GB2232267A

GB2232267A - Device for dental self-inspection

Info

Publication number: GB2232267A
Application number: GB9008849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosa Maria Palacios Hernaez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-21
Filing date: 1990-04-19
Publication date: 1990-12-05
Also published as: DE4012328A1; GB9008849D0; IT1240893B; IT9020093A0; FR2646067B1; ES2016011A6; FR2646067A1; IT9020093A1

Description

2 CS -7 1 DEVICE FOR DENTAL SELF-INSPECTION The present invention, as its

name indicates, relates to a device which facilitates inspection of the teeth and all areas of the mouth; in particular this is a device for self-inspection.

Obviously, the interior of the mouth is difficult to inspect oneself. Even in front of a mirror, there are a number of corners and areas of the teeth which because of the angle of vision cannot be inspected by oneself. Consequently, any inspection of the general state of the teeth for the purpose of carrying out adequate preventative or corrective treatment cannot be achieved.

Nor is there any device known at present which can be of assistance in this process. The devices used by dentists are not designed for the same purpose as the present invention, but are limited to separating certain areas or performing a superficial inspection, since the condition of one's teeth can usually be both seen and inspected with adequate clarity by another person.

The device commended here is of simple construction with two mirrors which are linked to one another by an articulated bar and one of which is introduced into the mouth, reflecting the image of a specific area towards the other mirror, which the user can easily manipulate in order to see the reflected image.

Both the shapes and the arrangement of the parts of the device have been designed so that easy examination is possible of both upper and lower teeth. without any part causing any discomfort to the user. Moreover, its design is such that both mirrors may be folded over one above the other to permit safekeeping in any small container or case.

The subject of the present invention will be more easily understood with the aid of the following description which is based on a practical example of use as illustrated in the

2 attached drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view and side elevation of a device for dental selfinspection according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a device similar to that shown above.

The device commended here, as stated previously, consists of two mirrors (1) and (2). preferably of circular shape, which are connected to each other by means of an articulated bar. with its sections (3) and (4) being attached to the mirrors (1) and (2) and to the articulation (5).

The function of this device can be easily understood in that one of the mirrors (preferably the one referred to as (2) in Fig. 1) is introduced into the mouth where it can be orientated towards the area to be examined and the second mirror (1) is aligned sufficiently for the image reflected in it to become visible.

The articulation (5) arranged between the bars (3) and (4) is basically a hinge which permits the bars to adopt a wide variety of different angular positions, thus permitting an easier relative orientation of the two mirrors.

According to the invention. at least one of the mirrors, that referred to in Fig. 1 as (1) r possesses an articulation (6) where it joins its connecting bar (3). This articulation (6) is preferably a hinge of such a type that, in combination with the other articulation, there is an infinite number of relative positions between the mirrors, all of which help to improve visibility.

It has been found in experiments that the mirror which is introduced into the mouth, referred to as (2) in the illustration, will project the image better if there is a certain angle at the point where it joins the connecting bar (4). This angle should preferably be between 15 and 600, and is normally 3 around 300.

The different proportions of mirrors (1) and (2) are clearly shown in the drawings. Normally, mirror (2), the one which is introduced into the mouth, is half the size of mirror (1) which serves as a display screen. The larger mirror (1) should preferably possess some element of magnification.

According to the invention, the separate sections (3) and (4) of the bar which is articulated at point (5)'are of dif f erent sizes, and in principal the longer section (4) is joined to the smaller mirror (2) so that the length of this section (4) and the diameter of the mirror (2) are effectively the same as the opposing section (3) and the diameter of the mirror (1) attached to it, so that folding at the articulation (5) will bring the mirrors together and the device will be folded up.

Generally, the bar (4) linked to the mirror (2) which is introduced into the mouth will possess a rough surface (41) to facilitate holding and manipulation.

The present invention also provides for a lighting system to be provided around the mirror (2) which is introduced into the mouth. This lighting projects a circle of light around the mirror, thus facilitating the inspection of certain areas in the interior of the mouth.

The above description and drawings have shown one preferred implementation of the object of the present invention whilst still establishing that it is only one example and that other shapes,, proportions,, dimensions and materials from which the device may be constructed may be adopted without thereby exceeding the well-defined limits of protection. In short, the present patent makes the following claims:

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Claims

1. A device for dental self-inspection, characterised in that it possesses two mirrors, preferably circular, linked by an articulated bar, and in that one of the mirrors is introduced into the mouth, reflecting towards the other mirror one area of the mouth to be seen by the user or a third party.

2. A device according to the claim above, characterised in that the aforementioned articulation is of the hinge joint type.

3. A device according to one of the above claims, characterised in that at least one of the mirrors possesses an articulation at its joint with the corresponding section of the connecting bar.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the aforementioned articulation is of the hinge joint type.

5. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that one of the mirrors is fixed at the end of the bar at a certain angle.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the angle is between 15 and 60 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees.

7. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that one mirror is larger than the other, preferably twice as large.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the smaller mirror is the one which is introduced into the mouth and the larger mirror is the one which acts as a screen or display surface.

9. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised 1.

in that it possesses at least one mirror with a lens which provides some degree of magnification.

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10. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the mirror which projects the magnified image is the one located on the outside, functioning as a display screen.

11. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that the aforementioned bar is not articulated at its central point.

12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that the longer section of the bar is linked to the smaller mirror and that preferably each section of the bar plus the diameter of its associated mirror are of effectively equal lengths.

13. A device according to any of the above claims,, characterised in that at least one area of the part of the bar joining the mirror to be introduced into the mouth possesses a rough surface.

14. A device according to any of the above claims, characterised in that a lighting system is provided on the mirror which is to be introduced into the mouth, this consisting of a luminous ring around the mirror.

15. A device for dental self-inspection substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990 at The Patent Office. State House. 6671 High Holborn. Londor.WC2B 4TP-F-urther copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office. Sales Branch. St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD- Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87