2026

Design Awards Silver Winner - Tongji University

Oral U

Entrant

Tongji University

Category

Medical Devices & Technology - Medical Devices

Client's Name

Country / Region:

China

This project redesigns bedside oral care for bedridden and disabled patients by transforming a traditionally manual, experience-dependent process into an integrated system. Research on current clinical practice showed that oral cleaning still relies heavily on disposable kits and repeated wiping with cotton balls, which is time-consuming, difficult to control, and may increase aspiration risk.

In response, the design introduces a U-shaped oral care device paired with a multifunctional detection dock. The brush head fits the dental arch and enables simultaneous cleaning of inner, outer, and occlusal tooth surfaces, improving efficiency compared with point-by-point manual wiping. A dual-channel fluid system integrates liquid spraying and wastewater suction, allowing safer use in lying or reclined positions by reducing fluid buildup in the mouth. A detachable handle supports easier positioning by caregivers and reduces obstruction during cleaning, improving patient comfort.

To improve cleaning performance, the brush head adopts a zone-based bristle strategy for different tooth regions, balancing gentleness and plaque removal according to clinical needs. Beyond cleaning, the dock extends the workflow through oral condition detection based on residual saliva collected from the tongue scraper. It also integrates ultrasonic self-cleaning, component storage, handle charging, wastewater collection, and a visual information panel, bringing monitoring and maintenance into one compact unit.

By combining cleaning, suction, detection, and self-maintenance into a continuous workflow, the project proposes a safer, more manageable, and more user-friendly oral care solution for bedside nursing.

Credits

Minjie Li
Jiayi Cheng
Pengyi Li
Katung Bella Cheung
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