Motion detection and coaching for a mouthpiece toothbrush

Abstract

A mouthpiece toothbrush which includes provision for the coaching of a user includes a handle, a mouthpiece attachable to the handle, a user interface adapted to communicate feedback to a user, a motion sensor, and a processor which receives from the sensor data corresponding to the motion of the mouthpiece and causes the user interface to communicate feedback based on the sensor data. The motion sensor may be an IMU, or other type of sensor or combination of sensors that senses acceleration, orientation, and / or other movement parameters. The motion sensor or sensors may be in the handle. An embodiment of the mouthpiece toothbrush includes a timing unit, such as a clock as part of the processor or as a separate element. The user interface may include an LED, an LCD screen, a haptic device and / or a sound-emitting device, and the feedback includes feedback based on movement of the toothbrush along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece. The feedback may include feedback based on the timing of rotation of the toothbrush around the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece and may include feedback on the time interval between commencement of brushing and the rotation.

Description

[0001] MOTION DETECTION AND COACHING FOR A MOUTHPIECE TOOTHBRUSH

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of dental cleaning and relates to a powered toothbrush using a mouthpiece to produce improved cleaning of teeth.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Cleaning one's teeth is a necessary, yet time consuming chore necessary for good oral health. Various manual and powered dental cleaning products exist for the removal of dental plaque from the teeth. Most manual and power toothbrushes require two or more minutes of use in order to effectively remove plaque buildup. However, studies have shown the average person only brushes for a mere thirty-seven seconds. Furthermore, nearly eighty-seven percent of the population does not floss daily, which may lead to additional plaque buildup between teeth that can result in poor oral health.

[0006] Power toothbrushes have been shown by clinical studies to more effectively remove plaque. But less than 30 percent of the population of the United States uses a power toothbrush. The effectiveness of power toothbrushes is also very technique dependent. Small brushing heads on typical toothbrushes require precision positioning for the bristles to contact the proper locations on the teeth. Poor technique may result in tooth surfaces being cleaned in a non- uniform fashion, which may lead to plaque buildup that is even more difficult to remove during subsequent cleanings. Poor brushing techniques may also lead to other oral health problems, such as soft-tissue abrasion, gingival recession, cervical wear (wear occurring at the neck of the tooth), and dentinal hypersensitivity.

[0007] Examples of mouthpiece toothbrushes that address the shortcomings of conventional dental care devices are described in US Patent 8,359,692 and in PCT publications WO2022 / 109278, WO2022 / 109342 and WO2022 / 109345, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. These systems include a mouthpiece brush head having an upper and lower dental tray which is pneumatically actuated by inflation and deflation of bladders between the upper and lower dental trays. These systems provide a power toothbrush that reduces the time and effort required for effective brushing. With such a mouthpiece, it is necessary for a user to have the mouthpiece in contact with the teeth for a certain amount of time, and, in the case of a J- shaped mouthpiece, to use it on both sides of the dental arc.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, a mouthpiece toothbrush includes a handle, a mouthpiece attachable to the handle, a user interface adapted to communicate feedback to a user, a motion sensor, and a processor which receives from the sensor data corresponding to the motion of the mouthpiece and causes the user interface to communicate feedback based on the sensor data. The motion sensor may be an IMU, or other type of sensor or combination of sensors that senses acceleration, orientation, and / or other movement parameters. The motion sensor or sensors may be in the handle. The mouthpiece toothbrush may include a timing unit, such as, for example, a clock that is a part of the processor or a separate element.

[0010] In an embodiment, the user interface includes at least one of: an LED, an LCD screen, a haptic device and a sound-emitting device, and the feedback includes feedback based on movement of the toothbrush along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece. The feedback may include feedback based on the timing of rotation of the toothbrush around the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece, and may include feedback on the time interval between commencement of brushing and the rotation.

[0011] In an embodiment, the toothbrush may include a communication unit capable of communicating to a device remote from the mouthpiece toothbrush, via Bluetooth, WiFi or other wireless communication means. In this embodiment, the user interface may be a display screen on the remote device, and / or a speaker in the remote device.

[0012] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for operating a user interface of a mouthpiece toothbrush includes receiving from a motion sensor in the toothbrush data indicative of motion of the mouthpiece within a user’s mouth, determining from the data whether the motion is within a predetermined threshold for movement, instructing the user interface to signal the user when the motion is not within the predetermined threshold. Where the mouthpiece toothbrush includes a mouthpiece comprising a dental tray, the predetermined threshold for movement may be a number of times the mouthpiece is moved in a plane parallel to the plane of the dental tray. In an embodiment where the mouthpiece is J-shaped, the predetermined threshold for movement may include a time duration before the mouthpiece is flipped from one side of the mouth to the other. Instructing the user interface to signal the user may include instructing the user interface to display a visual signal and / or output an audio signal.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Example embodiments are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawing figures. It is emphasized that the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. Wherever applicable and practical, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a mouthpiece toothbrush according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the mouthpiece toothbrush of Fig. 1 positioned on a user’s teeth;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic illustration of the mouthpiece toothbrush handle of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by the embodiment of Fig. 1; and FIG. 6 is an example of a graph of acceleration data from a motion sensor

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the following detailed description, for the purposes of explanation and not limitation, representative embodiments disclosing specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments according to the present teachings. However, other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure that depart from specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims.

[0021] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an example of an embodiment of a power toothbrush using a mouthpiece includes a handle portion 1, a pneumatic pump disposed within the handle portion, and a brush head 2 coupled to the handle portion. The brush head 2 includes a first dental tray 3 that includes a first set of cleaning elements such as bristles on brush pads for simultaneously cleaning multiple tooth surfaces of a first set of teeth in the upper dental arch. The brush head also includes a second dental tray 4 that includes a second set of cleaning elements for simultaneously cleaning multiple tooth surfaces of a second set of teeth in the lower dental arch. Referring to Fig. 3, the brush head further includes one or more inflatable bladder(s) 5 disposed between the upper and lower and second dental trays. The inflatable bladder 5 is in fluid communication with the pneumatic pump in the handle 1 which provides pressure to inflate the bladder(s) and suction to deflate the bladder(s). The inflation of the bladder(s) causes the first dental tray 3 and the second dental tray 4 to move apart and deflation of the bladder cause the first and second dental trays to move together, moving the cleaning elements in an upward and downward motion along the multiple tooth surfaces .

[0022] Cleaning effectiveness of a mouthpiece toothbrush is less dependent on user technique than a conventional manual or power toothbrush. However, during brushing with a mouthpiece, toothbrush, such as a J-shaped mouthpiece, movement of the mouthpiece ensures that all teeth surfaces come into contact with the cleaning elements for a prescribed duration of time, to achieve a whole-mouth clean. If a user fails to impart a back-and-forth motion to the mouthpiece or imparts only an insufficient movement or a movement that does not meet prescribed time parameters, it is possible that a whole-mouth clean is not achieved. , or not at all. This would result in poor cleaning performance . Additionally, with a J-shaped mouthpiece brush bead, the user is required to flip the mouthpiece to ensure both sides of the dental arch are cleaned and spend a sufficient amount of time on both sides of their mouth. If users spend an insufficient amount of time on a side, it would be beneficial to be able to detect this and give that feedback to the user as coaching.

[0023] In an embodiment, this can be achieved by using a motion sensor such as, for example an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to detect the motion that the user is imparting to the mouthpiece brush head. If the movement is below a performance threshold, then feedback can be communicated to the user as coaching. IMUs found in commercially available power toothbrushes such as the Sonicare ® DiamondClean Smart® power toothbrush can be used in this embodiment. Use of IMUs in a conventional sonic toothbrush is discussed in WO2022148713A1 and US10952528B2 , each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples of motion sensors include one or more accelerometers and / or gyroscopes, or other elements capable of measuring acceleration and / or orientation, alone or in combination.

[0024] Referring to the partial schematic illustration of a handle in Fig. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, a mouthpiece toothbrush device for detecting motion includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 10 in the handle 1 and at least one processor 11. The IMU measure motions of the handle and generates motion data indicative of the motions of the handle. The at least one processor is operable to, during a brushing session, obtain the motion data from the IMU corresponding to the motion of the handle 1. A timing element such as a clock included with the processor or as a separate electronic element provides timing data so that the duration and timing of motions is known.

[0025] In some embodiments, the handle may further include an output interface 12 operable to provide audio, visual, and / or haptic feedback to the user. This user interface can be, for example, LEDs or an LCD screen on the handle, or a haptic device or sound-emitting device. A communication unit may be provided in the handle to provide wireless communication with a remote (i.e., outside of the handle) device, such as a smart phone, tablet or other device with a display screen and / or speaker. The remote device can then act as the user interface.

[0026] The arrows in Fig. 1 illustrate the orientation of the X, Y and Z axes for a mouthpiece toothbrush and its inertial measurement unit. As illustrated, the Y axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. With respect to the mouthpiece itself, the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece is parallel to the plane of the upper and / or lower dental tray. For clarity, the Z-axis is perpendicular to both the X and the Y axis, i.e., the arrow representing the Z-axis extends outward from the plane on which the figure is depicted.

[0027] In a first scenario where coaching would be beneficial, there is insufficient movement or lack of movement during brushing. The primary direction for user movement would be moving the brush head towards the back of the mouth, and then towards the front of the mouth. This is captured as displacement along the Y axis. In an example where 15-seconds per side of the mouth and 6 changes of direction (back and forth motion) are prescribed, this can be easily measured in the signal analysis of data from the IMU 10. Other pre-determined parameters can be used if desired. Referring to Fig. 6, if the accelerations are not sufficiently large to meet thresholds a and b, or are fewer than a threshold number, then an LED will be illuminated as feedback, or feedback though other user interface mechanisms (audio, visual or haptic) would be given.

[0028] A second scenario for coaching would be one where there has been insufficient brushing time on a side of the mouth. The mouth side being brushed can be determined as the Z-axis will point either up or down (assuming the user is standing erect). When the handle is flipped, there will be a 180 degree rotation of the product around the Y-axis, i.e., the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mouthpiece. By analyzing these two IMU data streams, orientation of the Z-axis and rotation about the Y-axis, the point in time when the mouthpiece is flipped can be determined , and so brushing / treatment time per side can be determined. LEDs on the handle or other feedback mechanisms can communicate to the user if a prescribed time has elapsed before flipping the mouthpiece or can signal to the user when it is time to flip the mouthpiece to the other side of the mouth, to coach the user.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 5, an embodiment of a process for providing feedback has a first step 20 of receiving motion data from an IMU in the toothbrush. In a step 21, motion along the Y-axis is monitored. In step 22, rotational motion around the Y-axis and orientation around the Z-axis is monitored. In step 23, feedback is provided on whether the motion along the Y-axis is outside of (or inside of, or both) predetermined parameters. In step 24, feedback is provided on whether time spent brushing on a side is outside (or inside or both) predetermined parameters based on rotation about the Y-axis and orientation of the Z-axis.

[0030] The IMU could be placed on a non-vibrating structure within the handle to capture the rigid body motion of the product. Preferably this location would be as a part of the main printed circuit board PCB for ease of manufacturability and assembly. The IMU would be activated when a brushing session is initiated, and the resultant data would be processed by the MCU. A simplified mouth map using LEDs on the handle can provide post-brushing feedback. Alternative methods for providing post-brushing feedback would be haptic or audio feedback, or, by transmitting data to a remote device, such as a smart phone, graphical or text feedback displayed on the device’s screen or audio from the device’s speaker.

[0031] 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. 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.” 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.

[0032] 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.”

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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. A mouthpiece toothbrush comprising: a handle; a mouthpiece attachable to the handle; a user interface adapted to communicate feedback to a user; a motion sensor; and a processor which receives from the sensor data corresponding to the motion of the mouthpiece and causes the user interface to communicate feedback based on the sensor data.

2. The mouthpiece toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor is an IMU.

3. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims further comprising a timing unit.

4. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims wherein the motion sensor is in the handle.

5. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims wherein the user interface includes at least one of: an LED, an LCD screen, a haptic device and a sound-emitting device.

6. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims wherein the feedback includes feedback based on movement of the toothbrush along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece.

7. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims wherein the feedback includes feedback based on the timing of rotation of the toothbrush around the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or mouthpiece.

8. The mouthpiece toothbrush of claim 6 wherein the feedback includes feedback on the time interval between commencement of brushing and the rotation.

9. The mouthpiece toothbrush of any of the preceding claims further comprising a communication unit capable of communicating to a device remote from the mouthpiece toothbrush.

10. The mouthpiece toothbrush of claim 9 wherein the user interface is a display screen on the remote device.

11. The mouthpiece toothbrush of claim 9 wherein the user interface is a speaker in the remote device.

12. A computer-implemented method for operating a user interface of a mouthpiece toothbrush comprising: receiving from a motion sensor in the toothbrush data indicative of motion of the mouthpiece within a user’s mouth; determining from the data whether the motion is within a predetermined threshold for movement; instructing the user interface to signal the user when the motion is not within the predetermined threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mouthpiece toothbrush includes a mouthpiece comprising a dental tray and wherein the predetermined threshold for movement is a number of times the mouthpiece is moved in a plane parallel to the plane of the dental tray.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the mouthpiece is J-shaped and wherein the predetermined threshold for movement further includes a time duration before the mouthpiece is flipped from one side of the mouth to the other.

15. The method of any of claims 12 through 14, wherein instructing the user interface to signal the user includes instructing the user interface to display a visual signal and / or output an audio signal.

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