Electric Toothbrush With Integrated Suction And Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care tools, such as manual toothbrushes, are inadequate for providing effective hygiene to patients with restricted oral motion or physical barriers, leading to inadequate cleaning and increased risk of pneumonia, as they require manual dexterity and are not easily accessible in hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush with a rotating or oscillating low-profile head, integrated suction and irrigation ports, and a user-friendly interface that allows for one-handed operation, reducing the need for manual dexterity and enabling simultaneous brushing, irrigation, and suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual toothbrushes are used for oral care, then they can remove dental plaque and debris, but they require manual dexterity and are difficult to operate for patients with restricted mobility or in hospital settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical brushing system with an electric motor-driven oscillating/rotating brush head system. The motor is housed within the toothbrush handle and drives the brush head through mechanical transmission, eliminating the need for manual dexterity while maintaining effective plaque removal through automated mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single toothbrush device: brushing (via oscillating/rotating bristles), suction (through integrated suction ports and vacuum mechanism), and irrigation (via fluid delivery system). This multi-functional design allows the device to effectively clean, remove debris, and rinse the oral cavity without requiring separate tools, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive cleaning effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If foam swabs are used for oral care, then they require less manual dexterity to manipulate, but they are inferior in removing oral debris and dried secretions compared to manual toothbrushes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive foam swab mechanical system with an active electric motor-driven oscillating/rotating brush head system. The motorized brush head delivers controlled mechanical action that is superior for removing adherent debris and dried secretions, while still requiring minimal manual dexterity from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic brush head that oscillates and/or rotates during operation, providing variable mechanical action that adapts to different cleaning needs. This dynamic movement enhances debris removal effectiveness compared to static foam swabs, while the automated motion reduces the manual dexterity required for effective operation.
3Reliability
If separate tools are used for brushing, irrigation, and suction, then each function can be optimized, but the overall process becomes complex and time-consuming for caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate oral care functions (brushing, irrigation, and suction) into a single integrated device. The brush head, irrigation ports, and suction ports are combined in one unit, allowing simultaneous or sequential performance of all three functions without requiring multiple separate tools, thereby reducing complexity and saving time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional toothbrush that performs brushing, irrigation, and suction through a single device. The handle houses components for all three functions, and the head incorporates bristles, irrigation ports, and suction ports, enabling one tool to replace multiple specialized tools while maintaining functional effectiveness.
4Reliability
If traditional toothbrushes are used for intubated patients, then they can clean the oral cavity, but physical barriers such as endotracheal tubes and bite blocks hamper access to the oral cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic brush head with oscillating and/or rotating motion that can adapt to limited access conditions. The automated mechanical action allows effective cleaning with minimal manual manipulation, enabling the brush head to reach and clean areas that would be difficult to access with traditional manual toothbrushes, especially when physical barriers are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the oral cavity into multiple accessible zones by using a brush head design that can be maneuvered in segmented cleaning patterns. The oscillating/rotating motion breaks down plaque in small increments across different tooth surfaces, allowing effective cleaning even when full access to the oral cavity is restricted by intubation equipment.
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
The electric toothbrush effectively removes dental plaque and debris, stimulates gingival tissues, and provides oral moisturizers, improving oral health for patients with limited mobility or access, while simplifying the oral care process for caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suction port for vacuum suction
Implementation Method 2
rotating and/or oscillating low profile head
Implementation Method 3
rotating and/or oscillating low profile head
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush for use by an operator and capable of being connected to a suction device and a syringe. The toothbrush includes a head, a handle, and a suction assembly. The head includes a plurality of bristles and an irrigation port configured to be in fluid communication with the syringe. The handle is coupled to the head and includes a user interface and a controller configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the plurality of bristles in response to feedback from the operator through the user interface. The suction assembly is coupled to one of the head and the handle and configured to be coupled to the suction device. The suction assembly includes a suction tip that is moveable relative to the head.