Device for capturing images of a patient's teeth
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/054641
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-27
Smart Images
Figure EP2025054641_27082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Device designed to produce images of a patient's dentition
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for producing images of a patient's dentition.
[0002] These images can be used by various software programs for prevention, pre-diagnosis of certain oral pathologies, and 3D reconstruction of the patient's dentition using photogrammetry.
[0003] Artificial intelligence diagnostic and 3D photogrammetric reconstruction software requires numerous photos from many different angles. Some existing devices, such as the one described in document EP3745995, use multiple cameras angled in various directions, each camera connected to its own electronic board, to capture images of every corner of the patient's teeth. This technology is extremely expensive due to the number of different flexible electronic boards, the number of cameras, the processing power required to acquire the images, and the manufacturing time needed to assemble these components, especially with manual assembly. Furthermore, all this electronics requires considerable bulk and can compromise the use of effective device decontamination procedures.
[0004] The present invention aims to provide a device that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0005] The present invention aims in particular to provide a device which considerably reduces the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.
[0006] The present invention also aims to provide a device that is simple and / or inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
[0007] The present invention thus relates to a device for producing images of a patient's dentition, comprising a main body, a lower protective shell and an upper protective shell, said main body comprising a gripping part and a head part, said head part, when placed in a patient's mouth, covering all the teeth of a lower or upper dentition, said head part comprising several cameras, said lower protective shell being removably fixed under said head part, on the front side of said cameras, said upper protective shell being removably fixed on said head part, on the rear side of said cameras, all said cameras being arranged in the same plane P and oriented in the same direction, towards the occlusal plane,and said lower protective casing incorporates several mirrors to generate different viewpoints from the direct viewpoint of each camera.
[0008] Advantageously, the said lower protective shell includes a transparent window adapted to rest on the occlusal plane of the patient.
[0009] Advantageously, said main body and said lower protective shell are made of a rigid material, in particular polycarbonate, and said upper protective shell is made of a flexible material, in particular silicone.
[0010] Advantageously, the said main body includes electronic means, in particular adapted to fit on a single electronic card.
[0011] Advantageously, said head part includes a plurality of cameras, in particular thirty-six cameras, distributed all around the curved shape of said head part, adapted to take images of the patient's teeth in a synchronized manner, in particular from a temporal point of view.
[0012] Advantageously, these mirrors are suitable for generating several dozen additional viewpoints which are added to the direct viewpoints obtained by the cameras.
[0013] Advantageously, there is at least one mirror facing the outer side of the teeth.
[0014] Advantageously, there is a first row of first mirrors arranged around said cameras, on the outside side of the teeth, and a second row of second mirrors, arranged below said first row.
[0015] Advantageously, there is at least one mirror facing the inner side of the teeth, in particular a third row of third mirrors arranged around said cameras, on the inner side of the teeth.
[0016] Advantageously, a light source, for example LEDs, illuminates the patient's teeth.
[0017] Advantageously, an intermediate body is placed between said light source and said glass, to diffuse the light coming from said light source.
[0018] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, and in which:
[0019] This is a schematic perspective view of a device according to an advantageous embodiment.
[0020] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of the device.
[0021] This is a side view of the device, and
[0022] This is an explanatory diagram of the action of mirrors in relation to cameras in the device of the.
[0023] The device comprises a main body 10, a lower protective shell 20 and an upper protective shell 30.
[0024] The main body 10 comprises a grip part 11 and a head part 12.
[0025] The head portion 12 has a curved shape corresponding to a dentition viewed from above. In particular, this head portion is similar in shape to a dental impression tray. Thus, the head portion 12 covers the entire dentition when inserted into the patient's mouth. Depending on the orientation of the device, the head portion 12 covers the teeth of the lower jaw or the teeth of the upper jaw.
[0026] The main body 10 is advantageously rigid, notably made of polycarbonate, and IP67 waterproof.
[0027] The main body 10 contains several cameras 15, arranged in the head part 12 and protected by a glass 16.
[0028] Electronic means are provided in the main body 10, advantageously fitting on a single electronic card 40.
[0029] A cable 50 connects the main body 10 to an external processing unit, for example located in a computer.
[0030] The lower protective shell 20 is removably attached beneath the head portion 12, on the front side of the cameras 15. It is advantageously rigid, notably made of polycarbonate. It comprises a transparent window 21 and a plurality of mirrors 25, 25', 25''. It can be sterilized after each use. The mirrors 25, 25', 25'' are advantageously bonded. The window 21 allows the device to rest against the patient's occlusal plane and facilitates positioning in the patient's mouth.
[0031] The lower protective shell 20 is interchangeable and allows for adjustment of the 25, 25', and 25'' mirrors according to the patient's mouth size. Different sizes of the lower protective shell 20 are available depending on the mouth sizes to be examined. The number of 25, 25', and 25'' mirrors, their dimensions, and their positioning may vary depending on the size of the lower protective shell 20.
[0032] Polycarbonate offers the advantage of high impact resistance and good temperature resistance. Multiple autoclave sterilization cycles are therefore possible.
[0033] The upper protective cover 30 is removably attached to the head section 12, on the rear side of said cameras 15. It is advantageously flexible, for example made of silicone. It can be sterilized after each use.
[0034] The upper protective shell 30 creates a seal by fitting over the head portion 12 of the main body 10, advantageously partially covering the lower protective shell 20. This upper protective shell 30 is advantageously compatible with all lower protective shells 20. The seal created between the two protective shells 20, 30 isolates any contact between the main body 10 and the patient, thus reducing the risk of contamination.
[0035] Furthermore, silicone offers excellent impact absorption and high-temperature resistance. Multiple autoclave sterilization cycles are possible.
[0036] The main body (10) and the lower (20) and upper (30) protective shells can be disinfected in different ways. For the main body, disinfection using specific wipes may be sufficient. The protective shells (20 and 30) can be disinfected and then sterilized in an autoclave, providing a very high level of decontamination.
[0037] Alternatively, the protective shells 20, 30 can be single-use and disposable.
[0038] The grip part 11 has an elongated hollow shape and contains the electronic card(s) 40.
[0039] The head section 12 comprises a plurality of cameras 15, for example thirty-six cameras 15 in the example of the drawings, adapted to take images of the patient's teeth in a synchronized manner, particularly from a temporal point of view, in order to be compatible with photogrammetry. The cameras 15 are distributed all around the curved shape, as can be seen in particular in the.
[0040] According to the invention, all the cameras 15 are arranged in the same plane P and oriented in the same direction, towards the occlusal plane. This plane P is therefore parallel to the glass 16 arranged under the cameras 15.
[0041] Mirrors 25, 25', 25'' are provided on the lower protective shell 20 to obtain images of every corner of the patient's dentition.
[0042] Advantageously, several dozen additional viewpoints can be created, for example sixty-seven with the configuration of 15 cameras and 25, 25', 25'' mirrors shown in the drawings, which are added to the thirty-six viewpoints obtained naturally by the thirty-six 15 cameras.
[0043] The present invention provides for the use of several mirrors 25, 25', 25'' in order to maximize the observation of teeth, in particular incisors I, molars M, etc., from different points of view.
[0044] Without mirrors, the 15 cameras would only provide an occlusal view of the teeth, and irrelevant details such as the cheeks, tongue, etc.
[0045] The 25, 25', and 25'' mirrors thus serve two functions: to conceal non-essential details and to observe the teeth from different occlusal perspectives. The reflections on the mirrors allow for the visualization of new viewpoints.
[0046] The example of the watch shows that with a single camera 15, here the right camera 15, it is possible to obtain at least three different viewpoints A, B and C. A is the reflection in a first mirror 25, B is the reflection in a second mirror 25' arranged under the first mirror 25, and C is the direct viewpoint of the right camera 15.
[0047] Of course, the positions of the mirrors can vary depending on the size of the patient's mouth.
[0048] Advantageously, direct illumination with a light source 60, for example LEDs, illuminates the patient's teeth. Advantageously, an intermediate body 70 is positioned between the LEDs and the glass 21 to diffuse the light from the LEDs, acting as a light beacon. This prevents excessive reflection of the LEDs in the various transparent parts, namely the glass 16 and the glass 21. This intermediate body 70 advantageously has holes 71 to allow the cameras 15 to pass through, as illustrated in the figure.
[0049] According to the invention, at least one mirror 25, 25' is provided facing the outer side of the teeth. In the example shown in the figures, there is a row of first mirrors 25 arranged around the cameras 15, on the outer side of the teeth, and a row of second mirrors 25', arranged below the first row. In this example, the glass 21 is arranged between the first and second rows, as can be seen in the figure.
[0050] Advantageously, at least one 25" mirror is also provided facing the inner side of the teeth. In the example shown in the figures, there is a row of third 25" mirrors arranged around the cameras 15, on the inner side of the teeth. This third row is positioned opposite the first row, therefore, in the example shown, above the glass 21.
[0051] Of course, the number of mirrors, their positioning and their dimensions can be adapted according to needs.
[0052] The present invention not only allows for the replacement of all the cameras that were tilted in existing devices, but also significantly reduces the number of cameras in the device. In particular, the advantageous embodiment shown in the figures comprises thirty-six cameras instead of the ninety-six cameras in existing devices. This considerably reduces manufacturing costs, especially those related to electronics, since the flexible electronic boards (forty-eight in existing devices) are all eliminated and all the cameras are arranged on a single rigid electronic board.
[0053] Similarly, the device assembly time is considerably shortened and the assembly process is simplified.
[0054] Furthermore, the present invention significantly improves the reliability of the device manufacturing, as it is no longer necessary to bend flexible electronic boards, which could present a risk of destroying these boards.
[0055] Furthermore, the significant size reduction allows for the use of disposable or sterilizable tips. This improves the device's clinical safety, both in terms of decontamination (by enabling the use of disposable or sterilizable tips) and electrical safety, notably through the addition of a protective interface. Finally, the device's robustness is enhanced during handling.
[0056] Regarding 3D reconstructions of the patient's dentition, the device according to the invention is designed to eliminate the need for sodium alginate or a conventional intraoral scanner, which requires considerable dexterity to take an impression. Thus, the device according to the invention allows for simpler 3D impression taking than with a conventional intraoral scanner. Furthermore, the invention captures a very large number of images of the patient's mouth in a very short time, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors during the procedure.
[0057] One of the objectives of the device according to the invention is to improve access to care for patients who have difficulty obtaining appointments with the dentist or who are in a precarious situation.
[0058] The device can therefore be used by the general public for image capture or for prevention and pre-diagnosis purposes. However, only dentists will be authorized to perform 3D reconstructions of teeth.
[0059] For example, in the context of a consumer application, one can imagine having devices usable in teleconsultation or self-consultation booths, particularly in pharmacies.
[0060] The patient will be able to fill out a form explaining why they are seeking a teleconsultation, and use the device to obtain a collection of images of their teeth.
[0061] The completed questionnaire and images will then be sent to and analyzed by AI (Artificial Intelligence) to assess the severity of the patient's condition (urgent case, dental consultation strongly advised, no significant problem, etc.). The patient may be given a prescription to consult a doctor. They may also receive helpful advice on managing their symptoms while awaiting further treatment, if their case requires it.
[0062] The device could also be used in a mobile setting, for example, during medical visits in schools or at work. It could be used for minor routine checkups supervised by healthcare professionals. The device could also be used for preventative purposes. For example, it could detect that the patient's dental plaque is not excessive, that there is no gum disease, that there are no cavities, etc.
[0063] In the context of 3D reconstruction, the device can be used to create aligners and other dental prostheses. The tool would then be primarily intended for dentists to simplify their work in acquiring a 3D model of a patient's dentition.
[0064] For example, here is a possible protocol for general public use in pharmacies:
[0065] • The patient arrives in a teleconsultation booth, for example in a pharmacy.
[0066] • The patient fills out a questionnaire about the reason for their visit.
[0067] • A protective toecap is suggested to him based on his physical characteristics (possibly obtained via the questionnaire).
[0068] • The patient (or an operator) applies the tip to the device.
[0069] • The patient (or an operator) inserts the device into the patient's mouth and takes the images following the instructions, for example available on a screen.
[0070] • The information collected is sent to a server adapted to process this data.
[0071] • A report is sent to the patient (to the pharmacy or to an online account) and / or to their dentist if they have one.
[0072] • If necessary, a specific prescription is provided to the patient so that they can make an emergency appointment with a dentist.
[0073] • The operator disposes of or cleans the protective tips according to a specific procedure, and cleans the main body and the teleconsultation booth.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with reference to an advantageous embodiment thereof, it is understood that a person skilled in the art may make any useful modifications to it, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.
Claims
Device for producing images of a patient's dentition, comprising a main body (10), a lower protective shell (20) and an upper protective shell (30), said main body (10) comprising a gripping part (11) and a head part (12), said head part (12), when placed in a patient's mouth, covering all the teeth of a lower or upper dentition, said head part (12) comprising several cameras (15), said lower protective shell (20) being removably fixed under said head part (12), on the front side of said cameras (15), said upper protective shell (30) being removably fixed on said head part (12), on the rear side of said cameras (15), characterized in that all said cameras (15) are arranged in the same plane (P) and oriented in the same direction, towards the occlusal plane,and said lower protective shell (20) includes several mirrors (25, 25', 25'') to generate different viewpoints from the direct viewpoint of each camera (15). Device according to claim 1, wherein said lower protective shell (20) comprises a transparent window (21) adapted to bear against the occlusal plane of the patient. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said main body (10) and said lower protective shell (20) are made of a rigid material, in particular polycarbonate, and said upper protective shell (30) is made of a flexible material, in particular silicone. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main body (10) comprises electronic means, in particular adapted to fit on a single electronic card (40). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head part (12) comprises a plurality of cameras (15), in particular thirty-six cameras (15), distributed all around the curved shape of said head part (12), adapted to take images of the patient's teeth in a synchronized manner, in particular from a temporal point of view. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mirrors (25, 25', 25'') are adapted to generate several dozen additional viewpoints which are added to the direct viewpoints obtained by the cameras (15). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is at least one mirror (25, 25') facing the outer side of the teeth. Device according to claim 7, wherein there is a first row of first mirrors (25) arranged around said cameras (15), on the outside side of the teeth, and a second row of second mirrors (25'), arranged below said first row. Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein there is at least one mirror (25'') facing the inner side of the teeth, in particular a third row of third mirrors (25'') arranged around said cameras (15), on the inner side of the teeth. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a light source (60), for example LEDs, illuminates the patient's dentition. A device according to claims 2 and 10, wherein an intermediate body (70) is disposed between said light source (60) and said glass (21), for diffusing the light from said light source (60).