cleaning equipment

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] A fluid supply system for generating a jet of working fluid for interproximal cleaning. It is known that the device is incorporated into an electric toothbrush. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device including a handle, a brush, A toothbrush having a head and a stem extending between the brush head and the handle. The brush head includes a nozzle through which the working fluid is supplied to the user's oral cavity, and a nozzle and a brush unit for moving relative to the nozzle to brush the user's teeth. The toothbrush is movable relative to the handle when moved along the user's teeth. The device is operable in a selected one of two modes. In the first mode: The user presses the button to activate the nozzle to dispense the working fluid. In this mode, the controller controls the flow of working fluid to the nozzles according to the signal received from the sensor. The sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush. A pivot arm disposed within the system connects the nozzle to a magnet disposed adjacent to the sensor. When the nozzle moves relative to the handle, for example, the gap between the user's teeth When moving into or out of the sensor, it moves relative to the sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

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

[0006] Unlike the device described in Patent Document 1, the treatment of the user's oral cavity is performed by imaging the oral cavity. The image may be actuated in response to one or more features contained in the captured image. For example, the captured image may include features of the oral cavity. areas of plaque within the teeth, the interproximal areas between adjacent teeth in the oral cavity, or that separate the teeth from the gums The dental treatment system preferably includes, for example, a Using a neural network model developed in this study, the system determines whether oral treatment is necessary based on the captured image. The oral treatment is controlled by the controller. For example, if necessary, the interproximal area can be used to remove material therein. This may include delivering fluid to the area, removing plaque from the user's teeth, or cleaning the gum line. do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] The appliance may be in the form of a device for treating a user's oral condition. For example, the appliance may include: A form of dedicated interproximal cleaning instrument for cleaning between the gaps between the user's teeth The treatment system may include a fluid delivery system for delivering a working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. In response to the image captured by the optical system, the treatment system , actuating the supply of hydraulic fluid to the oral cavity to remove material from between the user's teeth. The movement of the lighting means relative to the cylinder moves the fluid supply to the optimum position for supplying the working fluid to the gap. This allows the system to detect such gaps before they are deployed. For example, once a gap is detected, the fluid supply system can be positioned optimally. The fluid reservoir is then pumped into the pump's fluid chamber, ready to supply hydraulic fluid to the gap. By drawing fluid into the chamber, the fluid delivery system is connected to the treatment system controller. This can be done, for example, by turning the device off before If the gap is not detected, the liquid supply system will remain in the prime position. The fluid supply system may be connected immediately after the hydraulic fluid is discharged from the fluid chamber of the pump. The fluid delivery system is held in a primed position compared to a primed configuration. The length of time can be minimized.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] The transmission unit preferably defines part of a fluid supply system. or a bore defining a portion of a fluid supply system.

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

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

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

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

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

[0041] The instrument 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 includes: The device includes an outer body 16, preferably formed from a plastic material. The handle 12 is cylindrical. The handle 12 includes a user interface. The body 16 of the handle 12 is configured to be pressed down by the thumb of the hand holding the body 16. 6. Optionally, a user-operable button 18 is disposed within an opening formed in the The handle 12 includes a display positioned to be visible to the user while the instrument is in use. The instrument 10 can be operated by the user using buttons 18 and 19, as described in more detail below. and / or a remote display to select the operating mode or parameters of the instrument 10. a remote display, such as a display on a personal device or mobile phone, so that It may be connectable to the

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

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

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

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

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

[0047] The control circuit 56 controls the operation of the button 18 on the user interface. The control circuit 56 receives the signal and transmits it to a remote device such as a display or personal device. In this embodiment, the control circuitry may transmit signals to the remote device or may receive signals from the remote device. 56 also transmits signals to the optical system and receives signals from the optical system. ) and FIG. 2(c), at least a portion of the optical system is located in the head of the instrument 10. 22, and preferably attached to the bristle support 26 of the brush unit 24. In this embodiment, the nozzle 32 is also attached to the bristle support 26 of the brush unit 24. The optical system consists of multiple LEDs 65 for illuminating the oral cavity and a 660 LED for receiving light from the oral cavity. The received light is directed to a camera to capture an image of the illuminated oral cavity. Window 66 is positioned on head 22 so as to be located adjacent nozzle 32. In this embodiment, the window 66 is disposed below the nozzle 32 and the LED 65 is The camera 67 is positioned around the window 66 so as to minimize the length of the optical path between the window 66 and the camera 67. The camera 67 may be located on the head 22 of the instrument 10. Alternatively, the camera 67 may be located on the handle 12, and light is directed through imaging optics located between window 66 and camera 67. The image produced by the camera 67 is transmitted to the control circuitry. 56. In response to one or more characteristics of the image, the control circuit 56 controls the pump assembly Activation of the actuating fluid delivers one or more jets of actuating fluid to the oral cavity. The images produced show the presence of plaque or interproximal gaps or the gum line. and accordingly actuating the dental treatment system to treat the oral cavity by the control circuit. It can be done.

[0048] The cleaning tool 14 is removably connected to the handle 12. 6, the handle 12 preferably includes a male connector in the form of a bayonet 68. The male connector preferably mates with a recessed connector on the stem 20 of the cleaning tool 14. The receptacle portion 68 is received in a complementary female connector in the form of a hand The handle 12 extends outwardly from the end of the handle 12, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12. More preferably, it projects in the same line as the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12 .

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

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

[0051] 8(a)-8(c), this movement of the shaft 74 relative to the handle 12 bristle support 26, and thus nozzle 32 and optical The parts of the system are moved back and forth along their respective curved paths. See Figure 8(a). In this embodiment, the bristle support 26 is positioned at a first angular position indicated by R in FIG. 8(a). 8(a) and the second angular position indicated by L, the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12 Each of the four axes is moved around the center of the reference position shown in FIG. 8(a) by M. The movement of the bristle support member 26 relative to the handle 12 is shown in FIG. The bristle support 26 can be represented as a sine wave S shown in FIG. 1, where the bristle support 26 rotates at times t=0, t=1, t=2, t=3, t=4, t=5, t=6, t=7, t=8, t=9, t=10, t=11, t=12, t=13, t=14, t=15, At t4, t6, etc., it is at position M, at t=t1, t5, etc., it is at position R, and at t= At times t3, t7, etc., it is at position L.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0061] In each of the above examples, during the exposure of the pixel columns of the sensor, the oral cavity is illuminated with a second frequency F2. This generates multiple "lighting events" per second, which in the particular example above is 225-2400 times per second. This can be a range of 275 illumination events. It is arranged to capture 25 frames per second. While the pixel rows of the sensor of the attached camera 67 are exposed to light received from the oral cavity, each pixel row The number of illumination events to which adjacent pixel columns are exposed is Variations in the image quality can result in bands across the captured image. The laser 67 is preferably arranged so that each pixel column is exposed to the same number of illumination events. This involves timing the start of the exposure of each pixel row so that all pixel rows are exposed to the same number of illumination events. or by selecting the duration of the exposure period for each pixel column. can be achieved.

Claims

1. A dental treatment instrument, The handle and an optical system comprising an illumination means for illuminating an oral cavity of a user and a window for receiving light from the illuminated oral cavity, the optical system transmitting the light received from the window to an imaging means for capturing an image of the illuminated oral cavity; a dental treatment system for providing treatment to the oral cavity in response to one or more features contained in the captured images; a moving means for moving the lighting means and the window relative to the handle; Including, the moving means is configured to move the lighting means and the window relative to the handle at a first frequency F1, and the lighting means is configured to illuminate the oral cavity at a second frequency F2 to generate multiple lighting events per second; The first frequency F1 and the second frequency F2 are F1=F2, or the second frequency F2 is selected such that 0<|F1-nF2|<N, where N is the number of images taken per second by the imaging means and n is a positive integer selected such that |F1-nF2| has a minimum value; Dental treatment equipment.

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

3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the window is located adjacent to the lighting means.

4. 4. An instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a head and a stem extending between the head and the handle, the moving means being arranged to move the stem and the head relative to the handle.

5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said illumination means and said window are located on a head of said device.

6. 6. The device of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the head of the device comprises a plurality of bristles.

7. The appliance of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dental treatment system includes a nozzle for delivering a working fluid towards the oral cavity.

8. 8. An appliance according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the nozzle is located on the head of the appliance.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the imaging means comprises a rolling shutter camera.

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the camera includes a sensor including a plurality of pixel columns, the pixel columns being exposed sequentially, each pixel column being exposed to the same number of illumination events.

11. 11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sensor for measuring ambient light intensity, and a controller configured to vary at least one of the intensity and duration of each lighting event in response to the measured ambient light intensity.

12. 12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement means is arranged to move the illumination means and the window relative to the handle along a path arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

13. 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the moving means is arranged to reciprocate the lighting means and the window relative to the handle along a curved path.

Images