11739 results about "Bristle" patented technology

A dental hygiene system provided with interchangeable dental heads permits power-enhanced brushing and concurrent fluid irrigation to optimize a user's personal dental hygiene efforts. The system has a handle assembly with an irrigation nozzle in close proximity to displaceable bristles driven by a battery-operated handle motor. Pumping of irrigation fluid such as an antiseptic solution into the oral cavity is also motor driven. A telescoping chamber with irrigation fluid fits on the piston-like base end of the handle and is refilled by docking the handle assembly on a complementary docking station that includes a detachable fluid reservoir, microswitch controls and a base fluid pump. Docking of the handle assembly triggers the microswitches and opens a check valve in the bottom of the handle chamber, which activates the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the chamber. An optional fiberoptic subassembly illuminates the oral cavity.

In one embodiment, an oral-care system is provided. The oral-care system includes an electric toothbrush having a motor, a power source in electrical communication with the motor, and a bristle holder operatively connected to the motor. A display is in data communication with the electric toothbrush.

The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having a head attached to one end. The head has a bristle-bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions. The brush can comprise further massaging elements which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though the use of such additional elements is preferably minimised. The perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less, preferably being circular. The cross-sectional area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements to bristles on the brush head is less than 25%. Alternately there are four or fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric massaging elements. A brush with both bristles and gum massaging elements arranged as set out above provides both cleaning and gum massaging benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic impression derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the part of the brush head traditionally comprising only bristles.

Multi-directional wiping elements are disclosed. The wiping elements comprise intersecting squeegee segments that provide top wiping squeegee edges and side wiping squeegee edges. Devices utilizing the multi-directional wiping elements of the present invention can include bristles that are configured to simultaneously wipe a working surface with the wiping elements. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the multi-directional wiping elements are utilized in a toothbrush cleaning head that is configured to be operated manually or, alternatively, is motorized and is configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate and / or move according to a combination thereof.

An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has an elongated body, a head, and a neck extending between the body and the head. A plurality of bristle carriers each having a plurality of bristle tufts are disposed on the head. An electric motor is operatively connected to a shaft, wherein operation of the electric motor moves the shaft in a reciprocating motion and wherein the shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the bristle carriers to move the bristle carriers.

A self-propelling cleaner 1 performs dust removal processing in which a comb is brought close to a rotary brush with prescribed timing and dust is removed from the rotary brush. In the dust removal processing, the comb is slid in such a direction as to come closer to the brush, even dust that is stuck to the base portions of bristles of the rotary brush can be removed. A self-propelling cleaner is provided that is free of an event that it performs cleaning in a state that a large amount of dust is stuck to the rotary brush.

A brush electrode catheter and a method for using the brush electrode catheter for tissue ablation are disclosed. The brush electrode catheter comprises a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles for applying ablative energy (e.g., RF energy) to target tissue during the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. Interstitial spaces are defined among the filaments of the brush electrode, and the interstitial spaces are adapted to direct conductive or nonconductive fluid, when present, toward the distal ends of the brush filaments. The brush electrode facilitates electrode-tissue contact in target tissue having flat or contoured surfaces. The flexible filaments may be selectively trimmed to give a desired tip configuration or a desired standoff distance between the tissue and the conductive filaments in the brush electrode. Also, the filaments may be grouped into clusters. A shielded-tip brush electrode, including a flexible boot, is also disclosed.

This invention relates to a toothbrush that utilizes a replaceable brush head having rubber gum guard on its top surface and a triangular shaped rubber pad on its bottom surface. The rubber gum guard is shorter than the height of the bristles and is positioned on the peripheral edge of a brush head for functioning as a sensor for providing feedback to prevent brushing at excessive pressures and improper angles as well as for massaging the gumlines without the risk of gum damages. The triangular shaped rubber pad is for conforming to and massaging gumlines at the back of teeth. The replaceable brush head having the rubber gum guard and massaging pad features is economically used in conjunction with a permanent handle that dispenses dentifrice material to the top of bristles. The handle has a resilient contractible connector for secure mounting of the replaceable brush head.

A miniaturized brush particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of a brush delivery catheter and other components of a brush sub-assembly adapted to deliver infusate through the catheter lumen and to be coupled to a drive motor unit for rotating the brush drive shaft and brush. The brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen during introduction through a body lumen. The brush bristles are formed of a thin sheet of rigid plastic material that is shaped to have a plurality of fringe elements extending in parallel from a mounting web. The mounting web is wound about and attached to a distal end section of the drive shaft outer circumference so that the fringe elements extend outward from the drive shaft surface and obliquely of the drive shaft axis. Preferably, proximal and distal spiral brush sections are formed in this manner so that fluids are impelled distally and proximally, respectively, between the proximal and distal brush sections as infusate is delivered.

A U-shaped, ultrasonic toothbrush module to be used with currently available ultrasonic toothbrush hand pieces made of soft thermoplastic, silicone, or latex material with upper and lower bridge receiving spaces formed on opposite sides. The receiving spaces are designed to receive a user's upper and lower bridges when placed into the user's mouth. Disposed on the three inside surfaces of each receiving space are a plurality of bristles which completely contact the exposed surfaces of every tooth when the device is used. The module includes a housing with a pivoting T-shaped member and magnets attached at one end that connects to a standard ultrasonic toothbrush hand piece. Motion generated by the hand piece is transmitted through the T-shaped member and to the U-shaped member. The movement of the U-shaped member generates ultrasonic waves that are transmitted to the surfaces of the teeth and move the brushes when teeth are placed into the upper and lower bridge receiving spaces.

A powered toothbrush to provide oral hygiene having a brush section with a first bristle carrier that is powered and driven to rotate in an oscillating manner through a prescribed angle. A second bristle carrier is pivotally connected to the first bristle carrier and also pivotally connected to the brush section. The second bristle carrier oscillates in accordance with the oscillation of the first bristle carrier in a sectorial manner. The bristle carriers may include a variety of elastomeric and non-elastomeric bristles or combinations thereof to provide cleaning, polishing, whitening and stimulating to the teeth and gums.

A toothbrush has a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element which consists of a hard material and is connected to the head part. A process for producing such a toothbrush is also disclosed.

A oral irrigator tip for an oral irrigator. The oral irrigator tip may include a shaft portion with a base, an apex, and a transitional portion linking the base to the apex. The shaft portion may be straight or angled. The shaft portion may be hollow from the base to the apex to define a fluid passage, thus permitting fluid to flow along the shaft portion. A retaining feature may be formed on the shaft portion to facilitate retention of the oral irrigator tip by an oral irrigator. A connector may join a nozzle to the shaft portion. Attached to the connector may be a bristle element, which may include multiple individual bristles glued or otherwise affixed to the connector. The bristles may be arranged in a circular pattern; water may flow around the individual bristles or through the center of the bristles.

A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

A toothbrush has a handle and a head, wherein a plurality of relatively straight bristle fibers extend outward from one side of a bristle-supporting portion of the head to provide a looped coarse scrubbing surface. In addition, a plurality of looped fibers extend outward from another side of a looped fiber-supporting portion of the head, wherein an end of each looped fiber is fixably connected to the fiber supporting surface, wherein the looped fiber has a curved portion most outwardly disposed from the fiber-supporting portion such that there is provided a soft scrubbing lufa like surface.

An electric toothbrush having an elongated body having a handle portion, a head portion, and an elongated intermediate portion disposed between the handle portion and the head portion. The head portion includes a static bristle portion and a moving bristle portion. The static bristle portion and the moving bristle portion are disposed along a common longitudinal axis relative to the head portion. The head portion and intermediate portion are dimensioned for disposition in a human user's mouth for brushing of teeth. A motor is disposed in the handle portion and operatively connected to the moving bristles for moving the moving bristles.

The present invention relates to a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member. The head is divided into two regions. A "toe" region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a "heel" region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle. A multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end. Likewise, a multiplicity of bristles extend from the toe region of the head, wherein said bristles extending from the toe portion of the head are at least as tall as the general height of said bristles extending from the heel portion when viewed from the side and wherein the side profile view of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the toe portion form a generally linear surface which forms an angle relative to the general plane of the bristles extending from the heel portion of from 0 DEG to about 45 DEG declining from the edge of the toe portion distal to the heel portion to the edge of the toe portion which is proximal to the heel portion.

A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

An motorized electric toothbrush (10) includes a removable brush head (16) and a switch (12) that allows the toothbrush (10) to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head (16) contacts the operator's teeth, a second switch (20) is automatically actuated and the motor (14) engaged. The brush head (16) is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or allow use of the toothbrush (10) by multiple users.

An oral care implement includes a head and a plurality of cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth and soft tissue of the oral cavity. One tooth cleaning element has a plurality of bristles adapted to clean teeth. Another cleaning element is connected to the head and has structure defining a channel. The channel is configured to direct fluid in contact with the head toward an edge of the head when the implement is moved. The head also defines a reservoir that is configured to receive a dentifrice therein.

The brushhead attachment system includes a hub member which is secured to a drive shaft of a personal care appliance for oscillating action. The hub member includes a number of spaced locking elements in the form of protrusions around the periphery thereof. An annular outer brushhead portion with a first group of bristles includes a plurality of spaced grooves in the outer surface thereof which mate with extending pins in the body of the appliance for insertion and removal of the outer brushhead portion. An inner brushhead portion is configured to fit within the annular opening of the outer brushhead portion and includes a plurality of depending legs which mate with the protrusions on the drive member for resulting oscillating action of the inner brushhead portion when the drive member oscillates, at least some of the legs having latch elements which fit onto an interior lip of the outer brushhead portion in such a manner that the inner and outer brushhead portions may be installed and removed as a unit, while permitting the inner brushhead portion to be freely rotatable relative to the outer brushhead portion.

A brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. The antimicrobial agents, compounds or chemicals are embedded in either the body or bristles or both of the brush. Further, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. An antimicrobial additive is incorporated in resin concentrate form into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the polymer from which brush handles are injection molded, thereby incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the brush handle. The antimicrobial additive in the body of the brush, incorporated in the manner above, results in substantive controlled migration from the body to the bristles, until a point of equilibrium is reached. The invention is suitable for any brush in which bristles are embedded in plastic, including toothbrushes, hair brushes, scrub brushes, toilet bowl brushes, cosmetic brushes, lip-color brushes, etc.

A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of an brush delivery catheter, and the brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and an brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form an brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles. The brush and brush drive shaft distal section are automatically extended out of the catheter lumen distal end opening when the sub-assembly connector and the drive motor unit connector positively lock together. Simultaneously, a drive hub of the brush drive shaft locks into a drive chuck of a drive motor unit to enable rotation of the drive shaft, and the proximal drive shaft end is seated in a dynamic seal that inhibits infiltration of blood and thrombolytic agent into the drive motor housing.

A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.

The stem portion of a toothbrush body has a set of bristles on a bristle plate at one end thereof, the stem portion including a shell or stem body having a longitudinal opening therethrough. A core member is configured to fit within the stem body, having two opposed grooves in the exterior surface thereof along the length thereof. The stem body has two grooves in the interior surface thereof, such that the grooves in the core member and the grooves in the stem body can align to form separate fluid channels along the length of the stem portion. The stem portion receives fluid from a reservoir and delivers the fluid to the bristle plate, which includes exit openings for the fluid. The core member and the stem body also include fluid-tight connections therebetween, separating the two channels.

Oral phototherapy applicators are disclosed that are sized and shaped so as to fit at least partially in a user's mouth with a plurality of bristles of elongate shape coupled to an apparatus body. The Applicators can be adapted to brush the user's teeth and further include at least one radiation emitter coupled to the body to provide phototherapeutic radiation to a portion of the oral cavity other than tissue in contact with the bristles. In one embodiment, the phototherapy emitter irradiates both a region of tissue in contact with the bristles and a portion of the oral cavity that is not in contact with the apparatus. For example, the apparatus can include at least one emitter that irradiates tooth tissue in contact with the bristles and gum tissue surrounding the tooth tissue.

A hybrid brush seal is provided for sealing a circumferential gap between two machine components that are relatively rotatable with respect to each other having seal bristles mounted in a ring shape on a first machine component with bristle ends directed at the sealing surface of the second, rotating machine component. The bristle ends are kept from direct contact with the rotating machine component via one or more shoes which create a non-contact seal with the rotating machine component which is enhanced by the imposition of one or more spring elements connected between the machine component and shoes.

An electrically-driven toothbrush has a brush holder that is arranged to rotationally vibrate and carry a number of bristles interspaced with arcuate membranes. The membranes serve to aid cleaning of the teeth and to polish the teeth surfaces during use of the toothbrush.

A waterless, disposable toothbrush is disclosed and includes a handle having a toothpick connected thereto to enable cleaning between teeth, and a rupturable dispenser containing a dentifrice and being connected in a bristle portion of the toothbrush head for dispensing the dentifrice to the teeth to provide teeth cleaning and breath freshening, all of which deliver a cleaning, polishing, whitening, between teeth cleaning, and breath freshening action. The disposable toothbrush of the present invention combines three benefits into one disposable toothbrush: (1) tooth surface cleaning with the toothbrush bristles and the dentifrice in the rupturable dispenser; (2) between teeth cleaning with the toothpick; and (3) breath freshening with the dentifrice in the rupturable dispenser.