Photocatalysis process toothbrush

A manual toothbrush having a light source which facilitates a photocatalysis process while brushing, the manual toothbrush comprising:

• a handle having a grip at a proximal end and a neck at a distal end thereof, the distal end of the neck having opening therein, and a blue light emitting source being located within the opening for emitting blue light in a direction generally normal to the neck and the handle;
• a completely manual and replaceable brush head having an aperture formed therein and at least one group of bristles being permanently secured to the replaceable brush head, and the aperture of the replaceable brush head, once the replaceable brush head is installed on neck, overlies and is concentric with the blue light emitting source to permit the blue light to pass though the aperture and be emitted generally parallel to the bristles;
• a power source equipped with constant electrical current control electronics for energizing the blue light source and for radiating blue light with the blue light being modulated from 0% to 100% at a frequency of between a two (2) and two hundred (200) Hertz with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts for radiating blue light in a wavelength band between 420 nm to 480 nm;
• a perimeter surface of the blue light emitting source being sealed with respect to the opening to form a fluid tight seal therewith;
• and
• the handle at least partially accommodating at least one of control circuitry and a power source for the blue light source.

A method of forming a manual toothbrush having a light source which facilitates a photocatalysis process while brushing, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a handle having a grip at a proximal end and a neck at a distal end thereof, forming an opening in the distal end of the neck, and locating a blue light emitting source within the opening for emitting blue light in a direction generally normal to the neck and the handle;
• forming an aperture in a completely manual and replaceable brush head and permanently securing at least one group of bristles to the replaceable brush head, and installing the replaceable brush head on the neck so that the aperture overlies and is concentric with the blue light emitting source to permit the blue light to pass though the aperture and be emitted generally parallel to the bristles;
• energizing the blue light source with a power source for radiating blue light which is modulated from 0% to 100% at a frequency of between a two (2) and two hundred (200) Hertz with an average optical output power level of less than 5 watts for radiating blue light in a wavelength band between 420 nm to 480 nm;
• sealing a perimeter surface of the blue light emitting source with respect to the opening to form a fluid tight seal therewith;
• and
• at least partially accommodating, within the handle, at least one of control circuitry and a power source for the blue light source.