Augmented Reality Patient Stress Visualization During Dental Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting patient stress or discomfort during dental treatments are inefficient, as they rely on manual gestures that may not be noticed by the clinician, leading to a suboptimal patient experience.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing augmented reality to overlay patient biopotential information, such as heart rate and cortisol levels, directly on the patient or treatment site, allowing real-time monitoring and adaptive treatment adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual gestures are used to detect patient stress, then the patient can express pain, but the clinician may not notice the gestures in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient stress informationVSAvoidresponse time to patient stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous automated feedback by monitoring patient biopotential signals (heart rate, galvanic skin response) and providing real-time alerts to the clinician when stress thresholds are exceeded, ensuring timely response without relying on manual patient gestures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual gesture-based communication system with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses biopotential sensors and computer processing to detect and communicate patient stress states, eliminating the reliability and timing issues of manual gestures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the patient remains still during treatment, then the treatment can proceed smoothly, but the patient cannot easily express pain through gestures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidpatient ability to express pain
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the patient to self-report stress levels automatically through physiological measurements without requiring active participation or breaking treatment flow, while the clinician receives automated notifications when intervention is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated monitoring system that mediates between the patient's physiological state and the clinician's awareness, allowing the patient to remain still while the system translates their physiological responses into actionable information for the clinician

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the clinician focuses on the treatment procedure, then the treatment quality is maintained, but the clinician may not notice patient stress gestures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoidpatient stress signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback to the clinician about patient stress levels, allowing the clinician to maintain focus on the precise treatment procedure while the system continuously monitors and alerts to stress conditions that require attention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for clinician visual attention to patient gestures with an automated electronic monitoring and alerting system, enabling the clinician to maintain focus on hands-on treatment while the system handles stress detection and communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3689229B1Method and system for visualizing patient stress
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC
  • EP3689229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689229B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3689229B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, system and computer readable storage media for visualizing patient stress or discomfort during dental treatment. By visualizing a patient's changing stress conditions during treatment, a clinician may react accordingly such as by stopping a treatment activity, slowing a treatment activity, refreshing anesthesia, etc. in order to improve the patient's experience.