Wireless Intraoral Imaging for Ergonomic Dental Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental practitioners face significant physical strain and discomfort due to the need to contort their bodies to visualize the operative field during dental procedures, leading to musculoskeletal pathology over time.
Innovation Solution
A portable, modular, and multifunctional intraoral imaging system that projects an active image of the operative field to a high-resolution screen directly in front of the practitioner, eliminating the need for contortion and reducing physical strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the practitioner uses a dental hand mirror to visualize the operative field, then the practitioner can see the operative field, but the practitioner must contort their body which causes physical stress and musculoskeletal pathology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of the operative field and displays them on a screen, creating a visual copy that the practitioner can view without directly looking into the patient's mouth. This eliminates the need for body contortion while maintaining visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system acts as an intermediary between the operative field and the practitioner's vision. Instead of direct viewing through mirrors or endoscopes, the camera-capture-display chain mediates the visualization process, allowing the practitioner to view images on a screen at a comfortable distance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the practitioner maintains proper ergonomic posture, then physical stress is reduced, but the ability to directly visualize the operative field is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of the operative field through camera imaging and displays them on a screen. This allows the practitioner to maintain proper ergonomic posture while still accessing visual information about the operative field through the displayed images rather than direct line-of-sight viewing
3Ease of operation
If a traditional endoscope is used for intraoral imaging, then the operative field can be visualized, but the device is bulky and requires body contortion to position
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate functional components: a compact camera module that fits within the mouth, a wireless communication module, and a display unit. This segmentation allows the imaging component to be small and easy to position while the display can be positioned ergonomically, eliminating the need for a single bulky endoscope device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical endoscope system with a wireless digital imaging system. Instead of using a rigid or flexible tube with lenses and light sources that requires physical manipulation and positioning, the system uses a small camera with wireless transmission to send images to a display, eliminating the mechanical positioning requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to visualizing an operative field in the context of a dental operating theater, and more specifically, to a portable, modular, multifunctional intraoral imaging system to assist a practitioner in performing a medical or dental procedure in a confined space (e.g., intraoral cavity or mouth of a patient). The system may include an intraoral camera apparatus having a camera unit equipped with a wireless transmitter, and a viewscreen mounted to an articulated stand or dental delivery unit, wherein the camera wirelessly may transmit an image to a viewscreen located directly in front of a dental practitioner. The practitioner may look directly ahead at a high-definition screen to view the operative field. A dental practitioner may use the apparatus to perform micro-surgical procedures in a confined operative area with less-than-ideal visibility and access, without the present, though generally accepted, physical difficulties and limitations.