Abstract:
A disposable prophy angle is provided, the prophy angle comprising a housing containing a drive shaft and a driven shaft; the drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the distal end having a substantially conical driving portion and a projection, the proximal end of the drive shaft configured to engage a dental hand piece; and the driven shaft having a driven portion comprising a recess configured for engagement by the projection and/or the substantially conical portion of the drive shaft to oscillate the driven shaft at an oscillation angle greater than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, there is a method of making a disposable prophy angle by overmolding a prophy cup to the prophy angle. In other embodiments, there is a method of using the prophy angle to prevent tooth decay.
Abstract:
Mouthpieces for fitting inside a user's mouth and cleaning the teeth, tongue, gums and/or roof of the mouth are provided. The mouthpiece is a hands free toothbrush designed to fit inside the mouth and clean the teeth, tongue, gums and/or roof of the mouth. The mouthpiece is made up of flexible material and is sized to fit the user's mouth. It contains intricately designed tube structures. It will clean the user's mouth, teeth, tongue and gums. The mouthpiece slips in to the mouth and fits or approximates the contour of an individual's teeth. When not in use, the mouthpiece can be kept in its own container for sanitary purposes.
Abstract:
The toothbrush includes a handle portion which includes a power drive system (14) and further includes a brushhead assembly (20), which includes a brushhead arm having a brush element (21) at a distal end thereof A drive train assembly (12) is responsive to a drive signal from the power assembly for converting the action of the power assembly to a motion of the brushhead assembly. A magnet (30) is secured to the rear of the drive train, with a Hall effect sensor (32) mounted within the magnetic field produced by the magnet as the toothbrush moves in operation. Pressure on the brush element produces a phase shift of the Hall sensor output. A processor (15) determines the value of the phase shift of the Hall sensor signal as pressure is applied to the brush member and produces a signal indicative of the pressure applied by using stored information (71) which relates phase shift to pressure for the particular appliance.
Abstract:
A handle (114) has distal and proximal ends (116, 118) and an exterior surface (120). Controls with a vibration generating drive mechanism are connected to a vibrating coupler (132) adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the controls. A coupling head (136) has a distal end (138) and a proximal end (140). The proximal end has a coupling recess (144) for receiving the vibrating coupler. The enlarged distal end is formed with a generally planar surface and a generally curved surface. The curved surface has a (146) coupling recess for receiving a replaceable holder (150). The holder has a central base (152) and two outwardly extending fingers (154). The fingers have free ends with a piece of floss (156) secured between the free ends. A compressible surface (160) extends from the planar surface between the fingers to control the movement of the floss between teeth.
Abstract:
The toothbrush includes a drive assembly comprising a DC motor (12) driven by a battery (15) with a rotating drive shaft (16) extending from one end of the DC motor, on which is mounted an eccentric member (20) which rotates with the drive shaft. A spring assembly (24) includes a hub member (26) at a proximal end, a mount member (28) at a distal end and a V-spring member (41) mounted to and extending therebetween. The DC motor is fixed to a rear surface of the hub member, the motor and the hub member being free to move in unison in operation of the toothbrush. The mount member is fixed in position in the toothbrush. A brushhead shaft (38) is mounted to and extends between the hub member and the mount member and extends distally from the mount member. The brushhead shaft member is offset laterally from the axis of rotation of the motor drive shaft. A brushhead assembly (42), including a set of bristles (44), is removably mounted on the brushhead shaft.
Abstract:
A toothbrush (10) having a head (14) with at least two movable members (46,48). The members flex inwardly and outwardly away from each other in a direction that is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis (X) of the brush handle (12). Force is transferred from one movable member to another to aid in this relative movement. Bristles (53) extending from both movable members are brought into contact with the surface of teeth so that the tips are disposed at right angles thereto. In a first embodiment, two movable members (246,248) are connected by an oscillating rod (295) that flexes the members away from each other. In a second embodiment, a center section (348) on the head (314) nests within a perimeter section (346) and a rotatable cam (332) extends between the sections (346,348) and flexes them inwardly and outwardly away from each other.
Abstract:
A hand powered rotatable toothbrush is characterized by elements, such as tufts of brush bristles (26), positionally fixed to the brush head to frictionally engage tooth surfaces and thereby positionally stabilize the brush head so that a distal portion of the brush handle (10) can be longitudinally reciprocated relative to the brush head. One or more rotatable brush members (30) mounted on the brush head are operatively connected to the distal handle portion (12), as by a rack (14) and pinion (32), to cause the brush members (30) to be rotated in response to longitudinal handle reciprocation. In one embodiment the rotatable brush member (30) cyclically rotates in opposite directions in response to back and forth linear motion of the handle (10). In another embodiment the rotation of the brush member (130) is in the same direction, irrespective of the direction in which the handle (111) moves.
Abstract:
Bei einem Griff mit einer Antriebseinheit für ein Körperpflegegerät weist die Antriebseinheit einen piezoelektrischen Antrieb (100) zur Erzeugung einer Antriebsbewegung auf. Der piezoelektrische Antrieb (100) umfasst ein piezoelektrisches Element (120) mit einem ersten und einem zweiten Ende, womit bei elektrischer Aktivierung eine Längenänderung in einer X-Richtung erfolgt, so dass sich ein Abstand zwischen erstem und zweitem Ende ändert. Am piezoelektrisches Element (120) ist ein erster Federbügel (110) derart angebracht, dass ein erstes Ende des Federbügels am ersten Ende des piezoelektrischen Elements fixiert ist und ein zweites Ende des Federbügels am zweiten Ende des piezoelektrischen Elements fixiert ist und dadurch die Längenänderung in einen ersten Bügelhub in einer Y-Richtung umgesetzt ist. Zum Abgriff des ersten Bügelhubs in einem mittleren Bereich des Federbügels (110) ist ein Verbindungselement (130) befestigt, das die Antriebsbewegung auf das Körperpflegegerät überträgt.
Abstract:
This application relates to method of manufacturing a pressure chamber of a dental mouthpiece; to a method of manufacturing a dental mouthpiece and pressure chamber; to a mouthpiece manufactured with these methods, provided with these methods; to J-/U-shaped dental mouthpiece; and to systems comprising said mouthpieces. The method of manufacturing a pressure chamber joins a frame part and a flexible wall part by over-moulding. The method of manufacturing a mouthpiece starts with an essentially flat member comprising pressure chambers, and is folded and bended into a J-shaped or U-shaped trough configuration. The J-/U-shaped mouthpiece may comprise a multiple of trough sections and be flexible to ride along a dental arch and has its handle coupling at the anterior end of the mouthpiece.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the manufacturing of a bristled pad for a mouthpiece toothbrush, a bristled pad, the manufacturing of a mouthpiece toothbrush with such a bristled pad, and a mouthpiece toothbrush. The bristled pad is manufactured from a prefabricated foil and prefabricated bristles. The prefabricated bristles are attached to the prefabricated pliable foil of at most 700 µm by fusing the fixed ends of the bristles with the foil. In the method of manufacturing the mouthpiece, the bristled pad is attached to the body of the mouthpiece.