Oral Health Appliance Light Feedback System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-based oral health systems are expensive, complex, and require professional training, making them unsuitable for home use, and lack the ability to provide feedback on coverage of dental areas during detection and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A portable oral care appliance using a single or multiple light sources for diagnosis and treatment, equipped with a light receiver, sensor, processor, and display to provide feedback on coverage and condition identification, allowing users to detect and treat oral health issues effectively at home.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light-based oral health systems are used, then detection and treatment functions are provided, but the systems are expensive, complex, and require professional training making them unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (detection, treatment, and coverage tracking) into a single integrated appliance. The light source, light receiver, sensor assembly, and processor are merged into one portable device that can be used by consumers at home, eliminating the need for separate professional equipment while maintaining reliable detection and treatment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting oral health conditions using light, treating conditions with light therapy, and tracking coverage of treated areas. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate professional devices with a single universal appliance suitable for home use
2Reliability
If conventional light-based oral health systems are used, then detection and treatment functions are provided, but the systems lack the capability of determining which dental areas have been investigated and treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the light receiver detects reflected light from treated areas, and the processor analyzes this information to determine which dental regions have been investigated and treated. The system provides real-time feedback to the user through visual or auditory signals indicating coverage status, ensuring complete examination and treatment while preventing redundant applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference sensors as intermediaries that detect light reflection patterns to map and track treated areas. These sensors act as mediators between the light source and the processor, providing spatial information about which dental regions have been exposed to treatment light, thereby preventing information loss about coverage
3Loss of information
If reference sensors are used to provide coverage determination, then coverage information is provided, but the systems are awkward, uncomfortable, and expensive to use
Solution Approach 1:
The reference sensors are merged into the handheld appliance body rather than being separate components. The sensor assembly is integrated with the light source and housing, creating a single ergonomic device that is easy to hold and maneuver in the mouth, eliminating the awkwardness of separate sensor systems while maintaining accurate coverage tracking
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 reliable, user-friendly detection and treatment of oral health conditions, ensuring thorough coverage and providing information on treated and untreated areas, making it accessible for non-professional home users.
Implementation Method 1
a source of light having a wavelength suitable for oral health condition diagnosis and/or treatment
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver or camera and sensor assembly for receiving light reflected from the teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The oral health appliance (10) includes a source of light (16) having a wavelength which is suitable for determination of oral health conditions, as well as treatment thereof. An assembly (16) in the appliance directs the light to selected dental regions of the mouth. A light receiver and sensor (16) receives reflected light from the dental regions, produces signal information therefrom and delivers the signal information to a processor (20), which determines the presence of oral health conditions, as well as determining the overall coverage of the mouth during a use of the appliance. The information from the processor is then sent to a display (24), identifying the presence of any oral health conditions and the location thereof, as well as information concerning those areas of the mouth which have been investigated during the use of the appliance and those which have not. The appliance includes a light system (34, 36, 38; 72, 74 76), a brushing system (64, 66, 68) and a fluid delivery system (94, 96, 98, 100) for treatment of any oral health condition identified.