SMART TOOTHBRUSH UTILIZING FLUORESCENCE AND INTRAORAL CAMERA

A smart toothbrush system, utilizing fluorescence and an intraoral camera, includes a toothbrush handle with embedded electronics, detachable brush and intraoral camera heads, and wireless connectivity capability for communication with external devices. The detachable brush head system is capable of directing particular wavelengths of light to the oral cavity, producing visible fluorescence when incident upon certain biomaterials that are indicative of the presence of various dental conditions. The intraoral camera head is capable of directing the same wavelengths of light to the oral cavity to produce the same fluorescing effect and can be used to closely inspect or record the presence of harmful biomaterials indicative of dental health.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to oral personal hygiene, home dental care, medical devices, the internet of things, tele-dentistry, and artificial intelligence. One specific embodiment of the disclosure relates to the utilization of violet light fluorescence and an intraoral camera within a smart connected toothbrush system that utilizes an embedded neural network to aid in the at-home detection of plaque and anomalous dental conditions, and to facilitate remote communication of dental health with a dental practitioner.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

Digital imaging technology is widely used in the medical and dental fields. Dental practitioners routinely utilize imaging devices ranging from intraoral x-ray sensors and panoramic x-ray machines, to intraoral cameras and fluorescence-based caries and plaque detection devices. When used in the dental office setting, these devices are used to diagnose the condition of oral health by assisting with the detection of dental lesions and other dental health problems. While these technologies are prevalent in dental offices, they are not readily available for public purchase, or they are not allowed to be sold as consumer devices due to regulatory restrictions.

Intraoral cameras are visible light imaging devices with an exterior housing designed to facilitate use within the oral cavity. They are used predominantly as patient communication devices, enabling dentists to show images of a patient's dentition to the patient during or after an examination. This helps increase case acceptance by motivating the patient to accept treatment for what is visibly wrong with their teeth.

Some intraoral cameras include fluorescence-based caries and plaque detection capabilities. Such devices work by incorporating light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, or other light sources that emit light in the ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet wavelength band, oftentimes at or around 407 nm. This wavelength is optimal because it causes excitation in Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) molecules resulting in 590 nm, 620 nm, and 635 nm emission (all visible orange-light or red-light wavelengths) and can also cause mature dental plaque to fluoresce at 600-700 nm (also visible orange-light or red-light wavelengths).

PPIX is a byproduct of active carious lesions, perhaps caused by bacterial biosynthesis that occurs during the process of tooth decay. The dentist may use such a device to collect one of many different types of information that guide diagnosis and treatment of the patient. The dentist may also use the images acquired of the fluorescence when presenting the case to the patient for treatment. Some intraoral cameras with caries detection capability also include technology for quantifying the extent of the carious lesions in order to provide the practitioner with the capability to record the condition of the lesions empirically over time.

Conventional toothbrushes are used for routine cleaning of teeth, gums, and the tongue and are generally comprised of a plastic handle with clusters of polyamide or polyester bristles attached to one end. More advanced toothbrushes may include metal alloy handles, battery powered motors which oscillate, spin, or vibrate, timers that indicate to the user when they have brushed their teeth for a sufficient amount of time, and replaceable brush heads that allow the user to reuse the base of the toothbrush including the aforementioned motors and batteries. Toothbrushes are typically used in combination with fluoride-based toothpaste and water.

There are many problems with dental hygiene in the United States. The average American brushes their teeth for less than half the time recommended by dentists (Academy of General Dentistry, 2014). Three out of four millennials brush only once a day, and 42% of people do not change their toothbrush or replaceable toothbrush head every three months (Electric Teeth, 2018). Finally, more than 91% of U.S. adults aged 20-64 have dental caries in permanent teeth (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012).

The internet of things, especially smart devices, have driven enormous growth in industries ranging from the hard sciences to marketing to social media, but research, development, and adoption of such technologies in the consumer dental space has lagged significantly. Most consumers still use conventional toothbrushes and other traditional dental hygiene products and devices, despite the problems that continue to exist in home dental care and dental hygiene.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for smart oral care devices that can aid in the at-home detection of plaque and anomalous dental conditions, and to facilitate remote communication of dental health with a dental practitioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a smart toothbrush system utilizing visible light fluorescence of Protoporphyrin IX and plaque, in combination with an intraoral camera, wireless connectivity, and an inertial measurement unit.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a toothbrush system comprising a toothbrush handle; a removable toothbrush brush head attachable to an attachment end of the toothbrush handle; transparent bristles disposed on a distal end of the brush head; and one or more light sources configured to deliver light outward through the transparent bristles.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a toothbrush system comprising a toothbrush handle; a removable toothbrush brush head attachable to an attachment end of the toothbrush handle; transparent bristles disposed on a distal end of the brush head; a camera head removably attachable to the toothbrush handle, the camera head operable to acquire an image; electrical contacts disposed adjacent the attachment end of the toothbrush handle; camera head electrical contacts disposed in the camera head, the camera head electrical contacts electrically connecting with the electrical contacts of the toothbrush handle when the camera head is attached to the toothbrush handle; one or more light sources configured to deliver light outward through at least one of the transparent bristles and a distal end of the camera head, wherein the one or more light sources emits light having a wavelength that, when incident upon surfaces within an oral cavity, is capable of producing detectable visible wavelength fluorescence.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of detecting plaque or anomalous dental conditions comprising disposing a toothbrush system at least partially into an oral cavity, the toothbrush system having a toothbrush handle, a removable toothbrush brush head attachable to an attachment end of the toothbrush handle, transparent bristles disposed on a distal end of the brush head, and one or more light sources configured to deliver light outward through the transparent bristles; and illuminating the one or more light sources to illuminate inside the oral cavity, wherein the one or more light sources emits light having a wavelength that, when incident upon surfaces within an oral cavity, is capable of producing detectable visible wavelength fluorescence.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for a smart toothbrush system utilizing fluorescence and an intraoral camera. The system includes a toothbrush handle with embedded electronics, detachable brush and intraoral camera heads, and wireless connectivity capability for communication with external devices. The detachable brush head system is capable of directing particular wavelengths of light to the oral cavity, producing visible fluorescence when incident upon certain biomaterials that are indicative of the presence of various dental conditions. The intraoral camera head is capable of directing the same wavelengths of light to the oral cavity to produce the same fluorescing effect and can be used to closely inspect or record the presence of harmful biomaterials indicative of dental health.

As used herein, the term “fluorescence” refers to electromagnetic radiation emitted resulting from incident radiation of higher energy.

As used herein, the term “plaque” refers to dental biofilm or material that grows on surfaces within the oral cavity.

As used herein, the term “internet of things” refers to the extension of the internet to include common objects, including connectivity and the ability to communicate and exchange data.

As used herein, the term “smart device” refers to an electronic device that may connect to other devices or to networks of varying connectivity standards and protocols which may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and more.

As used herein, the term “inertial measurement unit” or “IMU” refers to an electronic package that may measure and communicate specific force, angular rate, and orientation, possibly using a combination of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer.

As used herein, the term “microcontroller” or “MCU” refers to an integrated circuit or collection of integrated circuits that contains one or more computer processing units, electronic memory, and input/output capability.

As used herein, the term “CMOS sensor” refers to an electronic element that converts visible light into electrical stimulus commonly used in digital cameras and video devices

As used herein, the term “image signal processor” or “ISP” refers to a digital signal processor used for image processing.

As used herein, the term “metadata” refers to data that describes other data.

As used herein, the term “Bluetooth”® refers to one standard for short range wireless connectivity found in mobile phones, computers, and other devices.

As used herein, the term “violet light” refers to light having wavelengths between 380 nm and 450 nm.

As used herein, the term “Wi-Fi”® refers to one method by which computers, smart phones, or other devices may communicate wirelessly, oftentimes to create computer networks or to facilitate access to the internet through a router.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-3, a smart toothbrush system100can include a detachable bristled toothbrush brush head102with transparent bristles104. A light tube106can be disposed on an interior of the brush head102, extending a proximal end108of the brush head102to a distal end110thereof. The light tube106can transmit light from a toothbrush handpiece112(also referred to as handle112) to the bristles104, as discussed below. In some embodiments, the light tube106may be transparent. The handle112can house various electronic components, electronically and operably connected to perform their required function. For example, the electronic components can include an inertial measurement unit114, a battery116, an inductive charging coil118, an inductive charging base120, a vibration motor122, a multi-purpose button124, a circuit board including a microcontroller126and antenna array128including wireless connectivity, such as Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capability and one or more violet LEDs130.

As used herein, the term “transparent” refers to the ability to let light pass through a particular material. It should be understood that transparent elements may only need be transparent to the wavelengths of light of interest that need to pass through the transparent material.

In normal operation, the toothbrush100is stored on the inductive charging base120, which is connected to a standard power outlet (not shown). The inductive charging base120can interact with the inductive charging coil118in the toothbrush handle112, which provides power, charging the battery116. Of course, other battery charging technologies may be used by the toothbrush100as may be understood by the art.

When a toothbrush brush head102is attached, the user may lift the handpiece112from the base, apply toothpaste to the bristles104, and press the multi-purpose button124to start the vibration motor112. The toothbrush head102may attach to the handpiece112using, for example, a cam mechanism, threaded screw-down mechanism, or spring-bar mechanism. The frequency of the vibration motor may be configured using the multi-purpose button. The user may toggle the violet LED(s)130on or off using the multi-purpose button in order to make apparent the presence of dental plaque or other fluorescent matter within the oral cavity. To illuminate the oral cavity with the violet light, the transparent tube106is used as a light pipe to transmit light from the top of the toothbrush handle112, through the transparent tube106, and into the transparent bristles104, which direct the light into the mouth. The distal end110of the brush head102may also be selectively transparent to facilitate projection of light into the mouth. The transparent tube106may be plastic or any other transparent material such as glass and may be tapered at one end to facilitate aiming of the light.

The smart toothbrush system may communicate metadata about the brushing session to an application running on a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer using, for example, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Metadata may include, but is not limited to toothbrushing session duration, information about the position and motions of the toothbrush over that duration of time, battery charge level, vibration mode or level, and more. The toothbrush may be used on both human and animal subjects.

In one embodiment of the invention, the toothbrush handle112may include intraoral camera connector contacts132at one end. The contacts132may be used to permit the attachment of an intraoral camera head200comprised of an optical assembly202, an image sensor204, such as a CMOS sensor, LEDs206, and a ribbon cable and/or wires208connected to contacts210at the proximal end212of the toothbrush camera head200to transfer the image data collected by the image sensor204to the intraoral camera contacts132of the handle112. In some embodiments, the electrical contacts132are positioned opposite the toothbrush handle base, generally adjacent to the brush head attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the electrical contacts132are oriented approximately normal to the surface of the toothbrush handle enclosure and generally normal to the lateral surface on the opposite side of the handle from the toothbrush handle base.

In such an embodiment, the camera head200may include white light LEDs, violet light LEDs, or a combination of the two types of LEDs, and the user may toggle between LED types or turn the LEDs on/off using a switch mechanism214located on the camera head200or via the multi-purpose button124or multiple buttons or capacitive switches on the handpiece112.

The intraoral camera toothbrush head200may attach to the handle112using, for example but not limited to, a cam attachment, threaded attachment, or spring-bar mechanism. The intraoral camera connector contacts132,212on both the handle112and intraoral camera head200, respectively, may be liquid and dust proofed using any combination of O-rings, sealants, plastic molding, or other methods, to prevent liquid damage to the unit. The intraoral camera ISP may be configured in such a way as to reduce the impact of certain colors of violet light on the image, in order to enhance the visibility of red wavelengths corresponding to plaque or other fluorescent matter present within the oral cavity. With such an embodiment the user may use the intraoral camera brush head200, along with their smart phone or other device, to view or save macro images of their teeth. When used in combination with the violet light LEDs, the user may take photos or video of the inside of their mouth that illustrate the presence or non-presence of plaque, carious lesions, or other fluorescent materials.

In one embodiment of the invention the intraoral camera headpiece may include bristles to facilitate brushing of the teeth while using the intraoral camera aspect of the smart toothbrush system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the intraoral camera components may be included in the handpiece in a manner that facilitates viewing of the toothbrush head and oral cavity so that a toothbrush headpiece may be used in tandem with the intraoral camera functionality. Such an embodiment may be achieved by positioning an optical light pipe within the toothbrush head.

In one embodiment of the invention the violet LEDs may be contained within the toothbrush head itself, powered by the connection of electrical contacts in the proximal end of the toothbrush head and the distal end of the toothbrush handle.

In one embodiment of the invention the brush head may use an oscillating slide mechanism or a rotating mechanism to assist with the brushing motion.

The below summarizes features according to various aspects of the present invention. Such features are non-limiting examples of various embodiments of the present invention.1. A toothbrush handle comprising an enclosure containing a microcontroller, an inertial measurement unit, a battery, a charging circuit, electrical contacts, a button, a primary LED, a transparent window, a mechanism to attach a brush head or intraoral camera head, and an array of visible light LEDs;2. The toothbrush handle of feature 1, wherein the electrical contacts are positioned opposite the toothbrush handle base, generally adjacent to the brush head attachment mechanism;3. The method of feature 2, wherein the electrical contacts are oriented approximately normal to the surface of the toothbrush handle enclosure and generally normal to the lateral surface on the opposite side of the handle from the toothbrush handle base;4. The toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the button is positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the toothbrush handle along the longitudinal axis;5. The method of feature 4 wherein the button is oriented approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush handle;6. The toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the transparent window is positioned in front of the direction of emission of the primary LED generally normal to the lateral surface of the end of the toothbrush handle directly opposite the side of the toothbrush handle base;7. The method of feature 6 wherein the transparent window is oriented approximately normal to the direction of emission of the primary LED, generally normal to the lateral surface on the opposite side of the handle from the toothbrush handle base;8. The toothbrush handle of feature 7 wherein the primary LED emits a wavelength which when incident upon surfaces within the oral cavity may produce detectable visible wavelength fluorescence;9. The toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the mechanism to attach the brush head positioned generally adjacent to the primary LED, opposite the base of the toothbrush head;10. The toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the array of visible light LEDs is positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the toothbrush handle along the longitudinal axis;11. The method of feature 10 wherein the array of visible light LEDs is oriented in a direction that is generally normal to the surface of the toothbrush handle enclosure and the LED emission is generally directed away from the longitudinal surface;12. A toothbrush brush head containing brush bristles and an attachment mechanism for connecting to a toothbrush handle;13. The toothbrush brush head of feature 12 wherein a transparent tube is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the brush head and extends from the base of the toothbrush brush head, generally adjacent to the attachment mechanism, to the bristled end of the toothbrush brush head;

14. The method of feature 13 wherein the transparent tube terminates at the bristled end of the brush head in an approximately acute angle, directing light that is emitted through the brush head base and transparent tube into the adjacent toothbrush bristles;

15. The toothbrush head of feature 12 wherein the bristles of the brush head are generally optically transparent and whose optical properties facilitate the transmission of visible wavelengths of light from the proximal end to the distal end of each bristle;

16. The method of feature 15 wherein the bristles of the brush head are oriented in such a way that light entering the toothbrush bristles at the proximal end is directed through the toothbrush bristles at the distal end;

17. The toothbrush head of feature 12 wherein electrical contacts are positioned adjacent to the surface of the proximal end of the enclosure and contact the electrical contacts of feature 3 when attached to the toothbrush handle of feature 1 via the attachment mechanisms of features 1 and 12;

18. The toothbrush head of feature 12 wherein an LED is placed within the toothbrush head at or near the distal end;

19. The method of feature 18 wherein the LED emits a wavelength which when incident upon surfaces within the oral cavity may produce detectable visible wavelength fluorescence;

20. The toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein an image signal processor is connected to a circuit board which is attached to the electrical contacts of feature 2;

21. A detachable toothbrush mounted intraoral camera head containing an image sensor, an optical assembly, an LED array, a ribbon cable or wires, electrical contacts, and a mechanism to facilitate attachment to the toothbrush handle of feature 1;

22. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 wherein the optical assembly is positioned adjacent to the image sensor at the distal end of the intraoral camera head enclosure;

23. The method of feature 22 wherein the optical assembly is oriented in such a manner as to direct light to the image sensor;

24. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 wherein the LED array components are positioned adjacent to the optical assembly;

25. The method of feature 24 wherein the LED array components are oriented approximately parallel to the plane of the objective lens of the optical assembly of feature 21;

26. The method of feature 21 wherein the LED array components include violet light LEDs which emit a wavelength that when incident upon surfaces within the oral cavity may produce detectable visible wavelength fluorescence;

27. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 wherein the electrical contacts are positioned at the proximal end of the intraoral camera head;

28. The method of feature 27 wherein the electrical contacts are positioned adjacent to the surface of the proximal end of the enclosure and contact the electrical contacts of feature 3 when attached to the toothbrush handle of feature 1 via the attachment mechanisms of feature 1 and 21;

29. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 wherein the electrical contacts of feature 27 and the electrical contacts of feature 3 are used to transfer information acquired by the image sensor of feature 21 to the image signal processor of feature 20;

30. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 wherein an image signal processor is positioned within the enclosure of the intraoral camera head and attached electronically to the image sensor, and additionally attached to the electronic contacts of feature 27;

31. The intraoral camera head of feature 21 and the toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the two components of the system are attached electronically via the electrical contacts of the respective features;

32. The method of connecting the intraoral camera head of feature 21 and the toothbrush handle of feature 1 wherein the two components of the system may interface such that an electronic image may be communicated to the microcontroller of feature 1 and subsequently communicated to other devices via the antenna array of feature 1;

33. A detachable intraoral camera head containing a light pipe and LEDs;

34. The detachable intraoral camera head of feature 33 wherein the light pipe is positioned longitudinally and spans the length from the proximal end to the distal end;

35. The method of feature 34 wherein the light pipe is approximately straight and of uniform thickness from one end of the head to the other;

36. The method of feature 34 wherein the light pipe is straight from the proximal end until near the distal end wherein an approximately 45 angle is cut prior to termination at the distal end and the pipe is extended in a manner normal to the longitudinal surface thereafter;

37. The detachable intraoral camera head of feature 33 wherein the LEDs are positioned near the distal end of the head adjacent to the terminating end of the light pipe;

38. The toothbrush head of feature 12 wherein the distal end of the brush head is partially transparent; and

39. The method of feature 38 wherein the transparent region of the brush head is oriented in such a manner as to maximize the transfer of light through the distal region adjacent to the bristles.