An instrument for measuring toothbrushing force using PICmicrocontroller technology

摘要

This paper presents the design of a novel instrument for measuringtoothbrushing force applied through the bristle axis using anoff-the-shelf hollow-handled toothbrush. Dental clinicians require toprovide toothbrushing instruction to their patients and to advise themto avoid brushing forces that damage the teeth. This instrument enablesbrushing forces to be measured accurately. Digitised force measurementsare captured by a miniature microcontroller and transmitted to agraphics display using a 418 MHz radio transmitter. The adoption ofmodern microelectronic manufacturing has allowed the toothbrushelectronics and power supply to be integrated into the brush handle sothat clinical protocols may be conducted unimpeded by the measurementapparatus. A PC computer provides an online display of the force-timemeasurements during toothbrushing. The signal trace is then analysed toextract clinically relevant measurements which can be integrated into anelectronic patient records system