Dental Imaging Device with Bypass Color Reference Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental imaging and illumination devices are not convenient to handle, are expensive, and do not provide high hygiene levels, while also lacking in accuracy and light efficiency for color measurement and imaging.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional dental imaging and illumination device with a passive color reference, dual light sources (white and blue LEDs), and a beam splitter system that allows for calibration, color measurement, and imaging modes, ensuring accurate color detection and efficient light usage, including a battery-powered, cordless design with a detachable light guide for easy disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a beam splitter is used to direct light to both the color reference and the camera, then the imaging path is illuminated, but light efficiency is reduced and measurement accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into two separate paths: one for illuminating the color reference (bypassing the beam splitter) and another for imaging through the beam splitter. This segmentation allows each path to have optimized light transmission without interference from the other, resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary element that selectively directs light. By positioning the color reference to be illuminated independently of the beam splitter, the system uses the beam splitter only for its intended imaging function, eliminating light efficiency losses and accuracy compromises that would result from using it for both purposes.
2Ease of operation
If multiple functions (illumination, imaging, color measurement) are integrated into one device, then convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions (illumination, imaging, and color measurement) into a single handheld unit. The illumination unit provides both general illumination and specific illumination for the color reference, the camera captures images, and the processor performs color measurements. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The color reference is positioned in a spatial arrangement that allows it to be illuminated from a different optical path than the imaging path. This dimensional separation in the optical design enables the integration of multiple functions without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the separate illumination path for the color reference does not require additional complex optical components in the main imaging path.
3Device complexity
If the color reference is illuminated through the beam splitter, then the optical path is simplified, but light efficiency is lost and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination path for the color reference is extracted from the main imaging optical path. Instead of using the beam splitter for both purposes, the system provides a dedicated illumination path that bypasses the beam splitter. This extraction eliminates the light efficiency losses and accuracy reductions that would occur if the color reference were illuminated through the beam splitter, while the beam splitter remains dedicated to the imaging function.
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
The device offers enhanced accuracy in color measurement and imaging with maximized light efficiency, convenience in handling, and high hygiene standards due to its design and functionality, making it suitable for intra-oral use.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical path (21) between the camera (18) and the optical interface (14), in which a first beam splitter (19) is arranged for passing light on the first optical path (21) by transmission and for passing light on a second optical path (22) from the color reference (20) to the camera (18) by reflection
Implementation Method 2
The color reference and the light source are optically coupled via a third optical path (23) such that the light source can illuminate the color reference by bypassing the beam splitter
Implementation Method 3
Light reflected from the tooth is passed through a beam splitter and focused to a set of area color detectors, or is passed through the beam splitter and directed to a CCD camera
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A dental imaging and illumination device. The device has an optical interface for emitting light from the device and for receiving light into the device. The device has a light source, a camera, a beam splitter and a color reference. The color reference and the light source are optically coupled via an optical path so that the light source can illuminate the color reference. This optical path bypasses the beam splitter. The device facilitates color measuring particularly in the field of dentistry.