The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 02, 2010
David Andrew Fish, Haywards Heath, GB;
Nigel David Young, Meadvale Redhill, GB;
Jay Patel, Wembley, GB;
Estelle Julie Dorothee Bernhard-fichet, Cambridge, GB;
Peter Douglas Fairley, Plymouth, GB;
David Andrew Fish, Haywards Heath, GB;
Nigel David Young, Meadvale Redhill, GB;
Jay Patel, Wembley, GB;
Estelle Julie Dorothee Bernhard-Fichet, Cambridge, GB;
Peter Douglas Fairley, Plymouth, GB;
Koninklijke Philips N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
The appliance includes a brushhead having conductive fiber bristles by which a potential is applied to electrochemically activate a teeth whitening substance, such as peroxide, in the vicinity of the teeth. An impedance appliance system () or an optical appliance system () provides information concerning whether the conductive fiber bristles are adjacent a tooth surface or gum region. The impedance system uses an electrical signal through the fiber to determine the impedance of a circuit which includes the tooth or gum surface, the impedance being different, depending on whether a tooth or gum surface is in the circuit. The optical system generates a light beam which is directed to the mouth surface through a conductive fiber, the color of the returning light indicating whether the surface is a tooth or gum region. If a tooth is determined, the teeth whitening substance is activated at that bristle, while if gum tissue is determined, the teeth whitening substance is not activated at that bristle.