Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for identifying the existence of an oral condition in a subject.

Abstract: A mechanical energy harvesting toothbrush may employ circuits and devices to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Such conversion can be done using piezoelectric devices to convert stresses and strains from bending of the toothbrush head and/or bristles during use, and can be done using electromagnetic generators involving passing a magnet through a coil to induce current. The resulting electric energy may be rectified, and stored in a storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery. A switching circuit may be configured to detect the level of energy stored in the storage device, and to close an electrical connection when a predetermined level of energy (e.g., a charge) has been reached. The predetermined level may correspond to a desired amount of brushing. The closing of the electrical connection may be used to power output devices when that desired amount of brushing has been reached.

Abstract: An oral care dispenser and oral care system implementing the same. In one embodiment, the dispenser may comprise a collar having an axial passageway in which a drive component is rotatably coupled. The collar comprises a segmented neck portion and a non-segmented body portion that comprises a plurality of protuberances extending into the axial passageway. The drive component comprises at least one resilient arm that interacts with the plurality of protuberances to generate an audible signal during relative rotation.

Abstract: An oral care system and method comprising an oral care implement such as a toothbrush having a plurality of tooth engaging elements and a cavity adapted to detachably house a dispenser containing an oral care agent. In one embodiment, the dispenser may be configured as a dispensing pen having an applicator on one end. A user may dismount the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the agent to the oral surface, and re -mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage.

Abstract: An oral care system and method comprising an oral care implement such as a toothbrush having a plurality of tooth engaging elements and a cavity adapted to detachably house a dispenser containing an oral care agent. In one embodiment, the dispenser may be configured as a dispensing pen having an applicator on one end. A user may dismount the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the agent to the oral surface, and re-mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage.

Abstract: A mechanical energy harvesting toothbrush may employ circuits and devices to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Such conversion can be done using piezoelectric devices to convert stresses and strains from bending of the toothbrush head and/or bristles during use, and can be done using electromagnetic generators involving passing a magnet through a coil to induce current. The resulting electric energy may be rectified, and stored in a storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery. A switching circuit may be configured to detect the level of energy stored in the storage device, and to close an electrical connection when a predetermined level of energy (e.g., a charge) has been reached. The predetermined level may correspond to a desired amount of brushing (e.g., taking into account stroke length and force, and the number of strokes), and the closing of the electrical connection may be used to power output devices when that desired amount of brushing has been reached.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A portable oral care system comprising a toothbrush having a detachable handle portion forming a dispenser containing an oral care product. The dispenser is configured as a dispensing pen having a dispensing orifice or applicator at one end. The dispenser includes a ratchet-type fluid dispensing system for delivering the oral care product. The dispenser includes a self-biasing push button actuator formed of a deformable elastomeric material with an elastic memory. A user may detach the dispenser from the toothbrush, apply the product to an oral surface by depressing the actuator, and re-mount the dispenser in the toothbrush for storage.

Abstract: A device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The device may be a toothbrush that generates chemical agents in a user's mouth by applying an electrical potential to an electrolyte such as saliva and/or a dentifrice located therein. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The toothbrush may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The toothbrush may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: An oral care system, such as a toothbrush having a detachable dispenser containing an oral care material. In one embodiment, the dispenser may include a housing; an internal reservoir for containing a fluid and a dispensing orifice for dispensing the fluid; a first cam surface, the first cam surface being non-rotatable with respect to the housing; a reciprocator comprising an actuator, a drive screw, and a second cam surface, the reciprocator being rotatable with respect to the housing; an elevator forming a transverse end wall of the reservoir, the elevator being non-rotatable with respect to the housing and threadily coupled to the drive screw; wherein rotation of the actuator causes the elevator to (1) axially advance, and (2) axially reciprocate.

Abstract: An oral care system and method for applying a fluid to an oral surface, including a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system comprising: a toothbrush; and a dispenser detachably coupled to the toothbrush, the dispenser comprising: an internal reservoir containing a fluid; and a conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and terminating in an orifice for dispensing the fluid; and a plug having a proximal plug portion disposed within the conduit and a distal plug portion disposed within a socket of the toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include at least one tooth polishing unit having a polishing element including a supporting base and a broadened flexible tooth polishing head extending angularly outwards from the base and defining a polishing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing element is made of an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be comprised of a plurality of individual polishing members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning composition that contains at least two surfactants selected from a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactants, a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate salt, a sulfated alcohol ethoxylate, an amine oxide, and an amphoteric surfactant; and a fragrance compound. The cleaning composition has composition has a Cup test value of at least about 70% of the standard reference formula and a QFR value of at least about 20%. Also disclosed are related methods of fragrance delivery including application and use of the composition.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system usable in an oral care implement and a reservoir containing a flowable substance. A capillary channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver flowable substance(s) through one or more outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the rate of fluid flow through the capillary channel is different in at least a first flow section than in a second flow section. In another embodiment, the rate of flow between flow sections of the wicking member is different than in at least one of the flow sections. A variety of flowable substances can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: An oral care system and method wherein a dispenser is mounted to the handle of an oral care implement, such as a toothbrush. The dispenser holds an oral care material and is alterable between a storage state wherein a dispending end of the dispenser nests within the handle and an application state wherein the dispensing end of the dispenser is un-nested and exposed for oral care use. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care system comprising: an oral care implement comprising a head, a handle having a longitudinal axis, and one or more oral surface engaging elements; a dispenser having a reservoir containing an oral care material and an applicator for dispensing the oral care material from the reservoir; the dispenser alterable between: (i) a storage state wherein the applicator or the dispensing end of the dispenser is nested within the handle; and (ii) an application state wherein the applicator or the dispensing end is un-nested from the handle and exposed for oral care use.

Abstract: An oral care implement (1) includes a head (12), a handle (10), a neck portion (11) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir (15) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator (22) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets (50). A powered delivery device (18) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.

Abstract: A mechanical energy harvesting toothbrush may employ circuits and devices to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Such conversion can be done using piezoelectric devices to convert stresses and strains from bending of the toothbrush head and/or bristles during use, and can be done using electromagnetic generators involving passing a magnet through a coil to induce current. The resulting electric energy may be rectified, and stored in a storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery. A switching circuit may be configured to detect the level of energy stored in the storage device, and to close an electrical connection when a predetermined level of energy (e.g., a charge) has been reached. The predetermined level may correspond to a desired amount of brushing (e.g., taking into account stroke length and force, and the number of strokes), and the closing of the electrical connection may be used to power output devices when that desired amount of brushing has been reached.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes a step of presenting an indication of a health profile of a person based on information obtained from an oral care implement. Also, a method includes displaying an indication of a history of the health profile of a a person based on second information previously received from the oral care implement.

Abstract: A device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The device may be a toothbrush that generates chemical agents in a user's mouth by applying an electrical potential to an electrolyte such as saliva and/or a dentifrice located therein. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The toothbrush may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The toothbrush may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.