An intraoral scope

Abstract

This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an oral endoscope, including a handle, one end of which is connected to a rotating arm via a pivot; a lens holder on which a lens is mounted, the lens holder being connected to the end of the rotating arm away from the handle; a first drive device is disposed on the side of the rotating arm, a first bevel gear is mounted on the power output shaft of the first drive device, and a second bevel gear is disposed on the rotating arm and fixedly connected to the end of the pivot, the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear meshing with each other; a second drive device is disposed inside the rotating arm, and the power output shaft of the second drive device is connected to the lens holder. The first drive device controls the rotating arm to rotate around the Z-axis, and the second drive device controls the lens holder to rotate around the X-axis. The doctor can rotate the handle by hand to rotate the lens holder around the Y-axis, thus allowing for greater freedom and flexibility of the lens within the oral cavity, and providing a more comprehensive field of view during operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an oral endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] Oral endoscopes, as auxiliary tools in modern oral medicine examination and treatment, play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Traditional oral endoscopes typically employ rigid or semi-rigid structures with limited freedom of movement, resulting in restricted field of view and difficulty reaching deep areas of the oral cavity during operation. Particularly when dealing with complex oral structures such as the wisdom tooth area, the base of the tongue, and the posterior part of the maxilla, current endoscopes, due to their limited flexibility and controllability, struggle to provide a comprehensive examination view. Doctors need to frequently adjust the device's position or ask patients to change posture, increasing the complexity of diagnosis and treatment and patient discomfort. Most oral endoscopes only have bending capabilities in a single direction, failing to achieve flexible observation from multiple angles and perspectives. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application aims to at least partially address one of the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art. To this end, embodiments of this application provide an oral endoscope whose lens offers greater freedom of movement and flexibility within the oral cavity, providing a more comprehensive field of view during operation.

[0004] An oral endoscope, comprising:

[0005] A handle, one end of which is fitted with a rotating arm via a pivot;

[0006] A lens holder on which a lens is mounted, and the lens holder is connected to the end of the rotating arm away from the handle;

[0007] A first drive device is provided on the side of the rotating arm. A first bevel gear is installed on the power output shaft of the first drive device. A second bevel gear is provided on the rotating arm and fixedly connected to the end of the rotating shaft. The first bevel gear and the second bevel gear mesh with each other. A second drive device is installed inside the rotating arm. The power output shaft of the second drive device is connected to the mirror holder.

[0008] In an optional or preferred embodiment, the side of the rotating swing arm is provided with a cover surrounding the first drive device, the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear, and a sealing gasket is provided between the cover and the rotating swing arm.

[0009] In an optional or preferred embodiment, a heating pad is provided inside the lens holder to line the back of the lens.

[0010] In an optional or preferred embodiment, the heating pad is a transparent conductive layer.

[0011] In an optional or preferred embodiment, the handle is a telescopic structure.

[0012] In an optional or preferred embodiment, a ring of LED beads is provided around the end face of the lens holder.

[0013] In an optional or preferred embodiment, the handle is equipped with a power source that connects to the heating pad, the first driving device, the second driving device, and the LED.

[0014] In an optional or preferred embodiment, a PLC control board is provided inside the handle. The PLC control board is connected to the first driving device, the second driving device, the heating pad, the LED beads, and the power supply. The handle is provided with a first control button, a second control button, a third control button, and a fourth control button. The first control button, the second control button, the third control button, and the fourth control button are all connected to the PLC control board. The first control button is used to control the first driving device, the second control button is used to control the second driving device, the third control button is used to control the heating pad, and the fourth control button is used to control the LED beads.

[0015] In an optional or preferred embodiment, a flexible rubber sleeve is provided at one end of the rotating arm corresponding to the lens holder, and the flexible rubber sleeve is tightly connected to the lens holder.

[0016] In optional or preferred embodiments, the surface of the lens is provided with an anti-fog coating, a hydrophobic layer, and an oleophobic layer.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the embodiments of this application have at least the following beneficial effects: During use, the doctor holds the handle and inserts the endoscope holder into the patient's mouth. The first drive device can control the rotating arm to rotate around the Z-axis, and the second drive device can control the endoscope holder to rotate around the X-axis. The doctor can use his hand to turn the handle to make the endoscope holder rotate around the Y-axis. In this way, the lens can be adjusted in the X, Y, and Z directions in the oral cavity, making the lens more free and flexible in the oral cavity, and providing a more comprehensive examination field of view during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the oral endoscope provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the handle and cover in the illustrated embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the connection relationship between the second drive device and the reducer mirror holder in the embodiment shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but should not be used to limit the scope of this application.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0027] Oral endoscopes, as auxiliary tools in modern oral medicine examination and treatment, play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Traditional oral endoscopes typically employ rigid or semi-rigid structures with limited freedom of movement, resulting in restricted field of view and difficulty reaching deep areas of the oral cavity during operation. Particularly when dealing with complex oral structures such as the wisdom tooth area, the base of the tongue, and the posterior part of the maxilla, current endoscopes, due to their limited flexibility and controllability, struggle to provide a comprehensive examination view. Doctors need to frequently adjust the device's position or ask patients to change posture, increasing the complexity of diagnosis and treatment and patient discomfort. Most oral endoscopes only have bending capabilities in a single direction, failing to achieve flexible observation from multiple angles and perspectives.

[0028] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-degree-of-freedom oral endoscope to solve the technical problems of existing oral endoscopes, such as low degree of freedom, limited field of view, and difficulty in reaching deep areas of the oral cavity, while improving the ease of operation and examination results.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The oral endoscope of this application includes a handle 100, a rotating arm 200, and a mirror holder 300. One end of the handle 100 is mounted to the rotating arm 200 via a pivot 101. A lens 400 is mounted on the mirror holder 300, which is connected to the end of the rotating arm 200 away from the handle 100. A first drive device 201 is provided on the side of the rotating arm 200. A first bevel gear 202 is mounted on the power output shaft of the first drive device 201. A second bevel gear 203 is fixedly connected to the end of the pivot 101 on the rotating arm 200. The first bevel gear 202 and the second bevel gear 203 mesh with each other. A second drive device 204 is installed inside the rotating arm 200. The power output shaft of the second drive device 204 is connected to the mirror holder 300, and the second drive device 204 drives the mirror holder 300 to rotate.

[0030] During use, the doctor holds the handle 100 and inserts the endoscope holder 300 into the patient's mouth. The first drive device 201 controls the rotating arm 200 to rotate around the Z-axis, and the second drive device 204 controls the endoscope holder 300 to rotate around the X-axis. The doctor can rotate the handle 100 to rotate the endoscope holder 300 around the Y-axis. In this way, the lens 400 can be adjusted in the X, Y, and Z directions in the oral cavity, making the lens 400 more free and flexible in the oral cavity, and providing a more comprehensive field of view during operation.

[0031] Specifically, the first drive device 201 is fixed to the side of the rotating arm 200, the first bevel gear 202 is fixedly connected to the power output shaft on the first drive device 201, and the second bevel gear 203 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 101. A through hole is provided on the rotating arm 200, and both ends of the rotating shaft 101 pass through the through hole, allowing the rotating shaft 101 to rotate within the through hole. The end of the rotating shaft 101 passing through the through hole is fixedly connected to the middle of the second bevel gear 203. The back of the second bevel gear 203 is abutted against or spaced apart from the side of the rotating arm 200, allowing the second bevel gear 203 to rotate along the side of the rotating arm 200. The rotating shaft 101 is fixedly connected to the handle 100, so the rotating shaft 101, the second bevel gear 203, and the handle 100 will rotate synchronously. The first drive device 201 drives the first bevel gear 202, causing the first bevel gear 202 to mesh with the second bevel gear 203. Since the handle 100 is held in the doctor's hand during use, it remains stationary. Therefore, during the engagement of the first bevel gear 202 with the second bevel gear 203, the rotating arm 200 will rotate relative to the rotating shaft 101.

[0032] In some embodiments, a reducer 205 is installed on the power output shaft of the second drive device 204. The power output shaft of the reducer 205 is fixedly connected to the mirror holder 300. The reducer 205 reduces speed and prevents the second drive device 204 from driving the mirror holder 300 to rotate too fast.

[0033] In this application, both the first drive device 201 and the second drive device 204 are electric motors.

[0034] In order to protect the first drive device 201, the first bevel gear 202 and the second bevel gear 203, a cover 206 is provided on the side of the rotating arm 200 to surround the first drive device 201, the first bevel gear 202 and the second bevel gear 203.

[0035] In addition, a sealing gasket is provided between the cover 206 and the rotating arm 200 to effectively prevent liquid from the oral cavity from entering the gears and servo motor, thereby improving the waterproof performance and service life of the equipment.

[0036] Specifically, the cover 206 has a capsule-shaped structure and is directly fastened to the outside of the first drive device 201, the first bevel gear 202 and the second bevel gear 203. The outer wall of the cover 206 has an arc-shaped structure to prevent the cover 206 from causing discomfort to the inside of the patient's mouth.

[0037] In some embodiments, the handle 100 is a telescopic structure. The telescopic structure design allows the endoscope to be adjusted in length according to the different oral cavity sizes and examination needs of different patients, further improving the applicability and flexibility of the device.

[0038] Specifically, the handle 100 includes an inner tube and an outer tube. One end of the inner tube is fitted inside the outer tube, and a limiting block is provided at the end of the inner tube fitted inside the outer tube to prevent the inner tube from detaching from the outer tube. The other end of the inner tube is fixed to the rotating shaft 206, and both ends of the rotating shaft 206 are rotatably connected to the rotating arm 200.

[0039] To prevent fogging of the lens 400, in some embodiments, a heating pad is provided inside the lens holder 300, which is placed on the back of the lens 400. During use, the heating pad is energized, heating the lens 400 to body temperature, effectively preventing fogging of the lens 400 due to temperature differences during use in the mouth, and ensuring the clarity of the field of vision on the lens 400.

[0040] The heating pad is a transparent conductive layer. Specifically, the transparent conductive layer is an ITO film, which has good heating uniformity and fast response speed, typically reaching the working temperature within 1-3 seconds.

[0041] In order to improve the visibility of the lens 400 in the oral cavity, in some embodiments, the end face of the lens holder 300 is provided with a ring of LED beads 301 surrounding the lens 400.

[0042] In some embodiments, the handle 100 has a power source inside, which is connected to the heating pad, the first drive device 201, the second drive device 204, and the LED bead 301. The power source provides power to the heating pad, the first drive device 201, the second drive device 204, and the LED bead 301.

[0043] The power source can be either a dry cell battery or a rechargeable battery installed inside the handle 100. The battery is positioned near the end of the handle 100 to prevent water from entering the battery if the handle 100 is inserted too deeply into the mouth.

[0044] In some embodiments, a PLC control board is installed inside the handle 100. The PLC control board is connected to the first drive device 201, the second drive device 204, the heating pad, the power supply, and the LED bead 301. The handle 100 is equipped with a first control button 102, a second control button 103, a third control button, and a fourth control button 104, all of which are connected to the PLC control board. The first control button 102 controls the first drive device 201, the second control button 103 controls the second drive device 204, the third control button controls the heating pad, and the fourth control button 104 controls the LED bead 301. By setting up the PLC control board and multiple control buttons, doctors can operate the device with one hand, precisely control the working status of each component, and achieve multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment of the lens 400, heating of the lens 400, and improvement of the brightness around the lens 400.

[0045] In addition, the PLC control board integrates a PWM dimming module. The fourth control button 104 is connected to the PWM dimming module. Pressing the fourth control button 104 once displays the LED bead 301 at a lower brightness; pressing it twice consecutively displays the LED bead 301 at a medium brightness; and pressing it three times consecutively displays the LED bead 301 at a higher brightness. This allows for the adjustment of the LED bead 301 to different brightness levels.

[0046] In some embodiments, a flexible rubber sleeve 207 is provided at one end of the rotating arm 200 corresponding to the lens holder 300, and the flexible rubber sleeve 207 is connected to the lens holder 300. The flexible rubber sleeve 207 achieves a soft connection between the rotating arm 200 and the lens holder 300, preventing interference between the lens holder 300 and the rotating arm 200 during rotation. On the other hand, the connection between the flexible rubber sleeve 207 and the lens holder 300 improves the sealing between the lens holder 300 and the rotating arm 200, preventing water from entering the rotating arm 200.

[0047] Specifically, the flexible sleeve 207 has a cylindrical structure, with one end connected to the end of the rotating arm 200 and the other end tightly connected to the side of the mirror holder 300. The flexible sleeve 207 surrounds the power output shaft of the second drive device 204.

[0048] When an oral examination or treatment is required, the dentist holds the handle 100 of the oral endoscope and inserts the endoscope holder 300 into the patient's mouth. Depending on the examination needs, the dentist can operate the first drive device 201 via the first control button 102. The first drive device 201 drives the first bevel gear 202 to rotate, and the first bevel gear 202 meshes with the second bevel gear 203, thereby adjusting the angle of the endoscope holder 300 around the Z-axis. The dentist can operate the second drive device 204 via the second control button 103 to rotate the endoscope holder 300 around the Y-axis. The oral endoscope of this application has multi-degree-of-freedom movement capabilities, enabling flexible observation of various corners within the oral cavity, especially areas difficult to observe with traditional endoscopes, such as the wisdom tooth area, the root of the tongue, and the posterior part of the palate.

[0049] In addition, during use, the third control button can control the temperature of the heating pad to prevent the lens 400 from fogging due to temperature differences and ensure a clear field of vision.

[0050] In some embodiments, the surface of the lens 400 is coated with an anti-fog coating.

[0051] In some embodiments, the surface of the lens 400 is provided with a hydrophobic layer and an oleophobic layer. The hydrophobic and oleophobic layers make the lens surface less susceptible to being contaminated by liquids and secretions from the mouth, further improving the clarity of the field of vision and the ease of cleaning and maintenance of the device.

[0052] The anti-fog coating, hydrophobic layer, and oleophobic layer on the surface of the lens 400 work together to maintain good imaging performance even in the liquid environment of the oral cavity.

[0053] The anti-fog coating is a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based composite coating, mainly formed by mixing PVA with hydrophilic additives such as glycerin and polyethylene glycol (PEG). This creates a nanoscale porous structure on the lens surface, enabling rapid and uniform dispersion of water vapor.

[0054] The hydrophobic layer mainly uses fluorosilane compounds, such as perfluoroalkyl trichlorosilane, to form a self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the lens 400 through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Its typical structure is to first form a nano-roughened layer on the surface of the lens 400 substrate, and then cover it with a low surface energy material to form a micro-nano bilayer structure similar to the "lotus leaf effect", making it difficult for water droplets to stay on the surface.

[0055] The oleophobic layer is a fluorinated organosiloxane copolymer: it has both hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, and is bonded to the substrate through chemical bonds to form a dense network structure.

[0056] On the intraoral endoscope lens 400, the bottom layer is the lens 400 substrate (usually optical-grade glass or transparent resin), the second layer is an anti-fog coating (hydrophilic layer), the third layer is a nano-roughened layer that provides the basis for a hydrophobic / oleophobic structure, and the outermost layer is a hydrophobic / oleophobic functional layer. This multi-layered structural design allows the lens 400 to maintain its anti-fog function while also possessing dual resistance to saliva (water-based) and food debris (oil-based) in the oral environment, ensuring clear vision under various complex oral conditions.

[0057] This novel oral endoscope can be used not only for routine oral examinations, but is also particularly suitable for examining the developmental status of wisdom teeth, observing lesions in the posterior part of the maxilla, examining the tongue root, detecting the depth of periodontal pockets, assisting in minor oral surgeries, and assisting in root canal treatment. Due to its multi-degree-of-freedom characteristics, dentists do not need to frequently adjust the patient's posture or change tools during operation, allowing for continuous examination and treatment, significantly improving medical efficiency and reducing patient discomfort.

[0058] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0059] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application.

Claims

1. An oral endoscope, characterized in that, include: A handle, one end of which is fitted with a rotating arm via a pivot; A lens holder on which a lens is mounted, and the lens holder is connected to the end of the rotating arm away from the handle; A first drive device is provided on the side of the rotating arm. A first bevel gear is installed on the power output shaft of the first drive device. A second bevel gear is provided on the rotating arm and fixedly connected to the end of the rotating shaft. The first bevel gear and the second bevel gear mesh with each other. A second drive device is installed inside the rotating arm. The power output shaft of the second drive device is connected to the mirror holder.

2. The oral endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the rotating swing arm is provided with a cover that surrounds the first drive device, the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear, and a sealing gasket is provided between the cover and the rotating swing arm.

3. The oral endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens holder is equipped with a heating pad that is lining the back of the lens.

4. The oral endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating pad is a transparent conductive layer.

5. The oral endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle is telescopic.

6. The oral endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end face of the lens holder is provided with a ring of LED beads surrounding the lens.

7. The oral endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The handle is equipped with a power source, which is connected to the heating pad, the first driving device, the second driving device, and the LED.

8. The oral endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: The handle is equipped with a PLC control board, which is connected to the first drive device, the second drive device, the heating pad, the LED beads, and the power supply. The handle is equipped with a first control button, a second control button, a third control button, and a fourth control button, all of which are connected to the PLC control board. The first control button is used to control the first drive device, the second control button is used to control the second drive device, the third control button is used to control the heating pad, and the fourth control button is used to control the LED beads.

9. The oral endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flexible rubber sleeve is provided at one end of the rotating arm corresponding to the lens holder, and the flexible rubber sleeve is tightly connected to the lens holder.

10. The oral endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the lens is provided with an anti-fog coating, a hydrophobic layer, and an oleophobic layer.

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