Device for identifying oral conditions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9700395-B2
Application number	US-201414547273-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2014
Priority date	Dec 23, 2009
Publication date	Jul 11, 2017
Grant date	Jul 11, 2017

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the existence of oral conditions. In one aspect, the invention is a device including a detector capable of detecting a marker of an oral condition; a self-contained indicator that is actuated by a signal from the detector, wherein the indicator is one of a structural indicator adapted to undergo a physical change that is haptically perceptible, a dye adapted to be released into a user's mouth, and a flavor adapted to be released into a user's mouth; and wherein said device is detachably securable to an oral care implement.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a detector capable of detecting a marker of an oral condition;
a self-contained indicator that is exposed by the detector, wherein the indicator is a structural indicator adapted to undergo a physical change that is haptically perceptible;
a base comprising the indicator, wherein said indicator is the structural indicator and the structural indicator is one of: (1) a protrusion extending from the base; and (2) a pit formed into the base;
wherein said detector is formed as a layer that is positioned atop of the base;
wherein said indicator is exposed by the detector; and
wherein said device is detachably securable to an oral care implement.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein detection of said marker indicates good oral health.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said marker is selected from the group consisting of: triclosan; a phosphate; an amino acid; a potassium salt; and a stannous salt.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein detection of said marker indicates the existence of a disease, disorder, or condition that is amenable to detection via examination of the oral cavity.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said marker is a bacteria, fungi, yeast or virus.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein said marker is selected from the group consisting of: C-reactive protein; glucose; cortisol; PSA; c-erbB-2 protein; a hormone; IL-1β, PGE2, arginine; gingipains; elastases; dipeptidylpeptidase; β-glucuronidase; lactoferrin; platelet-activating factor; ICPT; cathepsin B; cystatins; MMP-1; collagenase-2; MMP-8; MMP-13; MMP-9; hydroxyl-deoxyguanosine; an immunoglobulin; calprotectin; osteocalcin; ostenocetin; and osteopontin.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the oral care implement is a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head, the head having a front surface and an opposing rear surface.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head, and wherein the device is coupled to the rear surface of the head.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detector has a smooth outer surface.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detector encapsulates the structural indicator.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to dissolve in response to detecting the marker; and wherein the dissolution of the detector exposes the structural indicator.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detector has a thickness which is not constant.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the oral care implement is a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head, the head having a front surface and an opposing rear surface;
wherein the toothbrush comprises a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface of the head; and
wherein the base and the detector collectively form a unitary structure that is coupled to the rear surface of the head.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
a releaser having an agent disposed therein; and
wherein said releaser and said agent are formed together as a second layer, the second layer being positioned between the base and the detector.

15. The device of claim 14 further comprising a cover that forms a third layer, the cover positioned atop of the detector.

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Hohlbein Douglas
• Gittins Elizabeth
• Trivedi Harsh M
• Kennedy Sharon
• Patel Madhusudan
• Peru Deborah

Classifications

• A61K6/15

  Compositions characterised by their physical properties · CPC title

• G01N33/54353

  with ligand attached to the carrier via a chemical coupling agent (coatings G01N33/54393) · CPC title

• A46B15/0002

  Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process · CPC title

• A61B10/0051

  for taking saliva or sputum samples (devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00) · CPC title

• G01N33/5436

  with ligand physically entrapped within the solid phase (liposomes G01N33/5432; immunological test elements G01N33/54386) · CPC title