Dental Transillumination Light Coupling via Flexible Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental transillumination systems face limitations in light coupling efficiency, leading to reduced image quality and reliability in caries diagnosis, due to issues like excessive irradiation, polarization losses, and mechanical complexities that increase device size.
Innovation Solution
A dental system with light-guiding and light-deflecting elements embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body that rests on the tooth or gingiva, optimizing light coupling and protection while minimizing interference and speckle, and featuring inclined light sources and a removable attachment for improved image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a special head-piece rests on the tooth for light coupling, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but excessive irradiation occurs causing limited dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent coupling element is introduced as an intermediary between the light guide and the tooth. This coupling element mediates the light transmission, allowing efficient light coupling into the tooth while preventing excessive irradiation of the light sensor by acting as a controlled interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is made as a thin, transparent structure that can be applied directly to the tooth surface. This thin-film approach enables close contact for efficient light coupling while maintaining transparency to allow proper illumination without causing sensor saturation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a polarizing filter is used to remove reflected light, then direct light interference is reduced, but light intensity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a polarizing filter that removes reflected light through polarization, the invention extracts the harmful direct light path by using a transparent coupling element applied to the tooth surface. This element allows selective coupling of illumination light into the tooth while blocking the direct reflected path to the sensor, avoiding the need for polarization and its associated intensity loss.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical means are used to block light, then direct light ingress is reduced, but device construction is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent coupling element functions as a thin-film structure that is applied directly to the tooth surface. This flexible thin film blocks direct light ingress through its physical presence and optical properties without requiring complex mechanical blocking structures, thereby maintaining a compact device construction.
4Illumination intensity
If light-guiding elements are exposed, then light coupling is direct, but interference and speckle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent coupling element serves as a mediator between the light guide and the tooth. It maintains effective light coupling by being in direct contact with the tooth surface, while simultaneously reducing image interference and speckle by providing a controlled optical interface that filters unwanted light paths.
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
Enhances light coupling into the tooth, reduces image interference, and simplifies device handling, resulting in improved image quality and reliability of caries diagnosis with a more compact and user-friendly design.
Implementation Method 1
light-guiding and/or light-deflecting elements
Implementation Method 2
light-guiding and/or light-deflecting elements
Implementation Method 3
embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body
Implementation Method 4
embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body
Data Source
AI summary
A dental system may trans-illuminate teeth using a light source for producing examination radiation by directing the examination radiation at a tooth to be examined. An optical image of the tooth illuminated by the examination radiation may be acquired. The light source may include a light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element that faces the tooth to be examined being embedded in a transparent. The light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element may be embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body that is provided to rest on the tooth or the gingiva of the tooth.