Camera Toothbrush Integrating Imaging and Cleaning Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toothbrushes lack the ability to visually inspect hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, making it difficult for users to determine the effectiveness of cleaning and detect dental issues like plaque, calculus, and gum swelling without a dental check-up.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush equipped with a camera and light source that captures images and videos of the teeth and mouth, allowing for real-time monitoring and transmission to a display unit or dentist's office for consultation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a camera and light source are added to the toothbrush, then the ability to visually inspect teeth and detect dental issues is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera, light source, power source, and control circuitry into an integrated toothbrush device. The camera is positioned within the brush head along with the light source, creating a unified imaging system that captures dental images during normal brushing. This merging of multiple functions into a single device enables visual inspection of teeth without requiring separate diagnostic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush serves multiple functions: it cleans teeth through bristles while simultaneously capturing images through the camera, provides illumination through the light source, and transmits data wirelessly. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform both oral hygiene and dental diagnostics in a single tool, reducing the need for separate devices.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If imaging components are integrated into the toothbrush head, then the ability to capture images of hard-to-reach areas is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into functional modules: the brush head containing bristles and imaging components, the handle containing the power source and control circuitry, and the wireless transmission unit. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured separately and then assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while enabling complex functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera and light source are positioned within the brush head structure, with the camera lens oriented to face the teeth during brushing. The imaging components are nested within the existing toothbrush geometry, utilizing the compact space of the brush head to house multiple functional elements without significantly increasing overall size.
3Illumination intensity
If a light source is added near the camera lens, then the illumination of the field of view is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the camera is triggered to capture an image. The control circuitry manages the timing of light emission to coincide with image capture moments, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring adequate illumination during the brief imaging interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is positioned to illuminate the field of view automatically when the camera is activated, requiring no separate manual operation. The system self-regulates the illumination based on the imaging needs, turning the light on only when required for image capture and keeping it off during normal brushing to conserve energy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances oral hygiene by enabling users to visually assess cleaning effectiveness and detect dental issues early, facilitating easier detection and prevention of dental diseases.
Implementation Method 1
A light source can be placed near the camera lens to illuminate the field of the camera
Implementation Method 2
A camera lens is placed in the head to capture pictures and videos to transmit to a display unit
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush that contains an imaging device being camera for seeing teeth on an image display monitor before, during and after cleaning them and for storing and transferring images and videos of teeth and oral tissues for better maintenance of oral hygiene and health. The toothbrush with camera comprises a brush head (1) with bristles (3) and a camera (4), and a hollow handle (2) containing camera assembly. Different embodiments of the toothbrush with camera are disclosed herein.