US5030090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical toothbrush and method of use
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-05
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Granted: 1991-07-09
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Expires: 2010-04-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical toothbrush used for medical treatment comprises a plurality of narrow fibers connected to a light generating device and extending through a brush base, wherein the fibers are bent to form an L-shape and project outwardly from the base to form a brush. Light emitted from the light generating device is guided into each fiber at its base and projected through the brush tips to provide oral hygiene.
Inventors
- 👤 Tetsuo Maeda
- 👤 Koichi Imanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0603; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0046; A61N5/067; A61N2005/0606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An optical toothbrush, comprising: a plurality of narrow optical fibers; a light generating device comprising a semiconductor laser provided at a base portion of said plurality of fibers; and a brush base for firmly holding said fibers, wherein the fibers are bent in an L-shape and the tip of each fiber projects outwardly from the brush base to form a brush, and wherein said optical fibers direct the light from said light generating device toward the teeth and surrounding tissue of a user for therapeutic purposes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical toothbrush, comprising: a plurality of narrow optical fibers; a light generating device comprising a semiconductor laser provided at a base portion of said plurality of fibers; and a brush base for firmly holding said fibers, wherein the fibers are bent in an L-shape and the tip of each fiber projects outwardly from the brush base to form a brush, and wherein said optical fibers direct the light from said light generating device toward the teeth and surrounding tissue of a user for therapeutic purposes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the narrow optical fibers are transparent and are encompassed by a thin metal layer that reflects light traveling therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the light generating device generates a continuous wave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the light generating device is connected to a power source by a power supply cord.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the light generating device is contained in a casing of a power source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the narrow fibers projecting from the light generating device are contained in a flexible cord.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical toothbrush, comprising: a plurality of narrow optical fibers; a pulse wave light generating device provided at a base portion of said plurality of fibers; and a brush base for firmly holding said fibers, wherein the fibers are bent in an L-shape and the tip of each fiber projects outwardly from the brush base to form a brush, wherein said optical fibers direct the light from said light generating device toward the teeth and surrounding tissue of a user for therapeutic purposes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical toothbrush, comprising: a plurality of narrow optical fibers; a pulse wave light generating device provided at a base portion of said plurality of fibers; and a brush base for firmly holding said fibers, wherein the fibers are bent in an L-shape and the tip of each fiber projects outwardly from the brush base to form a brush, wherein said optical fibers direct the light from said light generating device toward the teeth and surrounding tissue of a user for therapeutic purposes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the fibers are connected to the light generating device by a cone-shaped connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the cone-shaped connector is made out of quartz glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the pulse wave light generating device comprises a semiconductor laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the narrow optical fibers are transparent and are encompassed by a thin metal layer that reflects light traveling therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the fibers are connected to the light generating device by a cone-shaped connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 12, wherein the cone-shaped connector is made out of quartz glass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the pulse wave light generating device is contained in a casing of a power source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the narrow fibers projecting from the light generating device are contained in a flexible cord.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for therapeutically treating teeth and surrounding tissue with light, comprising the steps of: providing an optical toothbrush comprising a plurality of narrow optical fibers firmly held in a brush base and bent in an L-shape with the tip of each fiber projecting outwardly from the brush base to form a brush; shining a light source into said optical fibers at the base portion of said fibers; and brushing the teeth and surrounding tissue with said optical toothbrush to illuminate, and thereby provide a therapeutic effect to, the teeth and surrounding tissue.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for therapeutically treating teeth and surrounding tissue with light, comprising the steps of: providing an optical toothbrush comprising a plurality of narrow optical fibers firmly held in a brush base and bent in an L-shape with the tip of each fiber projecting outwardly from the brush base to form a brush; shining a light source into said optical fibers at the base portion of said fibers; and brushing the teeth and surrounding tissue with said optical toothbrush to illuminate, and thereby provide a therapeutic effect to, the teeth and surrounding tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said shining step includes pulsing said light source to produce a pulsed light wave.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said shining step includes continuously shining said light to produce a continuous light wave.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said shining step includes shining light from a semiconductor laser source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4273535A
Cited
US4779173A
Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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