Dental Cleaning Systems

Abstract

A dental cleaning system is provided that includes a first wall element for attachment against an inner, lingual tooth surface of one or both jaws, and a second wall element for attachment against an outer, facial tooth surface of said one or both jaws. A drive mechanism couples the first and second wall elements and provides a drive vibration of the first and second wall elements toward and away from each other.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental cleaning system, and in particular to a dental cleaning system in the form of an actuated mouthpiece-based automatic brushing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Automatic tooth brushing using a cleaning mouthpiece is an emerging technology. Several mouthpiece-based dental cleaning systems are available, specifically appealing to short brushing times (e.g., 6-30 seconds). As such, these systems have speed and ease of use as their main value drivers. The final cleaning results are not dependent on the user's brushing technique.

[0003] A mouthpiece can be defined as the part of a cleaning system that resides in the oral cavity and fits over the teeth. Typically, it is an arc that covers the teeth on one jaw, or a pair of arcs that cover the teeth on both jaws. The system typically has other parts that remain outside the mouth during use. For example, each arc of the mouthpiece has a base and side walls, and is provided with cleaning bristles (typically formed as tufts of bristles).

[0004] Dental cleaning systems of this kind, for example, include a mouthpiece that fits over the teeth on one or both jaws, with cleaning bristles facing the teeth, and the mouthpiece, or simply the bristles, are actuated to move or oscillate relative to the teeth to provide the brushing action. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the problems found is the lack of cleaning effectiveness due to the lack of contour conformity to different jaw shapes, especially since there is a large variation in dental arch shape between individuals. The final cleaning result is highly dependent on the fit of the mouthpiece to the user's teeth.

[0006] Producing a brushing mouthpiece that fits most people requires a flexible mouthpiece that can easily adapt to the shape of the dental arch, for example, to withstand changes in tooth size and dental arch shape.

[0007] The mouthpiece needs to transfer the forces and movements from the actuator to the bristle field in the arch, and the bristle field needs to transfer these forces and movements to the plaque layer so that it is removed. If the mouthpiece is made too flexible (so that it can fit different users), it will absorb all the brushing movement when actuated, making brushing less effective.

[0008] Most brushing mouthpieces are made of a one-piece silicone element that is vibrated to achieve brushing. The silicone bristles are quite large in diameter (when compared to the bristles of an electric or manual toothbrush). When this silicone mouthpiece is adapted to the oral cavity in which it is inserted, it may result in many parts not making contact with the bristles or the bristles being too bent to apply enough pressure to clean the tooth surface.

[0009] The movements made at the mouthpiece are typically very small. The small sweeping movements with very flexible bristles result in no movement at all when pressure is applied to the tip. The bristles move at their bases instead, but the contact forces at the tips are countered by the contact forces with the teeth, and movement of the bristles over the tooth surface is inhibited.

[0010] The mouthpiece is formed, for example, as an H-frame (to fit both jaws) or two U-frames. Thus, the bristles extend in opposite directions from either side of the U- or H-frame. This makes it difficult to manufacture (when the bristles on one side are positioned, it is difficult to reach the bristles on the other side).

[0011] There is a need for improved dental cleaning systems to address some or all of the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0013] According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a dental cleaning system is provided, comprising: a first wall element for attachment to an inner, lingual tooth surface of one or both jaws; a second wall element for attachment to an outer, facial tooth surface of said one or both jaws; a drive mechanism coupling the first and second wall elements and for imparting a drive vibration of the first and second wall elements that includes at least a component toward one another and a component away from one another.

[0014] The device has an inner wall element that extends against and around the inner tooth surface, and an outer wall element that extends against and around the outer tooth surface. The cleaning action is achieved by moving the two wall elements together and apart, which presses the cleaning element against the tooth surface rather than brushing across it. However, this does not preclude lateral movement of the cleaning element.

[0015] By providing separate wall elements around the inner and outer surfaces, they are easily deformed to match the jaw shape, since there is no continuous bond between the wall elements to form, for example, a U-shape. This increases rigidity. However, the cleaning function remains effective, since it is based at least in part on an in / out motion, for example to slam the cleaning element against the tooth surface.

[0016] The first and second wall elements preferably each have a cleaning formation for cleaning the tooth surface.

[0017] The first and second wall elements are preferably independently manufactured units that are assembled together to form the cleaning system, which facilitates the manufacture of the cleaning system, since it is for example easier to provide these wall elements with bristles or other cleaning elements.

[0018] The first and second wall elements each have, for example, a flat carrier that can be deformed to match the general contour of the tooth surface. The flat wall element has a flat brushing surface, which can be easily bent if necessary to accommodate when inserted into the oral cavity, and the flat surfaces facilitate the integration of cleaning structures such as bristles or bristle tufts on these surfaces. Instead of a flat surface, the wall elements can have a single axis of curvature in order to make the manufacturing and forming of the cleaning element as simple as possible.

[0019] Each wall element may have a series of elastically connected segments. This facilitates providing the desired deformability around the shape of the dental arch. Each segment may have, for example, a rectangular shape. The segments may be connected by integral hinges or by separate connecting elements.

[0020] The first and second wall elements are for example coupled by a drive mechanism, which thus serves both to assemble the system and to drive the movement of the wall elements.

[0021] A first wall element, for example, is for attachment against the inner, lingual tooth surfaces of both jaws and a second wall element is for attachment against the outer, facial tooth surfaces of both jaws, such that a single inner wall element and a single outer wall element are provided for both jaws.

[0022] Alternatively, separate first and second wall elements can be provided for the upper and lower jaws. This allows for independent positioning of the two wall assemblies for the two jaws. They are joined together to form a single system, but relative movement between the two wall assemblies is permitted.

[0023] The first and second wall elements may each have a bristle arrangement (similar to the cleaning arrangement described above), with the bristle arrangement of each wall element facing inwardly towards the other wall element. The bristle arrangement may, for example, comprise silicone or nylon bristles, which may be formed as a plurality of bristle tufts or as spaced apart individual bristles.

[0024] The bristle arrangement may for example have bristles of different heights at the top of the individual wall elements, thus different bristles are for different parts of the tooth surface.

[0025] The length of the bristles at different heights is for example matched to the type of teeth at individual positions around the first and second wall elements, and the profile of the bristles is therefore selected to allow contact with differently shaped tooth surfaces.

[0026] The drive mechanism may for example comprise an actuator disposed between the first and second wall elements to draw them together and / or push them apart. The actuator may for example apply one type of motion and engagement with teeth or a return spring arrangement may provide the opposite type of motion.

[0027] In this case, the drive mechanism is for example arranged between the first and second wall elements and between the upper and lower jaws. The user for example bites on the drive mechanism to hold the system in place. The drive mechanism for example comprises a cleaning device for the occlusal tooth surfaces.

[0028] The drive mechanism may alternatively comprise an actuator arranged inside the first wall element or outside the second wall element for pulling the first and second wall elements together or for pushing them apart.

[0029] The actuator may for example comprise a bellows, which may be arranged between the first and second wall elements or on one side of one of the side walls.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical known configuration of a dental cleaning system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 illustrates that different jaw types have different shapes. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a typical configuration of a channel in one jaw. [Figure 4] On the left is an H-frame design and on the right are two U-frame designs. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a dental cleaning system according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 illustrates that different teeth have different inner and outer tooth shapes. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a drive mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the drive mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 shows a more detailed realization of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 shows a first realization of the drive mechanism of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 shows a second realization of the drive mechanism of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] 1 shows cross-sections of the system in use, the top image showing a cross-section in the incisor region and the bottom image showing a cross-section in the molar region. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the system of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the system in more detail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] For a better understanding of the present invention, and in order to more clearly show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only, in which:

[0033] The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

[0034] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems and methods, are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended as limiting the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the devices, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0035] The present invention provides a dental cleaning system having a first wall element for attachment against an inner, lingual tooth surface of one or both jaws and a second wall element for attachment against an outer, facial tooth surface of said one or both jaws. A drive mechanism couples the first and second wall elements and provides a drive oscillation of the first and second wall elements towards and away from each other.

[0036] 1 shows one channel of a typical mouthpiece-based dental cleaning system having a mouthpiece 10 for insertion into a user's mouth and an exterior portion 20 for placement in front of and outside the user's mouth, the exterior portion 20 functioning, for example, as a handle for the system.

[0037] The mouthpiece has a first U-shaped channel 12 for receiving the teeth on one jaw and a second U-shaped channel for receiving the teeth on the other jaw. Figure 1, for example, is a view looking down on the first channel 12 which is open at the top, and the second channel is below that and opens at the bottom.

[0038] The entire mouthpiece is bitten by the user with the teeth in two channels, or the system may alternatively have only one channel, in which case cleaning occurs with one jaw at a time.

[0039] The channel 12 has cleaning formations 14, such as bristles, that face the user's teeth within the mouthpiece channel. In conventional designs, the bristles are driven parallel to the tooth surfaces as shown by the arrows.

[0040] The outer part 20 has actuators 22 for applying movement to the channel shaped inner and / or outer arches (relative to a fixed base). In the case of a system with two U-shaped channels, a shared actuator can be used.

[0041] Teeth come in various shapes. Figure 2 shows a square jaw shape (left image), a tapered jaw shape (middle image) and an oval jaw shape (right image).

[0042] To create a mouthpiece that will fit most people, such as the shape shown in FIG. 2, the mouthpiece must be designed to easily accommodate this variation in tooth size and dental arch shape.

[0043] The mouthpiece also needs to transmit forces / motions from the actuator 22 towards the cleaning arrangement, which in turn needs to transmit these forces / motions to the plaque layer so that it is removed. If the mouthpiece is too flexible, it may absorb all of the brushing motion when actuated.

[0044] The typical movements made by the mouthpiece are very small. However, small sweeping movements with very soft bristles can result in no movement at all across the tooth surface when pressure is applied to the tip. The bristles move at the base, but the contact force at the tip is countered by the contact force with the teeth.

[0045] 3 shows a typical configuration of the channel for one jaw. Teeth 30 are received within the channel 32, and bristles 34 are present on at least the inwardly facing sidewalls of the channel. The channel moves up and down (arrow 36) and side to side (arrow 38) relative to the tooth surface to achieve a brushing function, for example.

[0046] Two channels as shown in FIG. 3 can be used for the two jaws, or an H-frame design can be used.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an H-frame design on the left and two U-frame designs on the right.

[0048] The manufacture of the bristles is complicated by the shape of the channels.

[0049] 5 shows a dental cleaning system having a first wall element 50 for attachment against the inner, lingual tooth surface and a second wall element 60 for attachment against the outer, facial tooth surface. In the example shown, the wall elements extend between the jaws and abut against the tooth surfaces of both jaws. However, they can be designed for only one jaw. They can extend to surround the entire circumference of one or both jaws, but can also be provided to surround only a portion of the teeth of a jaw.

[0050] The wall elements 50, 60 are for example rigid in height but flexible in the horizontal plane. They can for example be made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0051] The wall elements can be continuous around the dental arch or they can be segmented to allow easy conformance of the dental arch. The segments are then elastically connected. This is achieved, for example, by a drive mechanism that runs the entire length of the wall elements. Instead of separate segments, there may be living hinges, i.e. continuous wall elements, but formed into segments that are integrally connected by locally less stiff areas that undergo local deformation to fit the shape of the mouthpiece.

[0052] The first and second wall elements 50, 60 are driven to oscillate towards and away from each other, as indicated by arrows 70. The driving is done by a drive mechanism which will be described in more detail below. Thus, the movement relative to the teeth is a lateral tapping motion instead of a sweeping motion.

[0053] It has been found that a tapping motion provides better cleaning results because this motion is less counteracted by friction between the cleaning structure and the teeth, such as between the bristles and the teeth.

[0054] However, it is also possible to achieve a sweeping motion in combination with a lateral tapping motion, for example a bellows with differential expansion along its length can be used which results in lateral movement of the wall in combination with a tapping motion.

[0055] By providing separate wall elements on the inner and outer surfaces (instead of an integral channel shape), they can be more easily modified to match the jaw shape, so they follow the arch shape but do not themselves define a channel.

[0056] The first wall element 50 has a first cleaning configuration, e.g., bristles 52 for cleaning the inner tooth surfaces, and the second wall element has a second cleaning configuration, e.g., bristles 62 for cleaning the outer tooth surfaces.

[0057] The bristles can be formed as straight bristles and the formation of tufts of bristles does not require complex 3D shapes and can be done using known techniques. Different types of bristles can be used, for example flank and interdental.

[0058] The first and second wall elements are independently manufactured units, which are assembled together to form the cleaning system. This simplifies the manufacture of the bristles protruding from the wall elements. The bristles are formed before assembly of the final mouthpiece. Preferably the bristles are formed when the wall elements are flat, for example by injection moulding.

[0059] The wall element for example has a generally rectangular carrier that can be deformed to match the general contour of the tooth surface. Before deformation, there is a flat brushing surface that can be easily manufactured and then bent into a desired arch shape and further adapted to a specific user when inserted into the mouth. The flat surface again serves to provide tufted bristles using standard available tufting techniques. This design provides a good contact between the cleaning bristles and the tooth surface, resulting in a better cleaning performance.

[0060] Different teeth have different internal and external tooth shapes, as shown in Figure 6. Incisor, canine 80, bicuspid 82 and molar 84 tooth shapes are shown.

[0061] The length of the bristles at different heights on the teeth can be designed to create a shape profile that matches the shape of the teeth, for example, on the backs of the front teeth the bristles form a more concave curve.

[0062] The first and second wall elements 50, 60 are coupled by a drive mechanism, which thus serves both to assemble the system and to drive the movement of the wall elements.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a first embodiment of realizing the drive mechanism 90. The drive mechanism 90 has an actuator arranged between the first and second wall elements 50, 60. It draws or pushes the first and second wall elements 50, 60 together. The assembly is self-centering on the teeth. As a result, an equal force is applied by the mouthpiece to the inner and outer tooth surfaces. As shown, in the case of an arrangement covering the teeth of both jaws, the drive mechanism 90 is arranged between the first and second wall elements and between the upper and lower jaws. So the user bites the drive mechanism 90 to hold the system in place. The drive mechanism can, for example, be equipped with a cleaning arrangement (not shown) for the occlusal tooth surfaces.

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a second way of realising the drive mechanism 90. The drive mechanism 90 has an actuator arranged outside the second wall element 60 to pull the first and second wall elements together or apart. It can also be arranged inside the first wall element. The drive element is arranged between the second wall element and a pusher 92, which is connected to the first wall element by a connecting rod 94. When the actuator expands, the gap between the pusher 92 and the second wall element increases, which pulls the first wall element 50 towards the second wall element and the gap between the two wall elements is reduced.

[0065] The actuator may be any device capable of producing a change in the distance between two elements, which change is translated into a change in the spacing of the first and second wall elements. The actuator may be a hydraulic actuator, such as a bellows driven by a pump (e.g. electrically driven), or an electromechanical actuator, such as a motor.

[0066] Alternatively, the drive mechanism may be located remotely from the mouthpiece, for example in the form of an actuator in the handle of the mouthpiece (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1), where a frame transmits actuation from the actuator in the handle to a wall element in the mouthpiece.

[0067] In the case of a bellows, it can, for example, bend in a plane perpendicular to the actuation direction and thus conform to the user's dental arch. The bellows can, for example, be made of silicone.

[0068] FIG. 9 shows an example of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7 in more detail.

[0069] The actuator 90 has a preformed bellows which pushes the wall element apart. A spring arrangement 100 is provided to return the wall element to its original position when the bellows pressure is released.

[0070] Figure 10 shows in more detail a first realisation of the drive mechanism of Figure 8. The actuator 90 has a bellows attached to the chamber 110, which constrains the expansion to occur only in one direction (lateral). Therefore, a simpler bellows design can be used, such as a simple tube. When the pressure in the bellows is released, the cleaning device itself, in particular the engagement with the teeth, provides the force to move the wall elements apart.

[0071] FIG. 11 shows a second realization of the drive mechanism of FIG. The actuator 90 comprises a preformed bellows which is positioned on the outside of the wall elements, thereby acting as a linear actuator to push the wall elements together. When the bellows pressure is released, the cleaning device itself again provides the force to move the wall elements apart.

[0072] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of the system in use. The top image shows a cross-section in the incisor area and the bottom image shows a cross-section in the molar area. In this example, the actuator 90 has a tubular bellows arranged inside the first wall element 50.

[0073] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the system of FIG.

[0074] The drive mechanism 90 is in the form of a tubular bellows actuator and extends around the length of the first wall element 50. Coupling pieces 130 are spaced along the length of the first wall element and these provide connecting rods 94 which extend to the second wall element 60.

[0075] FIG. 13 diagrammatically represents an upper jaw 132 , a lower jaw 134 and teeth 30 .

[0076] 14, the tubular bellows can slide relative to the connecting rod 94 to allow for shape adjustment. The bellows can therefore slide freely within the trough configuration defined by the connecting pieces 130.

[0077] The system is easy to assemble and the bellows can be easily deformed to allow the mouthpiece to fit the dental arch.

[0078] Despite the flexibility of the wall elements, the design can provide sufficient stiffness along the dental arch to allow the user to move the mouthpiece on the dental arch.

[0079] To obtain a resonant system, the natural frequencies of the hair and wall elements can be designed taking into account the pump frequency.

[0080] As explained above, the driving vibration of the first and second wall elements includes at least a component towards and away from each other. It may also include a sweeping motion across the tooth surface. This can be achieved, for example, by using a hinge arrangement that converts the relative inward / outward motion into a relative rotation between two arch forms, providing a sliding and tapping component against the tooth.

[0081] There may be a single actuator to pull the two side walls together and spread them apart, but there may also be multiple actuators, so that some areas can be pulled together and other areas spread apart. This also gives more degrees of freedom to direct the sweeping motion across the teeth.

[0082] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, 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.

[0083] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0084] Please note that when the term "adapted for" is used in the claims or specification, the term "adapted for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured for."

[0085] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dental cleaning system in the form of an actuated mouthpiece, comprising: a first wall element attached to the inner, lingual tooth surface of one or both jaws; a second wall element attached to the outer, facial tooth surface of said one or both jaws; a drive mechanism that couples the first and second wall elements and applies a drive vibration to the first and second wall elements that includes at least a component toward each other and a component away from each other; A dental cleaning system wherein the first and second wall elements are independently manufactured units, each including a flat carrier deformable to match the general contour of the tooth surface.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second wall elements each have a cleaning configuration for cleaning the tooth surface.

3. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a bristle field attached to or integral with a portion of the flat carrier.

4. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the wall elements comprises a series of segments that are resiliently connected by separate connecting elements or living hinges.

5. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wall elements are coupled to one another by the drive mechanism.

6. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall element is for attachment to an inner, lingual tooth surface of each jaw, and the second wall element is for attachment to an outer, facial tooth surface of each jaw.

7. 7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second wall elements each have cleaning formations in the form of bristle arrays, the bristle arrays of each wall element facing inwardly towards the other wall element.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the bristle array has bristles of different heights, the lengths of the bristles of different heights being matched to tooth types at discrete locations around the first and second wall elements.

9. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises an actuator disposed between the first and second wall elements to pull the first and second wall elements together or to push them apart.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism is disposed between the first and second wall elements and between the upper and lower jaws.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a cleaning arrangement for occlusal tooth surfaces.

12. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises an actuator located inside the first wall element or outside the second wall element to pull the first and second wall elements together or to push them apart.

13. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises a bellows.

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