Detection system, detection method, and detection program

Abstract

The objective is to provide a detection device that can detect both the amount and location of plaque attached to teeth, and accurately determine the amount of plaque within a specified range. [Solution] The detection system 1 is a detection system that detects fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, and comprises a housing 15 having a main body 10 and an insertion part 11 located at one end of the main body 10 and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, a light guide part 23 arranged in the insertion part 11 and guiding fluorescence to the main body, a photodetection unit 24 that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident via the light guide part 23 as an intensity signal, an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing 15 as an acceleration signal, and a generation unit 32 that generates detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the target object based on the intensity signal and the acceleration signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection system, a detection method, and a detection program.

Background Art

[0002] Various detection devices for detecting a subject's dental plaque as a detection target in the oral cavity are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a dental device having a motion sensor used for detecting the position of a dental device in a subject's oral cavity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it is not easy for the dental device described in Patent Document 1 to detect the amount of dental plaque adhering to the crown part for each of a plurality of regions divided by the end part and the central part of the crown part, etc.

[0005] The present invention solves such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a detection system capable of detecting both the amount and position of dental plaque adhering to teeth.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The detection system according to the present invention is a detection system that detects fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, and comprises a housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, a light guide unit disposed in the insertion part and guiding fluorescence to the main body, a photodetector unit that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident via the light guide unit as an intensity signal, an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, and a generation unit that generates detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the target object based on the intensity signal and the acceleration signal.

[0007] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the detection position information has a fluorescence intensity corresponding to the region from one end to the other end of the tooth crown.

[0008] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the detection position information includes information for multiple regions obtained by dividing the tooth crown into multiple parts.

[0009] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the multiple region information items partially overlap each other in adjacent regions.

[0010] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of regions include a central region located in the center of the tooth crown, and a first end region and a second end region arranged on either side of the central region, wherein the first end region includes one end of the tooth crown, and the second end region includes the other end of the tooth crown.

[0011] Furthermore, the detection system according to the present invention preferably includes a calculation unit that calculates a representative value of the intensity signal in each of a plurality of regions, a determination unit that determines whether the representative value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and an output unit that outputs a notification signal when the determination unit determines that the representative value is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0012] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, the representative value is preferably one of the mean, median, mode, or maximum value of the fluorescence intensity.

[0013] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the acceleration signal is a signal indicating the magnitude of the detected acceleration.

[0014] Furthermore, the detection method according to the present invention is a detection method for detecting fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, and uses a detection system comprising: a housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject; a light guide unit disposed in the insertion part and guiding fluorescence to the main body; a photodetector that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident via the light guide unit as an intensity signal; and an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, and includes generating detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the target object based on the intensity signal and acceleration signal, calculating a representative value of the intensity signal in each of a plurality of regions divided into tooth crowns, determining whether the representative value is above a predetermined threshold, and outputting a notification signal when it is determined that the representative value is above a predetermined threshold.

[0015] Furthermore, the detection program according to the present invention is a detection program that detects fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, and uses a detection system that includes a housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, a light guide unit arranged in the insertion part and guiding fluorescence to the main body, a photodetector that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident via the light guide unit as an intensity signal, and an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, and generates detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the target object based on the intensity signal and acceleration signal, calculates a representative value of the intensity signal in each of a plurality of regions divided into tooth crowns, determines whether the representative value is above a predetermined threshold, and when it is determined that the representative value is above a threshold, causes the computer to execute a process to output a notification signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The detection system according to the present invention can detect both the amount and position of dental plaque adhering to teeth, and can accurately determine the presence or absence of dental plaque in each region even when the moving speed of the detection system is not constant during measurement.

[0017] The detection system according to the present invention calculates the position where fluorescence from dental plaque adhering to teeth is detected, and generates position information associating the calculated position with the fluorescence intensity. Therefore, both the amount of dental plaque adhering to teeth and the detected position can be detected. As a result, even when the moving speed of the detection device 1 is not constant during measurement, the presence or absence of dental plaque in each region can be accurately determined.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a detection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a functional block diagram of the detection device shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a functional block diagram of the processing unit shown in (a). [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the teeth of a subject. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart of a detection process executed by the detection device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing a more detailed process of the process shown in S109 shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the crown part of the teeth of a subject. [Figure 7] (a) is a functional block diagram of a detection device according to a modified example, and (b) is a functional block diagram of the processing unit shown in (a). [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a detection system having the detection device shown in FIG. 7(a). [Figure 9] It is a flowchart (Part 1) showing a detection process executed by the detection system shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart (Part 2) showing a detection process executed by the detection system shown in FIG. 8.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Referring to the following drawings, a detection device 1 which is an embodiment of the detection system according to the present invention will be described. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the detection device 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a functional block diagram of the detection device 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a functional block diagram of the processing unit shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0021] The detection device 1 includes a main body 10, an insertion part 11, a switch 12, an input / output port 13, and a notification part 14, and is also referred to as a detection system. The detection device 1 further includes a light source 20, an optical splitter 21, an optical element 22, a light guide part 23, a light detection part 24, an acceleration sensor 25, a communication part 26, a storage part 27, and a processing part 30. The light source 20, the optical splitter 21, the optical element 22, the light detection part 24, the acceleration sensor 25, the communication part 26, the storage part 27, and the processing part 30 are arranged inside the main body 10. The main body 10 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate resin and has a cylindrical shape. Note that the main body 10 may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape such as a polygonal column. The main body 10 and the insertion part 11 form a housing 15. The insertion part 11 is located at one end of the main body 10 and has a nose main body part 16 that extends while curving from one end face of the main body 10, and a bending part 17 arranged at the other end of the nose main body part 16, and is integrally formed with the main body 10. The switch 12 is a button switch arranged on the side surface of the main body 10, and outputs a pressing signal indicating that it has been pressed to the processing part 30 arranged inside the main body 10. The input / output port 13 is arranged at the tip of the bending part 17, emits excitation light for exciting the detection object from the light source 20, and receives fluorescence generated from the detection object. The notification part 14 is a device that outputs an audio signal such as a buzzer and a speaker. Note that the notification part 14 may be a device capable of displaying video, images, characters, etc., and may be a light emitting diode (LED) device, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc.

[0022] Light source 20 is an LED that emits blue light with a wavelength of approximately 400 nm, and emits excitation light to excite plaque attached to the teeth of the subject, which is the object to be detected.

[0023] The optical element 22 is positioned between the optical splitter 21 and the light guide 23, optically connecting the optical splitter 21 and the light guide 23. The optical element 22 is a convex lens positioned so that its optical axis AX coincides with that of the light guide 23. The optical element 22 may be formed from multiple lenses and other optical components. The light guide 23 is an optical fiber such as POF (Plastic Optical Fiber) and is positioned inside the insertion section 11. One end 23a of the light guide 23 faces the optical element 22 and is positioned so that its optical axis coincides with the optical axis AX of the optical element 22. The other end of the light guide 23 is positioned at the inlet / outlet 13. The optical element 22 guides the excitation light incident from the light source 20 to the inlet / outlet 13 and also guides the fluorescence incident from the inlet / outlet 13 to the optical element 22. The optical splitter 21 emits excitation light from the light source 20 to the optical element 22, and also splits the fluorescence that enters from the input / output port 13 and is guided to the optical element 22 to the photodetector 24. The optical splitter 21 is formed by, for example, a dichroic mirror, a half-wave plate, a polarizing beam splitter, and a half-mirror. The photodetector 24 has, for example, a photodiode and a capacitor, and is optically connected to the light guide unit 23 via the optical splitter 21. The photodetector 24 generates an electric charge corresponding to the amount of incident fluorescence light, detects the fluorescence intensity which is the intensity of the fluorescence incident via the light guide unit 23, and stores the generated charge in the capacitor. When an output instruction signal is input from the processing unit 30, the photodetector 24 outputs an intensity signal indicating the detected fluorescence intensity to the processing unit 30.

[0024] The acceleration sensor 25 is a known three-dimensional acceleration sensor such as a frequency-variable acceleration sensor, a piezoresistive acceleration sensor, a piezoelectric acceleration sensor, or a capacitive sensor. It detects the acceleration applied to the main unit 10 and outputs an acceleration signal indicating the magnitude of the detected acceleration to the processing unit 30.

[0025] The communication unit 26 has a circuit configuration that enables communication in accordance with predetermined communication standards that allow for low-power, short-range communication, such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The storage unit 27 is a semiconductor memory that includes, for example, volatile memory such as SRAM and DRAM, as well as ROM and flash memory. The storage unit 27 stores a detection program for causing the processing unit 30 to execute a detection program that detects plaque attached to the subject's teeth.

[0026] The processing unit 30 comprises one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The processing unit 30 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the detection device 1 and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 30 controls the operation of the notification unit 14 and the communication unit 26, etc., so that various processes of the detection device 1 are executed in appropriate procedures according to the programs stored in the storage unit 27, the operation of the switch 12, etc. The processing unit 30 executes processing based on the programs stored in the storage unit 27. Furthermore, the processing unit 30 can execute multiple programs in parallel.

[0027] The processing unit 30 includes an acquisition unit 31, a generation unit 32, an estimation unit 33, a calculation unit 34, a determination unit 35, and an output unit 36. Each of these units is a functional module implemented by a program executed on the processor of the processing unit 30. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the detection device 1 as firmware.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the subject's teeth 100.

[0029] Each subject's tooth 100 has a crown portion 101 that protrudes from the subject's gums and a root portion 102 that is embedded in the subject's gums. With the switch 12 pressed, the detection device 1 inserts its insertion portion 11 into the subject's oral cavity, and the subject scans the input / output portion 13 of the detection device 1 along the crown portion 101 of the tooth 100, thereby detecting the fluorescence intensity, which is the intensity of fluorescence emitted from dental plaque. Specifically, the detection device 1 detects the fluorescence intensity emitted from dental plaque by moving the main body 10 by the subject so that the input / output portion 13 moves from one end to the other of the crown 101 along the alignment direction of the tooth 100 indicated by arrow A in Figure 3. The main body 10 may be moved by a user such as a dentist, dental hygienist, or subject so that the input / output portion 13 moves from one end to the other of at least one crown along the alignment direction of multiple teeth 100 of the subject.

[0030] The tooth crown 101 is divided into three regions: a central region 103 located in the center of the tooth crown 101, and a first end region 104 and a second end region 105. The first end region 104 includes one end of the tooth crown 101, and the second end region 105 includes the other end of the tooth crown 101. The central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 are arranged in the order of first end region 104, central region 103, and second end region 105. The input / output unit 13 is scanned from the first end region 104 toward the central region 103 and the second end region 105, allowing the detection device 1 to estimate the amount of plaque in each region. Furthermore, when the amount of plaque in each region exceeds a predetermined threshold, a notification is issued from the notification unit 14.

[0031] (Detection process performed by the detection device according to the embodiment) Figure 4 is a flowchart of the detection process performed by the detection device 1. The detection process shown in Figure 4 is an example of a detection method according to the embodiment. The detection process shown in Figure 4 is mainly performed by the processing unit 30 in cooperation with each element of the detection device 1, based on a detection program that is stored in the storage unit 27 in advance.

[0032] First, the acquisition unit 31 determines whether or not the switch 12 has been pressed (S101). When the switch 12 is pressed and a press signal is input from the switch 12, the acquisition unit 31 determines that the switch 12 has been pressed (S101-YES). The acquisition unit 31 repeats the process shown in S101 at predetermined intervals until it determines that the switch 12 has been pressed.

[0033] When the acquisition unit 31 determines that the switch 12 has been pressed (S101-YES), it outputs an emission signal to the light source 20 indicating that it will emit excitation light (S102). The light source 20 starts emitting excitation light in response to the emission signal. Next, the acquisition unit 31 starts a timing process to measure the time since the operator started the plaque measurement operation (S103).

[0034] Next, the acquisition unit 31 acquires the fluorescence intensity, which is the intensity of the fluorescence incident via the light guide unit 23, in accordance with the elapsed time since the start of the timing process (S104). The acquisition unit 31 outputs an output instruction signal to the photodetector unit 24 indicating that it will output an intensity signal indicating the fluorescence intensity, which is the intensity of the fluorescence detected by the photodetector unit 24. The photodetector unit 24 outputs the intensity signal to the processing unit 30 in response to the input of the output instruction signal. When the intensity signal is input, the acquisition unit 31 stores the fluorescence intensity information, which is the intensity of the fluorescence incident via the light guide unit 23, in the storage unit 27 as first fluorescence intensity information, associated with the first sampling time, which is the time of acquisition.

[0035] Next, the acquisition unit 31 acquires the magnitude of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 25 (S105). The acquisition unit 31 outputs an output instruction signal to the acceleration sensor 25 indicating that it will output an acceleration signal. The acceleration sensor 25 outputs an acceleration signal to the processing unit 30 in response to the input of the output instruction signal. When the acquisition unit 31 receives an acceleration signal, it stores acceleration information indicating the magnitude of the acceleration corresponding to the acceleration signal in the storage unit 27 as first acceleration information, associated with the first sampling time for which the fluorescence intensity was acquired in the process shown in S104.

[0036] Next, the acquisition unit 31 determines whether the pressing of switch 12 has ended (S106). When switch 12 is no longer pressed and no pressing signal is input from switch 12, the acquisition unit 31 determines that the pressing of switch 12 has ended (S106-YES) and terminates the timing process. The processes shown in S104 to S106 are repeated until the acquisition unit 31 determines that the pressing of switch 12 has ended. As the processes shown in S104 to S106 are executed at each sampling period, the nth fluorescence intensity information and the nth acceleration information are stored in the storage unit 27 in association with the nth sampling time at which the fluorescence intensity information was acquired in the process shown in S104.

[0037] When the acquisition unit 31 determines that the pressing of switch 12 has ended (S106-YES), the generation unit 32 calculates the distance the main unit 10 has moved from the magnitude of acceleration acquired in the process shown in S105 (S107). The generation unit 32 calculates the distance the main unit 10 has moved from the magnitude of acceleration acquired in the process shown in S105 and the sampling time, which is the interval between the execution of the process shown in S105. The generation unit 32 stores the distance information indicating the calculated distance in the storage unit 27, associating it with the sampling time to which the acceleration information is associated in the process shown in S105. The generation unit 32 sequentially calculates the distance the main unit 10 has moved for each of the first to nth acceleration information stored in the storage unit 27. The generation unit 32 stores the first to nth distance information indicating the calculated first to nth distances in the storage unit 27.

[0038] Next, the generation unit 32 generates detection position information indicating fluorescence intensity and position by associating the fluorescence intensity obtained in the process shown in S104 with the distance calculated in the process shown in S107 (S108). The detection position information has fluorescence intensity corresponding to the region from one end to the other end of the tooth crown 101. The generation unit 32 stores the generated detection position information in the storage unit 27 in association with the time when the corresponding fluorescence intensity information was obtained. The generation unit 32 sequentially generates detection position information for the distance information stored in the storage unit 27 and stores the generated first to nth detection position information in the storage unit 27.

[0039] Next, the estimation unit 33 estimates, based on the position information generated in the process shown in S108, which of the multiple regions into which the tooth crown was divided, in which fluorescence intensity corresponding to the intensity signal was detected (S109). That is, the detection position information has multiple region information obtained by dividing the tooth crown 101 into multiple parts, and the estimation unit 33 estimates, based on the multiple region information, which of the multiple regions into which the tooth crown 101 was divided, in which fluorescence intensity corresponding to the intensity signal was detected.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a more detailed process of the procedure shown in S109. Figure 6 is a diagram showing multiple regions obtained by dividing the crown portion 101 of the subject's tooth 100. In Figure 6, the horizontal axis shows the distance between the outer edge of the first end region 104 and the outer edge of the second end region 105 in percentage form. In Figure 6, 0% represents the outer edge of the first end region 104, and 100% represents the outer edge of the second end region 105. Figure 6 shows the positional relationship between the multiple regions obtained by dividing the crown portion 101, namely the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105, and the first detection positions P1 to Pn, and the first intensities D1 to Dn corresponding to the first detection positions P1 to Pn.

[0041] The estimation unit 33 estimates which of the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 each fluorescence intensity corresponding to the intensity signal was detected in.

[0042] The first end region 104 is a region where the detection position is between 0% and 30%, the central region 103 is a region where the detection position is between 20% and 80%, and the second end region 105 is a region where the detection position is between 70% and 100%. The central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 are defined to form an overlapping region that overlaps with each other. The central region 103 and the first end region 104 form a first overlapping region 106 that overlaps with each other. The central region 103 and the second end region 105 form a second overlapping region 107 that overlaps with each other. The first overlapping region 106 is a region where the detection position is between 20% and 30%, and the second overlapping region 107 is a region where the detection position is between 70% and 80%. The widths of the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 are 10% of the distance between the outer edge of the first end region 104 and the outer edge of the second end region 105.

[0043] First, the estimation unit 33 calculates the sum of the first to nth distances calculated in the process shown in S107 as the widthwise distance, which is the widthwise distance of the tooth crown 101 (S201). Next, the estimation unit 33 calculates the first to nth detection positions corresponding to the first to nth detection position information, respectively (S202). The estimation unit 33 calculates the first detection position P1 by dividing the first distance by the widthwise distance. The estimation unit 33 also calculates the second detection position P2 by dividing the sum of the first and second distances by the widthwise distance. Subsequently, the estimation unit 33 similarly calculates the third detection position P3 to the nth detection position Pn.

[0044] Next, the estimation unit 33 determines which of the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 each of the calculated detection positions belongs to (S203). In the example shown in Figure 6, the estimation unit 33 determines that the first detection position P1 to the jth detection position Pj, which were calculated in the interval of 0% to 30%, belong to the first end region 104. The estimation unit 33 determines that the ith detection position Pi to the mth detection position Pm belong to the central region 103, since the interval of 20% to 80% is between 10% and 100%. The estimation unit 33 determines that the kth detection position Pk to the nth detection position Pn, which were detected in the interval of 70% to 100%, belong to the second end region 105.

[0045] The estimation unit 33 then determines which of the three regions—the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105—the fluorescence intensity corresponding to each detection location was detected in (S204). The estimation unit 33 stores the fluorescence intensity and detection region information in the storage unit 27.

[0046] The central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105, which are examples of multiple region information, partially overlap each other in adjacent regions. In the example shown in Figure 6, the estimation unit 33 determines the first intensities D1 to j intensities Dj corresponding to the first detection position P1 to j detection position Pj as the fluorescence intensities detected in the first end region 104. The estimation unit 33 determines the i intensities Di to m intensities Dm corresponding to the i detection position Pi to m detection position Pl as the fluorescence intensities detected in the central region 103. The estimation unit 33 determines the k intensities Dk to n intensities Dn corresponding to the k detection position Pk to n detection position Pn as the fluorescence intensities detected in the second end region 105. The estimation unit 33 stores the first intensities D1 to j intensities Dj and the first end region information indicating the first end region 104 in the storage unit 27. The estimation unit 33 stores central detection region information, which represents the i-th intensity Di to the m-th intensity Dm and the central region 103, in the storage unit 27. The estimation unit 33 also stores second-end detection region information, which represents the k-th intensity Dk to the n-th intensity Dn and the second-end region 105, in the storage unit 27.

[0047] Next, the calculation unit 34 calculates the average value of the fluorescence intensity in each of the multiple regions into which the crown portion 101 of the tooth 100 is divided (S110). The calculation unit 34 calculates the average value of the fluorescence intensity estimated to have been detected in the first end region 104 and stores the calculated average value in the storage unit 27 as first end average value information. The calculation unit 34 calculates the average value of the fluorescence intensity estimated to have been detected in the central region 103 and stores the calculated average value in the storage unit 27 as central average value information. The calculation unit 34 calculates the average value of the fluorescence intensity estimated to have been detected in the second end region 105 and stores the calculated average value in the storage unit 27 as second end average value information.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 6, the calculation unit 34 calculates the average value of the first intensity D1 to the jth intensity Dj as the first endpoint and stores the first endpoint average value information, which represents the calculated first endpoint average value, in the storage unit 27. The average value of the ith intensity Di to the mth intensity Dm is calculated as the median average value and stores the median average value information, which represents the calculated median average value, in the storage unit 27. The average value of the kth intensity Dk to the nth intensity Dn is calculated as the second endpoint average value and stores the second endpoint average value information, which represents the calculated second endpoint average value, in the storage unit 27.

[0049] Next, the determination unit 35 determines whether the average value calculated in the process shown in S110 for each of the multiple regions obtained by dividing the crown portion 101 of the tooth 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S111). The determination unit 35 determines whether the average value in each of the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The threshold used in the process shown in S111 is used to determine whether the sum of the fluorescence intensities detected in each of the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of plaque attached to the tooth 100.

[0050] The output unit 36 ​​outputs a notification signal, which is an audio signal, when the determination unit 35 determines that the average value is greater than or equal to a threshold (S111-YES).

[0051] (Effects of the detection device according to the embodiment) The detection device 1 can notify the user of the amount of plaque in each region of the tooth crown 101 by outputting a notification signal when the amount of plaque in the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 of the tooth crown 101 exceeds a threshold value.

[0052] Furthermore, by defining the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 to have a first superimposed region 106 and a second superimposed region 107, the detection device 1 can prevent the amount of plaque in the first end region 104 and the second end region 105 from being underestimated.

[0053] (Modified example of the detection device according to this embodiment) While the detection device 1 detects dental plaque, the detection device according to this embodiment may detect other oral substances present in the oral cavity that emit fluorescence, such as dental plaque. For example, the detection device according to this embodiment may detect dental caries.

[0054] Furthermore, the detection device 1 estimates the region where fluorescence intensity is detected based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 25. However, the detection device according to the embodiment may estimate the region where fluorescence intensity is detected based on the direction detected by a direction sensor such as a gyro sensor and a geomagnetic sensor in addition to the acceleration sensor 25. The detection device according to the embodiment can improve the estimation accuracy by estimating the region where fluorescence intensity is detected based on the direction detected by a direction sensor in addition to the acceleration sensor 25.

[0055] Furthermore, the detection device 1 divides the tooth crown 101 into three regions: a central region 103, a first end region 104, and a second end region 105. However, the detection device according to this embodiment may divide the tooth crown 101 into two or more regions.

[0056] Furthermore, while the detection device 1 estimates the detection position using an acceleration signal indicating the magnitude of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 25, the detection device according to the embodiment may estimate the detection position using an acceleration signal indicating a physical quantity other than acceleration related to the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. For example, the detection device according to the embodiment may estimate the detection position using an acceleration signal indicating the velocity detected by the acceleration sensor.

[0057] Furthermore, the detection device 1 defines the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 such that the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 are formed. However, in the detection device according to this embodiment, the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 may be defined such that they do not superimpose on each other and no superimposed regions are formed.

[0058] Furthermore, the detection device 1 defines the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 such that the width of the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 is 10% of the distance between the outer end of the first end region 104 and the outer end of the second end region 105. However, in the detection device according to this embodiment, the central region 103, the first end region 104, and the second end region 105 may be defined such that the width of the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 is 5% or more and 10% or less of the distance between the outer ends of the first end region 104 and the second end region 105. If the width of the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 is less than 5% of the distance between the outer ends of the first end region 104 and the second end region 105, the effect of superimposing the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 is reduced. Furthermore, if the width of the first superimposed region 106 and the second superimposed region 107 exceeds 10% of the distance between the outer ends of the first end region 104 and the second end region 105, the accuracy of plaque detection decreases.

[0059] Furthermore, the detection device 1 calculates the average value of the fluorescence intensity and determines whether the calculated average value is above a predetermined threshold. However, the detection device according to the embodiment may calculate a representative value that represents the fluorescence intensity and determine whether the calculated representative value is above a predetermined threshold. For example, the detection device according to the embodiment may calculate the median, mode, or maximum value of the fluorescence intensity as the representative value.

[0060] Furthermore, the detection device 1 starts the detection process when a switch 12 located on the side of the main body 10 is pressed. However, the detection device according to this embodiment may have a remote switch, such as a foot switch, which is wired or wirelessly connected via a communication unit 26, instead of the switch 12. When the detection device according to this embodiment has a remote switch, it starts the detection process when the remote switch is pressed and terminates the execution of the processes shown in S104 to S106 when the pressing of the remote switch is stopped.

[0061] Furthermore, the detection device according to the embodiment may be operable not only by the switch 12 or the remote switch, but also by a mobile device such as a tablet terminal. By making the detection device according to the embodiment operable not only by the switch 12 or the remote switch but also by a mobile terminal, the detection device can be operated by the mobile terminal as an alternative when operation by the switch 12 or the remote switch becomes impossible.

[0062] Furthermore, while the detection device 1 executes all the processes included in the detection process, the detection process according to this embodiment may be executed collaboratively by multiple devices, including the detection device.

[0063] Figure 7(a) is a functional block diagram of a modified detection device, Figure 7(b) is a functional block diagram of the processing unit shown in Figure 7(a), and Figure 8 is a diagram showing a detection system having the detection device shown in Figure 7(a).

[0064] Detection device 2 differs from detection device 1 in that it has a processing unit 40 instead of a processing unit 30. Processing unit 40 differs from processing unit 30 in that it has an output unit 41 instead of an estimation unit 33, a calculation unit 34, a determination unit 35, and an output unit 36. The configuration and function of the components of detection device 2 other than the output unit 41 are the same as those of the components of detection device 1 which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Detection system 200 includes detection device 2 and calculation unit 201.

[0065] The arithmetic unit 201 has an arithmetic communication unit 202, an arithmetic storage unit 203, an arithmetic input unit 204, an arithmetic notification unit 205, and an arithmetic processing unit 206, and is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or an electronic computer such as a personal computer or server that performs part of the detection process.

[0066] The arithmetic communication unit 202 has a communication interface circuit for connecting the arithmetic unit 201 to the detection device 2 and external devices (not shown) via a network (not shown). The arithmetic communication unit 202 supplies data received from the detection device 2 and external devices (not shown) via the network to the arithmetic processing unit 206. The arithmetic communication unit 202 also transmits data supplied from the arithmetic processing unit 206 to the detection device 2 and external devices via the network.

[0067] The arithmetic memory unit 203 includes, for example, one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device. The arithmetic memory unit 203 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing in the arithmetic processing unit 206. For example, the arithmetic memory unit 203 stores driver programs such as an input device driver program that controls the arithmetic input unit 204 and an output device driver program that controls the arithmetic notification unit 205. The arithmetic memory unit 203 also stores a detection program that causes the arithmetic processing unit 206 to execute a detection program that detects plaque attached to the subject's teeth.

[0068] The arithmetic input unit 204 can be any device that allows operation of the arithmetic unit 201, such as a keyboard or touchpad. The operator can input characters, numbers, etc., via the arithmetic input unit 204. When operated by the operator, the arithmetic input unit 204 generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The generated signal is then supplied to the arithmetic processing unit 206 as an instruction from the operator.

[0069] The calculation notification unit 205 is a device that outputs audio signals, such as a buzzer and a speaker. The calculation notification unit 205 may also be a device capable of displaying video, images, characters, etc., and may be an LED device, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc.

[0070] The arithmetic processing unit 206 has one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The arithmetic processing unit 206 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the arithmetic unit 201 and is, for example, a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit 206 controls the operation of the arithmetic communication unit 202, the arithmetic notification unit 205, etc., so that various processes of the arithmetic unit 201 are executed in appropriate procedures according to the programs stored in the arithmetic memory unit 203, the operations of the arithmetic input unit 204, etc. The arithmetic processing unit 206 executes processing based on the programs (operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, etc.) stored in the arithmetic memory unit 203. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 206 can execute multiple programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

[0071] The arithmetic processing unit 206 includes an arithmetic acquisition unit 261, an arithmetic estimation unit 262, an arithmetic calculation unit 263, an arithmetic determination unit 264, and an arithmetic output unit 265. Each of these units is a functional module implemented by a program executed on the processor of the arithmetic processing unit 206. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the detection device 1 as firmware.

[0072] (Detection process performed by the detection system in the modified example) Figure 9 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the detection process performed by the detection system 200, and Figure 10 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the detection process performed by the detection system 200. The detection processes shown in Figures 9 and 10 are other examples of the detection method according to the embodiment, and are mainly executed by the processing unit 40 and the arithmetic processing unit 206 in cooperation with each element of the detection device 1 and the arithmetic device 201, based on the detection program stored in advance in the storage unit 27 and the arithmetic storage unit 203.

[0073] The processes in S301 to S308 are the same as those in S101 to S108, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Following the process shown in S108, the output unit 41 outputs a detection position signal indicating fluorescence intensity and position to the calculation unit 201 (S309). The output unit 41 acquires each of the first detection position information to the nth detection position information stored in the storage unit 27, and outputs the first detection position signal to the nth detection position signal corresponding to each of the acquired first detection position information to the nth detection position information.

[0074] Next, the calculation acquisition unit 261 acquires detection position information corresponding to the detection position signal (S401). The calculation acquisition unit 261 acquires the first detection position information to the nth detection position information corresponding to the first detection position signal to the nth detection position signal, and stores the acquired first detection position information to the nth detection position information in the calculation storage unit 203. The processing in S402 to S405 is the same as the processing in S109 to S112, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0075] In the detection system 200, the detection device 2 performs the process up to generating the detection position information shown in S308, and the processing from the process of estimating the region where fluorescence intensity is detected, shown in S402, is performed by the calculation device 201. However, in the detection system according to the embodiment, the detection device according to the embodiment may output an intensity signal and an acceleration signal, and the calculation device may perform the processing corresponding to S403 to S405 based on the input intensity signal and acceleration signal.

[0076] In the detection system according to the embodiment, the detection device may perform a process to estimate the region in which fluorescence intensity is detected. When the detection device according to the embodiment has performed the process to estimate the region in which fluorescence intensity is detected, it outputs a detection region signal indicating the fluorescence intensity and region to the arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit acquires detection region information corresponding to the detection region signal and performs the processes corresponding to S307, S308 and S401 to S405 based on the acquired detection region information.

[0077] Furthermore, in the detection system according to the embodiment, the detection device may also perform the process of calculating the average value. When the detection device according to the embodiment has performed the process of calculating the average value, it outputs an average value signal indicating the average value to the calculation unit. The calculation unit acquires average value information corresponding to the average value signal and executes the processes corresponding to S404 to S405 based on the acquired average value information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1, 2 Detection devices 10 Main body 11 Insertion part 12 switches 13 Input / output port 14 Notification Department 15 cabinets 16 Nose Body 17. Flexed section 20 light source 21 Optical Splitter 22 Optical Law 23 Light guide section 24 Light detection unit 25 Accelerometer 26 Communications Department 27 Memory section 30, 40 Processing Unit 32 Generation part

Claims

1. A detection system that detects fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, A housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, A light guide unit is arranged in the insertion portion and guides the fluorescence to the main body portion, A photodetector that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident through the light guide as an intensity signal, An acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, A generation unit generates detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the object to be detected, based on the intensity signal and the acceleration signal. A detection system characterized by having the following features.

2. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the detection position information has the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the region from one end to the other end of the tooth crown.

3. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein the detected position information includes information for multiple regions obtained by dividing the tooth crown into multiple parts.

4. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the information of the multiple regions overlaps with each other in adjacent regions.

5. The plurality of regions include a central region located in the center of the tooth crown, and a first end region and a second end region arranged on either side of the central region. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the first end region includes one end of the tooth crown, and the second end region includes the other end of the tooth crown.

6. A calculation unit that calculates a representative value of the intensity signal in each of the plurality of regions, A determination unit that determines whether the representative value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, When the determination unit determines that the representative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the output unit outputs a notification signal. The detection system according to claim 3, further comprising the following:

7. The detection system according to claim 6, wherein the representative value is any of the mean, median, mode, and maximum values ​​of the fluorescence intensity.

8. The detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the acceleration signal is a signal indicating the magnitude of the detected acceleration.

9. A detection method for detecting fluorescence emitted by exciting a target object in the oral cavity of a subject, A housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, A light guide unit is arranged in the insertion portion and guides the fluorescence to the main body portion, A photodetector that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident through the light guide as an intensity signal, A detection method using a detection system having an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, Based on the intensity signal and the acceleration signal, detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the object to be detected is generated. A representative value of the intensity signal is calculated for each of the multiple regions into which the tooth crown is divided. Determine whether the aforementioned representative value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, When it is determined that the representative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, a notification signal is output. A detection method characterized by including the following.

10. A detection program that excites a target object in the oral cavity of a subject and detects the emitted fluorescence, A housing having a main body and an insertion part located at one end of the main body and inserted into the oral cavity of a subject, A light guide unit is arranged in the insertion portion and guides the fluorescence to the main body portion, A photodetector that outputs the fluorescence intensity incident through the light guide as an intensity signal, A detection method using a detection system having an acceleration sensor that outputs a physical quantity related to the acceleration applied to the housing as an acceleration signal, Based on the intensity signal and the acceleration signal, detection position information indicating the fluorescence intensity corresponding to the position of the object to be detected is generated. A representative value of the intensity signal is calculated for each of the multiple regions into which the tooth crown is divided. Determine whether the aforementioned representative value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, When it is determined that the representative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, a notification signal is output. A detection program characterized by having a computer perform the processing.

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