GB2256938A - Mirror having air supply and illumination - Google Patents
Mirror having air supply and illumination Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2256938A GB2256938A GB9212643A GB9212643A GB2256938A GB 2256938 A GB2256938 A GB 2256938A GB 9212643 A GB9212643 A GB 9212643A GB 9212643 A GB9212643 A GB 9212643A GB 2256938 A GB2256938 A GB 2256938A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- mirror
- light
- air
- construction
- handle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/24—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
- A61B1/247—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
- A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
- A61B1/0669—Endoscope light sources at proximal end of an endoscope
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/24—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
- A61B1/247—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
- A61B1/253—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors with means for preventing fogging
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
- A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
- A61B5/0088—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for oral or dental tissue
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
A mirror construction includes a mirror 1 provided at one end of an elongate/handle 3 and means for directing a supply of air 5, 6, 7 and 9 across the face of the mirror 1. A mirror construction incorporates a light guide facility 14 by means of which light, of a desired chromatic value/ intensity, can be directed from a remote source 18 onto the mirror 1 in such fashion that during the use of the mirror the light follows the movements of the mirror whereby such light is always directable from the mirror towards an object it is desired to illuminate and/or view. An air heater 13 is also shown. <IMAGE>
Description
MIRROR CONSTRUCTION
This invention relates to mirror constructions.
In particular, the present invention is concernd with mirrors which are intended for use for, for example, the examination of objects, places, regions etc., which are awkwardly sited with respect to the eye of a person who wishes to examine such objects, places, regions etc., and/or may be located in locations at which the viewing light conditions are impeded or otherwise not sufficiently adequate.
One such general situation where both of such conditions are likely to occur is in the use of mirrors for the purposes of the examination ol a patient's teeth by a dentist. During the use f mirrors in this particular situation it will be appreciated that not only can the mirror can readily mist/cloud over but also there is always the possibility that during such examination the dentist may, in order to be able conveniently visually to examine a particular tooth or part of a tooth, be compelled to impede illuminating light emanating, from the conventionally arranged overhead lighting, from reaching the patient's mouth.
This latter possibility could occur, for example, when the dentist wishes to look into the mouth of a patient for the purposes of examining the rear of the upper teeth or the upper part of the mouth whilst: the patient is sitting/lying in/on the present day conventIonal dentist's chair.
For such examination, dentists conventionally use a mirror which is carried from an elongate handle. The mirrors can be permanently secured to the handle to form a single non-separable unit or the mirror can be releasably attachable to a handle unit whereby the mirror can be readily interchanged ,for example, for the purposes of sterilization after use in a person's mouth.
Traditionally the plane of a mirror intended for dental use is set at fixed angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the angle being determined by the especial requirements of dentistry. It will be appreciated that in general the angle between the plane of the mirror and the handle unit can be preset to any particular angle or alternatively can be positionally adjustable.
The use of long handled mirrors such as used in dentistry involves, not only the obvious problems arising from the siting of a patient's teeth, but also others arising from the fact that the user environment often mists/clouds the mirrors thereby rendering use of the mirror more difficult.
The situation is additionally compounded since, as has been indicated, there can be a lack of available light for satisfactory examination.
It is an object of the present invention to at least reduce the nuisance of the clouding over of mirrors and/or lack of light for viewing purposes.
Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of reducing the likelihood of a mirror mis#ing/clouding-over during use in a vapour laden environment, comprising the step of directing a flow of air across the face of the mirror whilst it is being used.
Preferably, the method includes the step of warming the air prior to its application to the mirror.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing the user of a mirror from impeding illumination of the mirror during the use thereof conventionally provided to facilitate viewing of an object, including directing light of a desired colour and intensity onto the mirror in such manner that the object is illuminated irrespective of the instantaneous position of the mirror/user to ambient light.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a hand holdable mirror construction comprising a mirror provided at one end of a elonga.e/'handle and including means for directing a supply of air across the face of the mirror.
Preferably, a handle unit adapted for mounting a mirror is provided with an air flow duct having an outlet end so positioned with respect to the face of the mirror that air fed through the duct is caused to flow across the face of the mirror.
Conveniently, with this arrangement the light is responsive to the movements of the mirror.
In a first preferred construction the duct is located internally of the body of the handle.
In a further construction the air flow duct is arranged externally alongside the handle.
In either case the end of the air flow duct remote from the mirror is adapted for recering a supply of air.
In a further preferred construction a combined mirror and associated air flow arrangement is adapted for releasable coupling to hand holdable air supply arrangements provided for driving, for example, the dentist's turbine drill unit.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention a hand holdable mirror construction includes, in addition to or as an alternative to the air flow facility, a light guide facility by means of which light, of a desired chromatic value/intensity, can be directed from a remote source onto the mirror in such fashion that during the use of the mirror the light follows the movements of the mirror whereby such light is always directable from the mirror towards an object it is desired to illuminate and/or view.
If desired, the structure of the hand holdable handle means is such that including the light can be directed directly towards the surface to be illuminated rather than following reflection at a mirror surface provided at the end of the handle.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing in wE!ich:- Figure 1 very schematically illustrates an embodiment of the invention enabling air to be directed across the face of a mirror;
Figure 2 very schematically illustatrates an embodiment of the invention for enabling light to be directed onto the mirror; and
Figure 3 very schematically illustrates an embodiment of the invention enabling botch air and light to be directed onto the mirror.
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings a mirror 1 is mounted from a support 2 which is interchangeably mountable to a handle unit 3, catch/locking means 4 being provided for holding the mirror in the handle unit.
The unit 3 is connectable to a supply of air (not shown) by way of a flexible tube 5.
The handle unit 2 is so constructed that the air supplied thereto is directable across the face of the mirror. In the Figure 1 this is effected by providing an air duct or passageway 6 running lengthwise of the handle unit which connects with the flexible tube 5 at one end and which automatically couples with the end of a second duct or passageway 7 running lengthwise of .he support 2 and opening at a position 8 which is such that air flowing through the passageway 6 and out from the opening is always directed across the surface of the mirror 1.
The supply of air can be obtained by providing a fan 9 in a suitable container 10 the container having a fan driven air outlet 11 connecting with tile flexible tube 5. The air inlet to the container can conveniently be by way of an inlet arrangement 12 which can also provide for the filtering of the air entering the housing.
If it is required to preheat the air the container can include an air heater 13, the latter can be a suitable
Watts rating electric heating element i.e, the element of a light bulb.
Referring now to Figure 2 this schematically illustates an embodiment of the invention in which light is guided from a remote source to the surface of the mirror. For this purpose the handle unit 2 is adapted for connection to a first end of a flexible light guide 14 whose other end 15 communicates with a light source unit 16. As shown this light source unit includes a housing 17 to which the other end is of the light guide 14 can be coupled so as to receive light from a light source 18 located within the housing 17.
The light source 18 can be of any convenient form i.e., a white light source, a cold cathode source, a laser source provided that the light source 18 is able to produce light of a desired intensity and optical character. In practice, it is convenient that both of these factors can be selectively adjustable.
A colour select filter arrangement 19 is incorporated whereby the colour of the light fed into the input end 15 of the light guide 14 can be any one of a number of colours as determined by a set of filters of differing light colour transmission characteristics. It will be understood that the filters will be so positioned and arranged for selective introduction into the light path between a light source 18 and the inlet end 15 of the light quide 14.
The light fed from the sourse 18 into the light guide 14 is, as has been indicated, either directed onto the surface of the mirror or to a location the user wishes to examine.
For this purpose the handle unit can be provided with a positionally adjustable/settable light guide element (not shown) by means of which the light can be directed as desired.
If it is desired to combine the facility of blowing air across the surface of the mirror with the provision of the light guide facility the two arrangements can be simply combined by in effect strapping together the light guide and air feed tubes so as in practical terms to provide common air and light feed arrangements.
Alternatively, the light source unit can be adapted by the provision of a fan unit and a local air heater.
In the case of a 'hot' light source the conventionally provided cooling fan can be additionally used to drive air through an air feed tube or through a suitable duct running lengthwise of the light guide itself.
In the latter case effectively only a single tube would be provided between the hand uuit and the air/light sources.
It will be understood that when the light unit includes a 'white' source such as a light bulb the heat arising from the use of the latter is utilised to heat air which is fed to the handle unit 2. A suitable fan unit can be provided for driving the aheated air into the air duct.
In practice, particularly in relation to the use of the mirror for dentistry purposes the selection of the colours to be available can be such as to vary the image seen and can be arranged for the purposes of high lighting various parts of the mouth.
A possible colour range for use in dentistry includes white for the general viewing of the teeth and gums; red for specific gum inspection; green for the detection of cracks in teeth; yellow for the detection of root caries in children; lavender for the detection of plaque; and light suitable for the curing of settable materials used in dentistry.
If desired, the optical guide facility as mentioned above can be used to guide ultra violet light from a source thereof to the mirror and thence following reflection therefrom towards a region that is desired to treat/apply such ulta-violet light.
Such ultra violet light is commonly utilised for curing filler materials for repairing damage to teeth.
A further important advantage arising from the use of the apparatus of the invention is that light can be produced at a region in which it would be considered not acceptable to involve any electricity. In other words, the illuminated mirror of the invention could be used in explosive environments.
The above discussed apparatus can be mains or battery energised.
Claims (11)
1. A method of reducing the likelihood of a mirror misting/clouding-over during use in a vapour laden environment, comprising the step of directing a flow of air across the face of the mirror whilst it is being used.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, and including the step of warming the air prior to its application to the mirror.
3. A method of preventing the user of a mirror from impeding illumination of the mirror during the use thereof to facilitate viewing of an object, including directing light of a desired colour and intensity onto the mirror in such manner that the object is illuminated irrespective of the instantaneous position of the mirror/user.
4. A hand holdable mirror construction comprising a mirror provided at one end of a elongate/handle and including means for directing a supply of air across the face of the mirror.
5. A mirror construction as claimed in claim 4, and wherein a handle unit adapted for mounting a mirror is provided with an air flow durt having an outlet end so positioned with respect to the face of the mirror that air fed through the duct is caused to flow across the face of the mirror.
6. A mirror construction as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the duct is located internally of the body of the handle.
7. A mirror construcion as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the air flow duct is alongside the handle.
8. A mirror construction as claimed in claim 6 or 7, and wherein the end of the air flow duct remote from the mirror is adapted for receiving a supply of air.
9. A mirror construction as claimed in claim 5,6, 7 or 8, and wherein the combined mirror and associated air flow arrangement is adapted for releasable coupling to the hand holdable air supply arrangements provided for driving, for example, a dentist's drill operating turbine unit.
10. A hand holdable mirror construction, comprising a light guide facility by means of which light, of a desired chromatic value and intensity, can be directed from a remote source there of onto the mirror in such fashion that such light is directable from the mirror towards an object it is desired to illuminate and/or view.
11. A mirror construction as claimed in claim 4,5,6,7, 8 or 9, and comprising a light guide facility by means of which light, of a desired chromatic value/intensity, can be directed from a remote source onto the mirror in such fashion that during the use of the mirror the light follows the movements of the mirror whereby such light is always directable from the mirror towards an object it#is desired to illuminate and/or view.
12 A hand holdable mirror construction, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, 2 or 3 of the accomanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9112930A GB9112930D0 (en) | 1991-06-15 | 1991-06-15 | Mirror construction |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9212643D0 GB9212643D0 (en) | 1992-07-29 |
| GB2256938A true GB2256938A (en) | 1992-12-23 |
Family
ID=10696737
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9112930A Pending GB9112930D0 (en) | 1991-06-15 | 1991-06-15 | Mirror construction |
| GB9212643A Withdrawn GB2256938A (en) | 1991-06-15 | 1992-06-15 | Mirror having air supply and illumination |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9112930A Pending GB9112930D0 (en) | 1991-06-15 | 1991-06-15 | Mirror construction |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9112930D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2340618A (en) * | 1998-07-22 | 2000-02-23 | Gee | Dental mirror |
| WO2004012593A1 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2004-02-12 | Inspektor Research Systems B.V. | Dental implement and method for tooth surface inspection |
| CN105796046A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2016-07-27 | 苏州佳世达光电有限公司 | Oral cavity scanner |
| CN108478177A (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2018-09-04 | 苏州佳世达光电有限公司 | Mouth cavity scanner |
| US10849506B2 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2020-12-01 | Inspektor Research Systems B.V. | Bi-frequency dental examination |
Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB269880A (en) * | 1926-04-20 | 1928-03-15 | Siemens Ag | Improvements in or relating to arc lamps |
| US3969824A (en) * | 1974-12-18 | 1976-07-20 | Randy Miles Widen | Self cleaning dental mirror |
| GB2042344A (en) * | 1979-02-16 | 1980-09-24 | Deoust G Sa | Laryngological or dental mirror with means for counteracting the formation of moisture |
| US4279594A (en) * | 1979-10-18 | 1981-07-21 | Reflek Products, Incorporated | Dental hand mirror |
| US4408991A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1983-10-11 | Engel Joseph R | Self-cleaning mirror |
| US4521185A (en) * | 1983-08-22 | 1985-06-04 | Cohen Alan P | High volume oral evacuator |
| US4718755A (en) * | 1984-06-04 | 1988-01-12 | Navistar International Transportation Corp. | Mirror turning vane |
| EP0314657A1 (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1989-05-03 | Invo Ab | A dental mirror |
| US4925391A (en) * | 1985-03-07 | 1990-05-15 | Berlin Goeran | Dental instrument |
-
1991
- 1991-06-15 GB GB9112930A patent/GB9112930D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-06-15 GB GB9212643A patent/GB2256938A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB269880A (en) * | 1926-04-20 | 1928-03-15 | Siemens Ag | Improvements in or relating to arc lamps |
| US3969824A (en) * | 1974-12-18 | 1976-07-20 | Randy Miles Widen | Self cleaning dental mirror |
| GB2042344A (en) * | 1979-02-16 | 1980-09-24 | Deoust G Sa | Laryngological or dental mirror with means for counteracting the formation of moisture |
| US4279594A (en) * | 1979-10-18 | 1981-07-21 | Reflek Products, Incorporated | Dental hand mirror |
| US4408991A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1983-10-11 | Engel Joseph R | Self-cleaning mirror |
| US4521185A (en) * | 1983-08-22 | 1985-06-04 | Cohen Alan P | High volume oral evacuator |
| US4718755A (en) * | 1984-06-04 | 1988-01-12 | Navistar International Transportation Corp. | Mirror turning vane |
| US4925391A (en) * | 1985-03-07 | 1990-05-15 | Berlin Goeran | Dental instrument |
| EP0314657A1 (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1989-05-03 | Invo Ab | A dental mirror |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2340618A (en) * | 1998-07-22 | 2000-02-23 | Gee | Dental mirror |
| WO2004012593A1 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2004-02-12 | Inspektor Research Systems B.V. | Dental implement and method for tooth surface inspection |
| EP1854402A1 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2007-11-14 | Inspektor Research Systems B.V. | Dental implement for tooth surface inspection |
| US7813790B2 (en) | 2002-07-31 | 2010-10-12 | Inspektor Research Systems Bv | Dental implement and method for tooth surface inspection |
| US7813787B2 (en) | 2002-07-31 | 2010-10-12 | Inspektor Research Systems Bv | Dental implement and method for tooth surface inspection |
| CN105796046A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2016-07-27 | 苏州佳世达光电有限公司 | Oral cavity scanner |
| US10849506B2 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2020-12-01 | Inspektor Research Systems B.V. | Bi-frequency dental examination |
| CN108478177A (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2018-09-04 | 苏州佳世达光电有限公司 | Mouth cavity scanner |
| CN108478177B (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2020-11-27 | 苏州佳世达光电有限公司 | Oral cavity scanner |
| US11497587B2 (en) | 2018-02-13 | 2022-11-15 | Qisda Corporation | Oral scanner |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9212643D0 (en) | 1992-07-29 |
| GB9112930D0 (en) | 1991-08-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |