Patent Description:
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums characterized by redness, swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity. These changes result from an accumulation of biofilm along the gingival margins and the immune system's inflammatory response to the release of destructive bacterial byproducts. Investigations of the pathogenesis of periodontitis focus on the initiation and progression of the disease process, such as the progression from health to gingivitis, from acute to chronic inflammation, and from gingivitis to periodontitis. Gingivitis results in increased vascularity and morphological change in the vascular architecture, hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation. Monitoring and assessment of local inflammatory hemodynamic profiles such as tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), total tissue hemoglobin (tHb), deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) and oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) of gingiva during disease progression and response to therapy is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology. The early stages of gingivitis are reversible with effective treatment from oral cleaner, thorough brushing and flossing. Without adequate oral hygiene, however, chronic infections and periodontitis can develop.

Products are known that treat and reverse gingivitis and other oral conditions. Such products are effective at tooth whitening, stain removal, improving enamel health and erosion, improving gum health, treating dentin sensitivity, preventing caries, oral wound cleansing, bacteria removal, and treating oral bleeding and dry mouth. However, without proper diagnosis, it is difficult for consumers to know which products they can benefit from or receive a customized product to treat their specific oral health needs. What is therefore desired is a consumer-based diagnostic and treatment system which can diagnose oral conditions along with a consumer-based personalized oral cleaner dispenser that creates personalized oral cleaner to treat the diagnosed oral conditions. It would further be desired for the system to be integrated with a tele-dentistry platform for dentist recommended product formulations and dental routines. As part of the state of the art, document <CIT> discloses an oral care agent dispenser device which includes multiple chambers each configured to receive a cartridge containing one of a plurality of oral care agent ingredients, and which is able to dispense one or more of the oral care agent ingredients in accordance with an oral care agent formulation stored in a memory included in the device. Moreover, document <CIT> discloses a sensor-responsive toothbrush that can adjust its output depending upon information received by one or more sensors incorporated in the toothbrush.

The present disclosure is directed to a product dispenser and system for diagnosing and treating a condition of an oral cavity. The system includes a diagnostic device, a processor, and a product dispenser. The diagnostic device includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a portion of the oral cavity and a sensor configured to detect information relating to at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light relating to the illuminated portion of the oral cavity. The processor is configured to receive the information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light; determine the oral condition of the oral cavity based on the received information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light; determine a combination of a plurality of ingredients that are expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and cause identities of the plurality of ingredients to be transmitted. The product dispenser houses the plurality of ingredients and includes a mixing chamber. The product dispenser includes an interface configured to receive the identities of the plurality of ingredients expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; an agitator configured to mix the identified plurality of ingredients within the mixing chamber, thereby producing a product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and dispense the product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity via a nozzle of the product dispenser.

A method for diagnosing and treating a condition of an oral cavity, which is not part of the claimed invention, can include illuminating a portion of the oral cavity via a diagnostic device and detecting information relating to at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light relating to the illuminated portion of the oral cavity; receiving the information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light; determining, via a processor, the oral condition of the oral cavity based on the received information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light; determining identities of a plurality of ingredients that are expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; mixing, via a product dispenser, the identified plurality of ingredients thereby producing a product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and dispensing the product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity via a nozzle of a product dispenser.

The description of illustrative embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front" and "rear" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," "secured" and other similar terms refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The discussion herein describes and illustrates some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is to be interpreted as meaning "based at least in part on," and therefore is not limited to an interpretation of "based entirely on.

Features of the present inventions may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof. The computer programs described herein are not limited to any particular embodiment, and may be implemented in an operating system, application program, foreground or background processes, driver, or any combination thereof. The computer programs may be executed on a single computer or server processor or multiple computer or server processors.

Processors described herein may be any central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, micro-controller, computational, or programmable device or circuit configured for executing computer program instructions (e.g., code). Various processors may be embodied in computer and/or server hardware of any suitable type (e.g., desktop, laptop, notebook, tablets, cellular phones, etc.) and may include all the usual ancillary components necessary to form a functional data processing device including without limitation a bus, software and data storage such as volatile and non-volatile memory, input/output devices, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), removable data storage, and wired and/or wireless communication interface devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN, etc..

Computer-executable instructions or programs (e.g., software or code) and data described herein may be programmed into and tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is accessible to and retrievable by a respective processor as described herein which configures and directs the processor to perform the desired functions and processes by executing the instructions encoded in the medium. A device embodying a programmable processor configured to such non-transitory computer-executable instructions or programs may be referred to as a "programmable device", or "device", and multiple programmable devices in mutual communication may be referred to as a "programmable system. " It should be noted that non-transitory "computer-readable medium" as described herein may include, without limitation, any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM) and various types thereof, read-only memory (ROM) and various types thereof, USB flash memory, and magnetic or optical data storage devices (e.g., internal/external hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, optical disk, ZIP™ drive, Blu-ray disk, and others), which may be written to and/or read by a processor operably connected to the medium.

In certain embodiments, the present inventions may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses such as processor-based data processing and communication systems or computer systems for practicing those processes. The present inventions may also be embodied in the form of software or computer program code embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which when loaded into and executed by the data processing and communications systems or computer systems, the computer program code segments configure the processor to create specific logic circuits configured for implementing the processes.

Oral health problems can take many forms, such as tooth decay, tooth stain, tooth sensitivity, dry mouth, periodontal disease, and bad breath. A system and a device to provide home-care diagnostic is described herein. The diagnostic device may be used with a personalized oral cleaner dispenser that dispenses products based on diagnostics of the oral cavity of the user.

Periodontal disease and tooth caries may be caused by bacterial species in the mouth that interact with proteins present in saliva to form a film, known as plaque, that coats the teeth. If this biofilm build up progresses, the acid produced by the bacteria may attack the teeth, resulting in tooth decay. The plaque may attack the soft gum tissue of the mouth leading to gingivitis, which may affect the gums, or periodontitis, which may affect the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. Gum recession, tooth sensitivity, yellowing and eroding teeth, and the like are some of the common effects of poor oral hygiene.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums characterized by redness, swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity. These changes result from an accumulation of biofilm along the gingival margins and the immune system's inflammatory response to the release of destructive bacterial byproducts. Investigations of the pathogenesis of periodontitis focus on the initiation and progression of the disease process, such as the progression from health to gingivitis, from acute to chronic inflammation, and from gingivitis to periodontitis. Gingivitis results in increased vascularity and morphological change in the vascular architecture, hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation. Monitoring and assessment of local inflammatory hemodynamic profiles such as tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), total tissue hemoglobin (tHb), deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) and oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) of gingiva during disease progression and response to therapy is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology. The early stages of gingivitis are reversible with effective treatment from oral cleaner, thorough brushing and flossing. Without adequate oral hygiene chronic infections and periodontitis can develop.

A home-based (e.g., consumer) diagnostic/treatment system which can diagnose oral conditions (such as plaque, caries, blood, bacteria, photoporphyrins, enamel health, tissue oxygenation, whiteness, and other useful parameters) in the oral cavity is described herein. The diagnostic/treatment system can improve user oral hygiene and reverse conditions such as gingivitis. In addition to a diagnostic device, a personalized (e.g., consumer) oral cleaner dispenser that creates and/or dispenses personalized oral cleaner to treat the diagnosed oral conditions and user reported conditions, such as dry mouth and sensitivity, may further enhance overall oral and physical health. The oral cleaner dispenser may create and/or dispense the oral cleaner based on one or more diagnostics provided by the diagnostic/treatment system. Although the examples herein relate to oral care diagnostics and treatments, it should be understood that such examples are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The diagnostic/treatment system may be used for diagnosing and/or treating one or more other conditions that relate to the personal care of a user, such as skin conditions, hair conditions, nail conditions, etc..

The diagnostic/treatment system uses light (e.g., photoluminescence) to determine diagnostics of an oral cavity of a user. For example, spectral properties of biomolecules in the oral cavity may be known. Two spectral detection modalities for diagnosing oral health include fluorescence spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectroscopy may excel at detecting green fluorescence from tooth enamel and caries, and red fluorescence may be useful for detecting plaque, bacteria, and photoporphyrins. Using the fluorescence information, important parameters about tooth health may be determined. Absorption spectra may give information about chromophores in tissue. An example of static chromophores may include different types of melanin in the tissue and stains on teeth. Examples of non-static chromophores may include oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Absorption spectroscopy may be useful in detecting tissue parameters, such as blood concentration, blood oxygenation, and/or tooth whiteness. Other biomolecules may be detected using absorption/reflection spectroscopy.

A system and apparatus for diagnosing oral hygiene and dispensing personalized oral care and dental hygiene products based on the diagnostics is provided herein. An oral hygiene device may be used in the oral cavity for hygiene monitoring and health diagnostics. The oral hygiene device may be inserted in or moved about the oral cavity. Diagnostics relating to the oral cavity is acquired and/or determined by detecting fluorescence emission and/or optical reflection/absorption of incident light. A multichannel spectrometer or spectrophotometer may be used for detecting the light. The optical properties of biomolecules may be used to detect plaque, caries, blood, bacteria, photoporphyrins, enamel health, tissue oxygenation, whiteness, and other useful parameters in the oral cavity.

The hygiene device may use an onboard camera and/or inertial measurement sensor (IMU) to determine the location of the optical radiation in the oral cavity. In examples artificial intelligence (e.g., deep learning) techniques may be used to determine the location of the optical radiation in the oral cavity. The oral hygiene device may have one or more onboard microcontroller units (MCUs) and/or microprocessor units (MPUs). The one or more MCUs and/or MPUs may have onboard memory and/or a wireless module. The one or more MCUs, MPUs, IMUs, multichannel spectrometers, onboard memories, and/or wireless modules may be an integrated system fabricated on a single or multiple connected chips (such as a system on a chip (SoC)). The SoC may diagnose the received optical radiation and/or assign the diagnosis to the determine location in the oral cavity. The SoC may perform this diagnosis before, during, or after determining the location of the oral cavity. The information may be transmitted (e.g., streamed) to a personalized care oral cleaner dispenser, as described herein. The oral cleaner dispenser further comprises a processor configured to: receive information relating to at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light relating to an illuminated portion of an oral cavity; determine the oral condition of the oral cavity based on the received information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light; determine the plurality of ingredients that are expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and cause identities of the plurality of ingredients to be transmitted. The oral cleaner dispenser uses the received information to create a personalized oral cleaner for the user. As a result, the personal care of the user may be enhanced as the oral cleaner is tailored to treat the diagnosed conditions of a user of the system.

The oral diagnostic device may be wirelessly connected to an oral care and dental hygiene product dispenser (e.g., oral cleaner, oral dispenser, etc.). The oral care and dental hygiene product dispenser may customize the production, mix, dispensing, and the like of the oral care and cleaning product based on the oral health and hygiene of the user (e.g., the diagnostics relating to the oral health and hygiene of the user). As a result, the oral hygiene of a user may be diagnosed and/or a personalized oral care and cleaner may be dispensed to improve the oral hygiene and/or personal health of a user.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> shows an example system <NUM> including a hand-held oral hygiene device <NUM> that is used to perform diagnostics of the oral cavity. The hygiene device <NUM> may be coupled to an oral care and dental hygiene product dispenser <NUM> (oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>) in examples, although in other examples the hygiene device <NUM> may be separate from an oral care and dental hygiene product dispenser <NUM>. The hygiene device <NUM> may transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) diagnostic information to the oral care and dental hygiene product dispenser <NUM>. The oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> may use the diagnostic information to formulate and dispense (e.g., dispense via nozzle <NUM>) a personalized oral product (e.g., a cleaning product, whitening product, remediation product, etc.) for treating the diagnosed conditions. The oral cleaner may be formulated and/or dispensed in at least one of a gel, paste, or liquid form.

An example hygiene device <NUM> is shown in the different views of <FIG> shows SoC <NUM> and light-guides <NUM>. <FIG> shows a zoomed region of SoC <NUM>. <FIG> shows hygiene device <NUM> skeleton and body <NUM>. <FIG> shows alternate hygiene device heads that may be used by device <NUM>. As shown on <FIG>, the hand-held hygiene device <NUM> has a body <NUM> for holding and a head <NUM> for inserting into and around the oral cavity. The head <NUM> may have different attachments, such as attachments 202a, 202b, 202c (shown on <FIG>). The attachments, for example, may include mirrors for detecting light in difficult to reach locations of the oral cavity.

Illumination sources (e.g., LEDs) may be provided in the hygiene device <NUM>. For example, LEDs <NUM> may be embedded in, on, and/or around the head <NUM> or SoC <NUM> for optical excitation and absorption/scattering illumination. The LEDS (e.g., excitation LEDs) may be ultra-violet (UV), purple, blue, green, red, NIR, or Mid-IR LEDs. The LEDs may be in the body <NUM> of the hygiene device <NUM> and/or light (e.g., illuminated from the LEDs) may be carried to the illumination area via optical fibers, light pipes, and/or through free space. Laser diodes (LDs) (e.g., a combination of LEDs and LDs) may be used for illuminating the sampled area.

The hygiene device <NUM> may include a camera <NUM> embedded in the body <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may face the user. One or more cameras <NUM> may be mounted on the head <NUM> and/or body <NUM> of device <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may be a type of CCD, CMOS, or other array based UV/VIS/NIR/SWIR/FWIR/IR or thermal sensor. The camera <NUM> may be a monochrome, bi-chrome, RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral, and/or thermal imaging camera. One or more spectral sensors <NUM> may be used to detect the emission fluorescence and/or back scattered light. The back scattered light may be polarized or unpolarized. One or more spectral sensors <NUM> may be mounted inside the body <NUM> on the SoC <NUM> of the hygiene device <NUM>.

The light may be collected through the head <NUM> using one or more collection lenses and/or reflection mirrors <NUM> into one or more light-guides <NUM>. The light-guide may be a fiber optic, light pipe, liquid light-guide, crystal light-guide, or other free space device. The light-guide end may terminate above the one or more spectral sensors <NUM>. The output light may be directly incident on the spectral sensors or reshaped using an optical lens or curved mirror. In an example of multiple spectral sensors, the colors of the collected light may be separated using a dichroic mirror or dichroic beam splitter and/or directed into the respective spectral sensors either directly or using a lens or curved mirror. The camera <NUM> and one or more spectral sensors <NUM> may be connected to a SoC <NUM>. The SoC <NUM> may be equipped with a wireless module for streaming data to the personalized care oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. The SoC may have an onboard memory chip for short-term or long-term information and instruction storage. In some embodiments, the hygiene device SoC is integrated with an IMU for motion detection.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of the hygiene device <NUM>, as described herein. Hygiene device <NUM> may include one or more components, such as one or more IMU sensors <NUM>, cameras <NUM>, sensors <NUM> (e.g., spectral sensor), and/or illumination sources <NUM>. IMU sensors <NUM> may include one or more components, such as an accelerometer <NUM>, magnetometer <NUM>, gyroscope <NUM>, and the like. The components of the IMU sensors <NUM> may perform one or more actions, such as a calibration <NUM>. Camera <NUM> may include one or more components, such as a camera/position sensor <NUM>. Sensor (e.g., spectral sensor) <NUM> may include one or more components, such as a spectrometer/position sensor <NUM>.

The one or more components of hygiene device <NUM> may perform one or more operations, such as a position determination <NUM>. The position determination <NUM> may be performed via a data fusion machine learning technique. The one or more components of hygiene device <NUM> may perform a pressure and/or stroke frequency control <NUM>. The pressure and/or stroke frequency control <NUM> may be performed via a data fusion machine learning technique. The pressure and/or stroke frequency control <NUM> may result in a determination of a brushing pressure pattern <NUM>. The one or more components of hygiene device <NUM> may perform a tissue characterization <NUM>. The tissue characterization <NUM> may be performed via a data fusion machine learning technique. A determination of tissue property <NUM> may result, as described herein.

Illumination sources <NUM> may be alternated between excitation illumination and scattering illumination. During excitation illumination, the spectral sensors <NUM> may be used to collect the induced fluorescence. The fluorescence signal may be used to detect the green fluorescence from enamel and the red fluorescence from plaque biofilms, carries, bacteria and photoporphyrins. The biofilms may be found on hard and/or soft tissues. The backscattered light (e.g., from the broadband illumination) may be used to detect blood, tissue oxygenation, and/or tooth whiteness, as described herein. In examples the absorption may be used to diagnose blood oxygenation, blood concentration, vasculature density, lesions, and/or oral cancers.

The hygiene device may acquire optical data, as described herein. The hygiene device may determine the location of the hygiene device based on the acquired optical data. For example, the hygiene device may determine its location in or around the oral cavity using either the camera (e.g., optical data provided by the camera), an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or a combination of the camera and IMU. The IMU may include an accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, etc. Artificial intelligence (e.g., a deep learning neural network) may train the device on the oral cavity data (e.g., location data) relating to one or more users. During a training session, the user may be instructed to move the device to one or more areas in or around the oral cavity, such as for a predetermined amount of time. The captured images and/or IMU data may be used to train the neural network to understand the location in or around the oral cavity, as shown in <FIG>.

An IMU sensor may be used to improve position accuracy. In examples in which an IMU sensor is used to improve position accuracy, the IMU data may be analyzed (e.g., first analyzed) by the SoC, and the orientation of the hygiene device may be determined. The orientation may be used to superimpose a frequency onto the camera image acquired at the IMU orientation. Superimposed images may be frequency grating patterns that include frequency changes with the specific device orientation. Such techniques may minimize computational resources of the SoC. The position data determined by the neural network may be time stamped and/or combined with spectral analysis (e.g., spectral analysis taken at or near the same time). In other examples, techniques (e.g., artificial intelligence techniques) and/or data may be used to control pressure and/or stroke frequency, characterize tissue, and/or determine tissue properties.

Tissue properties (e.g., 3D tissue properties) may be mapped. For example, a 3D tissue property mapping <NUM> may be performed. Data may be used to make a hygiene map of the oral cavity. The data and/or map may be used to determine and/or provide a brushing pressure pattern. The diagnosis information may be transmitted to an external device (such as a cloud server), using the onboard wireless module, and a chart (e.g., an online chart) may determine an oral cleaning formula ideal for the specific oral health map of the user. In examples, the chart may be stored in the SoC memory and/or the data may be directly transmitted (e.g., streamed) to the personalized care oral cleaner dispenser. The chart may be stored in the SoC of the personalized care oral cleaner dispenser.

<FIG> show schematics of an example oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> (similar to device <NUM> described herein). <FIG> shows a front view of oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> shows a back view of oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> with back panel and components removed. <FIG> is a view similar to <FIG>, with components inserted.

As shown on <FIG>, dispenser device <NUM> has a body <NUM> and a cavity <NUM> for inserting the head of a hygiene device. The cavity <NUM> includes a dispensing nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> may have one or more output holes. One or more ingredients (e.g., customized ingredients) may be combined and/or output. For example, nozzle <NUM> may combine ingredients and/or output a customized oral cleaner. The oral cleaner (e.g., the final oral cleaner) may be one or more of a paste, gel, liquid, or the like.

The cavity <NUM> may contain a sensor <NUM> to detect when a hygiene head or container for ingredient collection has been inserted. The sensor <NUM> may dispense (e.g., cause the dispenser to dispense) the one or more personalized oral cleaner(s). In examples, a push lever may be used with a sensor or instead of a sensor. The body <NUM> may have one or more slots <NUM>, for example, to insert ingredient cartridges <NUM> for making the personalized oral cleaner. A system (such as a slide and lock system) may hold (e.g., firmly hold) the ingredient cartridges <NUM> in place. A lever (e.g., quick release lever) may remove the used cartridges <NUM>. A window or optical encoder may be included in the device to determine when cartridges need replacement.

The output end of one or more (e.g., each) ingredient cartridge <NUM> may be sealed with a film. The film may be ruptured when inserted into the body <NUM>. Rupturing of the film may expose ingredients, such as sanitary ingredients. The ingredient cartridge <NUM> may have a portion (e.g., pressure plate <NUM>) that may cause (e.g., may cause when pushed) a positive pressure on the inside of the cartridge <NUM>. A positive pressure on the inside of the cartridge may cause the ingredients to normalize the pressure, for example, by exiting the output end.

Solenoid motors <NUM> may be provided inside the body. The solenoid motors <NUM> may touch the surface of the inserted ingredient cartridges <NUM>. When activated, the solenoid motors <NUM> may apply a force to the pressure plates <NUM>, causing the ingredients to flow from the cartridge <NUM> and into the mixing chamber <NUM> located between the center of the cartridge rack. One or more motors <NUM> may force the ingredients through the mixing chamber. In examples, the solenoid motors may be replaced with rotational motors attached to a rotational-to-linear converter, piezo-motors, stepper motors, or other forms of motors for forcing ingredients through the chamber. For example, the motors may be replaced with a pneumatic pump or other type of pump cable of moving the ingredients out of the ingredient cartridge and through the nozzle. The motors may be controlled using one or more SoCs <NUM>. The one or more SoCs <NUM> may be connected to a wireless module for receiving wireless information. In examples, the one or more SoCs <NUM> may transmit (e.g., stream) data for mechanical diagnostics and/or for communicating with a smart device (such as a smart phone and the like). The one or more SoCs <NUM> may include an onboard memory chip for short-term or long-term information and/or instruction storage.

<FIG> show schematics of another example of a personalized care oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> shows an inside view of the cartridge-pump system of the oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, but with a side view and components labeled. The dispenser device <NUM> may have a body <NUM> and/or a cavity <NUM> for inserting the head of a cleaning device and/or a fluid container. The cavity <NUM> may include a dispensing nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> may have one or more output holes that may lead to a mixing chamber <NUM> that may combine ingredients and/or output a customized oral cleaner. The cleaner may be in at least one form of a paste, gel, liquid, and the like, as the final product(s).

The mixing chamber <NUM> has an active agitator <NUM> for mixing the ingredients. The mixing chamber <NUM> may be a helix shaped chamber with, for example, internal fins which mixes (e.g., passively mixes) ingredients using the pressure and resulting vortex. The agitator <NUM> may be a piezoelectric or other type of small mixing device. The cavity <NUM> may contain a sensor. The sensor may detect when a hygiene device head or container for ingredient collection has been inserted. After detection, the dispenser may dispense the one or more personalized oral cleaner(s). In examples, a push lever may be used instead of, or along with, a sensor. The body may have one or more slots to insert ingredient cartridges for making the personalized oral cleaner. The cartridges may be organized by type. For example, the cartridges may contain gel, paste 507a, and/or liquid 507b.

Cartridges may be replaced with customizable cartridges 507c and/or base ingredient cartridges 507d. Motors (e.g., miniature piezoelectric motors <NUM>) may force ingredients through the chamber and/or close the cartridge from back flow of other ingredients by adjusting pump pressure. The liquid and/or paste/gel flow chambers may include shutoff valves <NUM> to prevent back flow from the different (e.g., two different) matter forms into the respective irrigation chambers. To clean the flow chambers, cleaning fluid cartridges 507e may be used to flush and clean ingredients from the chamber after use.

The motors may be controlled using one or more SoCs inside the body. The one or more SoCs may be connected to a wireless module for receiving wireless information. In some examples, the one or more SoCs may transmit (e.g., stream) data for mechanical diagnostics and/or for communicating with a device (e.g., a smart device, such as a smart phone and the like). The one or more SoCs may include an onboard memory chip for short-term or long-term information and/or instruction storage.

<FIG> shows an alternative drawing of dispenser <NUM> that is capable of mixing and/or dispensing ingredients, such as pastes, gels, and liquids. For example, toothpaste/gel <NUM>, mouthwash <NUM>, and/or a self-cleaning solution <NUM> may be provided. One or more other ingredients may be provided, for example, via an ingredient port <NUM>. The ingredients may be provided via a pump, such as a miniature PZT pump/mixers <NUM>, <NUM>. An optical sensor <NUM> may identify the ingredients prior to the ingredients being dispensed via dispenser <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an alternative drawing of dispenser <NUM> including a squiggle motor driver <NUM>, control logic driver <NUM>, and diagnostic data from one or more sources, such as an oral scanner. The example setup may use load motors <NUM> for insertion and/or removal (e.g., easy insertion and/or removal) of cartridges. <FIG> further shows liquid glide technology 507f, 507e, cavity <NUM>, dispenser nozzle <NUM>, actuator <NUM>, loading actuator <NUM>, and mixing chamber <NUM> of example dispenser <NUM>. Actuator <NUM> may be a self-cleaning valve actuator. A proximity sensor <NUM> may be located near dispenser nozzle <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an alternative drawing of loading and unloading paper cartridge, as shown on <FIG>. <FIG> shows loading actuator <NUM>, load motors <NUM>, liquid glide technology 507f, 507e, and dispenser nozzle <NUM>. As shown on <FIG>, the load motors <NUM> may be multiplexed as ingredient dispenser motors, which may be capable of forcing ingredients through the chamber. <FIG> shows an example in which the dispenser <NUM> may include a self-cleaning mode and/or may contain a self-cleaning chamber. Self-cleaning valve actuator <NUM> may close ingredient cartridges, for example, when self-cleaning mode is activated. A cartridge (e.g., a separate cartridge) with cleaning liquid may remain open and/or an actuator may force cleaning liquid through the mixing chamber. The cartridges may be biodegradable (such as paper cartridges) that may include liquid glide technology 507f.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of an example method for using a personalized care oral cleaner dispenser, as described herein. The hygiene device <NUM> may wirelessly send oral hygiene diagnostics to the personalized care oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. The hygiene device <NUM> may include a location component <NUM>. The location component <NUM> may include a camera and/or an IMU that performs location detection (e.g., location detection of the hygiene device <NUM>). The hygiene device <NUM> may include a spectral sensor <NUM>. The spectral sensor <NUM> may perform (e.g., determine) plaque detection, bacteria detection, enamel health detection, color (e.g., whiteness) value(s), blood concentration(s), tissue oxygenation(s), etc. The hygiene device <NUM> may include a mapping component <NUM>. The mapping component <NUM> may perform a mapping. For example, the mapping component <NUM> may include a mapping of plaque, bacteria, enamel health, whiteness/staining, blood concentration, tissue oxygenation, etc..

The hygiene device <NUM> and/or oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> may include one or more wireless modules, such as wireless module <NUM>. The oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> (e.g., wireless module <NUM> of the oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>) may receive data (e.g., may receive data from the hygiene device <NUM>, a mobile device, an external server, etc.), such as data relating to ingredients for a toothpaste or other oral cavity product that may be recommended by a dentist through an integrated tele-dentistry platform. The oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> (e.g., wireless module <NUM> of the oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>) may access a catalog stored in the oral cleaner dispenser memory or an online catalog. For example, the hygiene device <NUM> may transmit (e.g., directly transmit) the data from the catalog. The hygiene device <NUM> may transmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) data to an external device (e.g., the cloud). The oral cleaner dispense device may access the data from the external device (e.g., cloud). The catalog may be a look-up table that contains ingredient mixture recipes for a range of detected oral conditions.

The SoC may prepare the solenoid motor(s) to dispense an amount (e.g., a predefined amount, a desired amount, a correct amount) of each ingredient, for example, after the diagnostics are matched with the most appropriate treatment ingredients to treat the diagnosed conditions. The ingredient may be dispensed in a paste form, a liquid form, a gas form, and the like. The ingredient may be dispensed through the output nozzle of the oral cleaner dispenser. The oral cleaner dispenser may wait for a user to insert a hygiene device head. When a hygiene device head or fluid container is inserted under the nozzle, the SoC may control the motors to dispense the ingredients from the ingredient cartridges to match to recipe in the catalog.

Data (e.g., data scores) determined and/or acquired from the hygiene device may be stored in the hygiene device, a mobile device <NUM>, an external device (e.g., the cloud), and the like. Data may be transmitted via a network <NUM>, such as the Internet. The data may be used to track user hygiene, such as hygiene improvements or regression over time. Hygiene improvements or regression may relate to one or more of tooth whiteness, caries, plaque, enamel health, bacteria concentration, blood, tissue health, and the like. The hygiene improvements or regression may relate each of the areas of oral cavity and/or to an overall score of hygiene of the oral cavity.

<FIG> shows a block diagram for combining input from hygiene device <NUM> and user of hygiene device <NUM>. Input (e.g., manual input) may be provided to the oral cleaner dispenser via buttons on the device and/or via a connected device (such as a mobile device <NUM>, table, computer, etc.). The hygiene device <NUM> may perform a device diagnostic <NUM>, a self (e.g., user) diagnostic <NUM>, or a combination diagnostic <NUM>.

Dispenser <NUM> may be connected to one or more devices (e.g., hygiene devices <NUM>, mobile devices <NUM>, etc.) via an application ("app") installed on the dispenser <NUM> or device, such as mobile device <NUM>. Information not detected by the hygiene device <NUM> may be manually entered through a user interface or application of the mobile device <NUM>. Such information may include conditions (e.g., difficult to diagnose conditions), such as dry mouth, dry mouth level, sensitivity, sensitivity level, sensitive area of specific tooth, as well as one or more other conditions. For example, as shown on <FIG>, the application may ask questions, such as whether the user has dry mouth and/or if the user has sensitive teeth.

As shown on <FIG>, the user may be asked, via the application of the mobile device <NUM>, if she is (or was) experiencing conditions (e.g., common and/or difficult to diagnose conditions), such as sensitivity or dry mouth. If the user is experiencing one or more conditions, the application may ask more detailed questions about location and severity of pain/sensitivity and severity of the condition (e.g., dry mouth). To simplify the reporting, a severity scale (e.g., scale from <NUM> to <NUM>) may be used and/or provided via mobile device <NUM>. Such reporting and/or questions may be used so that a self-diagnostic <NUM> may be performed. The user may enter additional information, such as flavor preferences for the dispensed oral cleaner. The manually input information may be combined with the diagnosed information <NUM>, at <NUM>. A stored or online catalog may be referenced, and/or the oral cleaner <NUM> may dispense a product that is determined to be effective and/or referred by the user (e.g., more effective and/or more referred by the user).

The hygiene device <NUM> may send hygiene information to an external device (e.g., the cloud) via a network <NUM>, such as the Internet. On the cloud, for example, there may be an updatable catalog that uses the hygiene score to determine the treatment and/or recipe desired to improve oral health. The recipe may be transmitted from the cloud to the oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. The oral cleaner dispenser <NUM> may create the received recipe. In examples, artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning, deep learning, neural network, etc.) techniques may be used to adjust the recipe. When using artificial intelligence techniques, the online algorithm may be trained to identify (e.g., determine) statistically significant differences in hygiene score over predetermined periods of times (e.g., scores ranging from days to months). In examples, the machine learning techniques may be stored and/or implemented on the dispenser's SoC. In some examples, the product catalog may be stored on the SoC of the oral cleaner dispenser <NUM>. If a certain treatment is showing to have negative effects on hygiene or bleeding, machine learning techniques may change the recommended dosage(s) and/or may seek statistically reduced symptoms. The machine learning technique may optimize (e.g., dynamically optimize) the dose(s) and/or ingredient mixtures for the most effective and/or desired treatment.

<FIG> shows an example process <NUM> for diagnosing and treating an oral care condition using the system and devices described herein. At <NUM>, an oral cavity of a user is illuminated, as described herein. The oral cavity of the user is illuminated via an illumination source, such as an LED or the like. The illumination source is coupled to and/or housed within a diagnostic device, such as hand-held oral hygiene device <NUM>. At <NUM>, light information is detected. Emission fluorescence and/or back scattered light relating to the illuminated portion of the oral cavity is detected. At <NUM>, an oral condition of the oral cavity is determined. An oral condition of the oral cavity is determined based on received information relating to the illuminated portion of the oral cavity.

Identities of one or more ingredients may be identified, at <NUM>. The one or more ingredients are determined by a processor comprised in one or more of an oral hygiene device, a mobile device, a product dispenser, a server (e.g., a cloud server), and the like. The one or more ingredients are determined to (e.g., expected to) remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity. For example, the one or more ingredients may be expected to remedy, address, treat, etc., the oral conditions of the oral cavity. Although the one or more ingredients may be expected to remedy, address, treat, etc., the oral conditions of the oral cavity, it should be understood that results are not guaranteed. As an example, the one or more ingredients are not guaranteed to remedy, address, treat, etc., the oral condition.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for diagnosing and treating a condition of an oral cavity, comprising:
a diagnostic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an illumination source (<NUM>) configured to illuminate a portion of the oral cavity; and
a sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to detect information relating to at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light relating to the illuminated portion of the oral cavity;
a processor (<NUM>) configured to:
receive the information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light;
determine the oral condition of the oral cavity based on the received information relating to the at least one of emission fluorescence or back scattered light;
determine a plurality of ingredients that are expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and
cause identities of the plurality of ingredients to be transmitted;
and
characterized in that the system (<NUM>) further comprises a product dispenser (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) housing the plurality of ingredients and comprising a mixing chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>), the product dispenser (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an interface configured to receive the identities of the plurality of ingredients expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity;
an agitator (<NUM>) configured to mix the identified plurality of ingredients within the mixing chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>), thereby producing a product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity; and
a nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to dispense the product expected to remedy the oral condition of the oral cavity.