Powered Toothpick with Sonic Vibration and Camera

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available oral hygiene devices are ineffective in reaching and removing plaque buildup along and below the gum margin, contributing to the prevalence of dental cavities and gum disease.

Innovation Solution

A powered toothpick handset with a replaceable pick head that utilizes sonic vibration and can be guided circumferentially around teeth and gums, equipped with a pick head that can be impregnated with antibacterial agents and designed to collect microbial samples, along with a digital camera module for monitoring and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercially available oral hygiene devices are used, then general tooth cleaning is achieved, but plaque buildup along and below the gum margin cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaque removal effectivenessVSAvoidaccess to hard-to-reach areas

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a handle portion and a replaceable head portion, allowing the head to be optimized for specific functions (cleaning, sampling, monitoring) while the handle provides power and control. This segmentation enables the head to access hard-to-reach areas effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pick head is designed to access the third dimension by reaching below the gum margin, not just along the tooth surface. This dimensional change allows the device to target plaque in previously inaccessible subgingival areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If traditional oral hygiene devices are used, then basic cleaning is provided, but monitoring and analysis of oral health conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral health monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: mechanical cleaning via sonic vibration, microbial sampling via the pick head, and digital monitoring via the camera module. This combination eliminates the need for separate devices while providing comprehensive oral health management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The replaceable head portion serves multiple purposes: it cleans teeth through sonic vibration, collects microbial samples for analysis, and works in conjunction with the digital camera for monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces information loss while managing device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plaque is not removed regularly, then dental cavities and gum disease develop, but existing devices cannot effectively reach plaque below gum margin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedental cavities and gum disease preventionVSAvoidaccess to subgingival areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The powered toothpick utilizes sonic vibration to mechanically disrupt and remove plaque biofilm from tooth surfaces and below the gum margin. The vibration frequency and amplitude are optimized to effectively break down plaque while being safe for surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The pick head is specifically designed with local quality optimization for subgingival access, with a shape and size tailored to reach below the gum margin where plaque accumulates. The replaceable head can be impregnated with antibacterial agents locally applied to high-risk areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively removes plaque from hard-to-reach areas, preventing the progression of dental cavities and gum disease, while providing a means for regular monitoring and analysis of oral health.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration element coupled to the pick head interface for vibrating the pick head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSonic vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11751983B2Oral hygiene method

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 ABLE BIOMEDICAL DEVICES LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are generally described for an oral hygiene device. The oral hygiene device may include a handle portion and a head portion coupled to the handle portion and including a pick head interface. A pick head may be removably coupled to the pick head interface. The pick head may include a pointed pick member. An image capture device may be disposed in the head portion. The image capture device may be effective to capture image data representing images of an area proximal to a tip of the pointed pick member. A vibration element may be coupled to the pick head interface. The vibration element may be effective to vibrate the pick head.