Sensor responsive electric toothbrushes and methods of use
A sensor-responsive toothbrush that can adjust its output or operation depending upon information received by one or more sensors incorporated in the toothbrush or as selected by a user. The information typically relates to certain conditions or the presence of particular substances or agents within or outside of the oral cavity. The sensor-responsive toothbrush also includes one or more responsive output components that provide a responsive output in response to the sensed information. A method of providing an oral care benefit, comprising steps of: activating a toothbrush comprising a sensor; detecting a sensor input with the sensor; and initiating a responsive output from the toothbrush in response to the sensor input.
1. A sensor-responsive toothbrush comprising:
a handle, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head, the handle having a hollow interior region, the head having bristles disposed thereon, and the toothbrush having a longitudinal axis;
a sensor disposed on the toothbrush;
a sensor filter;
at least one movable bristle holder disposed on the head, the at least one movable bristle holder having a plurality of bristles disposed thereon;
a motor disposed in the hollow interior region, wherein the motor is operatively connected to the at least one movable bristle holder to move the at least one bristle holder; and
at least one output component in association with the sensor, wherein the at least one output component provides, in response to a sensor input, an output selected from the group consisting of a chemical-based output, a combination of a mechanical based output and a chemical based output, and a combination of a light based output and a chemical based output
wherein the chemical-based output comprises dispensing an oral care composition.
2. The sensor-responsive toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the component associated with the sensor output emits light of a first wavelength, and the sensor input detects light of a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
3. The sensor-responsive toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bristles are moveable, and the mechanical based output comprises movement of the plurality of bristles or changing aspects of the movement.
4. The sensor-responsive toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the light-based output comprises generating heat.
5. The sensor responsive toothbrush of claim 1 , wherein the light based output is a first light-emitting element.
6. The sensor responsive toothbrush of claim 5 , wherein the toothbrush further comprises a second light-emitting element disposed on a bristle-bearing surface of the head of the toothbrush.