Optical Dental Caries Detection With Adjustable Filtered Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental caries diagnostic devices are costly to manufacture, inconvenient to use, and ineffective at detecting caries on rear surfaces of teeth due to limited light radiation.
Innovation Solution
An optical dental caries diagnostic device with an adjustable body unit, a bendable light-emitting member, and a detachable filter unit that selectively transmits light within the 405 to 410 nm wavelength band, allowing for easy use and storage, and effective detection of caries on both front and rear tooth surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pen type body unit with a long longitudinal direction is used to hold the device, then the user can easily hold the body unit, but the device becomes inconvenient to store
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting member is inserted into the body unit, with the power supply unit extending through the body unit and exposed at the rear. This nesting arrangement allows the components to be compactly organized, reducing the overall device length while maintaining ease of holding and operation
2Measurement precision
If an LED capable of radiating light having a wavelength of 402.2 nm to 404.0 nm is used, then caries can be detected through absorption characteristics, but the manufacturing cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
A filter unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the teeth. The filter unit selectively transmits light in the 402.2 nm to 404.0 nm wavelength range, allowing the use of a broader-spectrum, lower-cost LED while achieving the same caries detection precision as would be obtained with an expensive specialized LED
3Ease of operation
If light is radiated only to front surfaces of the teeth, then the device is simple to operate, but caries on rear surfaces of the teeth cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting member is configured to be movable relative to the body unit, allowing the user to adjust its position and angle. This dynamic configuration enables the light to reach both front surfaces and recessed portions such as rear surfaces of teeth, expanding detection coverage while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive adjustment
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
The device reduces manufacturing costs, enhances usability, and improves detection accuracy by enabling convenient use and effective illumination of recessed tooth areas, including rear surfaces, through adjustable length and angle adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit (400) detachably coupled to the light-emitting member (200) is provided in front of the light-emitting member (200)... the optical filter (420) being configured to selectively transmit only light having a wavelength band of 405 to 410 nm
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting member (200) located in front of the body unit (100); the light-emitting member being configured to radiate visible light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical dental caries diagnostic device can include a body unit, a light-emitting member located in front of the body unit and configured to radiate visible light, and a power supply unit electrically connected to the light-emitting member, where a filter unit detachably coupled to the light-emitting member is provided in front of the light-emitting member. The body unit includes a first body having a first sealed surface and having a hollow cylindrical shape, a second body having a smaller inner diameter than an inner diameter of the first body, a cylindrical connection member having an outer side surface disposed in tight contact with an inner side surface of the first body and an inner side surface located at an outer side surface of the second body, and a control member located in an inner space of the first body.