JPH04221552A - Dental probe incorporating video conduc- tor and photoconductor for video trans- ference - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To manufacture a probe for mouth image transfer which is fitted to a general dental equipment with respect to dimension, shape and handling. CONSTITUTION: A grip member 8 for receiving other members 7, 9, 10 of a photographing device is mounted on a probe 1 in the axial direction and, more advantageously, in such a manner as to be removable.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a method for transmitting video images.
In particular, it relates to a dental sonde incorporating a video conductor and a light conductor for the transmission of video signals.

0002

[Prior Art] The above-mentioned dental probes are available in the following pamphlets: Fujinon's "Dentacam" and "Dentoscope".
La Nouvelle Vision Dentaire” (Fujino
n“Denta Cam”, “Dentoscope”
La NonvelleVision Den
Osada’s “Canal Scope” (O
sada, “Canal Scope” and “Siemens Cerec”
”), a sonde is used for imaging from the patient's oral cavity and for video transmission to a magnified image screen in order to provide a clear image to the dentist, the patient, and possibly a third party, such as a student. These sondes have a large volume and guide the light for transmitting the image and illuminating the oral cavity through a light guide, for example a glass fiber bundle.The glass fiber bundle is also large volume and not very flexible. There is therefore a high risk of breakage. This makes the sonde difficult to handle. Image transmission to a distant video camera is also relatively poor.

[0003] DE-OS 2208902 shows a dental handpiece to which two conductors for image and light are attached externally for the transmission of images. The two instruments, namely the handpiece and the sonde, are thus connected to each other, but the handpiece has an even larger volume due to the external arrangement of the conductors.
and difficult to handle. Here again, the tube extending from the instrument has poor flexibility due to the conductor it contains (for example in the form of a glass fiber bundle) and is difficult to handle as a whole.

0004

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to find a sonde for transmitting intraoral images which is adapted in terms of size, shape and handling to customary dental instruments.

[0005]

Means of the invention for solving the above problems are set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0006]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the following advantages are achieved:
This means that the modular construction of the light source, objective lens and camera within the original grip member allows for dimensions, shape and handling equivalent to those of existing instruments, the required power is minimal, and the image quality is improved. The sonde can be integrated into a regular unit, the sonde can be placed on the dentist's or assistant's side, the sonde can be retrofitted into an existing unit, the diameter of the sonde is small, the individual parts have the same dimensions can be interchanged with other parts at will and thus be universally used; the individual parts can be rotated relative to each other and thus adapted to the relevant location; care, cleaning and sterilization are simplified; , and improved placement and energy delivery independent of other instruments.

Other embodiments of the invention are listed in claims 2 to 14.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 designates a dental probe, which comprises a housing 2, an image conductor 3 and a light guide 4, the latter two of which are integrated into the probe 1. Reference numeral 5 is a deflection device for the image, which may be a prism or a corner reflector. The light is emitted in a targeted manner, for example via a light rod. Reference numeral 8 designates a grip member added to the sonde in the axial direction according to the invention, in which a light source 7, an objective lens 9 and a camera 10 are installed. The light source 7 is rotatable about the axis A and is aligned behind the light guide 4 .

A tube connection 11 is fixedly or removably attached to the gripping element 8 and leads to a tube 12 for accommodating the necessary conductors. The gripping element 8 is rotatably mounted on the probe 1 and possibly also on the tube connection 11, and the gripping element 8 can also be removed from the probe 1 and optionally from the tube connection 11. good. Sondes of various configurations allow adaptation to local conditions within the mouth. Furthermore, the various individual parts, especially those of the same size, can be replaced with each other, and the whole can be easily disassembled to reduce sanitary procedures.

Although the height positions of the image conductor 3 and the light guide 4 are changed in FIG. 2, they are functionally the same.

Reference numeral 14 is a scattering light aperture, and reference numeral 1 is a scattering light aperture.
5 indicates a front lens, which improves the image quality.

FIG. 2a shows a possible arrangement of the image conductor 3 and the light conductor 4.

A tube 12 is connected to the tube connection 11, and the tube has conductors necessary for transmitting current and images taken to the camera 10. Since only simple electrical conductors are required, the tube 12 is particularly easy to handle and is particularly easy to bend. According to FIG. 3, the lines for the video can lead, for example, to a printer 25, a character generator 26, a monitor 27, a recorder 28 or a video memory 29 or other signal processing systems. A plurality of these devices can be connected at the same time.

In the block diagram according to FIG. 3, the gripping element according to the invention is designated 20 and its tube-side connection is designated 21.
, and the sonde is indicated by the reference numeral 22. Reference numeral 23 designates the control device for the necessary cold light, reference numerals 25 to 29
are connected devices, and reference numeral 24 is a control device for these.

FIG. 4 shows the monitor 27 installed in a dental unit. The unit is designated 35 and includes a video control or conditioning system 38, a storage control system 39, and a media control and supply system 40. Reference numeral 36 represents a stand on which various instruments, one of which is a sonde according to the invention, are placed. Reference numeral 41 designates an interface for the connected devices 25 to 29. Reference numeral 42 indicates an operating member, for example a foot-operated starter.

FIG. 5 shows the stand 3 equipped with each instrument 37 and the monitor 27 when the monitor 27 is attached to the stand 35.
6 is shown how it can be spatially arranged relative to the patient chair 45.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sonde according to the invention with a gripping member and a supply hose; FIG.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of only the sonde;
FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa in FIG. 2(b).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of each member of the stand connected to the sonde according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one example for incorporating a sonde according to the invention into a dental unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of monitor arrangement in a dental treatment facility equipped with a unit incorporating a sonde.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sonde 2 Casing 3 Video conductor 4. Light guide 5 Deflection device 7 Light source 8 Grip member 9 Objective lens 10 Camera 11 Pipe connection part 12 Tube 14 Scattered light aperture 15 Front lens 20 Grip member 21 Connection part 22 Sonde 23, 24 Control device 25 Printer 26 Character generator 27 Monitor 28 Recorder 29 Video memory 35 units 36 Stand 37 Equipment 38 Video control device 39 Storage control device 40 Media control and supply device 41 Interface 42 Operation member 45 Chair

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Other parts (7, 9, 10) of the imaging device in a dental sonde incorporating a video conductor and a light guide for video transmission, in particular for transmitting video signals.
Dental sonde incorporating a video conductor and a light guide for video transmission, characterized in that a gripping member (8) for receiving the video signal is added axially to the sonde (1). 2. Dental probe according to claim 1, characterized in that a tube connection (11) is added on the other side of the gripping element (8). Claim 3: An optical deflection (
5) The dental sonde according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. Dental sonde according to claim 3, wherein the deflection (5) is performed by a prism or a corner reflector. 5. Dental sonde according to claim 3, wherein the deflection is performed by an optical light guide element. 6. The light source (7) is connected to the light guide (
6. The dental probe according to claim 1, wherein the dental probe is arranged in the gripping element (8) in alignment with the dental probe 4). 7. Dental sonde according to claim 1, wherein the light source and/or the imaging device are arranged in the sonde (1). 8. A focus adjustment device (9) and an imaging device (
Dental sonde according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that 10) is arranged behind the light source (7) in the gripping member (8). 9. A scattering diaphragm (14) and a front lens (13) are provided within the image conductor (3),
Dental sonde according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Claim 10: The grip member (8) is a sonde (1).
10. Dental probe according to claim 1, wherein the probe is rotatable relative to the probe. [Claim 11] The grip member (8) is a sonde (1).
and is separable from the pipe connection (11).
The dental sonde according to any one of items 1 to 10. Claim 12: A tube (1
12. Dental probe according to claim 2, characterized in that 2) is connected to a tube connection (11). 13. The dental sonde of claim 12, wherein one of the conductors leads to a signal processing device. [Claim 14] Pipe connection part (11) or pipe (12)
Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, wherein a light source is arranged in ).
, 9, 10, 11, and 12.