JP2011050441A - Dental observation apparatus and dental observation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dental observation apparatus easily acquiring information on teeth along a tooth row, and a dental observation system easily and minutely observing teeth along the tooth row. <P>SOLUTION: The dental observation apparatus 10 includes a rod-shaped handle 20, and a head 32 disposed at one end of the handle 20. The head 32 has an irradiation unit 34 and an imaging unit 36 which are disposed face to face with a gap larger than the thickness of a tooth in-between. The handle 20 and the head 32 cross a longitudinal axis of the handle 20, and are mounted in the dental observation apparatus 10 in such a way as relatively rotatable around a rotation axis G crossing an optical axis between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dental observation apparatus and a dental observation system.

  Conventionally, dental caries are generally confirmed by visual observation or X-ray inspection by a dentist. In visual observation, there is an inconvenience that it is difficult to confirm a caries in a place where it cannot be directly viewed, such as a minute caries or an adjacent surface of a tooth at an early stage. In addition, since X-ray inspection involves X-ray exposure, there is a disadvantage that it cannot be performed frequently.

  In order to avoid these inconveniences and detect caries of teeth early or to observe caries at sites that are difficult to observe, the light transmitted through the inside of the tooth is imaged by irradiating white light from the outside of the tooth. A dental observation apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the dental observation apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a light source and a mirror are arranged opposite to each other at a predetermined interval at the distal end portion of the handle, and the distal end portion is inserted into the oral cavity so that a light source is provided on the front side and back side of the tooth. And the mirrors face each other. Then, the side light of the tooth is irradiated with white light from the light source, the transmitted light transmitted to the opposite side surface is reflected by a mirror, and the transmitted light is observed by a light receiving portion provided inside the handle.

US Pat. No. 6,201,880

  However, since a plurality of teeth are arranged in a semicircular arc to form a dentition, a surface that irradiates light to the teeth and transmitted light are observed as in the dental observation apparatus described in Patent Document 1. To observe with the face facing the face, you must change the angle of the light source to the handle and the optical axis of the mirror when observing the teeth on the right cheek side of the dentition and when observing the teeth on the left cheek side. I must. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to change the angle of the optical axis of the light source and the mirror with respect to the handle by temporarily removing the tip from the oral cavity and reattaching the tip to the handle. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a dental observation apparatus capable of easily acquiring information on a tooth along a dentition and a tooth in a simple and detailed manner along the dentition. An object of the present invention is to provide a dental observation system that can be observed.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
The present invention includes a rod-shaped handle and a head portion having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that are provided at one end of the handle and are opposed to each other with a gap larger than a tooth thickness dimension. Provides a dental observation device that is attached so as to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects the longitudinal axis of the handle and intersects the optical axis between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion.

  According to the present invention, a dentist or the like grasps a handle, inserts a head portion into the oral cavity, and places a tooth in a gap between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion so as to sandwich the tooth in the thickness direction, and emits light. When the illumination light is generated from the part, the light transmitted through the tooth in the thickness direction is received by the light receiving part. The transmitted light that has passed through the tooth contains information on the tooth, so that the information on the tooth can be obtained by receiving it at the light receiving unit. Based on this information, the minute caries that are difficult to distinguish by visual observation are obtained. And caries present between adjacent teeth can be easily observed.

  In this case, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion with respect to the pattern are rotated by rotating the handle and the head portion relative to each other about a rotation axis that intersects the longitudinal axis of the handle and intersects the optical axis between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The angle of the optical axis between the two parts can be changed. Therefore, by simply rotating the handle and the head relative to the direction of the tooth to be observed, the optical axis between the light emitting part and the light receiving part is adjusted in the thickness direction of all the teeth regardless of the direction of the handle. Can be arranged.

  As a result, the head portion can be moved along the dentition while the teeth are arranged in the gap between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and the trouble of reattaching the head portion to the handle as in the conventional observation apparatus Tooth information can be easily obtained along the dentition without applying any.

In the above invention, the handle and the head portion may be relatively rotatable in a range of about a half circumference.
By configuring in this way, the head part is rotated from one end to the other end of the dentition while the handle and the head part are relatively rotated within a range of about a half circumference and the tooth is placed in the gap between the light emitting part and the light receiving part. By moving, information on all teeth of the dentition can be acquired in order.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is good also as the said handle | steering-wheel and the said head part being relatively rotatable in the range of about a perimeter.
By configuring in this way, the head part is rotated from one end to the other end of the dentition while the handle and the head part are relatively rotated within a range of about a half circumference and the tooth is placed in the gap between the light emitting part and the light receiving part. Move. Next, the light emitting part and the light receiving part are removed from the tooth, and the position of the light emitting part and the light receiving part with respect to the tooth is changed by rotating the handle and the head part relative to each other within a half circumference. Switch between light receiving position. Then, again, teeth are placed in the gap between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, and the handle and the head part are rotated relative to each other in the reverse direction in the range of about half a circle, so that the gap between the light emitting part and the light receiving part is obtained. The head part is moved from the other end of the dentition to one end while the teeth are arranged.

  In this case, when the light emitting part and the light receiving part are removed from the tooth, the direction in which the handle and the head part are rotated relative to each other is the same as the direction of the relative rotation when moved from one end of the dentition to the other end. Direction may be used. In the case of relative rotation in the same direction, the handle and the head portion rotate relative to each other within a range of about a half circumference while moving from one end of the dentition to the other end, and further when the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are removed from the tooth. Relative rotation is possible in the range of half a circle. In the case of relative rotation in the opposite direction, the handle and the head portion are rotated relative to each other within a half circumference when the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are removed from the tooth and moved from the other end of the dentition to one end. In addition, it rotates relatively in the range of about half a circle. In this way, the handle and the head part can be rotated relative to each other in the range of about the entire circumference, so that the teeth can be received while alternately receiving the transmitted light transmitted through the teeth in the thickness direction from both side surfaces of each tooth of the dentition. Information on all the teeth in the row can be acquired in order.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is good also as providing the waterproof structure in the rotation part of the said handle | pattern and the said head part.
By comprising in this way, it can prevent that saliva, water, etc. enter into a head part from the rotation part of a handle | pattern and a head part with a waterproof structure. For example, this is particularly effective when the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the head unit are electrically connected to an imaging device or the like. In addition, as a waterproof structure, for example, it may be a cover member that seals the gap between the rotating portion while allowing relative rotation between the handle and the head portion, and may be a cover member that covers the connecting portion between the handle and the head portion, A seal member that seals the gap between the rotating portions may be used.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said head part is good also as providing the roller which can contact the surface of the said tooth facing the said light emission part, and can roll on the surface.
By configuring in this way, the head can be moved along the dentition while keeping the distance between the light emitting part and the tooth constant by bringing the roller into contact with the surface of the tooth. Can be acquired under certain observation conditions.

In the above invention, the handle and the head portion may be connected by a ball joint constituted by a spherical member and a holding portion that rotatably holds the spherical member at a predetermined angle. Good.
By configuring in this way, the angle between the rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the handle in the relative rotation of the handle and the head portion can be freely changed by the ball joint, and the angle of the handle inserted into the oral cavity can be changed. Regardless, the optical axis between the light emitting part and the light receiving part can be arranged in the tooth thickness direction.

Moreover, in the said invention, it is good also as providing the click mechanism which gives resistance to the relative rotation of the said handle | pattern and the said head part, and positions this handle | pattern and a head part.
With this configuration, the click mechanism can temporarily stop the head portion at a predetermined position with respect to the handle, and can acquire tooth information more stably.

  The present invention includes the dental observation apparatus according to the present invention, an image processing unit that generates an image based on the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit, and a display that displays the image generated by the image processing unit. And a dental observation system comprising a unit.

  According to the present invention, the dentition is compared with the case of visual observation by displaying the image generated by the image processing unit on the display unit based on the tooth information obtained using the dental observation device. The teeth can be observed easily and in detail along the lines.

  According to the dental observation apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that tooth information can be easily acquired along the dentition. Moreover, according to the dental observation system of this invention, there exists an effect that a tooth can be observed simply and in detail along a dentition.

It is the schematic of the dental observation apparatus and dental observation system which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the dental observation apparatus of FIG. It is the cross-sectional view which cut | disconnected the connection part of FIG. 2 by the plane orthogonal to a rotating shaft line. It is the figure which showed the observation position in a patient's dentition. It is the figure which provided the waterproof cover in the connection part of the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is the figure which provided the roller in the head part of the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd modification of one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is an expansion of the roller and holder in the head part of (a). FIG. It is the figure which provided the abutting part and the chamfering part in the head part of the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 3rd modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which provided the irradiation window and the chamfering part in the head part of the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 4th modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which provided the click mechanism in the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 5th modification of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is the figure which provided the ball joint in the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 6th modification of one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the internal structure of the head part of (a). . It is a figure which shows the electrical connection structure of the light source unit of Fig.10 (a). (A) is the figure which provided the stopper core in the ball joint of the dental observation apparatus which concerns on the 7th modification of one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the figure which showed the ball joint of a movable state. (C) is the figure which showed the ball joint of a non-movable state.

Hereinafter, a dental observation apparatus and a dental observation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the dental observation system 100 according to the present embodiment processes a dental observation device 10 that acquires information on a patient's tooth 2 and information on the tooth 2 acquired by the dental observation device 10. The image processing unit 12 that generates an image and the display unit 14 that displays the image of the tooth 2 generated by the image processing unit 12 are provided.

  The dental observation apparatus 10 includes a hollow rod-shaped handle 20 and an optical unit 30 attached to one end of the handle 20. The dental observation apparatus 10 is configured such that the handle 20 is grasped by a dentist or the like, and the optical unit 30 is inserted into the oral cavity of the patient.

  The optical unit 30 includes a head portion 32 that is rotatably connected to the tip of the handle 20 via a connection portion 40, and an irradiation unit that is provided on the head portion 32 and is opposed to the head portion 32 with an interval larger than the tooth thickness dimension. The unit (light emitting unit) 34 and the imaging unit (light receiving unit) 36 are configured.

The irradiation unit 34 is, for example, an LED, an SLD, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a laser light source, or the like, and irradiates the teeth 2 with illumination light.
The imaging unit 36 is, for example, an imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS, and the illumination unit 34 receives illumination light from the irradiation unit 34 to receive light transmitted through the tooth 2 in the thickness direction. Get information.

  The head portion 32 is formed in a bowl shape having a gap larger than the tooth thickness dimension, and covers the inner surface (back surface) across the tip from the outer surface (front surface) of the tooth 2. It can be done. In a state where the tooth 2 is disposed in the gap of the head portion 32, the irradiation unit 34 faces one surface of the tooth 2, and the imaging unit 36 faces the surface opposite to the tooth 2.

  Further, the head portion 32 is attached by the connecting portion 40 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis G that intersects the longitudinal axis of the handle 20 and is substantially orthogonal to the optical axis between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36. ing. For example, the head portion 32 can rotate about a half circumference (± about 90 °) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20. The head portion 32 is configured to be detachable from the handle 20 by the connecting portion 40 so that the positions of the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 can be switched to face the surface of the tooth 2. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connection portion 40 includes a hollow cylindrical connection shaft 42 to which the tip of the handle 20 is connected, and a connection bearing that rotatably supports the head portion 32 around the rotation axis G around the connection shaft 42. 44.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a spherical handle side electrical connection portion 43 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connection shaft 42. A wiring 6 </ b> A connected to the image processing unit 12 via the inside of the handle 20 is connected to the handle-side electrical connection portion 43. On the other hand, an optical unit side electrical connection portion 45 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connection bearing 44 over the circumferential direction. The optical unit-side electrical connection 45 is connected to the wiring 6B from the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 of the optical unit 30.

  The handle-side electrical connection portion 43 of the connection shaft 42 and the optical unit-side electrical connection portion 45 of the connection bearing 44 are arranged so as to maintain a contact state regardless of relative rotation between the connection shaft 42 and the connection bearing 44. ing. Thereby, the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are always electrically connected to the image processing unit 12 via the wires 6A and 6B.

  The image processing unit 12 generates a two-dimensional image based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 36 and outputs the generated two-dimensional image to the display unit 14.

The operation of the dental observation apparatus 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above and the dental observation system 100 including the same will be described below.
In order to observe the tooth 2 using the dental observation apparatus 10 and the dental observation system 100 according to the present embodiment, first, a dentist or the like (user) grasps the handle 20 of the dental observation apparatus 10 and moves the patient. The optical unit 30 is inserted into the oral cavity, and the tooth 2 is placed in the gap between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36.

  In this state, the illumination unit 34 irradiates the surface of the tooth 2 with illumination light, and the transmitted light transmitted through the tooth 2 and transmitted to the opposite surface is received by the imaging unit 36 to acquire image information. . Since the transmitted light transmitted through the tooth 2 includes information on the tooth 2, the information on the tooth 2 can be acquired from the image information acquired by the imaging unit 36.

  The image information received by the imaging unit 36 is sent to the image processing unit 12 via the wirings 6B and 6A. Then, a two-dimensional image is generated based on the image information by the image processing unit 12 and displayed on the display unit 14. Thereby, the dentist can easily observe the minute caries that are difficult to discriminate by visual observation, the caries existing between the adjacent teeth 2, and the like by the two-dimensional image of the tooth 2 displayed on the display unit 14. .

  In this case, the irradiation unit for the handle 20 is rotated by rotating the head portion 32 about the rotation axis G that intersects the longitudinal axis of the handle 20 and intersects the optical axis between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36. The angle of the optical axis between 34 and the imaging unit 36 can be changed.

  Therefore, the dentist simply rotates the head portion 32 in accordance with the direction of the tooth 2 to be observed, and hardly changes the angle of the handle 20, and the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit in the thickness direction of all the teeth 2. An optical axis between 36 can be arranged. Thereby, the head part 32 can also be moved along the tooth row 4 while the tooth 2 is disposed in the gap between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when observing a semicircular arc-shaped dentition 4 arranged on the lower jaw, the head unit 32 is rotated about a half circumference with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20, thereby imaging with the irradiation unit 34. The tooth 2 is observed by moving the head portion 32 from the position of the tooth 2 at the observation position D to the direction of the observation positions A to C and the directions of the observation positions E to F while the tooth 2 is disposed between the unit 36 and the unit 36. can do. Moreover, the head part 32 can be moved in the direction of the observation position F along the tooth row 4 from the position of the tooth 2 at the observation position A, and all the teeth 2 at the observation positions A to F can be observed in order.

  As described above, according to the dental observation device 10 and the dental observation system 100 including the dental observation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 34 is applied in the thickness direction of all the teeth 2 without changing the direction of the handle 20. And the image pickup unit 36 can be arranged, and it is not necessary to reattach the head portion 32 to the handle 20 as in the conventional observation apparatus, and the tooth 2 can be simply arranged along the tooth row 4. Information can be acquired. Then, by displaying this information as an image, it is possible to observe the tooth 2 in a simple and detailed manner compared to the case of visual observation.

In the present embodiment, the head portion 32 is rotated without substantially changing the angle of the handle 20. However, the head portion 32 may be fixed and the angle of the handle 20 may be adjusted.
In the present embodiment, the head portion 32 has been described as being rotatable about a half circumference (± about 90 °) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20. However, the head portion 32 is related to the direction of the handle 20 with respect to all the teeth 2. As long as the optical axis between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 can be disposed in the thickness direction of the tooth 2, the optical axis may be ± 90 ° or less or ± 90 ° or more. The angular range in which rotation is possible is not limited to this.

  For example, the head portion 32 may be configured to be able to rotate about the entire circumference (± about 180 °) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20. In this case, the head portion 32 is rotated about a half circumference with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20, and the head 2 extends from one end to the other end of the dentition 4 while the tooth 2 is disposed in the gap between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36. The part 32 is moved. Next, the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are removed from the tooth 2, and the head unit 32 is rotated by a half circumference with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20, thereby changing the positions of the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 with respect to the tooth 2. Switching between the light irradiation position and the transmitted light receiving position. Thereafter, the tooth 2 is again disposed in the gap between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36, and the head portion 32 is rotated about a half turn in the direction opposite to the previous rotation direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 20, The head portion 32 is moved from the other end of the tooth row 4 to one end while the tooth 2 is disposed in the gap between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36.

  Here, when the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are removed from the tooth 2, the direction in which the handle 20 and the head portion 32 are relatively rotated is the direction of relative rotation when the tooth row 4 is moved from one end to the other end. May be in the same direction or in the opposite direction. In the case of relative rotation in the same direction, the handle 20 and the head portion 32 rotate approximately half a circumference while moving from one end of the tooth row 4 to the other end, and the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are removed from the tooth 2. In this case, it is further rotated relative to the half circumference. Further, in the case of relative rotation in the opposite direction, the handle 20 and the head portion 32 are relatively rotated half a circle when the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are removed from the tooth 2, and from the other end of the tooth row 4 to one end. During the movement, it further rotates about a half turn. Thus, since the handle 20 and the head portion 32 can be relatively rotated in the range of about the entire circumference, the transmitted light that has passed through the tooth 2 in the thickness direction from both side surfaces of each tooth 2 of the dentition 4 is alternately arranged. While receiving light, information on all teeth of the dentition 4 can be acquired in order.

Further, the present embodiment can be modified as follows.
For example, as a first modification, a waterproof structure may be provided in the rotating portion of the handle 20 and the head portion 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 40 may be covered with a waterproof cover (cover member) 52. By doing in this way, it prevents that saliva, water, etc. enter into the head part 32 from the rotation part of the handle | steering-wheel 20 and the head part 32, for example, the clearance gap between the connection shaft 42 and the connection bearing 44, etc., and malfunctions, such as a short circuit Can be prevented. The waterproof structure may be any structure that seals the gap between the rotating portion while allowing the relative rotation between the handle 20 and the head portion 32, for example, the seal between the rotating portion of the handle 20 and the head portion 32. It may be a seal member.

  Moreover, as a 2nd modification, as shown to Fig.6 (a), the head part 32 contacts the surface of the tooth 2 which opposes the irradiation unit 34, and it is a roller which can roll on the surface, for example 54 may be provided. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rollers 54 are arranged on both sides of the irradiation unit 34, and are held by a holder 56 so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the rotation axis G. Good. In this way, by bringing the roller 54 into contact with the surface of the tooth 2, the movement of the head unit 32 is not hindered by the gap between the tooth 2 and the tooth 2. The head part 32 can be moved along the tooth row 4 while keeping the distance constant, and information on the plurality of teeth 2 can be acquired under certain observation conditions.

  Moreover, as a third modification, instead of the roller 54 of the second modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the head portion 32 is abutted against the surface of the tooth 2 facing the irradiation unit 34. The butting portion 58 may be provided. By doing in this way, the distance of the irradiation unit 34 and the tooth 2 can be kept constant. In this case, it is desirable that the chamfered portion 62 is provided by chamfering the corner of the surface of the head portion 32 facing the surface of the tooth 2. By doing in this way, it can prevent that the movement of the head part 32 is prevented by the clearance gap between the tooth 2 and the tooth 2, and can be moved smoothly.

  As a fourth modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the head unit 32 has a built-in illumination unit 34 and faces the surface of the tooth 2 so that the tooth 2 can be irradiated with illumination light. It is good also as forming the illumination window 64 in the surface to perform. In this case, it is desirable to form the chamfered portion 62 at the corner of the surface of the head portion 32 facing the surface of the tooth 2.

  As a fifth modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a click mechanism 66 that positions the handle 20 and the head portion 32 by applying resistance to the relative rotation between the handle 20 and the head portion 32 is provided. It is good. The click mechanism 66 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connection bearing 44 and a plurality of resistance portions 67 that are formed at predetermined intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the connection shaft 42 and project outward in the radial direction. In addition, the protrusion 68 may be formed of an elastic member that protrudes inward in the radial direction and contacts the resistance portion 67. By doing in this way, by the resistance part 67 and the projection part 68, the head part 32 can be temporarily stopped at a predetermined position with respect to the handle 20, and the information on the tooth 2 can be acquired more stably. .

  Further, as a sixth modified example, instead of the connecting portion 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a spherical member 72 disposed at the tip portion of the handle 20 and the head portion 32 are provided. The handle 20 and the head portion 32 may be connected by a ball joint 74 constituted by a holding portion 73 that rotatably holds the spherical member 72 at a predetermined angle. In this way, the ball joint 74 can freely change the angle between the rotation axis G and the longitudinal axis of the handle 20 in the relative rotation between the handle 20 and the head portion 32 and is inserted into the oral cavity. Regardless of the angle of the handle 20, the optical axis between the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 can be arranged in the thickness direction of the tooth 2.

  In the present modification, the head unit 32 may incorporate the illumination unit 34 and the imaging unit 36, respectively. Moreover, it is good also as providing the protrusion-shaped positioning part 76 in which the head part 32 positions with respect to the tooth 2. FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, the imaging unit 36 includes a mirror 37 disposed opposite to the irradiation unit 34, a condenser lens 38 that condenses the transmitted light reflected by the mirror 37, and a condenser. It is good also as comprising with CCD39 which image | photographs the transmitted light condensed with the optical lens 38. FIG.

  In this modification, when the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 are connected to the image processing unit 12 by the wirings 6A and 6B, the angle of the ball joint 74 is limited. A battery may be used as the power source of the unit 36, and the image information acquired by the imaging unit 36 may be transmitted to the image processing unit wirelessly. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of small metal balls (conductors) 78 are arranged around the spherical member 72 constituting the ball joint 74 to form the handle-side electrical connection portion 43. The optical unit side electrical connection portion 45 may be formed along the inner spherical shape of the holding portion 73 that is partially accommodated. In this way, the irradiation unit 34 and the imaging unit 36 can be electrically connected to the image processing unit 12. Note that the wiring 6 </ b> A may be wired inside the handle 20, or may be wired outside the handle 20.

  Further, as a seventh modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, a stopper core 82 extending in the longitudinal direction is disposed inside the handle 20 so as to protrude from the tip of the handle 20, and the tip of the handle 20 is The stopper core 82 protruding from the head portion 32 may be inserted into the head portion 32 via the ball joint 74. By doing so, the angle between the handle 20 and the head portion 32 can be fixed by the stopper core 82. In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the handle 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the stopper core 82 are formed into a screw structure 84, and the stopper core 82 is rotated to project from the tip of the handle 20 as shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to enable it to be accommodated in the inside of the handle 20 as shown in FIG.12 (c).

2 Tooth 10 Dental observation device 12 Image processing unit 14 Display unit 20 Handle 32 Head unit 34 Irradiation unit (light emitting unit)
36 Imaging unit (light receiving unit)
54 Roller 66 Click mechanism 72 Spherical member 73 Holding part 74 Ball joint 100 Dental observation system G Rotation axis

Claims (8)

With a rod-shaped handle,
A head portion having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion provided at one end of the handle and facing each other with a gap larger than a tooth thickness dimension;
The dental handle in which the handle and the head portion are attached so as to be rotatable relative to each other around a rotation axis that intersects the longitudinal axis of the handle and intersects the optical axis between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. Observation device.   The dental observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle and the head portion are relatively rotatable in a range of about a half circumference.   The dental observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle and the head portion are relatively rotatable in a range of about the entire circumference.   The dental observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotary portion of the handle and the head portion is provided with a waterproof structure.   The dental observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head unit includes a roller that contacts a surface of the tooth facing the light emitting unit and can roll on the surface of the tooth.   The said handle | steering_wheel and the said head part are any one of Claims 1-5 connected by the ball joint comprised by the spherical member and the holding | maintenance part which hold | maintains this spherical member rotatably at a predetermined angle. The dental observation apparatus according to 1.   The dental observation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a click mechanism that positions the handle and the head portion by applying resistance to relative rotation between the handle and the head portion. The dental observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image processing unit that generates an image based on the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit;
A dental observation system comprising: a display unit that displays the image generated by the image processing unit.

Images