Intraoral LED Light Device for Bacterial Eradication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care regimens in healthcare settings are ineffective due to incomplete assessment tools, misconceptions about oral hygiene, resistance from patients, especially in special needs populations, and time constraints, leading to inadequate management of oral bacteria and dental caries.
Innovation Solution
A light treatment device with a light dome comprising LEDs, designed for intraoral use, which delivers different light treatments based on selected modes to address bacteria, plaque, and dental caries, utilizing red and blue light sources for pain relief, bacterial eradication, and plaque reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional oral care products (swabs or sponges) are used in healthcare settings, then the device complexity is low, but the effectiveness in managing oral bacteria and dental caries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical oral care products (swabs, sponges, brushes) with a light-based therapeutic system. The device uses LEDs to deliver specific wavelengths of light (e.g., blue light at 405-450nm for bacterial eradication, red light at 630-680nm for anti-inflammatory effects) to treat oral bacteria, plaque, and dental caries without mechanical contact, thereby improving effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple LEDs that can emit different wavelengths of light based on treatment needs. The system changes operational parameters by selecting different LED combinations and treatment durations (e.g., 15-30 seconds per quadrant) to address various oral conditions, enabling versatile treatment approaches with a compact device
2Reliability
If aggressive oral hygiene is implemented to reduce pneumonia risk, then the health benefit is improved, but the time required for oral care increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed for brief, periodic application rather than continuous use. Each treatment session involves activating the appropriate LEDs for 15-30 seconds per oral quadrant, with the entire oral cavity treated in 1-2 minutes. This periodic action achieves effective bacterial reduction and pneumonia risk mitigation without requiring prolonged oral care time
Solution Approach 2:
The device focuses treatment on specific areas needing intervention rather than requiring comprehensive mechanical cleaning of the entire oral cavity. By targeting bacterial colonies and affected areas with light therapy for short durations, the system achieves sufficient oral hygiene benefits for pneumonia prevention without the time commitment of aggressive traditional oral hygiene
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of light treatments are delivered to address different oral conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple LEDs capable of emitting different wavelengths (blue light for bacterial eradication, red light for tissue healing and anti-inflammatory effects, green light for specific bacterial targets) within a single unit. A controller enables selection of different treatment modes by activating specific LED combinations, providing versatile treatment for various oral conditions including bacteria, plaque, gingivitis, and dental caries without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple light sources and treatment functions into a single integrated device. The controller combines signals for selecting different LED wavelengths and treatment durations, while the power source supplies energy to all LEDs. This consolidation of multiple treatment capabilities into one device achieves high adaptability while managing complexity through integrated design
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 device provides a cost-effective and efficient method to manage oral tissue health by reducing bacterial signs and symptoms, improving oral hygiene, and potentially reducing the risk of pneumonia through targeted light therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a light dome comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes ('LEDs') and configured to be positioned inside an oral cavity and to deliver a plurality of types of light treatments to the inside of the oral cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A light device includes an elongated arm comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed at a first end of the elongated arm and configured to be positioned inside an oral cavity and to deliver one of a plurality of types of light treatments to the inside of the oral cavity according to a selected one of a plurality of operating modes. The light device further includes a body coupled to the elongated arm at a second end of the elongated arm. The body includes a battery for providing power to the LEDs. The body further includes a mode module coupled to the battery and the plurality of LEDs and configured to deliver power from the battery to at least one of the plurality of LEDS based on the selected operating mode.