Blue-Light Dental Imaging for Plaque and Calculus Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for distinguishing dental plaque from dental calculus are cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly when using disclosing agents, and there is a need for a more convenient and rapid detection method.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a light-emitting diode to generate blue light for autofluorescence differentiation, combined with an image sensing unit and processor to distinguish dental plaque and calculus based on their distinct autofluorescence patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If disclosing agents are used to distinguish dental plaque from dental calculus, then detection capability is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical system of disclosing agents with an optical detection system. A light source emits light that interacts with dental plaque and calculus, and a sensor detects the reflected or transmitted light characteristics. This substitution eliminates the need for applying and cleaning chemical agents, significantly reducing operation complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary substance to detect dental plaque and calculus. Instead of using disclosing agents that require application and removal, light serves as a non-contact intermediary that carries information about the dental surfaces, enabling detection without additional operational steps.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If disclosing agents are used to distinguish dental plaque from dental calculus, then detection capability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the multi-step chemical application process with a direct optical measurement system, the patent eliminates the time required for applying disclosing agents and waiting for color development. The optical system provides immediate detection, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining accurate differentiation between plaque and calculus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate steps of chemical application and color development time by using direct optical detection. The light-based system rushes through the detection process in a single measurement step, eliminating the time-consuming sequential steps required by traditional disclosing agent methods.
3Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but process simplicity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chemical detection processes with a simpler optical system. By using light interaction characteristics to differentiate plaque from calculus, the system achieves comparable or superior detection accuracy while dramatically simplifying the overall detection process and eliminating chemical handling requirements.
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 quick and accurate differentiation of dental plaque and calculus areas on teeth, facilitating efficient dental problem detection.
Implementation Method 1
The light-emitting diode generates a blue light to illuminate the teeth
Implementation Method 2
a dental plaque on the teeth generates a first autofluorescence and a dental calculus on the teeth generates a second autofluorescence
Implementation Method 3
The image sensing unit is configured to sense the first autofluorescence and the second autofluorescence
Data Source
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AI summary
A distinguishing device for dental plaque and dental calculus includes a light-emitting diode, an image sensing unit, and a processor. The light-emitting diode movies in a first direction and is separated from teeth in an oral cavity by a predetermined distance in a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The light-emitting diode generates a blue light to illuminate the teeth, so that dental plaque on the teeth generates a first autofluorescence and dental calculus on the teeth generates a second autofluorescence. The image sensing unit is configured to sense the first autofluorescence and the second autofluorescence. The processor is coupled to the image sensing unit to distinguish a dental plaque area from a dental calculus area on the teeth according to the first autofluorescence and the second autofluorescence.