Oral care system
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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 need for repeated handling and minimizing bacterial transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard toothbrush is reused multiple times, then it reduces cost and improves ease of operation, but it increases the risk of bacterial infection and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable oral care devices including a single-use toothbrush and a single-use oral fluid container with septum. These devices are designed to be used once and then discarded, eliminating the risk of bacterial contamination from reuse while maintaining ease of operation. The disposable nature ensures reliability by preventing infection transmission between uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The oral care system is segmented into separate single-use components: a toothbrush, an oral fluid container with septum, and associated accessories. Each component is independently packaged and used once, then discarded. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination and maintains both ease of use and reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standard toothbrush is used, then it is simple in design and easy to manufacture, but it is unsuitable for patients who cannot spit or have difficulty holding standard toothbrushes
Solution Approach 1:
The oral care system is designed with universal adaptability for various patient needs. The toothbrush features an enlarged handle for patients with limited dexterity, and the oral fluid container with septum can be used by patients who cannot spit by allowing direct application of oral fluid to the toothbrush. The system accommodates multiple patient conditions including those with compromised immune systems, limited mobility, and difficulty with standard oral care devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush features local quality modifications including an enlarged handle section for easier gripping by patients with limited dexterity. The oral fluid container has a septum that can be pierced to allow controlled application of oral fluid, adapting the standard design to meet specific patient needs while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If multiple oral care products are used in repeated procedures, then thorough oral care is achieved, but it increases the complexity of gathering and managing multiple instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple oral care functions into a single integrated disposable system. The oral fluid container with septum is designed to work directly with the toothbrush, eliminating the need for separate bottles, caps, and application devices. This consolidation maintains thorough oral care effectiveness while significantly reducing the complexity of gathering and managing multiple instruments during repeated procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated oral care system performs multiple functions within a single disposable unit: the oral fluid container stores and dispenses oral fluid, the septum controls fluid application, and the toothbrush provides mechanical cleaning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate instruments, simplifying management while maintaining comprehensive oral care effectiveness.
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 oral care system improves compliance with oral care plans by providing a self-contained, easy-to-use solution that reduces bacterial transmission risks and simplifies the oral care process for patients with compromised immune systems.
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.