DISPOSABLE EDIBLE TOOTHPICK FOR ASTRONAUTS Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC A61C15/02 

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medical technology, namely, a disposable edible toothpick. Toothpick is made monolithic in the form of an elongated blade of white dental material and does not have an aggressive effect. Toothpick includes a handle with a reservoir. Reservoir has a shell and toothpaste with anti-infective substance. Reservoir contains an elongated bayonet with a working end 1–4 mm wide. Surface of the bayonet is covered with a porous layer no more than 1.5 mm thick with a rough surface. Dead-end internal channel connects the cavity of the reservoir with a porous material. Toothpick is entirely made of edible materials. Handle is made hollow in the form of a rectangular straw with a rough outer surface. Reservoir with an inner shell and abrasive toothpaste with antiseptic activity is placed in the cavity of the handle. At a temperature of +5…+37 °C the wall of the handle, the reservoir and the shell have the ability to compress and push the paste out under the pressure of the astronaut's fingers. Paste has flow properties. Reservoir and canal are completely filled with paste. Channel has a diameter of 0.5–1 mm, opens in the middle of the end part of the bayonet. Inner surface of the channel is covered with a shell. Inner surface of the shell of the reservoir and the channel is covered with a material with water-repellent activity. Free end of the channel is closed tightly bursting film. Bursting film is made of shell. Bayonet is angled to the handle 140–160° with left or right bend.

EFFECT: elimination of domestic debris, free spacecraft flying in the air, cross contamination of the spacecraft flying in the air, cross contamination with dental microflora of the astronauts from each other is achieved, improved quality and aesthetic result of oral hygiene, whether the astronaut is right-handed or left-handed one.

1 cl, 1 dwg