Dental sensor for intraoral region

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental sensor (100) for an intraoral region, comprising a region (101) made of a plastic material (103) for molding a tooth region (105) when the dental sensor (100) is inserted, and the material can be cured after molding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a dental sensor for the intraoral region and a method for inserting the dental sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Because the natural shape of the dental arch cannot be used for additional adhesion, sensor housings that are anatomically unsuitable for intraoral use provide poor wearing comfort, cause unnecessary damage during eating, and cannot be adequately secured. Furthermore, there is a risk of dental sensors falling out and being swallowed while in use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a dental sensor that can be attached to the oral space in a simple and quick manner by the user.

[0004] This problem is addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims. The technically advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0005] According to the first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a dental sensor for an intraoral region, the dental sensor having an attachment area made of plastic material for molding the oral region during insertion of the dental sensor, the attachment portion being curable after molding. Curing can be performed intraorally or extraorally (i.e., intraorally or extraorally). The oral region may include a dental region having one or more teeth, which may optionally contact the gingiva.

[0006] Due to the shaping properties of the plastic material, dental sensors can quickly and individually adapt to the spatial conditions of the oral cavity. This allows for better placement of the dental sensors. For example, dentists can directly shape them in just a few minutes. Securement through anatomically correct shaping means that chemical adhesives are not needed, as their removal is costly and can damage the teeth.

[0007] In technologically advantageous embodiments of dental sensors, the plastic material is curable by light, electromagnetic radiation, or heat. The plastic material can also be cured by drying, chemical reaction with water (hydration), or addition curing. This has technological advantages, for example, that curing can specifically begin after impression taking.

[0008] In embodiments of the dental sensor that offer further technical advantages, the plastic material comprises a curable polymer. This provides the technical advantage of, for example, using a particularly suitable rapid-curing material. The plastic material can retain residual flexibility or elasticity after curing, thus making it easier to remove, such as silicone-based materials. This provides the technical advantage of being able to remove the dental sensor even if it is wedged in, for example, when the dental sensor is attached to the tooth space.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the dental sensor with a technological advantage, a plastic material is disposed on the sensor housing of the dental sensor. This has the technological advantage of, for example, allowing the sensor housing to be attached to the tooth area.

[0010] In embodiments of the dental sensor with further technical advantages, the connection between the attachment area and the dental sensor or sensor housing is established via a positively configured connection device. This positively configured connection device includes, for example, one or more protruding studs or anchors connected to a plastic material. In this method, the plastic material deforms, shapes, or is compressed around the structure. This has the technical advantage of enabling a reliable connection, for example, between the attachment area and the dental sensor.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the dental sensor with a technological advantage, the sensor housing comprises a transparent or thermally conductive material, and the transparent or thermally conductive material is in contact with the plastic material. This provides the technological advantage that, for example, light or heat can be introduced into the plastic material and the plastic material can be effectively cured.

[0012] In embodiments of the dental sensor that offer further technical advantages, the dental sensor includes an exposure device or a heating device for the plastic material. This has the technical advantage that, for example, the plastic material can be directly cured by the dental sensor.

[0013] In embodiments of the dental sensor with further technological advantages, the exposure or heating device can be activated by the user. This offers the technological advantage of, for example, allowing the user to control the curing of the plastic material.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the dental sensor with a technological advantage, the activation of the exposure or heating device is wireless. Activation of the exposure or heating device can be performed via a mobile phone, for example, through Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth. This has technological advantages, such as eliminating the need for actuation actions within the intraoral space.

[0015] In embodiments of the dental sensor with further technical advantages, the attachment area, the dental sensor, and / or the sensor housing include pre-formed through-holes and / or one or more channels. This provides the technical advantage of allowing, for example, fluid from the teeth to be directly fed to the sensor for analyzing the fluid.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the dental sensor with a technological advantage, the area surrounding the through-hole is non-curable. This has technological advantages, for example, the dental sensor can be easily removed after curing.

[0017] In embodiments of the dental sensor that offer further technological advantages, the plastic material is anatomically pre-formed. For example, anatomically pre-formed materials may include corresponding tooth-like projections for individual teeth. This has technological advantages, such as allowing the dental sensor to be better shaped into the tooth region.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the dental sensor with a technological advantage, a release layer is arranged on the plastic material to separate the plastic material from the tooth area. This has technological advantages, such as allowing the dental sensor to be easily removed after the impression is taken.

[0019] According to the second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for inserting a dental sensor for an intraoral region, the method comprising the steps of: molding the tooth region with a plastic material during insertion of the dental sensor; and curing the plastic material after molding. This achieves the same technical advantages as the method according to the first aspect.

[0020] In advantageous embodiments of the method, curing is carried out by light, electromagnetic radiation, or heat. This also offers technical advantages, for example, curing can begin specifically after the impression is made. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Examples of embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0022] It shows:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a dental sensor;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic top view of a dental sensor;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic view through the dental sensor;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic view through the dental sensor and / or attachment area with different channels; and

[0027] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of a method for inserting a dental sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a dental sensor 100 is shown. The dental sensor 100 includes a sensor housing 107 in which evaluation electronics 117 and a sensor unit are arranged. The evaluation electronics 117 and the sensor unit together are adapted to autonomously measure certain physical parameters of a tooth 105. The sensor housing 107 is made of plastic, for example, in a standard form.

[0029] The sensor housing 107 has a flat or nearly anatomically pre-formed tooth-facing contact surface 123 covered with a sheet-like layer of moldable plastic material 103. The plastic material 103 forms an attachment portion 101 for attaching the dental sensor 100 to an oral cavity region. The layer thickness of the plastic material 103 is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm. Suitable manufacturing side structures can be provided for the contact surface 123 of the sensor housing 107, or the plastic material 103 can be anchored through openings in the sensor housing 107 to secure it.

[0030] The anatomically shaped contact surface 123 in the sensor housing 107 or plastic material 103 has the advantage of improving the wearing comfort of the dental sensor 100 and making it less likely to fall off during eating. The natural shape of the dental arch can be used for additional adhesion of the dental sensor 100.

[0031] The plastic and / or deformable material 103 deforms when pressed onto a tooth region 105, which may include one or more teeth. Thus, a spatial impression of the tooth region 105 is obtained through the plastic material 103. Subsequently, the plastic material 103 is cured, causing it to lose its deformability. This can be achieved, for example, by irradiation with ultraviolet light, blue light, contact with oxygen or saliva, or heating. It is also conceivable to use a material that is initially activated and then hardens over time at the tooth region 105. Preferably, the plastic material 103 is prefabricated, thereby reducing the time required to attach the dental sensor 100 and eliminating potential sources of error during processing.

[0032] Plastic material 103 includes, for example, hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane molding compounds or polymers based on methacrylates and various fillers combined with silanes, such as photocurable nanocomposite materials.

[0033] Plastic material 103 comprises, for example, a monomer matrix composed of dimethacrylate (17-18 wt%). Fillers include, for example, barium glass, ytterbium trifluoride, and / or various oxides and copolymers (82-83 wt%). Additives, initiators, stabilizers, and pigments may be additional components (<1.0 wt%). The total amount of inorganic fillers is, for example, between 53 and 80 vol%. The particle size of the inorganic fillers is, for example, between 40 nm and 3 μm.

[0034] Plastic material 103 can possess antibiotic properties, for example, by incorporating silver particles, copper particles, or a mixture of chlorhexidine and chloroxylenol. Furthermore, the plastic material can include antibiotics such as penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, cefadroxil, metronidazole, and / or tetracycline. Plastic material 103 can also be supplemented with silicone or can form plasticizers.

[0035] For example, the dental sensor 100 may include an electronic exposure device 109 disposed within a sensor housing 107. The exposure device 109 emits light via a light-emitting diode, which cures a photocurable plastic material 103. In this case, the sensor housing 107 is formed of, for example, an optically transparent material that contacts the plastic material 103. This allows light for curing to pass from the interior of the dental sensor 100 through the sensor housing 107 to the plastic material 103 and cure it. However, a chemical exposure device 109 based on the principle of chemiluminescence may also be provided, which is activated once and emits chemically generated light. The chemical exposure device 109 may be formed, for example, a light-emitting rod that can be inserted into the sensor housing 107.

[0036] However, the dental sensor 100 may also include a heating device 111 disposed within the sensor housing 107. The heating device 111 emits heat, for example, through a heating coil, causing the thermosetting plastic material 103 to cure. In this case, a metal is disposed between the heating devices 111 as a heat-conducting material between the heating devices 111 and the thermosetting plastic material 103. The heat-conducting material allows the generated heat to be efficiently supplied to the thermosetting plastic material 103 for curing. However, a chemical heating device 111 may also be provided, which is activated once and emits chemically generated heat.

[0037] The exposure device 109 or the heating device 111 can be manually activated by operating a switch or button on the sensor housing to emit light or heat for a predetermined time period. At the end of this time period, the plastic material 103 is cured.

[0038] However, the exposure device 109 or the heating device 111 can also be activated wirelessly, for example, using a mobile phone or tablet via WLAN, NFC, or Bluetooth. In this case, a corresponding interface is implemented in the evaluation electronics 117, through which the exposure device 109 or the heating device 111 can be controlled.

[0039] In addition, a release layer 121 can be provided as a release agent to facilitate the separation of the dental sensor 100 from the tooth or tooth region 105 after curing. The release layer 121 is additionally disposed on the plastic material 103 and prevents direct contact between the tooth 105 and the plastic material 103. The release layer 121 can be, for example, a thin film of grease or oil, or a protective film formed of rubber, Teflon, or latex. In this case, the dental sensor 100 can be removed again without leaving any residue, even without the cured plastic material 103.

[0040] Figure 2A schematic top view of the dental sensor 100 and the plastic material 103 is shown. On the side of the plastic material 103 facing the tooth 105, a groove or through-hole 115 may be provided in a predetermined shape on the manufacturing side, for example for an embedded sensor unit or any saliva channel, so as to better supply saliva from the tooth region 105 to the sensor unit within the sensor housing 107 when used intraorally.

[0041] For example, the sensor unit can be a sensor for measuring pH value, ethanol concentration, lactic acid concentration, cortisol concentration, glucose concentration, ion concentration, a sensor for measuring sound waves during occlusion, or a sensor for measuring temperature. Generally, the sensor unit within the dental sensor 100 can be used to perform intraoral measurements of various characteristics over a relatively long period of time.

[0042] The recessed groove or through-hole 115 can be made of, for example, a plastic material 103 that is non-curable in the surrounding region 119 of the through-hole 115. In the case of a photocurable material 103, this can be achieved, for example, by not introducing a photoinitiator into the surrounding region 119. Therefore, the surrounding region 119 will not cure after being molded under the influence of light and can be removed relatively easily. The surrounding region 119 may also comprise a water-soluble material, such as sugar, cornstarch, or water-soluble filaments.

[0043] The anatomical adaptation of the dental sensor 100 can be achieved, for example, by toothed or concave protrusions 113 in the contact surface 123 of the dental sensor 100, which at least substantially correspond to the tooth region 105. In this way, the dental sensor 100 can be positioned closer to the tooth region 105. Not only the contact surface 123, but the plastic material 103 can also be anatomically pre-formed with corresponding toothed or concave protrusions 113.

[0044] Figure 3 Another schematic view through the dental sensor 100 is shown. The attachment area 101 with plastic material 103 is attached through a plurality of openings 129 provided in the sensor housing 107. During attachment, the plastic and uncured material 103 are partially forced through the openings 129 in the housing wall and then flattened inside the sensor housing 107. An internal curing step can then be performed to cure the coating structure 127. In this way, the plastic material 103 adheres to the sensor housing 107 and does not loosen. After curing, the plastic material 101 is held in place by the mushroom-shaped structure 127.

[0045] Another adhesion method can be achieved by microstructuring the contact surface 123 (e.g., by simple grinding).

[0046] Figure 4A schematic view shows an attachment area 101 with different channels 125, a dental sensor 100, and / or a dental sensor housing 107. Furthermore, a through-hole 115 for enabling the sensor unit to perform measurements can be provided in a plastic material 103. In addition to the channels, the through-hole 115 also forms an additional measurement area for the sensor unit. For example, the through-hole 115 can be made of a plastic material 103 that is non-hardenable in the surrounding area 119 of the through-hole 115.

[0047] Channel 125 is formed by recesses in the plastic material 103 and is used to conduct or deliver liquid (saliva) to the sensor unit, or to allow air exchange and ventilation in the measurement area. Channel 125 can be arranged horizontally, diagonally, or vertically.

[0048] For example, channels 125 can be formed by introducing a photoinitiator into the photocurable plastic material 103 at locations other than the intended locations of channels 125. After photocuring, the non-curable plastic material 103 without the photoinitiator can be removed from these locations, for example, by using a water gun or scraper, to obtain channels 125 in the adhesion area 101.

[0049] Figure 5 A block diagram of a method for inserting a dental sensor 100 is shown. In step S101, the dental sensor 100 is inserted by pressing it onto a tooth region, while the tooth region 105 is molded using a plastic material 103. The plastic material 103 thereby adapts to the shape of the tooth 105. Subsequently, in step S102, the plastic material 103 is cured after molding. According to an embodiment, the dental sensor 100 can therefore be held in the oral cavity or cured outside the oral cavity. In this way, the attachment region 101 can be attached to the tooth 105.

[0050] With just one treatment session, individual shaping can be completed directly in the patient's mouth through a few time-saving steps. This personalized shaping of the intraoral sensor carrier makes the dental sensor 100 suitable for permanent wear. It can be worn while eating, talking, and sleeping. Compared to individual 3D printing in a dental laboratory through molding, scanning, and fabrication, the shaping and adjustment of the dental sensor 100 can be performed directly by the dentist in a short time. Furthermore, because the dental sensor 100 is anatomically individually tailored to the patient, the sensor can be positioned near the teeth.

[0051] All the features explained and illustrated in connection with the various embodiments of the present invention may be provided in different combinations within the subject matter of the invention to achieve their beneficial effects simultaneously.

[0052] All method steps can be implemented by devices suitable for performing the corresponding method steps. All functions performed by related functions can be method steps of a method.

[0053] The scope of protection of this invention is given by the claims and is not limited to the features explained in the specification or shown in the drawings.

[0054] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0055] 100 dental sensors

[0056] 101 Attachment Part

[0057] 103 Plastic Materials

[0058] 105 Tooth Area / Teeth

[0059] 107 Sensor Housing

[0060] 109 Exposure Equipment

[0061] 111 Heating Equipment

[0062] 113 Protrusion

[0063] 115 Through Hole

[0064] 117 Evaluation of electronic devices

[0065] 119 surrounding area

[0066] 121 Demolding layer

[0067] 123 Contact Surface

[0068] 125 channels

[0069] 127 Structure

[0070] 129 Opening

Claims

1. Dental sensor (100) for intraoral regions, having: - an adhesive portion (101) of a plastic material (103) for molding an oral region (105) during insertion of the dental sensor (100), the adhesive portion (101) being solidifiable after molding; and - a sensor housing (107) having a flat or approximately anatomically pre-shaped tooth-facing contact surface (123) which is covered with a flat layer of a formable plastic material (103), wherein the dental sensor (100) further comprising an exposure device (109) or a heating device (111) for the plastic material.

2. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 1, wherein The plastic material (103) is solidified by light, electromagnetic radiation or thermal energy.

3. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The plastic material (103) comprises a solidifiable polymer.

4. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The plastic material (103) is arranged on the sensor housing (107) of the dental sensor (100).

5. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The connection between the adhesive portion (101) and the dental sensor (100) or the sensor housing (107) is established by a positively configured connecting means.

6. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 4, wherein The sensor housing (107) comprises a transparent or thermally conductive material and the transparent or thermally conductive material is in contact with the plastic material.

7. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The exposure device (109) or the heating device (111) is activatable by a user.

8. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 7, wherein The activation of the exposure device (109) or the heating device (111) is wireless.

9. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, 6 and 7-8, wherein, The adhesive portion (101), the dental sensor (100) and / or the sensor housing (107) comprise a preformed through-hole (115) and / or one or more channels (125).

10. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 9, wherein, The plastic material (103) is not solidifiable around a peripheral region (119) of the through-hole (115).

11. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, 6, 7-8 and 10, wherein, The plastic material (103) is anatomically pre-shaped.

12. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, 6, 7-8 and 10, wherein, A release layer (121) is arranged on the plastic material (103) for releasing the plastic material (103) from the oral region (105).

13. Method of inserting a dental sensor (100) for intraoral regions, comprising the following steps: - molding (S101) an oral region (105) on a sensor housing (107) during insertion of the dental sensor (100) using a plastic material (103), the sensor housing (107) having a flat or approximately anatomically pre-shaped tooth-facing contact surface (123) which is covered with a flat layer of a formable plastic material (103); and - solidifying (S102) the plastic material (103) after molding, wherein the dental sensor (100) comprises an exposure device (109) or a heating device (111) for the plastic material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The solidification is by light, electromagnetic radiation or heat. The solidification is by light, electromagnetic radiation or heat.

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