A system for oral irrigation, a method for determining whether the oral irrigation system is on the occlusal surface of a tooth, a computer program, a processor, and a handle for the oral irrigation system.

Abstract

The oral irrigation system includes a fluid delivery tube 102 having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is for receiving oral irrigation fluid. A nozzle 104 is disposed at the distal end of the fluid delivery tube. The system further includes an interdental sensor 2002 that detects whether the nozzle is in an interdental space and a motion sensor 2004 that measures the displacement of the nozzle. The processor determines whether the nozzle 104 is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth based on the nozzle displacement being greater than a critical distance (the critical distance indicates the length of the tooth) and the interdental sensor 2002 not detecting the interdental space during the nozzle displacement.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oral irrigators. Furthermore, this invention relates to a device that combines brushing and an oral irrigator. [Background technology]

[0002] Oral hygiene consists of maintaining hygiene of the occlusal surfaces and lateral surfaces of teeth. The occlusal surfaces are the surfaces of the teeth used for chewing and / or crushing, while the lateral surfaces are the areas where interdental spaces (i.e., spaces between teeth) are located.

[0003] To promote proper oral health, it is crucial to ensure that all tooth surfaces, including the interdental spaces, are properly cleaned. Studies have shown that improper cleaning of interdental spaces can lead to gingival disease, periodontal disease, and tooth decay (i.e., Class II caries).

[0004] Dentists worldwide recommend that patients clean between their teeth using various interdental cleaning methods or devices (such as floss, interdental brushes, and water jets). Devices exist that help clean interdental spaces with a fluid jet. The force of the fluid jet removes plaque. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, proper cleaning of the occlusal surface differs from cleaning methods used for interdental spaces. Interdental sensors typically detect whether a spray toothbrush is positioned to spray into the interdental space, but they do not detect when the toothbrush (or water spray nozzle) is on the occlusal surface. It can be important to know that the toothbrush or flossing device is not close to the interdental space or gingival line (i.e., on the occlusal surface of the tooth).

[0006] Therefore, a means is needed to detect when the toothbrush and / or flossing device is on the occlusal surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is defined by the independent claims. Dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

[0008] According to an example of an aspect of the present invention, a system for oral cleaning is provided. This oral cleaning system is A fluid delivery tube having a proximal end and a distal end for receiving oral irrigation fluid, A nozzle at the distal end of the fluid delivery tube, An interdental sensor that detects whether the nozzle is in the interdental gap, A displacement sensor that measures the displacement of the nozzle, The system includes a processor that determines that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth based on the nozzle displacement being greater than the critical distance (where the critical distance is the length of the tooth) and the interdental sensor not detecting an interdental gap during the nozzle displacement.

[0009] Regarding oral irrigation, the occlusal surfaces of teeth must be treated differently from the lateral surfaces. While the lateral surfaces of teeth have interdental spaces that require thorough cleaning, the occlusal surfaces do not. Unnecessary cleaning of the occlusal surfaces results in the use of large amounts of irrigating fluid, which can be uncomfortable for the user due to the large amount of liquid in their mouth. Therefore, it is crucial for oral irrigation systems to understand when the system's nozzle is on the occlusal surface.

[0010] This is achieved by having interdental sensors and displacement sensors. The interdental sensors can detect when the nozzle is in the interdental gap. This can be done using pressure sensors or flow sensors. For example, the nozzle can be designed to deform when it is not in the interdental gap, resulting in an increase in pressure and a decrease in flow rate. Alternatively, a set of electrodes can be used to determine when the nozzle is in the interdental gap. The displacement sensors can sense how far the nozzle has moved during oral cleaning. If the nozzle has moved a distance greater than the critical distance (the length of a tooth) and has not encountered an interdental gap, it can be inferred that the nozzle is on the occlusal surface.

[0011] Oral irrigators are also known as dental water flossers, dental water sprayers, or water tap spicks.

[0012] The processor can further determine that the nozzle is moving along the side of the tooth, based on the fact that the nozzle displacement is greater than the critical distance and the interdental sensor detects an interdental gap during the nozzle displacement.

[0013] The system may further include a pump that pumps fluid through a fluid delivery pipe and a controller that controls the pump.

[0014] The controller can implement two injection modes to control the pump: the first injection mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the second injection mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the lateral surface of the tooth.

[0015] Two different spray modes allow the user to properly clean the interdental spaces while avoiding the use of unnecessary fluid. For example, the pump delivers fluid at low pressure and flow rate when spraying onto the occlusal surface, and can switch to a higher flow rate and pressure when the nozzle is on the side of the tooth.

[0016] The interdental sensor can be one of a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube or a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube.

[0017] The interdental sensor may include at least two electrodes at the tip of the nozzle.

[0018] The processor can further determine the nozzle in the air.

[0019] For example, the interdental sensor may sense the "interdental space" for a long time. This is actually used to indicate that the nozzle is no longer in contact with the tooth or is no longer in use, rather than the actual interdental space.

[0020] The above system a force sensor that senses the force applied by the user between the nozzle and the tooth, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope that measures the angle of the nozzle with respect to the tooth, may further include one or more of them.

[0021] The processor can determine that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth based on a machine learning algorithm, and the machine learning algorithm is trained to distinguish between the occlusal surface and the side surface of the tooth based on signals from at least the interdental sensor and the displacement sensor.

[0022] The critical distance can be at least 0.5 cm.

[0023] Normally, the length of a tooth is about 1 cm. However, the exact length varies for each user and each type of tooth. For example, for smaller teeth, a critical distance of at least 0.5 cm is required, and for larger teeth, it is increased to a distance of about 1.5 cm.

[0024] The above system [[ID=৪০]]may further include a toothbrush head including a plurality of bristles, The toothbrush head further includes the above nozzle.

[0025] Therefore, the device can be integrated into a head that combines brushing and oral rinsing.

[0026] The oral cleaning system described above may further include a motor that controls the head section of a toothbrush system in a brushing motion, and the controller described above controls this motor.

[0027] The controller can implement two spray modes to control the motor: the first brushing mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth, and the second brushing mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the side of the tooth.

[0028] These brushing modes differ in, for example, the rotational speed applied to the rotating brush head.

[0029] The present invention also provides a method for determining whether an oral cleaning system is present on the occlusal surface of a tooth. This method is A step to determine the displacement of the nozzle of the oral irrigation system, A step to determine whether the nozzle is in the interdental space, The method includes the step of determining that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth by determining that the nozzle displacement is greater than the critical distance and that the nozzle was not in the interdental gap during the nozzle displacement.

[0030] The above method may further include the step of determining that the nozzle is moving along the side of the tooth by determining that the nozzle displacement is greater than the critical distance and that the nozzle was in the interdental gap during the nozzle displacement.

[0031] The above method may further include the step of performing two spray modes for controlling the pump of the oral irrigation system, where a first spray mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth, and a second spray mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the lateral surface of the tooth. Thus, different spray modes are used depending on the nozzle position.

[0032] Similarly, the above method may further include the step of performing two brushing modes for controlling a motor that drives a toothbrush head, where a first brushing mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth, and a second brushing mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the lateral surface of the tooth. Thus, (in a system in which the cleaning system and the toothbrush head are integrated) different brushing modes are used depending on the nozzle position, and therefore the toothbrush head position.

[0033] The above method is carried out in software. Therefore, the present invention also provides a computer program including computer program code. When the computer program code is executed by a processor, it causes a processing system to perform all the steps of the above method. The present invention also provides a processor on which the above computer program is stored.

[0034] The present invention also provides a handle for an oral irrigation system. This handle is The contact point where the handle connects to the oral irrigation head, A fluid delivery tube that delivers fluid to the oral irrigation head, A pump that pressurizes and delivers fluid to a fluid delivery pipe (102) based on the pump configuration, Includes the above-mentioned processor that controls the pump.

[0035] Other heads, such as a combination of a toothbrush and an oral irrigation head, can also be attached to the handle.

[0036] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and will be explained with reference to those embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] To gain a deeper understanding of the present invention and to more clearly illustrate how it is implemented, please refer to the attached drawings as just one example.

[0038] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the toothbrush head section. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a toothbrush with an oral irrigator. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an oral irrigator and a toothbrush with an air inlet. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a first example of nozzle design. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a second example of nozzle design. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a third example of nozzle design. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a fourth example of nozzle design. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a fifth example of nozzle design. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a nozzle with a mechanical valve in various states. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows a simplified diagram of the force balance on the mechanical valve. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the brush head of a device that combines brushing and flossing when used with dentures. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the brush head of a device that combines brushing and flossing, featuring a spring-loaded system. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a first example of a mechanical valve. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a second example of a mechanical valve. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows a second example of a mechanical valve. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows a flowchart of a method for determining whether a nozzle is present on the occlusal surface of a tooth. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows a flowchart illustrating how to operate the oral irrigation system. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows a combined toothbrush and oral rinsing system acting on the sides of the teeth. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows a system combining a toothbrush and oral rinsing acting on the occlusal surface of a tooth. [Figure 20] Figure 20 shows a three-dimensional graph of the points where the nozzle contacts the teeth during brushing. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows a three-dimensional graph of the points where the nozzle 104 contacts the teeth during brushing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] The present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0040] The detailed descriptions and specific examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, but should be understood to be for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the appended drawings. It should be understood that the figures are schematic diagrams 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.

[0041] The present invention provides a system for oral irrigation. The system includes a fluid delivery tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is for receiving oral irrigation fluid. A nozzle is located at the distal end of the fluid delivery tube. The system further includes an interdental sensor for detecting whether the nozzle is in an interdental gap and a motion sensor for measuring the displacement of the nozzle. A processor determines whether the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth based on whether the nozzle displacement is greater than a critical distance (the critical distance being the length of a tooth) and whether the interdental sensor does not detect an interdental gap during the nozzle displacement.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the toothbrush head section 106. A fluid delivery tube 102 with a nozzle 104 at its distal end is incorporated into the toothbrush head 106. The nozzle 102 protrudes from the head section 106 in the same (or nearly the same) direction as the toothbrush bristles 108.

[0043] The fluid delivery tube 102 and nozzle 104 can be used for oral flossing. Figure 1 shows a system combining oral flossing and brushing. The proximal end of the fluid delivery tube 102 can be connected to a pump and fluid reservoir for oral flossing. Furthermore, a pressure sensor may be connected to the fluid delivery tube to measure the pressure inside the fluid delivery tube.

[0044] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a toothbrush with an oral irrigator. This toothbrush includes a fluid delivery tube 102 with a nozzle 104 at its distal end, a pump 202 connected to the fluid delivery tube 102, a fluid reservoir 204 for storing the fluid to be delivered, and a sensor 206 for measuring the pressure and / or flow rate in the fluid delivery tube 102. The toothbrush also has a head section 106 that houses the toothbrush bristles 108 and the nozzle 102 of the fluid delivery tube 102.

[0045] In this example, the fluid reservoir 204, pump 202, and sensor 206 are part of the toothbrush. However, these components may be separate from the toothbrush and connected by the fluid delivery tube 102. Furthermore, the fluid delivery tube 102 and nozzle 104 may be independent (not part of the toothbrush) and form part of the oral cleaning system.

[0046] Furthermore, in this example, sensor 206 is described as a pressure sensor. However, sensor 206 may also be a flow sensor or a combined sensor capable of measuring flow rate and pressure in a fluid delivery tube.

[0047] A drop in pressure within the fluid delivery tube 102 can be used to indicate that the nozzle 104 has reached the interdental space during tooth brushing or oral rinsing. In the example in Figure 2, the oral rinsing system is a component of a toothbrush that combines brushing and flossing. The components of the oral rinsing system include the fluid delivery tube 102, which has the nozzle 104 at its distal end, and the opening of the nozzle 104. When the oral rinsing system is a component of a toothbrush that combines brushing and flossing, as shown, the opening of the nozzle 104 is near the bristles 108 of the toothbrush.

[0048] Pump 202 is used to drive fluid from fluid reservoir 204 through fluid delivery pipe 102. Pressure sensor 206 is used to directly or indirectly determine the flow rate and / or pressure of the fluid through fluid delivery pipe 102.

[0049] The pressure sensor 206 is used to detect a drop in pressure to indicate the interdental gap. For example, the nozzle 104 has an opening that conforms to the point of contact with the tooth. The conformity of the nozzle 104 allows for a substantial blockage of the fluid flow when it comes into contact with the hard surface of the tooth. This substantial blockage causes pressure to build up in the fluid delivery tube 102, which can be recorded in the pressure sensor 206. Alternatively, a nozzle 104 with a mechanically changeable opening (e.g., spring-loaded) can be used. This can only be opened by interrupting contact with a hard surface (e.g., moving away from a hard tooth and into the interdental gap).

[0050] The fluid used to sense the interdental gaps may be a liquid. For example, the liquid used for sensing is the same liquid used for spraying, flossing, and / or oral rinsing. A decrease in pressure within the fluid delivery tube 102 may initiate an interdental cleaning process, including increasing the flow rate.

[0051] The fluid delivery tube 102 can be used for both interdental cleaning and pressure drop detection. A low flow rate of fluid can be used during interdental gap detection, while a high flow rate can be used for the interdental cleaning process. In this way, the fluid is used more efficiently, and the user does not have to deal with an excess amount of liquid in their mouth.

[0052] The pressure sensor 206, when used in combination with a nozzle 104 that (at least) partially shuts off when in contact with a tooth, enables robust and reliable detection of interdental gaps. These functions can be integrated into a brush head or device with oral flossing capabilities. The oral flossing function can be selectively turned on in the interdental gap (i.e., when an interdental gap is detected). This conserves flossing fluid and prevents ineffective flossing outside the interdental gap.

[0053] In this example, there is only one fluid reservoir 204, and the fluid used for detecting interdental gaps is the same fluid used for the oral cleaning / flossing function. However, it is also possible to use a first fluid for detecting interdental gaps and a second fluid for cleaning the interdental gaps. Alternatively, there may be a first fluid reservoir for the first fluid and a second fluid reservoir for the second fluid.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an oral irrigator and a toothbrush having an air inlet 302. This toothbrush has an air inlet 302 and a switch 304 between a fluid reservoir 204 and the air inlet 302. The switch 304 is configured to allow the pump 202 to pump either air or fluid through the fluid delivery tube 102. Alternatively, a second fluid reservoir having air (or any gas) may be used instead of the air inlet 302. Furthermore, one or more air inlets 302 may be used so that the pump 202 can continue to pump air even if one of the air inlets 302 is shut off by the user.

[0055] Pump 202 provides a gas flow through the fluid delivery tube 102 and nozzle 104 to detect interdental gaps and provides a burst or flow of liquid for interdental cleaning. In this way, the spray fluid is used more efficiently. Thus, a combination of a gas flow for identifying interdental areas and a liquid flow for performing interdental cleaning is used. In this way, cleaning fluid is not unnecessarily lost in the user's mouth. In this example, pump 202 is modified to sequentially pump either gas or liquid using a switch 304 between the liquid reservoir 204 and a gas source (such as a second reservoir or air inlet 302).

[0056] The controller can be used to control the pump 202 so that if the pressure sensor 206 does not detect a pressure drop in the fluid delivery tube 102 (i.e., the nozzle 104 is in contact with the teeth), a first fluid (such as air) is pumped, and if the pressure sensor 206 detects a pressure drop in the fluid delivery tube 102 (i.e., the nozzle is in the interdental gap), a second fluid (such as cleaning fluid) is pumped.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a first example of the nozzle 104 design. Figure 4a) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in the interdental gap and the opening of the nozzle 104 is open. Figure 4b) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in contact with the tooth 602 and the opening of the nozzle 104 is closed or partially closed.

[0058] In this example, the end of the nozzle 104 is made of a suitable material 604. The material 604 has the property that when the nozzle 104 comes into contact with a hard surface (such as teeth 602), the material 604 becomes partially flat against the hard surface, thus enabling a substantial blockage of the nozzle 104's opening on the hard surface of teeth 602. Suitable suitable materials 604 are soft, elastic materials such as silicone or rubber. This substantial blockage allows pressure to build up within the fluid delivery tube 102, which can be recorded by the pressure sensor 206.

[0059] In this example, the opening of the nozzle 104 also remains open when the nozzle 104 is not in contact with the user's teeth 602. For example, at the beginning or end of a brushing / flossing period, or when the nozzle 104 moves, for example, from the upper jaw to the lower jaw, the nozzle 104 is not in contact with the user's teeth 602. For this reason, there is a risk that cleaning fluid will be unnecessarily sprayed into the mouth because the nozzle 104 loses contact with the teeth 602. To reduce such effects, the flow rate of the fluid during interdental sensing is made much lower than the flow rate used during the cleaning process.

[0060] Furthermore, it is advantageous to initiate the cleaning cycle only after the pressure sensor 206 detects a pressure drop (not just low pressure). In this way, unnecessary discharge of the cleaning fluid before the nozzle contacts the teeth 602 can be avoided.

[0061] When contact between the compatible material 604 and the tooth 602 is interrupted (for example, to enter the interdental gap), the nozzle 104 is released, the pressure drops rapidly, and the pressure sensor 206 can interpret that the nozzle 104 is in the interdental gap. At this point, an interdental cleaning cycle can be initiated. This may consist of a relatively large flow rate of cleaning fluid, or a series of bursts of cleaning fluid. The duration of the interdental cleaning cycle may be short (fixed) to avoid unnecessary fluid discharge. As the nozzle 104 moves to the next tooth 602, the pressure in the fluid delivery tube 102 rises rapidly. This can be interpreted as the nozzle 104 leaving the interdental gap, and the cleaning cycle can be stopped if it is not yet complete. In this way, the pressure sensor 206 can also terminate the cycle early to ensure that cleaning fluid is not wasted if the nozzle 104 passes through the interdental gap faster than is necessary to perform a fixed cleaning cycle.

[0062] For example, if the pressure rises (rapidly), the pressure sensor may revert to "sensing mode" (e.g., sensing the interdental gap with a low flow rate of the first fluid) and remain in this mode until it enters the next interdental gap.

[0063] It should be noted that these system configurations (stopping the cleaning cycle if there is premature movement from the interdental gap, different flow rates, and detection of pressure drops) can be applied to each nozzle design described below.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a second example of the nozzle 104 design. Figure 5a) shows the nozzle 104 with its opening open. Figure 5b) shows the nozzle 104 with its opening closed or partially closed.

[0065] In this example, the nozzle 104 incorporates a mechanically modified, spring-loaded opening. The opening includes a ball-shaped stopper 702, which is loaded by a spring 704 to be in the open position when not in contact with a hard surface (e.g., when no force is applied to the stopper 702). The opening has the property that when the nozzle 104 comes into contact with a hard surface (such as teeth 602), the stopper 702 is pushed toward the opening of the nozzle 104, thus allowing the opening of the nozzle to be substantially blocked when pressed against the hard surface of teeth 602. This substantial blockage causes pressure to build up in the fluid delivery tube 102, which can be detected by the pressure sensor 206 as described above.

[0066] The stopper 702 may also be designed to cause the cleaning fluid to deviate from its normal direction (along the axis of the tube). This is advantageous for directing the fluid to more of the interdental surface of the teeth 602. The spring 704 may also be configured so that the opening and closing of the stopper 702 occurs relatively slowly (for example, over a period of about half the time the nozzle 104 is in the interdental region). In this way, the cleaning fluid is initially sprayed more laterally, and then, when the stopper 702 is fully open, it is directed more axially towards the nozzle 104. In this way, the cleaning fluid dynamically sprays first a shallower area, and then a deeper portion of the interdental gap. Thus, the stopper can function as both a valve and a flow-directing element, and the flow changes depending on the valve state between a fully open and a fully closed state.

[0067] The opening of the nozzle 104 may be designed to close sufficiently on the teeth 602 when the brush is held at an angle of 45 degrees or more relative to the surface of the teeth 602.

[0068] For example, the nozzle 104 needs to be slightly longer than the bristles of the toothbrush so that it can touch the teeth 602 even when angled (in a device that combines oral irrigation and a toothbrush), and it is made of a flexible tube that is comfortable even when the toothbrush / nozzle 104 is at a 90-degree angle. A larger ball than the one shown in Figure 5, for example, can accommodate a wider range of angles.

[0069] It will be understood that different designs may be used to block the fluid flow when there is contact with tooth 602 (high pressure is sensed) and to release the flow when there is no contact, i.e., when it is in the intertooth gap.

[0070] Figure 6 shows a third example of the nozzle 104 design. Figure 6a) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in the interdental gap and the opening of the nozzle 104 is open. Figure 6b) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in contact with the tooth 602 and the opening of the nozzle 104 is closed or partially closed.

[0071] In this example, the nozzle 104 has a kink 802 that, when in contact with the teeth 602, closes / restricts the flow of fluid through the nozzle 104. When the nozzle 104 is pressed against the teeth 602, the force from the teeth 602 causes the kink 802 to bend inward, reducing the opening area of ​​the nozzle 104 and restricting the flow of fluid from the nozzle 104. This causes the pressure in the fluid delivery tube 102 to increase, which can be measured by a pressure sensor 206 connected to the fluid delivery tube 102.

[0072] Figure 7 shows a fourth example of the nozzle 104 design. Figure 7a) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in the interdental gap and the opening of the nozzle 104 is open. Figure 7b) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in contact with the tooth 602 and the opening of the nozzle 104 is closed or partially closed.

[0073] In this example, the opening of the nozzle 104 has a flexible, flat, duckbill-shaped opening. When it is on a tooth 602, the two legs 902 push the opening closed, but when it is between the teeth 602 (in the interdental gap), the legs 902 can bend and separate, so it opens. The advantage of this design is that the opening of the nozzle 104 widens away from the teeth 602, providing more space to generate a fluid jet for interdental cleaning.

[0074] Figure 8 shows a fifth example of the nozzle 104 design. Figure 8a) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in the interdental gap and the opening of the nozzle 104 is open. Figure 8b) shows the nozzle 104 when it is in contact with the tooth 602 and the opening of the nozzle 104 is closed or partially closed.

[0075] In this example, a ball-shaped stopper 1002 is positioned at the opening of the nozzle 104. In the gap between the teeth, the stopper 1002 is pushed out by the pressure of the fluid flow. When the stopper 1002 is in contact with the teeth 602, the teeth 602 prevent the stopper 1002 from being pushed out, reducing the flow of liquid. The stopper 1002 can be attached to the nozzle 104 by a retaining mechanism (such as a string or spring).

[0076] Figure 9 shows nozzles 104 with mechanical valves 1102 in various states. Four nozzles 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are shown. The first nozzle 104a is in contact with a single tooth 602, and therefore only one force is applied (from the tooth). The second nozzle 104b is in the interdental gap, and therefore two forces are applied (from both adjacent teeth on either side of the interdental gap). The third nozzle 104c is in the air and not in contact with tooth 602, so no force is applied. The fourth nozzle 104d is inclined and in contact with one tooth 602, and has one force from tooth 602 depending on the angle.

[0077] Flossing devices are typically only effective in interdental spaces. Flossing outside of interdental spaces is less effective and can lead to spillage of flossing fluid or unwanted liquid being sprayed into the mouth. This is a particular problem with combination devices that integrate flossing and brushing functions. While a tether-free design is desirable for easy operation of combined devices, device size is limited, leaving little space for a fluid reservoir. Furthermore, the fluid can dilute the fluoride in toothpaste, potentially reducing its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.

[0078] In this example, the anatomical difference in the interdental gap between two adjacent teeth 602 is utilized to form a narrowing channel. The mechanical valve 1102 closes the opening of the nozzle 104 at the normal peak pressure of the interdental cleaning spray. This is, for example, a high-crack-pressure duckbill valve. In other words, when the nozzle is in free space or in contact with a tooth, the fluid flow is automatically prevented. Therefore, instead of the tooth surface closing a valve that would otherwise be open (as in the example above), the shape of the interdental gap is used to open a valve that would otherwise be closed.

[0079] When the mechanical valve 1102 is pushed into the gap between the teeth, the two opposing teeth 602 are pressed against the two opposing sides, releasing the mechanical valve and opening the nozzle 104 at the injection peak pressure. Furthermore, the controller is used to record when the mechanical valve 1102 was opened and closed, based on the characteristics of the pump 202. For example, if an open state is detected, the peak pressure may increase. This allows for the closing of the mechanical valve 1102 at low pressure and low force, which is usually more robust.

[0080] In this example, a low-cost design of the mechanical valve 1102 is possible, in which the opening of the nozzle 104 opens only when the mechanical valve 1102 is pressed into the anatomical structure of the interdental space. This ensures that the interdental cleaning spray is directed only into the interdental space, resulting in no (or minimal) spillage of liquid.

[0081] In some examples, the mechanical valve 1102 always closes the opening of the nozzle 104 except when a force is applied from two sides (i.e., when it is in contact with the surfaces of two opposing teeth in the interdental gap). The mechanical valve 1102 does not open when there is no contact with the teeth 602 (e.g., when it is in the air) or when only one side of the mechanical valve 1102 is in contact with the teeth 602. In some further examples, the mechanical valve opens only by two opposing radial forces (from the opposing teeth 602).

[0082] For example, nozzle 104a (Figure 9) has only one force from one tooth 602, so the mechanical valve 1102 does not open and there is no cleaning fluid spray. However, nozzle 104b is in the interdental gap and is in contact with two adjacent teeth. As a result, both teeth apply force to the mechanical valve 1102. Because there are two forces from adjacent teeth, the mechanical valve 1102 opens, and the cleaning fluid spray is able to pass through nozzle 104b and clean the interdental gap by the mechanical valve 1102. In this example, the force applied by tooth 602 has a lateral component relative to nozzle 104b. In some examples, the mechanical valve 1102 only opens when two lateral forces (force components) are applied to the mechanical valve 1102 on both sides of the mechanical valve 1102 (by adjacent teeth in the interdental gap).

[0083] Since nozzle 104c is in the air, no force is applied to it by the teeth 602, and therefore the mechanical valve 1102 remains closed. A force with a lateral component (relative to nozzle 104d) is applied to nozzle 104d by one tooth 602. However, because there is only one force, the mechanical valve 1102 of nozzle 104d does not open.

[0084] Figure 10 shows a simplified diagram of the force balance on the mechanical valve 1102. Figure 10a) shows a cross-sectional view of the mechanical valve 1102 on the nozzle 104, and Figure 10b) shows a top-down view of the mechanical valve 1102. Although Figure 10 shows a duckbill-shaped valve, the force balance shown in Figure 10 is applicable to other examples of the mechanical valve 1102.

[0085] A common characteristic of the mechanical valve 1102 is its crack pressure (CP), which is the pressure at which the mechanical valve 1102 opens due to the fluid force exceeding the closing strength of the mechanical valve 1102. In some examples, the CP of the mechanical valve 1102 is higher than the peak pressure of the nozzle 104 to keep the mechanical valve 1102 closed when it is in normal contact with the teeth 602, or when it is in contact with only one side. The mechanical valve 1102 is designed to reduce its CP for the normal force with which the user presses the irrigator against the teeth 602 when both sides are in the interdental gap and it is in contact with both teeth 602. In this way, the mechanical valve 1102 opens at the peak pressure, releasing a cleaning burst.

[0086] Interdental cleaning requires a liquid velocity of 25-50 m / s (liquid pressure of approximately 3-13 bar (300 kPa-1.3 MPa)). The typical maximum pressure used in oral irrigators is 7 bar (700 kPa). The typical opening area of ​​nozzle 104 is 0.25-0.8 mm². 2 The standard value is 0.5 mm. 2 Therefore, the force on a mechanical valve 1102 of this size at 7 bar (700 kPa) is 0.35 N. To ensure the valve remains closed, a closing force of 0.4 N is selected for the mechanical valve 1102. To ensure it opens in the interdental gap, this force needs to be reduced to, for example, 0.3 N. That is, a force of 0.1 N acting in the negative direction is used. The normal vertical force during brushing is a maximum of 2.5 N. This force is divided on the bristles 108 and nozzle 104, but with proper mechanical design, 0.1 N of this force can be directed towards the opening force of the mechanical valve 1102.

[0087] In Figure 10, the pressure inside the nozzle 104 is the pressure driving force F. p Push 1204 to open the mechanical valve 1102. Meanwhile, the valve closing mechanism closes the mechanical valve 1102 with force F. c Push in the other direction at 1206. Mechanical valve 1102 is F c =F pIt can be designed to remain (with the mechanical valve 1102 closed). However, when both sides of the nozzle 104 are subjected to the pressing force 1208 by being pushed into the inter-tooth gap by two adjacent teeth adjacent to the nozzle 104, the closing force F c 1206 decreases. The pressing force 1208 from two adjacent teeth can be perpendicular and / or parallel to the direction of the nozzle. In this example, the pressing force 1208 is shown to be perpendicular to the direction of the nozzle 104, but in some examples, the pressing force 1208 may be (partially) parallel to the direction of the nozzle 104.

[0088] From the internal pressure P of the nozzle 104, the total pressure driving force F p =P×A can be calculated. Here, A is the area of the mechanical valve 1102 (which is the same as the area of the opening of the nozzle 104 in this example). With a pressure of 7 bar (700 kPa), the total force on the mechanical valve 1102 of 0.5 mm 2 is 0.35 N.

[0089] In one example, the pressure behind the nozzle 104 when the nozzle 104 is closed is constant. For example, the pump 202 pumps the cleaning fluid into the hydraulic accumulator and maintains the pressure at, for example, 7 bar (700 kPa). When the mechanical valve 1102 opens, a burst of liquid is ejected, the pressure drops, and subsequently the nozzle 104 closes. Such an oral irrigator is efficient in both the use of cleaning fluid and electricity. This is because the cleaning fluid always comes out at high speed, so energy and fluid are not wasted on low-speed jets that do not remove biofilms. Alternatively, the oral irrigator may also be driven by a more standard pulsating cleaning pump. Using this, several bursts can be generated when the nozzle 104 remains placed in the inter-tooth gap.

[0090] In the case of using a hydraulic accumulator, it is also possible to fire several times depending on the rate at which the accumulator is replenished after a burst. The pulsating pump may use more energy depending on whether the pump continues to pump when the mechanical valve 1102 is closed. The controller can also be used to shut off or reduce the pumping force of the pump 202 if it detects that there is no volume flow or pressure is not being released at the nozzle 104.

[0091] Figure 11 shows the brush head 106 of a combined brushing and flossing device in use. Every interdental space has a narrowing gap, which applies force to both sides of the elongated body (i.e., nozzle 104) that is thin enough to fit into the interdental space. To accommodate different gap sizes, the tip of the nozzle 104 that interacts with the two opposing teeth can be designed in a wedge shape. For accommodating a wider range of interdental space sizes, a wedge-shaped nozzle 104 may be preferable. The nozzle 104 may need to protrude sufficiently beyond the bristles to experience contact force with both sides of the interdental space when the user presses the device against the teeth 602.

[0092] Figure 12 shows a brush head 106 of a combined brushing and flossing device having a spring-loaded system 1402. When a toothbrush and an oral irrigator are combined, the nozzle 104 needs to protrude sufficiently to be pressed into the interdental spaces, but should not protrude so much as to obstruct brushing. In this example, the nozzle 104 can move independently in and out of the plane of the brush head 106 using a spring or other elastically controlled connection 1402 between the brush head 106 and the nozzle 104. This approach also allows for a mechanical valve 1102 that does not depend on the user's brushing force.

[0093] In this example, the nozzle 104 can move in and out of the area of ​​the bristles using a spring-loaded system 1402. This has the advantage that the mechanical valve 1102 can be designed to have sufficient force in the interdental gap to open the opening of the nozzle 104, thereby reducing the risk of the nozzle 104 interfering with brushing when it is on other surfaces.

[0094] However, a nozzle 104 that is approximately the same length as bristles 108 is also possible, as bristles 108 are usually flexible enough to conform to the contours of teeth. In general toothbrush designs, various bristle lengths are used to accommodate all anatomical structures.

[0095] As mentioned above, the valve configuration can also be used as an intertooth sensor. In this case, the fluid pressure in the fluid delivery tube 102 can be low, and therefore the mechanical valve 1102 can have a low crack pressure. As a result, the pressing force 1208 from both sides of the intertooth gap is reduced. This makes the mechanical valve 1102 more robust and allows for more generous design specifications.

[0096] Since the mechanical valve 1102 is normally closed, the inter-tooth sensor function does not detect a decrease in flow rate or pressure until the mechanical valve 1102 opens. For example, detection may be based on the measurement of power consumption or the current drawn in by the pump, or it may be based on the measurement of flow rate or pressure.

[0097] For example, as soon as the mechanical valve 1102 opens through the tooth gap, a pressure sensor or the like detects an increase in flow rate or a decrease in pressure in the fluid delivery pipe 102. The controller can respond by increasing the power of the pump 202 or by providing one or more bursts of cleaning fluid.

[0098] Therefore, the mechanical valve 1102 makes it possible for the oral irrigator not to use the cleaning fluid and thus not waste the cleaning fluid when the nozzle 104 is not in contact with the teeth 602, or when it is in contact with the teeth 602 but not in the interdental gap.

[0099] When power consumption is used as the sensing input, the pump will not be completely turned off. Also, depending on the type of pump, it may operate at a slower pace. For example, in sensing mode, a certain amount of pressure must be maintained in front of the valve while the valve remains closed.

[0100] Figures 13 and 14 show a first example of a general type of mechanical valve 1102 discussed with reference to Figure 10. Figure 13 shows one possible design of the mechanical valve 1102. Figure 14a) shows a cross-section of the mechanical valve 1102 in the interdental space, where the mechanical valve 1102 is open. Figure 14b) shows a cross-section of the mechanical valve 1102 in contact with tooth 602, where the mechanical valve 1102 is closed.

[0101] A mechanical valve design requiring only one component, such as a elastomeric duckbill valve, is possible. When designed to the appropriate size, a duckbill valve opens by being pressed by the surfaces of two opposing teeth in the intertotal gap. Generally, duckbill valves are used to implement mechanical valves 1102 with low crack pressure. However, in some cases, it is necessary to design a valve with high crack pressure to withstand the fluid pressure when not being pressed in the intertotal gap. The crack pressure of a duckbill design can be increased by using a rigid elastomer or a relatively thick valve design. A well-designed duckbill valve will not open at the peak pressure of the cleaning fluid, but can open with a combination of sufficient internal peak pressure and pressing force from both sides in the intertotal gap position 1208.

[0102] Figure 15 shows a second example of the mechanical valve 1102. An alternative design of this mechanical valve 1102 mechanically clamps the elastomer nozzle 104 with a spring clamp 1702. The clamp 1702 opens when pressed in the interdental gap due to the presence of a throttling force relative to the spring bias of the clamp. Figure 15a) shows the lever 1704. The levers 1704 are pressed together at their distal ends, thereby opening the nozzle at the opposite proximal end. Figure 15b) shows the levers opened by the spring bias when the distal ends are no longer clamped in the interdental gap. The levers may also be in a plane different from the spray of the cleaning fluid so that the spray does not interfere with cleaning. This is just one example of a pivot or locking lever design that translates compression at the distal end into nozzle opening at the proximal end.

[0103] A drawback of the aforementioned mechanical valve 1102 design is that the size of the nozzle 104 opening depends on the force pushing the nozzle 104 into the interdental gap and the specific anatomical structure (such as distance) of the interdental gap. To control this more precisely, a spring-loaded tip is used, but another solution to create an opening size that is less dependent on the strength and displacement of the bilateral pressing forces 1208 (from the two teeth in the interdental gap) is a bimodal system. An example of a bimodal system is a clicker, which is a metal leaf spring with a pre-loaded tension deformation.

[0104] In such a system, there are two desirable states (i.e., open and closed). When a force is applied, the system immediately clicks into a second desirable state, and clicks back when the force is released. This type of spring-actuated system may be designed to open a mechanical valve 1102 to a predetermined size when the nozzle 104 is pressed into the gap between teeth.

[0105] In the example above, different system functions are provided depending on whether the nozzle is on the tooth surface or in the interdental space. Therefore, these systems can sense whether the nozzle is on the tooth surface or in the interdental space.

[0106] Furthermore, some systems require the ability to distinguish between the location of cleaning devices on the occlusal surface (masticatory surface) and the location of cleaning devices on the lateral surface of the tooth. For example, different cleaning parameters are suitable for the lateral and occlusal surfaces (because the lateral surface is closer to the more sensitive gingival line). Interdental spaces do not exist on the occlusal surface.

[0107] Another embodiment is based on the use of interdental space sensing, which uses one of the above approaches (i.e., a system in which the flow path is open when the nozzle is in the interdental space, or a system in which the flow path is closed when the nozzle is on the tooth surface) for detecting the occlusal surface. Any other known means for sensing interdental spaces can also be used in conjunction with the approaches described below.

[0108] Figure 16 shows a flowchart of a method for determining whether a nozzle 104 is present on the occlusal surface of tooth 602.

[0109] This method uses not only interdental gap detection but also monitoring of nozzle movement. Therefore, in addition to the components mentioned above, a motion sensor is provided to measure the displacement of the nozzle.

[0110] In step 1802, the distance the nozzle has traveled is monitored by a motion sensor. It is determined when the distance exceeds the critical distance. The critical distance is based on typical tooth sizes, taking into account various tooth sizes. For example, the critical distance may be the minimum tooth length (e.g., 1 cm) or it may be adjusted to suit the user, taking into account the user's tooth size and minimum size. In step 1804, an interdental gap is detected during nozzle movement (i.e., it is determined that the nozzle is in an interdental gap).

[0111] If the distance the nozzle has traveled exceeds the critical distance (step 1802) and no interdental gap has been detected (step 1804), it can be determined that the nozzle is on the occlusal surface of the tooth (step 1806).

[0112] Alternatively, if the distance the nozzle has traveled exceeds the critical distance (step 1802), but an interdental gap is detected (step 1804), it can be determined that the nozzle is on the side of the tooth (step 1808).

[0113] For example, detecting the occlusal surface confirms that the toothbrush is not in the interdental space, and therefore not near the gingival line. This means that different brushing conditions can be applied. Similarly, different brushing conditions are suitable for different areas of the teeth.

[0114] Figure 17 shows a flowchart of how to operate the oral irrigation system. At the start of oral irrigation, the oral irrigation spray is not used (step 1902). To start oral irrigation, the following three conditions must be met: the nozzle of the oral irrigation system must be in contact with the teeth (detected in step 1904), the distance traveled must be greater than the critical distance (determined in step 1802), and interdental gaps must or must not be detected (1804).

[0115] If no interdental gap is detected, it can be determined that the nozzle is on the occlusal surface, and in step 1806, oral irrigation can be started in occlusal surface spray mode on the occlusal surface. If an interdental gap is detected, it can be determined that the nozzle is on the side of the tooth, and in step 1808, oral irrigation can be started in side-tooth spray mode on the side of the tooth. Oral irrigation is performed for a preset time, after which the irrigator stops spraying (step 1906) and continues to sense the three conditions described above.

[0116] Oral rinsing differs for the occlusal surface and the lateral surface of the teeth. Furthermore, oral rinsing may form part of a system that combines a toothbrush and oral rinsing.

[0117] For example, while the brush is operating near the gingival margin, it is undesirable to brush too hard or deliver large amounts of fluid, such as fluoride for remineralization or bicarbonate to promote whitening. For example, while the brush is operating in interdental mode or near the gingival margin, it is preferable to brush more gently or deliver fluid for interdental or pocket cleaning, while while the brush is on the occlusal surface, it is possible to brush more hard and deliver large amounts of fluoride for tooth remineralization (or interrupt the spray to prevent excessive fluid volume from accumulating in the mouth). Therefore, the operating parameters for both oral cleaning and brushing (such as brushing speed and force) can be changed based on detection.

[0118] This method allows for continuous monitoring of contact and interdental gaps, and therefore enables the detection of transitions from the occlusal surface to the lateral surface, or vice versa.

[0119] As part of this method for sensing the occlusal surface of teeth, any interdental sensor can be used. Interdental sensing can be based on using a flow sensor or pressure sensor in a fluid delivery tube, or on using an electrical sensor such as a resistance sensor in or above the fluid delivery tube, as described above. Generally, the interdental and occlusal surfaces can be distinguished using changes in the sensor signal signature over brushing distance.

[0120] Motion sensors used to detect nozzle movement may already be present in some toothbrushes. The motion sensor may include an accelerometer and / or gyroscope configuration. Interdental sensors can function as both contact sensors and interdental gap sensors, as described above. As described above, measurements are taken to determine that the brush is moving by a distance (>1 cm) between at least two teeth, but no interdental gap is detected. Another measurement may be taken to confirm that the brush is in contact with the teeth and therefore not simply floating in the air.

[0121] Figure 18 shows a combined toothbrush and oral rinsing system acting on the sides of teeth. Figure 18a) shows the brush head having a fluid delivery tube 102, a nozzle 104, an interdental sensor 2002, and a motion sensor 2004. In this example, the interdental sensor 2002 may be a pressure sensor. Figure 18b) shows a graph of pressure against distance corresponding to the arrangement of teeth 602 in Figure 18a). The pressure signal can be obtained from the pressure sensor 2002, and the distance can be obtained from the motion sensor 2004. The graph shows that the pressure signal 2006 decreases in the interdental gap. For comparison, the pressure signal 2008 corresponding to the brush being in the air (no pressure difference) is shown.

[0122] Figure 19 shows a combined toothbrush and oral rinsing system acting on the occlusal surface of a tooth. Similar to Figure 18, Figure 19a) shows a brush head having a fluid delivery tube 102, a nozzle 104, an interdental sensor 2002 (in this example, a pressure sensor), and a motion sensor 2004. Figure 19b) shows a graph of pressure against distance corresponding to the placement of tooth 602 in Figure 19a). In this graph, the pressure signal 2006 does not change (or changes minimally) because there is no interdental gap on the occlusal surface of tooth 602. For comparison, the pressure signal 2008 corresponding to the brush being in the air (no pressure difference) is shown. Both signals 2008 and 2006 do not change (or change minimally), but the pressure signal on the occlusal surface of tooth 2006 is higher than the pressure signal 2006 of the brush in the air. In this way, it can be determined whether the sensor is on the occlusal surface of a tooth.

[0123] Alternatively, the flow sensor can be used as the interdental sensor 2002. Other sensor types may be used instead.

[0124] By using the interdental sensor 2002, based on sensing that utilizes either the flow rate or pressure of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube 102, and therefore uses the same system used for interdental gap detection, it can be determined that the toothbrush and irrigator combination is placed on the occlusal surface of tooth 602. The nozzle 104 moves in contact with tooth 602 during brushing, and contact with tooth 602 is interrupted when the nozzle 104 reaches the interdental gap. When contact with the tooth is interrupted, the pressure in the fluid delivery tube 102 decreases, and the flow rate increases when contact with the tooth is interrupted.

[0125] As shown in Figure 17, the device controller can activate different brushing or spray modes based on whether the nozzle 104 (and brush) is on the occlusal surface or the lateral surface of the tooth. For example, a system combining a toothbrush and an oral cleaner may have a motor that moves the toothbrush head for brushing. The motor can then perform different actions based on the processor's detection of whether the brush is on the occlusal surface or the lateral surface of the tooth. Similarly, different spray modes of the oral cleaner system may be used for the occlusal surface and the lateral surface of the tooth.

[0126] As described above, interdental sensing may be based on any appropriate sensing modality. For example, a change in electrical resistance between two electrodes is sensed in nozzle 104. Nozzle 104 moves in contact with the tooth and is sandwiched between two teeth when it reaches the interdental gap. The electrical resistance between the electrodes is then monitored. The electrical resistance decreases when the electrodes come into contact, for example, when the two electrodes are joined by compression in the interdental gap.

[0127] By using combinations of sensor signals, the specificity of occlusal surface and interdental sensing can be enhanced. This can be achieved by using additional sensor signals (such as brush force and angle) and an appropriate algorithm that interprets the combination of sensor measurements to determine whether the brush is brushing the occlusal surface. For example, a force sensor can be used to detect, for instance, the distribution of force (based on bending relative to pressure) or the angle information of brushing (roll, jaw, pitch).

[0128] Figure 20 shows a three-dimensional graph of the points where the nozzle 104 contacted the teeth during brushing, based on motion sensing. Position monitoring demonstrates that the location can be determined with sufficient accuracy to distinguish between the location of the tooth and the location of the interdental gap.

[0129] Figure 21 shows a two-dimensional graph of the points where the nozzle 104 contacts the teeth during brushing. Circle 2302 in Figure 21 represents the coordinates assigned to the interdental gap. A machine learning training session can be run to teach the processor to distinguish between interdental, occlusal, and airborne fluid pressure and resistance signal signatures in relation to angle combinations and / or interdental location coordinates. Once the angle combinations and / or interdental gap (3D) coordinates are determined in the training session, this information can be stored in memory and used by the processor in future cleaning sessions.

[0130] Those skilled in the art will be able to easily develop controllers and / or processors for performing the methods described herein. Thus, each step in the flowchart represents a different action performed by the controller and / or processor, which may be performed by each module of the processing controller and / or controller.

[0131] As described above, the embodiments utilize a controller. The controller can be implemented in various ways using software and / or hardware to perform a variety of necessary functions. A processor is an example of a controller employing one or more microprocessors programmed using software (such as microcode) to perform the necessary functions. However, the controller can be implemented regardless of the processor's adoption, and can also be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware for performing some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) for performing other functions.

[0132] Examples of controller components that may be used in various embodiments of this disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0133] In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media, such as volatile and non-volatile computer memory, including RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or controllers, perform the necessary functions. The various storage media may be fixed within the processor or controller, or they may be transportable so that one or more programs stored therein can be loaded into the processor.

[0134] Modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in carrying out the claimed invention, based on a review of the drawings, disclosures, and appended claims. In the claims, the word “includes” is not exclusive of other elements or steps, and the singular form is not exclusive of plural. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Note that where the term “adapted to…” is used in the claims or description, the term “adapted to…” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured to…”

Claims

1. A system for oral cleaning, wherein the system is A fluid delivery tube having a proximal end and a distal end for receiving oral irrigation fluid, The nozzle located at the distal end of the fluid delivery tube, An interdental sensor that detects whether the nozzle is in the interdental gap, A motion sensor for measuring the displacement of the nozzle, A processor that determines that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth, based on the fact that the displacement of the nozzle is greater than the critical distance and the interdental sensor does not detect an interdental gap during the displacement of the nozzle, Includes, The aforementioned critical distance is a system that indicates the length of the tooth.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor further determines that the nozzle is moving along the side surface of a tooth based on the fact that the displacement of the nozzle is greater than the critical distance and the interdental sensor detects an interdental gap during the displacement of the nozzle.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a pump for pressurizing and delivering fluid through the fluid delivery pipe, and a controller for controlling the pump.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the controller performs two injection modes for controlling the pump, and the first injection mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth, and the second injection mode is used when the processor determines that the nozzle is moving along the side surface of a tooth.

5. The interdental sensor is, A pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the fluid in the fluid delivery tube, A flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of fluid in the fluid delivery tube, or At least two electrodes at the tip of the nozzle, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including the system described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A force sensor that detects the force applied by the user between the nozzle and the teeth, Accelerometer, and A gyroscope for measuring the angle of the nozzle relative to the teeth, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising one or more of the above.

7. A method for determining whether an oral cleaning system is present on the occlusal surface of a tooth, A step of determining the displacement of the nozzle of the oral cleaning system, The steps include determining whether the nozzle is in the interdental space, The step of determining that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of the tooth by determining that the displacement of the nozzle is greater than the critical distance and that the nozzle was not in the interdental gap during the displacement of the nozzle, Methods that include...

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of determining that the nozzle is moving along the side surface of a tooth by determining that the displacement of the nozzle is greater than the critical distance and that the nozzle was in the interdental gap during the displacement of the nozzle.

9. A step of performing two spray modes for controlling the pump of the oral irrigation system, wherein a first spray mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth, and a second spray mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the side surface of a tooth, and / or A step of performing two brushing modes for controlling a motor that drives a toothbrush head, wherein a first brushing mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the occlusal surface of a tooth, and a second brushing mode is used when it is determined that the nozzle is moving along the side surface of a tooth, The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. A computer program comprising computer program code, wherein the computer program code, when executed on a processor, causes a processing system to perform the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. A processor on which the computer program described in claim 10 is stored.

12. A handle for an oral irrigation system, The handle has a contact portion for connecting to the oral irrigation head, A fluid delivery tube for delivering fluid to the oral irrigation head, A pump that pressurizes and delivers fluid to the fluid delivery pipe based on the pump configuration, The processor according to claim 11 for controlling the pump, A handle, including the handle.

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