EP0324120A1 - Electronic toothbrush - Google Patents

Electronic toothbrush Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0324120A1
EP0324120A1 EP88120821A EP88120821A EP0324120A1 EP 0324120 A1 EP0324120 A1 EP 0324120A1 EP 88120821 A EP88120821 A EP 88120821A EP 88120821 A EP88120821 A EP 88120821A EP 0324120 A1 EP0324120 A1 EP 0324120A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piezo
electric element
handle
electrode
electric
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP88120821A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0324120B1 (en
Inventor
Hideo Suyama
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Navitas Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Navitas Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Navitas Co Ltd filed Critical Navitas Co Ltd
Publication of EP0324120A1 publication Critical patent/EP0324120A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0324120B1 publication Critical patent/EP0324120B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0016—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means
    • A46B15/0022—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means with an electrical means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an electronic toothbrush for a purpose of removing dental plague by means of brushing and discharging electrons.
  • a tooth decay is a disease that hard inorganic teeth are decayed by an acid produced by bacteria in a mouth.
  • Dental plague that is composed of propagating bacteria, depositing protein and inorganic compound in saliva, overspreads and builts up on a tooth-surface.
  • Tartar is produced by calcification of the plague which main ingredient is calcium phosphate.
  • Pyorrhea alvealaris is an inflammation of gums caused by plague left on a root of tooth and under a gum line.
  • a conventional electronic toothbrush using a dry battery or solar battery generated electrons that decompose plague and the neutralize latic acid by means of a reducing process around teeth.
  • This reducing process is caused of the electrons that flow through conductive saliva and water with positive and negative ions, for example, kalium, sodium, magnesium, bi­carbonate, chlorine, phosphoric acid, etc.
  • positive and negative ions for example, kalium, sodium, magnesium, bi­carbonate, chlorine, phosphoric acid, etc.
  • the conventional elec­tronic toothbrush is generally high in price because of using a complicated waterproof structure and an expensive battery.
  • a life of a dry battery is limited and an output voltage of a solar battery is low.
  • These objects of the present invention are realized by utilizing a piezo-electric element mounted in a handle of a toothbrush.
  • Electrodes are formed on both sides of said piezo-electric element located in the center portion of the handle, and then the electrode on one side is exposed in close vicinity to the brushing portion and the electrode on the other side is exposed on the gripped portion of the handle.
  • positive and negative charges are generated on both sides of the piezo-electric element as a result of bending and vibra­tion of the handle.
  • an electronic toothbrush com­prising: a piezo-electric element with piezo-electric characteristic mounted in a handle between a gripped portion and a brushing portion of said elec­tronic toothbrush; an exposed electrode in close vicinity to said brushing portion and an opposite exposed electrode on said gripped portion of said handle formed on both sides of said piezo-electric element, respectively.
  • a piezo-electric element 4 with piezo-­ electric characteristic is operatively mounted in a handle 3 of a toothbrush between a gripped portion 1 and a brushing portion 2 of the handle 3.
  • a diode 9 with rectifying action is used to electrically connect an electrode 7 and an electrode 8 formed on both sides of the piezo-electric element 4.
  • the electrode 7 is exposed in close vicinity to the brushing portion 2 on the brush 5 side of the handle 3, and the electrode 8 is exposed on the opposite side.
  • the brush 5 is laid on the surface 6 of the brushing portion 2.
  • FIG.2 illustrates the principle of generating the output voltage in the piezo-electric element 10.
  • the piezo-electric element 10 for example a polyvinylidene fluoride film, consists of count­less dipoles that allow the element to create electric charges resulting from expansion and contraction applied to the element. If both electrodes 11 and 12 are electrically connected, the electric current flows from the electrode with negative charges to the electrode with positive charges.
  • FIGs.3 and 4 illustrate the characteristic curves of the output voltage generated from the piezo-electric element, as shown in FIG.2, mount­ed on a piece of plastic plate as a cantilever at the time of tapping with­out and with the diode 9, respectively.
  • the ordinate axis denotes the volt­age V by 2 volt per one scale and the abscissas axis the time t by 20 msec pre one scale, respectively.
  • the output voltage is lower and the output voltage of opposite polarity is generated at the time of resilience of the plastic plate with the piezo-electric element.
  • FIG.4 with the diode 9, the output voltage is higher and nealy rectified without opposite polarity.
  • the present invention utilizes the phenomenon mentioned above.
  • the handle 3 of the toothbrush shown in FIG.1 When the handle 3 of the toothbrush shown in FIG.1 is bent, the output volt­age is generated according to expansion and contraction of the piezo-­electric element 4.
  • the output voltage results in between the brush 5 side electrode 7 exposed in close vicinity to the brushing por­tion 2 and the other electrode 8 exposed on the gripped portion 1 of the handle 3.
  • the external force is always applied to the brush 5 when tooth­brushing, and therefore the handle 3 of the toothbrush is bent almost always toward the surface 6 with the brush 5.
  • the piezo-electric element 4 is polarized so that the negative charges are generated on the electrode 7 due to the expansion and the contraction corresponding to the bending of the handle 3.
  • the diode used in the present invention is low priced due to the small size and has water-resisting quality compared with a dry battery.
  • the piezo-­electric element a polyvinylidene fluoride film, for example, is low priced and water-resistant.
  • FIGs.5-10 The other embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGs.5-10.
  • the bending motion of the plastic handle 3 between the gripped portion 1 and the brushing portion 2 is mentioned above in FIG.1.
  • the neg­ative charges corresponding to the bending of the handle 3 must be generated on the electrode 7.
  • FIG.6 Another piezo-electric bimorph in FIG.6, the laminate of a piezo-­electric element 17 and a metal sheet 16, can be used in the present inven­tion. In this case, different charges are generated on electrode 18 and the metal sheet 16 due to the bending.
  • the piezo-electric element 17, a poly­vinyliden fluoride film, is relatively flexible, but the metal sheet 16 is rigid and has not flexibility of expansion and contraction.
  • the piezo-electric element 17 of the bimorph in FIG.6 is located on the brush side of the handle of the toothbrush, the piezo-electric element 17 is mainly expanded. In the contrary case, the piezo-electric element 17 is mostly contracted when toothbrusing.
  • the piezo-electric elements of the bimorphs shown in FIGs.5 and 6 are necessary to be polarized so that the negative charges are generated on the electrodes near the brushing portion.
  • the other embodiments shown in FIGs.7 and 8 which can achieve effectively the object of the present invention use the single layer piezo-­electric elements 4, not bimorphs.
  • These single layer elements 4 that are mounted in the location shifted from the center line X-X of the handle 3 are consequently contracted and expanded as shown in FIGs.7 and 8, respec­tively, when bending of the handle 3.
  • the polarizing directions of the piezo-electric elements 4 are perpendicular to the elements 4, and opposite directions, in FIGs.7 and 8, respectively.
  • the object of the present invention is achieved according to locating the piezo-electric elements 4 which are expanded and contracted due to the bending of the handle 3. It is a matter of course that the diodes 9 with rectifying action are electrically connected with both opposite electrodes to gain effectively the higher output voltage.
  • the only electrode 7 formed on one side of the piezo-electric element 4 is ex­posed in close vicinity to the surface 6 of the brushing portion, and the only electrode 8 is exposed on the gripped portion 1, respectively. More­over, the part of the piezo-electric element 4 with electrodes on both sides is sealed hermetically in the plastic of the handle, hence the short circuit between electrodes 7 and 8 is not caused when toothbrushing.
  • FIG.10 The more practical embodiment of the present invention is illust­rated in FIG.10.
  • a metal plate 19 is connected directly and operatively with the electrode 8 exposed on the gripped portion 1 of the handle 3 and fastened around the gripped portion 1.
  • the diode 9 mounted in the gripped portion 1 is electrically connected between the electrode 7 and the metal plate 19.

Abstract

A toot-brush comprising a handle (3) and a brush portion (5). The handle contains a piezo-electric generating element (4) having two electrodes (7,8). A diode (9) is situated between electrodes (7,8) for rectifying the flow of negative electrons from the brush portion (5) via the user's body to the handle (3). The flow of electrons induces a reducing process which effectively removes dental plaque.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates to an electronic toothbrush for a purpose of removing dental plague by means of brushing and discharging electrons.
  • A tooth decay is a disease that hard inorganic teeth are decayed by an acid produced by bacteria in a mouth. Dental plague, that is composed of propagating bacteria, depositing protein and inorganic compound in saliva, overspreads and builts up on a tooth-surface. Tartar is produced by calcification of the plague which main ingredient is calcium phosphate. Pyorrhea alvealaris is an inflammation of gums caused by plague left on a root of tooth and under a gum line.
  • A conventional electronic toothbrush using a dry battery or solar battery generated electrons that decompose plague and the neutralize latic acid by means of a reducing process around teeth. This reducing process is caused of the electrons that flow through conductive saliva and water with positive and negative ions, for example, kalium, sodium, magnesium, bi­carbonate, chlorine, phosphoric acid, etc. However, the conventional elec­tronic toothbrush is generally high in price because of using a complicated waterproof structure and an expensive battery. Furthermore, there are other drawbacks that a life of a dry battery is limited and an output voltage of a solar battery is low.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to simplify a structure of an electronic toothbrush, to reduce a cost without using a high price battery, to obtain a high output voltage and to get unlimited life. These objects of the present invention are realized by utilizing a piezo-electric element mounted in a handle of a toothbrush.
  • Electrodes are formed on both sides of said piezo-electric element located in the center portion of the handle, and then the electrode on one side is exposed in close vicinity to the brushing portion and the electrode on the other side is exposed on the gripped portion of the handle. On the occasion of toothbrushing, positive and negative charges are generated on both sides of the piezo-electric element as a result of bending and vibra­tion of the handle.
  • It is necessary to select proper polarity of the piezo-electric element and put in a diode between both electrodes for generating selec­ tively negative charges on the electrode exposed in close vicinity to the brushing portion. Electrons flow from the electrode near the brushing por­tion to the electrode on the gripped portion of the handle, through saliva and water in a mouth, teeth, a root of tooth, a human body and a hand. Consequently, dental plagues are removed effectively by a reducing process due to the electrons around teeth.
  • According to one aspect of this invention, for achieving the objects described above, there is provided an electronic toothbrush com­prising: a piezo-electric element with piezo-electric characteristic mounted in a handle between a gripped portion and a brushing portion of said elec­tronic toothbrush; an exposed electrode in close vicinity to said brushing portion and an opposite exposed electrode on said gripped portion of said handle formed on both sides of said piezo-electric element, respectively.
  • The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunc­tion with the accompanying drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The present invention is described in greater detail with refer­ence to the drawings, in which:
    • FIG.1 is a cross sectional view of a basic embodiment of the pre­sent invention;
    • FIG.2 is illustrative of a principle of a piezo-electric element used in the present invention;
    • FIGs.3 and 4 are characteristic curves observed in an oscilloscope of output voltages generated by piezo-electric elements without and with a diode, respectively;
    • FIGs.5 and 6 are perspective views illustrative of piezo-electric bimorphs;
    • FIGs.7 and 8 are cross sectional views illustrative of location of piezo-electric elements in handles;
    • FIG.9 is a cross sectional view illustrative of a reformed embodi­ment of the present invention; and
    • FIG.10 is a perspective view illustrative of another embodiment of the present invention.
    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The basic embodiment of the present invention is shown in the cross sectional view of FIG.1. A piezo-electric element 4 with piezo-­ electric characteristic is operatively mounted in a handle 3 of a toothbrush between a gripped portion 1 and a brushing portion 2 of the handle 3. A diode 9 with rectifying action is used to electrically connect an electrode 7 and an electrode 8 formed on both sides of the piezo-electric element 4. The electrode 7 is exposed in close vicinity to the brushing portion 2 on the brush 5 side of the handle 3, and the electrode 8 is exposed on the opposite side. The brush 5 is laid on the surface 6 of the brushing portion 2.
  • FIG.2 illustrates the principle of generating the output voltage in the piezo-electric element 10. When the piezo-electric element 10 is expanded and contracted horizontally, positive and negative charges are generated on the electrodes 11 and 12, respectively. The piezo-electric element 10, for example a polyvinylidene fluoride film, consists of count­less dipoles that allow the element to create electric charges resulting from expansion and contraction applied to the element. If both electrodes 11 and 12 are electrically connected, the electric current flows from the electrode with negative charges to the electrode with positive charges.
  • FIGs.3 and 4 illustrate the characteristic curves of the output voltage generated from the piezo-electric element, as shown in FIG.2, mount­ed on a piece of plastic plate as a cantilever at the time of tapping with­out and with the diode 9, respectively. The ordinate axis denotes the volt­age V by 2 volt per one scale and the abscissas axis the time t by 20 msec pre one scale, respectively. In the characteristic curve of FIG.3, without the diode 9, the output voltage is lower and the output voltage of opposite polarity is generated at the time of resilience of the plastic plate with the piezo-electric element. In FIG.4, with the diode 9, the output voltage is higher and nealy rectified without opposite polarity.
  • The present invention utilizes the phenomenon mentioned above. When the handle 3 of the toothbrush shown in FIG.1 is bent, the output volt­age is generated according to expansion and contraction of the piezo-­electric element 4. In other words, the output voltage results in between the brush 5 side electrode 7 exposed in close vicinity to the brushing por­tion 2 and the other electrode 8 exposed on the gripped portion 1 of the handle 3. The external force is always applied to the brush 5 when tooth­brushing, and therefore the handle 3 of the toothbrush is bent almost always toward the surface 6 with the brush 5. The piezo-electric element 4 is polarized so that the negative charges are generated on the electrode 7 due to the expansion and the contraction corresponding to the bending of the handle 3. Electrons flow in the circuit from the electrode 7 with negative charges to the electrode 8 with positive charges, through conductive salvia and water in a mouth, teeth or gums, a human body and a hand. Furthermore, to generate the electrons only out from the electrode 7 and to obtain a higher output voltage, the diode 9 rectifying action is electrically con­nected between the electrodes 7 and 8. On the occasion that positive and negative charges are generated on the electrodes 7 and 8, respectively, most of the electric current flows in the diode 9 with low resistivity due to the forward direction, not in the circuit of the mouth and the human body with relatively high resistivity. Then, the electric current from the electrode 7 to the electrode 8 is rectified as shown in FIG.4, the higher negative output voltages is generated only on the electrode 7. In general, the diode used in the present invention is low priced due to the small size and has water-resisting quality compared with a dry battery. Moreover, the piezo-­electric element, a polyvinylidene fluoride film, for example, is low priced and water-resistant.
  • The other embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGs.5-10.
  • The bending motion of the plastic handle 3 between the gripped portion 1 and the brushing portion 2 is mentioned above in FIG.1. The neg­ative charges corresponding to the bending of the handle 3 must be generated on the electrode 7. As mentioned in the summary of the invention, it is necessary to obtain electrons near the brushing portion 2 for the purpose of effective removing plague and tartar by brushing and a reducing process. The piezo-electric bimorph 13, the laminate of the piezo-electric elements as shown in FIG.5, generated different charges on the electrodes 14 and 15 in response to the bending.
  • Another piezo-electric bimorph in FIG.6, the laminate of a piezo-­electric element 17 and a metal sheet 16, can be used in the present inven­tion. In this case, different charges are generated on electrode 18 and the metal sheet 16 due to the bending. The piezo-electric element 17, a poly­vinyliden fluoride film, is relatively flexible, but the metal sheet 16 is rigid and has not flexibility of expansion and contraction. On the occasion that the piezo-electric element 17 of the bimorph in FIG.6 is located on the brush side of the handle of the toothbrush, the piezo-electric element 17 is mainly expanded. In the contrary case, the piezo-electric element 17 is mostly contracted when toothbrusing. The piezo-electric elements of the bimorphs shown in FIGs.5 and 6 are necessary to be polarized so that the negative charges are generated on the electrodes near the brushing portion. Subsequently, the other embodiments shown in FIGs.7 and 8 which can achieve effectively the object of the present invention use the single layer piezo-­electric elements 4, not bimorphs. These single layer elements 4 that are mounted in the location shifted from the center line X-X of the handle 3 are consequently contracted and expanded as shown in FIGs.7 and 8, respec­tively, when bending of the handle 3. The polarizing directions of the piezo-electric elements 4 are perpendicular to the elements 4, and opposite directions, in FIGs.7 and 8, respectively. As noted above, the object of the present invention is achieved according to locating the piezo-electric elements 4 which are expanded and contracted due to the bending of the handle 3. It is a matter of course that the diodes 9 with rectifying action are electrically connected with both opposite electrodes to gain effectively the higher output voltage.
  • In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.9, the only electrode 7 formed on one side of the piezo-electric element 4 is ex­posed in close vicinity to the surface 6 of the brushing portion, and the only electrode 8 is exposed on the gripped portion 1, respectively. More­over, the part of the piezo-electric element 4 with electrodes on both sides is sealed hermetically in the plastic of the handle, hence the short circuit between electrodes 7 and 8 is not caused when toothbrushing.
  • The more practical embodiment of the present invention is illust­rated in FIG.10. A metal plate 19 is connected directly and operatively with the electrode 8 exposed on the gripped portion 1 of the handle 3 and fastened around the gripped portion 1. Furthermore, the diode 9 mounted in the gripped portion 1 is electrically connected between the electrode 7 and the metal plate 19. When toothbrushing, a hand touches almost always the metal plate 19, and therefore the object of the present invention is effec­tively achieved.
  • It should be understood that many modifications and adaptations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended to encompass such obvious modifications and changes in the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (7)

1. An electronic toothbrush comprising: a piezo-electric element with piezo-electric characteristic mounted in a handle between a gripped portion and a brushing portion of said electronic toothbrush; an exposed electrode in close vicinity to said brushing portion and an opposite exposed electrode on said gripped portion of said handle formed on both sides of said piezo-el ectric element, respectively.
2. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in Claim 1 further includes a diode with rectifying action electrically connected with said electrodes formed on both sides of said piezo-electric element.
3. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said piezo-­electric element is a thin and flexible piezo-electric material.
4. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said piezo-electric element is a bimorph structure.
5. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in any claims 1 to 4 wherein thick-­nesses in compartments of plastic for covering said piezo-electric element are different at an upper portion and a lower portion of said piezo-electric element.
6. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 which has an elec­trode only on one side of said piezo-electric element at an exposed area in close vicinity to said brushing portion of said handle.
7. An electronic toothbrush as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 which has a metal plate electrically connected with a top of said electrode and a diode, said diode being electrically connected with said another electrode formed on said piezo-electric element, said metal plate being fastened around said gripped portion of said handle.
EP19880120821 1988-01-05 1988-12-13 Electronic toothbrush Expired - Lifetime EP0324120B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP63000519A JPH01178256A (en) 1988-01-05 1988-01-05 Electronic toothbrush
JP519/88 1988-01-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0324120A1 true EP0324120A1 (en) 1989-07-19
EP0324120B1 EP0324120B1 (en) 1992-08-12

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JP (1) JPH01178256A (en)
DE (1) DE3873727T2 (en)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2228402A (en) * 1989-01-31 1990-08-29 Sangi Kk Electric toothbrushes
EP0435329A2 (en) * 1989-12-29 1991-07-03 Staar Development Company -S.A. Tooth brush system
US5165131A (en) * 1989-12-29 1992-11-24 Staar Development Co., S.A. Teeth cleaning apparatus
FR2751185A1 (en) * 1996-07-19 1998-01-23 Poirot Frederic Toothbrush with signal to indicate time of use
WO1998010711A1 (en) * 1996-09-10 1998-03-19 Grigory Borisovich Altshuler Toothbrush
GB2317555A (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-01 Chiaphua Ind Ltd Combined electrical and ionic toothbrush
WO2001085055A3 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-03-21 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv A brushhead replacement indicator system for power toothbrushes
US7223270B2 (en) 2001-11-29 2007-05-29 Altshuler Gregory B Light emitting toothbrush for oral phototherapy
WO2009157935A1 (en) * 2008-06-25 2009-12-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with mechanical energy harvesting
US7758621B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2010-07-20 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for therapeutic EMR treatment on the skin
US7763016B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2010-07-27 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Light energy delivery head
US7942916B2 (en) 2002-05-23 2011-05-17 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Phototreatment device for use with coolants and topical substances
US8328794B2 (en) 1996-12-02 2012-12-11 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. System for electromagnetic radiation dermatology and head for use therewith
US8346347B2 (en) 2005-09-15 2013-01-01 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Skin optical characterization device
US8915948B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2014-12-23 Palomar Medical Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for photothermal treatment of tissue at depth
CN104983185A (en) * 2015-06-19 2015-10-21 夏瑾梅 Novel negative pressure suction toothbrush for oral care
US9780518B2 (en) 2012-04-18 2017-10-03 Cynosure, Inc. Picosecond laser apparatus and methods for treating target tissues with same
US9919168B2 (en) 2009-07-23 2018-03-20 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Method for improvement of cellulite appearance
US10245107B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-04-02 Cynosure, Inc. Picosecond optical radiation systems and methods of use
US10434324B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2019-10-08 Cynosure, Llc Methods and systems for laser treatment using non-uniform output beam
US10849687B2 (en) 2006-08-02 2020-12-01 Cynosure, Llc Picosecond laser apparatus and methods for its operation and use
US11418000B2 (en) 2018-02-26 2022-08-16 Cynosure, Llc Q-switched cavity dumped sub-nanosecond laser

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CH466215A (en) * 1967-03-30 1968-12-15 George G Simor Toothbrush with means for applying an electrical potential to the teeth
FR1583683A (en) * 1967-01-31 1969-11-28
EP0199158A2 (en) * 1985-04-20 1986-10-29 Gerfried Bauer Tooth-brush

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FR1583683A (en) * 1967-01-31 1969-11-28
CH466215A (en) * 1967-03-30 1968-12-15 George G Simor Toothbrush with means for applying an electrical potential to the teeth
EP0199158A2 (en) * 1985-04-20 1986-10-29 Gerfried Bauer Tooth-brush

Cited By (54)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU622754B2 (en) * 1989-01-31 1992-04-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Sangi Electronic toothbrush
GB2228402B (en) * 1989-01-31 1992-07-15 Sangi Kk Electronic toothbrushes
GB2228402A (en) * 1989-01-31 1990-08-29 Sangi Kk Electric toothbrushes
EP0435329A2 (en) * 1989-12-29 1991-07-03 Staar Development Company -S.A. Tooth brush system
EP0435329A3 (en) * 1989-12-29 1991-09-11 Staar Development Company -S.A. Tooth brush system
US5165131A (en) * 1989-12-29 1992-11-24 Staar Development Co., S.A. Teeth cleaning apparatus
FR2751185A1 (en) * 1996-07-19 1998-01-23 Poirot Frederic Toothbrush with signal to indicate time of use
US6026828A (en) * 1996-09-10 2000-02-22 Altshuler; Gregory B. Toothbrush
WO1998010711A1 (en) * 1996-09-10 1998-03-19 Grigory Borisovich Altshuler Toothbrush
GB2317555B (en) * 1996-09-27 2000-12-27 Chiaphua Ind Ltd Toothbrushes
GB2317555A (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-01 Chiaphua Ind Ltd Combined electrical and ionic toothbrush
US8328794B2 (en) 1996-12-02 2012-12-11 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. System for electromagnetic radiation dermatology and head for use therewith
US8002768B1 (en) 1997-05-15 2011-08-23 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Light energy delivery head
US8328796B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2012-12-11 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Light energy delivery head
US7758621B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2010-07-20 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for therapeutic EMR treatment on the skin
US7763016B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2010-07-27 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Light energy delivery head
US7935107B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2011-05-03 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Heads for dermatology treatment
US8109924B2 (en) 1997-05-15 2012-02-07 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Heads for dermatology treatment
WO2001085055A3 (en) * 2000-05-09 2002-03-21 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv A brushhead replacement indicator system for power toothbrushes
JP2003532487A (en) * 2000-05-09 2003-11-05 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Replacement indicator system for brush head for electric toothbrush
JP4679027B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2011-04-27 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Brush head replacement indicator system for electric toothbrush
US7223270B2 (en) 2001-11-29 2007-05-29 Altshuler Gregory B Light emitting toothbrush for oral phototherapy
US7223281B2 (en) 2001-11-29 2007-05-29 Altshuler Gregory B Multi-directional oral phototherapy applicator
US7942916B2 (en) 2002-05-23 2011-05-17 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Phototreatment device for use with coolants and topical substances
US8915948B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2014-12-23 Palomar Medical Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for photothermal treatment of tissue at depth
US10556123B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2020-02-11 Palomar Medical Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions
US10500413B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2019-12-10 Palomar Medical Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions
US10434324B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2019-10-08 Cynosure, Llc Methods and systems for laser treatment using non-uniform output beam
US8346347B2 (en) 2005-09-15 2013-01-01 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. Skin optical characterization device
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JPH01178256A (en) 1989-07-14
DE3873727T2 (en) 1993-04-15
DE3873727D1 (en) 1992-09-17
EP0324120B1 (en) 1992-08-12

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