Unit Dose Oral Cleaning Device with Integrated Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrush designs are not suitable for use in hospitals or medical facilities due to the risk of bacterial infection and the complexity of using suction devices alongside toothbrushes, particularly for patients with compromised immune systems or on ventilators.
Innovation Solution
A unit-dose toothbrush with a built-in suction mechanism, where a disinfectant mouth gel is applied through a dentifrice syringe mechanism, and the brush is designed for single-use to prevent bacterial transmission, with visual indicia for compliance and sequential packaging for organized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toothbrush is reused in medical facilities, then it reduces cost and improves efficiency, but it creates a risk of bacterial infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable toothbrush design where the entire toothbrush assembly is intended for single use and then discarded. This eliminates the risk of bacterial infection from reuse while maintaining efficiency by providing a ready-to-use product that requires no cleaning or sterilization between uses. The toothbrush includes integrated components such as a sealed cleaning solution reservoir and suction mechanism that are all disposed of together after one use.
2Ease of operation
If a suction device is used alongside a toothbrush for patients on ventilators, then it enables effective oral cleaning, but it complicates the procedure and creates injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction function and toothbrush function into a single integrated device. The toothbrush assembly includes a hollow handle that serves as both the structural component and the suction channel pathway. A suction port is positioned at the distal end of the handle, allowing suction to be applied directly at the site of oral cleaning. This integration eliminates the need for separate suction equipment and reduces procedural complexity while maintaining effective oral cleaning capability for patients on ventilators.
3Ease of operation
If standard toothpaste is used for patients with compromised immune systems, then it is readily available and easy to use, but it may be unsuitable and increase infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning solution from its traditional separate application method and integrates it directly into the toothbrush assembly. A sealed reservoir containing pre-measured cleaning solution is built into the handle, with a delivery mechanism that applies the solution directly to the bristles during use. This eliminates the need for separate toothpaste application steps, reducing complexity and ensuring that only medically appropriate cleaning solutions are used. The solution is contained until the moment of use, preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If individuals manually apply cleaning solution and activate vacuum source, then it provides flexibility, but it requires complex steps that patients cannot perform correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-contained system where the toothbrush automatically manages the cleaning solution delivery and suction activation. The integrated design includes a sealed reservoir that delivers a predetermined amount of cleaning solution to the bristles, and the suction mechanism is pre-configured to activate when needed. This eliminates the need for the user to manually coordinate multiple steps, making the device easy to operate for patients with limited dexterity or cognitive impairment while maintaining the flexibility of customized cleaning solutions.
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 solution reduces the risk of pneumonia and improves compliance with oral care routines in hospital settings by providing a safe, easy-to-use, and organized system for oral cleaning that minimizes the risk of infection and ensures proper treatment adherence.
Implementation Method 1
the brush is designed for single-use to prevent bacterial transmission, with visual indicia for compliance and sequential packaging for organized use
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care system includes a first package, a second package, and a container. The first package has a first identifier associated with a first time of day. The first package contains a first unit dose suction brush. The first unit dose suction brush includes a first handle, a first cleaning head, and a first vacuum port. The first handle has a first brush first end and a first brush second end opposite the first brush first end, the first handle having a first suction channel extending from the first brush first end to the first brush second end. The first cleaning head is connected to the first brush first end. The first cleaning head includes a first suction port and a plurality of first bristles arranged in a first pattern surrounding the first suction port. The first vacuum port is located at the first brush second end.