Patent ID: 6442785
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A46B,A46D,Y10S

Abstract:
A dental brush configured for operation in an operational temperature range to aid with dental hygiene, the dental brush comprising:shape memory alloy wire configured as a component of bristles having an austenitic transformation finishing temperature such that the shape memory alloy wire is superelastic in the operational temperature range, the bristles having an original shape and configured to return to their original shape for any amount of deformation of the bristles below a maximum deformation, the shape memory alloy bristles positioned a distance from one another, the distance being at least a minimum spacing, the amount of deformation for the maximum deformation being independent from the distance for the minimum spacing; a dental brush head sized, shaped, and configured to receive the shape memory alloy bristles, the shape memory alloy bristles affixed to the head in a pattern configuration, the pattern configuration including affixation points where the shape memory alloy bristles are affixed to the dental brush head, the affixation points positioned on the dental brush head such that the spacing between each pair of bristles is at least the minimum spacing, the pattern configuration further including the height of each shape memory alloy bristle dependent upon its affixation point; and a handle including a grip portion and a receiving end portion, the receiving end portion of the handle being attached to the dental brush head, wherein the shape memory alloy wire comprises at least 50% Ni and at least 40% Ti.