Electric toothbrush with controlled suction and irrigation

Abstract

An electric toothbrush is provided for use by an operator. The electric toothbrush comprises a head including a plurality of bristles and at least one suction port, a handle coupled to the head, and a connector in fluid communication with the at least one suction port. The connector is configured to evacuate oral waste suctioned by the at least one suction port. The handle includes a user interface and a controller. The user interface is configured to receive feedback from the operator, and the controller is configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the bristles in response to the feedback from the operator through the user interface.

1 . An electric toothbrush for use by an operator, the electric toothbrush comprising:
 a head including a plurality of bristles and at least one suction port;   a handle coupled to the head, the handle including:
 a user interface configured to receive feedback from the operator, and 
 a controller configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the bristles in response to the feedback from the operator through the user interface; and 
   a connector in fluid communication with the at least one suction port and configured to evacuate oral waste suctioned by the at least one suction port.   
     
     
         2 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to be coupled to external tubing that receives the oral waste evacuated from the connector. 
     
     
         3 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the head is removably coupled to the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a button connected to the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 4 , wherein the button is an on-off switch. 
     
     
         6 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 4 , wherein the feedback includes the operator pressing the button. 
     
     
         7 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1  and further comprising a tongue scraper located along a rear surface of the head. 
     
     
         8 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is located adjacent a bottom end of the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 8  and further comprising internal tubing routed from the connector through the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction port is located along a side surface of the head. 
     
     
         11 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one suction port includes three suctions ports located around the side surface of the head. 
     
     
         12 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1  and further comprising a post that couples the head to the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the post is integral with the head and includes a tapered portion adjacent the handle. 
     
     
         14 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 12 , wherein the post includes an internal hollow channel. 
     
     
         15 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a removable cover. 
     
     
         16 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the head in response to the feedback from the operator through the user interface. 
     
     
         17 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the head further comprises at least one port configured to instill a fluid from the head. 
     
     
         18 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a power source configured to power the controller. 
     
     
         19 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 18 , wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         20 . The electric toothbrush of  claim 19 , wherein the handle is configured to be plugged into a charging dock to charge the rechargeable battery.