Patent AU-2020100257-A4 (AU)
Title: Denture Sterilization & Storage Device with mercury-free UVC LED
Inventor: HSIAO JUI CHIH
IPC: A61L2/10
Filed: 2020-02-24
Granted: 2020-04-02
Abstract: Abstract Dental prostheses are artificial teeth that can serve as replacement teeth for lost natural teeth. In addition to aesthetic purposes, the denture serves to restore the chewing function of the dental patient. Dentures are differentiated into full dentures (full dentures) and partial dentures. The artificial teeth, which mostly consist of plastic or partly ceramic, are attached to the prosthesis base. Dental prostheses, unlike dental bridges or dental implants, are not designed to be permanently anchored in the oral cavity, but are removable. Prosthetic care is very important because dental plaque and tartar will wear off over time on every dental prosthesis, just like with natural teeth. Therefore, professional prosthesis care may be necessary for older dentures, provided that dental prosthesis care and denture cleaning can no longer be kept clean by the dental patient and there are tartar on the denture or fungi on the prosthesis. All of the present devices/apparatuses for cleaning and/or disinfection of dental prostheses have in common, that they do not offer effective long-term protection against microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and their spores, viruses, etc.) after cleansing and/or disinfection (i.a. by ultrasound and/or by brushes etc.) have been accomplished, because such microorganisms can propagate again during storage/until usage. In order to remedy this inadequate situation of inefficient sterilization of dental prostheses after cleansing and during storage until use, the - in the following - described invention was developed in order to improve the safety of health and comfort of users: The Denture Sterilization & Storage Device with mercury-free UVC LED, which can be installed as a single UVC- LED chip and/or as a unit of several, combined UVC LED chips. The at least one UV radiation source with a wavelength in the germ-killing range of 100 nm to 280 nm is applied i.a. on the inner side of the sterilization and storage tank to prevent the user from being possibly endangered by UV radiation and is preferably positioned at and/or in at least one and/or more side walls and/or on the inner side of the openable cover of the sterilization and storage tank to enable an effective cleansing and sterilization of the contained liquid and of the denture. Furthermore, the hinged cover may be sealed with an all round gasket, which contains an electrical kill switch to avoid uncontrolled UV radiation - if the cover would be opened during operation. Dentures to be cleaned/disinfected are placed in a detachable/removeable basket with projecting handles, which is inserted in the sterilization and storage tank. Equipped with an optional display on the casing, the operational status of the Denture Sterilization & Storage Device with mercury-free UVC LED could be easily read out. The at least one UVC radiation source may be prevented with at least one and/or more appropriate UVC shielding devices, which are integrated in the sterilization & storage tank and/or installed inside the tank at and/or in at least one and/or more sides, from emitting uncontrolled germ-killing UV radiation to the surrounding. -2- The power supply - required by the at least one UVC-LED - for stationary usage is ensured by a connection cable with power plug and voltage transformer and may additionally provided with an electronic timer. An additional power button may be installed in the casing (bottom part) of the device. Portable devices are equipped with at least one, separate, rechargeable accumulator and/or by a separate battery and, may be, with an optional, electronic timer. For this purpose the power source is connected with the at least one UVC-LED by means of a connection cable with connection socket as well as a connecting plug - in order to be switched on/switched off by a power button integrated in the connection cable and/or in the casing of the device. In order to ensure an effective cleansing and sterilization of dentures, the sterilization & storage tank might be equipped with an integrated recirculation pump - providing a continuous flow of cleaning liquid in the sterilization & storage tank. The additional recirculation of the liquid, which surrounds the denture, enables an effetive elimination of propagating microorganisms by germ-killing UV radiation in the cleansing liquid and therefore, also on the denture. To obtain the optimal cleaning result, preferably an additional, integrated cleansing device for dentures - such as ultrasound and/or brushes etc. - is installed in and/or at the side walls of and/or under and/or near by the sterilization & storage tank. In this case, the sterilization & storage tank should be coated with stainless steel plate(s). With the combination of both kinds of denture cleaning procedures (i.a. ultrasound combined with UVC radiation) tartar on the denture and microorganisms on the prosthesis are free from residues and sterile. With the invention of the said Denture Sterilization & Storage Device with mercury-free UVC LED it is achieved, that users of dentures are effectively protected against hazardous/harmful microorganisms by completely disinfecting the denture as well as of the surrounding cleaning liquid, which is - possibly - contaminated with unsoldered microorganisms. Due to the UVC radiation dentures are cleaned and kept sterile during storage until usage. The operation of the Denture Sterilization & Storage Device with mercury-free UVC LED is inexpensive for the users: UVC LED come with a lifespan of approx. 10,000 hours and require only a low electric power consumtion. CV) T-- COI --0O '.||'