Dental photography device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a dental photography device, it includes main part, shielding cylinder and mouth gag, the main part includes shell, camera, purple light source and filter module, the shell forms a chamber and working surface, the working surface is the part of surface that surrounds the formation chamber, form first hole on the working surface, shielding cylinder from the edge of working surface extends to the direction of away from the main part, the mouth gag sets up in the end of shielding cylinder, is used for opening the patient labial cheek, the camera is configured to gather the image of the in -mouth tissue that the mouth gag opens the patient lip and exposes through first hole and shielding cylinder, the purple light source distributes on the periphery of camera on first working surface is used for on in -mouth tissue on the illumination purple light and / or ultraviolet light, the filter module includes first filter and position control device, the first filter is used for extracting dental plaque characteristic fluorescence, the position control device is used for controlling the position of first filter, makes it be located on the light path of camera or be located outside the light path of camera.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to dental photography devices, and in particular to dental photography devices with dental plaque detection functions. Background Technology

[0002] Dental plaque, also known as tartar, is a biological film that gradually accumulates on the surface of teeth and gums. It is primarily composed of bacteria, but also includes fungi. Dental plaque on teeth can lead to cavities, and plaque buildup at the tooth roots can irritate the gums, causing gingivitis. When it spreads to the bone surrounding the teeth, it becomes periodontal disease, such as periodontitis. Therefore, it is necessary to remove dental plaque promptly to prevent it from developing into dental diseases.

[0003] Currently, plaque detection typically uses plaque revealing agents, which are applied to the surfaces of teeth and gums and the presence of reddish-purple spots is observed to determine the presence of plaque. However, this method is too cumbersome. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a dental imaging device with plaque detection capabilities to make plaque detection more convenient. Utility Model Content

[0004] One aspect of this utility model provides a dental imaging device, comprising a main body, a shielding tube, and an oral mouth opener. The main body includes a housing, a camera, a UV light source, and a filter module. The housing forms a chamber and a working surface. The working surface is part of the surface surrounding the chamber. A first hole is formed on the working surface. The shielding tube extends from the edge of the working surface away from the main body. The oral mouth opener is disposed at the end of the shielding tube for opening the patient's lips and cheeks. The camera is fixedly installed in the chamber and is configured to acquire images of the intraoral tissue exposed by the oral mouth opener through the first hole and the shielding tube. The UV light source is distributed around the camera on the first working surface for irradiating the intraoral tissue exposed by the oral mouth opener with UV light and / or UV light. The filter module includes a first filter and a position control device. The first filter is used to extract the characteristic fluorescence of dental plaque, and the position control device is used to control the position of the first filter so that it is located in or outside the optical path of the camera.

[0005] In some embodiments, the main body further includes N illumination sources, evenly distributed around the camera on the working surface, for providing illumination for the camera to take routine intraoral tissue photographs, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0006] In some embodiments, the dental photography device has a first operating mode for detecting dental plaque and a second operating mode for taking routine photographs of a patient's dental tissue. In the first operating mode, the ultraviolet light source is turned on, the illumination source is turned off, and the first filter is located in the optical path of the camera. In the second operating mode, the ultraviolet light source is turned off, the illumination source is turned on, and the first filter is located outside the optical path of the camera.

[0007] In some embodiments, the dental imaging apparatus further includes a control device configured to, upon receiving an instruction to put the dental imaging apparatus into the first operating mode, turn on the ultraviolet light source, turn off the illumination source, and control the position control device to position the first filter in the optical path of the camera; and upon receiving an instruction to put the dental imaging apparatus into the second operating mode, turn off the ultraviolet light source, turn on the illumination source, and control the position control device to position the first filter outside the optical path of the camera.

[0008] In some embodiments, the camera includes a lens and an image sensor, with the filter module located between the lens and the image sensor.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first filter is a high-pass filter.

[0010] In some embodiments, the filter module includes a substrate and a frame, a groove is formed on the substrate, the frame is slidably mounted in the groove, the first filter is fixed to the frame, and the position of the first filter is controlled by controlling the position of the frame in the groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the position control device includes a swing arm and an electromagnet. The two ends of the swing arm are connected to the base plate and the frame, respectively. A permanent magnet is provided on the swing arm, and the position of the frame in the groove is controlled by the interaction between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the filter module further includes a second filter. The first and second filters are fixed at different positions on the frame along the direction of the slide groove. The second filter is a transparent glass or an infrared cutoff filter. When the dental imaging device is in a first operating mode for detecting dental plaque, the first filter is located in the optical path of the camera, and the second filter is located outside the optical path of the camera. When the dental imaging device is in a second operating mode for taking routine photographs of a patient's dental tissue, the first filter is located outside the optical path of the camera, and the second filter is located in the optical path of the camera.

[0013] In some embodiments, the chamber is a closed chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The above and other features of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and their detailed description. It should be understood that these drawings only illustrate several exemplary embodiments according to this application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and similar reference numerals denote similar parts.

[0015] Figure 1 A dental imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of this application is illustrated schematically;

[0016] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 The main body of the dental imaging device shown;

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view of the main body;

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A bottom view of the main body shown;

[0019] Figure 5 Showing Figure 1 The dental imaging device shown has an opening;

[0020] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the filter module and the camera in one embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 7 along Figure 6 The A direction in the diagram schematically illustrates the filter module; and

[0022] Figure 8 The filter module is schematically shown when the frame is in the second position. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following detailed description incorporates the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. The illustrative embodiments mentioned in the specification and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand, based on the teachings of this application, that many other embodiments can be employed and various changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. It should be understood that the various aspects of this application illustrated herein can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in many different configurations, all of which are within the scope of this application.

[0024] One aspect of this invention provides a dental imaging device, comprising an oral lip opener, a camera, a UV light source, and a filter module. The oral lip opener is used to open the patient's lips, and the camera is configured to capture images of intraoral tissues (including teeth and gums) exposed by the open lips. The UV light source is configured to emit UV and / or UV light. The filter module includes a first filter and a position control device. The first filter is used to extract characteristic fluorescence of dental plaque, and the position control device is used to control the position of the first filter. In a first imaging mode, the position control device controls the first filter to a first position, where the first filter is located in the optical path of the camera. The UV light source illuminates the intraoral tissues with UV and / or UV light, and the dental plaque area is highlighted in the intraoral tissue image captured by the camera. In a second imaging mode, the position control device controls the first filter to a second position, where the first filter is located outside the optical path of the camera, and the UV light source is turned off. In this mode, the intraoral tissue image captured by the camera is a normal intraoral tissue image.

[0025] The dental imaging device of this invention can be used to capture images of ordinary intraoral tissues and to detect dental plaque. It can also be switched between the two imaging modes very conveniently, which greatly facilitates patients.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 The image schematically illustrates a dental imaging device 100 according to one embodiment of the present application, which includes a body 101 and an mouth opener 103, wherein the mouth opener 103 is sleeved on the body 101.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 2-4 , Figure 2 schematically shown Figure 1 The main body 101 shown, Figure 3 for Figure 2 The top view of the main body 101 shown. Figure 4 for Figure 2 The bottom view of the main body 101 shown.

[0028] The outer contour of the front of the main body 101 is roughly a closed U-shape, and the cross-sectional contour is oval, making it very comfortable for the user to hold and operate. Based on the teachings of this application, it can be understood that the main body 101 can be any other suitable shape besides the shape of this embodiment.

[0029] The main body 101 includes a housing 1010, which forms a chamber for mounting related components. The housing 1010 forms a working surface 1011 facing the mouth opener 103, which is part of the surface surrounding the chamber. A first hole 1013 is formed on the working surface 1011, such that a camera 1015 fixedly mounted in the chamber can acquire images of the intraoral tissue exposed by the mouth opener 103 through the first hole 1013.

[0030] In one embodiment, the working surface 1011 may be a plane. In another embodiment, the working surface 1011 may be a curved surface. It will be understood, as taught in this application, that the working surface 1011 may be any other suitable geometry besides a plane and a curved surface.

[0031] The outer shell 1010 extends integrally from the edge of the working surface 1011 toward the opening 103 to form a cylinder 1017, which surrounds the working surface 1011. A plurality of snap fasteners 1019 are formed at the end of the cylinder 1017 away from the working surface 1011.

[0032] At least two illumination sources 1021 are evenly distributed around the first hole 1013 on the working surface 1011, preferably four illumination sources 1021, more preferably six illumination sources 1021, and even more preferably eight illumination sources 1021. The illumination sources 1021 are used to provide illumination for the camera 1015 to take routine photographs (color or black and white) of intraoral tissues, so as to ensure the quality of the routine photographs of intraoral tissues taken.

[0033] In one embodiment, the lighting source 1021 may be a white LED. As can be understood from the teachings of this application, the lighting source 1021 may be any other light source besides a white LED.

[0034] At least one violet light source 1023 is distributed around the first hole 1013 on the working surface 1011. Preferably, at least two violet light sources 1023 are evenly distributed around the first hole 1013. The violet light sources 1023 are used to generate violet or ultraviolet light (wavelength range of about 330nm to 480nm) and project it onto the intraoral tissue.

[0035] Porphyrin compounds produced by dental plaque metabolism fluoresce red under violet or ultraviolet light (wavelength range of approximately 600nm to 700nm), while oral tissues without plaque fluoresce at wavelengths shorter than the red fluorescence wavelength under violet or ultraviolet light. If a long-pass filter is placed in the optical path of the camera 1015 to filter out a significant portion of light with wavelengths less than 600nm, then the areas containing dental plaque in the oral tissue images captured by the camera 1015 will be highlighted, allowing users to clearly distinguish the distribution of dental plaque and achieve plaque detection.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 3 It schematically demonstrates Figure 1 The opening device 103 shown.

[0037] The opening device 103 includes a cylinder (also called a shielding cylinder) 1031, with a first end remote from the main body 101 forming a flared flange 1033. A plurality of snap fasteners 1035 are formed on the second end opposite the first end, respectively engaging with a plurality of snap fasteners 1019 on the top of the cylinder 1017 of the housing 1010 to secure it to the cylinder 1017. As can be understood from the teachings of this application, in addition to snap fasteners, any other suitable securing method can be used between the opening device 103 and the housing 1010, such as an interference fit.

[0038] Based on the teachings of this application, it can be understood that the cylinder between the body 101 and the opening 103 can have different configurations, and the following are a few examples.

[0039] In one embodiment, no cylinder is formed on the housing 1010, and the sleeve of the opening 103 is provided on the edge of the working surface 1011 of the housing 1010.

[0040] In yet another embodiment, the outer casing 1010 has a longer cylinder, while the opening 103 does not form a cylinder.

[0041] In another embodiment, the outer shell 1010, the cylinder, and the opening 103 may be integrally formed.

[0042] In another embodiment, the housing 1010 and the opening 103 are connected by a sleeve via a separate adapter sleeve.

[0043] All the different embodiments of the shielding cylinder described above can be described as extending from the edge of the working surface 1011 to form the shielding cylinder. Here, "extending" does not mean that the shielding cylinder and the outer shell 1010 are integrally formed; it encompasses all the different situations described above.

[0044] A control button 1025 is provided on the side wall of the main body 101 for the user to operate the dental imaging device 100. A connector 1027 is provided on the bottom of the main body 101 for charging the main body 101 and / or connecting to a separate computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer).

[0045] The main body 101 is also equipped with a filter module. When dental plaque is detected using the dental photography device 100, the filter module controls the position of the filter used to extract the characteristic fluorescence of dental plaque, so that it is located in the optical path of the camera 1015, so that the dental plaque area stands out in the image of dental tissue acquired by the camera 1015.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 6 This schematically illustrates the positional relationship between the filter module 105 and the camera 1015 in one embodiment of this application.

[0047] Camera 1015 includes lens 1015a and image sensor 1015b, in Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the filter module 105 is located between the lens 1015a and the image sensor 1015b.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 7 ,along Figure 6 The filter module 105 is schematically shown in direction A.

[0049] The filter module 105 includes a substrate 1051, a frame 1053, a rocker arm 1055, and an electromagnet 1057. A groove 1059 is formed on the substrate 1051, and the frame 1053 is slidably mounted in the groove 1059. A first filter 1061 and a second filter 1063 are fixedly mounted on the frame 1053, and they are distributed at different positions on the frame 1053 along the extension direction of the groove 1059.

[0050] The first filter 1061 is used to extract the characteristic fluorescence of dental plaque, and the second filter 1063 can be transparent glass or an infrared cut-off filter. An infrared cut-off filter (also called an infrared filter or a heat-absorbing filter) is a filter used to filter the infrared band, which can prevent infrared light from passing through the lens of a camera and causing image distortion.

[0051] The two ends of the swing arm 1055 are connected to the base plate 1051 and the frame 1053 respectively to control the position of the frame 1053 in the slide groove 1059. A permanent magnet (not shown in the figure) is provided on the swing arm 1055. By connecting currents in different directions to the electromagnet 1057, the electromagnet 1057 generates magnetic forces in different directions, controlling the swing arm 1055 to drive the frame 1053 to slide in the slide groove 1059, so that it is in the first position or the second position. Figure 7 The frame 1053 of the filter module 105 shown is in the first position. At this time, the first filter 1061 is located in the optical path of the camera 1015, and the second filter 1063 is located outside the optical path of the camera 1015. When the frame 1053 is in the first position, the dental imaging device 100 can be used to detect dental plaque.

[0052] Please refer again. Figure 8 The diagram schematically illustrates the filter module 105 when the frame 1053 is in the second position. In this position, the first filter 1061 is outside the optical path of the camera 1015, and the second filter 1063 is in the optical path of the camera 1015. When the frame 1053 is in the second position, the dental imaging device 100 can be used to take routine photographs of dental tissues.

[0053] Based on the inspiration of this application, it can be understood that the structure of the dental imaging device 100 can have various variations.

[0054] In one embodiment, only a first filter for extracting the fluorescence characteristic of dental plaque may be installed on the frame, without a second filter.

[0055] In one embodiment, the position of the frame within the chute can be controlled by a motor, rather than by an electromagnet.

[0056] In one embodiment, the filter module may further include a spring, with its two ends connected to a base and a swing arm, respectively. When the electromagnet is not energized, the spring pulls the swing arm, causing the frame to be in one of the first and second positions. When the electromagnet is energized, the magnetic force it generates is greater than the tension of the spring, causing the frame to slide from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions.

[0057] In one embodiment, the frame is connected to an operating lever extending beyond the housing 1010, allowing a user to manually operate the operating lever to control the position of the frame within the slide.

[0058] In one embodiment, the filter module may be located on the side of the lens away from the image sensor.

[0059] When using the dental photography device 100 to detect dental plaque or take routine photographs of dental tissue, the first end of the mouth opener 103 is placed in the patient's mouth to open the lips and cheeks, exposing the dental tissue inside the patient's mouth. Thus, the camera 1015 can capture images of the dental tissue through the mouth opener 103. At this time, the patient's lips and cheeks rest against the flange 1033, making it difficult for the mouth opener 103 to fall out of the patient's mouth.

[0060] The cylinder 1017 of the outer shell 1010 and the cylinder 1031 of the mouth opener 103 form a shielding cylinder. If the first end of the mouth opener 103 is closed, the working surface 1011 of the outer shell 1010 and the shielding cylinder form a closed cavity to avoid ambient light affecting the quality of the dental tissue images captured by the camera 1015.

[0061] The cavity defined by the outer shell 1010 of the main body 101 also houses a control device (e.g., a control circuit module) and a battery (not shown in the figure). An electrical connection is formed between the camera 1015, the illumination source 1021, the ultraviolet light source 1023, the electromagnet 1057, the control device, and the battery. The battery supplies power to the control device, the camera 1015, the illumination source 1021, the ultraviolet light source 1023, and the electromagnet 1057.

[0062] In one embodiment, when the control device receives a command to detect dental plaque, it controls the electromagnet 1057 to generate a magnetic force in a first direction, causing the frame 1053 to be in the first position, and simultaneously turns on the ultraviolet light source 1023. When the control device receives a command to take a routine photograph of dental tissue, it controls the electromagnet 1057 to generate a magnetic force in a second direction opposite to the first direction, causing the frame 1053 to be in the second position, and simultaneously turns on the illumination source 1021.

[0063] Although various aspects and embodiments of this application have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments of this application will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspiration from this application. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The scope and spirit of this application are determined solely by the appended claims.

[0064] Similarly, the diagrams may illustrate exemplary architectures or other configurations of the disclosed methods and systems, which aid in understanding the features and functions that may be included in the disclosed methods and systems. The claims are not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, and the desired features may be implemented with various alternative architectures and configurations. Furthermore, the order of the blocks given herein with respect to flowcharts, functional descriptions, and method claims should not be limited to various embodiments implemented in the same order to perform the said functions, unless explicitly indicated in the context.

[0065] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms and phrases used herein, and their variations thereof, should be interpreted as open-ended rather than restrictive. In some instances, the appearance of extended words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to,” or other similar expressions should not be construed as an intention or necessity to indicate a narrower scope in examples where such extended expressions might not exist.

Claims

1. A dental imaging device, characterized in that, It includes a main body, a shielding cylinder, and an opening device. The main body includes a housing, a camera, a UV light source, and a filter module. The housing forms a chamber and a working surface. The working surface is part of the surface surrounding the chamber, and a first hole is formed on the working surface. The masking tube extends from the edge of the working surface in a direction away from the main body, and the mouth opener is located at the end of the masking tube to open the patient's lips and cheeks. The camera is fixedly installed inside the cavity and is configured to capture images of the oral tissues exposed by the mouth opening device after the patient's lips are opened, through the first hole and the shielding tube. The ultraviolet light source is distributed around the camera on the first working surface, and is used to irradiate the intraoral tissue exposed by the mouth opening device when the patient's lips are opened with ultraviolet light and / or ultraviolet light. The filter module includes a first filter and a position control device. The first filter is used to extract the characteristic fluorescence of dental plaque, and the position control device is used to control the position of the first filter so that it is located in the optical path of the camera or outside the optical path of the camera.

2. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The main body also includes N lighting sources, which are evenly distributed around the camera on the working surface to provide illumination for the camera to take routine intraoral tissue photographs, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

3. The dental imaging apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It has a first working mode for detecting dental plaque and a second working mode for taking routine photographs of a patient's dental tissue. In the first working mode, the ultraviolet light source is turned on, the illumination source is turned off, and the first filter is located in the optical path of the camera. In the second working mode, the ultraviolet light source is turned off, the illumination source is turned on, and the first filter is located outside the optical path of the camera.

4. The dental imaging apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a control device configured to, upon receiving an instruction to put the dental imaging device into the first operating mode, turn on the ultraviolet light source, turn off the illumination source, and control the position control device to position the first filter in the optical path of the camera; and upon receiving an instruction to put the dental imaging device into the second operating mode, turn off the ultraviolet light source, turn on the illumination source, and control the position control device to position the first filter outside the optical path of the camera.

5. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The camera includes a lens and an image sensor, and the filter module is located between the lens and the image sensor.

6. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first filter is a high-pass filter.

7. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The filter module includes a substrate and a frame. A groove is formed on the substrate, and the frame is slidably mounted in the groove. The first filter is fixed to the frame, and the position of the first filter is controlled by controlling the position of the frame in the groove.

8. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The position control device includes a swing arm and an electromagnet. The two ends of the swing arm are connected to the base plate and the frame, respectively. A permanent magnet is provided on the swing arm. The position of the frame in the groove is controlled by the interaction between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet.

9. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The filter module further includes a second filter. The first and second filters are fixed at different positions on the frame along the direction of the slide groove. The second filter is a transparent glass or an infrared cutoff filter. When the dental imaging device is in a first working mode for detecting dental plaque, the first filter is located in the optical path of the camera, and the second filter is located outside the optical path of the camera. When the dental imaging device is in a second working mode for taking routine photographs of a patient's dental tissue, the first filter is located outside the optical path of the camera, and the second filter is located in the optical path of the camera.

10. The dental imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The chamber is a closed chamber.

Images