U.S. patent number 3,651,576 [Application Number 05/037,953] was granted by the patent office on 1972-03-28 for electroacoustic massager for the gums.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Massa Division Dynamics Corporation of America. Invention is credited to Frank Massa.
United States Patent |
3,651,576 |
Massa |
March 28, 1972 |
ELECTROACOUSTIC MASSAGER FOR THE GUMS
Abstract
A waterproof dental probe is mounted at one end of a slender
handle. The probe includes an ultrasonic transducer for vibrating
the surface of the probe. Thus, ultrasonic vibrations may be
transferred to the gums and teeth by applying the vibratile probe
to the surface thereof.
Inventors: |
Massa; Frank (Cohasset,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Massa Division Dynamics Corporation
of America (Hingham, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
21897253 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/037,953 |
Filed: |
May 18, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/119;
601/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
17/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
17/16 (20060101); A61C 17/20 (20060101); A61c
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/62A,24A ;32/58 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peshock; Robert
Claims
I claim:
1. An electroacoustic appliance having a shape and dimension
suitable for the application of acoustic energy to local areas of
the human gums while being held in the hand of the person using
said appliance, said appliance comprising an elongated slender
handle with a probe tip frame structure attached thereto and shaped
to fit in the region surrounding said gums, means comprising an
electroacoustic transducer having at least one exposed vibratile
surface mounted on said tip frame structure, means for transferring
vibrations from said vibratile surface to the exterior of said
probe tip, electrical means coupled to said transducer means for
driving said transducer means, and waterproof acoustic coupling
means bonded to said vibratile surface and to said probe tip frame
structure for transferring the vibratory energy to localized areas
of the gums, said waterproof coupling means comprising a unitary
hood surrounding said transducer and probe tip frame shaped and
dimensioned to fit into the region surrounding said gums.
2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein said frame includes an annular
housing and said electroacoustic transducer means comprises a
plurality of piezoelectric plates mounted inside said annulus.
3. The appliance of claim 1 and an annular housing surrounding said
piezoelectric plates, and further characterized in that the
surfaces of said plates are located approximately perpendicular to
the axis of the annular housing and parallel to the axis of said
elongated housing.
4. The appliance of claim 3 further characterized in that said
acoustic coupling means includes a tapered member attached to said
vibratile surface whereby the tip portion of said tapered member
transfers the acoustic energy from the vibratile surface to the
gums.
5. The appliance of claim 1 further characterized in that said
acoustic coupling means includes a tapered member attached to said
vibratile surface whereby the tip portion of said tapered member
transfers the acoustic energy from the vibratile surface to the
gums.
6. The appliance of claim 1 and an annular housing surrounding said
transducer, further characterized in that said transducer presents
a vibratile surface on each of the opposite sides of the opening
through said annular housing, and still further characterized in
that the waterproof acoustic coupling means are bonded to each of
said oppositely exposed vibratile surfaces, and still further
characterized in that a tapered member is perpendicularly attached
to one of said vibratile surfaces whereby the tip portion of said
tapered member transfers the acoustic energy to the gums from the
vibratile surface to which it is attached.
7. The appliance of claim 6 further characterized in that the other
of said vibratile surfaces is acoustically coupled to a surface
layer of acoustically transparent waterproof material.
8. The appliance of claim 7 further characterized in that the
external surface of said layer of acoustically transparent material
is convex.
9. The appliance of claim 7 further characterized in that said
layer of acoustically transparent material is resilient.
10. The appliance of claim 1 further characterized in that said
electroacoustic transducer means operates in the ultrasonic
frequency region.
11. The appliance of claim 10 further characterized in that said
ultrasonic frequency region is greater than 25 kHz.
12. The appliance of claim 10 further characterized in that the
frequency region lies between 100 and 500 kHz.
13. A prophylactic device for the treatment of gums comprising a
handle with a probe for fitting into a person's mouth attached to
one end thereof, electroacoustic transducer means contained within
said probe, acoustic coupling means attached to said
electroacoustic transducer means and sealed to said probe, and
means for electrically driving said electroacoustic transducer
means to vibrate at a characteristic frequency.
14. The device of claim 13 characterized in that said
electroacoustic transducer means includes a piezoelectric
transducer element.
15. The device of claim 14 further characterized in that said
transducer element operates in the ultrasonic frequency region.
16. The device of claim 15 further characterized in that said
frequency region is higher than 25 kHz.
17. The device of claim 15 further characterized in that the
frequency region is in the range between 100 and 500 kHz.
18. The device of claim 14 further characterized in that said
transducer element includes at least one piezoelectric plate having
a surface parallel to said handle, and still further characterized
in that said acoustic coupling means includes a tapered member
perpendicularly attached to said surface of said plate whereby the
tip portion of said tapered member transfers the acoustic energy
from said plate and to the gums.
19. The device of claim 14 further characterized in that said
electroacoustic transducer means comprises an assembly of
piezoelectric plates, further characterized in that a separate
vibratile surface of said assembly of piezoelectric plates appears
at each of the opposite sides of said probe, and still further
characterized in that acoustic coupling means is bonded to each of
said separate vibratile surfaces and said acoustic coupling means
is sealed to the surface of said probe.
20. The device of claim 19 further characterized in that said
coupling means includes a tapered member perpendicularly attached
to one of said vibratile surfaces whereby the tip portion of said
tapered member transfers the acoustic energy from the vibratile
surface to which it is attached to the gum.
Description
This invention relates to a prophylactic aid for the gums and
teeth, and more specifically to hand held probes which include
ultrasonic transducer means for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations
to the outer surface of the probe for vibrating the gums and the
teeth.
Regular massaging of the gums improves the circulation of the blood
in the gums and assists in maintaining a healthy mouth, tooth, and
gum structure. Also, an important preventative of tooth decay
requires a removal of plaque, which forms on the surface of the
teeth. If it is not removed, bacteria grows in the plaque
environment and leads to difficulties.
A commonly used aid for gum massage is a pointed rubber tipped end
on the handle of a tooth brush. Usually, this tip is rubbed into
the space between the teeth and between the teeth and gums, thereby
manually cleaning the regions where plaque forms and simultaneously
providing a massage of the gums. While the manual rubbing action of
the rubber tip improves the health of the gums, there is a great
improvement when a mechanical aid rubs the gum at the proper
frequency and with the proper vigor.
Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a dental probe
with an electroacoustic transducer for generating high frequency
vibrations which may be transferred to the gums and teeth.
Another object of this invention is to provide a low-cost, hand
held probe for general use as a dental prophylactic aid. Here an
object is to provide an inexpensive, but efficient, ultrasonic
transducer which may drive such a probe.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a double ended
probe having a generally flat area on one side and a generally
pointed tip on the opposite side. In this connection, an object is
to drive both sides of the probe with ultrasonic energy from a
common electroacoustic transducer.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a very
simple and inexpensive hand held prophylactic device which includes
an ultrasonically activated probe which may be conveniently used
for greatly improved dental hygiene in the home. This device is
used in much the same manner as a conventional tooth brush is now
used.
In keeping with an aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment
includes a waterproof dental probe mounted at one end of a slender
handle. An ultrasonic transducer vibrates the surface of the probe.
Thus, these ultrasonic vibrations may be transferred to the gums
and teeth by applying the vibratile probe surface to the region of
the gums or teeth.
The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are
set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However, the
invention itself, both as to its organization and method of
operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof,
will best be understood from the following description of several
embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonically driven dental
probe incorporating the features of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the probe handle and ultrasonic
transducer, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken along line
3--3 of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view looking at the handle end of the
structure along line 4--4 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the probe assembly, taken along line
5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the probe end;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a reduced voltage variation
of the piezoelectric transducer element assembly;
FIG. 8 illustrates another form of the transducer element which
results in a flexurally vibrating transducer element;
FIG. 9 illustrates a positive flexural vibration amplitude which is
produced by the transducer element of FIG. 7 when a positive
voltage is applied to one of the electrical conductors;
FIG. 10 illustrates a negative flexural vibration amplitude which
is produced when the phase of the electrical signal is reversed;
and
FIG. 11 illustrates a reduced operating voltage variation of the
piezoelectric plate.
In the various figures, the reference character 21 identifies a
rigid tubular handle with an axial hole 22 extending throughout its
length. At the bottom end, the handle is provided with an enlarged
cavity in which an insulated terminal board 23 is sealed. This
board carries the pin terminals 24 and 25 for making a connection
with an electrical cable 26. This cable has socket terminals which
mate with the pin terminals 24 and 25. The electrical cable 26
furnishes any suitable electrical power from a source, not shown,
to drive the electroacoustic transducer assembly.
In any suitable manner, a rigid tubular member 28 is attached
within a counterboard hole in the upper end of the handle 21. While
this member 28 is here shown as a separate part, it could be an
integral extension portion of the handle 21. This tube is of a
small diameter so that it will not be bulky or hard to manipulate
when held against the gums.
A probe transducer housing 30 is attached to the upper end of the
tubular member 28. For example, the tube 28 may pass through a hole
in and be attached to the housing 30, as by cementing or soldering.
The housing 30 is an annular shell which surrounds a pair of
piezoelectric ceramic plates 31 and 32. The common polarities,
marked (+), of the plates are electrically connected together by
means of a conducting cement. These ceramic plates 31, 32 and the
housing structure 30 are shown in greater detail in the enlarged
view of the probe tip illustrated in FIG. 6.
The transducer drive assembly (FIG. 6) includes a thin annular
layer of low acoustic impedance material 35, such as Corprene.
Preferably, this layer is wrapped around the periphery of the
ceramic plates 31, 32 for isolating the radial vibrations of the
plates from the annular housing 30.
An insulated conductor 36 passes through the hollow handle 21 and
establishes an electrical connection from the common (+) polarity
of the ceramic plates 31, 32 to the terminal pin 24. The outside or
opposite electrode surfaces of the ceramic plates 31 and 32 are
marked (-). These two surfaces are connected together by another
electrical conductor schematically shown at 36A in FIGS. 7, 8 and
11. This conductor also passes through the handle 21 and connects
to the terminal pin 25.
To complete the probe assembly, a tapered adapter member 40 is
bonded at its base to one of the plane vibratile surfaces of the
ceramic plate assembly. While this bond may be made by epoxy, for
example, the member 40 may be attached to the surface of the
ceramic plate 32 by any other suitable cement.
Finally, a layer of waterproof sound transmitting material 42 is
applied over the transducer housing 30, tube 28, and perhaps over
the entire handle 21 also. The waterproof covering 42 is here shown
as being formed with a skirt-like portion 43 bonded to an undercut
tip of the handle 21 to achieve a completely waterproof assembly
for the structure. This layer 42 may be molded rubber or any other
suitable resilient material. Preferably, it is bonded in intimate
contact to the tapered tip 40 and also to the opposite exposed
plane face of the ceramic plate 31. Thus, the probe is sealed
against mouth moisture, both at the probe and the handle.
Nevertheless, there is an acoustic coupling from both sides of the
ceramic transducer plate assembly to the outer opposite surfaces of
the probe tip. Thus, the vibratory energy from the ceramic plates
is transferred to the teeth or gums.
Since the instrument described herein is to be used in the mouth
area, as a prophylactic aid for massaging the gums and the teeth,
it is desirable to keep the operating voltage as low as possible.
There should not be any danger of electrical shock in connection
with the use of the instrument.
To reduce the level of operating voltage, the ceramic plate
assembly may be subdivided into thinner sections, which may be
connected as illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. In greater
detail, the multi-plate assembly of FIG. 7 uses four plates with
the electrode polarities connected as illustrated; that is, similar
polarities on each plate are placed in face-to-face relationship
(i.e., + to + and - to -). This assembly may be substituted
directly for the two-plate assembly of FIG. 6. If the over-all
dimensions of the ceramic assembly are not changed, the operating
voltage for the transducer assembly of FIG. 7 is reduced by
one-half, as compared with the voltage requirements for the
assembly of FIG. 6. Further subdivision of the plates into still
thinner sections further decreases the operating voltage to any
value required.
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative type of transducer construction.
More particularly, the open annular housing 30 of FIG. 6 is
replaced by an annular housing 44 which contains a central web
portion 45. For this construction, the piezoelectric ceramic plates
46 and 47 are rigidly bonded to the web section 45, as by means of
conducting epoxy, for example. The piezoelectric plates 46, 47 are
connected with opposite polarities together and on opposite sides
of the housing web section. This connection is shown and indicated
by the (+) and (-) polarity markings of the electrode surfaces in
FIGS. 8-10. The electrical conductor 36 is electrically connected
to the conducting web member 45 and the two outer surfaces of the
piezoelectric ceramic plates are connected to the electrical
conductor 36A.
In operation, the transducer structure shown in FIG. 8 causes
flexural vibrations when alternating current is supplied to the
terminals 36, 36A. The piezoelectric excursion causes displacement
to the right, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when a positive potential
is applied to one of the electrical terminals of the assembly. When
the polarity of the applied signal is reversed, the displacement of
the piezoelectric excursion is also reversed, as illustrated in
FIG. 100 This flexural vibration is most efficiently established
when the frequency of the alternating current corresponds to the
natural flexural resonant frequency of the assembly. These resonant
frequencies range from about 25 kHz. to about 100 kHz. They can be
achieved in a practical low-cost design of a flexural vibrating
transducer element assembly which is small enough to fit into the
end of a dental probe of convenient size.
For the transducer construction illustrated in FIG. 6, efficient
operation occurs at either the planar resonant frequency mode of
the assembly or at the thickness resonant mode of the assembly. For
either of these modes and for practical probe sizes, the resonant
frequency will generally be greater than 100 kHz. Small size
probes, specifically designed for children's use, may operate at
frequencies as high as 500 kHz.
FIG. 11 schematically illustrates how the ceramic plates in FIG. 8
may be further subdivided to reduce the operating voltage required
for the flexural transducer design. Each plate in FIG. 8 is
replaced in FIG. 11 by a pair of plates 52, 52A and 53, 53A. Each
of the plates 52, 53 has one-half the thickness of the
corresponding plates 46, 47. These plates 52, 52A and 53, 53A are
connected with their electrode polarities as indicated in FIG. 11,
by the (+) and (-) signs. The operating voltage for the subdivided
plate arrangements 52, 53 of FIG. 11 is about one-half the
operating voltage required by the arrangement of FIG. 8.
While several specific embodiments have been shown, it should be
understood that various modifications and alternate constructions
may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all
equivalent constructions falling within their true spirit and
scope.
* * * * *