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US 12,226,272 B2Granted
System for irrigating the upper aerodigestive tract and neighboring areas
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsArash Kheradvar, Hamid R. Djalilian
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Abstract
An oral irrigator system having an ergonomic casing with a pliable nozzle assembly, and coupled to a detachable and refillable fluid reservoir. The ergonomic casing contains a power source and a pump mechanism. The detachable nozzle head delivers a pulsating jet of fluid with adjustable speed into the oropharyngeal cavity. When the system is turned on, the rechargeable battery activates the diaphragm pump to draw fluid from the reservoir using a fluid pipe and delivers the fluid to the tip of the nozzle head.
Claims1
An oral irrigator device (1) comprising:
- a. a main body (2) comprising a pump (21) disposed therein;
- b. an irrigating nozzle (3) attached to the main body (2) and in fluidic communication with the pump (21), the irrigating nozzle (3) comprising a plurality of nozzle heads (19) disposed at a tip (9) of the irrigating nozzle, wherein the plurality of nozzle heads (19) are arranged in a vertical line configuration, and wherein the tip (9) of the irrigating nozzle (3) is configured to vibrate;
- c. a detach button (4) disposed on a distal end of the main body (2) for activating detachments of the plurality of nozzle heads (19) from the main body (2);
- d. a fluid pressure trigger (5) disposed on a rear end of the main body (2) for increasing a pressure of a fluid pumped by the pump (21) when pulled;
- e. an ergonomic grip (6) disposed on the main body (2);
- f. an on/off control (10) disposed on a front side of the main body (2) capable of activating and deactivating the oral irrigator device (1);
- g. a battery indicator (11) for indicating a remaining battery charge;
- and
- h. a refillable reservoir (8) fluidly coupled to the main body (2) and in fluid communication with the pump (21) via a fluid channel (7);
- wherein the pump (21) is configured to pump the fluid from the reservoir (8), through the fluid channel (7) and the irrigating nozzle (3), and eject said fluid from the nozzle heads (19),
- wherein a flow rate of the pump (21) is adjustable to optimize the flow rate for cleaning,
- wherein the nozzle heads (19) are configured to direct the fluid onto a surface at various angles,
- wherein a diameter of each nozzle head of the plurality of nozzle heads (19) is configured to produce a stream capable of cleaning an area of an upper aerodigestive tract,
- wherein the tip (9) of the irrigating nozzle (3) vibrates to massage tissues in the area of the upper aerodigestive tract that includes a tongue and tonsils,
- wherein the fluid comprises electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, antiseptic, alcohol, medication, or a combination thereof.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.