Augmented Reality Glasses for Dental Radiological Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental visualization methods require clinicians to constantly shift their gaze between the operating field and a remote screen, leading to imprecise and potentially harmful movements, as they struggle to correlate 2D radiological images with the 3D anatomy of the patient's mouth, especially during complex procedures like implantology.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising augmented reality glasses with a penetrating ray emitter and a central unit that correlates images from radiology and optical impression cameras, allowing direct visualization of both visible and invisible oral structures in real-time within the patient's mouth, eliminating the need for a remote screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a remote screen is used to display radiological images, then the clinician can view internal structures, but the clinician must constantly shift gaze between the operating field and the screen, leading to imprecise movements and potential harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiological image display with the direct optical view of the oral cavity by projecting the correlated radiological images onto the optical lens of the augmented reality glasses. This allows the clinician to see both the external surface and internal structures simultaneously through the same optical path, eliminating the need to shift gaze between a remote screen and the operating field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces augmented reality glasses as an intermediary device that captures the direct optical view through the optical lens and superimposes the radiological images onto this view. The glasses act as a mediator that combines two separate information streams (direct vision and radiological imaging) into a single integrated display, allowing the clinician to maintain a stable gaze while accessing both types of information.
2Loss of information
If 2D radiological images are used to represent 3D oral anatomy, then internal structures become visible, but the clinician struggles to correlate the 2D images with the 3D anatomy, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the 2D radiological images into a 3D spatial representation by correlating them with the 3D optical view captured by the camera. The central unit processes both images to create a spatially aligned representation where the radiological data is mapped onto the 3D geometry of the oral cavity, allowing the clinician to perceive internal structures in their correct spatial context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color or contrast modifications to the radiological images to enhance their distinguishability from the direct optical view. By differentiating the radiological overlay visually (through color coding, transparency adjustments, or contrast enhancement), the clinician can more easily distinguish between external surface features and internal structures, improving spatial correlation accuracy.
3Loss of information
If multiple imaging devices (radiology and optical cameras) are used, then comprehensive visualization is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the augmented reality glasses multi-functional by integrating both a camera for capturing the direct optical view and a display system for showing radiological images. The same optical lens serves both to transmit the direct view and to display the radiological overlay. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each imaging modality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions into a single integrated system worn by the clinician. The camera, optical lens, and radiological display are merged into the augmented reality glasses, creating a unified device that performs both direct visualization and radiological imaging through a single optical path, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise, secure, and comfortable dental procedures by providing real-time, correlated visual feedback, reducing eye strain and the risk of errors, allowing clinicians to monitor their work without leaving the operating field, thus enhancing safety and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a penetrating ray emitter adapted to take a view of an internal part located under an external surface of an organ disposed in the mouth
Implementation Method 2
an optical lens through which a user of the pair of glasses can see the inside of the mouth
Implementation Method 3
a viewing camera adapted to take an image of what the user sees through the optical lens
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4f
Figure 4g~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for viewing the inside of a mouth of a patient (13). The viewing device includes a penetrating ray emitter (2) capable of viewing an inner portion (14, 22, 23, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 50, 51, 62, 63) located under an outer surface of a member placed in the mouth. According to the invention, the device includes a pair of augmented reality glasses (1) having an optical lens through which a user (6) of the pair of glasses (1) can see the inside of the mouth and a viewing camera capable of recording an image of what the user (6) sees through the optical lens. A central unit is suitable for correlating first images, corresponding to those recorded by the viewing camera, with second images, corresponding to those recorded by the penetrating ray emitter (2).