Oral Treatment Device Using Intraoral Imaging for Interproximal Gap Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral treatment devices lack flexibility and accuracy in delivering treatments, particularly in interproximal gaps, due to reliance on user operation and limited fluid reservoir capacity, leading to inefficient fluid usage and suboptimal treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An oral treatment device equipped with an intraoral image sensor and a controller using a trained classification algorithm to accurately detect and localize interproximal gaps, enabling precise control of treatment delivery, including a fluid delivery system that jets working fluid directly into the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a fluid delivery system with fixed capacity reservoir is used, then the device can provide interproximal cleaning functionality, but fluid usage efficiency is poor and frequent replenishment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses intraoral image sensors to automatically detect and locate interproximal gaps, and the controller automatically controls fluid delivery to these detected gaps. This self-service automation eliminates the need for user manual operation and ensures precise fluid application only where needed, improving both fluid efficiency and treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated system comprising image sensors, a trained classification algorithm for gap detection, and a controller that integrates image data with device positioning. This substitution of mechanical user operation with automated optical and computational systems enables precise fluid delivery without waste.
2Measurement precision
If manual operation is relied upon, then the device structure can be simple, but treatment accuracy and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The oral treatment device integrates multiple functions into a single system: intraoral imaging, image processing for gap detection, device positioning tracking, and fluid delivery control. This multi-functional integration achieves high measurement precision while managing device complexity through unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intraoral image sensors as an intermediary between the user and the treatment delivery system. These sensors capture optical images of the oral cavity, which are then processed by a classification algorithm to detect interproximal gaps. This intermediary enables accurate gap detection without requiring direct manual manipulation or complex mechanical positioning systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the fluid reservoir capacity is increased, then fluid availability is improved, but device size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The automated gap detection and targeting system ensures that working fluid is delivered precisely only to detected interproximal gaps, eliminating waste and reducing the total fluid quantity needed. This precision delivery mechanism allows the device to maintain small size while providing sufficient fluid capacity for complete treatment sessions.
Data Source
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Figure 1C
Figure 2
AI summary
An oral treatment device is provided. The oral treatment device comprises intraoral image sensor equipment configured to generate image data representing at least a portion of the oral cavity of a user during use by the user of the oral treatment device. The oral treatment device comprises a controller configured to process the generated image data to determine location data indicating a location of an interproximal gap between adjacent teeth in the oral cavity of the user. The controller is configured to process the generated image data using a trained classification algorithm configured to identify interproximal gaps, the trained classification algorithm having been trained prior to the use of the oral treatment device. The controller is configured to, during the use of the oral treatment device, control the oral treatment device to deliver a treatment to the detected interproximal gap based on the location data.