JP2006320369A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and tooth filling forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining a three-dimensional image of the surface of dentition or a three-dimensional image of the inside of the dentition using ultrasonic waves. <P>SOLUTION: A dentition mounting frame 10, in which ultrasonic vibrator array is arranged to face the front and rear surfaces of the dentition and the occlusion surface of the dentition to be read, is used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the dentition mounting frame 10 is attached to the dentition. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the outer surface of the dentition from the ultrasonic vibrators 11 under the control of an ultrasonic data obtaining means 40 and the reflection waves reflected on the outer surface are received by the ultrasonic vibrators 11 to obtain ultrasonic data. Three-dimensional data on the shape of the outer surface of the dentition are computed and obtained by a dentition three-dimensional data obtaining means 50 based on the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data obtaining means 40 and known positional relation data among the ultrasonic vibrators 11 for transmission/receiving. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a tooth filling molding apparatus.

In dentistry, procedures for treating caries were generally performed as follows.
In dentistry, X-ray photographs centered on the chin are taken with a small X-ray machine in the diagnosis of dental caries, and the X-ray image is black due to the difference in the X-ray absorption rate between the healthy and carious portions of the teeth. Diagnosing a part as a caries part is widely performed. It is also widely performed to inform patients of the presence of caries (informed consent) by showing the X-ray image.
In dentistry, it is widely practiced to create a tooth pattern, for example, when a filling is inserted after caries are removed, or when a bridge is formed from both teeth by extraction. This tooth type is usually poured into the mouthpiece type dental mold frame with a hardened plastic paste, etc., the mouthpiece type dental mold frame is attached to the dentition and the dentition is pushed in for a while. Wait for the kneaded product to harden, and after the elapse of a predetermined time (between 3 and 5 minutes), remove the mouthpiece-type tooth mold frame and take the tooth mold. In other words, the tooth mold was produced on the same principle as that of creating an image by pouring plaster.
Since the patient had no tooth filling for about a week after the tooth pattern was collected, a simple temporary filling was applied.
From the dental clinic (hospital, clinic, clinic, etc. where the dental treatment is performed), the tooth type is handed over to a specialized technician, and the technician completes the tooth filling in about a week and passes it to the dental clinic. The dental treatment is finally completed after filling the tooth pad for the patient who visited the dental clinic.

On the other hand, endoscopes and catheters are often used in medical treatment of the human digestive tract. Endoscopes are known that observe the inner walls of the digestive tract, such as the stomach, esophagus, large intestine, and small intestine of the human body, and perform treatment and injection of drugs on the inner wall. In general, it includes a distal end portion, an insertion tube portion, and an operation portion. A lens is charged at the distal end, and an optical system that sends an image captured from the lens is provided in the insertion tube. Images obtained via these optical systems are displayed on a monitor or the like.
Here, the image obtained by the endoscope is an image viewed from the tip portion where the lens is provided as a viewpoint. That is, as the tip portion enters, an image is obtained in which the tip portion is viewed and the state of the traveling direction is visually observed. It is suitable for controlling the approach direction of the tip part while deforming it through the insertion tube part and visually checking the state of the inner wall during the approach.
JP 2003-144432 A

In the above-described conventional dental practice, a dentist can find the presence of a caries by looking at an X-ray image. Furthermore, a tooth mold can be obtained by pouring a kneading agent such as a curable plastic into a mold.
However, there are the following problems in the dental practice in the above prior art.

The first is the problem of X-ray exposure. Although the amount of X-rays that a patient takes during X-ray photography in dental practice is small, there is a problem of X-ray exposure. Furthermore, dentists and dental hygienists who take X-ray photographs have a problem of X-ray exposure because the amount of radiation exposure accumulates.
Secondly, there is a problem that the X-ray apparatus is expensive and the apparatus housing is large. The X-ray apparatus is a high-precision and expensive device, and the burden on the dental clinic is great. Furthermore, the burden on the dental clinic is large because the apparatus housing takes up a large installation location.
Thirdly, there is a problem that the burden on the patient when taking the dental mold is large. It is necessary to wait in this posture until the plastic paste is cured after the mouthpiece-type tooth mold is fitted, which places a heavy burden on the patient.
Fourth, there is a problem in that a certain period of time is required until the treatment is finished after the filling is actually entered after taking the tooth shape, and the burden on the patient is large. After taking the tooth pattern, it takes a certain period of time, for example, a week, for the technician to form and adjust the filling, and deliver it to the dental clinic. There is no choice but to spend a lot of time on the patient.

In view of the above problems, the present invention obtains a dental dentition and collects dental mold data by obtaining a three-dimensional image of the surface of the dentition or a three-dimensional image of the dentition by using ultrasonic waves. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that reduces the burden on dental hygienists and patients.
Further, in view of the above problems, the present invention is based on the three-dimensional image data of the outer surface of the dentition obtained by using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and has a tooth filling (an insertion tooth, a tooth covering, a tooth bridge). It is an object of the present invention to provide a tooth filling molding apparatus that automatically manufactures a tooth filling using an automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object shaping apparatus using a material for producing an object.

In order to achieve the above object, a first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention uses an ultrasonic transducer array so as to face each surface of a dentition front surface, a dentition back surface, and a dentition meshing surface to be read. The arranged dentition mounting molds and the dentition mounting molds are mounted on a dentition, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic vibrator and the outer surface by the ultrasonic vibrator. Between the ultrasonic data acquisition means for obtaining the ultrasonic data by receiving the reflected wave reflected at the ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means, and the respective ultrasonic transducers related to the transmission and reception And a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means for calculating and acquiring the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the known positional relationship data.
With the above configuration, the external surface of the dentition can be obtained as a three-dimensional data in a short time using ultrasonic echoes, and it is not necessary to wait for the plastic paste to harden as in the prior art. Can be obtained. Furthermore, if the three-dimensional data is transmitted via the network, it is not necessary to carry the collected tooth shape as in the conventional case.

A second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a dental row mounting mold in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of a front surface, a rear surface, and a tooth meshing surface to be read. And mounting the dentition mounting mold on the dentition, transmitting and driving ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer, and reflecting from the inside of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer Ultrasonic data acquisition means for receiving reflected waves to obtain ultrasonic data, ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means, and known between each of the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception And a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means for calculating and acquiring the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the positional relationship data.
With the above configuration, an image showing the inside of the dentition can be obtained in a short time using ultrasonic echoes. It is possible to obtain an internal image of a tooth without taking an X-ray photograph using an X-ray as in the prior art, reduce the X-ray exposure, and obtain an internal image of the tooth without using an expensive X-ray apparatus. it can. Since the reflectance of the ultrasonic wave is different between the healthy part of the tooth and the carious part of the tooth, it is possible to discriminate both in the collected ultrasonic image, which can contribute to a dentist's dental caries diagnosis.

A third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a dental-row-mounting mold in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of a front surface, a back surface, and a tooth meshing surface to be read. And mounting the dentition mounting formwork on the dentition, transmitting and driving ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer, and passing through the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer Ultrasonic data acquisition means for receiving the transmitted wave and obtaining ultrasonic data, ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means, and known between each of the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception And a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means for calculating and acquiring the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the positional relationship data.
With the above configuration, an image showing the inside of the dentition can be obtained in a short time using ultrasonic echoes. It is possible to obtain an internal image of a tooth without taking an X-ray photograph using an X-ray as in the prior art, reduce the X-ray exposure, and obtain an internal image of the tooth without using an expensive X-ray apparatus. it can. Since the absorption rate of ultrasonic waves differs between a healthy tooth portion and a dental caries portion, it is possible to discriminate both of them in the collected ultrasonic image, which can contribute to dental caries diagnosis.

  In addition, the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means, based on the ultrasonic data obtained from the ultrasonic data acquisition means, information for specifying the ultrasonic transducer for the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic data, The transmission and reception delay time information of the ultrasonic data is extracted, and the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition is calculated and acquired based on the known positional relationship data between the ultrasonic data and the ultrasonic transducer can do.

Next, in order to specify the ultrasonic transducer for transmission, the following device can be devised.
The first device is that in the ultrasonic data acquisition means, the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic transducer array transmit ultrasonic waves having different frequencies,
The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means includes frequency decomposition means, and the ultrasonic data received by each of the ultrasonic transducers is frequency-decomposed and decomposed into frequency-specific ultrasonic data, and the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition The means is characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting the frequency-resolved ultrasonic data is specified based on the frequency.
With the above configuration, since each ultrasonic transducer transmits ultrasonic waves having different frequencies, data can be easily separated and organized by decomposing by frequency.

The second idea is that in the ultrasonic data acquisition means, ultrasonic transmission of the ultrasonic transducer array is sequentially performed for each of the ultrasonic transducers, and ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic transducer array are obtained. The reception is performed in parallel by two or more ultrasonic transducers selected from the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and the neighboring ultrasonic transducers.
According to the above configuration, since each ultrasonic transducer transmits ultrasonic waves sequentially, there is no mixing of data.
It should be noted that all of the ultrasonic transducers may not be transmitted sequentially but may be transmitted in parallel using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers as long as there is no mixing of data. For example, as an applied form of the second device, the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer array includes a group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition, a group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition, and the dentition meshing surface. In the ultrasonic data acquisition unit, the ultrasonic transmission sequential processing of the ultrasonic transducer array and the parallel processing of ultrasonic reception are performed independently for each group. it can.

By using the first to third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses of the present invention, it becomes possible to detect and diagnose caries.
For example, it is assumed that the three-dimensional data inside the dentition is provided with a caries detection function for detecting the presence of the caries part from the difference in ultrasonic reflectance between the healthy part and the caries part. The healthy part and the caries part have different ultrasonic reflectivities, so if the ultrasonic data is analyzed, caries can be detected based on the difference in reflectivity.
Further, for example, in the three-dimensional data inside the dentition, it is assumed that a caries detection function for detecting the presence of the caries part from the difference in the ultrasonic absorption rate between the healthy part and the caries part is provided. The healthy part and the caries part have different absorption rates of ultrasonic waves. Therefore, if the ultrasonic data is analyzed, the caries can be detected based on the difference in absorption rate.

Next, the stuffing modeling apparatus of the present invention includes an automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object modeling apparatus using a material for manufacturing a tooth stuffing (such as an insertion tooth, a tooth covering, and a tooth bridge). Input three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition collected by the row ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and based on the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition, the tooth filling by the automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object shaping device It is automatically created.
With the above configuration, a three-dimensional three-dimensional object generation device using a silicon material or a plastic material is automatically used based on the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition read by the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. Teeth fillings such as tooth inserts, tooth coverings and tooth bridges can be made.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the outer surface of the dentition can be obtained as three-dimensional data in a short time. It is also possible to automatically mold the tooth mold from the three-dimensional image data using the three-dimensional solid object generating device. An image showing the inside of the dentition can be obtained in a short time using ultrasonic echoes. In the collected ultrasonic image, it is possible to discriminate between a healthy tooth portion and a dental caries portion from the difference in the reflectance and absorption rate of the ultrasonic waves.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dental ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific shapes, numbers, angles, etc. shown in the following examples.

The example of the 1st dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention concerning Example 1 is shown.
The dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment is a dentition mounting type in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of a dentition front surface, a dentition back surface, and a dentition meshing surface to be read. A frame and the dentition mounting mold are mounted on a dentition, and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic vibrator, and a reflected wave reflected on the outer surface by the ultrasonic vibrator is reflected. Ultrasonic data acquisition means for receiving and acquiring ultrasonic data, ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means, and known positional relationship data between the respective ultrasonic transducers related to the transmission and reception And a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means for calculating and acquiring the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a basic configuration of a dental diagnosing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A dentition mounting mold 10 attached to the dentition and a control unit 20 (computer device or the like), and an interface 30 that connects the dentition mounting mold 10 and the control unit 20 are provided. In addition, the figure of the state which looked at the dentition mounting formwork 10 of FIG. 1 from the upper surface of what is attached to the dentition of the upper jaw is shown. When attached to the lower jaw teeth row, the top and bottom are reversed.

The dentition mounting mold 10 generally has the shape shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a six-side view of the dentition mounting mold 10 and a cross-sectional view of the dentition mounting mold 10 taken along the line AA. The outer shape of the dentition mounting mold 10 of the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of the first embodiment is generally a form of a horseshoe that is mounted on a dentition such as a so-called mouthpiece and has an inner wall surface with a U-shaped vertical section. It has become. In this figure, the longitudinal section is simply a so-called “U-shaped” shape, but a curve may be provided in accordance with the sectional shape of the tooth. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the anterior teeth (portal teeth) is slightly swollen on the front surface side and warped in a scoop shape on the back surface side, and the meshing surface is sharp and sharp. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the back teeth (molars) is slightly swollen on the front side and the back side, and the meshing surface is substantially flat. In this way, the U-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape can be adjusted to match the tooth vertical cross-sectional shape.
In addition, although the state of the dentition mounting formwork 10 of FIG. 2 is shown by the top and bottom direction fitted to the upper jaw tooth row, it can be fitted to the lower jaw tooth row if the top and bottom are reversed.

An ultrasonic transducer array 11 is provided on the inner wall surface of the recess of the dentition mounting mold 10. FIG. 3 schematically shows a state in which an ultrasonic transducer is provided on the inner wall surface of the concave portion of the dentition mounting mold 10 in the A1-A1 cross section. The ultrasonic transducer 11 is an array in which a large number of the ultrasonic transducers 11 are arranged in the arrangement direction (curved side-by-side direction) of the dentition mounting mold 10. For convenience, the surface facing the front side of the dentition when the dentition is mounted is the front surface, the surface facing the back side of the dentition when the dentition is mounted, and the mating surface of the dentition when the dentition is mounted. The opposite surface is the bottom surface. In this way, the ultrasonic transducer array is provided on each surface (three surfaces) of the inner wall surface of the recess, and the dentition front surface and the dentition back surface in a state where the dentition mounting mold 10 is mounted on the dentition to be read. Are arranged so as to face the meshing surfaces (3 surfaces).
The number and arrangement interval of the ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic transducer array are not limited. For example, the number of the ultrasonic transducers (16 pieces) on each of the front surface, the rear surface, and the bottom surface is roughly set on each tooth. They can be arranged side by side at the directly facing positions. In addition, for example, 17 ultrasonic transducers (15 tooth boundaries + 2 both ends) are provided on each of the front surface, the rear surface, and the bottom surface so as to face each tooth boundary and both ends of wisdom. Can do.

  Next, the control unit 20 includes an ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 and a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50.

The ultrasonic data acquisition means 40 operates the ultrasonic transducer 11 of the dentition mounting mold 10, transmits ultrasonic waves to the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer 11, and reflects reflected waves reflected on the outer surface. The ultrasonic data is obtained by the received ultrasonic transducer 11.
The ultrasonic vibrator 11 vibrates the vibrator based on the electric signal given from the ultrasonic data acquisition means 40 via the interface 30, and generates and emits an ultrasonic wave by the vibration. The ultrasonic transducer 11 receives ultrasonic vibrations as reflected waves that are reflected back from the outer surface of the dentition and converts the vibrations into electrical signals. Each electric signal is ultrasonic data. Here, each electric signal is AD-converted by an AD converter (not shown) and is output as a digital signal. The ultrasonic data acquisition means 40 acquires each electrical signal received by the ultrasonic transducer array 11 via the interface 30.

Next, the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 is based on the ultrasonic data acquired by the ultrasonic data acquisition means 40 and the known positional relationship data between the respective ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception. 3D data of the outer surface shape of the row is calculated and acquired.
The basic principle by which the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 calculates and acquires the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition is stereo measurement using ultrasonic waves. In general, stereo measurement using ultrasonic waves is basically performed by one ultrasonic transducer that transmits ultrasonic waves and two ultrasonic transducers that receive ultrasonic waves that are reflected waves, and there are two types of information. is necessary. The first information is information on the positional relationship between the ultrasonic transducer 11 for transmission and the ultrasonic transducer 11 for reception. The second information is the difference between the time when the ultrasonic wave is actually transmitted and the time when the ultrasonic wave is received by each ultrasonic vibrator 11, that is, the second information is received by each ultrasonic vibrator after the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. It is information of time until.
In a simple configuration with one ultrasonic transducer for transmission and two ultrasonic transducers for reception, stereo measurement can be performed if the above two types of information are obtained.

However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is not a simple configuration with one ultrasonic transducer for transmission and two ultrasonic transducers for reception, and is devised for applying the principle of stereo measurement. Is required.
First, the reason why the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is not a simple configuration as described above is as follows. In the present invention, the entire dentition to be read is generally curved in a horseshoe shape, and there is a part (a part that becomes a shadow) where the ultrasonic wave transmitted by one (one) ultrasonic transducer does not reach. In addition, since the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the dentition is relatively close due to the mounting of the dentition mounting formwork 10 on the dentition, one (one) ultrasonic transducer is provided. Since the range that can be covered is narrow, it is necessary to transmit ultrasonic waves by using ultrasonic transducers at a plurality of appropriate locations (plurality). That is, there is no single ultrasonic transducer for transmission.
In addition, each tooth to be read has a complicated curved surface, and it is assumed that it reflects in various directions. Therefore, the reflected wave from various directions is received by the ultrasonic transducer for reception. For this reason, there are multiple ultrasonic waves to be transmitted, and the reflected waves of the received ultrasonic waves arrive from various directions, so multiple data received by the ultrasonic transducers are mixed (combined and interfered). As it is, it cannot be organized as useful data.

Therefore, in the present invention, in the driving method of the ultrasonic transducer 11 of the dentition mounting mold 10 by the ultrasonic data acquisition means 40, either the first device or the second device described below is applied to the subsequent process. The processing in the dentition three-dimensional image acquisition means 50 is simplified.
The first device is a device that drives all the ultrasonic transducers for transmission at the same time, and arranges the frequency to be transmitted for each ultrasonic transducer to be different.
The second idea is not to drive all the ultrasonic transducers for transmission at the same time, but to select ultrasonic transducers that transmit ultrasonics in time series, one at a time, or one for each group. It is a device to organize by going.

First, an example in which the first device is applied will be described.
4 and 5 are diagrams schematically showing the principle of acquiring ultrasonic data in the ultrasonic data acquiring means 40 using the first device. For ease of explanation, only three ultrasonic transducers (11a, 11b, 11c) are shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state when the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic transducers in various directions, but only the ultrasonic waves transmitted in the direction opposite to the ultrasonic transducers are shown here for easy understanding.
At the timing t1, the ultrasonic wave S (t1) having the frequency fa is emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11a in the illustrated direction (the direction toward the tooth Ta), and the ultrasonic wave having the frequency fb is output from the ultrasonic transducer 11b. S (t1) is ejected in the direction shown (direction toward the tooth Tb), and the ultrasonic wave S (t1) having the frequency fc is ejected from the ultrasonic transducer 11c in the direction illustrated (direction toward the tooth Tc). In this way, three ultrasonic waves are transmitted simultaneously, but the respective frequencies are different.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state when the ultrasonic transducer is received. Actually, the reflected waves from various parts arrive at the ultrasonic reflected waves, but are shown here in a simplified manner for easy understanding.
Here, the ultrasonic transducer 11a receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t2) from the tooth Ta having the frequency fa at the timing t2, and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t3) from the tooth Tb having the frequency fb at the timing t3. ) And the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t4) from the tooth Tc having the frequency fc is received at timing t4. Here, the ultrasonic transducer 11a receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t2), the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t3), and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t4) in a mixed form. The ultrasonic transducer 11b receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t5) from the tooth Ta having the frequency fa at the timing t5, and receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t6) from the tooth Tb having the frequency fb at the timing t6. Is received, and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t7) from the tooth Tc having the frequency fc is received at the timing t7. Here, the ultrasonic transducer 11b receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t5), the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t6), and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t7) in a mixed form. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 11c receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t8) from the tooth Ta at the frequency fa at the timing t8, and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t9) from the tooth Tb at the frequency fb at the timing t9. And the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t10) from the tooth Tc having the frequency fc is received at the timing t10. Here, the ultrasonic transducer 11c receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t8), the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t9), and the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t10) in a mixed form. Note that the timing tn (n: 1 to 10) of each ultrasonic reflected wave is determined by a counter (not shown).

  These ultrasonic data are AD converted and acquired by the ultrasonic data acquisition means 40 via the interface 30. The ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 passes the acquired ultrasonic data S (t2) to S (t10) to the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50. At that time, the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t2), S (t3), and S (t4) are combined as raw data as data from the ultrasonic transducer 11a, and from the ultrasonic transducer 11b. The ultrasonic reflected wave S (t5), S (t6), and S (t7) are combined as raw data, and the ultrasonic reflected wave S ( t8), S (t9), and S (t10) are passed as synthesized data.

In the example using the first device, the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50 includes a frequency resolution unit 51, a dentition data acquisition unit 52, and a superimposition unit 53.
The frequency resolving unit 51 performs frequency decomposition on the ultrasonic data received by the respective ultrasonic transducers 11 obtained by the ultrasonic data acquiring unit 40 and decomposes it into ultrasonic data for each frequency. In the above example, each of the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c is received in the form of a mixture of three ultrasonic reflected waves. If there is no ingenuity and the frequency of the ultrasonic waves is the same, decomposition is difficult. Then, as a first contrivance, since the frequencies of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the respective ultrasonic transducers are different from each other, the frequency can be decomposed with a clue. The ultrasonic data decomposing means 51 converts the frequency-resolved ultrasonic data into the dentition data in the form of receiving timing t (n) and the attribute information of the ultrasonic transducer for transmission and the ultrasonic transducer for reception. Output to the acquisition means 52.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which ultrasonic data including three ultrasonic reflected waves received by the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c is decomposed by frequency by the ultrasonic data decomposing means 51. It is. The received data of the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c is decomposed into three ultrasonic data (S (t2) to S (t10)) by frequency decomposition. FIG. 6 representatively shows only how the ultrasonic data S (t2) to S (t4) received by the ultrasonic transducer 11a are frequency-resolved.

  Next, the dentition data acquisition means 52 calculates and acquires the shape data of the reflecting surface based on each frequency-resolved ultrasonic data. The dentition data acquisition means 52 is based on the ultrasonic data for each frequency obtained by the ultrasonic data decomposition means 51 and the known positional relationship data of the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c for transmission and reception. Calculate and obtain data.

The dentition data acquisition means 52 manages two table data. This will be described using the example of FIG.
The dentition data acquisition means 52 obtains ultrasonic data frequency-resolved as shown in FIG. 6 from the ultrasonic data decomposition means 51 in a form arranged for each ultrasonic transducer related to reception. The dentition data acquisition means 52 organizes attribute data indicating which ultrasonic transducer transmits, receives which ultrasonic transducer, and how much delay time has occurred for each ultrasonic data. It is managed in the form of a sound wave data management table. For example, the dentition data acquisition unit 52 receives three ultrasonic data S (t2), S (t3), and S (t4) in which the ultrasonic transducer for reception is the ultrasonic transducer 11a. The column of the received ultrasonic transducer of ultrasonic data S (t2), S (t3), and S (t4) in the ultrasonic data management table can be filled as 11a. Next, each frequency is examined, and the corresponding transmission ultrasonic transducer column is filled. For example, since the frequency of S (t2) is fa, the field of the transmitting ultrasonic transducer can be filled with 11a. Regarding the delay time, for example, the reception time of the ultrasonic data S (t2) is t2, but since the transmission time is t1, the column of delay time can be filled as t2-t1.
Through the above procedure, the dentition data acquisition means 52 creates ultrasonic data management table data shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the position information between the ultrasonic transducers is known in advance as a design value because the position (relative position) of each ultrasonic transducer provided in the dentition mounting mold 10 is unchanged. That is, it is assumed that the data in each column of the position information management table between the ultrasonic transducers is given to the dentition data acquisition unit 52 in advance and stored.

The dentition data acquisition means 52 calculates and acquires reflection surface data using the principle of stereo measurement.
First, the dentition data acquisition means 52 refers to the ultrasonic data management table and calculates the distance traveled by the ultrasonic wave from the delay time and the ultrasonic wave propagation speed for each ultrasonic data. Next, the dentition data acquisition means 52 refers to the position information management table between the ultrasonic transducers, and extracts the distance between the ultrasonic transducers related to transmission and reception of each ultrasonic data.

Next, the dentition data acquisition unit 52 compares the distance between the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception with the distance that the ultrasonic waves actually traveled. The relative distance of is obtained. Stereo measurement is a technique for specifying the relative position of the reflecting surface by obtaining the relative distance from two or more ultrasonic transducers. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the ultrasonic transducer 11a, the ultrasonic transducer 11b, the ultrasonic data S (t2), the ultrasonic data S (t5), and the ultrasonic data S (t8) are used. By obtaining the relative distance between each ultrasonic transducer 11c and the reflecting surface of the tooth Ta, the exact position of the reflecting surface of the tooth Ta can be determined. Similarly, the exact position of the reflection surface of the tooth Tb and the accurate position of the reflection surface of the tooth Tc can be determined.
Actually, positioning of the reflecting surface by the above stereo measurement is performed finely and precisely, and the outer surface shape data of the reflecting surface having a desired resolution is acquired.

  The superimposing unit 53 is a part that receives the reflecting surface data acquired by the dentition data acquiring unit 52 and acquires the three-dimensional data of the outer surface of the entire dentition by superimposing the reflecting surface data. Since the dentition is curved in a horseshoe shape, the range covered by the ultrasonic wave transmitted from one ultrasonic transducer is narrow, and one acquired by the ultrasonic reflected wave applied to the transmission of one ultrasonic transducer. Each reflection surface data is only three-dimensional data of the outer surface of a part of the dentition. Therefore, all the reflecting surface data is superimposed by the superimposing unit 53, and three-dimensional data of the outer surface of the entire dentition is created.

The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 according to the first embodiment calculates and acquires dentition three-dimensional data according to the above procedure. The control unit 20 can output the dentition three-dimensional data generated by the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50. Here, the method of using the three-dimensional data of the dentition after output is not limited, but it is used for dental treatment such as modeling of a tooth filling. For example, when the base for modeling the tooth filling is located in a remote place, the acquired three-dimensional dentition data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD and carried to the computer at the base via the network. You may send it.
According to the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of the present invention, the external surface of the dentition can be obtained as three-dimensional data in a short time using ultrasonic waves. There is no need to wait for the plastic paste to harden by filling the mold with a plastic paste and then inserting a dentition to collect the tooth mold as in the prior art.

In addition, although the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of Example 1 of this invention acquires the three-dimensional external shape data of the dentition which is a reading object, it is further provided with a monitor and the three-dimensional external data of the dentition It is also possible to adopt a configuration having a function of projecting a three-dimensional image of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the above.
If a function for projecting a three-dimensional image of the outer surface of the dentition is provided based on the three-dimensional outline data of the dentition thus collected, it is determined whether or not the three-dimensional outline data of the dentition has been accurately collected. Dentists, dental hygienists and patients can see on the spot. It is also possible to give informed consent to the patient using the image.

The basic configuration of the dentition ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the dentition ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. However, the driving method in the ultrasound data acquisition unit 40 and the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition are the same. The method of stereo measurement in means 50 is slightly different.
As mentioned in the first embodiment, in order to acquire the dentition three-dimensional data by the stereo measurement method in the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50, the ultrasonic transducer 11 for transmission and the ultrasonic transducer 11 for reception. Information on the positional relationship between them and information on the time from when the ultrasonic waves are transmitted until they are received by the respective ultrasonic transducers are required, and the processing in the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 is simplified. For this purpose, the first device and the second device are used. In the first embodiment, the first device is applied. In the second embodiment, the second device is applied. The first contrivance was to devise a different transmission frequency between the ultrasonic vibrators for transmission and to identify the ultrasonic vibrator for transmission using the frequency as a clue. This is a device for specifying the ultrasonic transducer for transmission according to the reception timing, with different transmission timings between the ultrasonic transducers.

The basic configuration of the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment may be the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the shape of the dentition mounting mold 10 may be the same as that of FIG. As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 3, an ultrasonic transducer 11 is provided on the inner wall surface of the recess.
As in the first embodiment, the control unit 20 includes an ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 and a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50.
The ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 according to the second embodiment sequentially performs ultrasonic transmission of the ultrasonic transducer array one by one for each ultrasonic transducer 11. The reception of the ultrasonic reflected wave is performed in parallel by two or more ultrasonic transducers selected from the ultrasonic transducer for transmission and the neighboring ultrasonic transducers.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which ultrasonic transmission is sequentially performed for each ultrasonic transducer 11 one by one, and FIG. It is the figure which demonstrated a mode that the reflected wave was received.
The example of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the ultrasonic transducer 11a transmits the ultrasonic wave S (t10) at the frequency fa at the timing t10.

  From the transmission timing t10 of the ultrasonic transducer 11a, the ultrasonic transducer 11a and its adjacent ultrasonic transducer enter the reception mode for a certain period. It is only necessary that the period until the period of reflection after returning from the dentition surface is appropriately covered. Since stereo measurement is performed, two or more ultrasonic transducers for reception are selected. In the example of FIG. 9, ultrasonic reflected waves are received by the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c in the reception mode. The ultrasonic transducer 11a receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t11) at time t11, the ultrasonic transducer 11b receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t12) at time t12, and the ultrasonic transducer 11c receives the time t13. The ultrasonic reflected wave S (t13) is received.

After the reception mode for the ultrasonic wave for transmission at time t10 has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 10, the ultrasonic transducer 11b transmits the ultrasonic wave S (t20) at the frequency fa at timing t20. From the transmission timing t20 of the ultrasonic transducer 11b, each ultrasonic transducer enters a reception mode for a certain period. As shown in FIG. 11, ultrasonic reflected waves are received by the ultrasonic transducers 11a to 11c that are in the reception mode. The ultrasonic transducer 11a receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t21) at time t21, the ultrasonic transducer 11b receives the ultrasonic reflected wave S (t22) at time t22, and the ultrasonic transducer 11c receives the time t23. The ultrasonic reflected wave S (t23) is received.
The procedure shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is repeated one after another, and the transmission / reception processing is executed sequentially.

In the example using the second device, since the transmission by the ultrasonic transducer is one by one, the ultrasonic transducer for reception does not include a mixture of ultrasonic waves transmitted from other ultrasonic transducers. An ultrasonic transducer for transmission can be uniquely determined.
In the example using the second device, the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50 includes a dentition data acquisition unit 52 and a superimposition unit 53 as shown in FIG. Is not provided. This is because, in the second device, since the identification of the ultrasonic transducer related to the transmission of the received ultrasonic data is specified not by the frequency but by the timing, it is not necessary to provide a frequency decomposition function.

The dentition data acquisition means 52 manages two table data, that is, an ultrasonic data management table and a position information management table between the ultrasonic transducers. This will be described using the example of FIG.
The dentition data obtaining unit 52 obtains ultrasonic data received in each reception mode from the ultrasonic data decomposing unit 51. The dentition data acquisition means 52 organizes attribute data indicating which ultrasonic transducer transmits, receives which ultrasonic transducer, and how much delay time has occurred for each ultrasonic data. It is managed in the form of a sound wave data management table. For example, three ultrasonic data S (t11), S (t12), and S (t13) related to the reception mode corresponding to the transmission timing t10 (the ultrasonic transducer for transmission is 11a) are received. The field of the transmitting ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic data S (t11), S (t12), S (t13) in the ultrasonic data management table can be filled as 11a. The fields of the reception ultrasonic transducer can be filled as 11a, 11b, and 11c, respectively. Regarding the delay time, for example, the reception time of the ultrasound data S (t11) is t11, but since the transmission time is t10, the delay time column can be filled as t11-t10.
Through the above procedure, the dentition data acquisition means 52 creates ultrasonic data management table data shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the position information between the ultrasonic transducers is known in advance as a design value because the position (relative position) of each ultrasonic transducer provided in the dentition mounting mold 10 is unchanged. That is, it is assumed that the data in each column of the position information management table between the ultrasonic transducers is given to the dentition data acquisition unit 52 in advance and stored.
As in the first embodiment, the dentition data acquisition means 52 can obtain reflection surface data using the principle of stereo measurement if two table data of an ultrasonic data management table and a position information management table between ultrasonic transducers are obtained. Can be calculated and obtained.
Actually, positioning of the reflecting surface by the above stereo measurement is performed finely and precisely, and the outer surface shape data of the reflecting surface having a desired resolution is acquired.

The superimposing unit 53 receives the reflecting surface data acquired by the dentition data acquiring means 52 and superimposes each reflecting surface data. All the reflecting surface data are superimposed by the superimposing unit 53, and three-dimensional data of the outer surface of the entire dentition is created.
The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 calculates and acquires the dentition three-dimensional data according to the above procedure.

Next, a device for performing sequential processing of ultrasonic transmission and parallel processing of ultrasonic reception for each group will be described.
The dentition ultrasonic diagnostic device reads the dentition, but the transmission of ultrasonic waves and the reception of ultrasonic reflected waves to each surface of the front surface of the dentition, the back surface of the dentition, and the meshing surface of the dentition are mixed and interfere with each other Therefore, even if the transmission is not processed sequentially for all ultrasonic transducers, if the front of the dentition, the back of the dentition, and the dentition meshing surface are grouped, they can be processed independently for each group. But there are few problems.
Therefore, the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic transducer array are divided into a group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition, a group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition, and a group corresponding to the dentition meshing surface. In the above, sequential transmission processing of ultrasonic transmission and parallel processing of ultrasonic reception can be performed independently for each group.

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are diagrams schematically showing how the ultrasonic transducers for transmission are selected independently for each group. Although the actual dentition mounting form 10 is curved in a horseshoe shape and the ultrasonic transducer array is curved, for convenience of explanation, the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer arrays is schematically shown linearly. Yes.

In the pattern 1 shown in FIG. 14, the group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition, the group corresponding to the dentition meshing surface, and the group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition are both on the right side (from the left back tooth side). The ultrasonic transducers for transmission are sequentially selected up to the right back tooth side).
Pattern 2 shown in FIG. 15 is obtained by appropriately shifting the location of the ultrasonic transducer to be selected in the group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition, the group corresponding to the dentition meshing surface, and the group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition. It is. In this example, the group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition sequentially selects ultrasonic transducers for transmission from the left end (left back tooth side) to the right side (right back tooth side). The group corresponding to the dentition meshing surface is the left end of the entire dentition, selecting the ultrasonic transducer for sequential transmission from the left end to the right end starting from the left end, and reaching the right end. Jump to and select the rest from the left end to the starting point. The group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition selects the ultrasonic transducer for transmission sequentially from the left end of the entire dentition to the right end, and jumps to the left end when reaching the right end. To select the rest from the left end to the start point.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment transmits and drives ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer and receives reflected waves reflected from the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer. Sound wave data is obtained.
If the state inside the dentition can be examined by ultrasonic diagnosis, in the three-dimensional data inside the dentition, caries that detects the presence of a dentition from the difference in ultrasonic reflectivity and absorption rate between the healthy part and the cavities A detection function can be realized.

  In general, when an ultrasonic wave is simply applied to a hard object such as a tooth by a single ultrasonic vibrator, the reflection at the boundary surface (outer surface of the tooth) is large as shown in FIG. The amount that is driven into is small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16B, ultrasonic waves are driven into the teeth by resonating at predetermined positions inside the teeth using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Since the ultrasonic transducer array is provided on the inner wall surface of the concave portion of the dentition mounting mold 10 of the present invention, a plurality of ultrasonic waves are transmitted and resonated by the ultrasonic transducer array, and the position is moved back and forth. By moving left and right, ultrasonic waves are driven into the interior from the front surface to the back surface of the dentition. As a result of resonance at a desired position inside the dentition, the generated ultrasonic wave is reflected at the location, and the ultrasonic reflected wave returns to the ultrasonic transducer. Based on the reflected ultrasonic wave, data in the dentition is obtained by the method for acquiring dentition three-dimensional data using stereo measurement described in the first or second embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a basic configuration block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment.
The dentition mounting form 10 may be the same as that described in the first embodiment, but is shown here in a block diagram.

The ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 of the control unit 20 includes a resonance control unit 41, and operates two or more ultrasonic transducers 11 of the dentition mounting mold 10 to generate ultrasonic waves at a desired position inside the dentition. It has a function to transmit so as to resonate. The resonance position inside the dentition can be freely set by adjusting the transmission (launch angle, timing, etc.) of the ultrasonic transducer 11 by the resonance control means 41. Here, the resonance position is scanned, and data is acquired for all portions in the dentition.
The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit 50 may be the same as that shown in the first or second embodiment, but the dentition data acquisition unit 52 reflects not only the outer surface data of the dentition but also the inside of the dentition. Based on the data to be acquired, the data inside the dentition is acquired.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment is an example provided with a caries detection function 60. The caries detection function 60 detects the presence of a caries part from the difference in ultrasonic reflectance between the healthy part and the caries part in the 3D data inside the tooth array received from the tooth array 3D data acquisition means 50. Depending on the condition of the caries, if the affected part has an ultrasonic reflectivity lower than that of the healthy part (ie, if the affected part has a higher absorption rate), the ultrasonic reflectivity is compared. A portion having a low acoustic reflectance is detected as a decayed tooth. Also, in the case of an affected part where the ultrasonic reflectivity of the caries part is larger than the ultrasonic reflectivity of the healthy part (that is, in the case of an affected part with a low absorption rate), the ultrasonic reflectivity is compared, and the part where the ultrasonic reflectivity is large Is detected as a decayed tooth.

The image display function 70 has a function of displaying the three-dimensional data inside the dentition and the result of tooth decay detection. 3D data inside the dentition is received and imaged, and a 3D image inside the dentition is displayed on a monitor (not shown). As in a conventional X-ray image of a dentition, the reflectance may be replaced with light and shade to form an image. It is also possible to receive a diagnosis result of the caries detected by the caries detection function and to highlight the portion determined to be the caries.
In the above description, the caries detection means 60 has a function of detecting the presence of the caries part from the difference in the ultrasonic reflectance between the healthy part and the caries part, but the caries part from the difference in the ultrasonic absorption rate between the healthy part and the caries part. It is good also as a function which detects the existence of.

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted and driven from the outer surface of the dentition to the inside by the ultrasonic vibrator, and a passing wave that has passed through the inside of the dentition is received by the ultrasonic vibrator. Sound wave data is obtained.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dentition mounting mold has a horseshoe-like shape as a whole and is provided with an ultrasonic transducer array on the inner wall surface of the recess. The corresponding ultrasonic transducer array and the ultrasonic transducer array corresponding to the back surface of the dentition are arranged so as to face each other across the dentition. Therefore, as shown in the third embodiment, the ultrasonic wave driven into the dentition by resonance from one (for example, the dentition surface side) passes through the inside of the dentition and is opposed to the other (for example, the dentition). It can be received by the ultrasonic transducer array on the back side.
If the state inside the dentition can be examined by ultrasonic diagnosis, the caries detection function detects the presence of the cavities in the three-dimensional data inside the dentition from the difference in the ultrasonic reflectance and absorption rate between the healthy part and the caries part. Can be realized.

  FIG. 18 briefly explains the principle of obtaining the data inside the dentition by the ultrasonic wave passing through the dentition. In general, as shown in FIG. 18 (a), the reflection at the boundary surface (outer surface of the tooth) is large and the amount driven into the inside is small. Thus, as in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, ultrasonic waves are driven into the teeth by resonating at positions inside the teeth using a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. Since the ultrasonic transducer array is provided on the inner wall surface of the concave portion of the dentition mounting mold 10 of the present invention, a plurality of ultrasonic waves are transmitted and resonated by the ultrasonic transducer array, and the position is moved back and forth. By moving left and right, ultrasonic waves are driven into the interior from the front surface to the back surface of the dentition. As a result of resonance at the desired location within the dentition, absorption occurs at that location for the generated ultrasound. Here, the ultrasonic passing wave reaches the opposing ultrasonic transducer (11q, 11r, etc.). Based on this ultrasonic wave, data in the dentition is obtained by the method for acquiring dentition three-dimensional data using stereo measurement shown in the first or second embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a basic configuration block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
The dentition mounting form 10 may be the same as that described in the first embodiment, but is shown here in a block diagram.

  The ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 of the control unit 20 includes a resonance control unit 41 and a reception control unit 42. Similar to the third embodiment, the resonance control unit 41 operates two or more ultrasonic transducers 11 of the dentition mounting mold 10 and transmits the ultrasonic waves so that they resonate at desired positions inside the dentition. It has. The resonance position inside the dentition can be freely set by adjusting the transmission (launch angle, timing, etc.) of the ultrasonic transducer 11 by the resonance control means 41. Here, the resonance position is scanned, and data is acquired for all portions inside the dentition.

  The reception control means 42 selects an ultrasonic transducer for reception in order to capture the ultrasonic wave limited to the ultrasonic wave passing through the dentition, and is placed on a surface facing the ultrasonic transducer for transmission. An existing ultrasonic transducer is selected as the one related to reception. For example, when two ultrasonic transducers 11a and 11b on the dentition surface side are selected and operated, and ultrasonic waves are driven into the dentition by resonating ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic transducers for reception are opposed to each other. Two or more ultrasonic transducers 11q and 11r on the back side of the dentition to be selected are selected. Some of the ultrasonic waves that are driven into the dentition are reflected back to the front side of the dentition, but here, in order to receive what has passed through the dentition and penetrated to the back side, The vibrator is selected.

  The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 may be the same as that shown in the first or second embodiment, but the passage surface data acquisition means 52 is based on the data obtained by passing through the dentition. Get internal data.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration including a caries detection function 60, and the caries detection function 60 receives the three-dimensional data inside the dentition received from the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50. , The presence of the caries part is detected from the difference in the ultrasonic absorption rate between the healthy part and the caries part. Depending on the condition of the caries, if the affected part has a lower ultrasonic absorption rate than the healthy part, the ultrasonic absorption rate is compared, and the part with a lower ultrasonic absorption rate is detected as a decayed tooth. To do. Further, in the case of an affected part where the ultrasonic absorption rate of the caries portion is larger than the ultrasonic absorption rate of the healthy portion, the ultrasonic absorption rates are compared, and a portion having a high ultrasonic absorption rate is detected as a caries.

  In addition, the structure which combined Example 3 and Example 4 is also possible. That is, two or more ultrasonic transducers for transmission are used to resonate the ultrasonic wave and drive it into the dentition, and the reflected ultrasonic wave reflected back inside the dentition is returned on the same side as the transmission. A configuration is also possible in which the ultrasonic wave that is received by the vibrator and passes through the inside of the dentition is received by the ultrasonic vibrator on the side opposite to the transmission.

Example 5 has shown the structural example of the tooth stuffing shaping | molding apparatus.
The tooth filling modeling apparatus according to the fifth embodiment receives input of three-dimensional data of a dentition, and automatically receives the specification of a portion to be generated based on the three-dimensional data of the dentition. It is a device for modeling.

FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the tooth filling modeling apparatus of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present invention and an automatic three-dimensional solid modeling apparatus 200 are provided.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the present invention may have the configuration shown in the first and second embodiments.

The automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object formation apparatus 200 forms a three-dimensional three-dimensional object based on the input three-dimensional data, and may be an existing object. However, what is applied to the tooth filling molding apparatus of the present invention is that a three-dimensional solid object is automatically created using a material for forming a tooth filling (such as an insertion tooth, a tooth covering, or a tooth bridge). Modeling. The three-dimensional data necessary for modeling the three-dimensional solid object is received from the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in the first and second embodiments. The three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition collected by the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is input, and the tooth padding is performed by the automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object shaping apparatus based on the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition. Produced automatically.
It is possible to form a tooth filling immediately on the spot in a dental clinic without requiring a period of one week or 10 days to produce a tooth filling as in the prior art.

  Furthermore, as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 20B, the dentition taken by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 by connecting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object forming apparatus 200 via the network 300. It is also possible to transmit the three-dimensional image data of the outer surface shape to the automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object forming apparatus 200 via the network. As described above, it is also possible to transmit the three-dimensional image data of the outer surface shape of the dentition to a technician (technical engineer who forms a tooth filling) located in a remote place via the network 300.

  While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is limited only by the description of the appended claims.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is a medical device for dental treatment, and can be used in the medical device field.
In addition, the tooth filling molding apparatus of the present invention is also a medical device for dental treatment, and can be used in the medical device field.

The figure which showed typically the basic composition of the dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of Example 1 of this invention. 6 side view of the dentition mounting mold 10 and a cross-sectional view of the dentition mounting mold 10 along the line AA The figure which showed typically a mode that the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator was provided in the inner wall surface of the recessed part of the dentition mounting mold 10 in the A1-A1 cross section. The figure which shows the mode at the time of the transmission of an ultrasonic transducer | vibrator in the case of acquiring ultrasonic data using a 1st device. The figure which shows the mode at the time of reception of an ultrasonic transducer | vibrator in the case of acquiring ultrasonic data using a 1st device. The figure which showed typically a mode that the ultrasonic data which were mixed were decomposed | disassembled according to frequency by the ultrasonic data decomposition means 51 The figure which shows two table data which the dentition data acquisition means 52 concerning Example 1 manages. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating sequential ultrasonic transmission of an ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 according to the second embodiment (11a transmission). The figure which demonstrated typically a mode that an ultrasonic reflected wave was received with respect to ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 11a transmission. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating sequential ultrasonic transmission of an ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic data acquisition unit 40 according to the second embodiment (11b transmission). The figure which demonstrated typically a mode that an ultrasonic reflected wave was received with respect to ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 11b transmission. The figure which shows the component of the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means 50 in the example using a 2nd device. The figure which shows two table data which the dentition data acquisition means 52 concerning Example 1 manages. Diagram (pattern 1) schematically showing how to select an ultrasonic transducer for transmission independently for each group The figure which showed a mode that selection of an ultrasonic transducer concerning transmission was performed independently for each group (pattern 2) A diagram schematically showing how ultrasonic waves are driven into the teeth by resonating Basic configuration block diagram of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of embodiment 3 A diagram that briefly explains the principle of obtaining data in the dentition by means of ultrasonic waves passing through the dentition Basic configuration block diagram of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of embodiment 4 The figure which shows typically the structural example of the tooth stuffing shaping | molding apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dental row mounting form 11 Ultrasonic vibrator 20 Control part 30 Interface 40 Ultrasonic data acquisition means 41 Resonance control means 42 Reception selection means 50 Dental row three-dimensional data acquisition means 51 Frequency decomposition means 52 Dental row data acquisition means 53 Superposition Means 60 Caries detection means 70 Image display function 100 Dental dentition ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 Automatic three-dimensional solid modeling apparatus 300 Network

Claims (10)

A dentition mounting mold in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of the dentition front surface, dentition back surface and dentition meshing surface to be read;
The dentition mounting mold is mounted on a dentition, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer, and reflected waves reflected on the outer surface by the ultrasonic transducer are received. Ultrasound data acquisition means for obtaining ultrasound data;
Calculate three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means and the known positional relationship data between the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit to be acquired. A dentition mounting mold in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of the dentition front surface, dentition back surface and dentition meshing surface to be read;
Reflection of attaching the dentition mounting formwork to a dentition, transmitting and driving ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer, and reflecting from the inside of the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer Ultrasonic data acquisition means for receiving waves and obtaining ultrasonic data;
Calculate three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means and the known positional relationship data between the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit to be acquired. A dentition mounting mold in which ultrasonic transducer arrays are arranged so as to face each surface of the dentition front surface, dentition back surface and dentition meshing surface to be read;
The dentition mounting formwork is mounted on a dentition, and the ultrasonic transducer transmits and drives ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the dentition to the inside, and passes through the dentition by the ultrasonic transducer. Ultrasonic data acquisition means for receiving waves and obtaining ultrasonic data;
Calculate three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition based on the ultrasonic data obtained by the ultrasonic data acquisition means and the known positional relationship data between the ultrasonic transducers for transmission and reception An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a dentition three-dimensional data acquisition unit to be acquired. The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means, based on the ultrasonic data obtained from the ultrasonic data acquisition means, information for specifying the ultrasonic transducer for the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic data, and the ultrasonic The delay time information of the transmission and reception of the sound wave data is extracted, and the three-dimensional data of the outer surface shape of the dentition is calculated / acquired based on the known positional relationship data between them and the ultrasonic transducer. Item 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. In the ultrasonic data acquisition means, the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic transducer array emit ultrasonic waves having different frequencies,
The dentition three-dimensional data acquisition means includes frequency decomposition means, and the ultrasonic data received by each of the ultrasonic transducers is frequency-decomposed and decomposed into frequency-specific ultrasonic data, and the dentition three-dimensional data acquisition 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means identifies the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting the frequency-resolved ultrasonic data based on the frequency. In the ultrasonic data acquisition means,
Performing ultrasonic transmission of the ultrasonic transducer array sequentially for each of the ultrasonic transducers,
The ultrasonic reception of the ultrasonic transducer array is performed in parallel by two or more ultrasonic transducers selected from the ultrasonic transducer for the transmission and the neighboring ultrasonic transducers. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer array is divided into a group corresponding to the front surface of the dentition, a group corresponding to the back surface of the dentition, and a group corresponding to the dentition meshing surface, and the ultrasonic data acquisition means The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ultrasonic transmission sequential processing and the ultrasonic reception parallel processing of the ultrasonic transducer array are performed independently for each group. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a caries detection function that detects the presence of the caries part from a difference in ultrasonic reflectance between a healthy part and a caries part in the three-dimensional data inside the dentition. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a caries detection function that detects the presence of the caries part from a difference in ultrasonic absorption rate between a healthy part and a caries part in the three-dimensional data inside the dentition. The dentition ultrasonic diagnosis according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an automatic three-dimensional three-dimensional object shaping apparatus using a material for producing a tooth filling (insert, tooth covering, tooth bridge, etc.). 3D data of the external surface shape of the dentition collected by the device is input, and based on the 3D data of the external surface shape of the dentition, the tooth filling is automatically produced by the automatic 3D three-dimensional object shaping device. Tooth filling molding equipment.

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