Method and system for oral ph change

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017347787-A1
Application number	US-201515536431-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 11, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2014
Publication date	Dec 7, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is a new method, and a system, for increasing the pH of a composition applied on teeth and/or gums. The composition is gelable under the influence of a pH change. The pH change typically is a pH increase in the event of a direct pH-triggered gelation. The pH change typically is a pH decrease in the event of gelation induced by ions, such as calcium ions, released from a pH-sensitive carrier. The device comprises a dispensing unit for the composition, a distal end of which is adapted to apply said substance onto teeth or gums. The device further comprises an electrode system comprising first and second electrodes, the first electrode being adapted to be held against the composition at a location at or near teeth or gums, and the second electrode being adapted to be held against the composition at a location away from teeth or gums, The electrode system is adapted so as to provide an electrical potential difference of 1.5 to 10 Volt between the electrodes.

First claim

1 . A device for the application on teeth or gums of an aqueous liquid oral care composition that is gelable under the influence of a change in pH, and changing the pH of said composition when the composition has been applied on teeth or gums; the device comprising a dispensing unit for said composition, a distal end of which comprises a nozzle to apply said composition onto teeth or gums, and an electrode system comprising first and second electrodes integrated with the dispensing unit, the first electrode extending from the distal end of the dispensing unit and the second electrode being upstream of the first electrode; the electrode system being adapted so as to provide an electrical potential difference of 1.5 to 10 Volt between the electrodes, such that upon providing said potential difference to the applied composition, hydroxide ions (OH − ) form at one electrode, and protons (H + ) form at the other electrode, in order to bring about gelation of said composition.

2 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the direction of the electrical potential difference is such that hydroxide ions (OH—) form at the first electrode, and protons (H+) form at the second electrode.

3 . A device according to claim 1 , comprising a switching unit for the reversal of the direction of the electrical potential difference.

4 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are integrated with the dispensing unit.

5 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is at or near the distal end of the dispensing unit, not extending from said distal end.

6 . A device according to claim 4 , wherein the second electrode is comprised in a wall of the dispensing unit.

7 . A device according to claim 5 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode positioned at the exit of the dispensing nozzle, and the first electrode is a negative electrode extending 1 to 10 mm from the exit of the dispensing nozzle, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm.

8 . A device according to claim 1 , further comprising a dental appliance for cleaning teeth selected from the group consisting of electric toothbrushes, electric flossing devices, oral irrigators, and combinations thereof.

9 . A method of gelling a liquid composition suitable for application on teeth or gums and gelable by increasing the pH thereof, whereby the gelling is conducted by subjecting the liquid composition to an electrical potential difference of 1.5 to 10V when the composition has been applied on teeth or gums.

10 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein the gelable composition comprises chitosan.

11 . A method wherein the electrical potential difference is applied by means of a device according to claim 1 .

12 . An oral healthcare kit comprising a container having an oral care composition, said composition comprising at least one oral care agent comprised in a carrier that is gelable under the influence of a pH increase, and an applicator for said composition, wherein the applicator is a device comprising a dispensing unit for said composition, a distal end of which is adapted to apply said composition onto teeth or gums, and an electrode system comprising first and second electrodes, the first electrode being adapted to be held against the aqueous liquid composition at a location at or near teeth or gums, and the second electrode being adapted to be held against the aqueous liquid composition at a location away from teeth or gums; the electrode system being adapted so as to provide an electrical potential difference of 1.5 to 10 Volt between the electrodes, such that upon providing said potential difference to the applied composition, hydroxide ions (OH—) form at one electrode, and protons (H+) form at the other electrode, in order to bring about gelation of said composition, the device preferably being according to claim 1 .

13 . A kit according to claim 12 , wherein the gelable composition comprises chitosan.

14 . An oral healthcare kit comprising a container having an oral care composition, said composition comprising at least one oral care agent, a substance capable of forming a gel under the influence of metal ions, and a pH-sensitive carrier comprising such metal ions, the kit further comprising an applicator for said composition, wherein the applicator is a device comprising a dispensing unit for said composition, a distal end of which is adapted to apply said composition onto teeth or gums, and an electrode system comprising first and second electrodes, the first electrode being adapted to be held against the aqueous liquid composition at a location at or near teeth or gums, and the second electrode being adapted to be held against the aqueous liquid composition at a location away from teeth or gums; the electrode system being adapted so as to provide an electrical potential difference of 1.5 to 10 Volt between the electrodes, such that upon providing said potential difference to the applied composition, hydroxide ions (OH—) form at one electrode, and protons (H+) form at the other electrode, in order to bring about gelation of said composition, the device preferably being according to claim 1 .

15 . A kit according to claim 14 , wherein the gel-forming substance is selected from alginate, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, and the metal ions comprise calcium ions.

16 . A kit according to claim 12 , wherein the oral care agent is selected from the group consisting of dentifrices, antiplaque compositions, anti-tartar compositions, anti-gingivitis compositions, anti-caries compositions, anti-bacterial compositions, compositions for periodontal treatment, and combinations thereof.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Gottenbos Bart
• Verschueren Alvin Rogier Martijn

Classifications

• A61P31/04

  Antibacterial agents · CPC title

• A61P1/02

  Stomatological preparations, e.g. drugs for caries, aphtae, periodontitis · CPC title

• A61K8/733

  Alginic acid; Salts thereof · CPC title

• A61C19/063 Primary

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

• A61C15/047

  power-driven · CPC title