Intraoral Light-Emitting Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, systems, kits and devices that emit light to the oral cavity. The device includes a light source; a power source in electrical communication with the light source; and a bite actuated switch in electrical communication with the power source and the light source. The device is a size or shape that fits within an oral cavity of an individual. Since the device along with the light and power source are self contained, the user have their hands-free and can perform other activities while using the device. The device, methods, systems, and kits, further include the use of an agent (e.g., antibacterial agents, tooth whitening agents, cleaning agents) that assists or enhances the efficacy of the light therapy.

1 ) An oral light emitting device, wherein the device comprises:
 a) a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity;   b) one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and   c) one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source,
 wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The oral light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surfaces of the oral cavity are selected from the group consisting of: the tongue, teeth, gums, a lingual surface, a buccal surface, a palatal surface, a facial surface and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 ) The oral light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is liquid proof. 
     
     
         4 ) The oral light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source and switch are encapsulated within the housing. 
     
     
         5 ) The oral light emitting device of  claim 1 , further including a bitewing that houses the bite actuated switch. 
     
     
         6 ) The oral light emitting device of  claim 1 , further including a timer. 
     
     
         7 ) A method for treating cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in an oral cavity of a user with a light emitting device wherein the device comprises a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from about 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source; wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual; and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2; wherein the method comprises:
 a) inserting the device into the user's oral cavity; and   b) biting down on the bite actuated switch, wherein when actuated, the device emits light to the oral cavity.   
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further includes applying or administering a photosensitizing compound to the lesion. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surfaces of the oral cavity are selected from the group consisting of: the tongue, teeth, gums, a lingual surface, a buccal surface, a palatal surface, a facial surface and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 ) A method for providing light to an oral cavity of a user with a light emitting device, wherein the device comprises a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source; wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2; wherein the method comprises:
 actuating a bite actuated switch,   wherein when actuated, the device emits light to the oral cavity.   
     
     
         11 ) A method for improving oral health with a light emitting device, wherein the device comprises a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source; wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2, the method comprises:
 a) inserting the device into the user's oral cavity;   b) biting down on the bite actuated switch, wherein when actuated, the device emits light to the oral cavity; and   c) administering one or more agents to the oral cavity, wherein the agent assists in treating cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions, eliminating bacteria, whitening teeth, improving halitosis, cleaning teeth, tongue or gums, or any combination thereof;
 wherein a reduction in one or more of the following occurs: a number of one or more bacteria; one or more symptoms associated with halitosis; the size in a cancerous or pre-cancerous lesion; and one or more symptoms associated with one or more gum conditions or diseases. 
   
     
     
         12 ) A method for whitening teeth with a light emitting device, wherein the device comprises a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source; wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2, the method comprises:
 a) applying at least one tooth whitening agent; 
 b) inserting the device into the user's oral cavity; and 
 c) biting down on the bite actuated switch, wherein when actuated, the device emits light to the oral cavity;
 wherein one or more teeth are whitened. 
 
 
     
     
         13 ) An oral light emitting system, wherein the system comprises:
 a) an oral light emitting device, wherein the device comprises:
 i) a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; 
 ii) one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and 
 iii) one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source; 
 wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2. 
   
     
     
         14 ) The oral light emitting system of  claim 13 , further including a device that recharges the power source. 
     
     
         15 ) The oral light emitting system of  claim 13 , further including an agent that assists in eliminating bacteria, treating cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions; whitening teeth, improving halitosis, cleaning teeth, tongue or gums, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 ) An oral light emitting kit, wherein the kit comprises:
 a) an oral light emitting device, wherein the device comprises:
 i) a housing including one or more light sources that emit a wavelength that ranges from 350 nm to about 700 nm, wherein the one or more light sources having a means for emitting focused light to one or more inner surfaces of the oral cavity; 
 ii) one or more power sources in electrical communication with the light source; and 
 iii) one or more bite actuated switches in electrical communication with the power source and the light source;
 wherein the housing is a size that fits within an oral cavity of an individual and the device emits a power density that ranges from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 200 mW/cm 2  and an energy fluence that ranges from about 0.1 Joules/cm 2  to about 1000 Joules/cm2; and 
 
   b) one or more agents that assist in eliminating bacteria, treating cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions; whitening teeth, improving halitosis, cleaning teeth, tongue or gums, or any combination thereof.