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US 12,349,785 B2Granted
Finger-wearable oral hygiene device and method of using
AssigneeMindful People LLC
InventorMichael Toofer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are finger-wearable oral hygiene devices having a tapered shape with a plurality of extensions extending from the outer surface of the body, with the plurality of extensions extending around at least most of the circumference of the body member, the extensions being longer near the distal end of the device and shorter near the proximal end of the device, or the extensions arranged in a staggered pattern along the length of the tubular body, or having combination of these features. The device allows gums and teeth to be massaged or cleaned more efficiently and thoroughly, and can also provide greater comfort to a subject during an oral hygiene process.
Claims20
A finger-wearable oral hygiene device comprising:
- a proximal section, a central section, a distal section, and a central axis;
- a body member having proximal and distal ends, a body member length between the proximal and distal ends, and a circumference;
- wherein the proximal end has an opening for insertion of a finger, and the distal end is closed and has a curved or rounded shape, and the device is designed to cover the distal phalange of a finger, at least a portion of the medial phalange, and a portion of the proximal phalange;
- a wall defining the body member providing outer and inner surfaces;
- a plurality of extensions extending from the outer surface of the body member,
- the plurality of extensions comprising an extension pattern defined by a plurality of columns of extensions, each column following a linear path that extends in a proximal to distal direction parallel to the central axis and a portion of the length of the device, and
- an overall device length as defined by the distance from a tip of the extensions at the distal end of the device, and the proximal end,
- wherein, as measured along the central axis, the proximal section extends a length in the range of 30-40% of the overall device length, the central section extends a length in the range of 40-54% of the overall device length, and the distal section extends a length in the range of 15-25% of the overall device length.
5 more elements
A finger-wearable oral hygiene device comprising:
- a body member having proximal and distal ends, a body member length between the proximal and distal ends, a circumference, and a central axis;
- an overall device length as defined as the distance from a tip of the extensions at the distal end of the device to the proximal end, as measured along the central axis;
- wherein the proximal end has an opening for insertion of a finger and, around the circumference at the proximal end, a proximal end outer surface portion without extensions, and the distal end is closed and has a curved or rounded shape, and the device is designed to cover the distal phalange of a finger, at least a portion of the medial phalange, and a portion of the proximal phalange;
- a wall defining the body member providing outer and inner surfaces;
- a plurality of extensions extending from at least a portion of the outer surface of the body member, wherein the outer surface portion having the plurality of extensions is defined as starting from the distal end and is at least about 55% of the overall device length,
- wherein the plurality of extensions comprises an extension pattern defined by a plurality of columns of extensions, wherein the columns follow a linear path that extends in a proximal to distal direction parallel to the central axis, the linear path extending at least most of the outer surface portion that is at least about 55% of the overall device length,
- where, in the plurality of columns of extensions, there are shorter extensions adjacent to the proximal end outer surface portion, and longer extensions adjacent to the distal end.
4 more elements
A finger-wearable oral hygiene device comprising:
- a body member having proximal and distal ends, a body member length between the proximal and distal ends, a circumference, and a central axis;
- an overall device length as defined as the distance from a tip of the extensions at the distal end of the device to the proximal end, as measured along the central axis;
- wherein the proximal end has an opening for insertion of a finger, and the distal end is closed and has a curved or rounded shape, and the device is designed to cover the distal phalange of a finger, at least a portion of the medial phalange, and a portion of the proximal phalange;
- a wall defining the body member providing outer and inner surfaces;
- a plurality of extensions extending from at least a portion of the outer surface of the body member, wherein the outer surface portion having the plurality of extensions is defined as starting from the distal end and is at least about 55% of the overall device length,
- wherein the plurality of extensions comprises an extension pattern defined by a plurality of columns of extensions, wherein the columns follow a linear path that extends in a proximal to distal direction parallel to the central axis, the linear path extending at least most of the outer surface portion that is at least about 55% of the overall device length,
- where, in the plurality of columns of extensions, there are shorter extensions adjacent to the proximal end and longer extensions adjacent to the distal end.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.