Patent Description:
<CIT> describes an oral cavity washing device including: a tank for storing a washing liquid; a body on which the tank is mounted; a washing unit including a discharge port for discharging the washing liquid; and a tube for connecting the body and the washing unit. The oral cavity washing device further includes: a washing passage formed at the body, the tube and the washing unit and for communicating the tank and the discharge port; a pump for discharging the washing liquid stored in the tank to the tube; and an intake passage for supplying air to the washing passage. The oral cavity washing device further includes a switch mounted on the washing unit and for opening and closing the intake passage.

<CIT> describes a delivery device used to deliver a volume of biotechnology treatments to specific areas of the oral cavity or other tissues. The treatments and/or therapeutic agents may be delivered to the interproximal area between and around the teeth.

<CIT> describes a water supply device for an oral cavity cleaner. The device comprises a spinning check valve to reduce the amount of a foreign substance trapped within the seal of the check valve.

Oral irrigators use a pressurized fluid stream for interdental cleaning and plaque removal. The use of pressurized fluid, however, presents a means of potential contamination risk between multiple users of an oral irrigator. For example, when the irrigator is turned off, pressure from the fluid elevated in the nozzle creates a back-siphon, also called backflow, that can pull fluid from a user's mouth into the nozzle and further into the irrigator fluid pathway.

When backflow is present, fluid pulled into the fluid pathway will be flushed into a second user's oral cavity even if the irrigator nozzle is replaced between treatments. Fluid in a user's mouth can contain a combination of bodily fluids such as saliva and blood. Exposure to another individual's saliva and blood presents the risk of transmission of saliva or blood borne pathogens. Several pathogens are spread between people through the transmission of bodily fluids, the most common of which are HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Contracting these pathogens can result in short term and long term health issues. Certain pathogens, specifically Hepatitis C, are capable of living outside a human host for prolonged periods and do not have immediate symptoms. As such, many who carry the pathogen are unaware they have been exposed until symptoms develop later in life. This makes Hepatitis C of particular risk for shared devices that are exposed to bodily fluids.

Transmission of blood borne pathogens typically requires direct blood-to-blood contact potentially through another non-living medium. Many who benefit from an oral irrigator already have poor gum health with bleeding gums which results in increased blood in the saliva. The presence of blood in the saliva can be increased by irrigator treatment. As such, the combination of poor gum health and oral irrigation increase the amount of blood in the oral cavity making transmission of blood between users through the product more likely. In addition, transmission of other pathogens, such as the common cold and flu, can occur through the transmission of saliva and mucous.

Accordingly, there is a continued need to prevent backflow in oral irrigators, especially in oral irrigators with removable nozzles which may be shared by multiple individuals.

The present disclosure is directed to mechanisms for oral irrigators to provide back flow prevention. The oral irrigator comprises a reservoir, pump, tether, irrigator handle, and irrigator nozzle. An arrowhead check valve comprising a resilient element and an elastic head element is inserted in the irrigator nozzle, irrigator handle, or irrigator tether, to prevent backflow of contaminated fluid from a user's saliva or blood, especially when the nozzle is removed and the irrigator is shared between multiple users.

The elastic head element comprises: an elongated portion having a first end and a second end; a frustoconical portion integrally connected to the elongated portion; and, a circular lip or a plurality of tabs integrally connected to the elongated portion. The frustoconical portion of the elastic head element comprises a frustoconical surface arranged to contact and deform when in contact with an inner surface of a first channel, which extends within the irrigator nozzle, an inner surface of a second channel, which extends within the irrigator handle, or an inner surface of a third channel, which extends win the irrigator tether.

The circular lip or the plurality of tabs of the elastic head element comprise one or more surfaces facing the first end of the elongated portion, the one or more surfaces arranged to contact and deform when in contact with the resilient element.

In an aspect, a first portion of the elongated portion of the elastic head element is arranged within a cavity of the resilient element.

In an aspect, the nozzle is secured to the handle utilizing a clip, the clip having a first end and a second end and arranged to move from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the second end of the clip secures the nozzle.

In an aspect, the second channel further comprises a sealing member arranged within a second end of the handle.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein defined by the appended claims. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

The present disclosure is directed to mechanisms for oral irrigators to provide back flow prevention. The oral irrigator comprises a reservoir, pump, tether, irrigator handle, and irrigator nozzle. An arrowhead check valve comprising a resilient element and an elastic head element is inserted in the irrigator nozzle, irrigator handle, or irrigator tether, to prevent backflow of contaminated fluid from a user's saliva or blood, especially when the nozzle is removed, and the irrigator is shared between multiple users. The arrowhead check valve comprises a resilient element, such as a spring, and an elastic head element, which further comprises: an elongated portion having a first end and a second end; a frustoconical portion integrally connected to the elongated portion; and a circular lip or a plurality of tabs integrally connected to the elongated portion. Applicant has recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide a mechanism to control backflow of contaminated fluid, especially when more than one person uses the oral irrigator, from the nozzle to the fluid channel, when, for example, the oral irrigator is turned off.

Referring to the figures, <FIG> is a schematic illustration of an oral irrigator system <NUM>. Oral irrigator <NUM> includes irrigator tip <NUM> having a handle <NUM> and a nozzle <NUM>. Irrigator tip <NUM> further includes a first channel <NUM>, which extends within and through the nozzle portion <NUM>, and second channel <NUM>, which extends within the handle <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the first channel <NUM>. Oral irrigator <NUM> further includes housing <NUM> which contains reservoir <NUM>, pump <NUM>, and power supply <NUM>. Reservoir <NUM> contains a volume of fluid <NUM> which during operation of oral irrigator <NUM> is directed through irrigator tip <NUM> into the mouth of user U. Pump <NUM> comprises motor <NUM>, crank <NUM>, and piston <NUM>. Motor <NUM>, crank <NUM>, and piston <NUM> work in concert to create a pressurized environment that facilitates flow <NUM> from reservoir <NUM>, through tether <NUM>, into irrigator tip <NUM> and into user U's mouth.

Tether <NUM> is a substantially hollow, flexible tube, having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. A third channel <NUM> is arranged between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the tether <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of tether <NUM> is fixedly secured to the handle <NUM> of the irrigator tip <NUM> and in fluid communication with the second channel <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> of tether <NUM> is fixedly secured to pump <NUM> and in fluid communication with the pump <NUM>. The third channel <NUM> is in fluid communication with the second channel <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> is in fluid communication with the third channel <NUM>. Tether <NUM> functions as a conduit through which flow <NUM> of fluid <NUM> proceeds from reservoir <NUM> to irrigator tip <NUM> and into user U's mouth for cleaning, through the first channel <NUM>, the second channel <NUM>, and the third channel <NUM>. Fluid <NUM> can be selected from, for example, water, a water-gas mixture, oral cleansing concentrate, standard or antiseptic (alcohol based) mouthwash, or any fluid <NUM> with a viscosity low enough to proceed through the first channel <NUM>, the second channel <NUM>, and third channel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the oral irrigator system <NUM> further comprises an arrowhead check valve <NUM> comprising an elastic head element <NUM> and a resilient element <NUM>. The arrowhead check valve <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> to allow fluid <NUM> to flow <NUM> through the valve <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is open and when the flow <NUM> provides enough pressure to open the valve <NUM>. The arrowhead check valve <NUM> may be arranged, for example, within the first channel <NUM>, with the second channel <NUM>, or within the third channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). When there is not enough pressure created by the flow <NUM> of the fluid <NUM>, the elastic head element <NUM> seals the flow <NUM> by making contact with an inner surface <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the first channel <NUM>, an inner surface <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the second channel <NUM>, or an inner surface <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the third channel <NUM>. If the arrowhead check valve <NUM> is placed in the nozzle <NUM>, removal of the nozzle <NUM> removes the potentially contamination fluid from the system. Placing the arrowhead check valve <NUM> in the nozzle also eliminates the risk for diffusion of bodily fluids through the fluid channels. By placing the arrowhead check valve <NUM> in handle <NUM> of the irrigator tip <NUM>, the portion of fluid pathway that is at risk for cross contamination due to diffusion or from spilled fluid during nozzle <NUM> removal is reduced. As an example, arrowhead check valve <NUM> is placed in the handle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM> as close to the nozzle <NUM> as possible. It should be appreciated that alternative locations for placement of the arrowhead check valve <NUM> in the handle <NUM> may also be utilized.

As an example, the resilient element <NUM> is a spring, having a cavity <NUM> through the center of the spring <NUM> which lies along a first axis A1. The elastic head element <NUM> further comprises an elongated portion <NUM>, having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, which extends along the first axis A1. A first portion <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>, which begins at the first end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>, is arranged within the cavity <NUM> of the resilient element <NUM>. A second portion <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM> extends from the first portion <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>. As an example, adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM> are a plurality of tabs <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The plurality of tabs <NUM> extend along the second axis A2 which are orthogonal to the first axis A1. Each tab of the plurality of tabs <NUM> has a surface <NUM> which faces the first end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>. Each surface <NUM> of each tab of the plurality of tabs <NUM> makes contact with the resilient element <NUM>. As another example, adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>, along a second axis A2, which is orthogonal to the first axis A1, is a circular lip <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The circular lip <NUM> has a surface <NUM> which faces the first end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM>, where the surface <NUM> makes contact with the resilient element <NUM>.

Adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM> is a frustoconical portion <NUM> of the elastic head element <NUM>. The frustoconical portion <NUM> has a first surface <NUM> which connects with the second end <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM> and a frustoconical surface <NUM>. The frustoconical surface <NUM> is arranged to contact and deform when in contact with an inner surface <NUM> of the first channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), an inner surface <NUM> of the second channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), or an inner surface <NUM> of the third channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), depending on where the arrowhead check valve <NUM> is located, for example, in the nozzle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM>, in the handle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM>, or in the tether <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when fluid <NUM> flows <NUM> through the oral irrigator <NUM>, it flows <NUM> from the pump <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the tether <NUM> and to the first end <NUM> of the tether <NUM> through the third channel <NUM>. Fluid <NUM> then flows <NUM> from the first end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> through the second channel <NUM>. The fluid <NUM> then flows from the first end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> through the first channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and into the user U's mouth. As an example, arrowhead check valve <NUM> is arranged in the handle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM>. When fluid <NUM> flows from the first end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the handle <NUM>, the fluid <NUM> creates a force in the first direction DR1 through the second channel <NUM>. This force moves the elastic head element <NUM> in the first direction DR1. The elastic head element <NUM>, which was previously in contact with an inner surface of the second channel <NUM> and blocking flow <NUM>, is moved in the first direction DR1, which opens the second channel <NUM> for fluid <NUM> flow <NUM>. The force in the first direction DR1 is also applied to the resilient element <NUM>, which may be, for example, a spring. The elastic head element <NUM> is in contact with the resilient element <NUM> via one or more surfaces <NUM> of the plurality of tab <NUM> or a surface <NUM> of the circular lip <NUM>. The force on the elastic head element <NUM> and the fluid <NUM> flow <NUM> through the second channel <NUM> compresses the resilient element <NUM>.

When fluid <NUM> flow <NUM> through the second channel <NUM> is stopped or reduced, for example, because the oral irrigator <NUM> has been turned off, and the force on the elastic head element <NUM> and due to the fluid <NUM> flow <NUM> in the DR1 direction is less than the force from the compressed resilient element <NUM> in the second DR2, which is opposite the first direction DR1, the resilient element <NUM> will decompress and move the elastic head element <NUM> so that its frustoconical surface <NUM> makes contact with an inner surface of the second channel <NUM>. The contact between the resilient element <NUM> and the elastic head element <NUM> via the surfaces <NUM> of the plurality of tabs <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) or surface <NUM> of the circular lip <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) provides for an even distribution of pressure on the elastic head element <NUM> by the resilient element <NUM>, so that the elastic head element <NUM> does not deform when the valve is closed and a good seal is made between the frustoconical portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the second channel <NUM>. Additionally, the arrangement of the first portion <NUM> of the elongated portion <NUM> of the elastic head element <NUM> within a cavity <NUM> of the resilient element <NUM> allows for the elastic head element <NUM> to remain aligned as the valve is opened and closed, which provides for a tight seal and prevents leaks. This arrangement of the arrowhead check valve <NUM> make the valve self-sealing to prevent backflow in the event the oral irrigator <NUM> is turned off before the risk of backflow is removed, for example, by a user U removing the nozzle <NUM> from the mouth.

Referring to <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM> is detachable and connected to the handle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM> via a clip <NUM>. The clip <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. On the first end <NUM> of the clip <NUM> there is a contact surface <NUM> which a user U can utilize to attach and detach the nozzle <NUM>. The clip <NUM> comprises an elongated portion <NUM>, which extends from the first end <NUM> of the clip <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the clip <NUM>, and a clipping portion <NUM> on the second end <NUM>. The clipping portion <NUM> engages with the nozzle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM> to secure it to the handle <NUM>, when the clip <NUM> is in a first position <NUM> and disengages from the nozzle <NUM> when the clip <NUM> is in the second position <NUM> (not shown in Figures). The second end <NUM> of the handle <NUM> additionally contains a sealing member <NUM> which is arranged at least partially within the second channel <NUM> and arranged to contact the nozzle <NUM> of the oral irrigator <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> prevents the fluid <NUM> from flowing out of the second channel <NUM> or the first channel <NUM> when the nozzle <NUM> is connected to the handle <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be, for example, a diaphragm type sealing member <NUM> which has a circumferential lip <NUM> in contact with the inner surface of the second channel <NUM> and a frustoconical lip <NUM> which is arranged to contact an outer surface <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An oral irrigator system (<NUM>) comprising:
an irrigator tip (<NUM>), the irrigator tip comprising:
a nozzle (<NUM>) comprising a first channel (<NUM>);
a handle (<NUM>) comprising a second channel (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the first channel;
a tether (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), a third channel (<NUM>) arranged between the first end and the second end, the first end of the tether in fluid communication with the second channel;
a reservoir (<NUM>) containing a fluid (<NUM>), the reservoir in fluid communication with a pump (<NUM>), the pump in fluid communication with the third channel and the second end of the tether; and
an arrowhead check valve (<NUM>) comprising a resilient element (<NUM>) and an elastic head element (<NUM>), the arrowhead check valve arranged within the third channel, wherein the elastic head element comprises:
an elongated portion (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>);
a frustoconical portion (<NUM>) integrally connected to the elongated portion; and,
a circular lip (<NUM>) or a plurality of tabs (<NUM>) integrally connected to the elongated portion,
wherein the frustoconical portion (<NUM>) of the elastic head element (<NUM>) comprises a frustoconical surface (<NUM>) arranged to contact and deform when in contact with an inner surface of the third channel (<NUM>), and
wherein the circular lip (<NUM>) or the plurality of tabs (<NUM>) of the elastic head element (<NUM>) comprise one or more surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing the first end (<NUM>) of the elongated portion (<NUM>), the one or more surfaces arranged to contact and deform when in contact with the resilient element (<NUM>).