ELECTRIC BRUSH DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a brush-head assembly for a brush device, the brush head assembly comprising: a. an elongate body having proximal and distal ends and defining a elongate axis; and b. a brush disposed mounted onto the elongate body; c. a fluid-delivery lumen disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof; and d. a suction lumen having first and second portions, the first portion disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof, the second portion disposed at the proximal end of and in fluid communication with the first portion.

Claims

1. A brush-head assembly for a brush device, the brush head assembly comprising: a. an elongate body having proximal and distal ends and defining a elongate axis; and b. a brush disposed mounted onto the elongate body; c. a fluid-delivery lumen disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof; and d. a suction lumen having first and second portions, the first portion disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof, the second portion disposed at the proximal end of and in fluid communication with the first portion, at least some of the second portion protruding sideways from the elongate body to form an elongate-body-external portion of the suction lumen.

2. A brush-head assembly for a brush device, the brush head assembly comprising: a. an elongate body having proximal and distal ends and defining a elongate axis; and b. a brush disposed mounted onto the elongate body; c. a fluid-delivery lumen disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof; and d. a suction lumen having first and second portions, the first portion disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof, the second portion disposed at the proximal end of and in fluid communication with the first portion, at least some of the second portion forming an elongate-body-external portion of the suction lumen.

3. A system comprising: a. a brush head assembly; and b. a base detachably attachable to the brush head, wherein the brush head assembly comprises: i. an elongate body having proximal and distal ends and defining a elongate axis; and ii. a brush disposed mounted onto the elongate body; iii. a fluid-delivery lumen disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof; and iv. a suction lumen having first and second portions, the first portion disposed within the elongate body along the elongate axis thereof, the second portion disposed at the proximal end of and in fluid communication with the first portion, at least some of the second portion forming an elongate-body-external portion of the suction lumen, wherein the elongate-body-external portion of the suction lumen is attached to an outside of the base.

4-25. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIGS. 1A-1D and 2-5 illustrate oral-care devices according to some embodiments of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates an oral-care device (e.g. for brushing teeth) according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the device includes (i) base portion 100 and (ii) brush-head portion 200for example, attachable (e.g. detachably attachable) to each other. Brush-head portion 200 comprises an elongate body defining an elongate axis (see FIG. 1D). In different embodiments, the elongate body has (i) a length of at least 5 cm and/or at most 25 cm and/or (ii) a thickness of at most 2 cm or at most 1 cm and/or at least 0.5 cm. Various features of the brush head or brush head assembly described herein may, in fact, be features of the elongate body.

[0029] In different embodiments, the device comprises at least one or at least two or all three of the following: (i) a brush 220 (e.g. including an array of bristlesfor example, similar to those of any toothbrushe.g. similar to any electric toothbrush) ; (ii) a fluid-delivery lumen 214 having a suction-lumen orifice 218 at a distal end thereof and (iii) a suction lumen 204 having a suction-lumen orifice 208 at a distal end thereo.

[0030] In some embodiments, the brush and/or suction-lumen orifice 218 and/or fluid-delivery orifice is located within a distal region of the elongate bodye.g. in the distal-most 20% of elongate body and/or within 3 cm or within 2 cm or within 1 cm of distal tip of the elongate body.

[0031] In some embodiments, during operation of the device, a source of negative pressure (NOT SHOWN) is applied to a proximal end of the suction lumen (e.g. via proximal connector 228 disposed at a proximal end of suction lumen 204e.g. a tapered connector). Matter within the subject's oral cavity is suctioned into the suction-lumen 204 via suction lumen distal orifice 208 and is transported in a proximal direction within suction-lumen 204e.g. out of the oral cavity. Alternatively or additionally, during operation, fluid is distally forced through the fluid-delivery lumen and expelled via fluid-delivery orifice 218e.g. as a jet of fluid. For example, a reservoir of fluid 120 is located within base 100. For example, a press element 112 and/or plunger 112

[0032] In some embodiments, using a motor 116 to force fluid through fluid delivery lumen 214 is useful for providing a steady flow rate of fluid through lumenthis may be useful, e.g. in an intensive care situation.

[0033] Operation of the brush may dislodge matter within the subject's oral cavity from locations on or between the subject's teeth or from locations on or within the subject's gums. Flow of fluid (e.g. as a jet of fluid) into the oral cavity may also dislodge matter within the subject's oral cavity. Matter within the subject's oral cavity may be suctioned out of the oral cavity via the suction lumen 204.

[0034] In different embodiments, operation of an electric motor 216 causes movement (e.g. rotational and/or vibrational movement) of brush 220 and/or of bristles thereof - e.g. useful for dislodge matter from teeth and/or gums.

[0035] In one non-limiting example, motor 216 and brush 220 are mechanically coupled via a shaft (NOT SHOWN in FIG. 1A) and brush 220 rotates around a central axis of the shaft (i.e. into the page). As shown in FIGS. 1-5, electric motor 216 may be located at different locations. In the example of FIG. 1A, electric motor 216 is deployed at a distal end of the brush head 200e.g. immediately adjacent to brush 220. In the example of FIG. 2, electric motor is mounted to brush head 200 but is located towards further away from brush 220 than the example of FIG. 1in the example of FIG. 2, motor 216 is located in a middle portion of the brush head 200.

[0036] In some embodiment, electric motor 116 is permanently attached to (e.g. mounted to and/or disposed within) brush head 200. Thus, in some embodiments, electric motor 116 may serve as part of a replacement cartridgean old brush head including a first electric motor permanently mounted thereto may be replaced by a new brush head including a second electric motor permanently mounted thereto.

[0037] However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments electric motor 216 is not permanently mounted to the base 200, or even mounted to base 200in the example of

[0038] FIG. 5, electric motor 216 is mounted to the base 100, and causes brush 220 to rotate via shaft transmission 230. In another example (NOT SHOWN), electric motor is mounted to the base 100, and causes brush 220 (i.e. at least bristles thereof) to vibratei.e. vibrations produced in base 100 propagate through brush head 200 along an elongate axis thereof.

[0039] In some embodiments, fluid is forced through fluid delivery lumen in a distal direction. For example, fluid (e.g. cleaning fluid and/or water and/or any aqueous solution) may be stored within container (or reservoir) 120 and forced through the fluid-delivery lumen 214e.g. to form a jet of fluid exiting fluid delivery lumen distal orifice 218. For example, a second electrical motor (e.g. a stepper motor 116) expel (e.g. by operating an actuator and/or pressing element and/or plunger) fluid resident within fluid container/reservoir 120the expelled fluid enters into fluid-delivery lumen (e.g. via a proximal end thereof), passes through the fluid-delivery lumen 214, and exits the fluid delivery lumen via the distal orifice 218 thereof (e.g. as a jet of fluid).

[0040] In some embodiments, motor 216 receives electrical power from a power source (e.g. battery 104) that is external to the fluid head portion - e.g from a power source mounted on or disposed in base 100e.g. within base 100. For example, the electrical current flows to motor 216 via electric line 124. In some embodiments, engaging base 100 to the brush head 200 serves to bring motor 216 in electrical contact with its power source (e.g. battery 104).

[0041] In different embodiments, a diameter of suction lumen is at least 1 mm and/or at most 3 mm (e.g. at most 2 mm). In some embodiments, a diameter of fluid-delivery lumen is at most.

[0042] FIG. 1B illustrates the brush head assembly 200 of the system of FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, suction lumen 204 includes two portions: (i) a first portion 234 within the head 200 (i.e. within elongate body) and along an elongate axis thereof; (ii) a second portion 238 that is external to the elongate body (and to head 200). In the example of FIG. 1B, this second portion is external to base 100. As shown in FIG. 1A, this second portion exits elongate body and head 200 via a sideways protrusion 236. For example, a proximal connector 228 is connected to the base-external portion 238 of the suction lumen 204.

[0043] The brush head assembly of FIG. 1B includes a suction lumen which may be said to bypasses the base.

[0044] FIG. 1C is similar to FIG. 1B but for systems where the electric motor 216 is not deployed to the brush heade.g. where the electric motor 216 is not is not deployed to the brush heade.g. deployed to the base as in FIG. 5.

[0045] In the example of FIG. 3, base-external portion 238 of the suction lumen is attached to an outer surface (e.g. a surface facing in a sideways direction and/or facing in a direction perpendicular to an elongate axis of brush head 200 (or perpendicular to a central axis of base 100)e.g. reversably attachable. For example, the outer surface of base may include a groove (NOT SHOWN) into which a section (e.g. a short section) of base-external portion 238 of the suction lumen may be inerted. In other examples, the attachment may be performed a tape and/or by a clip or in any other manner known in the art.

[0046] In the example of FIG. 4, base 100 includes two portions: an outer portion and an insertable (e.g. reversably insertable) unit 108.