Abstract:
An oral-care system includes a tooth shroud, vacuum hose and a vacuum pump to apply suction to a user&#39;s teeth and gums, disrupting the growth of bacterial colonies there. Disrupting and/or removing bacteria can help protect teeth and dental prosthetics, and may be effective to prevent halitosis and systemic diseases that are related to oral flora.

Description:
CONTINUITY AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This is an original U.S. patent application. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to devices and systems for the treatment of either natural or artificial teeth. More specifically, the invention relates to oral-care apparatus including a nozzle at which a low pressure is created to draw air or material through or around a nozzle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The mouth, teeth and gums are an important and sensitive area of the body, with surprisingly diverse and significant relationships to other bodily systems and to overall health. Tools, equipment, materials and techniques for promoting dental hygiene have improved continually over the years, but new relationships between oral and overall health are regularly discovered, and new threats to oral health are recognized. 
         [0004]    Current products and services address oral-care needs ranging from the purely cosmetic to the medically necessary, and the aggregate industry size is substantial. Thus, new techniques and apparatus to improve oral care may have significant benefits both in terms of patient-health outcomes and in economic value. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the invention are oral-care systems that facilitate the focused application of vacuum or suction and tactile stimulation to portions of the mouth, teeth and/or gums. Embodiments can also be used for cleaning, care and maintenance of dental prosthetics such as dentures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a general representation of the components included in an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a graph of two example pressure profiles that may be used by embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows several views and details of a mouthpiece according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate mouthpiece embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows another alternate mouthpiece embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments of the invention are oral-care systems suitable for home or professional/medical use. They facilitate the application of negative pressure (vacuum, suction) over portions of a user&#39;s (or patient&#39;s) teeth and gums. Many implementations apply pulsed or variable-strength suction to the areas treated, and the mouthpiece may be configured to provide a mechanical stimulation or massage function as well as the vacuum application. Application of suction and massage may be effective to disrupt bacterial colony growth at the treated sites. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows components of a representative embodiment. Element  110  is a horseshoe-shaped mouthpiece which is placed at the location to be treated (e.g., over a user&#39;s teeth and gums, the gums alone [if the user has removed his dental prosthetics], over a dental prosthetic that has been removed from the mouth for care and cleaning, or over dentures while they are still in the mouth). The mouthpiece is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump  120 , the suction being transmitted to mouthpiece  110  by vacuum tubes  113  and  123 . In many embodiments, a liquid exclusion device  130  is placed between the mouthpiece  110  and pump  120  to prevent liquid from traveling from the mouthpiece  110  and into the pump  120 . 
         [0014]    Pump  120  may be electrically operated, and may have user adjustments  121 ,  122  to alter the vacuum strength and variable-suction characteristics such as the duty cycle, period, and pressure profile. These characteristics are shown in the graph of  FIG. 2 , which depicts two sample operational modes of the vacuum pump of an embodiment. The graph relates pressure versus time. A first trace  200  (long clashes) shows a first pump setting, where the pressure cycles between a relatively high value  201  and a more moderate value  202 . The period of this cycle is  203 , and the duty cycle is  204 . In contrast, a second pump setting is shown by trace  250  (short clashes). This setting has an even higher maximum vacuum  251 , but its relaxed or minimum pressure is actually positive,  252  (i.e., greater than ambient or atmospheric pressure). Thus, in this mode, the pump would both draw air and/or fluid towards itself from the mouthpiece, and expel or return the air or fluid during the positive-pressure portion of the cycle. The second setting has a slightly shorter period  253  than the first setting, so the pressure profile repeats or cycles more rapidly. Some pumps may offer a random or variable-period, variable-strength and/or variable-duty-cycle setting. Most embodiments will use pumps with a maximum vacuum capacity of around 350 mm Hg (mercury), and a maximum positive-pressure capacity of around 100 mm Hg. 
         [0015]    The pump and vacuum lines of an embodiment are relatively unexceptional; any commercially-available products of suitable size and pressure capability may be used. For example, an automatic dairy pump and associated suction lines may function acceptably. Connections among components may be made by mechanically interlocking fittings, hose-barb connections, or permanent (e.g., glued or ultrasonically welded) connections. It is preferred that the tubing be inexpensive (and thus easily replaceable) or easy to disassemble for cleaning and sterilization. 
         [0016]    The optional liquid exclusion device helps protect the pump from drawing in liquid such as saliva or cleaning solution. It is preferable that the liquid exclusion device be easy to disassemble and clean. (Alternatively, the device may be a consumable supply, and configured to be easily replaced when soiled or filled.) The liquid exclusion device has an intake that carries gases (e.g., air) and liquid (e.g., water or saliva) from the mouthpiece, and an exhaust that preferentially allows only gases to continue through the device to the pump. Liquids are trapped in the exclusion device so that they are less likely to enter and damage the pump. 
         [0017]    Mouthpieces for use with an embodiment may be constructed in a variety of forms, and from a variety of materials. The horseshoe-shaped mouthpiece of  FIG. 1  is a common and useful form, suitable for applying suction to the maxillary or mandibular arch of a set of natural teeth, or to a full denture. This form has a passage from the concave area near the teeth and gums, through to a hose barb extending outside the mouthpiece. A vacuum hose of an embodiment is connected at the hose barb so that the pump can apply suction to the areas under treatment. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows several views and details of this common mouthpiece form. Top view  300  shows a channel with interior width  310  of, e.g., 4-5 mm. The overall width of the mouthpiece channel  320  may be, e.g., 9-13 mm. Mouthpieces may be supplied in a range of sizes, to fit corresponding patients&#39; mouths. 
         [0019]    A section through the channel at A-A,  360 , shows how the soft, flexible channel sides  363 ,  366  may be positioned alongside the patient&#39;s teeth and gums,  370 . A vacuum channel  380  formed in the bottom of the channel may transmit suction from the pump, via hose barb connection  390 , to the treatment site near the teeth and gums. Alternatively, a single vacuum orifice just inside the channel behind the hose connection may be provided. In this arrangement, an embodiment relies on the flexibility and conformance of the channel walls to create a seal between the mouthpiece and gums so that the teeth and gums are exposed to the treatment suction. 
         [0020]    Treatment is facilitated by manual manipulation of the mouthpiece in the mouth (or on dentures removed from the mouth). For example, the user may pinch the sides of the mouthpiece against the teeth and gums, causing the channel sides to seal against the gums. When so sealed, the vacuum pump develops suction at and around the teeth sealed into the mouthpiece channel. 
         [0021]    Front view  330  shows the overall mouthpiece width  340 , which may be about 50 mm, and the overall mouthpiece height  350 , which may be about 20 mm. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate mouthpiece shape. Instead of a horseshoe to fit over a complete dental arch of a patient, this mouthpiece is a short and roughly rectangular cup  410  which can be positioned over just one or two teeth. Its width  420  and length  430  are suitable for manual manipulation within the mouth (or on dental prosthetics removed from the mouth) by a user&#39;s thumb and one or two fingers. Like the horseshoe-shaped mouthpiece of  FIG. 3 , this mouthpiece may be formed of silicone, polycarbonate, or a similar soft, flexible, compliant material that can seal and hold a moderate vacuum against a patient&#39;s teeth and gums. The mouthpiece comprises a vacuum-pump connection  440  through which suction is applied during treatment. As in other embodiments, a variable-strength pump may be used, or a user-controlled suction adjustment (e.g., an opening to atmospheric pressure that can be covered or exposed) allows finer control of the suction applied to the treatment area where the mouthpiece covers the teeth and gums. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is another alternate mouthpiece. This embodiment (generally  500 ) has an open tulip or vase shape with thin, conformable walls  510  and an open distal end  520 . The open end  520  may have a flare, ruffle or flange  530  of the same material (typically, a soft, flexible, compliant and biocompatible material such as silicone, polycarbonate, or a natural material such as rubber or latex). Opposite the open end, a thicker-walled portion having a cylindrical hole  540  is sized and shaped to accept a vacuum tube which connects back to the vacuum pump. Since the whole system is operated under negative pressure, a simple friction fit between the vacuum tube and the mouthpiece at  540  may be adequate (in comparison to the hose barbs shown in other exemplary mouthpieces). 
         [0024]    To operate the mouthpiece of  FIG. 5 , the user connects the vacuum system at  540  and then places the open end of the tulip shape over the tooth or gum area to be treated. The ruffle or flange may help establish a seal against the patient&#39;s tissue so that the tooth or gum area is exposed to negative pressure. The walls of this mouthpiece should be thin enough so that the vacuum pressure can draw them securely against the tooth or gum, but not so thin that they (the walls) collapse together against each other in areas where they are not directly in contact with or supported by teeth or gums. 
         [0025]    Mouthpieces generally have a concave portion sized and shaped to fit relatively closely over and around a portion of one or more teeth or gums (or similar dental structures) to be treated. For focused treatment of a small number of teeth (or of a dental prosthetic attachment point embedded into the patient&#39;s bone and exposed within the mouth) a small, flexible shroud may be used. 
         [0026]    Each mouthpiece has at least one vacuum connection (e.g., a hose barb or a simple friction-fit opening), to be joined to the pump by a suitable hose or tube. Outer surfaces of the mouthpiece may be textured to improve the user&#39;s grip, or may have loops or cups for securing to the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0027]    The mouthpiece may be cast or formed of a flexible, biocompatible material such as silicone or polycarbonate. A portion of the mouthpiece may be stiffer, while sides or “wings” may be more compliant so that they conform to and press against adjacent tooth and gum surfaces during treatment. I.e., when the pump applies suction, portions of the mouthpiece are drawn against the patient&#39;s teeth and/or gums. The suction (and preferably the pulsating or variable suction) may help disrupt bacterial growth in and around the treated areas. Some mouthpieces may be formed of a heat-moldable polymer which can be customized to a user&#39;s mouth by heating (e.g., by immersion in boiling water), then carefully holding the mouthpiece in position against the teeth and gums until it cools. Some materials may be repeatedly shaped in this manner. 
         [0028]    Mouthpieces may include textured surfaces in areas adjacent the teeth and gums. For example, the sides or wings of a mouthpiece may have ribs, bumps or protrusions that are pressed against the teeth and gums by the force of the vacuum pump. In addition, the user may squeeze, press or agitate the mouthpiece against the teeth and gums during treatment. This may improve the function of an embodiment by mechanically disturbing bacterial colonies, as well as disrupting them through the suction function. 
         [0029]    An embodiment may use a constant-vacuum pump, but be provided with a user-controllable port so that the effective suction applied to the treatment site can be varied. For example, a simple hole or opening in the vacuum tube, which can be partly or completely covered by the user&#39;s finger, can adjust the suction applied from the full pump vacuum (when the hole is occluded) to zero vacuum (i.e., atmospheric pressure, when the hole is uncovered). 
         [0030]    The applications of the present invention have been described largely by reference to specific examples and in terms of particular allocations of functionality to certain device and system features. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that a variable suction treatment can also be developed and applied to a patient&#39;s teeth and/or gums by sets of components that distribute the functions of embodiments of this invention differently than herein described. Such variations and implementations are understood to be captured according to the following claims.