I-Corps: Handheld electric toothbrush with built-in vacuum and a collection reservoir to reduce aspiration risk

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种内置吸力的动力牙刷，以减少刷牙时的误吸风险。儿童、老年人和NPO（无口腔吸入）患者在刷牙过程中有很高的误吸风险，这可能导致肺部感染。此外，人们已经认识到，吸吸装置可能会最大限度地减少口腔病原体的传播。目前旨在通过吸力降低吸入风险的产品体积庞大，要么是刷吸，要么是真空吸（但不能同时使用两者），并且有外部收集袋或使用真空吸线，这限制了使用。一体机便携式设备可能适合更广泛的使用。这个I-Corps项目的基础是开发一种用于牙齿清洁的设备，这是一种内置真空和收集器的手持电动牙刷。许多研究已经证实了电动牙刷的好处，同时也表明伴随的吸入物会导致肺部感染。在牙科诊所/住院服务之外，刷牙时使用吸尘器的问题尚未得到解决。所提出的设计使用带有孔的一次性头部，以便从口腔中排出液体。内置的泵和废物隔室区分使刷头同时清洁和吸入或设备内流体收集。本发明提供了一种多用途动力牙刷，将集成的高真空功能整合到（电池）动力牙刷中，在刷牙过程中有效去除唾液、碎屑和液体。清除这些潜在有害和传染性物质有助于预防与吸入有关的呼吸系统疾病，并可能减少通过气溶胶传播的疾病。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a powered toothbrush with built-in suction to decrease aspiration risk during brushing. Pediatric, geriatric, and NPO (nothing by mouth) patients are at high risk for aspiration during toothbrushing, which may cause lung infections. Additionally, it has been recognized that a suction device potentially may minimize the spread of oral pathogens. Current products that aim to reduce aspiration risk by suction are bulky, either brush or vacuum (but not both simultaneously) and have exterior collection bag or use vacuum suction lines, which limit the use. An all-in-one portable device may be suitable for broader use.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a device for use in dental cleaning that is a handheld electric toothbrush with built-in vacuum and a collection reservoir. Numerous studies have established the benefit of electric toothbrushing, and also have shown that concomitant aspirates cause lung infections. Using a vacuum while brushing has not been addressed outside of the dental clinic/in-patient services. The proposed design uses a disposable head with a hole to allow evacuation of fluids from the oral cavity. An in-built pump and waste compartment differentiate enable simultaneous brush head cleaning and suction or in-device fluid collection. This proposed device provides a multi-purpose power toothbrush incorporating an integrated high-vacuum functionality into a (battery) powered toothbrush, providing for effective removal of saliva, debris, and fluids during brushing. The removal of these potentially harmful and infectious materials aids in the prevention of aspiration-related respiratory disease and potentially may reduce disease transmittal through aerosols.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.