A handheld, multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing pulp vitality

Abstract

A portable, multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp, consisting of: a detachable diagnostic component comprising a variety of probes, including the following: a heat probe configured to deliver controlled heat stimuli to a tooth surface and measure the heat response of the dental pulp; an electrical probe configured to deliver low-voltage electrical pulses to the tooth surface and measure the electrical impedance of the dental pulp; and an optical probe configured to assess blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp using near-infrared light; a microcontroller unit configured to process sensor data from the thermal probe, the electrical probe and the optical probe, to calibrate measurements based on the oral base temperature and the ambient conditions, to aggregate multimodal sensor data and to control the operation of the thermal probe, the electrical probe and the optical probe; a cloud platform configured to receive and store aggregated sensor data, run artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze multimodal sensor data and generate diagnostic insights that include vital signs and diagnostic probabilities; a user application that is communicatively connected to the cloud platform and configured to wirelessly receive aggregated sensor data, display detailed diagnostic reports with vital signs and trends to the user, integrate with electronic health data systems, and issue alerts in case of abnormal readings; a wireless communication module connected to the microcontroller unit, configured to transmit the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform; a display interface configured to show real-time feedback from the probes, including vitality assessments and sensor readings; and a main body containing the microcontroller unit, a rechargeable power supply and the display interface, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be charged via the current provided through a charging port on the main body, and wherein the main body is also equipped with on / off and start / stop switches; the device is configured to provide a non-invasive, quantitative real-time analysis of dental pulp health by combining physiological responses from thermal, electrical, and optical measurements.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp, in particular a portable multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp. More precisely, the present invention relates to a portable multimodal dental diagnostic device with several probes, namely a thermal probe, an electrical probe and an optical probe, for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp using artificial intelligence. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dental pulp vitality testing is an important diagnostic procedure in endodontics to determine the health of the dental pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Conventional pulp vitality tests, such as thermal (cold / heat) or electrical pulp testing (EPT), rely on subjective patient feedback or limited single-parameter measurements. These methods are often imprecise and prone to false-positive / false-negative results in patients with immature teeth with exposed tips, recently traumatized teeth, and patients with altered sensation. They can also cause discomfort. Furthermore, they do not provide a comprehensive overview of pulp health, leading to diagnostic challenges in cases of early pulpitis, necrosis, or atypical presentations.

[0003] Recent advances in sensor technology, wireless communication, and artificial intelligence offer opportunities for developing more precise and objective diagnostic tools. However, no existing device integrates multiple sensor modalities with real-time data analysis for a comprehensive assessment of pulp vitality. There is a need for a non-invasive, user-friendly device that combines thermal, electrical, and optical measurements with AI-assisted diagnostics to improve clinical decision-making in dentistry.

[0004] Existing advanced diagnostic methods such as laser Doppler flowmetry and pulse oximetry are expensive, bulky, and impractical. Therefore, there is a need for a compact, non-invasive, objective, multimodal pulp viability tester that combines accuracy with clinical applicability.

[0005] To overcome the aforementioned challenge, the present invention offers a multifunctional device for assessing pulp vitality through combined thermal, electrical, and optical modalities in a single handheld device. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a portable, multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing pulp vitality. The device is configured to assess pulp vitality using combined thermal, electrical, and optical modalities in a single handheld unit. The device is configured to perform thermal tests (cold and warm) with a thermal probe, electrical pulp stimulation (EPS) with an electrical probe, and optical flow measurement (e.g., infrared / pulse oximetry) with an optical probe, each sensor being controlled via a digital interface. The device provides a real-time vitality assessment using an embedded algorithm and displays the result on an LCD or an app interface. The combination of multiple diagnostic modalities in a single device ensures a high degree of diagnostic accuracy and objectivity.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a portable, multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp. The system comprises: a removable diagnostic component with multiple probes, including a thermal probe that delivers controlled thermal stimuli to a tooth surface and measures the thermal response of the dental pulp; an electrical probe that delivers low-voltage electrical pulses to the tooth surface and measures the electrical impedance of the dental pulp; and an optical probe that assesses blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp using near-infrared light; a microcontroller unit configured to: process sensor data from the thermal, electrical, and optical probes; calibrate measurements based on the baseline temperature in the mouth and ambient conditions; aggregate multimodal sensor data; and control the operation of the thermal, electrical, and optical probes.a cloud platform configured to: receive and store aggregated sensor data; run artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze the multimodal sensor data; and generate diagnostic insights that include vital signs and diagnostic probabilities; a user application that communicates wirelessly with the cloud platform and is configured to: receive aggregated sensor data; display detailed diagnostic reports with vital signs and trends to the user; integrate with electronic health record systems; and issue alerts for abnormal readings; a wireless communication module connected to the microcontroller unit that is configured to transmit aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform; a display interface configured to display real-time feedback from the probes, including vital signs and sensor readings;and a main housing containing the microcontroller unit, a rechargeable power supply and the display interface, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be charged via a charging port provided on the main housing and wherein the main housing is also equipped with on / off and start / stop switches;

[0008] In one embodiment, the device is configured to enable non-invasive, quantitative real-time analysis of dental pulp health by combining physiological responses from thermal, electrical, and optical measurements.

[0009] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a portable multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing pulp vitality.

[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to combine thermal, electrical and optical sensor technologies to enable an objective, quantitative assessment of the vitality of the dental pulp.

[0011] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a device equipped with artificial intelligence and wireless connectivity features to process multimodal sensor data in real time, generate automated vital signs, and provide immediate clinical decision support through seamless integration with electronic health record systems and associated mobile applications.

[0012] Another objective of the present disclosure is to reduce diagnostic errors and eliminate the subjective variability in interpretation inherent in conventional single-modality testing methods.

[0013] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing. This drawing merely shows typical embodiments of the invention and is therefore not to be understood as limiting its scope. The invention is described and explained more precisely and in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood if the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the same symbols consistently represent the same parts. The following applies: Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a portable multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing pulp vitality according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Experts will also recognize that the elements in the drawing are shown for the sake of simplicity and are not necessarily to scale. For example, the flowcharts illustrate the process by highlighting the main steps to enhance understanding of the aspects of this disclosure. Furthermore, with regard to the design of the device, one or more components of the device may be represented in the drawing by conventional symbols, and the drawing may show only the specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to clutter the drawing with details that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art after reading this description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0016] For a better understanding of the inventive principles, reference is made below to the embodiment shown in the drawing, which is described in specific terminology. However, this does not limit the scope of the invention. Changes and further modifications of the illustrated system, as well as further applications of the inventive principles, are possible, as would normally occur to a person skilled in the art in the field of invention.

[0017] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the preceding general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended as a limitation of it.

[0018] References in this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect”, or similar expressions mean that a particular feature, structure, or property described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, occurrences of the expressions “in one embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, and similar expressions in this specification may all refer to the same embodiment, but need not.

[0019] The terms "includes," "include," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that includes a list of steps may not only contain those steps but may also include other steps not expressly listed or inherent in such process or method. Likewise, the statement "includes..." in the case of one or more devices, subsystems, elements, structures, or components does not, without further limitations, preclude the existence of other devices, subsystems, elements, structures, components, or additional devices, subsystems, elements, structures, or components.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art in the field of the invention. The system, methods, and examples provided here serve only for illustration and are not to be construed as a limitation.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a portable multimodal dental diagnostic device (100) for assessing pulp vitality according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Referring to Fig.1 The device (100) comprises the following: a detachable diagnostic component (102) with multiple probes, including a thermal probe (102a) configured to deliver controlled thermal stimuli to a tooth surface and measure the thermal response of the dental pulp; an electrical probe (102b) configured to deliver low-voltage electrical pulses to the tooth surface and measure the electrical impedance of the dental pulp; and an optical probe (102c) configured to assess blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp using near-infrared light. The device (100) further comprises: a microcontroller unit (104) configured to: process sensor data from the thermal probe (102a), the electrical probe (102b), and the optical probe (102c); calibrate measurements based on the baseline temperature in the mouth and the ambient conditions; and aggregate multimodal sensor data.and controls the operation of the thermal probe (102a), the electrical probe (102b), and the optical probe (102c); a cloud platform (106) configured to: receive and store the aggregated sensor data; execute artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze the multimodal sensor data; and generate diagnostic insights that include vital signs and diagnostic probabilities; a user application (108) that communicates with the cloud platform (106) and is configured to: wirelessly receive the aggregated sensor data; display detailed diagnostic reports, including vital signs and trends, to the user; integrate with electronic health record systems; and issue alerts for abnormal readings; a wireless communication module (110) connected to the microcontroller unit (104) and configured to transmit the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform (106);a display interface (112) configured to display real-time feedback from the probes, including vitality values ​​and sensor readings; and a main body (114) housing the microcontroller unit (104), a rechargeable power supply (116), and the display interface (112), wherein the rechargeable power supply (116) can be charged via the current provided through a charging port on the main body (114), and wherein the main body (114) is also equipped with on / off and start / stop switches; wherein the device (100) is configured to provide non-invasive, quantitative, real-time analysis of dental pulp health by combining physiological responses from thermal, electrical, and optical measurements.

[0024] In one embodiment, the thermoprobe (102a) comprises a Peltier-based thermomodule configured to generate controlled cooling stimuli at about -5 °C and controlled heating stimuli at about 50 °C, wherein the thermoprobe (102a) also comprises a biocompatible tip made of titanium or stainless steel for safe contact with tooth surfaces.

[0025] In one embodiment, the electrical probe (102b) comprises a low-voltage electrode configured to deliver electrical pulses in a programmable voltage range between 0.5 V and 5 V in stepwise increments, wherein the electrical probe (102b) is configured to measure the electrical impedance, which indicates nerve viability and tissue conductivity of the dental pulp.

[0026] In one embodiment, the optical probe (102c) comprises a pulse oximetry module with a dual-wavelength LED and a photodiode array, wherein the dual-wavelength LED is configured to emit near-infrared light and the photodiode array is configured to measure light transmittance or reflection to assess blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp.

[0027] In one embodiment, the thermal probe (102a), the electrical probe (102b) and the optical probe (102c) are interchangeably connected to the main body (114), each probe comprising magnetic or mechanical docking mechanisms and the microcontroller unit (104) being configured to automatically detect each probe upon connection.

[0028] In one embodiment, the microcontroller unit (104) is configured to interpret multimodal sensor data by implementing neural network or machine learning algorithms trained on clinical pulp vitality datasets that include healthy and pathological pulp profiles, and wherein the microcontroller unit (104) is configured to generate vitality values ​​in the range of 0 to 100.The neural network or machine learning algorithms include machine learning models configured to compare sensor data with trained datasets of healthy and pathological pulp profiles, generate diagnostic probabilities for conditions such as healthy pulp, reversible pulpitis, and necrosis, give greater weight to optical blood flow data when the reliability of the patient response is compromised, and improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity by interpreting complex multimodal sensor data.

[0029] In one embodiment, the display interface (112) comprises a compact OLED touchscreen configured to display a three-level vitality index comprising the classifications "Vital," "Questionable," or "Necrotic." Furthermore, the display interface (112) is configured to provide immediate diagnostic feedback to clinical staff.

[0030] In one embodiment, the wireless communication module (110) comprises at least one of the following connections: Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi, wherein the wireless communication module (110) is configured to provide secure data transmission and the device is also configured to transmit diagnostic results to user devices or dental recording systems.

[0031] In one embodiment, the user application (108) includes a data logging module configured to record diagnostic results per patient and tooth identification, to create trend graphs for the vitality status over time, and to compare current diagnostic data with previous measurements of the same tooth to monitor longitudinal changes, wherein the user application (108) is configured to provide automated recommendations for clinical decision support based on vitality trends.

[0032] The present invention relates to a multimodal smart device for the objective assessment of dental pulp vitality. It features advanced sensors, wireless connectivity, and artificial intelligence for the non-invasive evaluation of pulp health. The device combines thermal, electrical, and optical components to stimulate nerve supply and blood flow, thereby enabling a comprehensive vitality assessment. The device includes replaceable or integrated probe tips, a microcontroller for modality control, a display interface, and wireless communication capabilities. It allows for a quantitative, real-time analysis of pulp health by combining physiological responses from neurovascular and sensory indicators.The data is wirelessly transmitted to an associated software application or cloud platform, where AI algorithms analyze the results and provide doctors with diagnostic insights in real time.

[0033] In one embodiment, the portable intelligent pulp vitality test device comprises several advanced components for the precise assessment of dental pulp health. The device includes a thermal probe that generates cold or heat to stimulate the tooth's nerve supply through controlled cooling or heating pulses. An electrical probe uses a low-voltage electrode to measure the pulp's electrical impedance, indicating nerve viability and tissue condition. Additionally, the device features an optical probe containing a pulse oximetry module that utilizes near-infrared light to measure blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation within the pulp. For safe and effective contact with the tooth surface, the device has a biocompatible tip made of titanium or stainless steel. A microcontroller unit (MCU) processes sensor data, calibrates measurements, and communicates with external devices.An integrated wireless module, such as Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi, enables secure data transmission to a smartphone, tablet, or cloud platform. The handheld device also features a compact OLED touchscreen display that provides real-time feedback, including vital signs and sensor readings. The device is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with USB-C charging, ensuring portability and ease of use. This intelligent pulp vitality monitoring device also includes a user app and a cloud platform. The app displays detailed diagnostic reports, including vital signs, trends, and alerts for abnormal readings. The cloud platform is configured to store the collected sensor and health data. The user app integrates with electronic health records (EHRs) to ensure a seamless clinical workflow.The user application wirelessly receives diagnostic results, logs the results per patient and tooth ID, creates trend charts for vitality status over time, and provides automated recommendations for clinical decision support based on vitality trends. Furthermore, the application utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze multimodal data and predict pulp health.

[0034] In this implementation, the device is calibrated to the patient's baseline oral temperature and ambient conditions. During the measurement, the dentist places the biocompatible tip of the probe on the tooth surface. The thermal sensor generates a controlled thermal stimulus using the Peltier element, for example, -5°C for cooling or 50°C for heating, and measures the thermal response of the medullary canal. The electrical sensor emits a low-voltage pulse to measure impedance, thus indicating the conductivity of nerves and tissue. The optical sensor uses near-infrared light to measure blood flow and oxygen saturation. The microcontroller unit aggregates the sensor data and transmits it wirelessly to the accompanying application or cloud platform.A proprietary AI algorithm then compares the sensor data with a trained dataset of healthy and pathological pulp profiles, generating a vitality score between 0 and 100 and diagnostic probabilities (in percent), for example, 80% healthy, 15% reversible pulpitis, and 5% necrosis. The results are displayed both on the device's OLED screen and in the accompanying app, along with alerts for abnormal findings and recommendations for further testing or treatment.

[0035] This portable, intelligent pulp vitality test boasts several unique features. It combines multimodal sensors—thermal, electrical, and optical measurements—for a comprehensive assessment, reducing false positives and false negatives compared to monomodal tests. It utilizes AI-based diagnostics, employing machine learning to interpret complex sensor data, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and objectivity. The device is non-invasive and patient-friendly, minimizing discomfort through the use of controlled, low-intensity stimuli and a compact probe design. It delivers real-time feedback, providing clinicians and patients with immediate results and increasing chairside efficiency. Furthermore, the device supports data integration with EHR systems and cloud storage, enabling long-term monitoring of pulp health.

[0036] The proposed handheld device offers several advantages. By combining multimodal data and AI analysis, it achieves higher accuracy, surpassing traditional subjective tests. The device enables early detection by identifying pulp diseases in their early stages, thus allowing for timely interventions. Its ergonomic design and intuitive user interface make the device user-friendly and easy to use in clinical practice. The device is cost-effective, as it reduces the need for follow-up examinations and avoids misdiagnoses. Finally, the device is scalable and can be used in general dentistry, endodontics, and research.

[0037] The drawing and the preceding description show examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the described elements can be combined to form a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements can be divided into several functional elements. Elements of one embodiment can be added to another embodiment. For example, the sequence of the processes described here can be changed and is not limited to the manner described here. Furthermore, the actions of a flowchart need not be implemented in the sequence shown; nor does it necessarily have to be performed by all actions. Actions that are not dependent on other actions can also be performed in parallel with the other actions. The scope of the embodiments is in no way limited by these specific examples.Numerous variations are possible, whether explicitly stated in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimensions, and material use. The range of embodiments is at least as broad as specified in the following claims.

[0038] Advantages, further benefits, and problem solutions have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, the advantages, benefits, problem solutions, and all components that can lead to an advantage, benefit, or solution occurring or becoming more apparent are not to be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or components of individual or all claims. REFERENCES 100 A portable multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing pulp vitality. 102 Detachable diagnostic component 102a Heat probe 102b Electrical probe 102c Optical Probe 104 Microcontroller Unit 106 Cloud Platform 108 User Application 110 Wireless Communication Module 112 Display interface 114 Main part 116 Rechargeable Power Supplies

Claims

[1] A portable multimodal dental diagnostic device for assessing the vitality of the dental pulp, consisting of: a detachable diagnostic component comprising a variety of probes, including the following: a heat probe configured to deliver controlled heat stimuli to a tooth surface and measure the heat response of the dental pulp; an electrical probe configured to deliver low-voltage electrical pulses to the tooth surface and measure the electrical impedance of the dental pulp; and an optical probe configured to assess blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp using near-infrared light; a microcontroller unit configured to process sensor data from the thermal probe, the electrical probe and the optical probe, to calibrate measurements based on the oral base temperature and the ambient conditions, to aggregate multimodal sensor data and to control the operation of the thermal probe, the electrical probe and the optical probe; a cloud platform configured to receive and store aggregated sensor data, run artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze multimodal sensor data and generate diagnostic insights that include vital signs and diagnostic probabilities; a user application that is communicatively connected to the cloud platform and configured to wirelessly receive aggregated sensor data, display detailed diagnostic reports with vital signs and trends to the user, integrate with electronic health data systems, and issue alerts in case of abnormal readings; a wireless communication module connected to the microcontroller unit, configured to transmit the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform; a display interface configured to show real-time feedback from the probes, including vitality assessments and sensor readings; and a main body containing the microcontroller unit, a rechargeable power supply and the display interface, wherein the rechargeable power supply can be charged via the current provided through a charging port on the main body, and wherein the main body is also equipped with on / off and start / stop switches; the device is configured to provide a non-invasive, quantitative real-time analysis of dental pulp health by combining physiological responses from thermal, electrical, and optical measurements. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the heat probe comprises a Peltier-based heating module configured to generate controlled cooling stimuli at about -5 °C and controlled heating stimuli at about 50 °C, the heat probe further comprising a biocompatible tip made of titanium or stainless steel for safe contact with tooth surfaces. [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical probe comprises a low-voltage electrode configured to deliver electrical pulses in a programmable voltage range between 0.5 V and 5 V in stepwise increments, wherein the electrical probe is configured to measure the electrical impedance, which indicates nerve viability and tissue conductivity of the dental pulp. [4] Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical probe comprises a pulse oximetry module comprising a dual-wavelength LED and a photodiode array, wherein the dual-wavelength LED is configured to emit near-infrared light and the photodiode array is configured to measure light transmittance or reflection in order to assess blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation in the dental pulp. [5] Device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal probe, the electrical probe and the optical probe are interchangeably connected to the main body, each probe comprising magnetic or mechanical docking mechanisms and wherein the microcontroller unit is configured to automatically detect each probe upon connection. [6] Device according to claim 1, wherein the microcontroller unit is configured to interpret multimodal sensor data by implementing neural network or machine learning algorithms trained on clinical pulp vitality datasets comprising healthy and pathological pulp profiles, and wherein the microcontroller unit is configured to generate vitality values ​​in the range of 0 to 100. [7] Device according to claim 6, wherein the neural network or machine learning algorithms comprise machine learning models configured to: compare sensor data with trained datasets of healthy and pathological pulp profiles; generate diagnostic probabilities for conditions such as healthy pulp, reversible pulpitis, and necrosis; give greater weight to optical blood flow data when the reliability of the patient response is compromised; and improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity by interpreting complex multimodal sensor data. [8] Device according to claim 1, wherein the display interface comprises a compact OLED touchscreen configured to display a three-level vitality index comprising the classifications Vital, Questionable or Necrotic; and the display interface is configured to provide immediate diagnostic feedback to clinical staff. [9] Device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module comprises at least one of the following connections: Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to enable secure data transmission, and wherein the device is also configured to transmit diagnostic results to user devices or dental recording systems. [10] Device according to claim 1, wherein the user application comprises a data logging module configured to: record diagnostic results per patient and tooth identification; create trend graphs for the vitality status over time; and compare current diagnostic data with previous measurements of the same tooth to monitor longitudinal changes, wherein the user application is configured to provide automated recommendations for clinical decision support based on vitality trends.

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