Integrated Dental Mirror Camera for Switching-Free Image Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental instruments, such as intraoral mirrors and cameras, require frequent switching during procedures, leading to inefficiencies and increased time in dental appointments, and lack integrated solutions for efficient image capture and dental status recording.
Innovation Solution
An intraoral mirror with an integrated camera that allows for simultaneous viewing and image capture, including features like face detection, orientation adjustment, and dazzle avoidance, enabling efficient image processing and recording of dental status without interrupting procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate intraoral mirror and camera instruments are used, then each instrument can be optimized for its specific function, but frequent switching between instruments increases procedure time and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a camera system with an intraoral mirror into a single integrated instrument. The camera is mounted on the mirror handle, and the mirror surface serves as a viewfinder display, allowing the healthcare provider to simultaneously perform visual inspection and image capture without switching instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated instrument performs multiple functions: the mirror surface reflects light for visual inspection and simultaneously displays captured images for documentation. The single device serves both as a diagnostic mirror and an imaging camera, eliminating the need for separate instruments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a display is added to the intraoral mirror for image viewing, then image capture capability is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror surface serves dual purposes: it reflects light for visual inspection and acts as a display medium for captured images. This eliminates the need for a separate display component, maintaining device simplicity while adding image viewing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror surface acts as an intermediary between the camera sensor and the healthcare provider's eye. Instead of requiring a separate display screen, the reflected image on the mirror surface provides visual feedback, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned to capture images, then image capture accuracy is improved, but the field of view visible to the healthcare provider may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned at an angle to the mirror surface, capturing images from a different spatial dimension. This angular arrangement allows the camera to capture the field of view while the mirror surface continues to reflect light for visual inspection, resolving the conflict between capture accuracy and visible area.
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
Facilitates seamless image capture and recording of dental status, reducing switching time and enhancing procedural efficiency by integrating camera functions into the mirror, improving workflow in dental clinics.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror surface affixed to the handle that reflects light into the health care provider's field of view
Implementation Method 2
The mirror surface includes a pass-through surface configured such that at least one side is transparent to the image sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.