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

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种内置吸力的电动牙刷，以降低刷牙时的吸入风险。儿童、老年人和NPO(口腔无物)患者在刷牙过程中吸入的风险很高，这可能会导致肺部感染。此外，人们已经认识到，吸入装置可能会将口腔病原体的传播降至最低。目前旨在通过吸入降低吸入风险的产品都很笨重，要么是刷子，要么是吸尘器(但不能同时使用两者)，而且有外部收集袋或使用真空吸管，这限制了使用。一体式便携设备可能适合更广泛的用途。这个i-Corps项目是基于开发一种用于牙齿清洁的设备，这是一种内置真空和收集池的手持电动牙刷。许多研究已经证实了电动牙刷的好处，也表明伴随而来的吸气物会导致肺部感染。在牙科诊所/住院服务之外，在刷牙时使用吸尘器还没有得到解决。拟议的设计使用了一个带有孔的一次性头部，以允许从口腔中排出液体。内置的泵和废物室区分使刷头清洁和吸入或设备内流体收集能够同时进行。这款建议的设备提供了一种多功能电动牙刷，在(电池)供电的牙刷中集成了高真空功能，可在刷牙过程中有效地去除唾液、碎屑和液体。去除这些潜在的有害和传染性物质有助于预防与吸入相关的呼吸道疾病，并可能减少疾病通过气雾剂的传播。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.