Disposable Oral Care Kit With Suction and Unit-Dose Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard toothbrushes are not suitable for hospital settings due to the risk of bacterial infection, difficulty in use for patients with compromised immune systems, and challenges in administering proper oral care, especially for patients who cannot spit or have limited access to water.
Innovation Solution
An oral care system comprising a toothbrush with a suction mechanism and a unit dose oral fluid container designed for single use, which includes a spill-resistant container with a built-in funnel and septum to facilitate easy access and disposal of oral fluid, reducing the effort required from patients or healthcare providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a standard toothbrush is reused multiple times, then it reduces the need for frequent instrument gathering, but it increases the risk of bacterial infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable oral care devices including a toothbrush with a disposable head and a single-use oral fluid container. The toothbrush head is designed to be discarded after one use, and the oral fluid container is sealed and disposed of after single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard toothpaste is used, then it provides basic cleaning function, but it is difficult for patients to find and apply the proper amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates toothpaste directly into the toothbrush head assembly. The toothpaste is pre-loaded in a reservoir within the toothbrush handle or attached to the brush head, allowing automatic dispensing during brushing. This combination eliminates the separate step of finding and applying toothpaste, making the oral care process simpler for patients.
3Reliability
If multiple oral care products are used separately, then each product can be optimized for its specific function, but it requires repeated gathering of instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an integrated oral care system where a single device combines multiple functions: the toothbrush provides mechanical cleaning, the integrated toothpaste reservoir supplies cleaning agent, the oral fluid container provides rinsing fluid, and the built-in funnel enables spitting. This multi-functional integration allows all necessary oral care components to be gathered in one unit, eliminating repeated instrument collection while maintaining effective oral care.
4Ease of operation
If patients must spit to remove oral fluid, then it simplifies the oral care process, but it is not suitable for patients who cannot spit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a built-in funnel device that serves as an intermediary between the patient's mouth and the oral fluid container. The funnel receives oral fluid (including spit, saliva, or suctioned fluid) and directs it into the container. This intermediary mechanism allows patients who cannot spit to easily remove oral fluid by simply placing the funnel in their mouth, making the system adaptable to various patient capabilities.
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
Enhances compliance with oral care plans by providing a self-contained, easy-to-use system that minimizes bacterial transmission and simplifies the oral care process for patients with compromised immune systems, ensuring effective and efficient hygiene without the need for repeated instrument gathering.
Implementation Method 1
toothbrush with a suction mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to oral care systems and devices. An oral care system includes a container defining an interior portion. The container includes a repository provided within the interior portion and configured to hold a fluid, and a barrier configured to maintain the fluid separate from the interior portion. The barrier is configured to be breached to expose the interior portion to the fluid. The system further includes a tube configured to slide in the interior portion of the container. The tube includes a distal end configured to breach the barrier when the tube is moved in a direction of the fluid in the repository.