Patent Description:
Prior art is found in <CIT> which generally relates to electrochemically treating teeth, in <CIT> which generally relates to a concurrent treatment of oral maladies using direct current electricity and in <CIT> which generally relates to a device and method for teeth treatment.

The invention is set out in the independent claim.

We describe an oral cavity treatment device comprising: a power component comprising a housing having a cavity and a power source located in the cavity; a tray component comprising a tooth receiving channel, a first electrode operably coupled to a first electrical contact, and a second electrode operably coupled to a second electrical contact, the first and second electrodes being located on opposite sides of the tooth receiving channel; and wherein the tray component is detachably coupled to the power component in: a first configuration whereby the first electrical contact is operably coupled to a positive terminal of the power source and the second electrical contact is operably coupled to a negative terminal of the power source; and a second configuration whereby the first electrical contact is operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source and the second electrical contact is operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source; and characterized in that the housing of the power component comprises a first engagement surface and the tray component comprises a second engagement surface that mates with the first engagement surface when the tray component is attached to the power component.

In an embodiment, the present invention may be directed to a modular, powered tray that is sectioned into two removable components (a power component and a tray component), so that different tray components can be coupled to a common power component, in different orientations, for different oral care applications. The tray component that is inserted into the user's mouth contains electrodes of various metal materials depending on the target benefit. For example, a tray with titanium electrodes for whitening applications, a tray with one or more zinc electrodes for anti-bacterial, etc. The electrodes are positioned on either side of the teeth surfaces during a treatment. For each oral care application, the polarity of the electrodes is important because it drives the direction of the chemical reaction, which may be different for different oral care indications. For instance, it is desirable to have whitening occur on the outer surfaces of the teeth, but when targeting anti-bacterial reduction, it is desirable to target the back of the teeth since more bacteria is located near the tongue. Thus, a tray with titanium electrodes may need polarity in one direction whereas a tray with zinc electrodes may need polarity in another direction.

The power component described in some embodiments of this invention may include two ports, one positive and one negative, that will make electronic connection with the electrode connectors that are part of the tray component (although the ports could be in the tray component and the power component could have the electrode connectors in other embodiments). The tray component can be connected to the power component in either orientation, depending on the indication being targeted by the user, and this orientation will drive the polarity of the electrodes, and thus the direction of the reaction. One benefit of this invention is that one power component contains the battery (rechargeable or not) and electronic components of the device, which can be used with multiple tray components, depending on the benefit that the user is looking to receive. Additionally, since some oral care indications would require changing the polarity of the electrodes, this can be controlled at the point of user interaction, as opposed to software changes which would be required if the tray component was one single component. This invention makes treating different oral care problems easier with one power component and different tray components, but it also reduces manufacturing complexity since mouth trays can be all be made to the same design, using different electrode materials.

Referring to <FIG> concurrently, an oral cavity treatment device <NUM> will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The oral cavity treatment device <NUM> generally comprises a power component <NUM> and a tray component <NUM>. The power component <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> are detachably coupled together, and they are illustrated in a first assembled configuration in <FIG> and in a disassembled configuration in <FIG>. The power component <NUM> may form a sort of handle for the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> may be the portion of the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> that is placed into the user's oral cavity to perform a treatment. The details of the manner of attaching/detaching the power component <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> from one another will be described in greater detail below.

The power component <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> having an outer surface <NUM>. Furthermore, the housing <NUM> has or defines a cavity <NUM> within which one or more electric components may be located. In the exemplified embodiment, the power component <NUM> comprises a power source <NUM> and an electronic circuit <NUM> that is operably coupled to the power source. In some embodiments, the electronic circuit <NUM> may comprise one or more of a controller/processer, a memory, indicators such as light emitting diodes, switches, timers, and the like. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the electronic circuit <NUM> could be omitted in some embodiments because in the broadest sense all that may be required for operation of the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> is the power source and the electric components of the tray component <NUM> described below.

The outer surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> comprises a first engagement surface <NUM>, which is the portion of the outer surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> that contacts/engages the tray component <NUM> when the power component <NUM> is coupled to the tray component <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the first engagement surface <NUM> has a concave shape. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first engagement surface <NUM> could be planar/flat/straight, convex, wavy, or the like in other embodiments so long as it is configured to mate with an engagement surface of the tray component <NUM> as described below. Also, it should be noted that the specific shape of the housing <NUM> is not limiting of the invention described herein. The power component <NUM> remains outside of the user's oral cavity at all times, so it does not need to have a particular shape to interact with parts of the oral cavity. Rather, the power component <NUM> merely contains the electronic components (i.e., the power source <NUM> and any other electronic components such as those that are part of the electronic circuit <NUM>) to facilitate powering electrodes of the tray component <NUM>.

The power component <NUM> comprises a third connection member <NUM> and a fourth connection member <NUM> that facilitate both mechanically and electrically coupling the power component <NUM> to the tray component <NUM>. The third connection member <NUM> comprises a third mechanical connector <NUM> and a third electrical contact <NUM>. The fourth connection member <NUM> comprises a fourth mechanical connector <NUM> and a fourth electrical contact <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the third mechanical connector <NUM> is a cavity or recess <NUM> and the fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> is a cavity or recess <NUM> formed into the first engagement surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Rather, in other embodiments the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> could be protuberances, screw threads, straps, hooks, fasteners, bolts, plates, combinations thereof, or the like. Basically, the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> can take on any structural configuration so long as they are configured to mate with mechanical connectors of the tray component <NUM> to facilitate coupling the power component <NUM> to the tray component <NUM>.

As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> are cavities <NUM>, <NUM>. In that regard, the third mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> extending from the floor <NUM> to an opening <NUM> in the first engagement surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the cavity <NUM> of the third mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a locking feature <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the locking feature <NUM> is a locking protuberance extending from the sidewall <NUM> to facilitate locking of the tray component <NUM> to the power component <NUM>. The locking protuberance is an annular feature in the exemplified embodiment, but need not be in all embodiments. Thus, the locking protuberance could be formed by multiple spaced apart protuberances in some embodiments. Further still, the locking feature <NUM> could be a locking recess in other embodiments so long as it is configured to interact with a locking feature of the tray component <NUM> as described herein below.

Similarly, the fourth mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> extending from the floor <NUM> to an opening <NUM> in the first engagement surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the cavity <NUM> of the fourth mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a locking feature <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the locking feature <NUM> comprises a locking protuberance extending from the sidewall <NUM> to facilitate locking of the tray component <NUM> to the power component <NUM>. The locking protuberance is an annular feature in the exemplified embodiment, but need not be in all embodiments. Thus, the locking protuberance could be formed by multiple spaced apart protuberances in some embodiments. Further still, the locking feature <NUM> could be a locking recess in other embodiments so long as it is configured to interact with a locking feature of the tram component <NUM> as described herein below.

In the exemplified embodiment the third electrical contact <NUM> is located within the cavity <NUM> that forms the third mechanical connector <NUM>. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the third electrical contact <NUM> is located on the floor <NUM> of the third mechanical connector <NUM>. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the third electrical contact <NUM> could be located on the sidewall <NUM> in other embodiments. Moreover, in the exemplified embodiment the third electrical contact <NUM> is depicted as a flat plate-like member. However, the third electrical contact <NUM> can take on other structural configurations, including extending vertically like a pin from the floor <NUM> to promote engagement with electrical contacts of the tray component <NUM> as described in more detail below.

The third electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to a positive terminal of the power source <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, this is illustrated as being achieved by a conductive wire being coupled to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM> and to the third electrical contact <NUM>. The third electrical contact <NUM> is formed of an electrically conductive material such as a metal and it functions basically as the positive terminal of the power source <NUM> due to its coupling thereto.

In the exemplified embodiment, the fourth electrical contact <NUM> is located within the cavity <NUM> that forms the fourth mechanical connector <NUM>. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the fourth electrical contact <NUM> is located on the floor <NUM> of the fourth mechanical connector <NUM>. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the fourth electrical connector <NUM> could be located on the sidewall <NUM> in other embodiments. Moreover, in the exemplified embodiment the fourth electrical contact <NUM> is depicted as a flat plate-like member. However, the fourth electrical contact <NUM> can take on other structural configurations, including extending vertically like a pin from the floor <NUM> to promote engagement with electrical contacts of the tray component <NUM> as described in more detail below.

The fourth electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to a negative terminal of the power source <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, this is illustrated as being achieved by a conductive wire being coupled to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM> and to the fourth electrical contact <NUM>. The fourth electrical contact <NUM> is formed of an electrically conductive material such as a metal and it functions basically as the negative terminal of the power source <NUM> due to its coupling thereto.

In the exemplified embodiment, the power component <NUM> comprises an actuator <NUM> located on the outer surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the actuator <NUM> is a depressible button, but it could be a slide switch, a conductive switch, or any other type of mechanism as may be desired. The actuator <NUM> is operably coupled to the power source <NUM> so that actuation of the actuator <NUM> causes the power source <NUM> to transmit power to the tray component <NUM> (and specifically to electrodes thereof as described herein below) when the tray component <NUM> is coupled to the power component <NUM> as described herein below.

The tray component <NUM> is the part of the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> that is intended to be placed inside of a user's mouth during a treatment. Thus, the tray component <NUM> is preferably formed, at least in part, of a malleable or flexible or rubber-like material to enhance comfort when worn by a user. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the tray component <NUM> may be formed of rigid materials such as plastic, metal, or the like in other embodiments. In some embodiments the tray component <NUM> may include a rigid core and a soft or flexible covering over a part of or the entirety of the rigid core, the covering being formed of a rubber-like material such as a thermoplastic elastomer or the like.

The tray component <NUM> comprises a floor <NUM> which forms a biting surface of the tray component <NUM>, an inner sidewall <NUM> extending from the floor <NUM>, and an outer sidewall <NUM> extending from the floor <NUM>. The inner and outer sidewalls <NUM> are spaced apart from one another by the floor <NUM> such that the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM> extend from opposing ends of the floor. The floor <NUM>, the inner sidewall <NUM>, and the outer sidewall <NUM> collectively form a tooth receiving channel <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> within which a user's teeth are positioned during a treatment.

In the exemplified embodiment, the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> extend both upwardly from the floor <NUM> and downwardly from the floor <NUM>, perhaps best seen in <FIG>. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the tray component <NUM> comprises an upper tooth receiving channel (which is the tooth receiving channel <NUM>) and a lower tooth receiving channel <NUM>. This enables the tray component <NUM> to be positioned within the oral cavity with the user's upper teeth located within the upper tooth receiving channel <NUM> and the user's lower teeth simultaneously located within the lower tooth receiving channel <NUM> (or vice versa). However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the tray component <NUM> may include only one of the tooth receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM> such that the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM> may extend in only one direction from the floor <NUM>.

The tray component <NUM> comprises a first electrode <NUM> positioned along the inner sidewall <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> positioned along the outer sidewall <NUM> along the upper tooth receiving channel <NUM>. The tray component <NUM> also comprises a first electrode <NUM> positioned along the inner sidewall <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> positioned along the outer sidewall <NUM> along the lower tooth receiving channel <NUM>. Thus, the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the upper tooth receiving channel <NUM> and the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the lower tooth receiving channel <NUM>. As mentioned above, the lower tooth receiving channel <NUM> may be omitted in some embodiments.

The first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed of any of a number of different materials depending on their end use. For example, if the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are going to be used for a tooth whitening treatment, they may be formed from titanium whereas if the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are going to be used for an antibacterial treatment, they may be formed from zinc. In the exemplified embodiment, portions of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are illustrated being exposed to the tooth receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in other embodiments the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be embedded within one of the inner and outer sidewalls <NUM>, <NUM>.

Although titanium and zinc are two potential materials for the electrodes, in other embodiments other materials may be used depending on the desired treatment. The table provided below indicates some additional electrode materials that can be used along with the oral care composition that can be used with those electrodes and the indication or treatment being performed. It should be noted that in the table provided below platinum could be substituted for platinized titanium (PtTi) for all the indications.

In some embodiments, the material of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> on the opposing sides of the upper tooth receiving channel <NUM> may be different than the material of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> on the opposing sides of the lower tooth receiving channel <NUM>. Thus, for example, the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from titanium and used for whitening and the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from zinc and used for antibacterial treatment. Thus, a different polarity may be desired for the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> as compared to the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, and this can be achieved with the present invention described herein.

Referring to <FIG>, a surface of the outer sidewall <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> that faces away from the tooth receiving channels <NUM>, <NUM> forms a rear surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM>. Furthermore, the tray component <NUM> comprises a connection feature <NUM> protruding from the rear surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM>. A terminal end of the connection feature <NUM> forms a second engagement surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM>. The second engagement surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> is configured to abut, mate, or otherwise interact with the first engagement surface <NUM> of the power component <NUM> when the tray component <NUM> is coupled to the power component <NUM>. In that regard, in the exemplified embodiment the second engagement surface <NUM> is concave to mate with the convex shape of the first engagement surface <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. However, the shape of the second engagement surface <NUM> may be changed to match or correspond to the shape of the first engagement surface <NUM>.

The tray component <NUM> further comprises a first connection member <NUM> and a second connection member <NUM>. The first and second connection members <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to mate with the third and fourth connection members <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> to facilitate both mechanically and electrically coupling the tray component <NUM> to the power component <NUM>. In that regard, the first connection member <NUM> comprises a first mechanical connector <NUM> and a first electrical contact <NUM> and the second connection member <NUM> comprises a second mechanical connector <NUM> and a second electrical contact <NUM>. The first electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the second electrode <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, this is achieved with a conductive wire although other techniques can be used including having the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> extend directly from the first and second electrodes, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like.

As will be described further below, the first mechanical connector <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mates with one of the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> and the second mechanical connector <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mates with the other one of the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> to physically or mechanically couple the tray component <NUM> to the power component <NUM>. Furthermore, as the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mate with the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM>, the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> come into contact with the third and fourth electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Because the third and fourth electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> are operably coupled to the power source <NUM> and the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> are operably coupled to the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>, this also puts the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> into operable coupling with the power source <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a first protuberance <NUM> that protrudes from the second engagement surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM>. Similarly, the second mechanical connector <NUM> comprises a second protuberance <NUM> that protrudes from the second engagement surface <NUM> of the tray component <NUM>. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the first electrical contact <NUM> is located on the first protuberance <NUM> and the second electrical contact <NUM> is located on the second protuberance <NUM>. More specifically, the first electrical contact <NUM> is exposed at a distal end <NUM> of the first protuberance <NUM> and the second electrical contact <NUM> is exposed at a distal end <NUM> of the second protuberance <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, an outer surface of the first electrical contact <NUM> is flush with the distal end <NUM> of the first protuberance <NUM> and an outer surface of the second electrical contact <NUM> is flush with the distal end <NUM> of the second protuberance <NUM>. However, the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> could be recessed relative to the distal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second protuberances <NUM>, <NUM> in other embodiments. The exact location and positioning of the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> along the protuberances <NUM>, <NUM> is not to be limiting of the present invention as long as the first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> come into contact with the third and fourth electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> when the tray component <NUM> is coupled to the power component <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first protuberance <NUM> comprises a locking feature <NUM> formed thereon and the second protuberance <NUM> comprises a locking feature <NUM> formed therein. In the exemplified embodiment, the locking features <NUM>, <NUM> are recesses. Thus, the locking features <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to mate with the locking features <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> to facilitate maintaining the power component <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> in an attached state when so desired. Although in the exemplified embodiment the locking features <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> are recesses and the locking features <NUM>, <NUM> of the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> are protuberances, this could be reversed in other embodiments (i.e., the locking protuberances could be formed on the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> and the locking recesses could be formed on the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM>).

Other structural configurations are also possible to lock the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> to the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the locking features <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be omitted and the coupling between the tray component <NUM> and the power component <NUM> may be achieved by an interference or friction-type fit between the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> with the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM>.

Moreover, although in the exemplified embodiment the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> comprise protuberances (i.e., the first and second protuberances <NUM>, <NUM>) and the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> comprise the cavity or recess <NUM>, <NUM>, in other embodiments this could be reversed. Thus, the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> could comprise cavities or recesses while the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> of the power component <NUM> comprise protuberances that mate with the cavities or recesses. In still other embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise interlocking features that couple together through a sliding action, and they need not comprise mating protuberances and cavities/recesses in all embodiments. The first, second, third, and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise hooking elements, adhesive, hook-and-loop, bolts and mating openings, mating screw threads, or the like. Moreover, in the exemplified embodiment whereby the first, second, third, and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are protuberances and cavities, they are shown as having a circular cross-sectional shape. However, the invention is not to be so limited and this shape could be polygonal so long as they correspond with one another to facilitate the coupling.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> is depicted in a first attached configuration whereby the tray component <NUM> is coupled to the power component <NUM>. In this arrangement/configuration, the first connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mates with third connection member <NUM> of the power component <NUM> while the second connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> simultaneously mates with the fourth connection member <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Specifically, the first mechanical connector <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mechanically mates with the third mechanical connector <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. And more specifically, in this embodiment the protuberance <NUM> of the first mechanical connector <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> is disposed within the cavity/recess <NUM> of the third mechanical connector <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Similarly, the second mechanical connector <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mechanically mates with the fourth mechanical connector <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. And more specifically, in this embodiment the protuberance <NUM> of the second connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> is disposed within the cavity/recess <NUM> of the fourth mechanical connector <NUM> of the power component <NUM>.

When the first and third mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and the second and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> are physically/mechanically coupled together in this way, there is also a coupling among/between the electrical contacts. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, coupling the first and third mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> together also causes the first electrical contact <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> to come into contact with the third electrical contact <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Moreover, because the first electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the first electrode <NUM> and the third electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM>, this contact between the first and third electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> operably couples the first electrode <NUM> to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM>.

Furthermore, coupling the second and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> together also causes the second electrical contact <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> to come into contact with the fourth electrical contact <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, coupling the second and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> together also causes the second electrical contact <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> to come into contact with the fourth electrical contact <NUM> of the power component <NUM>. Moreover, because the second electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the second electrode <NUM> and the fourth electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM>, this contact between the second and fourth electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> operably couples the second electrode <NUM> to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM>.

As noted above, the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> is configured to be modular. In accordance with this invention, this means that the tray component <NUM> can also be coupled to the power component <NUM> via engagement between the first and fourth connection members <NUM>, <NUM> and engagement between the second and third connection members <NUM>, <NUM>. Such modification to the coupling will result in a change/reversal of the polarity of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>. Specifically, when the tray component <NUM> is coupled to the power component <NUM> in the manner described above, the first electrode <NUM> is coupled to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM>. When the first and fourth connection members <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled and the second and third connection members <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled, the first electrode <NUM> is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is coupled to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM>. Thus, depending on the treatment being performed and the polarity of the electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> needed for that treatment, a user can simply flip one of the tray component <NUM> and the housing component <NUM> relative to the other and reconnect them in a second assembled configuration very easily.

In that regard, referring first to <FIG>, the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> can be altered from the first assembled configuration (<FIG>) to a second assembled configuration (<FIG>). The first step in this process is to detach the tray component <NUM> from the power component <NUM>, which is what is shown in <FIG>. As the arrows indicate, the power component <NUM> is merely pulled away from the tray component <NUM> with sufficient force to separate the first and second mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> from the third and fourth mechanical connectors <NUM>, <NUM> to detach the power component <NUM> from the tray component <NUM>. Next, either the tray component <NUM> is rotated <NUM>° relative to the power component <NUM> or the power component <NUM> is rotated <NUM>° relative to the tray component <NUM>. In <FIG>, the rotation arrows are indicated as being related to the power component <NUM> such that the power component <NUM> is the one rotating, but the invention does not require this and either the tray component <NUM> or the power component <NUM> can be rotated relative to the other.

Referring to <FIG>, the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> is illustrated with the power component <NUM> having been rotated <NUM>° relative to the tray component <NUM>. In <FIG>, the bottom surface of the power component <NUM> is visible whereas in <FIG> and <FIG> the top surface of the power component <NUM> was visible, thus indicating that the power component <NUM> has been rotated. As shown in <FIG>, the next step in the process is to reattach the power component <NUM> to the tray component <NUM> by moving the power and tray components <NUM>, <NUM> towards one another until the first and second connection members <NUM>, <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> engage or mate with the third and fourth connection members <NUM>, <NUM> (shown with phantom lines) of the power component <NUM>. However, because the power component <NUM> has been rotated relative to the tray component <NUM>, now the first connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> will mate with the fourth connection member <NUM> of the power component <NUM> and the second connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> will mate with the third connection member <NUM> of the power component. This change will also cause a reversal of the polarity of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the oral cavity treatment device <NUM> is illustrated in the second assembled configuration. As noted above, in the second assembled configuration the first connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> mates with the fourth connection member <NUM> of the power component <NUM> and the second connection member <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> will mate with the third connection member <NUM> of the power component. As a result, the first contact element <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> contacts the fourth contact element <NUM> of the power component <NUM> to thereby operably couple the first electrode <NUM> to the negative terminal of the power source <NUM>. Similarly, the second contact element <NUM> of the tray component <NUM> contacts the third contact element <NUM> of the power component <NUM> to thereby operably couple the second electrode <NUM> to the positive terminal of the power source <NUM>. Thus, as compared with the first assembled configuration shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the polarity of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> has been reversed.

<FIG> and <FIG> schematically illustrate the tray component <NUM> and the power component <NUM> in a detached state, but in preparation to be coupled into one of the first and second attached configurations. Specifically, in <FIG>, upon the tray component <NUM> and the power component <NUM> being attached, the first electrode <NUM> will be operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source and the second electrode <NUM> will be operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source. In <FIG>, upon the tray component <NUM> and the power component <NUM> being attached, the first electrode <NUM> will be operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source and the second electrode <NUM> will be operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source. Thus, this again shows that by rotating one of the power component <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> relative to the other, the power component <NUM> and the tray component <NUM> can be coupled together in two different configurations, which results in reversing the polarities of the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an oral cavity treatment kit <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The oral cavity treatment kit <NUM> generally comprises the power component <NUM> as described above, a first tray component <NUM> that is identical to the tray component <NUM> as described above, and a second tray component <NUM> that is identical to the tray component <NUM> as described above. The first and second tray components <NUM>, <NUM> are structurally identical with the only difference being that they may include electrodes having different materials. The structural details of the power component <NUM> and of the first and second tray components <NUM>, <NUM> will not be described herein in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description of the power component <NUM> provided above as well as the description of the tray component <NUM> described above is applicable.

In this embodiment, both the first and second tray components <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be coupled to the power component <NUM> both mechanically/physically and electronically in the exact same manner as has been described above. Thus, mechanically coupling the first or second tray components <NUM>, <NUM> to the power component <NUM> also results in operably coupling the electrodes of the first or second tray component <NUM>, <NUM> to the power source of the power component <NUM>.

The first tray component <NUM> comprises an inner sidewall <NUM>, an outer sidewall <NUM>, and an upper tooth receiving cavity <NUM> defined therebetween. Furthermore, the first tray component <NUM> comprises a first electrode <NUM> located along the inner sidewall <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> located along the outer sidewall <NUM>, the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> being located on opposite sides of the upper teeth receiving channel <NUM> (and it may also include electrodes on opposite sides of a lower teeth receiving channel as described above).

The second tray component <NUM> comprises an inner sidewall <NUM>, an outer sidewall <NUM>, and an upper tooth receiving cavity <NUM> defined therebetween. Furthermore, the second tray component <NUM> comprises a first electrode <NUM> located along the inner sidewall <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> located along the outer sidewall <NUM>, the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> being located on opposite sides of the upper teeth receiving channel <NUM> (and it may also include electrodes on opposite sides of a lower teeth receiving channel as described above).

In some embodiments, the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> of the first tray component <NUM> may be formed of a first material and the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> of the second tray component <NUM> may be formed of a second material that is different than the first material. For example, the first material may be titanium and the second material may be zinc. Of course, other materials could be used in other embodiments. Thus, the first and second tray components <NUM>, <NUM> can both be used with the power component <NUM> to provide a different treatment to a user, based on the material of the electrodes and a type of oral treatment composition placed in the respective tooth receiving channel during a treatment. Moreover, in still other embodiments the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> of the first tray component <NUM> may be formed of the same material as the first and second electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> of the second tray component <NUM> so that the same power component <NUM> can be used to two tray components <NUM>, <NUM> that are identical but belong to different users.

The first tray component <NUM> comprises a first connection member <NUM> comprising a first mechanical connector <NUM> and a first electrical contact <NUM> and a second connection member <NUM> comprising a second mechanical connector <NUM> and a second electrical contact <NUM>. The first electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the second electrode <NUM>. The second tray component <NUM> comprises a first connection member <NUM> comprising a first mechanical connector <NUM> and a first electrical contact <NUM> and a second connection member <NUM> comprising a second mechanical connector <NUM> and a second electrical contact <NUM>. The first electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the second electrode <NUM> and the second electrical contact <NUM> is operably coupled to the first electrode <NUM>.

As can be seen, the first tray component <NUM> is intended to be coupled to the power component <NUM> so that the first electrical contact <NUM> is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source and the second electrical contact <NUM> is coupled to the positive terminal of the power source. Thus, with the first tray component <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM> is operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source and the second electrode <NUM> is operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source. Of course, this can be reversed in the manner noted above and may be depending on the particular material of the electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the particular treatment being provided.

Moreover, the second tray component <NUM> is intended to be coupled to the power component <NUM> so that the first electrical contact <NUM> is coupled to the positive terminal of the power source and the second electrical contact <NUM> is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source. Thus, with the second tray component <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM> is operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source and the second electrode <NUM> is operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source. Of course, this can be reversed in the manner noted above and may be depending on the particular material of the electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and the particular treatment being provided.

Thus, it should be appreciated that tray components <NUM>, <NUM> that are identical to one another except with regard to the material of the electrodes may be used with the same power component <NUM> to provide different treatments to a user. The tray components <NUM>, <NUM> can both be coupled to the power component <NUM> in either configuration described above (i.e., the first attached configuration or the second attached configuration) based on the desired polarity of the electrodes of that tray component.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques.

Claim 1:
An oral cavity treatment device (<NUM>) comprising:
a power component (<NUM>) comprising a housing (<NUM>) having a cavity (<NUM>) and a power source (<NUM>) located in the cavity (<NUM>);
a tray component (<NUM>) comprising a tooth receiving channel (<NUM>, <NUM>), a first electrode (<NUM>, <NUM>) operably coupled to a first electrical contact (<NUM>), and a second electrode (<NUM>, <NUM>) operably coupled to a second electrical contact (<NUM>), the first and second electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being located on opposite sides of the tooth receiving channel (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein the tray component (<NUM>) is detachably coupled to the power component (<NUM>) in:
- i) a first configuration whereby the first electrical contact (<NUM>) is operably coupled to a positive terminal of the power source (<NUM>) and the second electrical contact (<NUM>) is operably coupled to a negative terminal of the power source (<NUM>); and
- ii) a second configuration whereby the first electrical contact (<NUM>) is operably coupled to the negative terminal of the power source (<NUM>) and the second electrical contact (<NUM>) is operably coupled to the positive terminal of the power source (<NUM>); and
characterized in that the housing (<NUM>) of the power component (<NUM>) comprises a first engagement surface (<NUM>) and the tray component (<NUM>) comprises a second engagement surface (<NUM>) that mates with the first engagement surface (<NUM>) when the tray component (<NUM>) is attached to the power component (<NUM>).