Interdental Brush with Nylon Yarn Strands

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a novel, twisted-in-wire type interproximal brush equipped with yarn strands. According to some embodiments, the yarn strands may be formed of nylon filament having compression memory characteristics.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An interproximal brush comprising:
 a brush head comprising at least one compressible strand of crinkled nylon filament yarn, each strand comprising a plurality of filaments,
 wherein the at least one compressible strand has compression memory characteristics; and 
   a twisted wire core comprising two intertwined wire portions,
 wherein the plurality of filaments are between the two intertwined wire portions, thereby creating an angled portion of the at least one compressible strand. 
   
     
     
         10 . The interproximal brush of  claim 9 , wherein the brush head further comprises at least one nylon monofilament bristle. 
     
     
         11 . The interproximal brush of  claim 9 , the angled portion of compressed filaments adjacent to the twisted wire core providing a scoring effect when used for cleaning interproximal spaces. 
     
     
         12 . The interproximal brush of  claim 9 , further comprising an ergolinear handle. 
     
     
         13 . The interproximal brush of  claim 12 , the ergolinear handle comprising a curved portion terminating at a handle end, wherein the twisted wire core is joined to the handle end. 
     
     
         14 . The interproximal brush of  claim 12 , the ergolinear handle comprising at least two curved portions configured for respective placement of a user's fingers. 
     
     
         15 . The interproximal brush of  claim 12 , the ergolinear handle comprising a first curved portion configured for placement of a forefinger, a second curved portion configured for placement of a thumb, and a third curved portion configured for placement of a middle finger, when held by a user. 
     
     
         16 . The interproximal brush of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand has hydrophilic characteristics. 
     
     
         17 . The interproximal brush of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand comprises at least one applied liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The interproximal brush of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one applied liquid comprises one or more of the following:
 a medication,   hydrogen peroxide, and   chlorhexidine.   
     
     
         19 . An interproximal brush comprising:
 a brush head comprising at least one nylon yarn strand, each strand comprising a plurality of filaments; and   a twisted wire core comprising two intertwined wire portions,
 wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand is clamped between the two intertwined wire portions, 
 wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand comprises crinkled nylon filament yarn, and 
 wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand has compression memory characteristics. 
   
     
     
         20 . The interproximal brush of  claim 19 , the angled portion of compressed filaments adjacent to the twisted wire core providing a scoring effect when used for cleaning interproximal spaces. 
     
     
         21 . The interproximal brush of  claim 19 , further comprising an ergolinear handle. 
     
     
         22 . The interproximal brush of  claim 21 , the ergolinear handle comprising a curved portion terminating at a handle end, wherein the twisted wire core is joined to the handle end. 
     
     
         23 . The interproximal brush of  claim 21 , the ergolinear handle comprising at least two curved portions configured for respective placement of a user's fingers. 
     
     
         24 . The interproximal brush of  claim 21 , the ergolinear handle comprising a first curved portion configured for placement of a forefinger, a second curved portion configured for placement of a thumb, and a third curved portion configured for placement of a middle finger, when held by a user. 
     
     
         25 . The interproximal brush of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand has hydrophilic characteristics. 
     
     
         26 . The interproximal brush of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one nylon yarn strand comprises at least one applied liquid. 
     
     
         27 . The interproximal brush of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one applied liquid comprises one or more of the following:
 a medication,   hydrogen peroxide, and   chlorhexidine.   
     
     
         28 . An interproximal brush comprising:
 a brush head comprising:
 at least one compressible strand of crinkled nylon filament yarn having compression memory characteristics, each compressible strand comprising a plurality of filaments, and 
 at least one monofilament bristle; and 
   a twisted wire core comprising two intertwined wire portions,
 wherein the at least one compressible strand of crinkled nylon filament yarn is clamped between the two intertwined wire portions, and 
 wherein the at least one monofilament bristle is clamped between the two intertwined wire portions.