JP5484462B2 - Intraoral imaging aid - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an intraoral photographing auxiliary tool capable of displaying an image obtained by photographing.

Patent Document 1 proposes a dental X-ray imaging tool used in imaging a tooth using an X-ray apparatus. The dental X-ray imaging tool includes a flat retaining substrate, a photoreceptor mounting portion on which an X-ray film is mounted, and a ring portion used to determine the X-ray irradiation direction. When photographing the tooth, the subject bites the retaining substrate with the tooth, thereby fixing the position of the X-ray film with respect to the subject tooth. The photographer irradiates X-rays on the imaging target tooth. The photographer refers to the developed X-ray film. When the X-ray image sensor is attached to the X-ray receptor, the image output from the X-ray image sensor is displayed on the display of a personal computer installed outside the dental X-ray imaging tool.
JP 2004-174162 A

  However, subjects who cannot successfully bite, such as children, cannot reliably hold the dental X-ray imaging tool. Therefore, there is a possibility that the dental X-ray imaging tool moves relative to the imaging target tooth, and the imaging target tooth cannot be reliably imaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an intraoral photographing auxiliary tool capable of reliably photographing a photographing target tooth.

  The intraoral photography auxiliary tool according to the present invention has an insertion part inserted into the oral cavity, a support arm having an extension part extending from the insertion part and protruding outside the oral cavity, and an end part where the extension part is not connected in the insertion part. And a support arm does not have a member that interferes with the imaging target tooth.

  As a result, since the photographer holds the support arm to fix the intraoral imaging assisting tool, X-ray imaging can be performed easily and reliably even for a subject such as a child who cannot successfully bite. .

  The insertion end preferably holds the image receiving portion so as to be rotatable.

  The image receiving unit has an image receiving surface on which a subject image is formed, and the oral imaging assisting tool further includes an instruction unit extending from the image receiving unit in a direction perpendicular to the image receiving surface, and the instruction unit is incident on the image receiving surface. An angle indicating arm extending from the image receiving unit so as to be located outside the track of the subject image, and a position indicating arm extending from an end of the angle indicating arm that is not connected to the image receiving unit, and the tip of the position indicating arm with respect to the image receiving surface It is preferable that the position indicating arm is provided so that the tip of the position indicating arm is projected at a specific position on the image receiving surface. Since the image receiver mounting unit 20 is placed in the oral cavity of the subject at the time of shooting, it is difficult for the photographer to know the exact position of the image receiver mounting unit 20. However, according to the present embodiment, the photographer can grasp the position of the image receiver mounting unit 20 by looking at the instruction unit 61.

  It is preferable that a part of the angle indicating arm and the position indicating arm protrude outside the oral cavity.

  The display unit may further include a display unit that displays an image output from the image receiving unit, and the display unit may be attached to the support arm. Thus, the photographer can check the photographing result by looking at the image displayed on the display unit 40. When an image is displayed on the display of a personal computer, it is necessary to change the observation direction of the photographer from the subject's teeth to the display in order to see the image. Usually, since imaging is performed a plurality of times while adjusting the occlusal position of the retaining substrate 10 by the tooth and the position of the X-ray apparatus 50, frequently changing the observation direction is a very troublesome operation for the photographer. According to the present embodiment, since the photographer can simultaneously see the region where the subject's teeth are present and the region where the image is displayed without changing the observation direction, the photographer can quickly confirm the photographing result. become.

  It is desirable that the display unit includes a display surface for displaying an image, and is rotatably attached to the support arm so that the display surface can face the radiation source direction or the image receiving unit direction. By rotating the display surface of the display unit, the display surface can be directed to the X-ray apparatus side where the photographer is present or to the subject side, so that both the photographer and the subject can easily observe the image. When photographing many times with the retaining substrate engaged, the subject cannot move the face greatly, but according to the present invention, the subject can view the image of the photographing result without greatly moving the face. it can.

  A first cable provided in the insertion arm and the support arm and connected to the image receiving unit; and a second cable provided in the insertion arm and the support arm and connected to the display unit; The output image is output to the image processing unit provided outside the intraoral photographing assistance tool via the first cable, and the second cable transmits the image processed by the image processing unit to the display unit. It may be configured. Since communication is performed via the first and second cables provided inside the retaining substrate, the cable can be prevented from coming into contact with the oral cavity of the subject.

  It is preferable to further include a grip portion attached to the protruding end of the extending portion. When the photographer holds the grip portion, the intraoral photographing assistance tool can be reliably fixed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an intraoral photographing auxiliary tool capable of reliably photographing a photographing target tooth is obtained.

It is a perspective view of the intraoral photography auxiliary tool by a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the connection means of an image receiving body mounting part and a short arm part. It is a side view of an intraoral imaging assistance tool and an X-ray apparatus. It is a perspective view of the intraoral photography auxiliary tool by a 2nd embodiment. It is a side view of an intraoral imaging assistance tool and an X-ray apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Intraoral imaging | photography assistance tool 10 Support arm 10a Long arm part 10b Short arm part 13 Universal joint 15 Gripping part 20 Image receiving body mounting part 25 X-ray image receiving body 40 Display part 41 Display surface

  Hereinafter, the structure of the 1st intraoral imaging assistance tool in 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. The first intraoral imaging assistance tool 1 includes a support arm 10, a gripping part 15, an image receiving body mounting part 20, an X-ray image receiving body 25, and a display part 40. The image receiving unit 20 and the X-ray image receiving unit 25 constitute an image receiving unit.

  The support arm 10 has an L-shape composed of a prismatic long arm portion 10a and a short arm portion 10b. A part of the long arm part 10a and the short arm part 10b constitute an insertion part, and a part of the long arm part 10a not constituting the insertion part constitutes an extension part. The lengths of the long arm portion 10a and the short arm portion 10b and the angle formed by the long arm portion 10a and the short arm portion 10b are determined according to the position of the tooth to be photographed. In the present embodiment, the long arm portion 10a is longer than the short arm portion 10b, and the long arm portion 10a is connected to the short arm portion 10b at a right angle.

  The image receiver mounting portion 20 is rotatably connected to one end of the short arm portion 10b. The connection means between the image receiving body mounting portion 20 and the short arm portion 10b will be described later. One end of the long arm portion 10a is connected to the other end of the short arm portion 10b. A grip portion 15 is attached to the other end of the long arm portion 10a.

  The grip portion 15 is a rectangular parallelepiped, and has a larger cross-sectional area than the long arm portion 10a in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long arm portion 10a.

  The image receiver mounting portion 20 is a rectangular plate-like member and is rotatably attached to the support arm 10. The X-ray image receiver 25 is attached on the image receiver mounting portion 20 by a pressing spring (not shown).

  The X-ray image receptor 25 is an X-ray image sensor and outputs an image signal. A first cable 11 provided inside the support arm 10 connects an image processing unit of a personal computer provided outside and the X-ray receiver 25. The personal computer supplies power to the X-ray receiver 25 via the first cable 11. The X-ray image receiver 25 transmits an image signal to the image processing unit via the first cable 11.

  The display unit 40 is a rectangular flat plate, and one side thereof forms a display surface 41. In addition, the display unit 40 protrudes from the support arm 10 at a substantially right angle so as to be rotatable around an axis AX perpendicular to the support arm 10. A second cable 12 provided inside the support arm 10 connects the image processing unit of the personal computer and the display unit 40. The personal computer transmits power and an image signal to the display unit 40 via the second cable 12. An image based on the image signal is displayed on the display surface 41.

Next, means for connecting the image receiving member mounting portion 20 and the short arm portion 10b will be described with reference to FIG.
The image receiving body mounting portion 20 and the short arm portion 10 b are rotatably connected by a universal joint (free joint) 13. The universal joint 13 includes a ball part 14 and a receiving part 21. The ball portion 14 has a spherical shape and is attached to the tip of a rod extending from the short arm portion 10b. The receiving unit 21 is provided on the back surface of the surface to which the X-ray image receiving unit 25 is attached in the image receiving unit mounting unit 20. The receiving part 21 has a spherical depression having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ball of the ball part. The ball portion 14 is accommodated in the recess of the receiving portion 21 and frictionally engages with the inner periphery of the recess. The frictional force generated between the ball portion 14 and the receiving portion 21 is of such a magnitude that the photographer can move the image receiving portion mounting portion 20 with the force of a finger. The size is such that the mounting portion 20 does not move. Thereby, the image receiving body mounting part 20 is supported rotatably with respect to the short arm part 10b. The photographer can adjust the angle with respect to the short arm portion 10b by moving the image receiving body mounting portion 20.

  Next, means for photographing the tooth T using the first intraoral photographing auxiliary tool 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the imaging target tooth T is the left back tooth, the subject holds the first intraoral imaging aid 1 so that the mouth angle of the subject is within the minor angle side at the connection portion between the long arm portion 10a and the short arm portion 10b. I'm barking.

  Then, the photographer or the subject holds the grip 15 so that a part of the support arm 10 and the image receiving portion 20 are inserted into the subject's mouth and the tooth axis of the subject tooth T and the support arm 10 are vertical. Hold. As a result, the X-ray photoreceptor 25 is placed on the back surface of the imaging target tooth T. At this time, the first intraoral imaging assistance tool 1 does not have a member that interferes with the imaging target tooth T.

  The photographer or the subject holds the X-ray apparatus 50 so that the X-ray irradiation direction, the position of the tooth T, and the positional relationship of the X-ray photoreceptor 25 are suitable for the bisector imaging method. At this time, the angle of the image receiving body mounting portion 20 with respect to the support arm 10 can be changed so that the angle is suitable for the bisector imaging method. Then, the photographer performs imaging by irradiating with X-rays.

  The image signal output from the X-ray photoreceptor 25 is transmitted to the personal computer via the first cable 11 and is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit of the personal computer. The video signal after the image processing is transmitted to the display unit 40 via the second cable 12, and an image based on the video signal is displayed on the display unit 40.

  The display unit 40 is provided in a portion of the support arm 10 that is not inserted into the subject's oral cavity when the subject holds the first intraoral photographing aid 1. At the time of imaging, the display surface 41 of the display unit 40 is disposed so as to face the X-ray device 50. Thus, the photographer can observe the image displayed on the display unit 40 while looking at the region where the subject's photographing target tooth T is present.

  On the other hand, the display unit 40 may be rotated so that the display surface 41 of the display unit 40 faces the subject. At this time, the subject can observe the image displayed on the display unit 40. Thus, the photographer can check the photographing result by looking at the image displayed on the display unit 40. When an image is displayed on the display of a personal computer, it is necessary to change the observation direction of the photographer from the subject's teeth to the display in order to see the image. Usually, since imaging is performed a plurality of times while adjusting the positions of the X-ray photoreceptor 25 and the X-ray device 50, frequently changing the direction of the line of sight is a very troublesome operation for the photographer. According to the present embodiment, since the photographer can simultaneously see the region where the subject's teeth are present and the region where the image is displayed without changing the direction of the line of sight, the photographer can quickly confirm the photographing result. It becomes possible.

  The electrical connection between the X-ray photoreceptor 25 and the personal computer and the electrical connection between the display unit 40 and the personal computer are performed via the first and second cables 11 and 12 provided inside the support arm 10. Therefore, the cable can be prevented from coming into contact with the oral cavity of the subject.

  Further, since the display surface 41 of the display unit 40 can be directed in the direction where the photographer is present or directed toward the subject by rotation, the photographer and the subject can easily observe the image obtained by the photographing. become. In particular, when photographing many times with the support arm 10 engaged while looking at the photographing result, the subject cannot move the face greatly, but according to the present embodiment, the subject moves the face greatly. It is possible to view the image of the shooting result without any problem.

  In addition, unlike a conventional dental X-ray imaging tool held by tooth occlusion, since the intraoral imaging auxiliary tool 1 is held by the photographer holding the grip portion 15, a subject such as a child who cannot bite well In addition, the intraoral imaging auxiliary tool 1 is securely held, and the X-ray irradiation direction, the position of the tooth T, and the positional relationship of the X-ray photoreceptor 25 are suitable for the bisection imaging method. can do.

  Next, the 2nd intraoral imaging assistance tool 60 by 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 4 and 5. FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the second intraoral photographing auxiliary tool 60 further includes an instruction unit 61. The instructing unit 61 extends from the image receiving body mounting unit 20 so as to form a right angle with respect to the image receiving surface 26 and instructs the photographer about the center of the image receiving surface 26.

  The instruction unit 61 includes an angle instruction arm 62 that protrudes from the side surface of the image receiver mounting unit 20, and a position instruction arm 63 that extends from the end of the angle instruction arm 62.

  The angle indicating arm 62 is formed by combining two prisms, protrudes at a right angle from the center of the side surface of the image receiver mounting portion 20, bends at a right angle, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the image receiving surface 26. The direction perpendicular to the image receiving surface 26 is the direction in which X-rays are incident.

  The position indicating arm 63 is a prism and extends perpendicularly from the extended end of the angle indicating arm 62. When the tip of the position indicating arm 63 is projected at a right angle to the image receiving surface 26, the tip of the position indicating arm 63 is projected at the center on the image receiving surface 26. That is, the tip of the position indicating arm 63 is positioned on the X-ray line irradiated from the X-ray apparatus 50. The length of the angle indicating arm 62 is such that the position indicating arm 63 is not inserted into the oral cavity when the image receiver mounting portion 20 is inserted into the oral cavity. Since the pointing arm 61 is fixed to the image receiving body mounting portion 20, the pointing arm 61 rotates with respect to the support arm 10 as the image receiving body mounting portion 20 rotates.

  The instruction unit 61 is formed of a member that transmits X-rays. Therefore, the image is not picked up by the X-ray receiver 25.

  Next, a means for photographing the tooth T using the second intraoral photographing auxiliary tool 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the subject holds the second intraoral imaging assistance tool 60, a part of the angle indicating arm 62 and the position indicating arm 63 are located outside the oral cavity. The photographer or the subject holds the X-ray apparatus 50 so that the X-ray irradiation direction, the position of the tooth T, and the positional relationship of the X-ray photoreceptor 25 are suitable for the bisector imaging method. At this time, the X-ray apparatus 50 is held so that the X-ray irradiation axis Y is parallel to the angle indicating axis 62 and passes through the tip of the position indicating arm 63. Then, the photographer performs imaging by irradiating with X-rays.

  Thus, the photographer can observe the image displayed on the display unit 40 while looking at the region where the subject's photographing target tooth T is present.

  Since the image receiving body mounting portion 20 is rotatable and is placed in the oral cavity of the subject at the time of shooting, it is difficult for the photographer to know the exact position of the image receiving body mounting portion 20. However, according to the present embodiment, the photographer can grasp the position of the image receiver mounting unit 20 by looking at the instruction unit 61.

  In any of the embodiments, the shape of the support arm 10 or the grip portion 15 may be a shape capable of supporting the image receiving body mounting portion 20 such as a cylindrical shape.

  Further, the first and second cables 11 and 12 may be provided outside the support arm 10.

  Further, the first cable 11 may be guided to the inside of the support arm 10 through the inside of the image receiver mounting portion 20. Contact between the oral cavity and the cable can be avoided.

  Further, the X-ray image receiver 25 may be configured so as to be integrated with the image receiver mounting portion 20.

  In addition, although the power supply to the X-ray image receiver 25 and the display unit 40 has been described from the personal computer via the first and second cables 11 and 12, the power supply by another power source is described. Also good. For example, a form in which power is supplied by a battery provided on the support arm 10 can be considered. In this case, the transmission of the image signal of the personal computer from the X-ray receiver 25, the transmission of the control signal from the personal computer to the X-ray receiver 25, the transmission of the control signal and the video signal from the personal computer to the display unit 40 are the first and the second. The communication may be performed by wireless communication such as Bluetooth without using the two cables 11 and 12.

  Moreover, although the image processing part of a personal computer demonstrated the form which performs an image process to the image signal obtained with the X-ray image receiver, the image processing part, such as DSP, was provided in the support arm 10, and intraoral imaging assistance tool 1 inside Thus, a form in which shooting, image processing, and display are completed may be employed.

  The occlusion of the support arm 10 by the imaging target tooth T or the like may be performed in a state where the imaging target tooth T or the like is in direct contact with the support arm 10 as shown in FIG. It may be performed in a state where a member for is sandwiched between.

  While embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that modifications may be made to the structure and relationship of each part without departing from the scope and spirit of the described invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims (7)

A support arm having an insertion portion to be inserted into the oral cavity, and an extending portion extending from the insertion portion and protruding outside the oral cavity,
An image receiving portion attached to an insertion end portion to which the extension portion is not connected in the insertion portion;
When the insertion portion and the image receiving portion are inserted into the oral cavity, the support arm is held by gripping, and the insertion end portion can rotate the image receiving portion around two or more axes. An oral imaging auxiliary tool that holds the image receiving part. A display unit for displaying an image output by the image receiving unit;
The oral imaging assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is attached to the support arm. The image receiving unit has an image receiving surface on which a subject image is formed,
The oral imaging assistance tool further includes an instruction unit extending from the image receiving unit in a direction perpendicular to the image receiving surface,
The indicating unit includes an angle indicating arm extending from the image receiving unit so as to be located outside a line of a subject image incident on the image receiving surface, and a position indicating arm extending from an end of the angle indicating arm that is not connected to the image receiving unit. Have
2. The position indicating arm is provided so that the tip of the position indicating arm is projected at a specific position on the image receiving surface when the tip of the position indicating arm is projected at a right angle to the image receiving surface. Oral imaging aids as described in.   The oral imaging assistance tool according to claim 3, wherein a part of the angle indicating arm and the position indicating arm protrude outside the oral cavity.   The oral cavity according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a display surface for displaying an image, and is attached rotatably to the support arm so that the display surface can face a radiation source direction or the image receiving unit direction. Shooting aid. A first cable provided inside the support arm and connected to the image receiving unit;
A second cable provided inside the support arm and connected to the display unit;
The image output by the image receiving unit is output via the first cable to an image processing unit provided outside the oral cavity imaging aid.
The oral cavity imaging aid according to claim 1, wherein the second cable transmits an image processed by the image processing unit to the display unit.   The oral imaging assistance tool according to claim 1, further comprising a grip portion attached to a protruding end of the extending portion.

Images