Biolase Technology, a dental laser company, has been granted a US patent for a teeth cleaning and whitening system that uses a toothbrush to emit electromagnetic energy combined with a dentifrice containing a photosensitive agent. According to Jeffrey W. Jones, president and CEO of Biolase Technology, the patent strengthens the company’s protection for a variety of consumer products either under consideration or already in development.
"Our overall business strategy includes pursuing the development of consumer products based upon our core technologies and related intellectual property portfolio," Jones said. "This patent and others that are pending add to our already solid position for future product development in this category."
The patent, No. 7,261,558, granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, contains device and method claims related to a cleaning and whitening system for teeth, comprised of a toothbrush having a cleaning surface that incorporates a source of electromagnetic radiation that focuses energy toward the cleaning surface during brushing to enhance cleaning of the teeth and a dentifrice that disperses a photosensitive agent including a whitening compound. The patent contains 147 claims, seven of which are independent.
