Having Intra-oral Dispensing Means Patents (Class 433/80)
  • Patent number: 12096967
    Abstract: A vapor delivery device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vapor delivery device is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate tissues of the prostate. The vapor delivery device can include a handle portion and a cartridge portion. The cartridge portion can be configured to be inserted into a lumen of the handle portion to align and position a vapor coil of the cartridge portion within a RF coil of the handle portion. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoey, Roger Noel Hastings, Mark Schrom, Steven Carlson, Matthew Byrne, Karliam C. Woo, Eric Jerke, Richard Charles Kravik
  • Patent number: 12033317
    Abstract: A water flosser with an image system comprises a body, a water outlet spout, and an image system. The water outlet spout and a camera lens of the image system are disposed on the body, and an area covered by ejected water ejected from the water outlet spout at least partially coincides with an image area of the image system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jie Zheng, Weisi Lin, Cen Yang, Guihua Yan
  • Patent number: 11998415
    Abstract: A custom bleaching tray or device with trench and material pocket/reservoir is disclosed. The device comprises a trench to avoid leakage of bleaching material onto the gingiva and a reservoir to precisely hold the bleaching material on the surface of the tooth. A method for forming a 3D-printed custom bleaching tray may include: providing or accessing teeth scan data associated with a patent's mouth; generating a digital model of the patient's mouth based on the teeth scan data, including manipulating the teeth scan data to form: a trench between one or more teeth and a gingiva region of the teeth scan data, and a bleaching material reservoir on a surface of each of the one or more teeth of the teeth scan data; and 3D-printing, based on the digital model, a 3D-printed bleaching tray. A thermoforming process may be applied to the 3D-printed bleaching tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SprintRay, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lorich, Amir Gordgi
  • Patent number: 11963602
    Abstract: Approaches for manufacturing an applicator and corresponding applicators for applying a cosmetic substance are provided that may include forming an applicator body, an applicator head, and a detachable shield. The applicator body includes a first end and a second end. The applicator head is operably coupled with the first end of the applicator body and includes an outer surface. The detachable shield being removably coupled with the applicator head. The outer surface of the applicator head is segmented into an exposed portion outside of the detachable shield and a shielded portion within the detachable shield. The approach further includes applying a surface treatment to the outer surface of the applicator head and removing the detachable shield from the applicator head. Upon removing the detachable shield, the shielded portion is free of the surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ELC MANAGEMENT LLC
    Inventor: Jian Yan
  • Patent number: 11963842
    Abstract: Appliances for intraoral delivery of agents are provided. In some embodiments, an appliance includes a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities configured to apply a repositioning force to a patient's teeth, and the outer surface oriented away from the patient's teeth. The appliance can also include a reservoir integrally formed in the outer surface of the shell, the reservoir being configured to store at least one agent. The appliance can further include a membrane covering at least a portion of the reservoir to control release of the agent into an intraoral cavity of the patient. The membrane can include a plurality of pores that are configured to open based at least in part on a temperature of the patient's intraoral cavity to allow the at least one agent to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mason, Shiva Sambu, Chunhua Li, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 11950976
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems that utilize dental appliance etch templates prior to or during dental treatment. One dental appliance etch template includes a removable shell having one or more cavities formed therein, where the one or more cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and the shell includes a well, the well including a wafer, where the wafer includes etch material to etch a tooth of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Fernie
  • Patent number: 11945069
    Abstract: A novel turbine motor spindle assembly for a spindle-mounted pneumatic tool, especially in a live tool environment is described. The novel turbine motor spindle assembly includes a manifold with a front end and a rear end. The manifold includes an air intake passage for receiving pressurized air. The pressurized air is directed axially through a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the front end. The pressurized air drives a turbine motor assembly and a drive shaft. The drive shaft is mounted inside a housing is self-lubricating. The turbine motor assembly includes tangential openings for expelling exhaust air therefrom. The turbine motor housing is mechanically coupled to the front end of the manifold with an exhaust air passage for directing exhaust air from the one or more tangential openings out through the rear end of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Air Turbine Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kemma Samuel Dodds, David William Tripp, Ronald Maharaj
  • Patent number: 11937719
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for maintaining oral hydration. A device may include a perforated tube, covered by an outer cover made of an absorbent material. The tube may be shaped such that it allows a patient using the device to open and close his or her jaw, without displacement and also to allow other medical devices to be used on the patient simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Loren Goldstein
  • Patent number: 11660553
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering retained filtered fluid are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CYTIVA US LLC
    Inventor: Mark Ayles
  • Patent number: 11510764
    Abstract: An oral hygiene device is provided. The oral hygiene device includes a body having a base and first and second opposing sides extending from the base and defining a gap there between. The device may further include a plurality of corresponding notch pairs, wherein each corresponding notch pair has a first notch positioned in the first opposing side and a second notch positioned in the second opposing side. The location of the notch pairs may coincide with a user's mouth and in particular to the position of the user's teeth within the mouth. As such, a fibrous material, such as floss, may be coupled to the device such that the material spans the gap between at least one of the corresponding notch pairs so that the material may be inserted into the spaces between the user's teeth when the device is placed into the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: David Barrett Wallace
  • Patent number: 11419710
    Abstract: A dental appliance having an integrally formed reservoir and/or an ornamental design integrated thereon. The ornamental design can be selected or customized by a patient. The design can be created by directing energy to the dental appliance to alter a material property of at least a portion of the appliance to create the design. Alternatively, a groove or recess can be formed on a surface of the appliance to either mechanically retain an ornamental design or the groove or recess can be filled with ink to form the design. The appliance, including the integrally formed reservoir, can be formed using direct fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mason, Shiva Sambu, Chunhua Li, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 11351018
    Abstract: A toothbrush or oral cleaning implement including a handle defining a first fluid conduit and a handle inlet port, a brush tip extending from a first end of the handle and defining a second fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, a brush head supported on an end of the brush tip including a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit, a handle valve positioned between the handle inlet port and the first fluid conduit, and a base removably connected to the second end of the handle. The base including a base fluid inlet port that connects with an external fluid source, a base fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the base fluid inlet port, and a base valve that selectively opens and closes the base fluid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 11351010
    Abstract: A wedge system for use in a dental restoration procedure for a posterior tooth. The wedge system includes a first wedge including a body portion adapted to be disposed in an approximal space, a first arm extending from the body, a second arm extending from the body portion, a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, a first rib arranged on an inner surface of the first arm, and a second rib arranged on an inner surface of the second arm, wherein each of the first and second ribs is adapted to engage tissue defining the approximal space. In some cases, the wedge system may also include a second wedge including a body portion, at least a portion of which can be disposed in the gap of the first wedge to removably secure the second wedge to the first wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Burton Dental Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Burton
  • Patent number: 11243149
    Abstract: Measurement arrangement for determining a constituent substance or quality parameter of water by thermal decomposition in a reaction module, delivery of the reaction product to a detector in a carrier gas flow, and evaluation of a detector signal for deriving a value of the constituent substance or quality parameter, wherein the reaction module is a vessel of vertical orientation during operation having an internal resistance heating or infrared heating, and has a head section into which the sample is introduced, a reaction zone, where the thermal decomposition is performed, as well as a foot section, from which the reaction product is output in the carrier gas flow, wherein the head section of the reaction module has an injection port for temporarily introducing an injection needle or permanently supporting a small supply tube, which injection port comprises an O-ring which is internally spring-loaded by a silicon padding or an inserted spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventors: Werner Arts, Wolfgang Genthe
  • Patent number: 11202688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a needle for root canal treatment devices having improved ductility. The method of the present disclosure includes a step of manufacturing a hollow needle body in a desired shape using an alloy or a single metal, a step of filling the hollow of the needle body with a packing member, a step of heat-treating the needle body at a predetermined temperature under an inert gas atmosphere after the needle body is placed in a vacuum chamber, and a step of cooling and hardening the needle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: B&L BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventor: In Whan Lee
  • Patent number: 11179231
    Abstract: An oral irrigator handle for receiving an oral hygiene agent is described. The handle may be connected to a countertop oral irrigator or may be a portion of a handheld oral irrigator. The handle includes a chamber for receiving the oral hygiene agent, where the chamber body positioned within the fluid path of the handle. Fluid flowing into the handle, flows into the chamber, allowing the fluid to intermix with the agent, and then flows from the chamber to a tip connected to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11154459
    Abstract: This document relates to devices and methods for delivering a fluid to the surfaces of the oropharynx and/or to the palatine tonsils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Matthew Robert Kudek
  • Patent number: 11141179
    Abstract: An apparatus for patient-specific adjusting of ultrasound output pressure includes a controller (118) configured for adjusting, based on an estimate of thickness of a temporal bone (140) in a head of a medical treatment recipient, a pressure setting. It may also be based on treatment depth (134). Ultrasound at the adjusted pressure setting is applied. A user interface may be provided for user entry of the estimate, the user interface being further configured for user indication of the treatment depth. Both the entered estimate and the indicated treatment depth may be used in calculating ultrasound attenuation (148). The user indication can be interactive by virtue of designating, on a display, a location of a treatment target. The calculated attenuation may be a value, in decibels, that is in a range from 0.9Ă—(2.70Ă—0.1+16.60Ă—T+0.87Ă—(D?T?0.1)+3.02) to 1.1Ă—(2.70Ă—0.1+16.60Ă—T+0.87Ă—(D?T?0.1)+3.02), where T is the estimate in centimeters and D is the treatment depth in centimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ralf Seip, Sonia Souza, Jeffry Earl Powers, William Tao Shi, Terrence James Sweeney, Sarah Rhoades Baxter
  • Patent number: 11135043
    Abstract: A device for providing a beneficial effect to an oral cavity of a mammal, the device providing: a liquid for contacting a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity, wherein the liquid is effective for providing the beneficial effect to the oral cavity, and reciprocation of the liquid over the plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity under conditions effective to provide the beneficial effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Ochs, Robert W. Fusi, II, Richard J. Fougere, Curt Binner, Megha Reddy, Justin E. McDonough
  • Patent number: 11076940
    Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. A contact member for engaging the teeth of the user is moveable relative to the nozzle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user. A sensor provides an output which varies with movement of contact member relative to the nozzle. A control circuit actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the output from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Tweedie, Timothy Nicholas Stickney, Christopher Graham Vincent, Alan Harold Henry Mole, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 11064801
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for creating customized dental care. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a dental model of a particular user's teeth and determining, based on the dental model of the particular user's teeth, a configuration for a set of cleaning elements to be included with the toothbrush device. The method further includes forming the toothbrush device for the particular user based on the dental model of the particular user's teeth, whereby the toothbrush device includes: (i) a cleaner body, personalized for the particular user based on the dental model of the particular user's teeth, that defines a cleaning cavity shaped for receiving the particular user's teeth, and (ii) the set of cleaning elements, integrally formed with the cleaner body, that contact and clean the particular user's teeth during application of the toothbrush device, whereby the cleaning elements have the determined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ZeroBrush, Inc.
    Inventors: Nidhi Pai, Akash Pai, Scott C. Thielman, Juan F. Sadder, Richard K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11058523
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for customizing dental care. In one aspect, a dental care device is customized for a particular user, including: (1) a support plate having: (a) a first portion configured to be inserted into a mouth; and (b) an attachment mechanism configured to attach the dental care device to a drive assembly; and (2) an elastomer (elastic polymer) portion enclosing the first portion of the plate, the elastomer portion including a plurality of cleaning tips and shaped in accordance with dental details of the particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ZeroBrush, Inc.
    Inventors: Nidhi Pai, Akash Pai, Scott C. Thielman, Juan F. Sadder, Richard K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11040218
    Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation onto surfaces of a user's teeth. The oral treatment device may include an intraoral mouthpiece and a handle extending therefrom, the handle containing the control circuitry required for operation of the device. The mouthpiece may include a lamp support structure, a lamp, a lens plate, and a guard component. The lamp may include an electromagnetic radiation source that includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of illumination elements located thereon. The illumination elements may be light emitting diodes printed with an electrically conductive. Additional electronic components such as a processor and a power source may also be included in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Brian Bloch, Thuan Chong Tan
  • Patent number: 10981129
    Abstract: Disclosed is a double chamber container. The first chamber comprises a stopper coupled to a first end and a cover coupled to a second end. The second chamber comprises a plunger coupled to one end and an open second end. The first chamber is coupled to the second chamber such that the first end of the first chamber is coupled to the second end of the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Inventprise, LLC
    Inventors: Subhash V. Kapre, Kapil Subhash Kapre
  • Patent number: 10959819
    Abstract: An oral irrigator contains: a body, a water tank and a detachable jet tip which are both in connection with the body, a power device and a control device Which are both accommodated in the body. The power device is configured to deliver water from the water tank to the detachable jet tip. The power device includes a first outlet defined thereon and configured to discharge the water, a delivery tube connecting with the first outlet, and a first seal element configured to stop water flowing into the body from the power device so that the water discharges out of the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NICEFEEL MEDICAL DEVICE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Feng Li, Gang Wang, Qing Zhang, Xin-Quan Liu, Xiao-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10945593
    Abstract: An apparatus for dental irrigation may be provided to project fluid onto the surfaces of, and the interproximal spaces between, a user's teeth and gum-line. The apparatus may comprise two hollow U-shaped manifolds having orifices located on their interior faces used as fluid jets. The manifolds may be connected, at a central point of reflection, by a rotating inlet joint which supplies the fluid flow. When placed in the user's mouth, the apparatus may be designed to receive the top and bottom sets of teeth in each corresponding U-shaped manifold, with orifices configured to provide fluid jets aligned towards the lingual and buccal side of the teeth. The orifices may be staggered to provide staggered fluid flow. A user's teeth may be cleaned with a controlled fluid flow by moving the apparatus in a sweeping motion between each set of rear molars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: EHT, LLC
    Inventors: Elimelech Packouz, Ralf Raud
  • Patent number: 10932555
    Abstract: An oral care appliance and a method of controlling pressure in the oral care appliance are disclosed. The pressure inside a mouthpiece of the oral care appliance is controlled by an actuator. The actuator is triggered when a targeted threshold value of an operational characteristic is reached. Automatic control of the pressure in the mouthpiece enhances both cleaning efficiency and user comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Willo 32 SAS
    Inventors: Hugo De Gentile, Alexandre Georges Gabriel Laurent, Jil Abed Michel Chabaro
  • Patent number: 10799425
    Abstract: This invention is a oral health aid device to be places the user's mouth and maneuvered to cover their lower gum area at the teeth root line similar to chewing tobacco. The heath aid has on it a fastener, which can hold in place lozenges, which can contain flavors, or beneficially prescribed drugs, or antiviral and antibacterial antiseptic medication to satisfy the user's needs. This heath aid has been created because of the addiction-taking place recently by the now debunked electronic oil vaporing synthetic smoking devices. This health aid will help the young consumers who were extremely susceptible to anything related to oral fixation relief. Which in the case of very young people is a strong compulsion to use oral devices. This oral health aid will have in desired the ability to be reshaped into a finger ring. So it can be stored conveniently which the need for is exampled by the way baby pacifiers have a ring section attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Philip Ralph Belpasso
  • Patent number: 10716651
    Abstract: An oral care device for providing oral-cavity information to a user or a manager includes: a liquid supply unit; a mouthpiece connected to the liquid supply unit and including a spatial portion configured to accommodate at least one of an upper tooth side and a lower tooth side when the mouthpiece is inserted into an oral cavity; a pump connected to the mouthpiece and configured to suction liquid from the liquid supply unit and introduce the liquid into the spatial portion and to suction fluid from the spatial portion; a storage unit connected to the pump and configured to store or discharge fluid suctioned from the spatial portion; and a measuring unit connected to the storage unit and configured to measure a state of fluid stored in the storage unit, wherein liquid is introduced to the spatial portion from the liquid supply unit only by suction force of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: DR. PIK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki-Bong Hyun
  • Patent number: 10687612
    Abstract: An oral cleaning device includes an elongated, hollow body, a cleaning head, and a neck portion extending between the hollow body and the cleaning head. The neck portion forms a fluid channel between the hollow body and the cleaning head and the cleaning head includes at least one opening in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The device further includes a plunger located within the hollow body, movable between a first position and a second position, and a solution chamber formed within the hollow body which contains a cleaning solution and is in fluid communication with the fluid channel in the neck portion. A cleaning end of the plunger is configured to move the cleaning solution in the solution chamber through the fluid channel and through the at least one opening in the cleaning head when the plunger is moved from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Sage Products, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Beck, Jason M. Bobay, Ronald C. Cagle, Kristin Marie Sexton
  • Patent number: 10595915
    Abstract: Implants, devices, instruments, systems and methods for correcting bone deformities in the extremities are disclosed. Specifically, implants, devices, instruments, systems and methods used for hammertoe procedures are disclosed. The implant insertion system including an insertion instrument and an implant. The insertion instrument including a first end, a second end, and an opening extending into the insertion instrument from the second end. The implant including a first portion at a first end, a second portion at a second end, and an intermediate portion coupling the first portion to the second portion. The first portion being received within the opening of the insertion instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Paragon 28, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lintula, Laura Zagrocki Brinker, Albert Dacosta
  • Patent number: 10588722
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid such as a tooth whitening gel can include a plunger and a housing having a first chamber that receives a first arm of the plunger and a second chamber that receives a second arm of the plunger. The housing can further include a first channel in fluid communication with the first chamber, a second channel in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a third channel formed at an intersection of the first and second channels. The housing can further include a static mixer than mixes a first liquid from the first chamber with a second liquid from the second chamber. The plunger may be disposed along a first axis and the third channel may be disposed along a second axis that intersects the first axis at an angle of between 10° and 170°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Scott Demarest, Jo Fleming, David Neese, Michael Gordon, David Berardelli
  • Patent number: 10588399
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system of a dental cleaning appliance includes a pump for drawing a working fluid through a fluid inlet, a hydraulic actuator for receiving working fluid from the pump, a drive for actuating the pump, and a nozzle having a fluid outlet for ejecting working fluid from the appliance. The drive includes a motor and a control circuit for operating the motor. The control circuit is configured to detect stalling of the motor in response to the load applied to the pump by the pressurized working fluid stored in the accumulator, and to deactivate the motor when stalling of the motor has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert Stefan Wronski, Martin Szymon Gutkowski, Alexander David May
  • Patent number: 10589003
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for coating or impregnating a surface with an antimicrobial agent that involve contacting the surface with a composition that includes an antimicrobial agent and a solvent, and curing the surface by applying heat. Also disclosed are methods for reducing the risk of development or progression of an infection in a subject in need of a medical device, that involve coating or impregnating a surface of the medical device with an antimicrobial agent and then curing the surface by applying heat, wherein the risk of development or progression of an infection is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Issam Raad
  • Patent number: 10537014
    Abstract: Provided is a composition for obesity treatment comprising a liquid-phase plasma. More particularly, provided is a method for producing a liquid-phase plasma for inhibiting adipocyte differentiation or proliferation, a pharmaceutical composition for obesity prevention or treatment using a liquid-phase plasma produced according to the method, and a method for obesity prevention or treatment using the liquid-phase plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AJOU UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Chul Ho Kim, Sung Un Kang
  • Patent number: 10478267
    Abstract: An oral irrigator has a separate high pressure water system and low pressure mouth rinse system to deliver two different fluids to a pick or other accessories. The water system and mouth rinse system are combined in a handle. The pick is connected to the handle. The water system has a blocking valve located in the handle and the mouth rinse system has a hand pump located in the handle. The hand pump sits next to a valve button for closing the blocking valve. When the hand pump is pressed, it presses against the valve button of the blocking valve to shut off the source of high pressure water to the pick. The pressure in the pick drops so that the hand pump can then introduce mouth rinse into the pick. When the hand pump is released, the blocking valve opens up and high pressure water returns to the pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOOTHSHOWER LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Michelle Guenst, Robert James Andrake, Brian Michael Orme, Jeremy Mark Fallis, Jr., Daniel Shanahan
  • Patent number: 10456197
    Abstract: Systems for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents include an ultraviolet laser configured to produce a laser beam at a wavelength appropriate for tissue ablation; a lens configured to focus and direct the laser beam to a site, such that an opening is produced in a surface of the site's tissue; a nozzle having an aperture that emits the laser beam and that controls delivery of one or more agents to the site; and an imaging device configured to monitor a depth of penetration of the one or more agents into the site's tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome M. Felsenstein, James L. Hedrick, James J. Wynne, Donna S. Zupanski-Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10433931
    Abstract: A nozzle for a dental handpiece having a connector portion to be connected to a handpiece body, and a nozzle body, which is provided near its end with a notch of a substantially rectangular section cut out from the front face into the lateral faces, the notch forming upstream and downstream faces. The nozzle has a channel and an injection port thereof for transferring the mixture and a channel and an injection port thereof for transferring water, separate from each other. The channel for the mixture extends through the nozzle body along the front face from the connector portion to near the end, with the injection port for the mixture opened in the upstream face. With this nozzle, the mixture is properly injected onto a treatment site in subgingival treatment, while the mixture injected subgingivally is efficiently discharged supragingivally, to improve work efficiency in dental treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Nakanishi Inc.
    Inventors: Chihiro Yamane, Shouichi Takamori, Tetsuji Suzuki, Kiyoshi Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 10413690
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an oral device, or mouthpiece, for delivering a fluid to the mouth or oropharynx of a user. In one embodiment, the oral device includes an intraoral portion, an extraoral portion, and an auxiliary support device that serves to stabilize the oral device. In various embodiments, the auxiliary support device may be configured with ear loops, a support band, a support frame and/or a support member. The intraoral portion generally includes at least one outlet port through which the fluid is delivered to the oral cavity or oropharynx. A method of dispensing a fluid using the oral device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: The University of Western Ontario, Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Ruth E. Martin, Michael Nuttall, Bryan Finlay, Julie Theurer, Brandon Coultes
  • Patent number: 10405954
    Abstract: A compact oral hygiene device includes a unique mini constant jet pump which integrated with a motor, has three diaphragm chambers, draws the fluid from a reservoir and propels fluid out from a buffer room to tips at constant pulseless, high efficiencies and low noise; and a plurality of exchangeable tips cleanses teeth and the interdental area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventors: Winston Zhang, Grace Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10368966
    Abstract: A 7-way dental syringe is a device in a dental delivery system that delivers an air stream, water stream, air spray and water spray; four efficient ways to clean a patient's mouth. Additionally, the 7-way dental syringe is a controllable pressurized dental water jet system. It can dislodge plaque biofilms from teeth and interdental regions, access a periodontal pocket to wash out plaque therein, and cleanse a tooth extraction site or irrigate exposed jawbone; various clinical ways to perform advanced oral hygiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventors: Winston Zhang, Paymon Parish Sedghizadeh, Grace Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10105201
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an interdental cleaner for operably connecting to an external water supply. The interdental cleaner includes a mounting bracket having a bracket inlet fluidly connected to the external water supply and a pressure regulation assembly operably connected to the mounting bracket. The pressure regulation assembly includes a regulation outlet fluidly connected to the bracket inlet. The interdental cleaner further includes a water flosser operably connected to the mounting bracket and fluidly connected to the regulation outlet. During use, water pressure of water at the regulation outlet is lower than a water pressure of water at the bracket inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Woodard, Jeffrey M. Garrigues
  • Patent number: 10080632
    Abstract: A toothbrush with suctioning and cleaning functions according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush rod including a head portion and a handle portion, a brush disposed at the head portion, a through-hole portion formed at the head portion to supply cleaning water to an oral cavity or suction in dirty water from the oral cavity, a guide tube disposed within the toothbrush rod and connected to the through-hole portion to deliver the cleaning water to the through-hole portion or deliver the dirty water suctioned in through the through-hole portion to the outside, and an external main body to supply the cleaning water to the guide tube and to receive the dirty water from the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BLUEREO INC.
    Inventor: Seung Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10034731
    Abstract: An oral care appliance comprises an gas-liquid cleaning assembly which comprises a fluid pump assembly (46); a source of liquid (50); and a source of gas(12). The pump is in operative communication with the sources of liquid and gas to produce a series of gas-injected fluid pulses, directed to a nozzle assembly (80) from which the resulting pulses are directed to the teeth by a user. The individual pulses have a pulse width within the range of 0.001-0.5 seconds, a pulse height from 0.1-10 Newtons, a rise/fall time range of 0.5-250 ms, a repetition rate in the range of 2 Hz to 20 Hz. The gas/liquid mixture range from 40-95% volume to volume, gas to liquid. The appliance also includes a mechanical teeth cleaning assembly, in combination with the gas-liquid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Yu-Wen Chang, Gregory Russ Goddard
  • Patent number: 10022207
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle through which fluid flows to a tip. Fluid flows to the tip during irrigate mode, and fluid flow may be interrupted by selecting a pause mode. The handle includes a mechanically controlled actuator for selecting the pause mode. The actuator may include a rack gear operably connected to a pinion gear formed on a valve spool inside the handle. The valve spool may include a ball that blocks fluid flow to the tip during pause mode but not during irrigate mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: 10010389
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9999484
    Abstract: A device for use in retracting a gingiva from a human tooth by widening a gingival sulcus with a dental composition. The device comprises a cannula with a free end having an opening for dispensing the dental composition. The free end is shaped to be inserted with its front in the entry of the gingival sulcus, and to laterally displace the gingiva from the tooth as the cannula is moved in the gingival sulcus. The invention may help to achieve a reliable and cost effective gingival retraction treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Helmut Pauser, RĂ¼diger Hampe, Christoph Schulte, Michael Knee, Andreas Maurer
  • Patent number: 9980793
    Abstract: An apparatus for oral hygiene is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a base unit containing a reservoir, an oral irrigation handle, a sonic toothbrush, and an accessory container. The apparatus may include a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The apparatus contains a drive mechanism in a gear housing that is continually drained by one or more apertures in the base. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. The oral irrigation handle includes a pause switch that translates longitude motion into rotational motion to close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: 9943380
    Abstract: A bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal and facial and/or lingual maxillary and mandibular teeth is coupled to an extraoral housing containing a rechargeable battery coupled to a vibrator coupled to a processor coupled to data and charging port or ports. The housing is at least water resistant, and a hatch allows access to the data and charging port or ports only. The device is fitted with a very smooth and quiet vibrator, with minimal variance on operating specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Lowe
  • Patent number: 9884203
    Abstract: A device having medical and veterinary applications of light to antimicrobial and antineoplastic chemicals includes a solution retainer adapted to retain a therapeutic solution against a user, the therapeutic solution including an antimicrobial chemical, an antineoplastic chemical, or both; a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the therapeutic solution in the solution retainer; and a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable; wherein the light provides a synergistic effect in the therapeutic solution that inhibits microbial or neoplastic growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: DABNEY PATENTS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Paul Dabney