Dental Flosser Biofluid Sensing for Early Periodontal Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis are inadequate for early detection, require frequent dental visits, are economically prohibitive, and lack affordability and ease of use, especially for low-income patients.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising yarns with filaments for collecting and analyzing oral fluids, potentially combined with a receptacle and electronic connection for biofluid analysis, and optionally including hydrophobic filaments for mechanical reinforcement, capable of diagnosing and treating oral cavity conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dental probe methods are used to measure periodontal pocket depth, then the disease can be detected during regular checkups, but the detection is prone to discrepancies due to pressure applied by the dentist and cannot identify the disease early before visible inflammation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dental probe measurement system with a chemical/biological sensing system. The device uses sensors that detect biomarkers (such as porphyrins, enzymes, or bacterial components) in gingival crevicular fluid to identify periodontal disease, eliminating the subjectivity and pressure-related discrepancies of manual probing. This substitution enables early detection before visible inflammation occurs, as the chemical markers appear before structural changes become apparent to the naked eye or mechanical probe.
2Reliability
If experimental early screening commercial products are used for chairside testing, then early disease detection may be achieved, but the tests are too slow, require reagent addition and washing steps, and are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming steps of reagent addition, mixing, and washing that are inherent in traditional immunoassay and nucleic acid hybridization tests. The device uses pre-integrated sensors with biomarker-specific recognition elements that directly bind to target analytes in the collected fluid, producing immediate results without requiring multiple manual intervention steps. This extraction of unnecessary steps reduces testing time from hours to minutes while maintaining early detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. The sensors automatically detect biomarkers in the collected gingival crevicular fluid without requiring user addition of reagents or performance of washing steps. The system performs the entire diagnostic function autonomously after sample collection, making it suitable for rapid chairside testing and eliminating the need for skilled laboratory personnel.
3Ease of operation
If lateral flow PerioScan kit is used, then qualitative detection of disease severity is possible, but the sensitivity is too low to satisfy clinical needs and it cannot provide quantitative measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the qualitative visual interpretation system of lateral flow assays with quantitative electrochemical or optical sensing. The sensors provide electrical or optical signals that are directly proportional to the concentration of biomarkers, enabling precise quantification of disease severity. This substitution maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving sensitivity and providing objective numerical data for clinical decision-making.
4Reliability
If regular dental checkups with visual verification and dental probes are used, then periodontal disease can be screened, but the method presents an economic barrier for low-income patients with limited or no dental insurance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sensor cartridges or single-use sensing elements that can be mass-produced at low cost. Each device contains pre-loaded sensors and collection components designed for one-time use, eliminating the need for expensive reusable equipment and complex sterilization procedures. This approach dramatically reduces the cost per test, making periodontal disease screening accessible to low-income patients and enabling widespread deployment in community health settings.
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
Enables affordable, frequent, and effective screening and treatment of oral health issues, including periodontal diseases, through portable and user-friendly means.
Implementation Method 1
The filaments can be hydrophilic and configured to collect and transfer a first fluid from the oral cavity to the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
The holder can further comprise one or more hydrophobic filaments positioned in the holder such that a portion of the one or more hydrophobic filaments is exposed and is configured to be placed in an oral cavity between two or more teeth together with the one or more yarns
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices comprising a) a holder comprising one or more yarns comprising one or more filaments and a receptacle; wherein the one or more yarns is positioned in a holder such that a portion of the one or more yarns is exposed and is configured to be placed in an oral cavity between two or more teeth; wherein the one or more yarns and the receptacle are in fluid communication, wherein the one or more yarns is configured to collect, store and/or transfer one or more fluids from and/or to the oral cavity; and wherein the device is configured to analyze the health of the oral cavity and/or deliver a treatment to the oral cavity. Also disclosed are kits comprising the same and methods of making and using such devices.