Oral Care Device Localized Gingival Inflammation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods and devices are inadequate for detecting localized gingival inflammation, often resulting in missed diagnoses of periodontal disease due to large signal-to-noise ratios, user motion artifacts, and poor user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
An oral care device equipped with light emitters and photodetectors that emit multiple wavelengths modulated with distinct codes, allowing for simultaneous detection and demodulation of reflectance data to determine tissue inflammation, providing accurate and user-friendly localized inflammation detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If handheld devices analyze large areas of the mouth, then the coverage is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio increases which interferes with detection precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by using multiple light emitters and photodetector pairs positioned at specific locations on the brush head to measure localized gingival inflammation at multiple discrete sites simultaneously, rather than analyzing a large continuous area which would dilute the signal with noise from non-inflamed regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning light emitters and photodetectors at specific locations optimized for measuring gingival tissue reflectance at particular sites, allowing each sensor pair to focus on a specific local area with high measurement precision while maintaining overall coverage through multiple distributed measurement points
2Reliability
If multiple measurements are taken to improve detection accuracy, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and user-friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated brush head device that simultaneously performs multiple reflectance measurements at different gingival locations using multiple light emitter-photodetector pairs, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices or procedures while maintaining high detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service by allowing users to perform comprehensive gingival inflammation screening at home using a single brush head device that automatically takes multiple measurements and processes the data, eliminating the need for professional dental equipment or complex measurement procedures
3Ease of operation
If handheld devices are used for portability, then the ease of operation is improved, but motion artifacts increase which worsens measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by modulating the light from multiple emitters at different frequencies and using synchronous detection with photodetectors that are tuned to these specific frequencies, allowing the system to distinguish between periodic light signals and random motion artifacts, thereby maintaining measurement precision during handheld operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical stabilization systems with optical-frequency-based discrimination, where the system identifies and extracts the modulated light signal at specific frequencies while filtering out broadband noise from hand motion, eliminating the need for mechanical stabilization while maintaining precision during portable use
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 effectively identifies localized gingival inflammation, improving early detection of periodontal disease and enabling timely treatment by reducing noise and motion-related errors, enhancing user experience with precise and reliable results.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light emitters are configured to emit light such that a plurality of different wavelengths are simultaneously emitted
Implementation Method 2
Each of the different wavelengths is modulated with a distinct code such that a light detector can simultaneously detect and identify the different wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
The one or more light detectors obtain reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for the location
Implementation Method 4
a processor demodulates the obtained reflectance data
Data Source
AI summary
A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: (i) simultaneously emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) of the oral care device, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources emit light of different wavelengths to result in a plurality of emitted light wavelengths, wherein each of the different wavelengths is modulated with a distinct code; (ii) obtaining (530), by a light detector (40) of the oral care device, reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for the location; (iii) demodulating (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device, the obtained reflectance data; and (iv) determining (560), by the controller using the demodulated reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.