Integrated Dental Handpiece Camera Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a handpiece with a built-in camera that allows for clear color imaging of treatment sites, such as the distal wall of a tooth, during dental procedures, which are difficult to visualize without additional imaging aids.

Innovation Solution

A handpiece with a built-in camera module that includes a condensing lens unit, a color image sensor, and light-emitting elements, along with a rod fiber and objective lens, which transmits imaging light to the camera unit for clear color image capture and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an image capturing auxiliary device is attached to the laser handpiece, then the image of treatment side can be captured, but the operation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capturing capabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the image capturing device with the handpiece body into a single integrated unit. The camera is built into the handpiece, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary devices that need to be attached and detached. This integration resolves the contradiction by maintaining image capturing capability while significantly simplifying the operation for the practitioner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handpiece is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - both cutting/treatment and image capturing. By incorporating the camera system into the handpiece body, the device becomes universal, capable of both therapeutic and diagnostic functions without requiring separate equipment, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a dental camera is used to observe the inside of mouth, then the treatment site can be visualized, but it cannot be integrated with cutting handpiece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment site visualizationVSAvoidintegration with cutting handpiece
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention successfully merges the dental camera system with the cutting handpiece into a single integrated device. The camera, objective lens, and illumination system are incorporated into the handpiece body, allowing simultaneous visualization and cutting functions. This resolves the contradiction by achieving both treatment site visualization and integration with the cutting handpiece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handpiece becomes a universal device capable of both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic cutting functions. By integrating multiple functions into one device, the invention eliminates the need for separate cameras and handpieces, thereby achieving both visualization capability and adaptability with cutting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If optical waveguide and image conductor are assembled into handpiece, then image can be recorded, but the configuration is separate system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage recording capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the optical waveguide for illumination and the image conductor for imaging into a single integrated handpiece system. Rather than maintaining separate systems, both components are incorporated into the same handpiece body with coordinated optical paths, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining image recording capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical components are nested within the handpiece structure, with the objective lens, rod fiber, and camera unit arranged in a compact nested configuration. The illumination optical waveguide and imaging optical path are integrated within the same structural envelope, reducing device complexity through efficient spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables clear color imaging of treatment sites, providing a practical and efficient solution for visualizing areas that are hard to see, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of dental procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a rod fiber which is disposed in the handpiece body in a state in which an incidence end thereof faces the objective lens and an exit end thereof faces the condensing lens unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

an arbitrary number of light-emitting elements which are circularly arranged around a periphery of the camera unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

a camera unit having a condensing lens unit and a color image sensor that outputs a color image signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight condensation and focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2891467B1Handpiece with built-in camera
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG
  • EP2891467B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2891467B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2891467B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a handpiece with a built-in camera which allows a treatment to be performed while viewing a clear color image of a treatment site, which is difficult to be seen normally, such as a distal wall of a tooth. According to the invention, a handpiece (1) with a built-in camera includes: a handpiece body (2) which includes a cutting tool (16) attached to a head portion (14) thereof, and a light receiving port (13) provided at a position near the cutting tool (16); a grip portion (3) which is detachably connected to the handpiece body (2); and a color camera module (21) which is stored inside the handpiece body (2), wherein the color camera module (21) includes a camera unit (31) having a condensing lens unit (33) and a color image sensor (38) that outputs a color image signal, and an arbitrary number of light-emitting elements (LEDs) (24) which are circularly arranged around a periphery of the camera unit (31), and an objective lens (32) which faces the light receiving port (13) provided in the head portion (14), and a rod fiber (43) which is disposed in the handpiece body (2) in a state in which an incidence end thereof faces the objective lens (32) and an exit end thereof faces the condensing lens unit (33) are included.