US5306143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental hygiene appliance
Assignee: Laser Medical Technology Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-15
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Granted: 1994-04-26
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Expires: 2012-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A dental hygiene appliance for brushing teeth composed of a handle; a brushing head connected to the handle and a set of tooth brushing bristles projecting in a given direction from the head; a source of monochromatic radiation having a given wavelength; and elements for directing the radiation from the head in a direction having at least a component in the given direction; wherein the elements for directing radiation are structurally separate from the bristles.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Levy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0601; A61N5/0603; A46; A46B; A46B15/00; A46B15/0002; A46B15/0004; A46B15/0016; A46B15/0036; A61N5/067; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066; A61N2005/0606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A dental hygiene appliance for brushing teeth comprising: a handle; a brushing head connected to said handle and a set of tooth brushing bristles projecting in a given direction from said head; a laser contained in said handle and constituting a source of monochromatic radiation having a given wavelength; means for directing the radiation from said head in a direction having at least a component in the given direction; and means for delivering the radiation to said means for direction radiation; wherein said means for directing radiation are structurally separate from said bristles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A dental hygiene appliance for brushing teeth comprising: a handle; a brushing head connected to said handle and a set of tooth brushing bristles projecting in a given direction from said head; a laser contained in said handle and constituting a source of monochromatic radiation having a given wavelength; means for directing the radiation from said head in a direction having at least a component in the given direction; and means for delivering the radiation to said means for direction radiation; wherein said means for directing radiation are structurally separate from said bristles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said bristles are made of a material selected to perform an effective brushing action on teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An appliance as defined in claim 2 wherein said bristles are made of a natural material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An appliance as defined in claim 2 wherein said bristles are made of nylon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for directing radiation comprise optical components in said head for directing the radiation at least partly around said bristles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for delivering the radiation are in said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as defined in claim 5 further comprising a battery disposed in said handle and constituting a power source for said radiation source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An appliance as defined in claim 6 wherein said brushing head is readily detachable from said handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as defined in claim 8 further comprising a battery disposed in said handle and constituting a power source for said radiation source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein radiation having said given wavelength is capable of rendering visible a substance present on a tooth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 in combination with a supply of a given chemical product, wherein radiation having the given wavelength is capable of rendering visible a substance present on a tooth when the substance has been contacted by the given chemical product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein said supply of the given chemical product comprises a mass of toothpaste containing the given product.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation having a given wavelength is capable of removing a substance present on a tooth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An appliance as defined in claim 1 in combination with a supply of a given chemical product, wherein radiation having the given wavelength is capable of removing a substance present on a tooth when the substance has been contacted by the given chemical product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein said supply of the given chemical product comprises a toothpaste containing the given product.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US4779173A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-25 | 1997-10-25 | 1998-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-25 | 2001-10-25 | 2002-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-10-25 | 2006-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |