Periodontal pocket depth measuring method and system

Abstract

The invention discloses a periodontal pocket depth measurement method and system, and relates to the field of periodontal pocket measurement, and the method comprises the steps: controlling a probe to move in an oral cavity, and collecting the pressure borne by the probe and the displacement of the probe in real time; constructing a pressure-displacement curve by taking the pressure borne by the probe as a vertical coordinate and the displacement of the probe as a horizontal coordinate; and when an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, determining the depth of the periodontal pocket according to the displacement of the probe at the inflection point. The real depth of the periodontal pocket is determined according to the inflection point of the pressure-displacement curve, the influence of human factors is avoided, interference of an inflammation state is avoided, and the measurement result is more accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of periodontal pocket measurement, and in particular to a method and system for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket. Background Art

[0002] Periodontal disease is a common oral health problem, which is mainly manifested by gingival inflammation, deepening of periodontal pockets, alveolar bone resorption, etc. In severe cases, it can lead to loose teeth or even tooth loss. The depth of the periodontal pocket is an important indicator to measure the severity of periodontal disease. The depth of the periodontal pocket is usually defined as the vertical distance from the gingival margin to the bottom of the periodontal pocket. The most commonly used measurement method at present is direct probing using a graduated periodontal probe. However, this method has some significant defects, mainly in terms of accuracy. Since the inflammatory state of the gums can significantly affect the texture of the tissue, when the gingival inflammation is severe, the gingival tissue will become fragile. After the probe reaches the bottom of the periodontal pocket, if the standard 20g probing force is applied, the probe may continue to penetrate deeper into the junctional epithelium or connective tissue, resulting in an excessively high measured depth and an error. Therefore, the reliability of traditional probing methods under inflammatory conditions has been questioned. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a method and system for measuring the depth of periodontal pockets, which can achieve accurate measurement of the depth of periodontal pockets by recording the pressure and displacement changes of the probe in real time.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for measuring periodontal pocket depth, comprising:

[0006] Control the movement of the probe in the oral cavity and collect the pressure and displacement of the probe in real time;

[0007] The pressure on the probe is used as the ordinate and the displacement of the probe is used as the abscissa to construct a pressure-displacement curve;

[0008] When an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, the periodontal pocket depth is determined based on the displacement of the probe at the inflection point.

[0009] Optionally, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes: when an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, controlling the probe to stop moving.

[0010] Optionally, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes: recording and storing the pressure exerted on the probe, the displacement of the probe and the periodontal pocket depth in real time.

[0011] Optionally, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes: real-time display of the pressure exerted on the probe, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the periodontal pocket depth.

[0012] Optionally, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes: calculating the slope of the pressure-displacement curve; and determining the health status of gums according to the slope of the pressure-displacement curve.

[0013] Optionally, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes: after the measurement is completed, uploading the pressure exerted on the probe during the measurement, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the periodontal pocket depth to the cloud or a hospital information system.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a periodontal pocket depth measurement system, including: a probe, a force sensor, a displacement sensor, a controller and a processor;

[0015] The controller is connected to the probe, and the controller is used to control the movement of the probe in the oral cavity;

[0016] The force sensor and the displacement sensor are both arranged on the probe; the force sensor is used to collect the pressure exerted on the probe in real time; the displacement sensor is used to collect the displacement of the probe in real time;

[0017] The processor is connected to the force sensor and the displacement sensor respectively. The processor is used to construct a pressure-displacement curve with the pressure on the probe as the vertical coordinate and the displacement of the probe as the horizontal coordinate, and when an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, determine the periodontal pocket depth according to the displacement of the probe at the inflection point.

[0018] According to the specific embodiments provided in this application, this application has the following technical effects:

[0019] The present application provides a method and system for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket. The method collects the pressure and displacement of a probe in real time, and uses the pressure of the probe as the vertical coordinate and the displacement of the probe as the horizontal coordinate to construct a pressure-displacement curve. The actual depth of the periodontal pocket is determined according to the inflection point of the pressure-displacement curve, thereby avoiding the influence of human factors, being unaffected by the inflammatory state, and providing more accurate measurement results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process for measuring periodontal pocket depth provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the measurement results of the periodontal pocket depth in one embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of pressure-displacement curves of gums in different states in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the linear regression of the pressure-displacement curve in ;

[0025] Figure 5 A block diagram of a periodontal pocket depth measurement system provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0028] First, the relevant periodontal pocket depth measurement schemes are introduced: manual periodontal probe measurement system, force sensing probe device, laser or ultrasonic measurement technology, electrical impedance method and magnetic induction measurement system.

[0029] (1) The manual periodontal probe measurement system marks the end of the probe with scale marks, making it easy for doctors to read the depth according to the scale. The doctor inserts the probe into the periodontal pocket at the edge of the patient's gums, gradually going deeper until the tip of the probe reaches the bottom of the periodontal pocket. Based on the depth indicated by the scale line on the probe, the doctor reads the data with the naked eye and manually records the measurement results of each tooth. However, the accuracy of the measurement results depends on the doctor's experience and feel, and inconsistent measurements may occur due to personal differences or fatigue. It is impossible to provide real-time depth data feedback, and the manual recording steps are cumbersome.

[0030] (2) The force sensing probe device uses a handheld probe with a force sensor, which is similar to a traditional probe, but with a force sensor added to the probe head. The force sensor on the probe head can detect the pressure when the probe contacts the gums, ensuring that the insertion force of the probe remains constant, and avoiding excessive or insufficient force applied by humans that affects the measurement accuracy. The force sensor feeds the measured data back to the display screen, but the depth of periodontal pockets varies among individuals, tooth positions, and inflammatory states, and constant probing force will cause errors in the measurement of periodontal pocket depth.

[0031] (3) Laser or ultrasonic measurement technology mainly relies on laser displacement sensors or ultrasonic sensors for non-contact measurement. The sensor emits a laser or ultrasonic signal and calculates the depth of the probe into the periodontal pocket by the reflection time of the signal. However, factors such as humidity, blood, and inflammatory tissue in the oral cavity may interfere with the reflection and measurement accuracy of the laser or ultrasonic signal, especially in severe inflammatory conditions, the reflected signal may be distorted. In addition, laser or ultrasonic sensors are expensive, and some devices require special maintenance and calibration, which limits their clinical application and promotion.

[0032] (4) The electrical impedance method measures the resistance change of the gingival tissue to estimate its thickness and inflammatory state, thereby indirectly inferring the depth of the periodontal pocket. However, the electrical impedance technology has high requirements for spatial accuracy. It is mainly limited to assessing the health of the tissue, but cannot directly reflect the depth change. It may need to be used in combination with other technologies. Oral humidity, temperature and other conditions will affect the reading of the electrical impedance, resulting in unstable results.

[0033] (5) The magnetic induction measurement system integrates a magnetic sensor in the probe and determines the distance and depth of the probe relative to the gum surface through changes in magnetic induction. However, the magnetic field is easily disturbed by surrounding equipment and metal objects. In the oral environment, especially when there are metal parts such as dental implants, the measurement may be unstable. In addition, it is necessary to integrate precise magnetic induction elements and signal processing modules in the equipment, which is difficult to design and implement.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, a method for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket is provided, comprising the following steps 101 to 103.

[0035] Step 101, control the probe to move in the oral cavity, and collect the pressure and displacement of the probe in real time. The pressure on the probe is the probing force applied by the mechanical probing. The pressure of the probe is controlled to gradually increase from 0g to a maximum of 100g. This design allows dynamic feedback of tissue resistance. The depth distance of the probe is recorded by the displacement of the probe.

[0036] Step 102 , constructing a pressure-displacement curve with the pressure on the probe as the ordinate and the displacement of the probe as the abscissa.

[0037] Step 103: When an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, the depth of the periodontal pocket is determined according to the displacement of the probe at the inflection point.

[0038] Specifically, when the tip of the probe enters the periodontal pocket, the resistance encountered initially is small. As the probe contacts the bottom of the periodontal pocket, the resistance of the tissue gradually increases, causing the pressure on the probe to increase significantly. During this process, an obvious inflection point will appear in the pressure-displacement curve. By analyzing this inflection point, the position of the bottom of the periodontal pocket can be accurately determined, and the reading of the horizontal axis at this time is the actual depth of the periodontal pocket.

[0039] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes the following step 104 .

[0040] Step 104: When an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, control the probe to stop moving.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes the following step 105 .

[0042] Step 105 , recording and storing the pressure exerted on the probe, the displacement of the probe and the depth of the periodontal pocket in real time.

[0043] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes the following step 106 .

[0044] Step 106: Display the pressure on the probe, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the depth of the periodontal pocket in real time. Figure 2 The approach shown demonstrates periodontal pocket depth.

[0045] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes the following steps 107 and 108 .

[0046] Step 107, calculating the slope of the pressure-displacement curve.

[0047] Step 108: determining the health status of the gums according to the slope of the pressure-displacement curve.

[0048] Specifically, the slope of the pressure-displacement curve can also provide important clinical information. The tighter the gums, the greater the tissue resistance encountered during probing, resulting in a larger slope of the pressure-displacement curve; conversely, when inflammation is more severe, the tissue resistance decreases and the slope of the pressure-displacement curve is relatively small. This feature can not only quantify the depth of the periodontal pocket, but also reflect the health of the gums.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 The pressure-displacement curve relationship of 22 different gum conditions in the previous experiments was displayed. The larger slope represents healthy gums, the middle represents mildly inflamed gums, and the smaller slope represents severely inflamed gums. It can be seen that the pressure-displacement curves have obvious inflection points.

[0050] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement method further includes the following step 109 .

[0051] Step 109, after the measurement is completed, the pressure exerted on the probe, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the periodontal pocket depth during the measurement process are uploaded to the cloud or the hospital information system.

[0052] Based on the same inventive concept, the present application also provides a periodontal pocket depth measurement system applied to the above-mentioned periodontal pocket depth measurement method. In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the periodontal pocket depth measurement system includes: a probe 501 , a force sensor 502 , a displacement sensor 503 , a controller 504 and a processor 505 .

[0053] The controller 504 is connected to the probe 501 , and the controller 504 is used to control the movement of the probe 501 in the oral cavity.

[0054] The force sensor 502 and the displacement sensor 503 are both disposed on the probe 501. The force sensor 502 is used to collect the pressure exerted on the probe 501 in real time. The displacement sensor 503 is used to collect the displacement of the probe 501 in real time.

[0055] The processor 505 is connected to the force sensor 502 and the displacement sensor 503 respectively. The processor 505 is used to construct a pressure-displacement curve with the pressure on the probe 501 as the vertical coordinate and the displacement of the probe 501 as the horizontal coordinate, and when an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, determine the periodontal pocket depth according to the displacement of the probe 501 at the inflection point.

[0056] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement system further includes a display screen 506. The display screen 506 is connected to the processor 505, and the display screen 506 is used to display the pressure exerted on the probe 501, the displacement of the probe 501, the pressure-displacement curve, and the periodontal pocket depth in real time. The display screen 506 can be a screen with an interactive function, which is convenient for the operator to view relevant data and input operation instructions.

[0057] In another exemplary embodiment, the periodontal pocket depth measurement system further includes a power module. The power module is connected to the display screen 506, the controller 504, the processor 505, the force sensor 502 and the displacement sensor 503 via a data bus, and the power module is used to supply power to the display screen 506, the controller 504, the processor 505, the force sensor 502 and the displacement sensor 503.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, before measuring the periodontal pocket depth, an operator is required to manually perform relevant preparation work, including drawing a virtual model and marking between components.

[0059] The process of drawing a virtual model is as follows:

[0060] ① Draw a simple outline of the patient's teeth based on the center of the patient's oral area to represent the target area for measurement. The teeth can be simply drawn as rectangles with some arcs to represent the crown part.

[0061] ② The periodontal probe is drawn into a long, thin needle-like structure, and the scale is marked near the tip (several short lines can be simply drawn to indicate the scale). The position of the integrated electronic components is marked on the probe rod (indicated by a small square), and the words "electronic universal testing machine (measures pressure and displacement)" are noted. The tip of the probe touches the edge of the patient's teeth and gums, and the direction of probing into the gums is slightly tilted.

[0062] ③ Computer and display screen part: Draw a simple rectangular shape of the computer host on one side of the screen, and connect the display screen next to it. Two main areas are displayed on the display screen: one area shows the pressure-displacement curve, represented by coordinate axes, the horizontal axis is displacement (marked unit, such as mm), the vertical axis is pressure (marked unit, such as g), and the pressure-displacement curve is drawn with a smooth line. The other area shows the probing depth value and inflammation index. The probing depth value exceeding 3mm is displayed with larger and bolder numbers (for example: "Probing depth: 3.5mm"), and the inflammation index can be expressed as a percentage value or a simple level (such as "Inflammation index: mild").

[0063] The process of marking between parts is as follows:

[0064] ①Write “Gently insert the probe tip into the gums to avoid damage” at the point where the probe contacts the patient’s teeth.

[0065] ②Mark “Transmit pressure and displacement data” on the data cable connecting the sensor and the computer.

[0066] ③ Mark “Real-time display of the pressure-displacement relationship during periodontal probing” in the pressure-displacement curve area of ​​the display screen.

[0067] ④Mark “Measurement results calculated by computer” in the probing depth value and inflammation index area on the display screen.

[0068] The overall operation process of the periodontal pocket depth measurement system provided by this application is introduced below.

[0069] 1) Start and initialize. After the power module supplies power to each component, each component is initialized and each sensor is calibrated to ensure that each component is in normal status.

[0070] 2) Select the measurement mode and enter the patient information. The operator selects different measurement modes (such as standard measurement, fast measurement, etc.) through the human-computer interaction interface on the display screen and enters the patient's basic information.

[0071] 3) Probe positioning: According to the distribution of the patient's periodontal pockets, the probe begins to approach the tooth surface.

[0072] 4) The probe is inserted into the periodontal pocket and measured at the appropriate position. When the probe approaches the gums, the force sensor is activated to detect the pressure on the probe. At the same time, the displacement of the probe is collected in real time through the displacement sensor to avoid damage to the patient's gums.

[0073] 5) Data processing. The data collected by each sensor (pressure on the probe, displacement of the probe, etc.) is transmitted to the processor through the data bus. The processor analyzes the data and generates a visual report.

[0074] 6) Data display and storage. After the measurement is completed, the measured data is displayed on the display screen, and the operator can choose to store the data or proceed to the next step for subsequent viewing and further diagnosis.

[0075] In summary, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0076] (1) The measurement accuracy of periodontal pocket depth is improved. Traditional manual measurement relies on the operator's experience and it is difficult to ensure consistent detection force, resulting in large measurement errors. The present application uses a force sensor and a displacement sensor to accurately measure the pressure on the probe and the displacement of the probe in real time, and determines the true depth of the periodontal pocket by drawing a pressure-displacement curve and using the inflection point. The influence of human factors is avoided, and it is not affected by the inflammatory state, so the measurement results are more accurate.

[0077] (2) It can quantify the degree of gingival inflammation. Gingival inflammation will affect the accuracy of traditional measurement methods and cause the measurement depth to be overestimated. The present application can reflect the degree of inflammation through the morphological characteristics of the pressure-displacement curve, such as slope, curvature, peak value and other parameters, thereby providing doctors with a more objective inflammation diagnosis standard. Compared with traditional single measurement, the present application can eliminate the interference of inflammation and provide doctors with a quantitative evaluation of the degree of inflammation, thereby enhancing the objectivity of clinical diagnosis.

[0078] (3) Improved the efficiency of clinical data management. Traditional manual measurements lack automated data recording, and doctors often need to manually record the data at each measurement point, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also easily leads to inconveniences in data management. This application automatically records and generates electronic reports, automatically generates electronic reports containing periodontal pocket depth and inflammation levels after the exploration, supports remote viewing and archiving, and greatly improves the efficiency and accuracy of clinical data management, making the evaluation of long-term treatment effects more convenient and accurate, allowing doctors to easily track patients' periodontal health status over a long period of time and optimize treatment plans.

[0079] (4) Improved operational convenience and controllability. This application is equipped with an intuitive touch screen interface, allowing doctors to view measurement data and curves in real time and flexibly adjust measurement parameters, thereby improving operational convenience and controllability and improving the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment.

[0080] (5) Improved safety of the detection process. Excessive detection and improper force of the probe during traditional manual measurement may cause discomfort to the patient or tissue damage. However, this application sets an upper limit for the detection force and is equipped with an emergency stop function. When the operation exceeds the safety threshold, the detection is stopped immediately to avoid harm to the patient and ensure the safety of the detection process.

[0081] (6) Supporting wireless communication, the detected data can be uploaded to the cloud or hospital information system, and doctors can remotely view and manage the patient's examination results.

[0082] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with relevant regulations.

[0083] In this application, all actions to obtain signals, information or data are carried out in compliance with the relevant data protection laws and policies of the country where they are located and with the authorization given by the owner of the corresponding device.

[0084] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to the memory, database or other medium used in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM may be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0085] The database involved in each embodiment provided in this application may include at least one of a relational database and a non-relational database. The non-relational database may include a distributed database based on blockchain, etc., but is not limited thereto. The processor involved in each embodiment provided in this application may be a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, a programmable logic device, a data processing logic device based on quantum computing, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0086] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0087] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting this application.

Claims

1. A method for measuring periodontal pocket depth, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method comprises: Control the movement of the probe in the oral cavity and collect the pressure and displacement of the probe in real time; The pressure on the probe is used as the ordinate and the displacement of the probe is used as the abscissa to construct a pressure-displacement curve; When an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, the periodontal pocket depth is determined based on the displacement of the probe at the inflection point.

2. The method for measuring periodontal pocket depth according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method further comprises: When an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, the probe is controlled to stop moving.

3. The method for measuring periodontal pocket depth according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method further comprises: The pressure on the probe, the displacement of the probe and the depth of the periodontal pocket are recorded and stored in real time.

4. The method for measuring periodontal pocket depth according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method further comprises: The pressure on the probe, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the depth of the periodontal pocket are displayed in real time.

5. The method for measuring periodontal pocket depth according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method further comprises: calculating the slope of the pressure-displacement curve; The health status of the gums is determined based on the slope of the pressure-displacement curve.

6. The method for measuring periodontal pocket depth according to claim 1, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement method further comprises: After the measurement is completed, the pressure exerted on the probe, the displacement of the probe, the pressure-displacement curve and the depth of the periodontal pocket during the measurement process are uploaded to the cloud or the hospital information system.

7. A periodontal pocket depth measurement system, applied to the periodontal pocket depth measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The periodontal pocket depth measurement system includes: a probe, a force sensor, a displacement sensor, a controller and a processor; The controller is connected to the probe, and the controller is used to control the movement of the probe in the oral cavity; The force sensor and the displacement sensor are both arranged on the probe; the force sensor is used to collect the pressure exerted on the probe in real time; the displacement sensor is used to collect the displacement of the probe in real time; The processor is connected to the force sensor and the displacement sensor respectively. The processor is used to construct a pressure-displacement curve with the pressure on the probe as the vertical coordinate and the displacement of the probe as the horizontal coordinate, and when an inflection point appears in the pressure-displacement curve, determine the periodontal pocket depth according to the displacement of the probe at the inflection point.

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