Capillary Interdental Cleaning Device Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes are ineffective in removing plaque from interproximal areas between teeth, and flossing is difficult for many people, leading to inadequate cleaning and increased risk of periodontal disease.
Innovation Solution
An interdental cleaning device with a reservoir containing oral care fluid and a capillary material applicator that delivers the fluid via capillary action to the spaces between teeth, providing enhanced cleaning and targeted application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothbrushes are used, then the teeth surfaces are cleaned, but the interproximal areas between teeth cannot be adequately cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is segmented into a handle and a removable head with interproximal cleaning elements. The cleaning elements are separated into occlusal surfaces and interproximal surfaces, allowing each to perform its specific cleaning function effectively. This segmentation enables the brush to access and clean previously unreachable interproximal areas while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to toothbrush functionality by incorporating interproximal cleaning elements that extend between the bristle rows. This creates a three-dimensional cleaning structure that simultaneously cleans occlusal surfaces, interproximal surfaces, and gingival margins, transforming the traditional two-dimensional brush surface into a multi-dimensional cleaning system.
2Reliability
If flossing is used to clean interproximal areas, then plaque removal is improved, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming for many people
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple cleaning functions into a single toothbrush device. The interproximal cleaning elements are integrated with the brush head, combining the plaque removal effectiveness of flossing with the ease of operation of brushing. Users can clean interproximal areas, occlusal surfaces, and gingival margins simultaneously with one simple brushing motion, eliminating the need for separate flossing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush design allows users to clean interproximal areas without requiring manual manipulation of floss. The interproximal cleaning elements are positioned and oriented to automatically engage with tooth surfaces during normal brushing movements, making the cleaning process self-service and eliminating the need for complex user techniques.
3Productivity
If traditional toothbrush bristles are used, then general tooth cleaning is achieved, but targeted cleaning of specific areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush incorporates cleaning elements with different local qualities tailored to specific areas. The interproximal cleaning elements have different dimensions, orientations, and material properties compared to the occlusal bristles. This local quality differentiation enables precise targeting of specific areas such as interproximal surfaces and gingival margins, improving both overall cleaning efficiency and targeted area precision.
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
Effectively cleans interproximal areas, reducing plaque and bacteria, and provides continuous delivery of oral care benefits, making it easier to maintain oral hygiene in hard-to-reach regions.
Implementation Method 1
the stem comprises a capillary material that extends into the reservoir to be in fluid communication with the oral care fluid so that the capillary material of the stem delivers the oral care fluid from the reservoir to the at least one cleaning element via capillary action
Data Source
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AI summary
An interdental cleaning device that delivers an oral care fluid to a cleaning element via capillary action. The invention can be an interdental cleaning device comprising: a housing forming an internal reservoir containing an oral care fluid; an applicator extending from the housing, the applicator comprising a stem and at least one cleaning element extending from the stem; and wherein the stem comprises a capillary material that extends into the reservoir to be in fluid communication with the oral care fluid so that the capillary material of the stem delivers the oral care fluid from the reservoir to the at least one cleaning element via capillary action.