Interdental space detection
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorsMart Kornelis-Jan Te Velde, Bart Gottenbos, Mark Thomas Johnson, Lutz Christian Gerhardt
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Abstract
The present invention relates to oral care. In order to improve the effectiveness of a flossing device, an interdental space detection component is proposed for detecting an interdental space. The interdental space detection component may be integrated in a brush head with integrated flossing function. The fluidic flossing function may selectively be switched on at the interdental space, thereby saving flossing fluid and preventing ineffective flossing outside the interdental space.
Claims16
An interdental space detection component for use with an interdental care device, the interdental space detection component comprising:
- an interdental probe insertable into an oral cavity of a user for interdental space detection;
- wherein the interdental probe is configured to detect an interdental space by detecting a presence of teeth on two sides of the interdental probe within the oral cavity;
- wherein the detection is based on electric detection;
- and
- wherein the interdental probe comprises an electronic element configured to be sensitive to being wedged between two neighboring teeth, and wherein the electronic element comprises a sensor array configured to detect opposite forces when wedged between two neighboring teeth.
An oral care device, comprising:
- a) an interdental space detection component comprising an interdental probe insertable into an oral cavity of a user for interdental space detection;
- wherein the interdental probe is configured to detect an interdental space by detecting a presence of teeth on two sides of the interdental probe within the oral cavity;
- wherein the detection is based on electric detection;
- and
- wherein the interdental probe comprises an electronic element configured to be sensitive to being wedged between two neighboring teeth, and wherein the electronic element comprises a sensor array configured to detect opposite forces when wedged between two neighboring teeth;
- and
- b) a body portion arranged to comprise the interdental space detection component or be coupled to an oral care implement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.