Dental Operating Light Integrated Stereo Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental care units with integrated operating lights face challenges when a camera is retrofitted, as it can disrupt the alignment and balance of the operating light, and the additional cables can clutter the workspace.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a stereo camera as an integral part of the operating light structure, allowing for improved alignment and balance, and routing cables through the support structures to maintain a clutter-free environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a camera is retrofitted to an operating light, then monitoring capability is improved, but alignment and balance of the operating light deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidalignment and balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is merged with the operating light structure to form an integrated unit. The camera housing is attached to the light housing, and the camera lens is positioned within the light structure, creating a unified device that maintains proper alignment and balance while providing both illumination and monitoring functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a camera is retrofitted to an operating light, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating light structure is designed to serve multiple functions: illumination and camera support. The light housing double- as a camera mounting structure, and the support arm that holds the light also supports the integrated camera unit, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional cables are added for the camera, then monitoring capability is improved, but workspace clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidworkspace clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera and its cabling are nested within the existing operating light structure. The camera housing is integrated into the light housing, and the cables are routed through the light structure's internal pathways, concealing them within the device itself rather than allowing them to drape across the workspace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Manufacturing precision

If a camera is integrated into the operating light structure, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The camera alignment and positioning are predetermined in the design phase. The camera lens is pre-positioned within the light structure at the optimal location for monitoring, and the housing is pre-configured with mounting features that ensure correct orientation and spacing, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250025036A1Dental care unit

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 PLANMECA

AI summary

The invention relates to a dental care unit having, among other things, a dental operating light configured to generate a light pattern of a desired shape at a desired distance from the dental operating light to illuminate a patient's oral cavity, and where the dental operating light comprises structurally integrated optical cameras configured to operatively work with a light control system of the dental operating light.