JPH0246332Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Field of industrial application) This invention is used to treat alveolar pyorrhea, etc., and measures the depth of the so-called periodontal pocket between the tooth and the surrounding gingiva. related to equipment for

(Prior art) Conventionally, in order to measure the depth of the above-mentioned periodontal pockets, methods such as Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-8815 or Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-
A measuring instrument disclosed in Publication No. 14069 was used.
In the former method, the tip of the wire is inserted to the bottom of the periodontal pocket, and the tip of the flexible pipe connected to the slider member is aligned with the gingival margin, and the slide width of the slider member at this time is measured from the measurement scale. The purpose is to measure the depth of the read periodontal pocket. The latter method electrically measures the sliding width of a sheath similar to the slider member described above and records it on a recorder, thereby simplifying the measuring operation and recording.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Of the above prior art, the former has a thin probe;
Although it is small, inexpensive, and has excellent operability,
The measurement values are read visually from the measurement scale, and the results must be recorded manually, which has the drawback of being cumbersome and prone to individual differences. In addition, the latter automatically records measured values, which is convenient and there is no difference between individuals, but since both have moving parts, there is a low degree of freedom in shape design, and it is not always possible to obtain a clinically desirable shape, and the shape is thick. Moreover, it had disadvantages such as being long and lacking in durability. In addition, since a movable part is used, it is necessary to provide some play in the movable part, so when inserting a measuring needle etc. into the periodontal pocket, it is difficult to accurately feel whether it has reached the bottom. It was also pointed out that measurement accuracy could not be improved due to this.

The present invention was devised in view of the above, and aims to provide a novel periodontal pocket measuring device that is extremely simple, has high measurement accuracy, and is excellent in operability.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The configuration of the measuring device of the present invention for achieving the above object will be explained based on the attached embodiment drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the measurement procedure according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the probe section showing a modification of the same embodiment. Figure 4 A, B and C are schematic diagrams of the detection circuit adopted in the present invention; Figure 5 A, B and C are schematic diagrams showing the manufacturing procedure for the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3; and Figure 6 Figure I,
7B is a schematic diagram showing another example of the same manufacturing procedure, and FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of other embodiments. That is, the periodontal probe measuring device of the present invention includes a probe 1 inserted into a periodontal pocket P, and a plurality of probes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction from the distal end of the probe 1. Index electrode 2...
and a common electrode 4 connected to the index electrodes 2 through a detection circuit 3.

The probe 1 is provided at the tip of the grip body 10, and is inserted into the periodontal pocket P formed between the tooth T and the gingiva M as shown in FIG. In the present invention, 3 to 10 index electrodes 2 are exposed and spaced apart from the tip of the probe 1 along the longitudinal direction. The index electrodes 2 are connected to the common electrode 4 via the detection circuit 3 by conductors 21 that are insulated from each other, and current is applied between the common electrode 4 and the index electrodes 2. The detection circuit 3 includes a current generation source and a display section (not shown) that detects which of the indicator electrodes 2 are conductive and displays this digitally in correspondence with the depth, and the like, It is installed inside the main body 10 or at an appropriate location led out from the main body 10 by a conductor (in FIG. 1, it is installed inside the main body 10). This detection circuit 3
As shown in Fig. 4A, a detector 30 is attached to each electrode 2...
By connecting the electrodes 21, it is detected whether there is conduction or non-conduction between the electrodes 21 and the common electrode 4 applied to the mucosal tissue. This detector 30 includes a constant current source 31, a buffer amplifier 32, and an output 33 as shown in FIG. , R>>6KΩ (resistance value between electrodes), it becomes almost a constant current source,
The output is E(V) when non-conducting and approximately O(V) when conducting. In addition, in the case of the AC power supply 31b, the electrode 2
It is possible to avoid the polarization of... Furthermore, in addition to the method of connecting the detector 30 for each electrode 2 as described above, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to switch and detect each electrode 2 by using the analog switch 34. In this case, it is suitable for connecting a microprocessor (not shown) after the detector 30 to process the detected signal.

The common electrode 4 is held in contact with an appropriate part of the living body, such as the gum M, and is positioned as an electrode terminal that is energized between the index electrodes 2 and the like.

(Function) In measuring the depth of the periodontal pocket P using the periodontal pocket measuring device of the present invention having the above configuration,
As shown in FIG. 2, the probe 1 is inserted into the periodontal pocket P with the common electrode 4 in contact with the gingiva M, etc., and when the tip reaches the bottom of the pocket P, the index electrode 2... and the common electrode are inserted into the periodontal pocket P. 4, the index electrodes 2 from the tip of the probe 1 to the marginal apex of the pocket P are in contact with the gingiva M. A current flows between them, and the depth can be immediately read by a display section in the detection circuit 3 in which the relationship between the conducting electrode and the depth is set in advance. Therefore, there is no concern that individual differences in measurement will occur.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples.

1 and 2 show an example in which the common electrode 4 is connected to the detection circuit 3 by a conductive wire 41 outside the main body 10 and is separate from the probe 1, and the common electrode 4 is connected to the patient's lips or the like. the operator touches the body 1 above.
The above measurement is to be carried out while holding the 0. On the other hand, in the probe shown in FIG. 3, a common electrode 4 is provided at the tip of the probe 1.
and index electrode 2 are electrically connected to the detection circuit 3 while maintaining an insulated state from each other. In this case, the operator can bring the common electrode 4 into contact with the patient simply by operating with one hand, so it can be said that the operability is superior to the case shown in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the conductors 21 from the index electrodes 2 are bonded to each index electrode 2 for ease of understanding, and are introduced into the detection circuit 3 from outside the probe 1. However, in reality, the shapes of the index electrodes 2... and the common electrode 4 and the manner of electrical connection between them and the detection circuit 3 are as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. The form and connection means to be introduced are adopted.

That is, in FIG. 5A, a plurality of concentric conductor layers a... and insulating layers b... are arranged alternately, and the core is the conductor layer and the outermost layer is the insulating layer, and these are bundled to form a Baumkuchen-shaped rod-shaped body 5. The front and back of this rod-shaped body 5 are machined into a tapered shape as shown in Fig. 5B.
1, 52 (particularly the side 51 to be used as a probe is a gently tapered surface), each tapered surface 51,
The processed end surfaces a ₁ ..., a ₂ ... of the conductor layer a ... are exposed on the 52 . Then, the conductor c... is bonded to the processed end surface _a2 ... of the conductor layer a... exposed on one tapered surface 52, and these are housed in the main body 10 as shown in FIG. The bundle detection circuit 3 (in the case of the figure, the main body 1
If the above-mentioned processed end surface a ₁ is used as the index electrode 2 (if the tip of the probe 1 is used as the common electrode ₄ as shown in FIG. ), the above measuring device is completed. As a result, the conductor layer a concentrically layered within the rod-shaped body 5
...and the conductor c bonded to the processed end surface a ₂ ...
The conductor 21 connects the index electrode 2 and the detection circuit 3.

In addition, in FIG. 6A, the probe 1 is attached to the tip of the main body 10.
The fitting part 101 of the main body 10 is connected to the connecting side tapered surface 52 of the probe 1.
Further, a connecting terminal a ₂ ′ corresponding to the processed end surface a ₂ is formed on the inner surface of the hole, and a conductive wire c is attached to the connecting terminal a ₂ ′ to form a detection circuit. 3 (not shown).

Furthermore, FIG. 6B shows an example in which the probe 1 and the main body 10 are integrally formed by the rod-shaped body 5 of FIG. This tapered surface 52 is connected to a cable line d having a connecting terminal part _d1 formed in the same manner as in FIG. There is.

All of the above is based on the rod-shaped body 5, and electrodes can be formed or electrically connected extremely simply and rationally.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show an attempt to form an index electrode, etc. in a manner different from that described above, and the formation procedure will be briefly described. First, as shown in FIG.
is peeled off, and the tip portions 61 are bent into an open ring shape around the conductive wires 6. Furthermore, the open annular tip portions 61 are arranged at approximately equal intervals and approximately concentrically as shown in FIG. is hardened with an insulating resin 7 or the like, and the whole is molded into an appropriate shape. The tip portion 61 is placed on the surface of the hardened resin 7.
The exposed portion of the tip portion 61 is used as the index electrode 2, the resin portion including the index electrode 2 is used as the probe 1, the other portion is used as the main body 10, and the rear end of the conductor 6 is used as the probe 1. By connecting it to an external detection circuit, a measuring device of the present invention similar to that described above is completed. In this case, the common electrode can also be formed by arranging the conductive wire 6 whose tip portion 61 is not bent at the center and hardening it with resin 7 so that the tip portion 61 slightly protrudes from the tip of the probe 1. However, it is easier to manufacture if it is provided separately from the probe 1 as in the example shown in FIG. In this case as well, the probe 1 is inserted into the periodontal pocket P as shown in FIG. As mentioned above, it is possible to read
It is preferably employed together with the above.

Note that it is also possible to mark each index electrode 2 of the probe 1 in the above embodiments so that the depth can be measured visually, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It goes without saying that other changes are possible unless otherwise specified.

(Effect of the invention) As described above, the periodontal pocket measuring device of the present invention has a plurality of index electrodes 2 spaced apart from the tip of the probe 1 along the longitudinal direction.
... is connected to the common electrode 4 through the detection circuit 3, so the common electrode 4 is brought into contact with a living body such as a tooth or gum, and the probe 1 is inserted until the tip reaches the bottom of the periodontal pocket, and the index electrode 2 is connected to the common electrode 4. When electricity is applied between the common electrode 4 and the index electrode 2, which is in contact with the inner wall of the periodontal pocket, a current flows between the common electrode 4 and the index electrode 2, which is read by the detection circuit 3 as the depth of the periodontal pocket. It is possible to perform quick, simple, and highly accurate measurements. Moreover, in the case of the present invention, since the probe 1 is fixed or integrated with the main body, when it is inserted into the periodontal pocket, it can be accurately felt whether it has reached the bottom, and in this respect, there is little individual difference and highly accurate measurement is possible. is promised.
In addition, since there are no moving parts, it is possible to design a compact, lightweight, and highly flexible form, and it is also highly durable. Furthermore, in combination with a printer etc., it is possible to record data and record on a computer memory or floppy disk.In addition, in combination with means for optimizing insertion pressure, etc. disclosed in Utility Application No. 51878/1989 filed by the present applicant. It has a wide variety of practical uses, such as further improving measurement accuracy if it is used, and is extremely useful.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the measurement procedure according to the same example;
Fig. 3 is a front view of the probe section showing a modification of the same embodiment, Fig. 4 A, B, and C are schematic diagrams of the detection circuit adopted in the present invention, and Fig. 5 A, B, and C are the 1 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing the manufacturing procedure in the embodiment, Figure 6 A and B are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the same manufacturing procedure, and Figure 7 A, B, and C are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the same manufacturing procedure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration. Explanation of symbols: 1...Probe, 2...Indicator electrode, 3...Detection circuit, 4...Common electrode.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A probe 1 to be inserted into a periodontal pocket, and a plurality of index electrodes 2 disposed on the circumferential body of the probe 1 along the longitudinal direction from the distal end thereof in an insulated manner from each other.
. . . and a common electrode 4 connected to the index electrode 2 through a detection circuit 3.