DIRECTING A FLOW OF IRRIGATION FLUID TOWARDS PERIODONTAL POCKETS IN A SUBJECT'S MOUTH

Abstract

A nozzle unit (100) for oral healthcare is provided which comprises at least one nozzle orifice (5). The nozzle unit (100) is designed to be used in an oral irrigator and has at least one constructional feature configured to contribute to realizing a predetermined orientation of a flow (1) of irrigation fluid with respect to a subjects respective teeth (2, 3) and periodontal pockets when placed with the at least one nozzle orifice (5) in the vicinity of the subjects respective teeth (2, 3) at the position of interdental interfaces (4), namely an orientation from the at least one nozzle orifice (5) towards the periodontal pockets at a pocket inflow angle in a range of 10° to 50° and from the at least one nozzle orifice (5) towards the surface (7) of the subjects respective teeth (2, 3) at a surface impact angle in a range of 0° to 50°.

Claims

1. Nozzle unit comprising at least one nozzle orifice, which nozzle unit is designed to be used as part of an oral irrigator, for emitting a flow of irrigation fluid to be directed towards periodontal pockets in a subject's mouth, and which nozzle unit has at least one constructional feature configured to contribute to realizing a predetermined orientation of a flow of irrigation fluid with respect to a subject's respective teeth and periodontal pockets in an operational situation involving functional placement of the nozzle unit with the at least one nozzle orifice in the vicinity of the subject's respective teeth at the position of interdental interfaces, namely an orientation from the at least one nozzle orifice towards the periodontal pockets at a pocket inflow angle in a range of 10° to 50° and from the at least one nozzle orifice towards the surface of the subject's respective teeth at a surface impact angle in a range of 0° to 50°, the pocket inflow angle being defined in a first plane extending parallel to a central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth and having an interdental orientation, and the surface impact angle being defined in a second plane extending both parallel to the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth and perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the pocket inflow angle is an angle between a direction of the flow of irrigation fluid as projected on the first plane and a direction of the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth, and wherein the surface impact angle is an angle between a direction of the flow of irrigation fluid as projected on the second plane and the direction of the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth.

2. Nozzle unit according to claim 1, comprising at least two nozzle orifices, which at least two nozzle orifices are configured and arranged to emit irrigation fluid in different directions from the nozzle unit.

3. Nozzle unit according to claim 2, comprising a valve arrangement at a position between two nozzle orifices, for realizing a first operational condition in which one of the nozzle orifices is opened and the other of the nozzle orifices is blocked, and a second operational condition in which the one of the nozzle orifices is blocked and the other of the nozzle orifices is opened.

4. Nozzle unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle orifice and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice have an adjustable positioning in the nozzle unit.

5. Nozzle unit according to claim 4, including at least one flexible portion.

6. Nozzle unit according to claim 4, including a tubular flexible portion and a distal end portion extending from the flexible portion, the distal end portion including at least two radial arms having a nozzle orifice arranged at an end thereof.

7. Nozzle unit according to claim 4, comprising a rotatably arranged distal end portion including at least one nozzle orifice, and optionally also a fluid-driven arrangement which is associated with the rotatably arranged distal end portion.

8. Nozzle unit according to claim 4, comprising a distal end portion including at least one nozzle orifice which is movably arranged in the distal end portion, and optionally also a drive mechanism which is configured and arranged to bring about movement of the at least one movably arranged nozzle orifice in the distal end portion.

9. Nozzle unit according to claim 4, comprising a sensor arrangement which is configured and arranged to sense oral configuration features, and which is configured and arranged to generate input suitable to be received and processed by a controller which is configured and arranged to control positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice on the basis of the input from the sensor arrangement.

10. Nozzle unit according to claim 1, comprising a sensor arrangement which is configured and arranged to sense the orientation of the flow of irrigation fluid with respect to a subject's respective teeth and periodontal pockets in the operational situation, and to generate input suitable to be received and processed by a controller which is configured and arranged to control a user interface configured to convey information to a user.

11. Nozzle unit according to claim 1, comprising at least one projecting element which is configured and arranged to realize the predetermined orientation of the flow of irrigation fluid through supporting the nozzle unit on at least one of the teeth and the gums in a predetermined way defined by its shape and dimensions.

12. Oral irrigator, comprising a nozzle unit according to claim 1 and a fluid supply system which is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit so as to enable the nozzle unit to emit the irrigation fluid.

13. Oral irrigator according to claim 12, wherein the fluid supply system is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit in a pulsed flow.

14. Oral irrigator, comprising a nozzle unit according to claim 11, a fluid supply system which is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit so as to enable the nozzle unit to emit the irrigation fluid, and a controller which is configured and arranged to receive and process input from the sensor arrangement of the nozzle unit, and to control positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice on the basis of the input from the sensor arrangement.

15. Method of performing an oral cleaning action, wherein a flow of irrigation fluid is directed towards periodontal pockets in a subject's mouth, in a predetermined orientation with respect to a subject's respective teeth and periodontal pockets, namely an orientation towards the periodontal pockets at a pocket inflow angle in a range of 10° to 50° and towards the surface of the subject's respective teeth at a surface impact angle in a range of 0° to 50°, the pocket inflow angle being defined in a first plane extending parallel to a central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth and having an interdental orientation, and the surface impact angle being defined in a second plane extending both parallel to the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth and perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the pocket inflow angle is an angle between a direction of the flow of irrigation fluid as projected on the first plane and a direction of the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth, and wherein the surface impact angle is an angle between a direction of the flow of irrigation fluid as projected on the second plane and the direction of the central vertical axis of the subject's respective teeth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of two adjacent teeth and an associated gum section, and of a nozzle unit which is positioned to supply irrigation fluid to the interdental interface of the teeth;

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates how a pocket inflow angle of a flow or irrigation fluid is defined;

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates how a surface impact angle of a flow or irrigation fluid is defined;

[0033] FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a top view of two adjacent teeth and a nozzle unit according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein a sectional view of the nozzle unit is shown;

[0034] FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a side view of the nozzle unit according to the first embodiment of the invention, wherein a sectional view of the nozzle unit is shown against a background of a tooth, and wherein further a periodontal pocket is diagrammatically shown;

[0035] FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a top view of portions of two adjacent teeth and a nozzle unit according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein a sectional view of the nozzle unit is shown;

[0036] FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a front view of a tip of the nozzle unit according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows a front sectional view of a tip of a nozzle unit according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows a side sectional view of the nozzle unit according to the third embodiment of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows a side sectional view of a nozzle unit according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

[0040] FIG. 11 diagrammatically shows an oral irrigator including a nozzle unit according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The invention relates to a nozzle unit 100 which is intended to be used as part of an oral irrigator. FIG. 1 illustrates how the nozzle unit 100 can be applied for emitting a flow 1 of irrigation fluid, which is diagrammatically depicted by means of arrows in FIG. 1, and for directing the flow 1 of irrigation fluid towards periodontal pockets in a subject's mouth. In particular, the nozzle unit 100 is placed in the vicinity of a subject's teeth 2, 3 at the position of an interdental interface 4. The nozzle unit 100 comprises at least one nozzle orifice 5 which can be placed simply outside a pocket and still allow the irrigation fluid flowing from the at least one nozzle orifice 5 during operation to reach the full depth of the pocket, provided that the angulation and positioning of the nozzle unit 100 are set such that a predetermined orientation of the flow of irrigation fluid with respect to the teeth 2, 3 and the periodontal pocket is realized. Optimal impact positioning of the flow 1 of irrigation fluid is preferably just above a gum line 6 on the teeth 2, 3, with an optimal angulation into the pocket of 10° to 50°, combined with an angulation of 0° to 50° towards the interdental tooth surface 7. In order for a user to apply the optimal angulation in an easy fashion, the nozzle unit 100 can simply be placed on the teeth 2, 3 at the position of the interdental interface 4.

[0042] A further explanation of the two angles mentioned in the foregoing will now be provided on the basis of FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, a pocket is shown and indicated by means of reference numeral 8. An x, y, z coordinate system is defined with the zero point at the preferred impact point of the flow of irrigation fluid just above the gum line 6. The z-axis is defined as the vertical line parallel to the impact surface, the x-axis is defined as the horizontal line parallel to the impact surface, and the y-axis is defined as the horizontal line perpendicular to both the x-axis and the z-axis. An angle α between the direction of the flow 1 of irrigation fluid and the z-axis in the x-z plane projection is referred to as pocket inflow angle α, and an angle β between the direction of the flow 1 of irrigation fluid and the z-axis in the y-z plane projection is referred to as surface impact angle β.

[0043] The z-axis aligns parallel to the crown-root surface of the teeth 2, 3 in the vertical direction at the flow impact position and can thereby be denoted as aligning parallel to a central vertical axis of the teeth 2, 3. Further, the x-z plane projection is plane projection having an interdental orientation. In view thereof, the pocket inflow angle α can be defined as an angle α between (i) a direction of the flow 1 of irrigation fluid as projected on a first plane extending parallel to a central vertical axis of the teeth 2, 3 and having an interdental orientation and (ii) a direction of the central vertical axis of the teeth, and the surface impact angle β can be defined as an angle β between (i) a direction of the flow of irrigation fluid as projected on a second plane extending both parallel to the central vertical axis of the teeth 2, 3 and perpendicular to the first plane and (ii) the direction of the central vertical axis of the teeth 2, 3.

[0044] As mentioned in the foregoing, for the purpose of obtaining optimal cleaning results of the pockets 8, the nozzle unit 100 is positioned in such a way with respect to the teeth 2, 3 at the location of the interdental interface 4 that the pocket inflow angle α is in a range of 10° to 50° and the surface impact angle β is in a range of 0° to 50°. Having a pocket inflow angle α of 0° is hindered by a contact surface 9 of the teeth 2, 3, which is diagrammatically depicted as an oval in FIG. 2. In respect of the cleaning effect on pockets 8, experiments and simulations which have been performed in the context of the invention have demonstrated that with the optimal angulation, vortices can be obtained in the pocket, as a result of which it is assumed that the irrigation fluid is substantially equally spread throughout the pockets 8, reaching pocket areas which are more to the sides and not directly in the alignment of the flow 1 as emitted from the nozzle unit 100 through the at least one nozzle orifice 5.

[0045] It appears from the experiments and simulations which have been performed in the context of the invention that when the pocket inflow angle α is studied at a surface impact angle β of 0°, optimal cleaning is found at the pocket inflow angle α in a range of 10° to 30°. Using a pocket inflow angle α of 40°, the surface impact angle β was studied, showing the deepest removal of contaminations at 38°. The results of the experiments and simulations confirm the advantageous range of 10° to 50° in respect of the pocket inflow angle α and the range of 0° to 50° in respect of surface impact angle β, wherein it is noted with respect to the latter range that it is even more advantageous and therefore preferred to have values from 10° to 50°.

[0046] FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a nozzle unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is noted that interdental pocket cleaning is an important target, since often periodontal disease starts interdentally due to insufficient oral hygiene in most persons/subjects. In view thereof, the nozzle unit 10 is designed with a sufficiently narrow tip 11 which fits naturally into the interdental space 12. In order to cope with changing to the different quadrants of a subject's mouth, which different quadrants involve different orientations of teeth 2, 3 and pockets 8, the flow 1 of irrigation fluid is directed both up and down, as can be derived from FIG. 5. Alternatively, in order to save on irrigation fluid, the nozzle unit 10 could be provided with a single nozzle orifice 5 which can be rotated or bent to another side if needed.

[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 relate to a nozzle unit 20 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is designed to not only ensure that an optimal value of the pocket inflow angle α can be realized, but to also direct the flow 1 of irrigation towards the interdental tooth surface 7, at an optimal value of the surface impact angle β. In particular, each of the two nozzle orifices 5 of the nozzle unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention is split in two nozzle orifices 5, on the basis of which it is possible to realize flows 1 of irrigation fluid which are not only directed into the pockets 8 but also slightly sideways. The optimal sideway angle can be chosen in relation to the optimal value of the surface impact angle β while taking tooth curvature into account, as a result of which the sideway angle will have a lower value than the surface impact angle β.

[0048] FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to a nozzle unit 30 according to a third embodiment of the invention, which is designed to enable variation of the position/orientation of the flows 1 of irrigation fluid and to thereby increase the probability of effectively cleaning the pockets 8, while compensating for variability in anatomies. In this respect, it is noted that the nozzle unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention could be used for emitting moving flows 1 of irrigation fluid as well, namely by employing a pulsed pressure to the nozzle unit 20, combined with having a sufficiently flexible design of the nozzle unit 20. In such a case, due to the pulses exerted during operation, the nozzle orifices 5 will move backward at every pulse, covering multiple target positions on the way back. The fact that pressure pulses can also be used to induce an oscillating rotation when the nozzle unit is designed flexible to rotate and to emit the flows 1 of irrigation fluid at radial positions is at the basis of the nozzle unit 30 according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0049] In particular, the nozzle unit 30 according to the third embodiment of the invention includes a tubular flexible portion 31 and a distal end portion 32 extending from the flexible portion 31. The distal end portion 32 includes two radial arms 33 having a nozzle orifice 5 arranged at an end thereof, wherein it is to be noted that the number of radial arms 33 may be more than two. Under the influence of pressure pulses, an oscillating movement of the nozzle orifices 5 about a central axis of the nozzle unit 30 is obtained, as indicated in FIG. 8 by means of double-headed arrows.

[0050] FIG. 10 relates to a nozzle unit 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, which is based on the nozzle unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention. The fact is that the nozzle unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention can also be used for radially emitting the flows 1 of irrigation fluid when pressure pulses are directed to two diagonally opposite nozzle orifices 5. This can be done by applying two pump channels, but more conveniently an oscillating valve could deliver the same function, all the more when a resonance frequency of the oscillating valve is close to the pulse frequency. In view thereof, the nozzle unit 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is of the same design as the nozzle unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the invention and is additionally equipped with an oscillating valve 41 which comprises a movably arranged member 42, as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 10, which may or may not be flexible, and which may or may not be hingably arranged. In any case, the movably arranged member 42 is capable of assuming a position for closing one of the two diagonally opposite nozzle orifices 5, as indicated in FIG. 10 by means of dashed lines.

[0051] Other embodiments could include a fully rotating distal end portion having one or more nozzle orifices 5, wherein rotation of the distal end portion could be realized in a motorized fashion or through hydrodynamics using an impellor, for example. In such embodiments, it is possible to have a predefined pocket inflow angle α and to cover all values of the surface impact angle β by the rotation, while the flows 1 of irrigation fluid may be targeted just above the gum line 6.

[0052] Further, embodiments are feasible in which the nozzle unit is equipped with optical detectors for determining the gum line 6 and the tooth shape, such as cameras or color sensors. Advantageously, three dimensional sensing is applied for the purpose of determining the tooth curvature. In view thereof, it is noted that 3D cameras, radar, components for tactile or capacitive sensing, etc. may be used. Information obtained through sensing/detecting may then be applied to position the at least one nozzle orifice 5 of the nozzle unit in an advantageous fashion, i.e. in such a way as to achieve good pocket cleaning results. The nozzle unit may include actuators which can direct a nozzle orifice 5 to an optimal location and an optimal angle.

[0053] FIG. 11 diagrammatically shows an oral irrigator 110 including a nozzle unit 50 and a handle 111. The nozzle unit 50 may be removably arranged with respect to the handle 111 so that the nozzle unit 50 can be conveniently replaced and/or cleaned as necessary, although this is not essential within the framework of the invention. A fluid supply system 112 is located in the handle 111 and serves for supplying the irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit 50 during operation, whereby the nozzle unit 50 is enabled to emit the irrigation fluid as intended. It is practical for the fluid supply system 112 to include a reservoir for containing the irrigation fluid and a suitable type of pump or the like for realizing displacement of the irrigation fluid from the reservoir to the at least one nozzle orifice 5 of the nozzle unit 50. Further, the fluid supply system 112 may be configured to let in a suitable gas such as air to the fluid at one or more appropriate positions on the line from the reservoir to the nozzle unit 50. It may be advantageous for the fluid supply system 112 to be adapted to subject the fluid to pressure pulses at a suitable frequency during operation, as suggested earlier.

[0054] The oral irrigator 110 is equipped with a controller 113 which serves for controlling operation of the oral irrigator 110. As suggested in the foregoing, it may be advantageous to have adjustable positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice 5 and/or a portion of the nozzle unit 50 accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice 5, combined with some kind of sensor arrangement 51 in the nozzle unit 50, as diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 11 by means of a hatched elliptical shape. In such a case, the controller 113 is used to process information received from the sensor arrangement 51 and to determine an appropriate position and orientation of the at least one nozzle orifice 5. In particular, the controller 113 may be configured and arranged to receive and process input from the sensor arrangement 51 of the nozzle unit 50 and to control positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice 5 and/or a portion of the nozzle unit 50 accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice 5 on the basis of the input from the sensor arrangement 51. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that the sensor arrangement 51 is configured and arranged to sense the orientation of the flow 1 of irrigation fluid with respect to a subject's respective teeth 2, 3 and periodontal pockets 8 in the operational situation, and that the controller 113 is configured and arranged to receive and process input generated by the sensor arrangement 51 and to control a user interface configured to convey information to a user.

[0055] Besides the components as mentioned, the oral irrigator 110 comprises other components which contribute to the function of emitting irrigation fluid from the nozzle unit 50 during operation, as commonly known from the field or oral irrigators. For example, it is practical if the oral irrigator 110 is equipped with a user interface allowing a user to switch the oral irrigator on and off, and preferably also to control the emission of the irrigation fluid, although it is also possible to let the emission of the irrigation fluid take place in some automated manner. Another example of a practical component is a power source in the form of a battery, which may be rechargeable.

[0056] In the context of the invention, any suitable time of positioning the nozzle unit 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 at a certain spot before moving on to a next one may be applicable. In order to achieve effective cleaning, it may be practical to emit irrigation fluid during several seconds, for example, 5 to 10 seconds, at each of the spots, especially trouble spots. In respect of the irrigation fluid, it is noted that this may be water, probably mixed with appropriate additives, or any other type of fluid which is suitable for oral cleaning purposes.

[0057] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, wherein details which are not required for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and not necessarily to scale.

[0058] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0059] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0060] The term “comprise” as used in this text will be understood by a person skilled in the art as covering the term “consist of”. Hence, the term “comprise” may in respect of an embodiment mean “consist of”, but may in another embodiment mean “contain/include at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0061] The various embodiments of the nozzle unit as described in the foregoing can also be defined without reference to the pocket inflow angle α and the surface impact angle β, and the invention also covers the embodiments according to the alternative definitions which are obtained in that way, which are listed in the following.

[0062] In the first place, the invention also relates to a nozzle unit comprising at least one nozzle orifice 5, which nozzle unit is designed to be used as part of an oral irrigator 110, for emitting a flow 1 of irrigation fluid to be directed towards periodontal pockets 8 in a subject's mouth in a functional placement of the nozzle unit with the at least one nozzle orifice 5 in the vicinity of the subject's respective teeth 2, 3 at the position of interdental interfaces 4, wherein the nozzle unit comprises at least two nozzle orifices 5, which at least two nozzle orifices 5 are configured and arranged to emit irrigation fluid in different directions from the nozzle unit, and wherein optionally the nozzle unit further comprises a valve arrangement 41 at a position between two nozzle orifices 5, for realizing a first operational condition in which one of the nozzle orifices 5 is opened and the other of the nozzle orifices 5 is blocked, and a second operational condition in which the one of the nozzle orifices 5 is blocked and the other of the nozzle orifices 5 is opened.

[0063] In the second place, the invention also relates to a nozzle unit comprising at least one nozzle orifice 5, which nozzle unit is designed to be used as part of an oral irrigator 110, for emitting a flow 1 of irrigation fluid to be directed towards periodontal pockets 8 in a subject's mouth in a functional placement of the nozzle unit with the at least one nozzle orifice 5 in the vicinity of the subject's respective teeth 2, 3 at the position of interdental interfaces 4, wherein the at least one nozzle orifice 5 and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice 5 have an adjustable positioning in the nozzle unit. Options residing under such an embodiment include (i) an option of the nozzle unit including at least one flexible portion, (ii) an option of the nozzle unit including a tubular flexible portion 31 and a distal end portion 32 extending from the flexible portion 31, the distal end portion 32 including at least two radial arms 33 having a nozzle orifice 5 arranged at an end thereof, (iii) an option of the nozzle unit comprising a rotatably arranged distal end portion including at least one nozzle orifice 5, wherein optionally the nozzle unit further comprises a fluid-driven arrangement which is associated with the rotatably arranged distal end portion, (iv) an option of the nozzle unit comprising a distal end portion including at least one nozzle orifice 5 which is movably arranged in the distal end portion, wherein optionally the nozzle unit further comprises a drive mechanism which is configured and arranged to bring about movement of the at least one movably arranged nozzle orifice 5 in the distal end portion, and (v) an option of the nozzle unit comprising a sensor arrangement 51 which is configured and arranged to sense oral configuration features, and which is configured and arranged to generate input suitable to be received and processed by a controller 113 which is configured and arranged to control positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice 5 and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice 5 on the basis of the input from the sensor arrangement.

[0064] The invention further relates to an oral irrigator 110 which comprises a nozzle unit according to any of the above definitions and a fluid supply system 112 which is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit so as to enable the nozzle unit to emit the irrigation fluid, wherein optionally the fluid supply system 112 is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit in a pulsed flow. In a specific embodiment, the oral irrigator 110 comprises a nozzle unit according to option (v) as defined in the preceding paragraph, a fluid supply system 112 which is configured and arranged to supply irrigation fluid to the nozzle unit so as to enable the nozzle unit to emit the irrigation fluid, and a controller 113 which is configured and arranged to receive and process input from the sensor arrangement 51 of the nozzle unit, and to control positioning of the at least one nozzle orifice 5 and/or a portion of the nozzle unit accommodating the at least one nozzle orifice 5 on the basis of the input from the sensor arrangement 51.