Multi-function electric brush apparatus and systems useful for cleaning teeth and interdental spaces

Abstract

A powered dental and interdental cleaning tool may include a body, an interdental cleaning member, and a drive member. The drive member may extend from the body at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. The drive member may be connected to the interdental cleaning member. A neck may extend from the body and define a drive member shaft for containing and supporting the drive member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A powered dental and interdental cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a body comprising a first end and a second end;   a head comprising a first brush assembly and a second brush assembly, the second brush assembly comprising an interdental cleaning member;   a flexible drive member extending from the first end of the body at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body, the drive member connected to the interdental cleaning member and configured to cause the interdental cleaning member to pulse and rotate; and   a neck comprising a first end and a second end, the neck extending from the first end of the body at the first end of the neck, and the neck defining a drive member shaft that contains the drive member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the drive member further comprising the drive member configured to cause the first brush assembly to rotate in a first direction, the drive member configured to cause the second brush assembly to pulse in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first brush assembly further comprises:
 a plurality of bristle tufts disposed to form a ring that surrounds the second brush assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second brush assembly further comprises:
 a central bristle tuft.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first brush assembly further comprises:
 a first brush assembly support configured to support the plurality of bristle tufts.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second brush assembly further comprises a second brush assembly support configured to support the central bristle tuft. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a flexible wire. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member comprises a flexible metal shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member extends from the body at an angle of about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A brush assembly, comprising:
 an outer brush forming a ring that defines a central opening; and
 an interdental cleaning member surrounded by the outer brush, wherein 
   the outer brush and the interdental cleaning member are configured and arranged to enable the interdental cleaning member to reciprocate and rotate axially through the opening.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an outer brush support; and   an interdental cleaning member support, the outer brush support being configured to contact the interdental cleaning member to cause the interdental cleaning member to rotate by the outer brush support.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the interdental cleaning member support is configured to move the interdental cleaning member in a first direction toward a position such that the interdental cleaning member extends 5 millimeters beyond an operable surface of the outer brush. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the interdental cleaning member support is configured to move the interdental cleaning member in a first direction toward a position such that the interdental cleaning member extends beyond an operable surface of the outer brush. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the outer brush support is configured to rotate the outer brush and the interdental cleaning member is configured to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of rotation of the outer brush. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the interdental cleaning member comprises a central bristle tuft. 
     
     
         16 . A powered dental and interdental cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 an outer brush forming a ring that defines a central opening;
 an interdental cleaning member surrounded by the outer brush, wherein the outer brush and the interdental cleaning member are configured and arranged to enable the interdental cleaning member to reciprocate axially through the opening; 
   a drive assembly configured to rotate the outer brush and concurrently cause pulsing movement of the interdental cleaning member; and   an electric motor, the motor powering the drive assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a body containing the drive assembly and a brush assembly, wherein the brush assembly comprises the outer brush and the interdental cleaning member.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the drive assembly further comprises the drive member extending from a first end of a body at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the drive member is connected to the interdental cleaning member and the outer brush to rotate the outer brush and cause the interdental cleaning member to move axially. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , motor further comprising a variable speed motor connected to and configured to drive the drive member, wherein the drive member extends from the body at an angle of about 20 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an offset connecting member; and   a ball and socket assembly, the drive member being directly connected to the offset connecting member, the offset connecting member being connected to the ball and socket assembly.