Toothbrush Suction Assembly for Aspiration-Safe Debris Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrushes lack reliable mechanisms to collect toothpaste, saliva, water, blood, bacteria, food, plaque, or other debris during brushing, posing a risk of swallowing or aspiration, particularly for young, convalescent, elderly, or disabled individuals, leading to dental caries and respiratory diseases.
Innovation Solution
A suction apparatus for a toothbrush comprising a housing with a vacuum pump, collection reservoir, and conduits that apply suction around the toothbrush head to collect and deposit materials in a reservoir, optionally with a foam to break surface tension and a one-way valve to prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction apparatus is added to a toothbrush, then fluid collection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction apparatus is integrated with the toothbrush by coupling the housing to the toothbrush handle, merging the suction function with the existing toothbrush structure. This allows fluid collection capability to be improved while minimizing the increase in device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction apparatus serves multiple functions: collecting fluids, removing debris, and preventing aspiration. By incorporating a vacuum pump, collection reservoir, and suction head portion into a single integrated system, the device achieves multi-functionality that addresses various oral hygiene needs simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a vacuum pump and collection reservoir are integrated into the toothbrush, then suction effectiveness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction apparatus is designed as a separable component that couples to the toothbrush handle rather than being permanently integrated. This segmentation allows the suction system to be detached when not needed, providing suction effectiveness when required while minimizing weight addition to the overall toothbrush system.
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 liquids and debris during brushing, preventing aspiration and reducing bacterial growth, thereby minimizing the risk of infections and respiratory diseases.
Implementation Method 1
one or more conduits that couple the vacuum pump, suction head portion, and collection reservoir to apply a suction around the toothbrush head through the gap
Implementation Method 2
a foam or other porous material disposed at least partially in the gap between the suction head portion and the toothbrush head
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A suction assembly, toothbrush, and method are provided that suction fluids and debris resulting from brushing. The suction assembly includes a housing configured to couple to the toothbrush so that a portion extends around sides and a back of the toothbrush head and is spaced from the toothbrush head by a gap. The suction assembly further includes a vacuum pump, a collection reservoir, and one or more conduits that couple the vacuum pump, suction head portion, and collection reservoir to apply a suction around the toothbrush head through the gap and deposit suctioned material in the collection reservoir.