Automated intra-oral therapeutic delivery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10828138-B2
Application number	US-201715626484-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2017
Priority date	Jun 19, 2017
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for automated intra-oral delivery of therapeutic agents. A non-limiting example of the system includes a delivery vessel including a control unit and a reservoir. The system can also include a connector tube including a channel coupled to the delivery vessel. The system can also include a sensor coupled to connector tube.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for automated intra-oral delivery of therapeutic agents, the system comprising:
a delivery vessel comprising a control unit and three or more reservoirs, wherein a first reservoir is filled with a therapeutic agent, a second reservoir is filled with a solvent, and a third reservoir is filled with a breath freshener, the delivery vessel further comprising an adhesive backing for adherence to an external surface of a patient;
a connector tube comprising a channel coupled to the delivery vessel; and
a pH sensor coupled to the connector tube;
wherein the therapeutic agent comprises one or more of sodium bicarbonate, fluoride, chlorhexidine, artificial saliva, a topical antifungal agent, a topical cholinergic, or an anticholinergic agent; and
wherein the control unit is configured to compare a measured pH from the pH sensor to a predetermined threshold, and responsive to a determination that the measured pH is less than the predetermined threshold, activate the delivery vessel to admix and administer the therapeutic agent and the solvent.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises one or more of a humidity sensor, a calcium sensor, a potassium sensor, and an organic molecule sensor.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pH sensor comprises a FET-based pH sensor.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pH sensor comprises a BJT-based pH sensor.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pH sensor comprises a pH sensing surface comprising titanium nitride.

7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pH sensor comprises a pH sensing surface comprising hafnium oxide.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pH sensor comprises an ion specific electrode.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pH sensor is covered by a protective membrane.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises:
a microprocessor;
a power supply in communication with the microprocessor; and
a pump in communication with the microprocessor and the reservoir.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter and the receiver can provide wireless communication.

12. An apparatus for automated intra-oral therapeutic delivery, the apparatus comprising:
a pH sensor comprising a reference electrode and a plurality of sensing surfaces, wherein each of the plurality of sensing surfaces is connected to a base of a bipolar junction transmitter (BJT) device, wherein the BJT-device further comprises a collector and an emitter;
automation circuitry comprising a processing unit in communication with the pH sensor and a pump;
three or more reservoirs in communication with the pump, a first reservoir filled with a therapeutic agent, a second reservoir filled with a solvent, and a third reservoir filled with a breath freshener, the reservoirs comprising an adhesive backing for adherence to an external surface of a patient; and
a connector tube comprising a passage from the reservoirs to a distal opening, wherein the distal opening is capable of being positioned in an oral cavity of a patient;
wherein the therapeutic agent comprises one or more of sodium bicarbonate, fluoride, chlorhexidine, artificial saliva, a topical antifungal agent, a topical cholinergic, or an anticholinergic agent; and
wherein the processing unit is configured to compare a measured pH from the pH sensor to a predetermined threshold, and responsive to a determination that the measured pH is less than the predetermined threshold, activate the pump to admix and administer the therapeutic agent and the solvent.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Cahan Amos
• Zafar Sufi

Classifications

• A61Q11/00

  Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses · CPC title

• A61K8/02

  characterised by special physical form · CPC title

• A61F5/00

  Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices (bandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00) {; Anti-rape devices} · CPC title

• A61C19/063 Primary

  Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides · CPC title

• A61C19/00

  Dental auxiliary appliances (dental chairs or accessories therefor, working stands whether or not combined with chairs A61G15/00) · CPC title