Cleaning tool

Abstract

To provide a dental treatment tool capable of improving clearness of a captured image and improving accuracy of treatment of an oral cavity.SOLUTION: A dental treatment tool transmits a pulse light signal toward an oral cavity and captures an image of the oral cavity by light returned from the oral cavity. A controller actuates treatment of the oral cavity of a user according to the captured image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a therapeutic device. The therapeutic device is preferably a handheld therapeutic device, and is preferably In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is a dental device. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the oral cavity of a user. The fluid is a toothpaste or an improved interproximal cleaning agent. Alternatively, the device may be a brush for brushing hair or teeth. The device may not include any of the above elements and may take the form of a dedicated oral care appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric toothbrushes generally include a tool coupled to a handle. The tool may include: The brush head includes a stem and a brush head that supports bristles for brushing teeth. A stationary part connected to a stem and a moving part that moves, for example, reciprocating, pendulum, oscillating, rotating, or at least one movable part with respect to a stationary part with one of a rotational motion and a rotational motion. and a movable part to impart a brushing motion to bristles mounted thereon. The handle houses a drive shaft which is connected to a transmission unit in the handle. The handle is connected to a motor powered by a battery housed within the handle. The drive shaft and transmission unit transmit the rotary or vibratory motion of the motor to the brush head. The force of the force is converted into a desired movement of the movable portion of the brush head relative to the stationary portion of the brush head.

[0003] A fluid delivery system for generating a jet of working fluid for interproximal cleaning. It is known that the electric toothbrush is equipped with the electric toothbrush. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a handle, a brush, A toothbrush having a head and a stem extending between the brush head and the handle. The brush head includes a nozzle through which the working fluid is delivered to the user's mouth, and a nozzle and a brush unit for moving relative to the nozzle to brush the user's teeth. The toothbrush is movable relative to the handle as it is moved along the user's teeth. The device is operable in a selected one of two different modes. In the first mode, The user presses the button to activate the nozzle to dispense the working fluid. In this mode, the controller directs the working fluid to the nozzle in response to the signal received from the sensor. The sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush. A pivot arm disposed within the system connects the nozzle to a magnet disposed adjacent the sensor. When the nozzle moves relative to the handle, e.g., the gap between the user's teeth When the object moves into or out of the sensor, it moves relative to the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 185154 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a composition comprising the steps of: A handle and A lighting means for illuminating the oral cavity of a user and a camera for capturing an image of the illuminated oral cavity. an optical system including an imaging means; a dental treatment system for providing treatment to an oral cavity; a moving means for moving the lighting means relative to the handle; Including, The moving means is configured to move the lighting means relative to the handle at a first frequency F1. and a lighting means for illuminating the oral cavity at a second frequency F2 to generate multiple lighting events per second. The dental treatment instrument is configured to:

[0006] Unlike the device described in Patent Document 1, the treatment of the user's oral cavity is performed using an image of the oral cavity. The image may be imaged based on one or more features of the oral cavity. the area of ​​plaque within the gums, the interproximal area between adjacent teeth in the oral cavity, or separating the teeth from the gums The dental treatment system may preferably include, for example, a tooth gum line. The neural network model developed in this study was used to judge whether oral cavity treatment is necessary based on images taken. The oral treatment is controlled by the controller. For example, an interproximal area can be provided to remove material from the interproximal area, if necessary. This may include delivering fluid to the gum area, removing plaque from the user's teeth, or cleaning the gum line. do.

[0007] During treatment of the oral cavity, the illumination means of the optical system is moved relative to the handle. The handle can be moved along a path of any desired shape. In the embodiment, the moving means moves along a curved path, preferably along an arcuate path. The moving means is preferably configured to move the lighting means back and forth relative to the handle. , illuminating the handle along a path disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting means is arranged to move the At an angle of 10 to 30 degrees around the longitudinal axis, preferably in the range of 200 to 300 Hz. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency of vibration of the illumination means is F1 is 250Hz.

[0008] The lighting means preferably comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). Preferably, it is selected to emit visible light, more preferably to emit white light. The color temperature is preferably in the range of 3,000 to 7,000K.

[0009] The optical system includes a window for receiving light from the oral cavity, the window transmitting the light to the imaging means. The window of the optical system is preferably arranged to move together with the illumination means. The LEDs can be placed around the window. The windows are in the form of flat transparent panels made of glass or plastic material. or may be in the form of a transparent member curved to provide a lens for an optical system. This is also fine.

[0010] The imaging means may be arranged to move with the illumination means relative to the handle. For example, the instrument may include a stem extending between a head and a handle, The handle is attached to the stem or head of the fixture so as to move with the lighting means and the window relative to the handle. Alternatively, the imaging means can be placed in the handle and the light can be directed to the window. from the instrument stem to the imaging means.

[0011] The imaging means is preferably arranged to capture a number N of images or frames per second. For example, the imaging tool may capture images at 2x per second with exposure times per frame in the range of 30-40 milliseconds. It can be configured to capture 0 to 30 images or frames. When illuminated, the handle is illuminated with a light source at a frequency in the range of 200 to 300 Hz during imaging. Moving the steps results in a blurred image. Such an image is This can adversely affect the accuracy with which features such as plaque or interproximal gaps can be identified in the captured image. This may adversely affect the accuracy of the treatment of the oral cavity with the appliance. do.

[0012] By pulsing the illumination of the optical cavity at a frequency F2, the oral cavity is illuminated by the illumination means. Compared to the situation where light is continuously irradiated, the clarity of the captured image can be improved, It has been found that this can lead to improved accuracy of cavity treatment.

[0013] The lighting means may be activated once per vibration cycle. can be configured to illuminate the optical cavity at a frequency F2, where F2= In one embodiment, the illumination means illuminates the optical cavity at a frequency F2 of 250 Hz. When illuminated, there will be 250 pulsed illuminations, or "illumination events," of the oral cavity every second. The lighting means is preferably activated in said reference position.

[0014] The intensity or duration of each lighting event can be varied depending on the intensity of the ambient light. For example, the fixture may include a sensor for measuring the intensity of ambient light, and the controller may For example, the illumination intensity of the oral cavity may be adjusted according to the measured ambient light intensity so that the illumination intensity of the oral cavity is relatively constant. and varying at least one of the intensity and duration of each lighting event. It is possible.

[0015] The moving means preferably moves the illumination means towards or away from at least one reference position. For example, the lighting means may be arranged to move in a reciprocating sweeping motion along a curved path. In this case, the reference position may be located at the center of the path. may be located midway between the center and the end of the path.

[0016] The imaging means may be in the form of a global shutter camera, the camera capturing images at 40 frames per second. When a camera is operating at an imaging rate of 100 frames, every pixel in the camera's sensor is used to capture an image. are exposed simultaneously and for the same period of time, for example 25 milliseconds, for the time it takes to However, in a preferred embodiment the imaging means is in the form of a rolling shutter camera. The camera's sensor is gradually exposed to light to capture an image. During imaging, each row (or column) of pixels is exposed for the same period of time. In this type of camera, the rows of pixels are exposed for the same period of time. The exposures are done sequentially, with the instants at which exposure starts and ends varying slightly from row to row.

[0017] The banding effect is created by alternating groups of dark and light rows of pixels. If the frequency F2 is an integer multiple of the camera frame rate, then a series of images They found that the band remained in the same position during acquisition of the images. To prevent the formation of blurring effects, each pixel column is preferably subjected to the same number of illumination events. The start time for each pixel row to be exposed is preferably set to a value equal to the start time for each pixel row to be exposed. To suppress background noise, the images are chosen to be exposed to the same number of illumination events.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising the steps of: A handle and A lighting means for illuminating the oral cavity of a user and a camera for capturing an image of the illuminated oral cavity. an optical system comprising an imaging means; a dental treatment system for providing treatment to an oral cavity; a moving means for moving the lighting means relative to the handle; Including, The moving means is configured to move the lighting means relative to the handle at a first frequency F1. and the lighting means illuminates the oral cavity at a second frequency F2 to generate multiple lighting events per second. The imaging means is configured to capture a rolling image having a sensor including a plurality of pixel rows. The system includes a shutter camera in which pixel rows are exposed sequentially, with each pixel row exposed to the same number of illumination events. We provide dental treatment instruments.

[0019] When the user holds the handle of the instrument in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the camera captures The image to be obtained is determined by the frequency F2 of the illumination of the optical cavity depending on the movement of the illumination means relative to the handle. If the frequency is the same as F1, it will appear stationary in time. The distance between the teeth imaged by the stem results in a relatively narrow field of view for the camera. This may result in loss of some treatable features of the oral cavity, depending on the position of the appliance in the oral cavity. This may prevent imaging of the feature.

[0020] Instead of synchronizing the illumination of the oral cavity with the movement of the illumination means, the instrument is configured such that the frequency F2 of the illumination of the optical cavity is different from the frequency F1 of the movement of the illumination means relative to the handle. By desynchronizing the illumination of the optical cavity from the movement of the illumination means, even when the user holds the handle of the instrument in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the images captured by the camera can be made to move in slow motion relative to the handle and thus relative to the oral cavity. This expands the effective field of view of the camera and increases the likelihood of detecting any treatable features within the oral cavity from the images captured by the camera.

[0021] The frequency F2 is preferably selected such that 0 < |F1 - nF2| < N, where N is the number of images captured per second by the imaging means and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1 - n F2| is at a minimum. For example, when Fl = 250 Hz and N = 25 frames / second, for n = 1, F2 can be selected from values between 225 and 275 Hz.

[0022] In a third aspect, the invention provides a handle, an illumination means for illuminating the user's oral cavity, an imaging means for imaging an image of the illuminated oral cavity, and an optical system comprising a dental treatment system for providing treatment to the oral cavity, and a moving means for moving the illumination means relative to the handle, wherein the moving means is configured to move the illumination means relative to the handle at a first frequency F1, and the illumination means is at a second frequency F selected such that 0 < |F1 - nF2| < N. 2, where N is the number of times per second the imaging means illuminates the oral cavity. is the number of images taken, n is a positive number chosen so that |F1-nF2| has a minimum value. The dental treatment instrument is provided,

[0023] The device may be in the form of a device for treating a user's oral condition. For example, the device may include: A form of dedicated interproximal cleaning instrument for cleaning between the gaps between a user's teeth. The treatment system may include a fluid delivery system for delivering a working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. In response to the image captured by the optical system, the treatment system , actuating the supply of hydraulic fluid to the oral cavity to remove material from between the user's teeth. The movement of the lighting means relative to the cylinder moves the fluid supply to the optimum position for supplying the working fluid to the gap. This allows the system to detect such gaps before they are deployed. For example, once a gap is detected, the fluid delivery system may be placed in an optimal position. The fluid reservoir is then pumped into the pump's fluid channel ready to supply hydraulic fluid to the gap. By drawing fluid into the chamber, the fluid delivery system is connected to the treatment system controller. This can be done, for example, by turning the device off before If no gap is detected, the liquid supply system will remain in the prime position. The fluid supply system may be connected to the pump immediately after the hydraulic fluid is discharged from the fluid chamber of the pump. The fluid delivery system is held in a primed position as compared to a primed configuration. The length of time can be minimized.

[0024] In this case, the lighting means is moved relative to the nozzle for supplying the working fluid to the oral cavity. The nozzle may preferably have a flow passage located at the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle axis extends through the body outlet. The nozzle axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The moving means drives the movement of the illumination means relative to the nozzle. The driving mechanism may be connected to the lighting means. a transmission unit that is driven to move the lighting means relative to the nozzle; and a drive unit for driving the drive unit. The drive unit is preferably disposed in the handle and is preferably Preferably, the transmission unit includes a motor. The transmission unit includes a drive shaft extending between the motor and the lighting means. The drive shaft may include a stem extending between the handle and the lighting means. The stem can be housed within a cleaning device removably connected to the handle. The nozzle may be arranged such that the illumination means is movable relative to the nozzle. It can be attached to the stem.

[0025] Alternatively, the device may be adapted to deliver a working fluid to the interproximal gap to achieve interproximal cleaning. The device may be in the form of a toothbrush with the additional function of improving cleaning of the teeth. When in the form of a brush, the cleaning tool or stem preferably has a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle, preferably circumferentially around the nozzle. A plurality of bristles can be attached to the stationary portion of the cleaning tool, Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning tool may include a plurality of bristles. The handle may be attached to a movable part of the roller, which part is movable relative to the handle.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a bristle support and a plurality of bristles attached to the bristle support. The brush unit includes a bristle support movable relative to the handle. The device is preferably arranged on the head of the device. The device is adapted to control the movement of the bristle support relative to the handle. The drive mechanism is preferably connected to the bristle support. a transmission unit; and a mechanism for driving the transmission unit to move the bristle support relative to the handle. and a drive unit, preferably located within the handle.

[0027] The drive mechanism is preferably configured to drive movement of the lighting means relative to the handle. Therefore, the lighting means is preferably arranged to move with the bristle support relative to the handle. The lighting means may be arranged in the same movement pattern as the bristle support or in a different movement pattern from the bristle support. The moving pattern can be arranged to move relative to the handle. For example, the lighting The means, the window, and the bristle support are arranged to reciprocate in a sweeping motion relative to the handle. The lighting means and the window may be spaced apart from the bristle support, or the lighting means At least one of the drive mechanism and the window can be attached to the bristle support. The mechanism is configured to move the brush unit, the lighting means, and the window simultaneously relative to the handle. The stem may be configured to move relative to the handle.

[0028] The nozzle is preferably arranged to move together with the lighting means relative to the handle. For example, the lighting means and the nozzle are driven by a drive mechanism that drives the bristle support, the nozzle, and the light source. , the lighting means and the window are mounted on or adjacent to the bristle support. It is possible.

[0029] The illumination means and window are preferably arranged so that the area of ​​the oral cavity to which the signal is transmitted is subsequently illuminated by the treatment system. The illumination means is positioned adjacent to the nozzle so as to be approximately the same area as that to be treated by the illumination means. and the nozzles may be arranged side-by-side on the cleaning tool.

[0030] The controller is preferably located in the handle of the instrument. The signal is transmitted through an optical system and The signal can be transmitted wirelessly to and from the controller, but the signal must be located within the instrument. Preferably, the signal is transmitted between the optical system and the controller along a physical transmission path. Preferably, the transmission path extends along a portion of the drive mechanism. This allows the construction of the instrument to be The number of components can be minimized.

[0031] As mentioned above, the drive mechanism is preferably located in the handle and is preferably connected to the bristle support. a transmission unit connected to the handle, the transmission unit being driven to move the bristle support relative to the handle; The transmission unit preferably includes a drive unit for driving the handwheel by a motor. The vibration frequency of the shaft is preferably , in the range of 200 to 300 Hz. The motor preferably has a shaft The handle extends around the shaft so that it rotates or oscillates relative to the handle. The stem of the cutting tool is mounted onto the shaft.

[0032] The transmission path is preferably along the transmission unit, more preferably along the outer surface of the shaft. For example, conductive tracks carrying signals to a controller may be provided on the outer surface of the shaft. The track is preferably connected to the handle contact, and the handle contact The points engage the cleaning tool contacts when the cleaning tool is attached to the handle The handle contact is preferably an annular contact extending around the end of the shaft. The cleaning tool preferably includes a means for connecting the cleaning tool to the handle. The cleaning tool contact preferably includes a recess for receiving the end of the shaft. The cleaning tool is disposed in the recess, and preferably protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the recess. When installed in the handle, the handle contacts engage the wires, tracks or other conductive The conductive member extends between the cleaning tool contacts and the detection means to prevent the cleaning tool from being displaced from the detection means. The NI 8111 carries the signal to the learning tool contacts.

[0033] In addition to extending along a portion of the transmission mechanism, the transmission path also preferably extends along the drive unit. The drive unit preferably includes a means for engaging the shaft. the engagement means preferably being adapted to convey a signal towards the controller. The drive unit preferably moves the shaft away from the equilibrium position. and more preferably, configured to rotate the cleaning tool relative to the handle. The engaging means moves the movable member against the force of the engaging means. The engaging means is configured to push the shaft back towards the equilibrium position when the engaging means is engaged. The wires, tracks, or other components may include springs, and in a preferred embodiment, torsion springs. or other conductive members extend between the spring members and the controller to transmit signals from the spring members to the controller. Transfer it to the controller.

[0034] As described above, the dental treatment system preferably includes a dental treatment system for delivering a working fluid to a user's oral cavity. The fluid supply system preferably includes a fluid reservoir and The controller is configured to operate the pump to draw hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir. The controller is preferably arranged to direct the working fluid towards the nozzle. The pump is configured to operate to deliver a jet of working fluid toward the nozzle. The volume of each jet of working fluid produced by the fluid supply system is preferably less than 1 ml. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid delivery system The volume of the jet of working fluid generated by the is in the range of 0.05 to 0.4 ml. The supply system preferably delivers a jet of working fluid to the nozzle at a static pressure in the range of 3 to 10 bar. The device is configured to provide

[0035] The transmission unit preferably defines a part of a fluid supply system. The fluid supply system may include a bore that defines a portion of the fluid supply system.

[0036] The device preferably allows the user to select the device's operating mode prior to commencing a treatment process. The user interface is provided on a handle of the instrument. and preferably includes at least one user operable switch or The user interface includes a button that displays information about the selected mode of operation. Alternatively, the instrument may include a display located on the handle for displaying the and wirelessly connected to a remote device having a display for displaying such information. The remote device may be in the form of a dedicated display or a personal device. The device may include a user interface, such as a touch-sensitive display, that allows the user to select the operating mode of the device. It may also include an interface.

[0037] The features described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention may also be used in the second or third aspects of the invention. is equally applicable to and vice versa.

[0038] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is a front perspective view of a dental cleaning instrument, and Figure 1(b) is a rear perspective view of the instrument of Figure 1(a). [Diagram 2] Figure 2(a) is a side view of the brush unit of the tool of Figure 1(a), Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the brush unit with some bristles removed to show the sensor and nozzle of the brush unit, and Figure 2(c) is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 2(a). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fluid delivery system of the instrument; [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a front view of a portion of the device of Figure 1(a) with the fluid reservoir and part of the handle removed, Figure 4(b) is a side view of the portion of the device of Figure 4(a), and Figure 4(c) is a top perspective view of the portion of the device of Figure 4(a). [Diagram 5] FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]Figure 8(a) shows the field of view of the camera of the optical system of the tool at different angular positions relative to the handle, Figure 8(b) shows the angular movement of the camera as a sine wave, and Figure 8(c) shows the synchronization of the pulses of the LED of the optical system with the zero crossings of the sine wave. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] 1(a) and 1(b) show an external view of one embodiment of a dental cleaning device 10. In this embodiment, the instrument distributes working fluid to improve interproximal cleaning. In the form of a handheld device, the handheld device is in the form of an electric toothbrush having an integral assembly for It is.

[0041] The instrument 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 includes: The device includes an outer body 16, preferably formed from a plastic material. The body 16 generally comprises The handle 12 is cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 includes a user interface. The body 16 of the handle 12 is configured so as to be depressable by the thumb of the hand holding the body 16. 6. Optionally, the device further includes a user operable button 18 disposed within an opening formed in the device. The handle 12 includes a display positioned for viewing by the user while the instrument is in use. The instrument 10 can be operated by a user using buttons 18 and 19, as described in more detail below. and / or a remote display to select an operating mode or parameter of the instrument 10. A remote display, such as a personal device or mobile phone display, may be used to The hub 1 may be connectable to the hub 2.

[0042] The cleaning tool 14 includes a stem 20 and a head 22. The stem 20 has a thin The head 22 is elongated and is connected to the handle 1 for ease of user manipulation of the instrument 10. 2. In this embodiment, the head 22 of the cleaning tool 14 is The brush includes a bristle support 26 and a set of a plurality of bristles 28 attached to the bristle support 26. In this embodiment, the brush unit 24 is strongly attached to the stem 20. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning tool 14 may be fixedly connected to the The lash unit 24 may not be included, so that the appliance can be used to, for example, For cleaning between gaps or to provide cleaning or whitening to the user's teeth. The dental treatment device may take the form of a dedicated dental treatment instrument for delivering the treatment medium. Alternatively, the brush unit 24 may be replaceable.

[0043] The device 10 comprises a dental treatment system for providing treatment to the oral cavity. The dental treatment system delivers a jet of hydraulic fluid into the oral cavity to remove material in interproximal spaces. However, the dental treatment system is configured to remove the whitening solution. or may be configured to remove plaque from the user's teeth. The dental treatment system also includes a gingival laparoscope to treat gum inflammation or infection, such as gingivitis. The working fluid may be supplied to the inlet through a jet of the working fluid. See also FIG. 2(a) to FIG. 2(c). In accordance with the present invention, the cleaning tool 14 also includes a fluid reservoir 30 for storing a working fluid. and a nozzle 32 for delivering the working fluid to the user's oral cavity during use of the device 10. The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, which in this embodiment is water. The bar 32 is attached to the handle 12 so as to extend around the end of the handle 12. The nozzle 32 is attached to the head 22 of the cleaning tool 14. In this embodiment including unit 24, bristles 28 are at least partially disposed around nozzle 32. The nozzle 32 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the handle 12 as shown in FIG. It extends along a nozzle axis A that is approximately perpendicular to the adaxial axis Z.

[0044] The nozzle 32 receives the working fluid from the fluid reservoir 30 and provides the working flow during use of the instrument 10. It forms part of a fluid delivery system 34 for delivering a body jet to the oral cavity of a user. Each jet of fluid preferably has a volume of less than 1 ml, more preferably less than 0.5 ml. The fluid supply system 34 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. The tip of the nozzle 2 is provided with a fluid outlet 36 through which a jet of working fluid is directed into the user's oral cavity. The fluid supply system 34 is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir 30. A fluid inlet 36 is provided. In this embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid working fluid, preferably The fluid inlet 36 is located on the handle 12, preferably at the end of the body 16 of the handle 12. When the fluid reservoir 30 is connected to the handle 12, the fluid reservoir 30 The cleaning tool is arranged to connect to the fluid port of the The cleaning tool 14 is removable from the handle 12. Once removed from handle 12, fluid reservoir 30 can be pulled away from handle 12 for refilling. It is possible.

[0045] The fluid supply system 34 draws hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir 30 through a fluid inlet 36. and a pump assembly for delivering a jet of working fluid to the nozzle 32. The assembly is disposed within the body 16 of the handle 12 and includes a positive displacement pump 38 and a pump and a drive section for driving the pump 38. The drive section preferably includes a pump motor 40. A battery 42 for powering the pump motor 40 is also located within the handle 12. Battery 42 is preferably a rechargeable battery.

[0046] A first conduit 44 connects the fluid inlet 36 of the fluid supply system 34 to a fluid inlet 46 of the pump 38. A first one-way valve 48 is disposed between the fluid inlet 36 and the pump 38 to allow water to The second conduit 50 prevents fluid from flowing from the pump 38 back to the fluid reservoir 30. The fluid outlet 52 connects to the nozzle 32. A second one-way valve 54 couples the pump 38 and the nozzle 32. The control circuit 56 controls the motor for the pump 38. The pump motor 40 and control circuit 56 drive the pump 38. The battery 42 provides power to the control circuit 56. 56 includes a motor controller that supplies power to the pump motor 40 .

[0047] The control circuit 56 controls the operation of the control circuit 56, which is generated when the user presses the button 18 of the user interface. The control circuit 56 receives the signal transmitted to a remote device such as a display or personal device. In this embodiment, the control circuitry may transmit signals to and receive signals from a remote device. 56 also transmits signals to the optical system and receives signals from the optical system. ) and FIG. 2(c), at least a portion of the optical system is provided in the head of the instrument 10. 22, and preferably attached to the bristle support 26 of the brush unit 24. In one embodiment, the nozzle 32 is also attached to the bristle support 26 of the brush unit 24. The optical system includes multiple LEDs 65 for illuminating the oral cavity and a 3D scanner 66 for receiving light from the oral cavity. The received light is directed to a camera to capture an image of the illuminated oral cavity. Window 66 is positioned on head 22 so as to be located adjacent nozzle 32. In this embodiment, the window 66 is disposed below the nozzle 32 and the LED 65 is 6. The camera 67 is arranged around the window 66 so as to minimize the length of the optical path between the window 66 and the camera 67. The camera 67 may be located on the head 22 of the instrument 10. Alternatively, the camera 67 may be mounted on the handle 12, and light is directed through imaging optics disposed between window 66 and camera 67. The image generated by the camera 67 is transmitted to the control circuit 68 via a window 66. 56. In response to one or more characteristics of the image, control circuitry 56 controls the pump assembly. Activation is performed to deliver one or more jets of actuating fluid to the oral cavity. The images generated show the presence of plaque or interproximal gaps or the gum line. and in response, the control circuit operates the dental treatment system to treat the oral cavity. It is possible to do so.

[0048] The cleaning tool 14 is removably connected to the handle 12. 6, the handle 12 preferably includes a male connector having the form of a bayonet portion 68. The male connector preferably fits into a female connector on the stem 20 of the cleaning tool 14. The receptacle 68 is received in a complementary female connector having the form of a hand connector 70. The handle 12 is preferably oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12. More preferably, it projects in the same line as the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12 .

[0049] The device 10 includes a drive mechanism that moves the stem 20, and thus the bristle support 26, relative to the handle 12. 4(a) to 7, the drive mechanism includes a transmission unit and a stem. a drive unit that drives the transmission unit to move the handle 20 relative to the handle 12; The drive unit includes a drive motor 72 disposed within the body 16 of the handle 12. The control circuit 56 includes a motor controller that provides power to a drive motor 72. The actuator 18 is also used to activate and deactivate the drive motor 72, e.g. A cleaning session is initiated by pressing button 18 a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the drive motor 72 may be activated and deactivated. A separate button (not shown) may be provided for pressing the

[0050] The transmission unit includes a shaft 74 that oscillates relative to the handle 12. The plug 68 is connected to a shaft 74, and is driven by a drive unit to rotate the plug 68. Preferably, it is integral with the shaft 74. The drive unit preferably drives the shaft 74. The shaft 74 is configured to vibrate relative to the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12. The vibration is preferably at a first frequency F1 in the range of 200 to 300 Hz. In the present embodiment, the frequency F1 is 250 Hz. The angle α is configured to rotate the object about a direction axis away from the center position. The angle α is preferably within a range of 5 to 15 degrees, and is 5 degrees in this embodiment. The unit further includes a spring member 76 which holds the shaft 74 in its central position. The spring members 76 are disposed on both sides of the drive shaft 74. The torsion springs 78, 80 are each disposed on the drive shaft 7 4 and a second end attached to a support ring 82. The ring 82 is connected to the handle 12 and is otherwise in a fixed position relative to the handle 12. The position is held constant.

[0051] 8(a)-8(c), this movement of the shaft 74 relative to the handle 12 This allows the bristle support 26, and thus the nozzle 32 and the optical The parts of the system are moved back and forth along their respective curved paths. See Figure 8(a). In this embodiment, the bristle support 26 is in a first angular position indicated by R in FIG. 8(a) and the second angular position indicated by L in FIG. Each is moved around the center of the reference position, indicated by M in FIG. 8(a), in an angular direction. The movement of the bristle support member 26 relative to the handle 12 is shown in FIG. The bristle support 26 can be represented as a sine wave S shown in FIG. 1, where the bristle support 26 rotates at times t=0, t At t4, t6, etc., it is at position M, at t=tl, t5, etc., it is at position R, and at t= At t3, t7, etc. it is at position L.

[0052] During use of the instrument 10, a drive signal is sent from the control circuit 56 to the LED 65 to activate the optical system. The light reflected back to the window 66 from the oral cavity is then reflected back to the window 66. A light signal indicative of the object is transmitted from the window 66 to the camera 67. The camera 67 detects the object from the received light signal. The image of the oral cavity is generated from the image sensor 52, and the generated image is transmitted to the control circuit 56, which controls the control circuit 56 accordingly. A passage 56 actuates the supply of working fluid from the nozzle 32 .

[0053] The control circuitry 56 is disposed in the body 16 of the handle 12, while at least the optical system The LED 65 is disposed on the bristle support 26 of the cleaning tool 14. In this embodiment In the example, the transmission path of the electrical signal between the control circuit 56 and the optical system is the driving unit. 6 and 7, the second of each of the torsion springs 78, 80 extends along the The ends of the wires are connected to respective circuit contacts 84, 86 formed on a support ring 82. Electrical wires (not shown) extend from each circuit contact 84, 86 to the control circuit 56. A first end of each of the springs 78, 80 contacts a respective shaft contact 88 formed on the shaft 74. A first insulating sleeve 92 is connected to the shaft 74 and the shaft contacts 88, 90. and electrically isolates the shaft contacts 88, 90 from the shaft 74. Each of the soft contacts 88, 90 is connected to a conductive track 90 extending along a first insulating sleeve 92. 8, 100 to the respective handle contacts 94, 96. Each of the connectors 4, 96 is disposed over the plug 68. A second insulating sleeve 102 is disposed over the plug 68. 10, which allows the various different electrical connections of the handle 12 to be Only a few points are exposed along the transmission path. The recess connector 70 of the cleaning tool 14 When the cleaning tool 14 is attached to the handle 12, the handle contacts 94, 96 are engaged. The cleaning tool includes a pair of mating cleaning tool contacts (one of which is shown at 104 in FIG. 6). Each of the training tool contacts 104 protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed connector 70. 104 is connected by wires to the LED 65 and the camera 67. In this case, the camera 67 is disposed on the brush head 26.

[0054] A second conduit 50 connecting the pump 38 to the nozzle 32 is disposed within the handle 12. a cylinder conduit portion and a cleaning tool conduit portion disposed within the cleaning tool 14 The handle conduit portion extends from the fluid outlet 52 of the pump 38 to the end of the spigot 68. The handle conduit portion extends to a handle fluid outlet 106 disposed in the shaft 74. The cleaning tool conduit portion includes an outlet portion 108 defined by a stem 2. The nozzle 32 includes a conduit (not shown) that extends through the bore 110 of the nozzle 32 .

[0055] To activate the device 10, the user presses the button 18 to turn the device 1 When the device 10 is switched on, the control circuit 56 detects the actuation of the button 18. Before initiating a therapy process using the button 18, a remote display, or a button The combination of the touch panel 18 and the remote display can be used to select the operating mode of the instrument 10. In this embodiment, the device 10 has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. Yes.

[0056] In a first mode of operation, the drive mechanism moves the bristle support 26 relative to the handle 12. In this mode, the control circuit 56 does not activate the LED 65 to illuminate the oral cavity, so that light The working fluid is automatically delivered to the oral cavity of the user based on the image captured by the imaging system. During this first mode of operation, the user presses button 18 for less than a predetermined period of time. Lowering the nozzle 32 allows for the ejection of a single jet of working fluid. The predetermined period is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 seconds, and in this embodiment, In response to this depression of button 18, control circuit 56 activates pump 38. 3, forcing a volume of water out of the fluid chamber of pump 38 and into nozzle 32, The fluid chamber is refilled by drawing from fluid reservoir 30 .

[0057] In the second mode of operation, in addition to the functionality of the first mode of operation, the control circuit 56 controls the LED 65 to move the light signal away from the bristle support 26 and thus away from the user's mouth. The light signal returning from the oral cavity is received by window 66 and directed to camera 67. The camera 67 transmits the image to all pixels of the camera sensor at the same time and for the same period of time, e.g. For example, a global shutter camera captures an image with an exposure time of 30 to 40 milliseconds. Thus, the camera 67 can capture approximately 25-30 images per second. However, in this embodiment, the camera 67 is a rolling shutter camera. In this embodiment, the sensor of the camera 67 is progressively exposed to light to capture an image. is divided into many rows and columns of pixels. During imaging, each row (or column) of pixels receives the same The camera 67 is exposed to light at up to 25 images per second, with all pixels in each row exposed for the same period. In this embodiment, which captures a single pixel or frame, the illumination of each pixel row is approximately 40 ms. The exposure times are shifted so that the images are exposed sequentially over a period of time.

[0058] As a result, during the formation of a single image, the bristle support 26, and thus the LED 65 and window 66, If the LED 65 is continuously illuminated during imaging, this will result in some vibrations in the oral cavity. This can result in the production of a blurred image, from which the control circuit 56 determines whether treatment is required. It may be difficult to identify features of the oral cavity that may be responsible.

[0059] With this in mind, the control circuit 56 operates the LED 65 to provide oral cavity illumination at a second frequency F2. to generate multiple illumination events per second. The frequency F2 is the same as F1, which is 250 Hz in this embodiment. As shown by point P, the LED 65 is illuminated when the bristle support 26 is in position M. t2, t6, etc., taking into account the ambient light level. However, most of the light captured by the optical system is directed to the hair support 26 and thus to the LED 65. and is generated when the window 66 is in a single position relative to the handle 12. Even allowing for slight movement of the handle 12 relative to the The image captured by the camera 67 has the effect of a relatively static image of the oral cavity. The image is transmitted to the control circuit 56, which then stores the captured image in its memory, for example. By comparing the images taken with the images taken with the dental technician, it is possible to determine whether oral cavity treatment is required. For example, the control circuit 56 may control a nozzle to deliver a jet of hydraulic fluid to the gap between adjacent teeth. When it is determined from the captured image that the needle 32 is placed, the treatment of the oral cavity is activated. If treatment is required, control circuitry 56 may provide a user with a first mode of operation. configured to operate oral treatment by the fluid treatment system 34 in the same manner as when button 18 is depressed. Since an image of the oral cavity is captured when the hair support portion 26 is at position M, the control circuit 56 optimizes the removal of debris or other substances from the gap. Preferably, when the hair support portion 26 is at position M, that is, when it is in the same position as when the image of the oral cavity is captured by the optical system, the control circuit 56 is arranged to operate the oral treatment so that a jet of operating fluid is ejected from the nozzle 32. When the hair support portion 26 is at position M, an image of the oral cavity is captured. Therefore, the control circuit 56 optimizes the removal of debris or other substances from the gap. Preferably, when the hair support portion 26 is at position M, that is, when it is in the same position as when the image of the oral cavity is captured by the optical system, the control circuit 56 is arranged to operate the oral treatment so that a jet of operating fluid is ejected from the nozzle 32. When the hair support portion 26 is at position M, that is, when it is in the same position as when the image of the oral cavity is captured by the optical system, a jet of operating fluid is ejected from the nozzle 32. Therefore, the control circuit 56 is arranged to operate the oral treatment so that a jet of operating fluid is ejected from the nozzle 32.

[0060] In a second embodiment, the control circuit 56 is configured to operate the LED 65 to illuminate the oral cavity at a second frequency F2, which is different from the first frequency F1 and is preferably given by the formula 0 < |F1 - nF2| < N, where N is the number of images captured per second by the camera 67 and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1 - nF2| is minimized. For example, when F1 = 250 Hz and N = 25 frames / second, for n = 1, F2 can be selected from values in the range 225 - 275 Hz. By desynchronizing the illumination of the optical cavity from the movement of the LED 65, even when the user holds the handle 12 of the instrument 10 in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the images captured by the camera 67 can be made to appear to move in slow motion relative to the handle 12 and thus relative to the oral cavity. This can increase the effective field of view of the camera 67 and thus increase the likelihood that treatable features within the oral cavity can be detected from the images captured by the camera 67. When the hair support portion 26 moves relative to the handle 12, preferably given by the formula 0 < |F1 - nF2| < N, where N is the number of images captured per second by the camera 67 and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1 - nF2| is minimized. When the hair support portion 26 moves relative to the handle 12, preferably given by the formula 0 < |F1 - nF2| < N, where N is the number of images captured per second by the camera 67 and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1 - nF2| is minimized. Here, N is the number of images captured per second by the camera 67 and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1 - nF2| is minimized. The second frequency F2 is different from the first frequency F1. For example, when F1 = 250 Hz and N = 25 frames / second, for n = 1, F2 can be selected from values in the range 225 - 275 Hz. By desynchronizing the illumination of the optical cavity from the movement of the LED 65, even when the user holds the handle 12 of the instrument 10 in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the images captured by the camera 67 can be made to appear to move in slow motion relative to the handle 12 and thus relative to the oral cavity. By desynchronizing the illumination of the optical cavity from the movement of the LED 65, even when the user holds the handle 12 of the instrument 10 in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the images captured by the camera 67 can be made to appear to move in slow motion relative to the handle 12 and thus relative to the oral cavity. Even when the user holds the handle 12 of the instrument 10 in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity, the images captured by the camera 67 can be made to appear to move in slow motion relative to the handle 12 and thus relative to the oral cavity. Therefore, the images captured by the camera 67 can be made to appear to move in slow motion relative to the handle 12 and thus relative to the oral cavity. This can increase the effective field of view of the camera 67 and thus increase the likelihood that treatable features within the oral cavity can be detected from the images captured by the camera 67. This can increase the effective field of view of the camera 67 and thus increase the likelihood that treatable features within the oral cavity can be detected from the images captured by the camera 67.

[0061] In each of the above examples, during the exposure of the pixel rows of the sensor, the oral cavity is illuminated with a second frequency F2. , generating multiple "lighting events" per second, which in the particular embodiment described above is 225 to 325 times per second. 275 lighting events. It is arranged to image 25 frames per second. While the pixel rows of the sensor of the camera 67 are exposed to the light received from the oral cavity, each pixel row The number of illumination events to which adjacent pixel columns are exposed is Variations in the optical density can result in bands across the captured image. The laser 67 is preferably arranged so that each pixel column is exposed to the same number of illumination events. This involves timing the start of the exposure of each pixel row so that all pixel rows are exposed to the same number of illumination events. or by selecting the duration of the exposure period for each pixel row. can be achieved.

Claims

1. A dental treatment instrument comprising: A handle and a lighting means for illuminating the oral cavity of a user; and a lighting means for receiving light from said illuminated oral cavity. and a window for receiving light from the window and for capturing an image of the illuminated intraoral cavity. an optical system for communicating with the imaging means; and providing a treatment to the oral cavity in response to one or more features contained in the captured image. A dental treatment system for a moving means for moving the lighting means and the window relative to the handle; Including, The moving means moves the lighting means and the window relative to the handle at a first frequency F1. The illumination means is configured to illuminate the oral cavity with a second frequency F2. and configured to illuminate the dental treatment instrument to generate multiple illumination events per second.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the illumination means comprises a plurality of LEDs.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the window is disposed adjacent to the lighting means. Ingredients.

4. a head and a stem extending between the head and the handle, is arranged to move the stem and the head relative to the handle. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the illumination means and the window are disposed on a head of the device. Equipment.

6. 6. An implement according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the head of the implement comprises a plurality of bristles.

7. The dental treatment system includes a nozzle for delivering a working fluid toward an oral cavity. Item 7. The device according to any one of items 1 to 6.

8. A claim depending on claim 4, wherein the nozzle is disposed on the head of the instrument.

8. The device according to claim 7.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the imaging means includes a rolling shutter camera. Mounted equipment.

10. The camera includes a sensor including a plurality of pixel rows, the pixel rows being sequentially exposed to light such that each pixel is 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the prime rows are exposed to the same number of illumination events.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein F1 = F2.

12. The second frequency F2 is selected such that 0<|F1-nF2|<N, where N is the number of images captured by the imaging means per second, and n is |F1-nF2| is a positive integer selected to have a minimum value. Mounted equipment.

13. a sensor for measuring an ambient light intensity and detecting each lighting event in response to said measured ambient light intensity; a controller configured to vary at least one of the intensity and duration of the The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

14. The moving means moves the light along a path disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light means and the window are arranged to move relative to the handle.

14. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The moving means moves the illumination means and the and arranged to reciprocate the window relative to the handle. Equipment.

Images