Interdental cleaning device

Abstract

An oral health device for home use, and more particularly for interdental cleaning, can be attached to a conventional sonic toothbrush handle to move an interdental cleaning implement in a combination of reciprocating and oscillating motion to allow for a large coverage of the interdental space while keeping the interdental pick thin enough to easily be inserted in small interdental gap. The interproximal cleaning device includes an interdental cleaning implement; held at an offset from the axis of rotation. Of the sonic toothbrush's drive shaft.

Description

[0001] INTERDENTAL CLEANING DEVICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention described herein relates to oral hygiene tools for cleaning interdental tooth surfaces.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Interdental cleaning is one of the most important aspects to maintain healthy teeth and gums. It is well known and widely accepted that lack of interdental cleaning can lead to gum, periodontal and peri-implant diseases, which have been linked to dental implant failure, heart problems, diabetes and numerous other serious medical issues. Dental professionals recommend interdental brushes (IDB) as the gold standard for interdental cleaning. However, many people are not complying due to the poor experience with using an IDB. Employing an IDB requires proper technique. It is difficult to use with narrow interdental spaces and can be hard to push between the teeth and gum, causing pain and bleeding. Furthermore, the brush needs to be moved around to have a good cleaning action. Users often find that it requires too much effort and is time consuming.

[0006] There have been devices in the market that try to address some of these issues by electromechanically vibrating a pick. But the vibratory path of travel of the pick does not provide much plaque removal beyond what a manual pick would. Additionally, these devices require space in the bathroom to store yet another oral hygiene device, in addition to a toothbrush and / or water flosser.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure is directed generally to oral health devices for home use, and mor particularly to a device for interdental cleaning. Disclosed is a device that can be attached to a conventional sonic toothbrush handle to move an interdental cleaning implement such as, for example, a dental pick, in a combination of reciprocating and oscillating motion to allow for a large coverage of the interdental space while keeping the interdental pick thin enough to easily be inserted in small interdental gap.

[0009] In a disclosed example, an interproximal cleaning device, in the form of an attachment is attachable to a sonic toothbrush having a motion-transmitting drive shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation when in use. The interproximal cleaning device includes an interdental cleaning implement; an elongate neck having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a first coupling mechanism in proximity to the first end and adapted to couple the neck to the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the neck substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft; and a second coupling mechanism in proximity to the second end and adapted to hold the interdental cleaning implement at an offset from the axis of rotation.

[0010] In an example embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the neck lies substantially coincident with the axis of rotation when the neck is coupled to the toothbrush. The neck may also include an extension in proximity to the second end, the extension protruding from the neck at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second coupling mechanism is located on the extension at a position offset from the axis of rotation.

[0011] In the disclosed examples, the interdental cleaning implement may be an interdental brush, a dental pick, and / or pliable tip.

[0012] In an example embodiment, the offset between the axis of rotation and the end of the extension piece is at least 10 mm. The offset may have a length that causes the interdental cleaning implement to move in a reciprocating motion through a path having a length of at least 1.7 mm.

[0013] In example embodiments, the device has a first coupling mechanism adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive shaft.

[0014] In an example embodiment, the interdental cleaning implement is replaceably coupled to the neck.

[0015] An interdental cleaning system is disclosed, which includes a power toothbrush handle with a rotating drive shaft extending therefrom; an interproximal cleaning device adapted to be replaceably attached to the drive shaft and comprising: an elongate neck having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a first coupling mechanism in proximity to the first end which is adapted to couple the neck to the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the neck substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft; a second coupling mechanism in proximity to the second end and adapted to hold an interdental cleaning implement at an offset from the axis of rotation.

[0016] In the disclosed system, the interdental cleaning implement may be an interdental brush, a dental pick and / or pliable tip. The first coupling mechanism may be adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive shaft.

[0017] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

[0018] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0021] Fig. l is a perspective view of an interdental cleaning device and a power toothbrush handle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Fig. 2 is an illustration of the interdental cleaning device of Fig. 1 positioned for use in an interdental space.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a head-on view of the device of Fig. 1 mounted to the handle of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate examples of interdental cleaning implements.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Embodiments of the invention provide a device that will clean interdental tooth surfaces by moving an interdental cleaning element with a movement path and amplitude that promotes plaque removal beyond what could be achieved by a hand-held manual implement. Some embodiments may provide an attachment that can be coupled to a power toothbrush handle. A user may remove a brush head and replace it with an embodiment of a device for interdental cleaning. This enables a user to use their power toothbrush handle for both brushing and for interdental cleaning by alternately removing the brush head and attaching the interdental cleaning device, which can in turn be removed for reattachment of the brush head. An embodiment achieves a reciprocating and oscillating motion of an implement attached to a sonic toothbrush handle, thereby providing a new way to use the handle with an interdental cleaning implement as well as a brush head.

[0026] In Figs. 1-3, an interproximal cleaning device 10 for attachment to a sonic toothbrush handle 12 is illustrated. The sonic toothbrush handle 12 has a motion-transmitting drive shaft 14 that rotates in an arc about an axis of rotation when in use. An example of such a power toothbrush handle is the Philips Sonicare® DiamondClean® toothbrush handle which is commercially available for purchase. The interproximal cleaning device 10 includes an interdental cleaning implement 16. Referring to Figs. 4-6, the implement may be, for example, a dental pick 18, an interdental brush 20, or a pliable tip 22 which can also be used for massaging the gums. For the sake of conciseness of language, as used herein, the term “interdental cleaning” includes interdental plaque-removal and also interdental gum massage.

[0027] The interproximal cleaning device 10 has an elongated neck 24 with a first end 25 and a second end 26. A first coupling mechanism 28 in proximity to the first end 25 can removably couple the neck 24 to the drive shaft 14 with the longitudinal axis of the neck 24 substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 14. This coupling mechanism 28 may be adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive shaft 14. The coupling mechanism 28 may be, for example, a coupling mechanism like that used in Philips Sonicare® replacement brush heads. These brush heads are commercially available. Other coupling mechanisms such as, for example, those used in other brands of replacement brush heads for power toothbrushes, could alternatively be used.

[0028] The second end 26 of the interdental cleaning device neck 24 is adapted to hold the interdental cleaning implement 16 at an offset from the axis of rotation. This may include a second coupling mechanism 30 that affixes the cleaning implement 16 permanently to the neck 24 or, alternatively, may hold the implement 16 in a manner allowing it to be removed and replaced. This would allow for replacement of the interdental cleaning implement 16 should it become worn, without needing to replace the entire device.

[0029] The interdental cleaning implement 16 may take the form of a resilient dental pick 18. A silicon toothpick, for example, could be replaceable inserted into the extension of the device from the back. Silicone with grade between 40-90 shore A (hardness) may be used as a material for such an implement. A thicker resilient head and / or pliable tip as an alternative may be advantageous for massaging the gums. Alternatively, an interdental brush 20 with bristles in a conical shape or cylindrical shape could form the interdental cleaning implement.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the offset is provided by an extension 32 of the second end 26 that is angled from the axis of rotation. For example, it can form a dogleg extension 32 forming an angle of 90 degrees from the axis of rotation. The interdental cleaning implement 16 extends outward from the extension 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement 16 extends at a 90-degree angle from the extension. 32. This places the base of the interdental cleaning element 16 at an offset from the drive shaft axis of rotation. The resulting motion of the interdental cleaning implement 16 as the drive shaft 14 rotates in an arc (indicated as arc a-a in Fig. 3) includes a reciprocating motion component that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, thus providing back and forth movement through and within the interdental space when in use as illustrated in Fig. 2. The motion of the drive shaft 14 of a sonic toothbrush is optimized for brushing and provides an oscillating motion of a brush head. A more optimal motion for interdental cleaning is a reciprocating motion. Thus, an aspect of the disclosed device is the provision of a more optimal motion (reciprocating motion) of an interdental cleaning implement 16 attached to a sonic toothbrush handle 12 while keeping the same drivetrain used for brushing.

[0031] An offset of 10 mm, which would be a size that is comfortable when inserted into the mouth, has been found to provide an amplitude of the reciprocating motion of up to 1.7 mm, which is large enough to provide cleaning action over a substantial area of the tooth surfaces. A larger offset could lead to even higher amplitude when maintaining the load.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 3, the motion of the cleaning implement 16 in the illustrated embodiment will have components in two dimensions, i.e., a combination of reciprocating motion along axis b-b and an oscillating motion along axis c-c. This motion allows for a large coverage of the interdental space with an interdental pick thin enough to easily be inserted into a small interdental gap.

[0033] The illustrated embodiment shows an interdental cleaning g device that is detachable from the handle 12. It will be understood that an alternative embodiment would have the device permanently attached to the handle and engaged with the drive shaft 14. In this case, a hand-held powered oral cleaning device dedicated to interdental cleaning use would be provided.

[0034] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0035] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0036] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0037] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0038] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0039] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0040] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An interproximal cleaning device for attachment to a sonic toothbrush having a motion-transmitting drive shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation when in use, the device comprising: an interdental cleaning implement; an elongate neck having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a first coupling mechanism in proximity to the first end and adapted to couple the neck to the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the neck substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft; and a second coupling mechanism in proximity to the second end and adapted to hold the interdental cleaning implement at an offset from the axis of rotation.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis of the neck lies substantially coincident with the axis of rotation when the neck is coupled to the toothbrush.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the neck further comprises an extension in proximity to the second end, the extension protruding from the neck at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second coupling mechanism is located on the extension at a position offset from the axis of rotation.

4. The device of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the interdental cleaning implement comprises an interdental brush.

5. The device of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the interdental cleaning implement comprises a dental pick.

6. The device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interdental cleaning element comprises a pliable tip.

7. The device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the offset between the axis of rotation and the end of the extension piece is at least 10 mm.

8. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the offset has a length that causes the interdental cleaning implement to move in a reciprocating motion through a path having a length of at least 1.7 mm.

9. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the first coupling mechanism is adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive shaft.

10. The device of any of the preceding claims wherein the interdental cleaning implement is replaceably coupled to the neck.

11. An interdental cleaning system comprising: a power toothbrush handle with a rotating drive shaft extending therefrom; an interproximal cleaning device adapted to be replaceably attached to the drive shaft and comprising: an elongate neck having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a first coupling mechanism in proximity to the first end which is adapted to couple the neck to the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the neck substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft; a second coupling mechanism in proximity to the second end and adapted to hold an interdental cleaning implement at an offset from the axis of rotation.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the interdental cleaning implement comprises an interdental brush.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the interdental cleaning implement comprises a dental pick.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the interdental cleaning implement comprises a pliable tip.

15. The system of any of claims 12 through 14, wherein the first coupling mechanism is adapted to be repeatedly coupled to and uncoupled from the drive shaft.

Images