Virtual Dental Operatory Image Capture Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental professionals face challenges in effectively magnifying and lighting the small and dark oral cavity during procedures, as traditional magnification tools are heavy and cumbersome, and high-powered lights are often obstructed by hands or tools.
Innovation Solution
A virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem to capture and communicate a live image of the treatment site, an image rendering subsystem to enhance the image, and an image display subsystem to provide a magnified and well-lit view, allowing dental professionals to perform procedures without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnification lenses are used to enhance the ability to perform dental treatment procedures, then the dental professional can better see the treatment site, but the lenses are heavy and become an annoyance when worn for long periods of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of the treatment site and displays them on a screen, creating a visual copy that the dental professional can view without wearing physical magnification lenses. This eliminates the weight issue while maintaining enhanced visual acuity through digital magnification and display.
2Illumination intensity
If high-powered overhead lights are used to flood the oral cavity with light, then the dental professional can adequately see the treatment site, but the dental professional's hands or tools block the light, thus limiting the effectiveness of the light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical overhead lighting system with a camera-based imaging system. Instead of using physical light sources that can be blocked by hands and tools, the system captures images that can be displayed with electronic illumination, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining adequate visibility of the treatment site.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with a dental treatment procedure. In particular, example embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem connected to an image display subsystem. For example, the image capture subsystem can capture and communicate a live image of a treatment site to the image display subsystem for the dental professional to view while performing a dental treatment procedure. In at least one example embodiment, the virtual operatory system can also include an image rendering subsystem that can render the live image of the treatment site in one or more ways to provide an improved visual to the dental professional of the treatment site.