WO2019088941A2

WO2019088941A2 - Electric toothbrush with integrated led light source

Info

Publication number: WO2019088941A2
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Musfik BENLIOGLU
Original assignee: Benlioglu Musfik
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2017-10-31
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: WO2019088941A3

Abstract

The present invention, electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10), comprising; a body (1) to keep all parts together in device, integrated LED light source (2), emitting the light, a collimating lens (3) to intensify the light emitted by LEDs, a detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4) to transmit the light at different wavelengths coming from the integrated LED light sources (2), a clad (5) to cover the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4), control unit (6), adapted to control the on/off function and selecting the wavelength of the output light, a metal end (7) to provide the mechanical vibration and holding mechanism of the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4) can be used for photodynamic therapy for elimination of dental plaque, treatment of teeth cavities, elimination of infection such as periodontitis and gingivitis in gingival tissue, development of the osteoblastic activity or many other photo initiated treatments like tooth bleaching or healing a sore canker by activating the appropriate chemical agents in liquid, paste or tablet form by the proper wavelength light emitting from the brush.

Description

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH WITH INTEGRATED LED LIGHT SOURCE Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source to transmitting light for photodynamic therapy and many other photo initiated treatments. Photodynamic therapy can be applied in mouth, with light transmitting between the electric tooth brush handle and the brush tip.

Background of the invention

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that utilizes a photosensitizing molecule (frequently a drug that becomes activated by light exposure) and a light source to activate the administered drug. The procedure is easily performed in a physician's office or outpatient setting. PDT is currently used in numbers of medical fields, including oncology (cancer), dermatology (skin), cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, surgery, edema therapy and oral medicine.

Photodynamic therapy has roots going to ancient Egypt and Hellenistic civilizations. People noticed the curing ability of sun light for skin diseases. During 19. Century some treatment methods used as using sun light passing behind the red colored window glasses before washing the patient skin.

The principle of photodynamic action was first described by Oscar Raab in 1890 when he noted the toxic effects of acridine orange, which showed activity as a photosensitizer when combined with light and oxygen by destroying Paramecium caudatum cells without apparent damage to the protozoa when used alone. Von Tappeiner discovered in 1903 that the administration of eosin following irradiation with light led to oxygen-dependent tissue reactions and improvements in skin diseases such as condylomata lata, lupus vulgaris, psoriasis, syphilis, and skin cancers. He termed this activity a "photodynamic reaction". In the late 1970s, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) was developed by Thomas Dougherty and his co-workers. They purified HPD to some extent and discovered that the administration of HPD followed by irradiation with red light resulted in oxygen-dependent tissue reactions.

PDT essentially has three steps. First, a light-sensitizing liquid, cream, or intravenous drug (photosensitizer) is applied or administered. Occasionally, a photosensitizing molecule that is already part of the body can be activated. Second, there is an incubation period of minutes to days. Finally, the target tissue is then exposed to a specific wavelength of light that then activates the photosensitizing medication. The mechanism by which tissue is destroyed seems to depend on the presence of activated oxygen molecules. Although first used in the early 1900s, PDT in the modern sense is a new, evolving science. Current PDT involves a variety of incubation times for different the light- sensitizing drugs and a variety of light sources depending on the target. The basic premise of PDT is selective destruction. The generation of singlet oxygen species by type II photochemical reactions is believed to be the predominant reaction in PDT. At low levels of PDT, biological systems may be positively stimulated by low enhancement of ROS levels.

PDT light sources include laser light, intense pulsed light, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), blue light, red light, and many other visible lights (including natural sunlight). Photosensitizer drugs may become activated by one or several types of light. The optimal light source depends on the ideal wavelength for the particular drug used and target. Electric toothbrush has rapid, automatic bristle motions, either back-and-forth oscillation or rotation-oscillation (where the brush head alternates clockwise and counterclockwise rotation), in order to clean teeth. Motions at sonic speeds or below are made by a motor. In the case of ultrasonic toothbrushes, ultrasonic motions are produced by a piezoelectric crystal. A modern electric toothbrush is usually powered by a rechargeable battery charged through inductive charging when the brush sits in the charging base between uses.

The first electric toothbrush was introduced in the early 1960s, as cordless with rechargeable NiCad batteries and although portable, was rather bulky, about the size of a two-D-cell flashlight handle. NiCad batteries of this period suffered from the Memory effect. The GE Automatic Toothbrush came with a charging stand which held the hand piece upright; most units were kept in the charger, which is not the best way to get maximum service life from a NiCad battery. Also, early NiCad batteries tended to have a short lifespan. The batteries were sealed inside the GE device, and the whole unit had to be discarded when the batteries failed. The use of an AC line voltage appliance in a bathroom environment was problematic. By the early 1990s Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) no longer certified line-voltage appliances for bathroom use. Newer appliances had to use a step-down transformer to operate the actual toothbrush at low voltage (typically 12, 16 or 24 volts). Wiring standards in many countries require that outlets in bath areas must be protected by a RCD/GFCI device (e.g., required in USA since the 1970s on bathroom outlets in new construction).

By the 1990s there were problems with safety certification of Broxo's original design. Further, improved battery-operated toothbrushes were providing formidable competition.

The first ultrasonic toothbrush, first called the Ultima and later the Ultrasonex, was patented in the U.S. in 1992, the same year the FDA gave it approval for daily home use. Initially, the Ultima worked only on ultrasound, but a few years later, a motor was added to give the Ultrasonex brush additional sonic vibration. Today, several ultrasonic toothbrushes simultaneously provide both ultrasound and sonic vibration. In more modern times, electric toothbrushes have been used as a substitute for vibrators for those that wish to avoid embarrassment

Electric toothbrushes can be classified according to the frequency (speed) of their movements as power, sonic or ultrasonic toothbrushes, depending on whether they make movements that are below, in or above the audible range (20-20,000 Hz or 2400-2,400,000 movements per minute), respectively.

The United States document numbered US2016331121 discloses a toothbrush having a body and a treatment device is disclosed. The toothbrush comprises: a body comprising a handle portion, a head portion and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the head portion; a treatment device coupled to the body so as to be alterable between a storage state and a use state, the treatment device comprising: a housing; a power source disposed within the housing; and an electromagnetic radiation source disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the power source.

In the state of the art, teeth whitening and removal of mouth bacteria is a common goal during modern dental procedures. However, regular treatment is required to effectively remove bacteria and effectively whiten teeth. Traveling to the dentist for regular treatments for teeth treatments can be inconvenient and expensive. One way to effectively treat teeth is to use ultra-violet radiation emitted from a specialized dental instrument available for use at a professional dentist's office. Because of the difficulty of visiting a dentist regularly, many people would prefer to utilize a personal dental instrument and products available for residential use rather than travel to the dentist for regular treatment. In-home self-administered treatments are available for teeth-care. However, in-home dental treatment devices are generally more limited and less effective. Objects of the invention

The present invention, can achieve an electric or battery-powered toothbrush, which has ability to apply photodynamic therapy and many other photo initiated treatments like tooth bleaching or healing a sore canker with integrated LED light source, during daily usage.

Placing the LEDs with different wavelengths in the same toothbrush, it will be possible to provide both emitting light in the specific wavelength that photodynamic therapy is required and giving an infrared for increasing osteoblastic activity and accelerating the wound healing with the bio- stimulation of the surrounding gingival tissues and many other photo initiated treatments like tooth bleaching or healing a sore canker. Photodynamic therapy can be applied by the patient daily, outside the clinic with the present invention. Therefore, light energy will be accumulated in the oral tissues and the use of appropriate chemical agents, it will be possible to provide continuous oral hygiene for the patients. Detailed description of the invention

A realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1. shows a perspective view of the electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source which is the subject matter of the invention.

The parts illustrated in the figure are individually numbered where the numbers refer to the following:

10. Electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source

1. Body 2. Integrated LED light source

3. Collimating lens

4. Detachable light guide with bristle at the tip

5. Clad

6. Control unit

7. Metal end

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) comprising,

at least one body (1), to keep all parts together in the device,

- at least one integrated LED light source (2), emitting the light,

at least one collimating lens (3), to intensify the light emitted by LEDs, at least one detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4), to transmit the light coming from the integrated LED light sources (2),

at least one clad (5), to cover the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4),

at least a control unit (6), adapted to control the on/off function and selecting the wavelength of the output light,

at least one metal end (7) to provide the mechanical vibration and holding mechanism of the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4).

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) has a body (1), made of plastic or metal supported plastics. It is used to preserve all the other parts in the present invention and is sealed to prevent mouth fluids to enter the device (10). The integrated LED light sources (2) are placed on a control unit (6) to emit the light in various wavelengths and are positioned to the joining of the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4) and the body (1).

The control unit (6) may control the on/off function of the device (10) and may also comprise means for current and voltage regulation of the LEDs (2). The control unit (6) may also comprise means for temperature sensing. As the device (10) is used, the circuit means and the LEDs (2) may be overheated during the operations. When the temperature sensing means detects overheat or overcurrent situation caused from any other reasons, the control unit (6) can deactivate the LEDs (2) for example by a fuse.

The control unit (6) may also comprise means for short circuit protection

The wavelengths of the light emitted by this LEDs light sources (2) may be the same, or the LEDs (2) with emitting light of multiple different wavelengths may be on the same module.

Generally, integrated LED light sources (2) emits the light in the wavelength where the photosensitized material is sensitive (between 350 nm, ultraviolet and 800 nm, infrared). Radiation pattern is adjusted with a determined algorithm during the production stage of the electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10).

The collimating lens (3) is a circular acrylic part which has hole in its centre and is placed on the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4). It is used to intensify the light, emitted by integrated LED light sources (2) and transmit to detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4).

The detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4) is obtained by injection molding method from an acrylic material and has a transparent brush body that can directly transmit the light toward the end of light guide with bristles at the tip (4) coming from the integrated LED light sources (2).

The clad (5) is made from opaque material over the detachable acrylic light guide with bristles at the tip (4) by double injection molding, prevents the light glare out of the brush body yet allowing light coming out from the bristles tips (4).

The metal end (7) holds the mechanism of the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4) and provides the mechanical vibration.

Claims

1. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) comprising,

- at least one body (1), to keep all parts together in the device,

- at least one integrated LED light source

(2), emitting the light,

- at least one coltimating lens

(3), to intensify the light emitted by LED light sources (2),

- at least one light guide with bristles at the tip

(4), to transmit the light coming from the integrated LED light sources (2),

- at least one clad

(5), over the light guide with bristles at the tip (4),

- at least a control unit (6), to control the on/off function and selecting the wavelength of the output light,

- at least one metal end (7) to provide the mechanical vibration and holding mechanism of the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4).

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising a body (2), which is made of plastic or metal supported plastic materials.

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the integrated LED sources (2), which are placed on a control unit (6) to emit the light in various wavelengths.

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the integrated LED sources (2), emitting the light in the wavelength where the photosensitized material is sensitive.

The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the integrated LED sources (2), emitting the light in the wavelength which is between 350 nm, ultraviolet and 800 nm, infrared.

6. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the body (1) made of plastic or metal supported plastics.

7. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the collimating lens (3) is made of circular acrylic material with a hole in its center.

8. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip. (4), obtained by injection method from a transparent acrylic material.

9. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4), which has a transparent body that can directly transmit the light, emitting from integrated LED light source (2).

10. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising a clad (5) which is made from opaque material with injection molding over the detachable light guide with bristles at the tip (4).

11. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the control unit (6), which may comprise means for short circuit protection.

12. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the control unit (6), which may comprise means for temperature sensing.

13. The electric toothbrush with integrated LED light source (10) according to claim 1, comprising the control unit (6), which may comprise means for current and voltage regulation of the LEDs (2).