Reducing blockages of a plaque detection stream probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016338635-A1
Application number	US-201515114558-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 21, 2015
Priority date	Jan 30, 2014
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A proximal body portion ( 210 ) of a detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes pump portion ( 124, 142 ) and a proximal probe portion ( 111, 120 ) in fluid communication with one another. A controller ( 225 ) processes signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor (P, P 1 or P 2 ) and determines whether the signal readings are indicative of a substance ( 116 ) obstructing the passage of fluid ( 130 ) through the open port of the distal tip ( 112, 112′ ) of a distal probe portion ( 110 ) of the detection apparatus ( 100, 100′, 100″, 100″ a, 100″ b, 100″ c, 100″ d, 100 c ). The controller ( 225 ) transmits a signal that changes dynamic pressure at the distal tip ( 112, 112′ ) upon determining that the signal readings are indicative of a substance ( 116 ) obstructing the passage of fluid ( 130 ) through the open port of the distal tip ( 112, 112′ ).

First claim

1 . An oral stream probe detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a dental surface, comprising:
a distal probe portion in an oral insertion portion configured to be immersed in a first fluid, the distal probe portion defining a distal tip having an open port to enable the passage of a second fluid therethrough; and a proximal body portion that comprises (i) a pump portion, (ii) a proximal probe portion in fluid communication with the pump portion, wherein the proximal probe portion can be connected via a connector to the distal probe portion to establish fluid communication between the proximal probe portion and the distal probe portion,
wherein the pump portion causes passage of the second fluid through the distal tip inducing thereby a change in a sensing parameter in the distal probe portion for enabling detection of the substance that may be present on the dental surface based on measurement of a signal representing the sensing parameter, correlating to the substance on the dental surface at least partially obstructing the passage of the second fluid through the open port of the distal tip, (iii) a parameter sensor configured and disposed to detect the signal representing the sensing parameter; and
(iv) a controller for processing signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor and for determining whether the signal readings are indicative of the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of second fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller in electrical communication with the pump portion and the parameter sensor, the controller transmitting an electrical communication to at least the pump portion for effecting changes in dynamic pressure at the distal tip in response to determining that the processed signal readings are indicative of the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of second fluid through the open port of the distal tip,
pump portion causing a change in dynamic pressure for dislodging of the substance through the open port of the distal tip via a flow bypass around the parameter sensor.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The detection apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the proximal body portion further comprises: (v) the parameter sensor disposed in fluid communication with the proximal probe portion, (vi) a fluid conduit member in fluid communication with the proximal probe portion such that the fluid conduit member forms a flow bypass around the parameter sensor, and (vii) a fluid flow interrupting device disposed in the fluid conduit member, the fluid flow interrupting device in a closed position during operation of the pump portion, wherein responsive to the controller receiving a signal representing the sensing parameter that correlates to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller transmits a signal to the fluid flow interrupting device to at least partially open to bypass the parameter sensor to change dynamic pressure at the distal tip to dislodge the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip.

4 . The detection apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the proximal body portion further comprises (v) a central parameter sensing portion disposed in fluid communication between the pump portion and the proximal probe portion, the central parameter sensing portion enabling fluid communication between the pump portion and the proximal probe portion, (vi) the parameter sensor disposed in fluid communication with the central parameter sensing portion, (vii) a fluid conduit member in fluid communication with the proximal probe portion and the central parameter sensing portion such that the fluid conduit member forms a flow bypass around the parameter sensor, and (viii) a fluid flow interrupting device disposed in the fluid conduit member, the fluid flow interrupting device in a closed position during operation of the pump portion, wherein responsive to the controller receiving a signal representing the sensing parameter that correlates to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller transmits a signal to the fluid flow interrupting device to at least partially open to bypass the parameter sensor to change dynamic pressure at the distal tip to dislodge the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip.

5 . The detection apparatus according to claim 4 ,
wherein the fluid conduit member further comprises a fluid reservoir disposed upstream of the fluid flow interrupting device and in fluid communication with the central parameter sensing portion, wherein the fluid reservoir is pressurized at a pressure above the pressure in the central parameter sensing portion downstream of the parameter sensor when the fluid flow interrupting device is in a closed position.

6 . The detection apparatus according to claim 5 ,
wherein responsive to the controller receiving a signal representing the sensing parameter that correlates to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller transmits a signal to the fluid flow interrupting device to at least partially open to release pressure from the fluid reservoir to bypass the parameter sensor thereby increasing dynamic pressure at the distal tip to dislodge the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip.

7 . The detection apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a second fluid flow interrupting device disposed upstream of the fluid reservoir such that fluid communication is provided between a portion of the central parameter sensing portion that is upstream of the parameter sensor and a portion of the central parameter sensing portion that is downstream of the parameter sensor wherein the second fluid flow interrupting device, the fluid reservoir and the fluid flow interrupting device form a flow by-pass around the parameter sensor.

8 . The detection apparatus according to claim 7 , after the controller has transmitted a signal to the fluid flow interrupting device to at least partially open and responsive to pressure in the fluid reservoir decreasing, the controller transmits a signal to the second fluid flow interrupting device to transfer from a closed position to an at least partially open position to bypass flow around the parameter sensor, thereby increasing dynamic pressure at the distal tip to dislodge the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip.

9 . The detection apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising,
(vii) a stand-by pump portion having a pump discharge fluid conduit member in fluid communication with the central parameter sensing portion through a connection 1200 in the central parameter sensing portion downstream of the parameter sensor, wherein responsive to the controller receiving a signal representing the sensing parameter that correlates to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller transmits a signal to the stand-by pump portion to initiate operation thereby increasing dynamic pressure at the distal tip to dislodge the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port of the distal tip.

10 . (canceled)

11 . The detection apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an activation device in electrical communication with the controller for activating a bristle vibration motor t

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Johnson Mark Thomas
• Spruit Johannes Hendrikus Maria
• Prins Menno Willem Jose
• Deane Steven Charles
• Horstman Pieter
• Van Gool Edgar Martinus
• Ouweltjes Okke

Classifications

• A61C1/0015

  Electrical systems · CPC title

• A61B5/4547 Primary

  Evaluating teeth · CPC title

• A61C17/0202

  Hand-pieces · CPC title

• A61C17/20

  using ultrasonic waves · CPC title

• A61C17/221

  Control arrangements therefor · CPC title