use of the electrochemical dental calculus treatment mode of the oral care system 1.

[0321] In step 302A, the software determines whether dental calculus is present.

[0322] For spectral measurement, by detecting the local maximum of absorbance (local minimum of reflectance) within a highlighted wavelength window (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), the peak that distinguishes enamel and dental calculus can be found. For example, by setting a sufficiently high "peak prominence" as the peak detection criterion, false results generated from noisy spectral data can be filtered out.

[0323] Using a spectral camera 7E, by combining images in different wavelength ranges, enamel and dental calculus can be distinguished. A simple example is as follows: Normalize (element-wise division of the image matrix) the reflection image in the 3500 - 3700 cm -1 region with the image in the 4000 - 4300 cm -1 wavelength window. Thus, the dark spots in the image may be dental calculus on bright enamel.

[0324] In addition to traditional spectral analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning models can be deployed to classify regions as enamel or calculus based on infrared spectral features. These models can be trained using ground truth training data generated by the spectral module or using known reference spectra in the aforementioned cloud database 4M.

[0325] A significant advantage of the AI model is that it can make the software method more robust to the presence of saliva + toothpaste slurry or noise generated by infrared absorption. The inventors have separately demonstrated that tooth regions covered with toothpaste can be distinguished from clean regions. Similar techniques can also be used to identify calculus or enamel while brushing teeth with toothpaste.

[0326] Block 302B is a decision point (yes / no) based on the analysis result of step 302A. If no calculus is detected (N), the software repeats step 302A and the oral care system 1 continues to operate in the initial mechanical and / or fluid cleaning mode 306.

[0327] If calculus is detected (Y) based on the analysis, the calculus removal mode is initiated in step 304A and a calculus treatment counter (i = 1) is started. Each calculus treatment count can be a treatment cycle, such as an electrical pulse, but can also be related to a total time criterion, e.g., one treatment ≡ "t" (seconds of contact with the acid-producing positive electrode). Additionally, a predetermined number of electrochemical treatments X can be defined.

[0328] In step 304A, an electrochemical calculus treatment can be performed, which can be combined with or without mechanical and / or fluid cleaning. The software can control the electrochemical treatment mode according to predefined settings (e.g., voltage, pulse time, etc.). The electrochemical treatment can be performed without (= calculus removal mode) or preferably with mechanical and / or fluid cleaning (= co-treatment mode). As previously described, in the co-treatment mode, the processor 4 can be configured to control the actuator 9 and the electrochemical system 3 based on the calculus indication.

[0329] In step 302C, the spectrum or spectral image during the calculus removal mode or co-treatment mode is analyzed. In step 302C, the acquired spectrum or spectral image is analyzed to determine how much calculus can be removed during the treatment or to determine whether the previously calculus-covered location has recovered healthy enamel. The spectral analysis has been described in step 302A.

[0330] Block 302D is a decision point (yes / no) based on the analysis in step 302C. If enamel is detected (e.g., tartar has been completely removed; Y), the software will stop / disable the electrochemical tartar removal mode (step 304C). If enamel is not detected (N), i.e., according to the analysis result, tartar still exists, the software will remain in the tartar removal or co-processing mode, where the number of tartar treatments is compared with a predetermined threshold (step 304B).

[0331] Block 304B is a decision point (yes / no) based on the comparison of the actual number of treatments i with the predetermined number of electrochemical treatments X.

[0332] If the "no" path (N) is selected at 304B and the actual number of treatments i is less than the predetermined number X, the software further executes steps 304A to 302D (counter i = i + 1) and controls the tartar / co-processing mode. In certain cases, if the user moves the treatment device after the treatment is completed but before the predetermined number of X treatments is completed (for different teeth or different positions on the same tooth), the software can store the number of treatments and the location of the treatment area (in this case, the location can mean the quadrant of the oral cavity diagram shown in the application or the tooth specific to that quadrant). When passing through this location a second time, the treatment can restart from the counter value i = ā + 1 (step 304A).

[0333] If the "yes" path (Y) is selected at 304B and the actual number of treatments i is equal to X (i = X), it indicates that the tartar cannot be effectively removed. Therefore, the processor 4 can control the output device 10 to issue a notification. For example, the user receives feedback or a remote dental action is triggered (step 308). The action trigger can also include directly sending an alert to the dentist and scheduling an appointment or initiating a remote diagnosis (e.g., by sending an image of the relevant tooth position to the dentist). Alternatively, the power of the electrochemical system can also be adjusted, as Figure 28 further elaborated.

[0334] Figure 28 A flowchart of a method 400 according to another example is provided, where the optimal number of electrochemical treatment cycles required for a tooth is determined, and the electrochemical power used in different treatment cycles is dynamically adjusted to minimize the possible damage to the enamel.

[0335] Method 400 starts at 402 and analyzes an initial spectral signal in step 403. In block 404, it is determined whether a characteristic calculus spectral pattern is detected. If so, the logic proceeds to step 406, where the number of processing cycles is calculated. The spectral characteristics of the initial signal can be used to calculate the total number of cycles required for the processing event. This can be based on previous comparable calculus removal events of the same user and / or comparable calculus removal events of other users (e.g., from a historical database). In step 408, an electrochemical treatment is provided.

[0336] In step 410, a second spectral signal is acquired; in step 412, the spectral pattern of the second spectral signal is compared with an enamel spectral pattern. In step 414, the treatment rate can be reduced according to the degree of overlap (e.g., the overlap degree) between the second spectral signal and the enamel spectrogram.

[0337] In block 416, it is determined whether the second spectral signal is within the enamel spectral pattern. If so, the processing stops in step 418. If not, the logic returns to step 408.

[0338] As previously mentioned, enamel and calculus may have characteristic spectral patterns. After starting the electrochemical calculus removal therapy, during each cycle, the calculus layer on the tooth surface may be removed, thereby reducing its thickness and eventually exposing the enamel to the electrochemical therapy. Minimizing any adverse effects of these methods on the enamel may be crucial. As the thickness of the calculus layer decreases, the spectral pattern may gradually change from a calculus pattern to an enamel pattern. Therefore, this spectral information can be used to dynamically adjust the power / dose of the treatment.

[0339] Specifically, as the thickness of the calculus layer decreases, the treatment power / dose may be reduced to protect the enamel from any adverse effects. This can be expressed as: treatment power (PT) = f(calculus thickness) or treatment power (PT) = f(enamel proximity).

[0340] In the above formula, the proximity to the enamel can be determined by the degree of spectral overlap between the second spectral signal and a typical enamel spectral pattern (e.g., a spectral pattern published in the literature). The higher the degree of overlap, the higher the proximity to the enamel may be indicated, and thus the output power may be reduced accordingly.

[0341] If calculus signs (e.g., determined by spectral overlap) indicate that the thickness of the calculus layer has not decreased, or the rate of thickness reduction is equal to or lower than a threshold, during the electrochemical process, the (multiple) processors 4 can be configured to increase the power level (e.g., DC voltage or current or impedance) of the electrochemical system 3 for generating ions and / or can send a notification to the user (e.g., the dental care provider of the subject).

[0342] Accordingly, the oral care system 1 can provide an electrochemical process suitable for relatively stubborn tartar deposits.

[0343] The above-mentioned processor(s) 4, control device 102 (and / or driveline circuitry 116) can be implemented in various ways, including software and / or hardware, to perform various required functions. One or more of these components can employ a microprocessor, which can be programmed by software (e.g., microcode) to perform the corresponding functions.

[0344] However, the control device 102 / driveline circuitry 116 can be implemented with or without a microprocessor, and can also be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware for performing certain functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) for performing other functions.

[0345] Examples of controller components that can be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0346] In some examples, the processor(s) 4, control device 102, and / or driveline circuitry 116 are associated with one or more storage media (such as volatile and non-volatile computer memories like RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM). The storage media can encode one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, can perform the required functions. The various storage media can be fixed within the processor(s) 4, control device 102, and / or driveline circuitry 116, or can be removable, so as to load one or more programs stored thereon into the processor(s) 4, control device 102, and / or driveline circuitry 116.

[0347] Those skilled in the art, when practicing the present invention, can understand and implement various variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0348] A single processor or other unit can implement several functions recited in the claims.

[0349] Just because certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that the combination of these measures cannot be utilized to full effect.

[0350] A computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium provided together with other hardware or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0351] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the meaning of the term "adapted to" is equivalent to "configured to".

[0352] Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An oral care system (1), comprising: a detection system (2) for detecting dental calculus in a subject's oral cavity; an electrochemical system (3) for generating ions during an electrochemical process for delivery into the subject's oral cavity; and one or more processors (4) configured to: obtain, via the detection system, a dental calculus indication indicative of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity; and control an electrochemical process provided by the electrochemical system based on the dental calculus indication.

2. The oral care system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detection system (2) comprises an optical detection system for optically detecting dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity; optionally, wherein the optical detection system comprises an imaging system.

3. The oral care system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the detection system comprises a spectroscopic detection system configured to spectroscopically detect the presence of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity.

4. The oral care system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more processors (4) are configured to execute a spectral comparison algorithm to distinguish dental calculus from tooth enamel, and the dental calculus indication comprises the result of the spectral comparison algorithm.

5. The oral care system (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the spectroscopic detection of the presence of dental calculus in the subject's oral cavity comprises infrared spectroscopic detection.

6. The oral care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrochemical system (3) comprises a control device (102), and one or more pairs of electrodes (6A, 6B; 6C, 6D) for contacting an aqueous solution, wherein the one or more processors (4) are configured to trigger the control device based on the dental calculus indication indicative of the presence of dental calculus to provide an electrical signal that causes at least one of the one or more pairs of electrodes to generate hydrogen ions from water in the aqueous solution for delivery into the subject's oral cavity.

7. The oral care system (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more pairs of electrodes (6A, 6B; 6C, 6D) is insertable into the subject's oral cavity, and the aqueous solution comprises the subject's saliva and / or one or more oral care agents.

8. The oral care system (1) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the change in the electrical signal limits the rate of change of hydrogen ion generation and / or promotes hydrogen ion neutralization.

9. The oral care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one cleaning element (8) for mechanically and / or fluidly cleaning the interior of the subject's oral cavity; optionally, wherein the at least one cleaning element comprises bristles and / or a fluid delivery nozzle for cleaning the surfaces of the interior of the subject's oral cavity.

10. The oral care system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the one or more processors (4) are configured to control the movement of the at least one cleaning element (8) and / or the fluid delivery from the at least one cleaning element (8).

11. The oral care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more processors (4) are configured to control the electrochemistry system (3) to: initiate the generation of the ions based on the calculus indication, the calculus indication indicating the presence of calculus at a location within the oral cavity of the subject, and terminate the generation of the ions based on the detection of enamel at the location; and / or regulate the power used by the electrochemistry system to generate the ions based on the calculus indication, the calculus indication indicating the amount of calculus present at a location within the oral cavity of the subject.

12. The oral care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising an oral care assembly (5) that can be inserted into the oral cavity of the subject, the electrochemistry system (3) comprising at least one ion generation electrode (6A, 6B; 6C, 6D) for generating the ions, and the detection system (2) comprising at least one detection element (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D; 7E), wherein the at least one ion generation electrode and the at least one detection element are included in the oral care assembly.

13. The oral care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising an output device (10), wherein the one or more processors (4) are configured to control the output device based on the calculus indication to provide a notification to the user; optionally, wherein the user is at least one of the subject and the subject's dental care provider.

14. A method (200) of controlling an electrochemistry system of an oral care system according to claim 1, further comprising a detection system for detecting calculus within the oral cavity of a subject, the method comprising: obtaining (202) via the detection system a calculus indication indicative of calculus within the oral cavity of the subject; and controlling (204) the electrochemistry system based on the calculus indication.

15. A computer program comprising computer program code which, when the computer program is run on one or more processors (4) comprised in an oral care system (1), is configured to cause the one or more processors to implement the method according to claim 14, the oral care system (1) comprising a detection system (2) for detecting calculus within the oral cavity of a subject and an electrochemistry system (3) for generating ions.

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