IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,734,023
Granted Patent B2
US 12,734,023 · App. 16/625,251 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting an oral care routine based on interproximal space

Inventors: Amir Hussein Rmaile (Eindhoven, NL); Steven Charles Deane (Cambridge, GB); Nigel David Young (Meadvale, GB)
Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
A61C17/02A61B5/4547A61C17/0202A61C17/221
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,734,023
App. No.
16/625,251
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method ( 800 ) for adjusting a user's oral care routine by an oral care device ( 10 ) based on interproximal spacing, the method including the steps of: (i) obtaining ( 820 ), using the oral care device, information about an interproximal space ( 66 ) in the user's mouth; and (ii) automatically adjusting ( 850 ), based on the obtained information, a parameter of the oral care device, wherein the dynamic adjustment is configured to improve oral care of the interproximal space.

Claims (16)

1 . A method for adjusting a user's oral care routine by an oral care device based on interproximal spacing, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring, using the oral care device, a size of one or more interproximal spaces within a user's mouth; and

dynamically adjusting a volume of fluid delivered to the one or more interproximal spaces by increasing or decreasing the volume of fluid based on the measured size of the one or more interproximal spaces.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said measuring step comprises a mechanical measurement of the interproximal space.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said oral care device further comprises a sensor configured to measure the size of the interproximal space.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said measuring step comprises receiving, by the oral care device, the size of an interproximal space in the user's mouth.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic adjustment occurs at the interproximal space.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the volume of fluid comprises adjusting a width or number of sprays emitted from the oral care device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said oral care device comprises a plurality of tooth-engaging parts biased away from a fixed part, wherein the plurality of tooth-engaging parts are configured to mechanically respond to the interproximal space by moving towards the fixed part.

8 . An oral care device configured to automatically and dynamically adjust a cleaning parameter of the oral care device based on a size of one or more interproximal spaces within a user's mouth, the device comprising a sensing and actuation mechanism configured to: (i) measure the size of an interproximal space in the user's mouth; and (ii) automatically adjust, based on the measured size of the one or more interproximal spaces, a volume of fluid delivered to the one or more interproximal spaces of the oral care device, by increasing or decreasing the volume of fluid.

9 . The oral care device of claim 8 , further comprising a controller configured to analyze the size of the interproximal space in the user's mouth, wherein said automatic adjustment is based at least in part on the analysis.

10 . The oral care device of claim 8 , wherein said sensing and actuation mechanism comprises a mechanical element configured to directly measure the interproximal space.

11 . The oral care device of claim 8 , wherein said sensing and actuation mechanism comprises a sensor configured to measure the size of the interproximal space.

12 . The oral care device of claim 8 , wherein the dynamic adjustment occurs at the interproximal space.

13 . The oral care device of claim 8 , wherein adjusting the volume of fluid comprises adjusting a width or number of sprays emitted from the oral care device.

14 . The oral care device of claim 8 , wherein said oral care device comprises a plurality of tooth-engaging parts biased away from a fixed part, wherein the plurality of tooth-engaging parts are configured to mechanically respond to the interproximal space by moving towards the fixed part.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2021
From: RMAILE, AMIR HUSSEIN; DEANE, STEVEN CHARLES; YOUNG, NIGEL DAVID
To: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
Reel/Frame 057182/0445 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62522738 · Jun 21, 2017
Related Publication 20200146435A1 · May 14, 2020
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