MULTIPURPOSE IONTOPHORETIC TOOTHBRUSH FOR ENHANCED DENTAL CARE AND MEDICAMENT DELIVERY

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush (100) for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery. The toothbrush (100) includes electro-conductive bristles (102), active electrodes (104), a replaceable brush head attachment unit (106), a manual polarity control switch (108) and a grounding electrode (110). The electro-conductive bristles (102) is provided for facilitating ion exchange and improved penetration of medicaments. The active electrodes (104) is embedded in brush head to generate electric field for iontophoresis, enabling targeted drug delivery to oral cavity. The manual polarity control switch (108) is provided to adjust iontophoresis polarity for optimal medicament penetration based on specific application. The grounding electrode (110) is configured to complete the electrical circuit, enhancing user safety and efficacy of iontophoresis. Advantageously, the present disclosure relates to a toothbrush that is configured to provide both routine oral hygiene and advanced therapeutic care, achieving holistic oral wellness through a single device.

Specification

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of oral hygiene devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Maintaining optimal oral health requires regular brushing and access to effective treatments for various dental conditions. Traditional toothbrushes primarily remove plaque and debris but are limited in their ability to deliver medicaments effectively to the teeth and gums. Enhanced penetration of active ingredients could improve therapeutic outcomes, leading to more effective treatments for oral conditions such as sensitivity, gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases.
[0003] Iontophoresis, a technique that uses a mild electric current to enhance the penetration of ions into tissues, has proven effective for delivering medications non-invasively in various medical applications, including pain relief, inflammation control, and transdermal drug delivery. In dental care, iontophoresis can facilitate deeper medicament penetration, improving the effectiveness of treatments for hypersensitivity, remineralization, and local anesthetic (LA) application, while enhancing the dissolution of plaque.
[0004] While several ionic toothbrushes, such as IonicKiss, IONSei, and Soladey N4, are available on the market, these products rely on ion exchange to aid in plaque removal without providing medicament delivery capabilities. Thus, these brushes are primarily limited to hygiene support and lack the therapeutic functionality necessary for broader dental treatments. Additionally, other devices under development, like IntelliDrug, aim to use iontophoresis for sustained intraoral medicament transfer; however, they are complex and are still in experimental stages, lacking the affordability and practicality needed for routine, everyday use.
[0005] There is a need for an affordable, user-friendly toothbrush that combines the benefits of conventional brushing with the therapeutic capabilities of iontophoresis. There is specifically a need for a toothbrush that provides efficient medicament delivery directly to the oral tissues while also supporting daily hygiene.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery.
[0007] It is another object of the present disclosure to develop an affordable, user-friendly toothbrush that combines the benefits of conventional brushing with the therapeutic capabilities of iontophoresis.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush with replaceable brush heads, conductive bristles, and control mechanisms, meeting the needs of holistic oral wellness for daily use and specialized treatments alike.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a toothbrush that provides both routine oral hygiene and advanced therapeutic care, achieving holistic oral wellness through a single device.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a multipurpose toothbrush that uses iontophoresis to deliver medicaments effectively into the oral tissues, improving drug penetration and resulting in more efficient and targeted therapeutic outcomes for a variety of oral conditions such as sensitivity, inflammation, and remineralization needs.

SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of oral hygiene devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery.
[0012] The primary aspect of the present disclosure is to design a multipurpose toothbrush to provide enhanced oral hygiene and targeted medicament delivery through iontophoresis. The toothbrush includes electro-conductive bristles, active electrodes in the brush head, a replaceable brush head attachment, a manual polarity control switch, and a grounding electrode. Iontophoresis enables deeper penetration of medicaments into oral tissues, improving therapeutic outcomes for treatments such as pain relief, hypersensitivity, remineralization, and inflammation. This toothbrush outperforms existing ionic toothbrushes, which only aid in plaque removal, by effectively delivering medicaments to targeted areas in the mouth. It offers a cost-effective, user-friendly, and versatile solution for comprehensive oral care, supporting both daily hygiene and therapeutic applications in one device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of the multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit, and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0016] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0017] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[0018] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of oral hygiene devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery.
[0019] A more affordable, multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush capable of efficient medicament delivery is disclosed along with maintenance of adequate oral hygiene with replaceable brush heads, thereby aiding in holistic oral wellness. The effectiveness of any drug can be improved by enhancing its penetration at the targeted site of action, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and more efficient absorption. Iontophoresis is a non-invasive medical technique that uses a small electrical current to deliver medications or other substances through the skin. It enhances ion penetration into tissues, making it useful in treatment for pain relief, inflammation, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and transdermal drug delivery. This technique offers superior tooth cleaning by enhancing dentifrice penetration and plaque dissolution. It can also be used for remineralization, hypersensitivity treatment, LA application, and treatment of various other oral diseases. Delivering medicaments through iontophoretic toothbrush presents an innovative approach offering a targeted, non-invasive method to enhance oral treatments. This iontophoretic toothbrush is designed to deliver nano-medicaments through conductive bristles, combining daily brushing with therapeutic nano-drug delivery. The present disclosure is useful in the patients with chronic conditions for maintaining good oral hygiene.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of the multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, the toothbrush (100) includes electro-conductive bristles (102), active electrodes (104), a replaceable brush head attachment unit (106), a manual polarity control switch (108) and a grounding electrode (110). The electro-conductive bristles (102) is provided for facilitating ion exchange and improved penetration of medicaments. The active electrodes (104) is embedded in a brush head to generate an electric field for iontophoresis, enabling targeted drug delivery to oral cavity. The replaceable brush head attachment unit (106) allows the replacement of brush heads as needed. The manual polarity control switch (108) is provided to adjust iontophoresis polarity for optimal medicament penetration based on the specific application. The grounding electrode (110) is configured to complete the electrical circuit, enhancing user safety and efficacy of iontophoresis.
[0022] In an embodiment, active electrodes (104) in brush head have an anode for positively charged medicaments and has a cathode for negatively charged medicaments. The toothbrush (100) further includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (116) to power the device along with a power button (118). The toothbrush (100) also includes an indicator (120) with a light to indicate polarity.
[0023] In an embodiment, the electro-conductive bristles (102) are configured to enhance the penetration of active ions from medicaments, improving therapeutic outcomes and promoting efficient drug absorption. The active electrodes (104) are positioned to optimize contact with the oral cavity, maximizing ion penetration in treatment applications for dental conditions. The treatment applications for dental conditions are selected from tooth hypersensitivity, plaque removal, remineralization, oral hygiene, post dental procedures, post bacterial infections, oral candidiasis, oral herpes, local anesthesia and any combination thereof. The manual polarity control switch (108) allows the user to alternate the direction of ion movement, enabling the toothbrush (100) to deliver different types of ions based on the therapeutic needs of the oral cavity. The toothbrush (100) provides enhanced plaque dissolution by facilitating the penetration of ions from standard or medicated dentifrice through the electro-conductive bristles (102) in conjunction with the active electrodes (104).
[0024] In an embodiment, the toothbrush (100) includes an indicator (112) to alert the user of battery levels or the toothbrush (100) includes an indicator (120) to display the status of the iontophoresis functionality, promoting effective and consistent use of the toothbrush (100). The replaceable brush head includes detachable electrodes, allowing for the replacement of worn or damaged electrodes without replacing the entire toothbrush. The toothbrush (100) comprising a rechargeable power source (114) within a handle, configured to power the iontophoresis function for multiple uses without frequent battery replacement. The toothbrush (100) is configured to provide both routine oral hygiene and advanced therapeutic care, achieving holistic oral wellness through a single device.
[0025] In an embodiment, the brush head is equipped with electro-conductive bristles (102) that facilitate ion exchange during brushing. These bristles help drive medicaments deeper into the targeted areas, increasing absorption efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. These bristles also enhance the penetration of active ions from medicated dentifrices, improving plaque dissolution, enamel remineralization, and the treatment of sensitive teeth.
[0026] In an embodiment, the toothbrush head includes active electrodes (104) strategically placed to optimize contact with the oral cavity. These electrodes generate an electric field that enables iontophoresis, enhancing the delivery of medicaments to the oral tissues. When a medicated gel or dentifrice is applied, the electric current facilitates the migration of active ions into the tissue, promoting enhanced therapeutic effects.
[0027] In an embodiment, a modular attachment system (106) allows for easy replacement of the brush head. This attachment mechanism makes it possible to use new brush heads as needed while maintaining the core functionality of the iontophoretic toothbrush. The replaceable heads are also compatible with the electrodes and bristles, ensuring that iontophoresis can be performed efficiently with each new brush head.
[0028] In an embodiment, the toothbrush handle includes a manual polarity control switch (108), enabling the user to alter the polarity of the electric current according to the medicament or application. This feature is beneficial in controlling the direction of ion movement, allowing for tailored treatment based on the therapeutic needs of the user. For example, positive or negative ions from a particular medicament can be directed toward the targeted tissue for optimized absorption.
[0029] In an embodiment, the grounding electrode (110) is positioned on the toothbrush handle to complete the electrical circuit, allowing safe operation of the iontophoresis function. This electrode helps maintain safety and ensures the user is not exposed to excess electric current. The grounding electrode is ergonomically integrated into the handle to allow comfortable usage during brushing.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the user applies the medicated dentifrice or gel to the brush head. The manual polarity switch is adjusted based on the medicament type, optimizing the ion flow direction for efficient drug delivery. The user brushes as usual, activating the iontophoresis system, which allows the active ions to penetrate deeper into the tissue. The grounding electrode ensures safe operation, while the active electrodes and electro-conductive bristles work together to deliver the medicament efficiently.
[0031] In an implementation of an embodiment, the toothbrush features a handle containing a battery compartment, which powers the iontophoretic components. Attached to the handle is a replaceable brush head equipped with electro-conductive bristles and active electrodes embedded within the brush head structure. These electro-conductive bristles are designed to facilitate the penetration of medicaments into the oral tissues. The toothbrush operates as follows: a medicated dentifrice or treatment gel is applied to the brush head. Upon activation, a low electrical current is passed through the conductive bristles, creating an iontophoresis effect that allows the medicament to penetrate deeper into the oral tissues than it would through regular brushing alone. This setup offers enhanced dental care for conditions such as hypersensitivity, inflammation, and for applications requiring localized anesthetic (LA) delivery. For users seeking both oral hygiene and therapeutic benefits, the toothbrush can be used with standard toothpaste in addition to medicated formulations. Furthermore, because the brush heads are replaceable, the device is designed for long-term use, allowing different brush head types or medicament-specific heads to be attached as needed. This modular approach enables a cost-effective solution for various dental applications, from daily hygiene to specialized treatments, supporting a wide range of oral health needs within a single device.
[0032] An affordable, multipurpose toothbrush designed to ensure comprehensive oral wellness by providing non-invasive, targeted treatment to address various oral health problems through enhanced medicament penetration. This product also helps in effective plaque removal as compared to widely available other conventional toothbrushes.
[0033] The issues with ion- based toothbrushes currently available in market is that they are only used for plaque removal. The product mentioned here can be used to address various oral health problems such as tooth hypersensitivity, plaque removal, remineralization, oral hygiene, post dental procedures, post bacterial infections, oral candidiasis, oral herpes, local anesthesia and any combination thereof. Oral Hygiene: Efficient plaque removal even from inaccessible areas. Remineralization: By better penetration of fluoride ions. Hypersensitivity: Better penetration of molecules such as potassium nitrate, fluoride, etc. Post Dental procedures: Enhanced delivery of prescribed medication, better blood flow and reduced inflammation. Post Bacterial infections: (such as localized periodontal infections, oral abscess, Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, post-surgical infections) ensures enhanced delivery of antibiotics in tissues. Oral candidiasis: Better penetration of antifungal medicaments. Oral herpes: Enhanced absorption of antiviral drugs. Local Anesthesia: More efficient absorption and better therapeutic outcomes. Gingivitis and inflammation: Improves blood flow in gums, efficient absorption of medicaments such as chlorhexidine gels. Aphthous ulcer, Oral Lichen planus and Oral submucous fibrosis: Results in improved absorption of corticosteroids used in treatment. The product is rechargeable, with replaceable brush head to ensure adequate hygiene.
[0034] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are comprised to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:1. A multipurpose iontophoretic toothbrush (100) for enhanced dental care and medicament delivery, the toothbrush (100) comprising:
electro-conductive bristles (102) for facilitating ion exchange and improved penetration of medicaments;
active electrodes (104) embedded in a brush head to generate an electric field for iontophoresis, enabling targeted drug delivery to oral cavity;
a replaceable brush head attachment unit (106) allowing the replacement of brush heads as needed;
a manual polarity control switch (108) to adjust iontophoresis polarity for optimal medicament penetration based on the specific application; and
a grounding electrode (110) to complete the electrical circuit, enhancing user safety and efficacy of iontophoresis.
2. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electro-conductive bristles (102) are configured to enhance the penetration of active ions from medicaments, improving therapeutic outcomes and promoting efficient drug absorption.
3. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active electrodes (104) are positioned to optimize contact with the oral cavity, maximizing ion penetration in treatment applications for dental conditions.
4. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the treatment applications for dental conditions are selected from tooth hypersensitivity, plaque removal, remineralization, oral hygiene, post dental procedures, post bacterial infections, oral candidiasis, oral herpes, local anesthesia and any combination thereof.
5. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manual polarity control switch (108) allows the user to alternate the direction of ion movement, enabling the toothbrush (100) to deliver different types of ions based on the therapeutic needs of the oral cavity.
6. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothbrush (100) provides enhanced plaque dissolution by facilitating the penetration of ions from standard or medicated dentifrice through the electro-conductive bristles (102) in conjunction with the active electrodes (104).
7. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothbrush (100) includes an indicator (112) to alert the user of battery levels or the toothbrush (100) includes an indicator (120) to display the status of the iontophoresis functionality, promoting effective and consistent use of the toothbrush (100).
8. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the replaceable brush head (106) includes detachable electrodes, allowing for the replacement of worn or damaged electrodes without replacing the entire toothbrush.
9. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothbrush (100) comprising a rechargeable power source (114) within a handle, configured to power the iontophoresis function for multiple uses without frequent battery replacement.
10. The toothbrush (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toothbrush (100) is configured to provide both routine oral hygiene and advanced therapeutic care, achieving holistic oral wellness through a single device.

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