JP2002263123A - Distance measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distance measuring instrument advantageous for obtaining more effective distance information regarding the measuring object part of a measuring object and advantageous for improving measuring accuracy. SOLUTION: This distance measuring instrument is provided with a light projecting fiber 1 having a light projection part for projecting light to the measuring object part of the measuring object, light receiving fibers 21-27 having a light reception part for receiving the light reflected at the measuring object part of the measuring object and a base part 3 holding the light projection part of the light projecting fiber 1 and the light reception part of the light receiving fiber 21-27, thereby measuring the distance to the measuring object part of the measuring object on the basis of the light reception signals of the light receiving fibers 21-27. Also the instrument is provided with a fine displacement actuator 8 for converting the direction of the light projection part of the light projecting fiber 1 and the light reception part of the light receiving fibers 21-27 to the same direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to a measurement target. In the present invention, for example, a distance (depth) to a wall surface such as a bottom surface of a minute pocket is used.
Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to a minute pocket measuring device for measuring a wall surface condition such as a bottom surface condition. Specifically, for example,
The present invention can be applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device for measuring a distance (depth) to a wall surface such as a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket of a tooth of an organism such as a human body or a wall surface condition such as a bottom surface condition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The prior art will be described with reference to a periodontal pocket measuring device for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket of a tooth such as a human body. In the conventional periodontal pocket measuring device, since the measurement is performed by causing the tip of the probe to reach the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket, the patient is considerably painful. Therefore, in order to reduce the pain of the patient, in recent years, as a periodontal pocket measuring device, a light emitting fiber having a light emitting portion for emitting light toward a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket which is a measurement target portion of a measurement target, A light receiving fiber having a light receiving portion for receiving light reflected on the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket; a light emitting fiber and a base for holding the fiber; and a measurement target portion of a measurement target based on a light receiving signal of the light receiving fiber. A non-contact measurement of the distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket has been developed (Patent Application Publication No. 2000-81317). A plurality of light receiving fibers are arranged side by side to constitute a fiber array. ing.

[0003] According to this method, since the light reflected by the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket is received by the light receiving fiber, the tip of the probe does not have to reach the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket. The distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket can be detected.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned periodontal pocket measuring device, the light reflected by the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket is received by the light receiving fiber. Although the distance (depth) can be detected, an improvement for further improving the measurement accuracy is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and changes the light projecting direction of the light projecting part of the light projecting element and the light receiving direction of the light receiving part of the light receiving element to change the measurement target part of the measurement object. It can be changed, and is advantageous for obtaining more effective distance information on the measurement target portion of the measurement target,
An object of the present invention is to provide a distance measuring device such as a periodontal pocket measuring device which is advantageous for improving measurement accuracy.

[0006]

A distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises a light-emitting element having a light-projecting portion for projecting light toward a portion to be measured of an object to be measured. A light-receiving element having a light-receiving portion for receiving light reflected by the measurement target portion of the measurement object; and a base holding the light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving portion of the light-receiving element. In a distance measuring device that measures a distance of a measurement target to a measurement target portion based on a signal, a light emitting portion of a light emitting element and a light receiving portion of a light receiving element are displaced in the same direction, and a light emitting portion of the light emitting element is It is characterized by comprising a minute displacement actuator for converting the light projection direction and the light receiving direction of the light receiving section of the light receiving element into the same direction.

According to the distance measuring device of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the light emitting element such as the light emitting fiber is
The light is received by a light receiving section of a light receiving element such as a light receiving fiber. A distance to a measurement target portion of the measurement target is measured based on a light reception signal of a light receiving element such as a light receiving fiber. If the micro-displacement actuator is operated at the time of measurement, the light emitting part of the light emitting element such as the light emitting fiber and the light receiving part of the light receiving element such as the light receiving fiber displace in the same direction. Thus, the light emitting direction of the light emitting part of the light emitting element such as the light emitting fiber and the light receiving direction of the light receiving part of the light receiving element such as the light receiving fiber can be changed to the same direction. Even if the light emitting direction of the light emitting element of the light emitting element such as the light emitting fiber is changed in this way, the light receiving direction of the light receiving element of the light receiving element such as the light receiving fiber is also oriented in the same direction. Light reception is ensured. Thereby, the area of the measurement site can be increased. According to a preferred embodiment of the distance measuring device according to the present invention, at least one of the following embodiments can be adopted.

The light projecting element has a light source or is connected to the light source. A light projecting fiber can be used as the light projecting element. A light receiving fiber can be adopted as the light receiving element. The light receiving element generally has a function of converting an optical signal into an electric signal, or is connected to a conversion unit that converts the optical signal into an electric signal. As the light receiving element, a form having a structure in which a plurality of light receiving fibers are arranged in parallel can be adopted. In this case, even when light is irregularly reflected at the measurement target portion of the measurement target, it is advantageous to receive light. The light receiving element can be configured by arranging light receiving fibers in a line or a plurality of lines.

In the case where the light receiving element is formed by a fiber array which is a fiber group in which light receiving fibers are arranged in a line, the direction of displacement of the minute displacement actuator is set to a direction crossing the direction in which the light receiving fibers are arranged. be able to.
When the light receiving element is formed of a fiber array in which light receiving fibers are arranged in a line, the light receiving axis of each light receiving fiber can be inclined with respect to the light emitting axis of the light emitting fiber. In this case, the intersection between the light emitting axis of the light emitting fiber and the light receiving axis of each light receiving fiber is separated from the light emitting fiber in a direction in which the light receiving fiber intersects with the light emitting direction of the light emitting fiber, as illustrated in FIG. Accordingly, it can be set so as to be separated from the light emitting portion of the light emitting fiber in the light emitting direction of the light emitting fiber.

[0010] The micro-displacement actuator can adopt a form of any one of a piezoelectric element, a bimetal, a magnetostrictive element, and an electromagnetic actuator. As the piezoelectric element, a bimorph type piezoelectric element, a laminated type piezoelectric element, and a monomorph type piezoelectric element can be adopted. The bimorph type piezoelectric element is obtained by laminating a plurality of sheet-like piezoelectric bodies (generally, two layers) in a thickness direction thereof, and is warped by application of a voltage. The laminated piezoelectric element is formed by laminating a large number of piezoelectric elements, and expands or contracts in the laminating direction with the application of a voltage. The monomorph type piezoelectric element is capable of bending and deforming a single piezoelectric body by forming an electric field distribution in a single sheet-like piezoelectric body. Piezoelectric bodies have the property of being distorted by the application of a voltage. Bimetal has multiple layers with different coefficients of thermal expansion (typically 2 layers).
Layers), and warps and deforms due to the difference in thermal expansion between the layers. The magnetostrictive element expands or contracts when a magnetic field is applied. The electromagnetic actuator generates electromagnetic force by power supply to generate power.

The measurement site of the measurement object is a small minute pocket, and the distance (depth) to the wall surface such as the bottom surface of the minute pocket or the state of the wall surface such as the state of the bottom surface is determined based on the light receiving signal of the light receiving fiber. A form of measurement can be adopted. A typical example of a minute pocket is a minute pocket such as a crack. Therefore, the distance measuring device according to the present invention can be applied to a crack measuring device. In this case, it is preferable that the light projecting part of the light projecting fiber and the light receiving part of the light receiving fiber be sized so as to face a small minute pocket.

The measurement target site of the measurement object is a periodontal pocket of a tooth of a living body such as a human body, and the distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket or the state of the bottom surface is measured based on a light receiving signal of a light receiving fiber. Can be adopted. Therefore, the distance measuring device according to the present invention can be applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device. In this case, it is preferable that the light projecting portion of the light projecting fiber and the light receiving portion of the light receiving fiber have a small size so as to face the opening of the narrow periodontal pocket.

When the distance measuring device according to the present invention is applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device, the diameter of the light projecting fiber,
The diameter of the light receiving fiber can be appropriately selected.
The thickness can be set to about 250 μm, particularly about 60 to 125 μm, but is not limited thereto. If the fiber is formed of a core and a cladding covering the core, the core diameter is even smaller. In addition, although the depth of the bottom of the periodontal pocket varies depending on the condition of the affected part and the patient,
Generally, it is several millimeters or more, and may be ten millimeters or even more in some cases. Although the opening width of the exposed portion of the periodontal pocket varies depending on the condition of the affected part and the patient, it is generally about 0.1 to 2 mm, particularly about 0.7 to 1 mm, but is not limited thereto. Absent.

[0014] The micro-displacement actuator may adopt a form having a sheet shape. The thickness direction of the sheet-shaped minute displacement actuator can adopt a form that is along the direction of the opening width of a minute pocket such as a periodontal pocket. In this case, even when the opening width of the minute pocket such as the periodontal pocket is small, it is advantageous to insert the minute displacement actuator into the minute pocket such as the periodontal pocket.

A lens can be provided as a light projecting portion at the tip of the light projecting fiber for projecting light. This lens can be a lens that reduces the spread of the beam emitted from the light projecting fiber. As the light receiving portion at the tip of the light receiving fiber, a lens having a small light receiving angle and intersecting the light projecting axis and the light receiving axis of the light projecting fiber can be provided.

According to the apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a light source unit for making light incident on the light projecting fiber, an inspection device for detecting an overlap between the light projecting area and the light receiving area based on the amount of light received by each light receiving fiber, An informing means for obtaining and informing the distance (depth) of the measurement object to the measurement target portion in accordance with the detection signal from the detection device can be provided. As the notifying means, a means for displaying and notifying visually and a means for notifying by audible sound can be adopted. As means for notifying by audible sound, means for notifying by a musical scale can be adopted.

The base holds a light emitting element such as a light emitting fiber and a light receiving element such as a light receiving fiber. When the present invention is applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device, it is preferable to make the distal end of the base smaller in diameter. In this case, the diameter can be reduced so that the distal end of the base can be inserted or approached into the periodontal pocket between the gum and the tooth.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device that measures a bottom surface condition of a periodontal pocket (measurement target part) of a tooth in a human body (measurement target). FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of this periodontal pocket measuring device. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the periodontal pocket measuring device includes one light emitting fiber 1 as a light emitting element for projecting light toward the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket, and the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket. Light receiving fibers 21 and 2 as a plurality of light receiving fibers as light receiving elements for receiving the reflected light
7 and a base 3 that bundles and holds the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving fibers 21 to 27. The base 3 has a large-diameter probe cover 31 and a flexible small-diameter probe 32 led out from the probe cover 31.
The tip of the probe 32 is shown as A.

This periodontal pocket measuring device has a light source unit 5 provided on the incident side and a control unit 6 provided on the emitting side. The light source unit 5 includes a light source 50 that emits a laser beam as light, and an incident lens 51 that condenses the laser beam emitted from the light source 50 and makes the laser beam incident on an incident portion of the light projecting fiber 1. The control unit 6 converts a light signal received by the light-receiving fibers 21 to 27 into an electric signal. The control unit 6 processes the electric signal converted by the conversion unit 61 and, based on the converted signal, a distance to a measurement target portion. A data processing unit 62 that functions as an informing unit that visually displays and informs the depth of the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket based on the signal output from the signal processing unit 62; A speaker unit 64 functioning as a notifying unit for notifying the depth of the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket based on a signal output from the unit 62; a scanning control unit 65 controlling the operation of a minute displacement actuator 8 described later; And a switch 66 for operating the present measuring apparatus. The conversion unit 61 is formed of a photodiode array including a plurality of photodiodes 61a provided on the other end, which is the emission side of each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27. The speaker unit 64 changes the tone (generally, the scale) in accordance with the measured depth of the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket, and outputs the tone.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tip A of the probe 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the fiber array 7 is formed by combining one light emitting fiber 1 and a plurality of light receiving fibers 21 to 27 in a state of being arranged in a row with a bonding material 70 (solder layer). Is formed. The probe 32 has an oval cross section, and the fiber array 7 is arranged in the central area of the probe 32. FIG. 3 shows an arrow view along the line W3-W3 in FIG. FIG. 4 is an arrow view along the line W4-W4 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a diffusion preventing lens 11 that can function as a light projecting unit is provided at the tip of the light projecting fiber 1. The lens 11 is a light emitting fiber 1
It has a function of reducing the spread of the beam projected from the. A wedge lens 29 that can function as a light receiving unit is provided at the tip of each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27. The wedge lens 29 reduces the light receiving angles of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 and, as shown in FIG. 7, the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving axis 21r of the light receiving fibers 21 to 29.
To 27r. Note that the lens 11 and the wedge lens are formed by GRIN lenses. G
The RIN lens has a refractive index distribution that enhances light condensing properties. The lens 11 and the light projecting fiber 1 are connected to each other by fusion. The wedge lens 29 and the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are mutually connected by fusion. As shown in FIG. 7, the distal end surface 29a of the wedge lens 29 is obliquely inclined so that the light receiving axes 21r to 27r of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are inclined with respect to the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1. .

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a micro displacement actuator 8 is provided adjacent to the fiber array 7 along the direction in which the fibers of the fiber array 7 are arranged. As shown in FIG.
Are the light receiving fibers 21 to 2 constituting the fiber array 7
7 are arranged next to each other in a direction intersecting with the juxtaposition direction (arrow Y direction). The micro-displacement actuator 8 according to the present embodiment is constituted by a bimorph type piezoelectric element formed by laminating two layers of sheet-like piezoelectric members 80 in the thickness direction thereof. It has electrodes for applying. One of the two-layer sheet-like piezoelectric members 80 expands in the longitudinal direction by the application of the voltage, so that the micro-displacement actuator 8 can be bent and deformed as if it were a bimetal. Alternatively, if one of the two-layer sheet-shaped piezoelectric members 80 expands in the length direction and the other piezoelectric member 80 contracts in the length direction by applying a voltage, the bending deformation of the minute displacement actuator 8 is caused. The amount is further increased. As shown in FIG. 2, the width dimension K1 of the minute displacement actuator 8 corresponds to the width dimension of the fiber array 7, and the fiber array 7 can be bent and deformed in a descending manner.

The fiber array 7 and the micro-displacement actuator 8 described above are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 3 of the probe 32 of the base 3.
3 is fixed to a fixing block 35 made of resin or metal. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tip 7x of the fiber array 7 and the minute displacement actuator 8
Is exposed from the surface 35c of the fixed block 35 so as to be capable of warping. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in (1), the lens 11 of the light projecting fiber 1 and the wedge lens 29 of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are more exposed than the surface 35c of the fixed block portion 35. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a virtual line M connecting the end face 32f of the tip of the probe 32
The end 7x of the fiber array 7 is retracted toward the accommodation room 33 side, and the light emitting fiber 1 and the light receiving fiber 21
To 27 of the fiber array 7 is prevented from being damaged. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end 8 x of the minute displacement actuator 8 is located at a position similar to the distal end 7 x of the fiber array 7 in the length direction of the light receiving fiber 21.

When a voltage is applied to the micro-displacement actuator 8, the tip 8x of the micro-displacement actuator 8 that is exposed from the surface 35c of the fixed block 35 as shown in FIG. Deform. For this reason, the fiber array 7 (the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving fibers 21 to 27) adjacent to the minute displacement actuator 8 can be bent and deformed in the same direction. Here, when the voltage applied to the minute displacement actuator 8 is gradually changed, the amount of bending deformation of the minute displacement actuator 8 gradually changes, so that the amount of bending deformation of the fiber array 7 can be gradually changed. When the voltage applied to the micro-displacement actuator 8 is increased collectively,
The bending deformation amount of the minute displacement actuator 8 suddenly increases. According to the present embodiment, either a case where the applied voltage is gradually increased or a case where the applied voltage is increased collectively may be adopted. When the voltage applied to the micro-displacement actuator 8 is released, the bending deformation of the micro-displacement actuator 8 returns to its original state. Therefore, the bending deformation of the fiber array 7 (the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving fibers 21 to 27) is also reduced. Return. Note that the small displacement actuator 8 which is a piezoelectric element has good response operability.

The measuring principle of the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the distal end surface 11 a of the lens 11 which is the distal end of the light emitting fiber 1 is a flat surface along the direction perpendicular to the axis of the light emitting fiber 1. Therefore, the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1 extends along the length direction of the light projecting fiber 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the distal end surface 29 a of the wedge lens 29 at the distal end of each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 is inclined, so that it is inclined with respect to the light projecting axis 11 r of the light projecting fiber 1. Accordingly, the light receiving shafts 21r to 21r
27r is inclined so as to head toward the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1 as it goes downward in the figure (behind the light projecting direction of the light projecting fiber 1). The light receiving shafts 21r to 27r
r is a region having a high light-receiving ability that can be received by the light-receiving fibers 21 to 27, and is close to each other.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the light receiving fibers 21-
The 27 light receiving axes 21r to 27r intersect with the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1. That is, the light receiving axis 21r of the light receiving fiber 21 intersects at a distance P1 from the end face 32f of the probe 32. The light receiving axis 22r of the light receiving fiber 22 is a distance P2.
Cross at The light receiving axis 23r of the light receiving fiber 23 is a distance P
Cross at 3. The light receiving axes 24r of the light receiving fibers 24 intersect at a distance P4. The light receiving axes 25r of the light receiving fibers 25 intersect at a distance P5. The light receiving axes 26r of the light receiving fibers 26 intersect at a distance P6. Light receiving axis 27r of light receiving fiber 27
Intersect at a distance P7. Here, the magnitude relation of the distances is in the order of P1 <P2 <P3 <P4 <P5 <P6 <P7.

Further explanation will be given. As shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving axes 21r to 27r of the respective light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are inclined with respect to the light emitting axis 11r of the light emitting fiber 1. As the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 move away from the light projecting fiber 1 in the fiber juxtaposition direction, the light projecting axis 11r of the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving axis 21r of each light receiving fiber 21 to 27 are arranged.
The intersections 21p to 27p with 27r are set so as to be separated from the lens 11 which is the light projecting portion of the light projecting fiber 1 in the light projecting direction.

At the intersections 21p to 27p, the light projecting region from the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving region of each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 overlap the most. The amount of light received by each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 changes according to the overlapping area. In other words, the amount of light received by each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 changes according to the overlapping area of the light projecting region and the light receiving region on the measurement target site of the light projecting measurement target. The light receiving axis 21 is connected to the light emitting axis 11r.
At the intersection where r to 27r coincide and intersect, the amount of received light reaches a peak.

As can be understood from FIG. 7, in each of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 of the fiber array 7, the intersection of the light projecting axis 11r and the light receiving axis 21r to 27r of each light receiving fiber 21 to 27 is set to the light projecting axis 11r line. The light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are arranged side by side so as to change at certain intervals along the length. In FIG. 7, for example, when the distance of the measurement target portion of the measurement target is P
In the position 4, the light receiving area of the light receiving fiber 24 and the light emitting area of the light emitting fiber 1 among the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are set to be the most overlapped. As a result, of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27, the light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber where the light receiving area and the light projecting area are the most overlapped becomes the largest. In FIG. 6, NL means a noise level.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the distance of the measurement target portion of the measurement target is at the position P1, the light reception amount of the light receiving fibers 21 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. When the distance of the measurement target portion of the measurement target is at the position P2, the amount of light received by the light receiving fibers 22 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. The distance of the measurement target part of the measurement target is P
When it is located at the position 3, the amount of light received by the light receiving fibers 23 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. When the distance of the measurement target part of the measurement target is at the position where the distance is P4,
The light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber 24 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. When the distance of the measurement target part of the measurement target is at the position P5, the amount of light received by the light receiving fibers 25 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. When the distance of the measurement target portion of the measurement target is at the position P6, the amount of light received by the light receiving fibers 26 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. When the distance of the measurement target part of the measurement target is at the position P7, the amount of light received by the light receiving fibers 27 in the fiber array 7 is the largest. In other words, as the distance X from the tip of the probe 32 to the distance in the periodontal pocket becomes longer, the light receiving fiber having a larger light receiving amount is the light receiving fiber 21.
→ the light receiving fiber 22 → the light receiving fiber 23 → the light receiving fiber 24 → the light receiving fiber 25 → the light receiving fiber 26.

According to the present embodiment, there are, for example, the following two methods for calculating the distance from the tip of the probe 32 to the portion to be measured.

First, the light receiving fibers 21 to 2
The number 7 and the distances P1 to P7 of the light receiving peak intensities of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are associated in advance. Then, the number of the light receiving fiber having the maximum light receiving amount among the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 is obtained, and based on this, the distance from the tip of the probe 32 to the measurement target site is calculated.

Second, the light receiving fibers 21 to 2
7, the number of the light receiving fiber indicating the maximum light receiving amount and the light receiving fiber adjacent to the light receiving fiber indicating the maximum light receiving amount are determined. Then, the ratio of the amount of received light between the two is obtained, and the distance from the tip of the probe 32 to the portion to be measured is calculated based on the number of the light receiving fiber indicating the maximum amount of received light and the ratio of the amount of received light. For example, if the light receiving fiber indicating the maximum light receiving amount is 22,
The light receiving fibers 21 and 23 adjacent to the light receiving fiber 22 are obtained, and the light receiving amount ratio (the ratio of the light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber 21 to the light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber 22, the light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber 23 and the light receiving amount of the light receiving fiber 22) is calculated. At least one of the ratios), and based on this, the distance from the tip of the probe 32 to the measurement target site is calculated. However, the calculation method is not limited to the above.

The case where the distance (depth) of the tooth 90 to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket 91 is measured will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the periodontal pocket 9 formed between the tooth 90 and the gum 92.
The front end of the probe 32 of the measuring device is made to face 1. In this case, the scale 32m provided at the tip of the probe 32 of the measuring device and the tip 92m of the gum 92 are combined and set as the measurement origin. The switch 66 is turned on, and the probe 32 of the measuring device is moved at a low speed along the front side surface of the tooth 90 or the back side surface of the tooth 90 in parallel from point A to point B as shown in FIG. The switch 66 is turned off. When the probe 32 is moved from the point A to the point B along the teeth 90 while facing the opening of the periodontal pocket 91 in this way, by operating the micro displacement actuator 8 as shown in FIG. The distal end portion 7x of the fiber array 7 is bent and deformed so as to be warped, and scanning is performed in a direction (arrow X direction) connecting the gums 92 and the teeth 90. Gums 92
From the tooth 90 to the tooth 90, or from the tooth 90 to the gum 92
Is defined as one scanning cycle. As described above, when the probe 32 of the measuring device is moved from the point A to the point B, scanning is performed in multiple cycles.

The maximum distance (maximum depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket 91 per one scanning cycle when scanning is performed as described above is obtained. This is displayed on the data display section. 11 and 12 show the periodontal pocket 9
1 shows a form in which the maximum distance (maximum depth) to the bottom surface of No. 1 is displayed in chronological order. FIG. 11 digitally shows the depth of the periodontal pocket 91. FIG. 12 shows the depth of the periodontal pocket 91 in an analog manner. 11 and 12, the horizontal axis indicates the moving distance from the point A to the point B, and the vertical axis indicates the depth of the periodontal pocket 91. The vertical axis of FIGS. 11 and 12 includes the depth data of the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket 91 when the fiber array 7 is scanned in the direction of the arrow X. By doing so, the periodontal pocket 91
In addition to the direction of point A and point B, the scanning direction (the direction of arrow X) can be added to the bottom surface condition, so that the distance to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket 91 and the bottom surface condition can be more accurately grasped. It is effective for dental treatment.

According to the present embodiment, the minute displacement actuator 8 has a sheet shape, and its thickness direction is along the direction of the opening width of the periodontal pocket 91. Therefore, it is advantageous to reduce the width DA of the probe 32 of the measuring device. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, even when the opening width of the distal end 91 m of the probe 32 periodontal pocket 91 of the measuring device is small, the probe 32 of the measuring device may face the opening of the distal end of the periodontal pocket 91. This is advantageous.

According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion 7x of the fiber array 7 is exposed from the surface 35c of the fixed block portion 35 so as to be capable of warping deformation. Is held by the micro-displacement actuator 8, it is possible to suppress unnecessary swinging operation of the tip 7x of the fiber array 7 during non-measurement, which is advantageous for preventing damage to the tip 7x of the fiber array 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the lens 11 of the light projecting fiber 1 and the wedge lens 29 of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are fixed
Even if it is more exposed than the surface 35c of the fifth, it is possible to prevent such damage.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 13 to 15 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment, and has the same operation and effect. The periodontal pocket 91 may be closed depending on the condition of the patient. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, a fluid such as air or water can be injected into the periodontal pocket 91, and the closed portion can be spread by fluid pressure. That is, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a very fine ejection nozzle 100 for ejecting a fluid such as air or water is connected to the probe 3.
The second storage chamber 33 holds the fiber array 7 and the small displacement actuator 8 together. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of ejection nozzles 100 are provided,
In the second accommodation room 33, the fiber array 7 and the minute displacement actuator 8 are held therebetween. As shown in FIG. 13, the ejection nozzle 100 is connected to an ejection device 104 via a connection hose 102. According to the present embodiment,
Since the ejection nozzle 100 is provided in the accommodation room 33 of the probe 32 instead of the fixed block portion 35, the probe 32
Can have the same outer diameter DA as that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, a micro-displacement actuator 8 is provided.
Is deformed by warping and the light projecting direction of the light projecting fiber 1 and the light receiving direction of the light receiving fibers 21 to 27 are displaced in the arrow X direction. This is advantageous for measuring the distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket 91 as a site.

(Other Examples) The above embodiment is applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device for measuring the depth and bottom surface condition of a periodontal pocket of a tooth. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a minute pocket measuring device for measuring a depth and a bottom surface condition. Further, the present invention can be applied to a distance measuring device for measuring a distance of a measurement object to a measurement target portion, particularly, a minute distance measurement device for measuring a minute distance of the measurement object to the measurement target portion. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Even a part of matters described in the embodiments can be described in the claims.

(Supplementary Note) The following technical idea can be understood from the above description. A distance measuring device characterized in that the tip of the fiber array having the light projecting fiber and the plurality of light receiving fibers is exposed from the surface of the fixed block so as to be capable of warping. -The tip of the fiber array having the light emitting fiber and the plurality of light receiving fibers is exposed from the surface of the fixed block so as to be capable of warping, and the exposed part is held by the micro-displacement actuator. A distance measuring device characterized by the above-mentioned. Unnecessary swinging operation of the tip of the fiber array during non-measurement can be suppressed, which is advantageous for preventing damage to the tip of the fiber array. In claim 3, the light receiving element is formed by arranging a plurality of light receiving fibers such that their light receiving axes are inclined with respect to the light projecting axes of the light projecting fibers. A light receiving amount peaks at an intersection point between the light receiving axis and each light receiving fiber, and a distance corresponding to the intersection where the light receiving amount peaks can be measured.・ A light-emitting element such as a light-emitting fiber having a light-emitting portion for emitting light toward the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket, and a light-receiving fiber having a light-receiving portion for receiving light reflected on the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket. A light receiving element, and a base that holds a light emitting part of the light emitting element and a light receiving part of the light receiving element, and has a function of measuring a distance to a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket based on a light receiving signal of the light receiving element. In the dental treatment device, the light emitting part of the light emitting element and the light receiving part of the light receiving element are changed in the same direction, and the light emitting direction of the light emitting part of the light emitting element and the light receiving part of the light receiving element are changed. An apparatus for treating a tooth, comprising a micro-displacement actuator for displacing a light receiving direction in the same direction. It can be used as a dental treatment device having the function of measuring the distance to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket.

[0041]

According to the distance measuring apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to measure the distance to the surface of the measurement target without touching the measurement target of the measurement target. In particular, if the light projecting direction of the light projecting element and the light receiving direction of the light receiving element are displaced by the minute displacement actuator, the distance (depth) of the measurement object to the measurement target part in the state including the displacement direction can be measured. This is advantageous in that the area of the measurement site can be increased, and that more effective distance information on the measurement target site of the measurement object can be obtained.

When the distance measuring device according to the present invention is applied to a minute pocket measuring device, the distance (depth) to a bottom surface of a minute pocket such as a crack can be measured. in this case,
In particular, if the light projecting portion of the light emitting element and the light receiving direction of the light receiving element are displaced by the minute displacement actuator, the distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the minute pocket such as a crack is measured in a state including the displacement direction. Can be. Therefore, the area of the measurement site can be increased, which is advantageous for accurately grasping the state of a minute pocket such as a crack.

When the distance measuring device according to the present invention is applied to a periodontal pocket measuring device, the distance (depth) of a tooth to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket can be measured. in this case,
In particular, if the light projecting portion of the light projecting element and the light receiving direction of the light receiving element are displaced by the minute displacement actuator, the distance (depth) to the bottom surface of the periodontal pocket can be measured in a state including the displacement direction. . Therefore, the area of the measurement site can be increased, and the progress and recovery of periodontal disease can be accurately grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire measurement device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tip of a probe of the measuring device.

FIG. 3 is an arrow view along a W3-W3 direction in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an arrow view along a W4-W4 direction in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a tip end of a fiber array is warped by a minute displacement actuator.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance from the tip of the probe and the amount of light received by each light receiving fiber.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a built-in structure of a distal end portion of a probe of the measuring device.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a state in which measurement is performed by inserting a distal end portion of a probe of a measuring device into a periodontal pocket.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a state in which the tip of the probe of the measuring device is moved along the teeth.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a state in which a probe of the measuring device is inserted into a periodontal pocket to perform measurement.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a display form of a distance (depth) to a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a display form of a distance (depth) to a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the entire measurement device.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a tip of a probe of the measuring device.

FIG. 15 is an arrow view along a W15-W15 direction in FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a light emitting fiber (light emitting element), 21 to 27 are light receiving fibers (light receiving elements), 3 is a base, 32 is a probe,
7 is a fiber array, 8 is a micro displacement actuator, 9
1 indicates a periodontal pocket.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F065 AA02 AA06 AA25 CC16 FF09 FF24 GG01 HH04 HH13 LL00 LL03 LL57 MM16 MM26 MM28 QQ28 SS15 2G065 AA04 AB22 AB26 BA09 BA33 BB02 BC13 BC23 DA10 DA15 A20 NN2

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light-emitting element having a light-projecting portion for projecting light toward a measurement target portion of a measurement target, and a light-receiving device having a light receiving portion receiving light reflected by the measurement target portion of the measurement target. An element, and a base that holds a light emitting part of the light emitting element and a light receiving part of the light receiving element, and measures a distance to a measurement target portion of the measurement target based on a light receiving signal of the light receiving element. In the distance measuring device, the light emitting part of the light emitting element and the light receiving part of the light receiving element are displaced in the same direction, and the light emitting direction of the light emitting part of the light emitting element and the light receiving part of the light receiving element 1. A distance measuring device comprising: a minute displacement actuator for converting a light receiving direction of the light into the same direction. 2. A distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said minute displacement actuator is one of a piezoelectric element, a bimetal, a magnetostrictive element, and an electromagnetic actuator. 3. A distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving element has a structure in which a plurality of light receiving fibers are arranged in parallel. 4. The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement target portion of the measurement target is a bottom surface of a periodontal pocket of a tooth. 5. The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the small displacement actuator has a sheet shape, and a thickness direction thereof is along a direction of an opening width of the periodontal pocket.