US20140330282A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20140330282A1
Application number: US14/247,258
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Dennis Morelock; David Michael Morelock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-23
Filing date: 2014-04-08
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: US8734423B2; US20080255536A1

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses to clean a tonsil include a bite-piece and a fluid delivery tube. The bite piece has a longitudinal axis and the bite-piece is configured to be clenched between at least one upper side tooth and at least one lower side tooth within a user's mouth. A fluid delivery tube is slidingly engaged with the bite-piece. The fluid delivery tube is configured to direct a flow of water onto a tonsil and to wash debris from the tonsil.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending US Non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/009,957 entitled “Methods And Apparatuses For Treating Tonsils;” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/881,861 entitled “Tonsillith Cleaner,” filed on Jan. 23, 2007. U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/881,861 entitled “Tonsillith Cleaner,” is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to mouth and throat hygiene, and more specifically, to apparatuses and methods used to cleanse the tonsils and upper throat areas of a mouth.

BACKGROUND

During the normal course of life, food particles can collect in a person's mouth during the process of chewing and swallowing food. These food particles collect around the teeth and the person can remove them to some degree by brushing and flossing the teeth. Some of these food particles can become caught in the folds and fissures or crypts of the tonsils and are not removed during normal teeth hygiene, i.e., brushing and flossing teeth. Mucous and saliva, as well as tissue sloughed from the tonsil itself, can also become caught in the fissures or crypts of the tonsils.

All of these deposits: food, mucous, saliva, etc., generally referred to herein as “debris,” can remain lodged in the structures of the tonsils and can present sites for bacteria to grow. This condition is undesirable; it can contribute to Halitosis and can present a problem to the person's health.

Tonsil and throat tissue are very sensitive to touch and the area of the mouth that includes the back of the throat where the tonsils are located is protected from invasion by foreign objects through the body's “gag” reflex. The gag reflex can present a problem to cleansing this area.

Medical evidence suggests that cleaning tonsils may reduce the rate of recurrent tonsillitis. However, it is often difficult for a person to locate the tonsils. A person's gag reflex makes insertion of washing instrumentation difficult. This can present a problem.

A commercially available product, the Grossan Hydro Pulse® System, which is designed to clean the back of the Tongue and tonsils, can stimulate the gag reflex in people when used to clean the back of the Tongue, the rear Throat areas, and the tonsils. This can present a problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. The invention is illustrated by way of example in the embodiments and is not limited in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an apparatus for treating a tonsil(s) according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the apparatus fromFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the apparatus fromFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D illustrates a system according to the apparatus fromFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows various bite-pieces according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an apparatus for treating a tonsil(s) according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bite-piece with an alignment groove according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts bite-pieces according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system for treating a tonsil(s) according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates methods for treating a tonsil and/or related structures.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for combating Tonsillitis.

FIG. 9 illustrates, generally at900, locating a fluid delivery head proximate to a tonsil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements and in which are shown by way of illustrations, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Apparatuses and methods are described that allow a person to locate and treat his or her tonsils by significantly suppressing the “gag” reflex. Treating tonsils, as taught by embodiments of the invention, includes but is not limited to, washing debris from the folds and crypts or fissures that exist within the tonsils and associated structures. “Debris” as used in this description of embodiments includes, food, mucous, saliva, etc., that is any material that comes into contact with and clings to a tonsil. Treating also includes, but is not limited to, rubbing and touching the tonsil and delivering fluid to the surface of the tonsil. Fluids include but are not limited to water, saline solution, antiseptic solution, etc.

FIG. 1A illustrates, generally at100, an apparatus for treating a person's tonsil(s) according to one embodiment of the invention, in a side view of a mouth.FIG. 1B illustrates in a front view of the mouth, the apparatus fromFIG. 1A.FIG. 1C illustrates in a top view of mouth, the apparatus fromFIG. 1A. Referring now toFIGS. 1A,1B, and1C collectively, the mouth has aTongue102, Teeth104 populate a Lower Jaw and Teeth106 populate an Upper Jaw. The left side of the mouth has atonsil108, framed by aBack Pillar110 and aFront Pillar112. A Uvula114 is shown extending down from above theTongue102.

The apparatus has afluid delivery tube122, which is slidingly engaged with a bite-piece120. Thefluid delivery tube122 has a first end, which is designed to be grasped by a person (user) in the vicinity of the forward part of ahandle128. Thehandle128 is a built over thefluid delivery tube122. Thefluid delivery tube122 has a second end, which is in the form of afluid delivery head124. Thefluid delivery head124 terminates in abumper126. Thebumper126 as well as thefluid delivery tube122 andfluid delivery head124 are designed to present rounded surfaces to the user's mouth and are free of sharp edges.

A user inserts the apparatus into his or her mouth into the position illustrated inFIG. 1A. The user closes the mouth so that thelower teeth104 and theupper teeth106 apply biting pressure to the bite-piece120. With reference toFIG. 1B, alower tooth132 and anupper tooth134 apply biting pressure to the bite-piece120, as illustrated generally at130. An inside surface of the user'sleft cheek136 is indicated inFIG. 1B for clarity of illustration.

The apparatus has been designed to suppress the user's gag reflex. It was discovered that when the mouth is closed user applies biting pressure to the bite-piece; the user's gag reflex is suppressed thereby in the same manner as it is suppressed when chewing and swallowing food. Suppression of the gag reflex permits the tonsil and surrounding areas (structures) to be manipulated by the apparatus thereby facilitating the removal of debris by washing, deflecting, rubbing, etc. the surface of the tonsil, which includes the folds and fissures or crypts in which debris can collect.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an example of manipulation is washing or showering the tonsil with fluid that flows through thefluid delivery tube122 and out of thefluid delivery head124. As illustrated, generally at140, inFIG. 1C, thefluid delivery head124 has a plurality of holes, which permits fluid to shower thetonsil108,Forward Pillar112,Back Pillar110 and the crypts or fissures contained therein. Such showering can dislodge and wash debris from these structures. The fluid flows through thefluid delivery tube122, out of thefluid delivery head124, showers thetonsil108 and related structures of the throat while the user is clenching the bite-piece120 in the user's teeth, e.g.,132 and134.

In another embodiment of the invention, thefluid delivery head124 is configured to spray fluid onto both a right and a left tonsil at substantially the same time. Such a configuration is achieved by providing holes for water to exit thefluid delivery head124 on opposing sides of the head. An array of such holes is shown at127, which are used in some embodiments to spray fluid onto a right tonsil and associated structures. In such a configuration, a valve can be included in thehandle128 to regulate the flow of fluid to the right tonsil. Individual fluid lines can be provided inside of thefluid delivery tube122 to provide a higher pressure to the fluid exiting fromholes127 because of the greater distance that the fluid travels in order to reach the right tonsil relative to the distance that the fluid travels to reach the left tonsil.

The bite-piece120 is slidingly engaged with thefluid delivery tube122, such that thefluid delivery tube122 can translate relative to the bite-piece120 and rotate relative to the bite-piece120. Such a configuration permits the user to manipulate the greater area of thetonsil108 and surrounding structures (Forward Pillar112 and Rear Pillar110) as well as the area including the back of the throat and the roof of the mouth with a spray of fluid or to deflect the surfaces of these structures.

According to another embodiment of the invention, another example of manipulation is contacting the surface of thetonsil108,Forward Pillar112,Back Pillar110, etc. with anattachment148 placed into thefluid delivery head124. In this example, the user rotates thefluid delivery tube122 about itslongitudinal axis142 approximately one hundred and eighty degrees (180) to bring theattachment148 into contact with thetonsil108, and/orFront Pillar112 and/orBack Pillar110, etc. A variety ofattachments148 are described below in conjunction withFIG. 6 for use in this situation.

Embodiments of the invention are used to place thefluid delivery head124 proximate to thetonsil108. In one embodiment, the user's molars clench the bite-piece120. The bite-piece is positioned on the molars with its longitudinal axis coincident with a tooth-line144. Thefluid delivery tube122 is aligned at anangle α146 relative to the longitudinal axis of the bite-piece and the tooth-line144. Such alignment places thefluid delivery head124 proximate to thetonsil108 and related structures. The user is capable of “finding” thetonsil108, i.e., spraying fluid or touching the surfaces (attachment148) with the user's mouth closed.

FIG. 1D illustrates, generally at160, a system according to the apparatus ofFIG. 1A. With reference toFIG. 1D, a source ofpressurized fluid162 is connected to thefluid delivery tube122 by aflexible hose164. Ahandle143 is incorporated over thefluid delivery tube122/flexible tube164 such that the user can easily move (rotate and translate) thefluid delivery head124. Such movement directs a shower of fluid over the area of interest in and around thetonsil108,Forward Pillar112, andRear Pillar110, and associated other areas of the throat,Tongue102, etc. (related structures).

FIG. 2 illustrates, generally at200, various bite-pieces according to embodiments of the invention. In general, bite-pieces can be of different designs and are not limited to a short length that spans only one, two, or three teeth. In one embodiment, a bite piece extends around and makes contact with a user's full set of teeth and with reference toFIG. 2, such a bite-piece is illustrated at202. Analignment hole204 is provided, through which a fluid delivery tube (not shown) can pass to position a fluid delivery head proximate to a user's left tonsil as illustrated in the previous figures. The bite-piece202 can be flipped over one hundred and eighty (180) degrees to allow alignment between a fluid delivery head and a user's right tonsil. Alternatively, asecond alignment hole207 can be provided to permit a fluid delivery tube to pass therethrough and be located proximate to the user's right tonsil.

As fluid flows through the apparatus and showers a user's tonsils, Pillars. Throat, Tongue, etc. (throat structures) the fluid drains out of the user's mouth and into a receptacle such as a sink, bowl, etc. The bite-piece202 can be provided with one or more drain holes208 to facilitate the exit of the sprayed fluid from the user's mouth.

Alternatively, in some embodiments a suction tube is provided to remove sprayed fluid and debris from the user's mouth.

A bite-piece206 is slidingly engaged with a fluid delivery tube222 by means of

tabs

232 and234. In this embodiment, the fluid delivery tube222 can both translate and rotate relative to the bite-piece206. Ahandle230, positioned exterior to the user's mouth is grasped by the user and is moved to place thefluid delivery head224 proximate to the tonsils, etc. (not shown). Alternatively, the user can rotate thehandle230 one hundred and eighty degrees (180) to bring an attachment228 (if installed) into contact with a tonsil, a Front Pillar, a Back Pillar, and related structures. The attachments to the fluid delivery head are described more fully below in conjunction withFIG. 6.

FIG. 3 illustrates, generally at300, a front view of an apparatus for treating a tonsil(s) according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 3, a bite-piece306 is separate from afluid delivery tube322. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, the user clenches the bite-piece306 between the user's lower teeth (tooth)332 and the user's upper teeth (tooth)334. Arod335, connected to the bite-piece306, facilitates insertion and removal of the bite-piece306. As the user clenches the bite-piece, the user's gag reflex is suppressed, thereby permitting treatment of a tonsil308 (and surrounding structures) by flushing with fluid, deflection of the respective surfaces by swabbing, touching, rubbing, scrubbing, etc.

A user's left cheek is indicated at336, the user's tongue at302, and a Uvula at314. Theright tonsil308 is framed by aFront Pillar312 and aBack Pillar310. Ahandle330 is connected to afluid delivery tube322. Thefluid delivery tube322 is connected to afluid delivery head326. As described above in conjunction with the previous figures, the user directs a flow of fluid onto thetonsil308 and/or surrounding

structures

312,310, etc. by moving the handle which is located outside of the user's mouth. Thefluid delivery tube322 is supplied with a flow of fluid.

As described above, embodiments of the invention allow a user to treat the tonsils with the user's mouth closed. Thus, in various embodiments, the apparatus provides a locating function in which the fluid delivery head is placed proximate to the tonsil and the surrounding structures, e.g., Front Pillar, Back Pillar, etc. through placement of the apparatus into a user's mouth and location between the user's teeth.

FIG. 4 illustrates, generally at400, a bite-piece with an alignment groove according to one embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG.4, a bite-piece402 has an alignment groove (track)404 impressed therein. When a user clenches his or her

teeth

406,408, and410, the teeth (406,408, and410) move as indicated bydirection arrows406a,408a,and410aplacing the teeth into contact with the bite-piece402. As the

teeth

406,408, and410 move into thealignment track404, a longitudinal axis of the bite-piece402 becomes coincident with a tooth-line as illustrated inFIG. 1C at144. As illustrated inFIG. 4, alignment with the rear molars is preferred in one embodiment and such alignment is illustrated inFIG. 1A andFIG. 1C.

FIG. 5 depicts bite-pieces according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 5 and 500, a bite piece is illustrated at502. Thebite piece502 is designed to contact several lower teeth, i.e.,508,510, and512 and oneupper tooth506. Theupper tooth506 contacts a raisedportion504 of the bite-piece502. Clenched between a user's teeth as illustrated in500 the bite-piece provides a platform that is used to align a fluid delivery tube as illustrated in the previous figures. Such a design can be useful when it is desirable to obtain alignment from a lower row of teeth and to remove contact from particular upper teeth.

With reference to550 inFIG. 5, abite piece552 is illustrated in contact withupper teeth558,560, and562 on the upper surface of the bite-piece. Thebite piece552 is designed to contact several upper teeth, i.e.,558,560, and562 and onelower tooth556. Thelower tooth556 contacts a raisedportion554 of the bite-piece552. Clenched between a user's teeth as illustrated in550, the bite-piece provides a platform that is used to align a fluid delivery tube as illustrated in the previous figures. Such a design can be useful when it is desirable to obtain alignment from an upper row of teeth and to remove contact from particular lower teeth.

FIG. 6 illustrates, generally at600, a system for treating a person's tonsil(s) according to embodiments of the invention. With reference toFIG. 6, the system includes afluid reservoir662 containing a supply of fluid. Aflexible tube652 connects thefluid reservoir662 to afluid delivery tube622. Ahandle642 enlarges the diameter of thefluid delivery tube622 to provide a surface with which a user can move afluid delivery head624 proximate to a tonsil and other structures of interest as described above. Thefluid delivery tube622 can translate relative to a bite-piece620 as indicated by anarrow618.

A diameter of thefluid delivery tube622 increases at apoint623 to provide a limit on the translation of thefluid delivery tube622 relative to the bite-piece618. Limiting the translation of thefluid delivery tube622 helps to keep thefluid delivery head624 proximate to the user's tonsil and other structures of interest.

Thefluid delivery head624 terminates in abumper626. Thebumper626 and thefluid delivery head624 have rounded surfaces without sharp angles. This is done to minimize any choking sensation and to help further suppress the gag reflex.

The end of thefluid delivery head624 has alocation670 configured to receive an attachment such as abrush attachment672, aswab attachment674, and arubber attachment676. Attachments are used in various embodiments to manipulate the surface of the tonsil Front Pillar, Rear Pillar, throat area, etc. as described above.

FIG. 7 illustrates, generally at700, processes for treating a tonsil and/or related structures. With reference toFIG. 7, a method commences at ablock702. At ablock704, a user applies a biting force to a bite-piece, clenching the bite-piece in the user's teeth. The biting force suppresses a gag reflex in the user. At ablock706, the user's tonsil and/or related structures are treated. Related structures include, but are not limited to, a tonsil(s), a front Pillar(s), a Rear Pillar(s), the Throat, the Tongue, etc. Fluid is sprayed on the tonsil and/or related structures at ablock708. A tonsil and/or related structures are manipulated at ablock710. At ablock712 debris is removed from the tonsil and/or related structures. The process ends at ablock714.

FIG. 8 illustrates, generally at800, a process for combating Tonsillitis. With reference toFIG. 8, a process commences at ablock802. At ablock804, the gag reflex in a person is suppressed. At ablock806, the user applies an antiseptic solution to his or her tonsils. The process at theblock806 is repeated once a day for approximately two weeks. Medical evidence suggests that cleaning tonsils may reduce the rate of recurrent Tonsillitis. The process ends at ablock808.

FIG. 9 illustrates, generally at900, locating a fluid delivery head proximate to a tonsil. With reference toFIG. 9, a process commences at ablock902. At ablock904, a bite-piece is aligned with a user's teeth. At ablock906, a fluid delivery head is translated relative to the bite-piece until the fluid delivery head is proximate to the tonsil. The process ends at ablock908.

For purposes of discussing and understanding embodiments of the invention described herein, it is to be understood that various terms are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe techniques and approaches.

Furthermore, in this description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention presented. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the invention described.

As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or similar phrases mean that the feature(s) being described is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. References to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive. Nor does “one embodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment of the invention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in “one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, the invention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a bite-piece, the bite piece has a longitudinal axis and the bite-piece is configured to be clenched between at least one upper side tooth and at least one lower side tooth within a user's mouth; and

a fluid delivery tube, the fluid delivery tube is slidingly engaged with the bite-piece, the fluid delivery tube is configured to direct a flow of water onto a tonsil and to wash debris from the tonsil.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the bite-piece further comprising:

an alignment groove, the alignment groove extends along the longitudinal axis such that when the bite-piece is clenched between the at least one upper side tooth and the at least one lower side tooth the longitudinal axis becomes coincident with a tooth line.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the alignment groove is a concavity within a surface of the bite-piece.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis makes an acute angle with the tooth line.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid delivery tube functions as a support for a handle.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid delivery tube further comprising:

a head, the head contains a plurality of holes configured for water to pass through and to direct water onto a tonsil when the bite-piece is clenched between the at least one upper side tooth and the at least one lower side tooth.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a gag reflex is suppressed when the bite-piece is clenched between the at least one upper side tooth and the at least one lower side tooth.

8. A method comprising:

applying a biting force to a bite-piece, the biting force is applied by a user's teeth, wherein the bite-piece is held inside of the user's mouth and a gag reflex is suppressed by the applying; and

spraying fluid onto a tonsil during the applying, wherein fluid flows through a fluid delivery tube and out of a fluid delivery head during the spraying.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the spraying sprays fluid on both tonsils substantially simultaneously.

10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the biting force is applied with a plurality of lower teeth.

11. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the biting force is applied with a plurality of upper teeth.

12. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

aligning a longitudinal axis of the bite-piece relative to a tooth-line during the applying in order to locate the tonsil for the spraying.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the bite-piece is slidingly engaged with the fluid delivery tube and the aligning permits the fluid delivery tube to spray fluid onto to the tonsil.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the fluid delivery tube can spray fluid substantially simultaneously onto both tonsils.

15. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

rubbing the tonsil with an end of the fluid delivery tube, wherein the rubbing can clean debris from the tonsil while a gag reflex is suppressed by the applying.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a bite-piece, the bite-piece has a longitudinal axis, and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, at least one of the substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces includes a concavity extending along the longitudinal axis, the bite-piece is configured to be clenched between a user's teeth and as the user applies biting pressure to the bite-piece on the substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, the concavity causes the longitudinal axis of the bite-piece to become substantially parallel with a tooth line of the user's teeth; and

a fluid delivery tube, the fluid delivery tube having a first end and a second end, the first end is sized to be grasped by the user external to the user's mouth and the first end is configured to receive fluid, the second end is sized to be located within the mouth and to spray fluid onto the tonsil and the fluid delivery tube is configured to translate through the bite-piece.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the fluid delivery tube is slidingly engaged with the bite-piece.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the fluid delivery tube is rotatably engaged with the bite-piece.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising:

a cleaning head, the cleaning head has a longitudinal axis, the cleaning head is releasably coupleable to the second end and the longitudinal axis of the cleaning head forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the fluid delivery tube.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the cleaning head has an end that can make contact with the user and the end has a radius of curvature.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein the cleaning head is selected from the group consisting of a brush attachment, a cotton swab attachment, and a rubber attachment.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the second end further comprises a plurality of holes configured to allow fluid to pass through.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the second end has a rounded shape to minimize excitation of a gag reflex within the user.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of water and an antiseptic solution.