WO2009031396A1

WO2009031396A1 - Interdental brush

Info

Publication number: WO2009031396A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/064612
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shigeki Kamimura
Original assignee: Shigeki Kamimura
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2008-08-08
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: JP2009056254A; JP4108735B1

Abstract

Intended is to enable an angle-type interdental brush having a handle bent for supporting a brush member on its leading end side, to exhibit an excellent cleaning capacity while retaining the durability. The angle-type interdental brush (1A) comprises a connector (2), a handle (3A) extended from the leading end side of the connector (2) and made of a wire metal of an ultra-elastic alloy at least in its leading end side, and a brush member (5) supported on the leading end side of the handle (3A), and the handle (3A) is bent halfway. The handle (3A) includes a base tube portion (30) made of a tube member (300) of a metal other than the ultra-elastic alloy and constituting a predetermined range from the root end, and an elastically deformed portion (31) having an exposed rectangular wire rod (310) of an ultra-elastic alloy extended to have its root end side inserted into the leading end side of the tube member (300), for supporting the brush member (5) elastically at its leading end side. At a predetermined position of the portion, into which the wire rod (310) is inserted, of the base tube portion (30), moreover, the tube member (300) is elastically deformed at a predetermined angle together with the wire rod (310). As a result, the root end side of the wire rod (310) is caulked and fixed, while forming an angle, by the inner face of the bent portion of the tube member (300) so that it cannot be pulled out.

Description

Memo book Interdental brush Technical field

The present invention relates to an interdental brush for cleaning dirt on teeth, and in particular, a so-called andal interdental interstitial body in which a handle made of a linear member that supports the brush body on the tip side is bent halfway. Regarding brushes. · Background technology

The plaque and grime collected on the adjacent tooth surfaces are difficult to remove completely with just a regular toothbrush cleaning. Thus, it is becoming more and more common to easily clean teeth using an interdental brush that has a thin brush body that can be inserted between teeth and is more compact and less bulky than a toothbrush.

This interdental brush supports a brush body, which is made of a thin cylindrical column with bristles between wires twisted in a hook shape, supported by a handle made of a linear member, and is connected to the handle by the connecting body on the base end side. It is known that they are used in connection with each other, and it is usual that a core wire formed by twisting a wire is extended as it is to form a handle.

The handle is preferably provided with a predetermined elasticity and flexibility from the viewpoint of avoiding gingival damage and facilitating cleaning around the teeth. Yes. However, the interdental brush not only moves back and forth along the axial direction but also often brushes in a direction different from the axial direction, so a relatively large bending force is applied to the handle. It was easy to cause plastic deformation, and repeating this return to the original bending easily caused insufficient strength and breakage due to metal fatigue.

In response to this problem, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-9 5 3 2 2 discloses in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-7 0 8 1 2 that the handle that supports the brush body exhibits superelasticity at room temperature. A material using an elastic alloy has been proposed. This superelastic alloy is an alloy that exhibits a superelasticity by having a composition that can exhibit a martensitic transformation as represented by, for example, a Ti 1 Ni alloy.

That is, the superelastic alloy has the property of returning to the original state like rubber with reverse transformation by unloading even if it is deformed to a large strain region exceeding normal elastic strain at room temperature. For this reason, by using it as a handle for the interdental brush, it deforms flexibly according to the surface shape of the teeth, and even if it is greatly deformed, it will return to its original shape accurately, making it difficult to cause metal fatigue. It exhibits durability and can be expected to have excellent cleaning efficiency.

On the other hand, when cleaning the oral cavity using an interdental brush, a straight handle is sufficient for the front teeth, but when cleaning the back teeth, it is inserted between the teeth from the side. A handle in which a handle made of a linear metal is provided in a bent direction with respect to the central axis extension line of the handle means is easy to use. Therefore, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2 0 0 7-2 9 1 6 4 and shown in FIG. Connect the handle 3 C made of a short steel wire that supports the body 5 in a direction that is bent 45 ° or more with respect to the central axis extension of the handle 9 ′ A fixed angle type interdental brush 1 C is also used It became so.

The interdental brush 1 C having such an angle performs an excellent function in cleaning the back teeth, but is actually used for cleaning the front teeth as it is. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the brush body 5 is used in a substantially horizontal state, so that it is bent around the handle body 3 C, which is a connection portion between the handle 9 and the brush body 5. used.

In addition, as shown in the schematic view of the occlusal surface of the maxillary anterior teeth in Fig. 8 (A), there is generally a drum-shaped gap between the teeth, and dirt is likely to accumulate between the teeth and cleaning is performed. If the interdental brush 1 C is used to clean the interdental space with the brush body 5 inserted at an angle as shown in Fig. 7 (B), the Fig. 8 (B It is necessary to brush at an angle as shown in).

However, in actual cleaning, the bundle 9 is often moved in parallel as shown in Fig. 8 (C), and brushing is often performed. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8 (D), the bent portion of the handle 3C is bent. The tip side of the brush body 5 is swung horizontally about 180.degree. As a result, a force in the torque direction is concentrated on the bent portion of the handle 3C and the fixed portion to the handle 9, and this portion breaks in a relatively short period of time due to torsional deformation. The usable period of the interdental brush is very short.

To solve this problem, the handle 3 C of the angle-type interdental brush 1 C is made of a superelastic alloy. However, when this is used for cleaning the front teeth, as described above, not only the force in the bending direction but also a large force in the torsional direction is applied to the connection part between the handle 9 and the handle 3C. Since it is intensively applied, even if it exerts a buffering action due to superelasticity, it will fall off at the connection part in a relatively short period of time, and the durability cannot be ensured sufficiently.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2 0 2 -1 7 7 3 0 4 also discloses a head member that is detachably attached to a connecting portion and molded into a two-dimensional or three-dimensional bent shape with respect to the main body longitudinal direction. A slider formed of an elastic synthetic resin or metal so as to pass through the head member and having a joint mechanism for joining to the crank wheel at one end, and a metal twisted wire at the other end of the slider Describes an angle-type interdental brush formed by inserting a brush body to which a synthetic fiber is screwed.

However, the interdental brush presented in this publication is intended to enable automatic and efficient cleaning of the interdental part, and a slider that elastically supports the brush body It is only slightly exposed from the tip of the head part formed by a molded part with poor elastic deformability to ensure the operation of the Biston motion, avoiding gingival damage to the brush body, Since there is no viewpoint to ensure the elastic force and flexibility necessary for easy cleaning to the surroundings, there is no need to use a super-elastic alloy for the slider.

In addition, this interdental brush does not require the end of the slider to be connected and fixed by simple means, and the base end of the slider that passes through the head member is the It is fixed by a joint mechanism for joining to the crank wheel, but it is intended to ensure the smooth biston movement of the slider and automatically and efficiently clean the interdental area. It is not intended to enable excellent cleaning performance while ensuring the durability of the brush. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the durability of an angle-type interdental brush provided with a bent handle that supports the brush body at the tip end side is improved. The challenge is to be able to demonstrate excellent cleaning performance while ensuring it.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a connecting body having a connecting recess for connecting to the handle means side, and a handle made of a linear metal made of superelastic metal and extending from the leading end side of the connecting body. And an approximately columnar brush body supported on the tip end side of the handle body, the handle body extending along the central axis extension line of the connecting body and bent at a predetermined angle in the middle In the interdental brush, the handle body is made of a metal tube material that is not a superelastic metal, and extends in a state where the proximal end side is inserted into the distal end side of the base tube portion that forms a predetermined range from the proximal end. And an elastically deformable portion made of a superelastic alloy that elastically supports the brush body on the distal end side and forming an exposed portion in which a square wire rod can be elastically deformed, and the wire rod of the base tube portion The pipe material together with the wire rod at the predetermined position of the inserted part at a predetermined angle Ri by the fact that is plastically deformed while being music, solid caulking radical end of the wire while forming the angles at the bending portion inner surface of the tube It is defined that it cannot be removed.

In this way, in the angle-type interdental brush, the predetermined range on the tip side from the bending position of the handle is made of a superelastic alloy wire rod having excellent elasticity, and is provided with an elastic deformation portion. Although it is possible to demonstrate high cleaning ability while making the handle body less susceptible to metal fatigue, high rigidity is ensured from the fixed position to the bent portion of the handle body where a large force in the torsional direction is applied. It is possible to sufficiently secure the strength of this part by configuring it with easy-to-use pipe materials, and mechanically firmly fix super elastic alloy wires that are difficult to bond and fix by bending the pipe material with the internal wires. It will be possible.

In addition, a cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the superelastic alloy wire with a plane perpendicular to the central axis thereof is a polygon having a side having a length of one-half or more of the major axis of the cross-section. As a result, the inner peripheral surface comes into pressure contact with the outer peripheral flat portion of the inserted wire due to crushing deformation of the tube material at the bent position, and the edge of the square wire becomes effective, so the wire cannot rotate within the tube material. In order to minimize shaking and rotation in the torsional direction, an accurate support position of the brush body is ensured and the operability is extremely high, and the wire rod is difficult to be removed from the pipe material. Become. In this case, if the cross-sectional shape is a square, it is difficult to remove and secure the strength of the wire while ensuring the anti-rotation function.

Further, in the interdental brush described above, the brush body has a proximal end side of the core wire which is the central portion thereof inserted in the distal end side of the second pipe material different from the above-mentioned pipe material, The proximal end side is inserted with the distal end side of the wire, and this wire is in contact with the brush body. And the base end side of the pipe material is opened in the connecting concave portion of the connecting body, and the portion where the wire is exposed between the base pipe portion and the front pipe portion is formed. By covering the inner and outer air / liquid tightly with a resin tube with a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the wire, a communication path is formed from the connecting recess of the connecting body to the base end side of the brush body. If the cleaning liquid is jetted from the base end side of the plus body and the brush body is cleaned by connecting the syringe filled with the cleaning liquid to the connected body and pumping the cleaning liquid, By cleaning while cleaning the brush body, it is not necessary to carry out cleaning outside the oral cavity in order to remove dirt from the brush body.

Furthermore, in the above-described interdental brush, if the wire is made of a T i — Ni alloy, it will be easy to exhibit excellent superelasticity, and it will be easy to ensure durability and corrosion resistance. . In this case, if the predetermined range including the bent portion of the wire is preliminarily heated at a predetermined temperature so that it can be plastically deformed without exhibiting superelasticity, the wire is plastically deformed together with the tube by bending. It will be difficult to pull out from the wire, and the connection of the wire to the tube material and the maintenance of the fixed state will be ensured.

In addition, the interdental brush described above has a straight and tubular cap body as a separate body for storing and protecting at least the portion from the handle body, and the elastic deformation portion of the handle body is elastic. If it is characterized by being deformed to fit inside the cap body, it becomes a single bar as a whole. By storing the tip from the handle with the angle into the cap body, it has the angle. Even interdental brushes are less bulky and convenient to carry. In this case, it is assumed that the cap body has a connecting projection for connecting to the connecting recess of the connecting body on the front end side, and the cap body is also used as a handle means by connecting to the connecting body. For example, it is possible to save the trouble of separately preparing and carrying the handle means.

In addition, in the above-described interdental brush, the connecting body has a structure in which the connecting concave portion can be connected to the connecting convex portion of the electric toothbrush main body driving portion serving as the handle means, and thus the electric vibration is assumed. In addition to being able to demonstrate higher cleaning ability, the elastically deformable part with excellent elasticity and flexibility exerts a buffering action, resulting in damage to teeth and gums. It is easy to ensure the durability while avoiding the above. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 (A) is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention, a partially enlarged partial view, (B) is an end view taken along line X—X of (A), and (C) is (A) FIG. 6 is an end view taken along line Y—Y.

Fig. 2 (A) is a front view showing a state where the interdental brush of Fig. 1 (A) is housed in a cap body, and (B) is a front view showing a state where the cap body of (A) is removed from the interdental brush. It is.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the interdental brush coupling body is coupled to the coupling convex portion of the cap body of FIG. 2 (A).

Fig. 4 shows the interdental brush shown in Fig. 1 (A) connected to the drive unit of the electric toothbrush body. FIG.

Fig. 5 (A) is a front view showing an application example of the interdental brush of Fig. 1 (A), (B) is of (A); end view cut along X-X line, (C) is ( It is an end view taken along line Y—Y in A).

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state where the interdental brush of FIG. 5 (A) is connected to a syringe.

FIG. 7 (A) is a front view showing a conventional example, and (B) is a front view showing a case where the interdental brush of (A) is used for the front teeth.

Fig. 8 (A) is a schematic diagram showing the interdental state based on the occlusal view of the maxillary anterior teeth, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the case where the interdental space shown in (A) is cleaned with the interdental brush in Fig. 7 (A). , (C) is a schematic diagram showing the case where the interdental tooth shown in (A) is actually cleaned with the interdental brush in Fig. 7 (A), and (D) is the brush body and handle in the case of (C). It is a schematic diagram showing operation. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an interdental brush 1 A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the front view of FIG. 1 (A), the interdental brush 1A is separate from the handle means for gripping by hand, and is connected to the connecting projection of the handle means (not shown). A connecting body 2 having a substantially cylindrical shape with an opening of a connecting recess 20 on the base end surface side, and a handle 3A extending from the front end surface of the connecting body 2 so that the brush body 5 It is something that supports The handle 3A is made of a metal tube material 300, such as a stainless steel wire, which is embedded in the distal end portion of the connector 2 and bonded and fixed with an adhesive 21. The handle 3A has a predetermined rigidity. A base tube portion 30, a tip tube portion 3 2 made of metal tube material 30, which inserts and fixes the proximal end of the core wire 50, which is the central portion of the brush body 5, from the distal end side, and a base tube portion 30 0 tube material 3 0 0 The proximal end is inserted at a predetermined depth from the opening end and the distal end side is inserted into the tube 3 2 0 tube member 3 2 0 proximal end opening end to elastically support the brush body 5 And an elastically deformable portion 31 composed of a superelastic alloy wire 3 10.

The base tube portion 30 constituting about half of the base end side of the handle 3A is extended along the central axis of the coupling body 2 together with the wire 3 10 at a predetermined position where the wire 3 1 0 is inserted. It is bent at an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the wire (the center axis extension line of the handle means), forms an angle at this bent position, and removes the wire 3 1 0 from the tube 3 0 0. Connection is impossible. · Secured.

By adopting such a configuration of the base tube 30, the angle-type interdental brush secures the fixing force of the joint portion with the connector 2 to which a force in the torsional direction is easily applied, and from the joint portion to the bent portion. The strength up to can be ensured. In addition, superelastic alloy wires are usually difficult to bond and fix, but the wires 3 10 are fixed by caulking mechanically due to the collapse of the tube 3 0 at the bent part, so that they can be connected securely and securely. Has been.

Further, since the tube portion 300 of the base tube portion 30 is open without being crushed and has a sleeve shape up to the bent portion, the effective length of the wire rod 3 10 with respect to the torsional force is this sleeve. The inner part will also be added. Therefore, this sleeve-like part By adjusting the length of the minute, the distance from the bent part of the pipe material 300 to the opening part is changed without changing the effective length of the wire material 30 to torsional force. The spring constant) can be easily adjusted.

On the other hand, in the brush body 5 formed by burning two wires in a bound shape to form a core wire 50 with a bristle material such as nylon sandwiched between them, the base end side of the core wire 50 is described above. It is inserted and fixed to the distal end side of the second pipe member 3 20 different from the tube member 3 0. In addition, a wire rod 3 10 having a proximal end inserted and fixed to the distal end side of the tube member 300 of the base tube portion 30 is inserted into the proximal end side of the tube member 30.

That is, this pipe material 3 20 constitutes the front pipe part 3 2 which is the tip side part of the handle 3 A. As shown in the longitudinal sectional view in a circle partially enlarged of the front pipe part 3 2. In addition, the portion where the core wire 50 base end side and the wire rod 3 10 tip side are inserted is squeezed in a caulking manner, and is mechanically fixed and connected.

And, this wire 3 1 0 constitutes the elastic deformation part 3 1 at the part exposed to the outside between the pipes 3 0 0 and 3 2 0, and this part exhibits the super elastic deformation action. The feature of the present invention is that the brush body 5 is elastically and flexibly supported. As a superelastic alloy forming this wire rod 3 10, it is difficult to cause metal fatigue and corrosion while exhibiting superelasticity under normal temperature and intraoral temperature (body temperature). i alloys are preferred.

Furthermore, this superelastic alloy wire 3 10 is perpendicular to its central axis as shown in FIG. 1 (B), which is an enlarged end view taken along the line X—X in FIG. 1 (A). A polygonal shape in which the cut cross-section has at least one-half of its major axis Another feature is that a square wire is used. Such polygons are assumed to be regular triangles, regular squares (squares), regular pentagons, regular hexagons, etc., but regular polygons as shown in the figure from the viewpoint of ease of creation and deformation symmetry Is preferred. With the interdental brush 1 A having such a configuration, it is bent together with the tube material 300 as shown in FIG. 1 (C), which is an enlarged end view along the line Y—Y in FIG. 1 (A). At the bent part where the angle is provided, the edge of the square wire is effective by abutting and crimping on the flat surface of the wire 3 10 at the crushed inner peripheral surface of the tube 3 1 0. The movement of the direction of rotation is regulated.

Therefore, it is possible to support the brush body 5 at an accurate position by minimizing the shake and rotation in the twisting direction of the fixing portion of the wire rod 3 10 which is likely to be a problem in the angle type interdental brush. In addition, the polygon of this cross section does not necessarily need to be an exact regular polygon as long as the above-mentioned effect is exerted, and the corner may be slightly chamfered or rounded.

Fig. 2 (A) is a straight-type tubular cap body 7 that is assumed to be attached to the interdental brush 1A of the present embodiment, and the part from the middle of the connecting body 2 is housed in the straight cap body 7. It is a front view which shows the state which carried out. In this case, if an ordinary steel wire used for the handle is stored in a straight cap body, the handle may be plastically deformed, causing the angle to go wrong or causing metal fatigue in this part. It becomes a problem.

However, in the interdental brush 1A of the present embodiment, the elastically deformable portion 3 1 is constituted by the superelastic alloy wire 3 1 0 within the predetermined range of the central portion of the handle 3A, and is deformed as shown in the figure. Even if it is stored in the cap body 7 and made into a single rod as a whole, when it is removed from the cap 7, the original accurate angle as shown in Fig. 2 (B) is reproduced.

As described above, the brush body 5 and the handle 3A, which are fine and easily deformed as described above, and the handle made of a thin linear metal as an effect of storing the brush body 5 and the handle 3A in the straight cap body 7 are provided. 3 In addition to protecting A, the bulky andal interdental brush 1 A is stored in a straight bar shape as shown in Fig. 2 (A) and stored as a bulky object. Sometimes. In addition to this, the brush body 5 is difficult to insert between the teeth in the dry state. When the brush body 5 is previously wetted with a predetermined liquid component, the brush body 5 is kept airtight in the cap body 7 and dried. It is also possible to prevent this.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the cap body 7 of FIG. 2 (A) is used as the handle means for the interdental brush 1A of the present embodiment. On the distal end side of the cap body 7, there is provided a connecting projection 71 for inserting and connecting to the connecting recess 20 of the connecting body 2, and a handle means for gripping by hand when cleaning the teeth. To ask.

Then, remove the cap body 7 from the storage and carrying state in the cap body 7 shown in FIG. 2 (A), and connect the connecting projection 71 to the connection body 2 as shown in FIG. By inserting and connecting and fixing in the recess 20 for use, it can be held and cleaned by hand. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare and store the handle means separately or carry it. FIG. 4 shows a case where the interdental brush 1 A of the present embodiment is used by being connected to the connecting convex portion 81 of the electric toothbrush main body drive unit 80. The electric toothbrush main body drive unit 80 may be a sonic toothbrush that generates longitudinal sonic vibration at the connecting convex part 81, or may generate relatively low-frequency lateral vibration. Force By transmitting the electrically generated vibration from the connecting convex part 81 to the brush body 5, it is possible to exhibit a better cleaning ability.

When an interdental brush is connected to this electric toothbrush body drive unit 80, if the handle is made of a general steel wire and has insufficient elastic deformability, use it carelessly. As a result, the teeth and gums may be damaged, and the brush body and handle may bend and break, causing problems with durability. However, in the present embodiment, since the elastic deformation part 31 made of a superelastic alloy is interposed between the base tube part 30 and the tip tube part 32, excessive force is absorbed by the superelastic deformation action. Further, since the brush body 5 on the distal end side is flexibly deformed so as to be in close contact with the tooth surface shape, sufficient cleaning ability can be exhibited.

5 and 6 show an interdental brush 1B as an application example of the interdental brush 1A. Referring to FIG. 5 (A), the interdental brush 1B has the same basic configuration as the interdental brush 1A of FIG. 1 (A), but is an elastically deformed portion where the wire rod 3 1 0 is exposed. The outer periphery of 3 1 is completely covered with a resin tube 90 with a predetermined gap, and the inside and outside of this part are in an air / liquid tight state, and a syringe filled with cleaning water is connected to connector 2 It is characterized in that the wash water can be ejected from the 5 base end sides of the brush body. The resin tube 90 may be a soft, heat-shrinkable tube whose inner diameter shrinks when heated. The interdental brush 1 A brush body 5 shown in FIG. The resin tube 90 is formed by threading from the distal end side, stopping at a position where the distal end side slightly exceeds the bent portion of the base tube portion 30 and the proximal end side is in the middle of the distal tube portion 32, and heating at that position. Shrinking in the direction of diameter reduction, the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side and the proximal end side is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tube material 300, 320, and between the outer peripheral surface of the wire rod 3 1 0 of the elastic deformation part 3 1 A gap is formed in

As shown in FIG. 5 (B), which is an enlarged end view taken along the line X—X in FIG. 5 (A), the cross section of the wire 3 1 0 inserted into the tube 3 100 is a polygon. A moderate gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 (C), which is an enlarged end view taken along the line Y—Y in FIG. 5 (A), the core wire 50 of the brush body 5 that is crimped inside the front pipe portion 3 2 A gap is also formed between the inner surface of the tube member 30 and the inner surface of the pipe member 30. This is open at the base end side of the brush body 5.

On the other hand, the opening of the tube 300 on the top wall side of the connecting recess 20 of the connector 2 is exposed, and the inside of the connector 2 and the inside of the tube 300 are in communication with each other. A communication path that connects the inside of the connecting body 2 to the base end side of the brush body 5 is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, after inserting and connecting the connecting convex portion 10 0 1 having the injection port of the syringe 10 0 filled with the cleaning liquid into the connecting concave portion 20 of the connecting body 2, the plunger 1 0 2 is connected. The cleaning liquid is jetted from the base end side of the brush body 5 by pushing it with a finger and pumping the cleaning liquid so that the brush body 5 can be cleaned. In particular, in the present embodiment, a square wire having a square cross section is used for the wire 3 10, so that the outer peripheral side has a suitable length. As the cleaning fluid passage is formed, the delivery of the cleaning fluid is smooth.

In this way, by pushing the plunger 102 and cleaning the inside of the mouth while frequently washing the brush body 5, the interdental brush 1B is frequently taken out of the oral cavity to remove the dirt of the brush body 5, and the brush The effort to clean the body 5 can be saved, and the excellent cleaning ability can be continuously demonstrated. It should be noted that wetting the brush body 5 by jetting cleaning water from the base end side of the brush body 5 also has the advantage of making it easier to insert it between teeth. Example 1

Hereinafter, the interdental brush of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. In this embodiment, first, the same interdental brush 1 A shown in FIG. 1 (A) is prepared, and then the interdental brush 1B shown in FIG. 5 (A) is prepared. Each was actually used for cleaning teeth and its action and effect were confirmed.

(Manufacture of interdental brush) a, Connected body: length 18.00 mm, using the connecting part of the medical injection needle as it is, made of synthetic resin, b, tube material (base tube part): inner diameter 0.57mm, outer diameter 0.80mm, total length 19.00mm (exposed part 12.00mm, 2.50mm from tip to bent part), SUS 304, c, wire: 0.41mmX 0.4 lmmx 12.00mm (elastic deformation part 5.00 mm) T i— N i superelastic alloy

(Product name: G & H Super Elastic Wire, Square, G & H Wire Company), 700 to 800 on the base end side 5.00 mm (center is bent) Plasticization treatment by annealing, d, 2nd pipe material (tip pipe part): Inner diameter 0.5 7 mm, Outer diameter 80 mm, Total length 4.0 mm, Made of SUS 304, e, Brush body: Brush part 2.0 mm x 10.0 mm, Protruding core wire 2.0 mm,

(Result) As shown in Fig. 3, the cap body is connected and used as a handle means. As a result of cleaning the spaces between the teeth and around the teeth in the upper and lower dentitions, all teeth are damaged without damaging the gums with a single interdental brush. In the meantime, cleaning work was easily performed, and all dental plaque and food residue could be removed sufficiently visually. In addition, as a result of observing the shape of the handle, etc., after the work, no particular change was observed and no plastic deformation was confirmed. Furthermore, although the same operation as described above was performed 30 times using the same interdental brush, almost the same operation and effect were exhibited each time, and the pattern body was not deformed. For reference, the same configuration as this interdental brush was connected to the sonic toothbrush body and actually used. The applied vibration was a longitudinal vibration with an operating frequency of about 2 5 8 Hz, but it did not cause abnormal resonance at the tip of the angle, and it was sufficiently cleaned in a relatively short time without damaging the gums. I was able to.

On the other hand, for the same configuration as this interdental brush, the elastically deformed portion is covered with a heat-shrinkable resin tube, and the same interdental brush 1 B shown in Fig. 5 (A) is created and cleaned. The cleaning liquid was used while being appropriately ejected from the base end side of the brush body. As a result, it was not necessary to clean the brush body outside the oral cavity, and sufficient and efficient cleaning was possible. In addition, since the passage of the cleaning liquid was confirmed by using a transparent resin tube, the cleaning operation was easy to carry out. Example 2

Using the interdental brush of the type shown in Fig. 1 (A) created in Example 1 and the angle-type interdental brush shown in Fig. 7 (A) as a comparative example, the torque (torsion) direction to the handle Durability was tested and compared.

(Control example): Product name Prospec (registered trademark) Interdental brush, Angle type, Size S SS, Pattern diameter 0.4 mm

(Test method): As in Fig. 7 (B), fix the tip of the brush body in a bent state around the handle body so that the center axis of the brush body matches the center axis extension of the handle or connected body. As shown in Fig. 8 (D), grip the handle or connecting body with your hand and translate it left and right so that the tip of the brush body turns about 180 ° to the left and right around the handle. The number of reciprocations until the connecting part of the body broke was counted.

(Number of specimens): 1 0 each

(Results) The interdental brush of the control example was broken by 15 to 20 reciprocations, whereas the interdental brush of this example was not broken even by 100 reciprocations.

(Consideration) From the above results, it was confirmed that the elastic deformation portion by the superelastic alloy wire rod supported the brush body elastically and flexibly during the cleaning of the teeth in this example, and the elastic deformation portion was in the bending direction. In addition to elastically deforming not only in the torsional direction, it flexibly follows and deforms the tooth surface shape, making it possible to operate in any direction while keeping the brush body side face in close contact with the tooth surface Therefore, it can be evaluated that it exhibited an excellent cleaning function.

That is, in this embodiment, even when the brush body is strongly press-fitted, the elastic deformation portion is not It is thought that it can be used multiple times by flexibly deforming, avoiding damage to the gums and teeth, reducing the load applied to the handle, and reducing its metal fatigue. In addition, from the result of the durability test, the connecting body side of the handle body to the bent part is composed of a relatively rigid tube, and a square wire made of superelastic alloy is mechanically fixed in a crimped manner at the bent part. As a result, when force in the torsional direction is applied at the angle of the handle, it exerts great strength at the connecting part of the wire to the handle and the fixed part of the handle to the connected object. It is considered that the breakage and drop-off of the steel were avoided.

From the results described above, by using the interdental brush created in this example, not only the normal interdental cleaning purpose, but also extremely excellent cleaning, for example, all-around cleaning after implant placement. It is expected that it will perform as well, and it is expected to make a significant contribution to improving the efficiency of maintenance work at the plant.

As described above, according to the present invention, an excellent cleaning ability while ensuring the durability of an angle-type interdental brush in which a handle supporting the brush body at the tip side is bent at a predetermined angle. Can now be demonstrated.

In particular, plaque bacteria are said to explosively increase about 8 hours after cleaning. Plaque control means are required to be ubiquitous anytime and anywhere. With conventional interdental brushes, Since the brush body was not washed, the bacteria simply moved in parallel, and the cleaning function was insufficient as a plaque control means. On the other hand, the type shown in Fig. 6 has ubiquitous properties by integrating cleaning functions in addition to excellent durability and portability. It has become possible to demonstrate an excellent cleaning function.

In addition, the interdental brush is required to have a high level of safety, and it cannot be denied that even a superelastic alloy wire breaks during use. On the other hand, in the type shown in FIG. 5 (A), the covering range of the resin tube described above is expanded to cover most of the base tube portion from the tip tube portion including a part of the brush body. Even if the wire constituting the elastically deformed part breaks, the previous part does not separate from it and the risk of accidental ingestion is avoided, so that sufficient safety is ensured. Industrial applicability

The interdental brush created in the present embodiment is not only used as a normal interdental brush, but can also be used in an implant maintenance operation such as cleaning the entire circumference after installation of an implant.

Claims

Scope of request A connection body having a connection recess for connection to the handle means side, a handle body extending from the front end side of the connection body and made of a linear metal made of superelastic alloy at least at the front end side, and A substantially cylindrical brush body supported on the tip end side of the handle, and the handle is extended along a central axis extension line of the connecting body and bent at a predetermined angle in the middle. In the angle-type interdental brush, the handle is made of a metal tube material that is not a superelastic alloy, and a base tube portion that constitutes a predetermined range from the proximal end, and the proximal end side is inserted into the distal end side of the tubular material An elastically deformable portion made of a superelastic alloy that elastically supports the brush body on the tip end side and is formed of an exposed portion that can be elastically deformed, and the base tube The pipe material is connected to the wire material at a predetermined position of the portion where the wire material is inserted. Both of them are plastically deformed in a state of being bent at a predetermined angle, so that the base end side of the wire rod is fixed in a caulking manner on the inner surface of the bent portion of the tube material while forming an angle, so that it cannot be removed. Interdental brush.

The wire is a square wire in which a cross-sectional shape cut by a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the wire is a polygon having a side having a length of one-half or more of the major axis of the cross-section. The interdental brush according to claim 1.

The interdental brush according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the wire is square. In the brush body, a proximal end side of a core wire is inserted into a distal end side of a second tubular member different from the tubular member, and a distal end side of the wire member is inserted into a proximal end side of the second tubular member. A front pipe part connected to the brush body, and a base end side of the pipe material is opened in a connection concave part of the connection body, and the base pipe part and the front pipe part The portion where the wire rod is exposed is covered with a resin tube in an air and liquid-tight state with a gap between the wire rod and the outer peripheral surface of the wire rod. A communication path is formed to the base end side, and a syringe filled with a cleaning liquid is connected to the connecting body, and the cleaning liquid is jetted from the brush body base end side by pumping the cleaning liquid, thereby cleaning the brush body. As described in claim 1, 2 or 3 Interdental brush.

The interdental brush described in claim 1, 2 or 3 has a straight and tubular cap body as a separate body for storing and protecting at least the tip portion from the handle body. An interdental brush characterized in that the elastically deforming portion is accommodated in the cap body in an elastically deformed state to form a single bar as a whole.

The interdental brush according to claim 4 has a straight and tubular cap body as a separate body for accommodating and protecting at least the portion from the handle body, and the elastic deformation portion. The intercostal brush is characterized in that, as a result of being elastically deformed, it fits into the cap body and becomes a single bar as a whole. The connecting body has a structure in which the connecting concave portion can be connected to a connecting convex portion of an electric toothbrush main body driving portion serving as the handle means, and can be used while applying electrical vibration. The interdental brush according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

The connecting body has a structure in which the connecting concave portion can be connected to a connecting convex portion of an electric toothbrush main body driving portion serving as the handle means, and can be used while applying electrical vibration. The interdental brush according to claim 4, characterized by the above.