A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases

Abstract

Diagnosis is made possible by imaging a desired body part above the neck with a gamma camera while the subject is kept still from the neck up. [Solution] The imaging unit has an imaging section which images the body from the neck up using a gamma camera 210, an imaging seating section 100 which keeps the person to be imaged in a seated position during imaging, an imaging positioning section 300 which is attached to the imaging seating section and images a specified part from the neck up, and an imaging posture maintaining section 400 which keeps the part from the neck up of the person to be imaged from moving during imaging. The imaging section is equipped with a gamma camera, an imaging positioning section which moves the gamma camera around the imaging part from the neck up of the person to be imaged which corresponds to the desired imaging position, a protective cover which protects the gamma camera and the gamma camera movement drive mechanism and has space to avoid interference with the part of the person to be imaged from the neck up, and a control section which controls these.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention enables diagnosis of a desired part of a subject's body above the neck by imaging the desired part of the body above the neck with a gamma camera while the subject holds the body above the neck still for a predetermined period of time. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, CT (Computed Tomography) using X-rays and bone scintigraphy using a gamma camera have been used as diagnostic devices in the medical field.

[0003] Furthermore, diagnostic devices that combine these two are known, but in such devices, the patient to be imaged (hereinafter referred to as "imaged person") is imaged in a lying position. Therefore, the device is inevitably large-scale, and since the cost of the device itself is high and it requires a fairly large space to install, it is generally used only in large hospitals and the like (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-164548 A (see especially paragraph (0047) and FIG. 3) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, dental CT scan devices that are integrated with dental chairs in dental clinics are also widely used. These dental CT scan imaging and diagnostic devices generally do not inject an imaging agent into the patient before imaging, but rather image the patient's upper and lower teeth with an X-ray camera deployed from the front teeth to the back teeth based on a unique configuration of the device itself.

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional dental CT scan imaging and diagnosis device is suitable for finding bone cracks, bone chips, and advanced caries. It is also used to determine whether the jawbone is thick enough to place an implant by imaging the condition of the jawbone, which corresponds to the root of the tooth where the implant will be placed, and understanding the surrounding condition.

[0006] However, with the above-mentioned dental CT scan imaging and diagnosis device, it is currently impossible to properly diagnose the presence or absence of inflammation around the teeth that occurs as a result of gingivitis, periodontitis, or even worsening of these to periodontal disease, and the location of the inflammation. Similarly, it is difficult to detect early the presence or absence of inflammation associated with tumors in the pharynx, oral cavity, tongue, etc. in the dental field. In addition, the degree of fatigue of the internal tissues of the teeth cannot be accurately diagnosed from the imaging results.

[0007] On the other hand, with the recent rapid aging of society, it has become extremely important to maintain optimal dental health and to continue to eat foods of a certain degree of hardness by chewing them sufficiently with sufficient chewing ability. This is because, as we enter an era of 100-year life spans, it is physiologically important to chew and absorb protein, which is one of the essential nutrients for the body, and in particular beef, chicken, pork, lamb, etc., which are physiologically most efficiently absorbed by body tissues, through the digestive organs.

[0008] In other words, in order to ensure this, it is important to continue to maintain sufficient chewing ability regardless of age.

[0009] On the other hand, as mentioned above, when diagnosis is made based on the imaging results obtained by the CT scan diagnostic device used in the dental field, it is not possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of inflammation in the area surrounding the teeth, that is, the initial onset of inflammation or the progression of inflammation.

[0010] Therefore, at present, it cannot be said that this diagnostic device is suitable for early detection and early treatment of periodontal disease, gingivitis which is the early stage leading up to periodontal disease, and periodontitis which is the intermediate stage.

[0011] Similarly, it is difficult to detect early and accurate weakening of the bone itself due to fatigue of internal tissues caused by accumulation of residual stress in the teeth and the internal tissues of the jawbone in which the teeth grow, using the CT scan diagnostic equipment used in the dental field.

[0012] As described above, the current CT scan imaging and diagnostic devices used in the dental field are not capable of simultaneously assessing the various physiological conditions related to the dental region of the body as described above.

[0013] In other words, under current circumstances, it is quite difficult to accurately diagnose the presence or absence of inflammation in the gums around the tooth and the extent of the inflammation, and determine the optimal treatment plan for the problematic tooth, such as whether to simply place a metal crown on it or to replace the entire crown of the tooth with, for example, zirconium ceramic.

[0014] Furthermore, with regard to implants, which are rapidly becoming more common, it is necessary to accurately understand the physiological condition of the area where the implant should be placed in order to determine whether or not to actually apply the implant to a patient, but it is difficult to capture accurate diagnostic images that correspond to this with current CT scan imaging diagnostic equipment.In the field of dentistry, it is common to use the term "implantation" when referring to an implant alone, and "implantation" when emphasizing the entire treatment or fixation into the bone, but in the following text we will stick to "implantation" for convenience of explanation.

[0015] This is because the current CT scan imaging diagnostic device cannot accurately grasp the tissue condition of the jawbone at the specified site where the implant is to be placed and the degree of inflammation in the surrounding tissue. If an implant is placed based on a diagnosis result with insufficient objective accuracy, the tissue condition of the jawbone around the implant site and the occurrence and progression of inflammation in the surrounding tissue will be overlooked. As a result, there is a high risk of developing and worsening peri-implant inflammation after implant placement.

[0016] This requires the patient to undergo additional treatment to remove the implant and place a new, larger implant, resulting in an undesirable situation in which the physical and economic burden on the patient increases significantly.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to make it possible to diagnose a desired part of a subject's body above the neck by imaging the desired part of the body above the neck with a gamma camera while the subject's body above the neck is kept still for a predetermined period of time. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The purpose of this invention is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of diseases in the oral cavity using a gamma camera, comprising: a seating chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of intraoral diseases using a gamma camera, the device comprising: an imaging section which images the body from the neck up using a gamma camera; an imaging seating section which positions the body from the neck up in a predetermined imaging area so that the person to be imaged can be kept in a seated position during imaging; an imaging positioning section which is attached to the imaging seating section and which can move and fix the imaging section to a predetermined position so that the predetermined part of the person to be imaged from the neck up can be imaged by the imaging section; and an imaging posture maintaining section which prevents the body from moving during imaging by the imaging section; the imaging unit includes a gamma camera that images a predetermined portion of the person to be imaged from above the neck, an imaging positioning unit that moves the gamma camera around an imaging portion in the oral cavity of the person to be imaged that corresponds to a desired imaging position, a gamma camera movement drive mechanism, and a protective cover for protecting the gamma camera, the protective cover having a space for avoiding interference with the part of the person to be imaged from above the neck that can be moved up and down above the neck, and a control unit that controls the operations of the imaging unit, the imaging positioning unit, the gamma camera movement drive mechanism, and the protective cover in order to image a predetermined imaging portion of the person to be imaged from above the neck with the gamma camera; the imaging positioning unit has a vertical movement guide unit which moves the imaging unit up and down to a position where the oral cavity of the person to be imaged is imaged while the person to be imaged is seated on the imaging seat and maintains a constant posture from the neck up, stops the imaging unit, and then maintains the position; and a drive mechanism which moves the imaging unit along the vertical movement guide unit, a seat chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of intraoral diseases using a gamma camera, which captures an image of a desired body part above the neck of the subject with the gamma camera while the subject keeps the body above the neck still for a predetermined period of time; The image capturing posture maintaining unit is The apparatus includes a lower jaw fixing support section for supporting the lower jaw to be imaged, a forehead posture maintaining belt, and a head position maintaining presser section for holding down an upper side of the head of the person to be imaged so that the head does not move during imaging, This allows the person to remain seated in the chair in the same posture and height as in everyday life during the imaging period, and makes it possible to check for the presence or absence of oral diseases with less radiation than with an X-ray CT scanner, by maintaining the same posture as the person moves their jaw to bite when sitting down to eat in everyday life.

[0019] In addition, claim 2 A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases In The above A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases In addition to the gamma camera, it is equipped with an X-ray camera for CT imaging, The imaging unit includes a gamma camera moving rail that moves the gamma camera along a predetermined path when the imaging unit captures an image, and The above γ Camera moving rail or the above For γ camera movement rail The X-ray camera is attached so as to be movable along a guide rail for X-ray camera movement that is provided in parallel, so that the X-ray camera can capture images of body parts common to those captured by the gamma camera; and The scintigraphy imaging results created by the gamma camera and the CT imaging results created by the X-ray camera , regulation The feature of this system is that it is now possible to display the images superimposed on each other via a control device, improving the accuracy of identifying the position of the area to be imaged.

[0021] In claim 1 or 2, the imaging posture maintaining section preferably has a chest fixing belt, a support fixing section which supports the imaged lower jaw, the forehead posture maintaining belt, and a head position and posture maintaining holding section which holds down the upper side of the imaged person's head to prevent the head from moving during imaging by the gamma camera while the imaged person is seated.

[0022] Similarly, in claim 1 or claim 2, it is preferable that each of the chest posture maintaining belt, the lower jaw support fixing portion, the forehead position and posture maintaining belt, and the head position and posture maintaining holder of the posture maintaining portion during imaging is provided in at least either the imaging chair or the imaging positioning portion. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, a desired body part above the neck of a person to be imaged can be diagnosed by imaging the desired body part above the neck of the person to be imaged with a gamma camera while the person's body above the neck is kept still for a predetermined period of time. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a seating chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of intraoral diseases using a gamma camera according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, viewed from the side, showing the state in which a person to be imaged (patient) is sitting in the chair immediately before imaging is performed. [Diagram 2] 1, is an explanatory diagram showing, from a side view, a state in which the imaging device is imaging a region used for dental diagnosis, which is one of the representative predetermined regions of a subject from the neck up to be diagnosed. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the preparation stages for imaging a subject by immobilizing the body from the neck up, in the order of (a) to (b), and showing an enlarged view of the body from the neck up from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) shows the preparation stage immediately before imaging the subject without moving the neck, and FIG. 4(b) shows the state during imaging of a dental treatment area corresponding to FIG. 2, and is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the subject from the neck up from the front. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5(a) is an enlarged view of the subject's head from the neck up, corresponding to FIG. 2, showing the process of moving the gamma camera along the guide rail to the front of the head to image the head, and FIG. 5(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the imaging device has been moved to an imaging position to image further areas above the neck of the subject to be diagnosed, such as the eyes, nose, and ears. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of an imaging control unit provided in an imaging device from the neck up that is equipped with a gamma camera according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration according to a modified example of the present embodiment, and shows a state corresponding to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration according to a modified example of the present embodiment, and shows a state corresponding to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The following is an embodiment of the present invention. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseasesThe following description will be given with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases Fig. 2 is an explanatory side view showing the schematic configuration of the imaging device when the person to be imaged (patient) is sitting on a chair and is about to be imaged. Fig. 3 is an explanatory side view showing the imaging device imaging an area used for dental diagnosis, which is one of the representative predetermined parts of the person to be imaged from the neck up, subsequent to Fig. 1.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the preparation stage for imaging the subject by immobilizing the neck and above in the order of (a) to (b), and is an explanatory diagram showing the subject from the neck and above enlarged from the front. Fig. 4 is a diagram (Fig. 4(a)) showing the preparation stage immediately before imaging the subject by immobilizing the neck and a diagram (Fig. 4(b)) showing the state during imaging of a dental treatment area corresponding to Fig. 2, and is an explanatory diagram showing the subject from the neck and above enlarged from the front.

[0028] 5A and 5B are enlarged views of the subject's head from the neck up, corresponding to FIG. 2, and are an explanatory diagram (FIG. 5A) showing the process of moving the γ camera along the camera movement guide rail to the front of the head to image the head, and an explanatory diagram (FIG. 5B) showing the state in which the imaging device has been moved to an imaging position to image the brain, eyes, nose, and ears, which are further regions above the neck of the subject to be diagnosed. FIG. 6 shows the imaging device of the present invention. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an imaging control unit provided in the

[0029] In each drawing, basically, among the components of the present invention, those that can be seen from the outside are shown with solid lines, and those that are internally structured and cannot be seen from the outside are shown with dotted lines, but for convenience of explanation, each component of the present invention is shown in each drawing without being limited to this. Also, with regard to the imaged person (patient) depicted in application of the present invention, all components of the present invention are shown with solid lines, regardless of the positions of each component of the present invention shown with solid or dotted lines, so that the positional relationship of each component of the present invention to the imaged person can be easily understood.

[0030] The diagnostic device for the upper neck using a gamma camera according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "diagnostic device for the upper neck using a gamma camera 10") comprises an imaging unit 200 that images the body from the neck up using a gamma camera, an imaging seating unit 100 that positions the body from the neck up in a predetermined imaging area by keeping the person to be imaged in a seated position during imaging, an imaging positioning unit 300 that is attached to the imaging seating unit 100 and enables the imaging unit 200 to move and fix the imaging unit 200 to a predetermined position so that a predetermined part of the person from the neck up can be imaged by the imaging unit 200, and an imaging posture maintaining unit 400 that prevents the body from moving during imaging by the imaging unit 200.

[0031] The imaging unit 200 includes a gamma camera 210 that images a specified location above the neck of the person to be imaged, an imaging positioning unit 300 that moves the gamma camera 210 around the imaging unit 200 above the neck of the person to be imaged corresponding to the desired imaging position, a protective cover 250 that forms part of the gamma camera 210 and the gamma camera movement drive mechanism, has a space to avoid interference with the part of the person to be imaged above the neck, and is movable up and down relative to the part of the person to be imaged above the neck, and an imaging control unit 500 (shown only in Figure 6) that moves the imaging unit 200, the imaging positioning unit 300, the gamma camera movement drive mechanism, and the protective cover 250 to predetermined positions to control the operation of imaging a specified imaging unit 200 above the neck of the person to be imaged with the gamma camera 210.

[0032] Due to the nature of the present invention to which this embodiment belongs, a small gamma camera is used as the gamma camera 210. The small size of the gamma camera 210 makes it possible to narrow down the target to a specific region above the neck of the person to be imaged and perform a specific diagnosis. of The timing of imaging and the like are all optimally controlled by the imaging control unit 500.

[0033] The gamma camera movement drive mechanism (corresponding to symbol 200 in the figure) has a guide rail 220 for camera movement, a mounting part 240 for gamma camera movement, a gamma camera movement motor (not shown), and a protective cover 250, and is electrically connected to the imaging control part 500 so as to be driven and controlled.

[0034] The camera movement guide rail 220 has an approximately loop-like shape made of a material having sufficient strength and rigidity and is shaped like an arc or annulus to enable the gamma camera 210 to move approximately horizontally along a predetermined imaging area from the neck up of the person being imaged.

[0035] The gamma camera movement mounting section 240 is provided with a moving means such as a bearing to enable the gamma camera 210 to move smoothly along the camera movement guide rail 220, and serves to connect the two together.

[0036] As a result, when imaging using the gamma camera 210, a specific imaging area above the neck of the imaged person is imaged continuously from all around, and an image of the imaging result can be obtained with this imaging area evenly spread out from all around.

[0037] The gamma camera movement motor (not shown) is used to move the gamma camera 210 attached to the gamma camera movement mounting part 240 along the camera movement guide rail 220 at a predetermined speed, and has a high-precision motor such as a pulse motor or stepping motor, and a reduction mechanism (not shown) that precisely reduces the rotation speed of the motor so that the gamma camera movement mounting part 240 accurately moves the camera movement guide rail 220 at a constant feed speed.

[0038] The gamma camera movement motor may be attached to the gamma camera movement mounting part itself, or may be attached to a predetermined position of the camera movement guide rail 220 and have a structure that transmits the driving force in some way to the gamma camera movement mounting part 240. The gamma camera movement motor is also electrically connected to the imaging control part 500 so that its movement is controlled.

[0039] The protective cover 250 serves to protect the gamma camera 210 and the drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera, and is made of a lightweight resin with excellent strength and durability that does not affect imaging by the gamma camera 210. In the present embodiment, the overall shape of the protective cover 250 is like a so-called life jacket, and the part above the neck of the person to be imaged can move up and down while passing through the imaging through-hole space 251 inside.

[0040] In other words, an imaging through-hole space 251 having an inner diameter larger than the area above the neck of the person to be imaged is formed inside the protective cover, and this inner imaging through-hole space 251 serves as a space to avoid interference between the protective cover 250 and the area above the neck of the person to be imaged.

[0041] In this embodiment, the protective cover 250 has a built-in gamma camera 210, a mounting section 240 for moving the gamma camera, a guide rail 220 for moving the camera, and a gamma camera movement motor built into or integrated into the protective cover 250, and is attached to an imaging unit lifting mechanism that is provided in the imaging posture maintenance section 400 described later and moves the imaging unit 200 up and down to a predetermined position above the neck of the person to be imaged.

[0042] The protective cover 250 is colored so that its internal structure cannot be seen from the outside. Specifically, the entire surface of the protective cover 250 is colored so that the person being imaged cannot see the state in which the gamma camera 210 is moving inside the cover along the camera movement guide rail 220 and taking pictures. This allows the person being imaged (patient) to remain seated in a chair without being distracted by the position of the gamma camera 210 during imaging, which takes longer than X-ray CT devices installed in ordinary dental clinics. As a result, the psychological burden caused by the physical restraint of the upper body associated with imaging can be eliminated.

[0043] Furthermore, in the present invention, the position of the gamma camera 210 is colored to make it invisible, thereby preventing the imaged person (patient) from becoming impatient or bored during the gamma camera imaging, which takes a relatively long time, and tampering with the gamma camera itself, which would prevent accurate imaging.

[0044] When using this embodiment, the second embodiment described later, and a modified example of the present invention for diagnosis in the field of ophthalmology, which will be described in detail later, for example, a marker unit for maintaining a viewpoint position that allows the imaged person's eyes to gaze at one point so as not to move during imaging may be provided in an appropriate position inside forming the imaging through-hole space 251 of the protective cover 250. This makes it possible to obtain accurate imaging results by minimizing the movement of the eyes during imaging by the gamma camera 210, and thus enables accurate diagnosis, which is preferable.

[0045] The imaging seating unit 100 is for keeping the body from the neck up in an appropriate position when the person to be imaged is imaged by the gamma camera 210. Specifically, the imaging seating unit 100 has the form of a chair with a backrest, and has a seating unit up / down lifting mechanism 120 of an electric or hydraulic drive type that can adjust the height of the seating seat 110 according to the height of the person to be imaged. The seating unit up / down lifting mechanism 120 is driven and controlled by the imaging control unit 500 as a seating height lifting / adjusting mechanism shown only in Fig. 6.

[0046] This allows the person to remain seated on the seat 110 while maintaining the same posture and height as in daily life during the imaging time, thereby reducing not only the physical burden but also the mental burden.

[0047] The imaging posture maintaining section 400 further includes a chest fixing belt 410 to prevent the imaged person from moving above the neck while seated and capturing an image with the gamma camera 210, a lower jaw fixing support section 420 that supports the lower jaw of the imaged person to prevent movement during imaging, a forehead posture maintaining belt 430, and a head position maintaining presser section 440 that holds down the upper side of the imaged person's head to prevent the head from moving during imaging.

[0048] The head position and orientation maintaining holding section 440 has a head position and orientation maintaining holding cap section 441 that holds down the upper side of the head of the person to be imaged, and the forehead position and orientation maintaining belt 430 has a head support 431 that holds down the back of the head of the person to be imaged. The combination of the head position and orientation maintaining holding cap section 441 and the head support 431, and the head circumference holding effect of the forehead position and orientation maintaining belt 430, keeps the head still without putting any strain on the head while the person to be imaged is seated and imaged, thereby ensuring image capture by the gamma camera 210.

[0049] It should be noted that the combination of the head position and orientation maintaining holding cap part 441 and the head support 431 for holding the back of the head of the person being imaged is provided not only in the first embodiment but also in the second embodiment and the modified example of the present invention.

[0050] The chest fixing belt 410 has its ends fixed to the backrest / standing guide 150 of the imaging seat 100, and is wrapped around the chest of the person to be imaged at a position that matches the chest of the person to be imaged so that the chest does not move without imposing a physical burden on the person to be imaged. When the belt is worn, it can be easily attached and detached, for example, by using a Velcro tape (registered trademark). This prevents the chest of the person to be imaged from being compressed, i.e., does not cause discomfort to the person to be imaged, and also serves to keep the upper body in a fixed seated position during the imaging time.

[0051] Similarly to the chest fixing belt 410, the forehead posture position maintaining belt 430 has both ends fixed to the backrest / standing guide portion 150 provided on the imaging seating portion 100, and is wound around the forehead at a position that exactly matches the forehead of the person to be imaged so as not to move the forehead without imposing any physical burden on the person to be imaged.

[0052] When the belt is worn, it is used to prevent pressure from being applied to the forehead of the person being imaged, using, for example, Velcro (registered trademark), thereby preventing the person being imaged from feeling uncomfortable, and also to keep the upper body in a constant seated position throughout the imaging period.

[0053] The imaging positioning unit 300 has a vertical movement guide unit 310 and an imaging main body lifting drive mechanism 320. The vertical movement guide unit 310 is for moving the imaging main body up and down at a desired imaging position above the neck while the subject is seated on the imaging seating unit 100 and the posture above the neck is kept constant, and then stopping the imaging main body at the desired imaging position and maintaining that state. The imaging main body lifting drive mechanism 320 is for moving the imaging main body along the vertical movement guide unit 310.

[0054] It should be noted that the chest posture maintaining belt, the lower jaw support fixing portion, the forehead position and posture maintaining belt, and the head position and posture maintaining holding portion of the posture maintaining portion 400 during imaging are not limited to the present embodiment, and may be provided in either the imaging seating portion 100 or the imaging positioning portion 300.

[0055] In addition, the present invention A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases is provided with a mandible fixing support part 420 that can be fixed after being adjusted to move up and down in accordance with the mandible of the person to be imaged by the image positioning part 300. This makes it possible to fix the mandible of the person to be imaged so that it does not open or close during image capture by the gamma camera 210. In addition, the image capture part 200 can be positioned at an optimal position above the neck of the person to be imaged by lowering the image capture part 200 along the up and down movement guide part 310 via the image capture control part 500 based on information on the fixed position (height) after the height adjustment of the mandible fixing support part 420. Furthermore, the mandible fixing support part 420 also has a protection function that prevents the gamma camera 210, the camera movement guide rail 220, and the protective cover 250, which have a certain degree of weight, from falling onto the shoulders of the person to be imaged (patient) in the unlikely event that they fall when the camera is set up.

[0056] 6, the imaging control unit 500 is electrically connected to the imaging unit 200, the imaging positioning unit 300, the gamma camera movement drive mechanism, the protective cover 250, and other components according to the present invention as appropriate, and serves to control the operation of each component so that the gamma camera 210 can capture an image of a predetermined imaging region above the neck of a person to be imaged.

[0057] The imaging control unit 500 includes a control circuit according to the present invention as shown in FIG. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases Using these, the diagnostic results according to the first embodiment and the diagnostic results according to a second embodiment described later are displayed as images by a diagnostic result display device 600.

[0058] More specifically, the diagnostic result information is displayed as necessary on a diagnostic result display device 600 capable of clear display, such as a liquid crystal display, in accordance with the image captured by the gamma camera according to the first embodiment and the image captured by the gamma camera and X-ray camera according to the second embodiment.

[0059] With the above configuration, the present embodiment A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases This makes it possible to image a desired body part above the neck with the γ camera while keeping the body above the neck of the person to be imaged still for a predetermined period of time.

[0060] In actual use, preparations are made according to the site to be diagnosed and the contents to be diagnosed (for example, blood flow scintigraphy of a dental medical site to determine the presence or absence of inflammation, as well as tumor infiltration and metastasis by bone scintigraphy, cerebral blood flow scintigraphy, cerebral dopamine transporter scintigraphy, neuroendocrine tumor scintigraphy, and in the modified example described below, thyroid scintigraphy, myocardial blood flow scintigraphy, pulmonary blood flow scintigraphy, neuroendocrine tumor scintigraphy, kidney scintigraphy, etc.), and a radiopharmaceutical is injected, followed by a period of rest before imaging with the gamma camera of the present invention.

[0061] In the imaging by the gamma camera, the subject is asked to sit as described above, and the imaging part is not moved during the imaging by the gamma camera. In the second embodiment and its accompanying modified example described later, imaging is also performed by the X-ray camera without using a radiopharmaceutical, so imaging by the X-ray camera may be completed before imaging by the gamma camera, which takes some time, or imaging by the X-ray camera may be performed after imaging by the gamma camera.

[0062] According to the first embodiment of the present invention A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases According to the present invention, it is possible to detect various dental diseases, as described above in the problem to be solved by the invention, at an early stage and to start initial treatment without imposing significant physical, mental, or economic burden on the patient being imaged.

[0063] Specifically, in order to accurately and quickly find and diagnose lesions, for which early treatment is extremely important, scintigraphy using a gamma camera can image a specific part of the body of the patient from the neck up, without the patient having to lie down, while remaining seated in a chair. This means that the imaging results can be used on the spot to aid in early diagnosis, without imposing any physical or mental burden on the patient.

[0064] For example, in the field of dentistry, the present invention enables early detection and early treatment of periodontal disease, gingivitis, which is the early stage leading up to periodontal disease, and periodontitis, which is the intermediate stage. Even if periodontal disease has already developed, by diagnosing and treating it early, serious secondary damage to various organs of the body caused by periodontal disease can be prevented.

[0065] Specifically, periodontal disease is said to be caused by microorganisms in the oral cavity. Not only do these microorganisms cause inflammation of the gums as periodontal disease progresses, but if the disease is left untreated, these microorganisms are carried to various organs via the bloodstream, and the toxins of these microorganisms cause various types of damage to the various organs of the body. This invention can prevent this from happening in advance.

[0066] In addition to the above, for example, the state of the jawbone tissue at the specified site where the implant will be placed and the degree of inflammation in the surrounding tissue can be known in advance. In other words, it is possible to give priority to treating the affected area where inflammation has occurred in advance before implantation so as to avoid the induction of peri-implantitis in the future, and to make the area suitable for implantation of an implant that can be used permanently in the future.

[0067] In addition, the present invention A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases is extremely effective in early detection and accurate diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder. Specifically, it uses a gamma camera to capture images of the jaw area while the patient is seated, just like in everyday life, making it possible to pinpoint areas of inflammation associated with temporomandibular joint disorder.

[0068] When a patient has temporomandibular joint disorder, he or she generally suffers from considerable pain and is unable to move the lower jaw sufficiently to chew food, and if the lower jaw is forced to move suddenly, the temporomandibular joint can dislocate, which is a serious problem. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases By using this method, the area where inflammation is occurring can be found early, and the diagnosis results can be used to ensure that treatment can be performed to suppress the onset and progression of temporomandibular joint disorders. As a result, the present invention contributes to maintaining good health by maintaining sufficient chewing ability regardless of age and continuing to take in the nutrients necessary for the body.

[0069] The present invention also provides an early detection and early treatment of pulpitis, which is one of the most troublesome diseases in dentistry. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases Pulpitis can be caused not only by dental caries (caries) but also by marginal inflammation, osteomyelitis of the jaw bone, etc., which is a troublesome inflammation that develops through the apical foramen as ascending pulpitis, and early detection and early treatment before it progresses to pulpitis are important, so the present invention is found to be very useful in this respect.

[0070] The present invention also relates to A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseasesAccording to a study published in the journal Nature, it is also useful for the early detection of inflammation caused by allergies, an autoimmune disease caused by metal ions that penetrate into tissues from metal crowns placed to treat cavities. It has also been pointed out that if this phenomenon is left untreated, it can lead to atopic dermatitis, which has little to do with the field of dentistry. Therefore, early detection of the onset of such inflammation is a very significant diagnostic tool. The present invention can be used to prevent diseases caused by metal allergies, which are difficult to predict, and to explain the cause when an allergic reaction does occur. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases It can be said that the role played by

[0071] More specifically, palmoplantar pustulosis is one of the immunodeficiency reactions that occur when a metal crown is placed on a part of a tooth to treat a cavity. Palmoplantar pustulosis is a disease in which pustules consisting of blisters filled with pus appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and those who suffer from this symptom may never imagine that the metal allergy caused by the above-mentioned metal crown is the cause.

[0072] As a result, until they are able to formally visit a dermatologist and have a diagnosis made, they may become overly worried that the condition may be related to a disease that can lead to serious symptoms, such as hemolytic streptococcus, which has been a problem in recent years, and this can become a considerable burden not only physically but also mentally.

[0073] Therefore, by having the degree of inflammation in the dental field examined during treatment of a cavity using the diagnostic device for the neck above using a gamma camera according to the present invention, the possibility of the onset of such an allergic disease can be pointed out in advance, and the onset of the above-mentioned allergies can be prevented by treating the inflammation early, and even if an allergy does occur, a diagnosis according to the present invention can be used to give the patient complete psychological peace of mind before a formal consultation at a dermatologist.

[0074] For these reasons, the present invention is excellent in early detection and diagnosis of inflammation in the dental field. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases is truly an ideal diagnostic tool.

[0075] In addition, by utilizing a diagnostic device for the neck and above using a gamma camera according to the present invention, it is possible to detect inflammation not only in the areas where the upper and lower teeth are present, but also in areas located on the top side of the head, such as the nose, ears, eyes, brain, and surrounding nerve areas, at an early stage, and to grasp the occurrence of early symptoms of the degree of inflammation at an early stage of these lesions.By informing the patient of these lesions, which will progress to a serious condition if left untreated, as early diagnosis results, it is possible to encourage the patient to visit a specialized medical institution where more detailed examinations can be performed.

[0076] This will enable us to detect serious progressive diseases at an earlier stage, which are expected to occur in greater numbers in our aging society, and treat these serious diseases before they impose a heavy physical, mental, and even economic burden on patients, allowing them to continue living healthy lives and contributing to improving the quality of life in the era of 100-year lifespans.

[0077] What is particularly significant is that when the areas containing the upper and lower teeth are examined for dental treatment at a dental clinic using a diagnostic device from the neck up that uses a gamma camera according to the present invention, the imaging unit can be moved slightly upward as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) to capture images of the more serious lesions mentioned above, thereby playing a role in early diagnosis of the onset of other lesions in conjunction with the dental treatment.

[0078] Furthermore, the diagnostic results can be used at an extremely early stage as reference material for early detection and countermeasures for Alzheimer's disease, which is caused by the accumulation of prion proteins, before the onset of the disease. It can also be used to detect and prevent early progression of chronic inflammation and the resulting fibrosis of biological tissues associated with autoimmune diseases.

[0079] Also, although it does not result in serious pathologies as described above, in addition to diagnosing the condition of the teeth, as shown in Figure 5(b), by moving the imaging unit up and down to the middle part above the neck, it can also be useful for diagnosing sinusitis, rhinitis (nasal allergy), chronic otitis media, and Meniere's disease of unknown cause that is actually caused by the influence of some part of the body or the occurrence of a tumor, as well as for early diagnosis of the presence or absence of inflammation in the brain and the level of inflammation if it occurs.

[0080] As described above, the present invention has a unique advantage not found in conventional diagnostic devices, in that in addition to accurate diagnosis of teeth and surrounding areas in dental care, it can also detect the onset of inflammation or disease in any other part of the body above the neck at an early stage and advise the imaged person (patient) to undergo detailed examination at an early stage.

[0081] Next, the second embodiment A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The present embodiment has in common with the first embodiment, and is further characterized by including an X-ray CT scanner as an additional diagnostic assist function for improving the diagnostic accuracy. For this reason, the drawings for explaining the first embodiment will be used. The same components will be given the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations will be used from the description of the second embodiment. In each drawing, the components unique to the second embodiment will be shown in parentheses.

[0082] Hereinafter, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases The second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases In addition to the gamma camera 210, the system is equipped with an X-ray camera 270 for CT imaging (hereinafter, simply referred to as the "X-ray camera 270" as appropriate), and the X-ray camera 270 is also moved using a gamma camera movement rail 220 that moves the gamma camera 210 along a predetermined path when imaging with the X-ray camera 270.

[0083] In addition, instead of the above configuration, a separate guide rail for X-ray camera movement may be provided in addition to the guide rail for gamma camera movement 220, so that the X-ray camera can move along a separate guide rail for X-ray camera movement that is parallel to the guide rail for gamma camera movement 220.

[0084] The following relates to the second embodiment of the present invention. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases This will be explained with reference to the drawings. The chair 20 equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of oral diseases using a gamma camera is The imaging device has an imaging unit 200 that images the body from the neck up using both a gamma camera and an X-ray camera, an imaging seating unit 100 that positions the body from the neck up in a specified imaging area while reducing the physical burden on the person to be imaged by keeping the person to be imaged in a seated position during imaging, an imaging positioning unit 300 that is attached to the imaging seating unit 100 and can move and fix the imaging unit 200 to a specified position so that specified parts of the person to be imaged from the neck up can be imaged by the imaging unit 200, and a posture maintaining unit 400 during imaging that prevents the body from the neck up from moving during imaging by the imaging unit 200.

[0085] The imaging unit 200 includes a gamma camera 210 and an X-ray camera for imaging a predetermined portion of the subject's body above the neck, a drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera for moving the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera around the imaging portion of the subject's body above the neck that corresponds to the desired imaging position, a protective cover 250 that has a space to avoid interference with the portion of the subject's body above the neck to protect the gamma camera 210, the X-ray camera, and the drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera and is movable up and down relative to the portion of the subject's body above the neck, and an imaging control unit 500 that controls the operation of moving the imaging unit 200, the imaging positioning unit 300, the drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera, and the protective cover 250 to predetermined positions to image the predetermined imaging portion of the subject's body above the neck with the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera.

[0086] Due to the nature of the present invention to which this embodiment belongs, a small gamma camera and X-ray camera are used for the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera. The drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera includes a guide rail 220 for camera movement, a mounting part for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera (not specifically shown in the drawings), a motor for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera, a protective cover 250, and an imaging control unit 500.

[0087] The camera movement guide rail 220 has an approximately loop-like shape made of a material having sufficient strength and rigidity and is shaped like an arc or ring to enable the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera to move approximately horizontally along a predetermined imaging area from the neck up of the person being imaged.

[0088] The mounting part 240 for moving the gamma camera and the mounting part 271 for moving the X-ray camera are equipped with moving means such as bearings to enable the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera 270, respectively, to move smoothly along the camera movement guide rail 220, and are intended to connect the two.

[0089] As a result, when imaging using the gamma camera 210, a specific imaging area above the neck of the imaged person is imaged continuously from all around, and an image of the imaging result can be obtained with this imaging area evenly spread out from all around.

[0090] Similarly, when imaging using the X-ray camera 270, a specific imaging area above the neck of the subject is imaged continuously from all around, so that an image of the imaging result can be obtained with the imaging area evenly spread out from all around.

[0091] The gamma camera and X-ray camera movement motor is used to move the gamma camera 210 and X-ray camera attached to the gamma camera and X-ray camera movement mounting part along the camera movement guide rail 220 at a predetermined speed, and has a high-precision motor such as a pulse motor or stepping motor, and a reduction mechanism (not shown) that precisely reduces the rotation speed of the motor so that the gamma camera and X-ray camera movement mounting part accurately moves the camera movement guide rail 220 at a constant feed speed.

[0092] The motor for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera may be attached to the mounting part for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera itself, or may be attached to a predetermined location on the guide rail 220 for camera movement and configured to transmit the driving force in some way to the mounting part for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera.

[0093] The protective cover 250 serves to protect the gamma camera 210, the X-ray camera, and the drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera, and is made of a lightweight resin with excellent strength and durability that does not affect imaging by the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera. Similarly to the first embodiment, the protective cover 250 has an overall shape like a so-called life jacket, and is movable up and down while passing the upper part of the imaged person from the neck through the imaging through-hole space 251 inside.

[0094] In other words, an imaging through-hole space 251 having an inner diameter larger than the area above the neck of the person to be imaged is formed inside the protective cover, and this inner imaging through-hole space 251 serves as a space to avoid interference between the protective cover 250 and the area above the neck of the person to be imaged.

[0095] In this embodiment, the protective cover 250 has a gamma camera 210 and an X-ray camera built into it, an attachment section for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera, a guide rail 220 for camera movement, and a motor for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera built into or integrated into the protective cover 250, and is attached to an imaging unit lifting mechanism provided in the imaging posture maintenance section 400 described later, which moves the imaging unit 200 up and down to a predetermined position above the neck of the person to be imaged.

[0096] The imaging control unit 500 serves to control the operation of the imaging unit 200, the imaging positioning unit 300, the drive mechanism for moving the gamma camera and the X-ray camera, and the protective cover 250 so that a predetermined imaging area above the neck of a predetermined subject is imaged by the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera 270.

[0097] In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the imaging control unit 500 further has a function of displaying the scintigraphy imaging results created by the gamma camera 210 and the CT imaging results captured by the X-ray camera 270 superimposed on each other, for example, on a display (display device) having a resolution capable of displaying them as a clear image.

[0098] The effect of the second embodiment of the present invention is that it is possible to clearly determine the presence or absence of lesions in body parts above the neck by superimposing the locations of various inflammations associated with lesions on the bone imaging results, while minimizing radiation exposure during imaging to ensure safety.

[0099] For example, in the field of dentistry, by capturing images of the entire dentition of the upper and lower jaws using the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera 270, the results of these images can be compiled to create a 3D image, enabling more detailed diagnosis of the entire teeth of the subject (patient).

[0100] More specifically, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, by using a dental medical CT device in addition to the gamma camera 210 to superimpose these images, it is possible to more accurately grasp the area where inflammation is occurring, and to provide appropriate treatment to suppress the inflammation and achieve early treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder.

[0101] Furthermore, the second embodiment provides high-precision images and improves the accuracy of diagnosis, i.e., real-time monitoring allows for more accurate observation of the state of tissue, including its position, enabling prompt judgment during treatment.

[0102] For these reasons, imaging of the teeth and jawbone as a whole and in 3D using the gamma camera 210 and the X-ray camera 270 allows particularly accurate diagnosis in the following applications:

[0103] In other words, firstly, the diagnosis of tooth decay, secondly, the diagnosis of periodontal disease, which is becoming more common in recent years as our society is rapidly aging, and pre- and post-operative diagnosis of implant treatment, thirdly, the early diagnosis of apical lesions that are difficult to find during regular dental examinations, and fourthly, the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders, which become very difficult to treat if left untreated and worsen.

[0104] In other words, without using a large-scale scintigraphy imaging diagnostic device such as those installed in large hospitals, the teeth, gums, and entire jawbone can be imaged and diagnosed all at once using both the small gamma camera 210 and X-ray camera 270 of the present invention.

[0105] For example, according to the present invention, it is possible to diagnose whether cancer has metastasized to bones above the neck in accordance with the results of a diagnosis made by a person with osteoporosis, much more frequently and at less cost than in the past. This, combined with being a groundbreaking technology that enables more accurate diagnosis in dentistry, makes it easy to realize early detection of cavities, periodontal disease, oral inflammation, cancer (malignant tumors), and temporomandibular joint disorders, and makes it possible to easily perform early diagnosis of various lesions above the neck in dentistry in conjunction with treatment of cavities. In other words, the present invention has the extremely excellent advantage of being able to perform early diagnosis of the occurrence of serious lesions above the neck, such as those described above, at a local dental clinic, including depopulated areas throughout the country, at an early stage, while treating cavities.

[0106] Next, the following describes the above-described embodiments. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases This modification is characterized in that, in addition to the diagnostic device diagnosing the body from the neck up as in the first and second embodiments, the imaging unit moves up and down along the imaging positioning unit while the imaged person is seated on the imaging seat, imaging a predetermined part of the imaged person from the abdomen to the head, thereby enabling diagnosis of the predetermined part.

[0107] Fig. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration according to a modified example of this embodiment, and is shown in a state corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration according to a modified example of this embodiment, and is shown in a state corresponding to Fig. 1.

[0108] In this modified example, components having the same configuration as those in the first and second embodiments, i.e., the same shape, size, and dimensions, are denoted by the same reference numerals, and components showing equivalent configurations are denoted by corresponding reference numerals.

[0109] 7 and 8, in this modification, the imaging unit 200 is sized to be able to move up and down from the abdomen of the person to be imaged along the vertical movement guide unit 310 (imaging main body lifting drive mechanism 320), that is, the inner diameter of the so-called life ring-shaped protective cover 290 and the inner diameter of the ring-shaped camera movement guide rail 280 have inner diameters larger than the abdomen of the person to be imaged in a seated state and both hands at either side of the person as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. This allows the imaging unit 200 to move down along the vertical movement guide unit 310 to the abdomen of the person to be imaged in a seated state, and also to rise up to the head of the person to be imaged as in the first and second embodiments.

[0110] 7 and 8, in addition to the first and second embodiments, this modified example further includes an abdomen fixing band 510 for fixing the abdomen so as not to move during imaging. The abdomen fixing band 510 has a configuration similar to that of the chest fixing band 410 in the first and second embodiments, and prevents the abdomen of the person being imaged from moving during imaging with the gamma camera.

[0111] According to this modification, it becomes possible to image not only the parts above the neck as in the above-mentioned embodiment but also the neck, chest, and abdomen with the gamma camera without moving the upper body while the person to be imaged is sitting in a chair, which is the posture that the person to be imaged spends a considerable amount of time in daily life in. In other words, while a conventional gamma camera images a person to be imaged in a lying position, the imaging method according to the modification of the present invention makes it possible to image the person with the upper body in an upright position.

[0112] As a result, according to this modified example, when the upper body is in an upright position, imaging can be performed in a state in which gravity acts on the blood flow, unlike the conventional position in which the patient is lying down, making it possible to accurately reflect in the imaging results the conditions in which phenomena different from the conventional ones occur due to the blood flow in the neck, chest, and abdomen.

[0113] In other words, it is possible to perform examinations in a standing position, which is different from the lying position during sleep, in which the subject spends a significant amount of time in daily life. This is expected to enable the early detection of new pathologies that could not be detected by conventional gamma camera diagnoses.

[0114] Furthermore, as described above, A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases According to the present invention, the device has extremely advantageous features, such as a small overall size, low cost of the device itself, and an installation space of about the same size as a dental clinic treatment chair.

[0115] As a result, for example, by disseminating this technology widely to dental clinics throughout Japan, it will be possible to detect inflammation, tumors, polyps, and the like in parts of the body that could not be detected before in the first and second embodiments of the present invention at an early stage, in conjunction with dental maintenance such as regular removal of tartar, treatment of cavities, prevention of periodontal disease, and placement of dentures and implants, and to refer patients to more detailed examinations at general hospitals.

[0116] Furthermore, according to a modified example of the present invention, it is possible to carry out early diagnosis of inflammation, tumors, polyps, etc. in a specified body part from the abdomen to the head using a gamma camera with the patient in a posture similar to that in which the patient lives in daily life, which will facilitate the discovery of early abnormalities in a wider range of body parts and make it possible to recommend the patient for more detailed examination at a general hospital.

[0117] In addition to the above, according to this modified example, as mentioned above, the overall size is small, the cost of the device itself is low, and the installation space required is about the same as that occupied by a dental clinic treatment chair, so the installation locations do not necessarily need to be limited to dental clinics, and it can be spread to small-scale medical clinics such as internal medicine clinics, otolaryngology clinics, ophthalmology clinics, and cardiology clinics all over the country.

[0118] This will eliminate the trouble and inconvenience of having to travel to nearby large cities for detailed examinations, in terms of cost, time, and transportation, for residents of depopulated areas in this era when we are said to be living to 100 years old. Instead, they will be able to easily visit the above-mentioned clinics for regular checkups when they feel slightly unwell, enabling them to live a mentally stable daily life.

[0119] As described above, this modified example makes it possible to quickly detect the onset of inflammation and changes in pathology that accompany the early symptoms of various diseases from the abdomen upwards, and to encourage the patient to undergo detailed examinations before these conditions worsen. Specifically, by imaging body parts such as the chest and abdomen, it is possible to inform the patient of findings that are suspected to be early symptoms of cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, arteriosclerosis, arterial dissection, and aneurysm as an early diagnosis.

[0120] In addition, by imaging the entire abdomen in a stepwise manner in the vertical direction, it is possible to detect early stages of inflammation such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, and kidney diseases, more specifically, inflammation such as glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis caused by inflammation and infection, early detection of peritoneal abnormalities, and to sufficiently treat these before they reach a stage where they become serious circulatory system diseases or visceral diseases, and encourage patients to undergo detailed examinations at more specialized medical institutions to prevent them from becoming serious. From a similar perspective, it is also possible to quickly detect the occurrence of swelling (inflammation) of lymph nodes from the abdomen to the head, and encourage patients to undergo detailed examinations to more appropriately identify the cause.

[0121] Finally, the inventors of the present invention will list and explain the unique advantages of the present invention that they wish to emphasize the most. The inventors' claims are as follows. Miniature gamma cameras are beginning to be used as useful tools in dental medicine. Below are their main uses and advantages. (1) It is useful for diagnosing infectious diseases. Specifically, the use of a small gamma camera makes it possible to quickly and easily identify the site of infection, which allows for early and appropriate treatment. (2) It is useful for evaluating inflammation. Specifically, gamma cameras are useful for evaluating the degree of inflammation. This is particularly important in root canal treatment and periodontal disease treatment. (3) It is useful for detecting tumors. Specifically, early detection of tumors in the oral cavity and jaw contributes to the early detection and treatment of malignant tumors. (4) It is useful for evaluating blood flow. Specifically, it can be used to evaluate blood flow in periodontal tissues and dental pulp, allowing for monitoring of tissue health and healing processes. (5) The device is small, the cost of the device is quite low, and it does not require a large installation space, so it can be widely used in ordinary dental clinics in town. This allows dental clinics to diagnose various inflammations and the condition of bone tissue in teeth and jaws, which is a feature of the present invention, while treating cavities, for example. As a result, it becomes possible to perform early detection and early treatment of various diseases in the field of dental care, while greatly reducing the physical, time, and economic burden on patients who are the subjects of imaging compared to the past. It can be reduced. (6) It can be used for all diagnoses above the neck. Specifically, the gamma camera of the present invention can be used to monitor the recovery status of tissues as a follow-up after surgery. Therefore, it is not limited to the field of dentistry, but can also detect and deal with complications after surgery early in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and neurosurgery. This makes it useful for follow-up after surgery in the oral cavity in the field of dentistry, as well as in other medical fields such as ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and neurosurgery. (7) It is extremely effective for periodontal disease examinations. Specifically, it does not require invasive examinations such as those currently performed for the prevention, early detection, and early treatment of periodontal disease, which will become a problem as more people age in the era of 100-year life spans. In other words, it is possible to grasp the health condition of the teeth of the person being imaged (patient) without invasive examinations. (8) By changing the imaging agent, it is possible to accurately obtain imaging results for the desired area above the neck. For example, by injecting an imaging agent suitable for bone scintigraphy before dental treatment, it is possible to obtain accurate imaging results for the desired area above the neck. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseasescan be used to obtain useful imaging results. Specifically, for example, a person undergoing treatment for oral cancer or tongue cancer may inject a bone scintigraphy imaging agent before undergoing caries treatment at a dental clinic, and then administer the imaging agent according to the present invention after the treatment. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases By imaging using this method, it is possible to simultaneously diagnose whether or not cancer has metastasized to the bone, which can be useful in confirming the effectiveness of cancer treatment for patients. In addition to diagnosing whether cancer has metastasized to the bones, the present invention can also detect early and accurate fractures, such as microfractures and fatigue fractures, in the upper neck area of ​​elderly people with advanced osteoporosis, which are difficult to detect by X-ray examinations. In addition, the use of a gamma camera can be useful for the early detection of inflammation such as osteomyelitis and arthritis, which are normally difficult to detect, for diagnosing the progression of osteoporosis, a condition in which bone density is reduced and bone fractures become more likely, as well as for the early detection of Paget's disease and bone tumors. (9) According to the configuration of the present invention, the chair part is provided with a cap-shaped head rest as shown in each drawing. In addition, a head fixing belt is attached. Furthermore, a chest fixing belt is provided on the backrest part. These body posture maintaining devices are used to keep the imaged person from moving for about 30 minutes, which is the imaging time of the gamma camera. With this configuration, it is possible to diagnose teeth, tissues around the teeth, jawbone, and even in the same posture as when moving the jaw to bite when sitting and eating in daily life with less radiation than an X-ray CT device. As a result, while maintaining the posture of daily life, it is possible to determine whether inflammation is present in the body parts above the neck, whether inflammation is present in the bite muscles that also play an important role in biting, such as the temporal muscle, masseter muscle, lateral pterygoid muscle, and medial pterygoid muscle, and also to detect and identify the inflammation site that is the cause of temporomandibular joint disorder. (10) From the detailed explanation by the inventor of the present invention above, it can be understood that the device of the present invention can be used not only in dentistry, but also in otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and neurology. (11) Stress fractures and new fractures are metabolically active, so they show up as hot spots in the gamma camera images. Other bone infections (osteomyelitis) and infected areas also show up as hot spots in the gamma camera images. Furthermore, it is possible to detect early on other bone abnormalities, such as arthritis, which is inflammation of a specific joint, bone dysplasia, and abnormalities in bone blood flow. In other words, bone scintigraphy is a very useful examination method for early detection of bone diseases and abnormalities and for formulating appropriate treatment plans. The present invention provides a simple, low-cost method for diagnosis using bone scintigraphy that does not require large-scale equipment and requires minimal installation space. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases This allows for very useful diagnoses to be made by examining the subject (patient) from the neck up. The advantages of using bone scintigraphy in dental care are as follows: It allows for the evaluation of a wide range of bone lesions. In addition, when periodontal disease progresses and widespread bone resorption is suspected, bone scintigraphy can be used to confirm overall bone metabolic activity. It also allows for the detection of abnormal bone metabolism. In addition, when abnormal bone metabolism is suspected in a specific area, detailed evaluation becomes possible. In this way, the use of bone scintigraphy in the field of dentistry is useful for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment, as well as for evaluating the status of bone regeneration and repair after treatment. In other words, for the diagnosis of periodontal disease and peri-implantitis, visual examination, probing, X-ray photography, etc. are generally used, but scintigraphy is not used to diagnose these diseases. By disseminating the present invention in the field of dentistry, it will be useful not only in the field of dentistry, but also in the evaluation of a wide range of metabolic activities in the physiological body related to important sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, and nose above the neck, and the cranial nerves, as well as in the early diagnosis of the effectiveness of treatment and the early detection of various diseases. (12) Gamma cameras are versatile imaging tools in dentistry, as they can visualize bone structures and teeth in detail, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning. Specifically, gamma cameras are used in the main dental applications, such as implant planning and placement, diagnosis and management of periodontal disease, evaluation of the temporomandibular joint, imaging of the salivary glands, and early diagnosis of tumors for detection and treatment. Gamma cameras also have many advantages over traditional X-ray imaging, including the fact that imaging with a gamma camera is non-invasive and exposes the patient to less radiation than X-ray imaging, and that it can provide real-time, high-resolution images that allow dentists to better visualize the patient and make more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. The present invention A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases Since the diagnostic vehicle is very small and can be provided at a low cost, it can be mounted on a vehicle that is slightly larger than a normal minivan, compared to the large diagnostic vehicles used in conventional periodic diagnostic inspections, and can be moved around to various locations while carrying out the diagnostic tests according to the present invention. A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases As a result, this mobile diagnostic device can be used to provide dental care in areas with declining population where residents are scattered and living far from each other, which has become a serious social problem in recent years, and at the same time, it can also be used to diagnose other diseases above the neck at an early stage, providing an ideal medical and welfare service, especially for elderly people living in such depopulated areas. Similarly, the present invention can be useful for the same reasons as described above even in the case of a situation in which a large number of evacuees are forced to live in evacuation facilities for a long period of time due to the effects of super typhoons or linear rain bands caused by recent abnormal weather, or the occurrence of a major earthquake or volcanic eruption that can occur at any time.

[0122] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited in configuration to the first and second embodiments described above, and various modified examples can be applied within the scope in which the effects of the present invention can be exhibited.

[0123] As described above, the present invention relates to A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseasesThe inventors of the present invention believe that a gamma camera will be a valuable tool that helps dentists provide superior care to those being imaged (patients). Another advantage of using a gamma camera is that the present invention can be implemented in conjunction with dental treatment in dentistry. Specifically, it becomes possible to simultaneously detect the occurrence of inflammation in adjacent areas that are not closely related to the treatment content, which could not be examined in the past, and to appropriately diagnose the severity of the inflammation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 10,20 A chair equipped with a gamma camera for early detection of oral diseases 100 Imaging seat 110 Seating seat 120 Seat lift mechanism 150 Backrest / standing guide 200 Imaging unit 210 Gamma Camera 220 Camera movement guide rail 240 (γ) Camera moving attachment 250 Protective Cover 251 Imaging Through-Hole Space 270 X-ray camera 271 (X-ray) Camera moving attachment 300 Imaging positioning unit 310 Vertical movement guide part 320 Imaging body lifting mechanism 400 Posture maintenance unit during imaging 410 Chest Fixation Belt 420 Mandibular fixed support part 430 Forehead Posture Maintenance Belt 431 Antodai 440 Head position and posture maintenance holder 441 Head position maintenance cap part 500 Imaging control unit 600 Diagnostic result display device

Claims

1. a seating chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of intraoral diseases using a gamma camera, the device comprising: an imaging section which images the body from the neck up using a gamma camera; an imaging seating section which positions the body from the neck up in a predetermined imaging area so that the person to be imaged can be kept in a seated position during imaging; an imaging positioning section which is attached to the imaging seating section and which can move and fix the imaging section to a predetermined position so that the predetermined part of the person to be imaged from the neck up can be imaged by the imaging section; and an imaging posture maintaining section which prevents the body from moving during imaging by the imaging section; the imaging unit includes a gamma camera that images a predetermined portion of the person to be imaged from above the neck, an imaging positioning unit that moves the gamma camera around an imaging portion in the oral cavity of the person to be imaged that corresponds to a desired imaging position, a gamma camera movement drive mechanism, and a protective cover for protecting the gamma camera, the protective cover having a space for avoiding interference with the part of the person to be imaged from above the neck that can be moved up and down above the neck, and a control unit that controls the operations of the imaging unit, the imaging positioning unit, the gamma camera movement drive mechanism, and the protective cover in order to image a predetermined imaging portion of the person to be imaged from above the neck with the gamma camera; the imaging positioning unit has a vertical movement guide unit which moves the imaging unit up and down to a position where the oral cavity of the person to be imaged is imaged while the person to be imaged is seated on the imaging seat and maintains a constant posture from the neck up, stops the imaging unit, and then maintains the position; and a drive mechanism which moves the imaging unit along the vertical movement guide unit, a seat chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of intraoral diseases using a gamma camera, which captures an image of a desired body part above the neck of the subject with the gamma camera while the subject keeps the body above the neck still for a predetermined period of time; the imaging posture maintaining unit includes a lower jaw fixing support unit that supports the imaged lower jaw, a forehead posture maintaining belt, and a head position maintaining pressing unit that holds down an upper side of the imaged person's head to prevent the head from moving during imaging, This allows the person to remain seated in the chair in the same posture and height as in daily life during the imaging period, and the presence or absence of oral disease can be determined with a smaller amount of radiation than with an X-ray CT device by maintaining the same posture as when the person moves their jaw and bites when sitting down to eat in daily life.This is a chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of oral diseases using a gamma camera.

2. The chair equipped with the gamma camera-based diagnostic device for early detection of oral diseases is equipped with an X-ray camera for CT imaging in addition to the gamma camera, The imaging unit includes a gamma camera moving rail that moves the gamma camera along a predetermined path when the imaging unit captures an image, and The X-ray camera is attached so as to be movable along the rail for moving the gamma camera or to be movable along a guide rail for moving the X-ray camera that is provided in parallel to the rail for moving the gamma camera, thereby enabling the X-ray camera to capture an image of a body part common to a body part captured by the gamma camera; and A chair equipped with a diagnostic device for early detection of oral diseases using a gamma camera, as described in claim 1, characterized in that the scintigraphy imaging results created by the gamma camera and the CT imaging results created by the X-ray camera can be displayed in a superimposed state via a control device, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying the position of the area to be imaged.

Images