JPH045139Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) This invention is mainly used for dental treatment.
The present invention relates to a novel handpiece that can observe and judge the presence or absence of tartar (plaque) adhesion in periodontal pockets and the state of the tooth root canal based on the wavelength or color of reflected light.

(Prior Art) In dental treatment, it is sometimes necessary to observe conditions within periodontal pockets and tooth root canals. Such observation can be roughly divided into detecting the depth of the tooth, or detecting the presence or absence of tartar (plaque) inside the tooth and the disease state, and the present invention is similar to the latter. .

As a jig for observing the inside of such a periodontal pocket, light from a light source is transmitted through the grip using a suitable light guiding means, and the target area is irradiated by being refracted by a reflecting mirror at the tip of the light. A light guide fiber that can be connected to a light source and a tip of a light guide fiber that can be connected to a light amount measuring device are connected together, and the joint part is connected to a metal pipe. Examples include those that are coated with so that they can be inserted into root canals and the like.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, since the former of the above observation jigs includes a reflective mirror, the shape of that part is large, making it difficult to operate smoothly in narrow areas such as periodontal pockets and root canals. Lacking sex. On the other hand, in the case of the latter, the two types of light guide fibers are covered with a straight metal pipe, so they cannot be inserted deep into the narrow tube, and because they are rigid, they cannot adapt to the shape of the observation site. is also scarce. In addition, since both insertion portions are integrated with other parts, it takes time and effort to disinfect and sterilize them.
As described above, each method has its own problems, and countermeasures are desired.

The present invention was devised in view of the above, and aims to provide a novel handpiece for observing the inside of a capillary tube that is easy to operate and maintain.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object will be explained based on the attached embodiment drawings. Fig. 1 is a partial cutout overall view showing an example of the handpiece of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line - - of the same embodiment, and Figs. 3 and 4 are similar to Fig. 2 of other embodiments. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the line in FIG. 1, FIGS. 6 to 8 are views showing modifications of FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway overall view showing another embodiment. , FIG. 10 is a dimensional drawing of the probe adopted in the present invention. That is, the handpiece for observing the inside of a capillary tube of the present invention includes a gripping part 1, two types of light guiding fibers 2 and 3 for irradiation and observation inserted into the gripping part 1, and the tip of the gripping part 1. It consists of a flexible conical tapered probe 4 which is removably connected to the ends of the two types of fibers 2 and 3, and its purpose is to observe the bright and dark colors inside the capillary. It is.

A light source 21 such as a light emitting lamp or a semiconductor laser is disposed at the rear end of the light guide fiber 2 for irradiation, while at the rear end of the light guide fiber 3 for observation,
Image receiving and observing means 31 such as an optical lens, screen, wavelength analyzer, or CCD for directly viewing the reflected light, and its ancillary members (electrically related members, etc.) are connected. These light sources 21 or image receiving and observing means 31
may be provided within the grip 1, but the light guide fibers 2 and 3 may be extended long and brought together in a position separate from the grip 1.

A straight or bent protection tube 11 extends from the tip of the gripping portion 1, and the light guiding fibers 2 and 3 are inserted into this tube 11 and extend to the tip. A tapered conical light guide probe 4 is detachably connected to the tip of the tube 11 by connecting the light emitting ends and light receiving ends of the light guide fibers 2 and 3 together.

The light guide probe 4 is made of a flexible transparent molded product, for example, a synthetic resin molded product made from modified polymethyl methacrylate or synthetic rubber, and its shape is a truncated cone as shown in FIG. It is preferable to use one whose truncated head is polished so that it is substantially parallel to the base end. In addition, the length h and the diameter d of the central part are determined depending on the purpose of use. For example, h is 5 to 30 mm, and d is 0.1 to 1.0 mm.
is considered appropriate.

(Function) When observing the inside of a periodontal pocket or a capillary such as a root canal using the handpiece having the above configuration, the grip portion 1 is grasped and the light guide probe 4 is inserted into the capillary.
The irradiation light transmitted from the light source 21 through the irradiation light guide fiber 2 is introduced into the light guide probe 4 from its light output end, is reflected by the tapered side circumferential surface, and the reflection angle increases for a while until it enters the light guide probe 4.
The light is focused on the tip and irradiated onto the target area.

The reflected light from the above irradiation light to the target area is
Contrary to the above, the light enters the light guide probe 4 and is repeatedly reflected while temporarily decreasing the reflection angle on its side circumferential surface, and is directed toward the connecting portion of the light guide probe 4 and introduced into the light receiving end of the observation light guide fiber 3. Ru. The reflected light transmitted through the observation light guide fiber 3 is directly visually observed by the image receiving and observing means 31, and its wavelength is analyzed and further converted into an electrical signal. Identified by wavelength and color.

During the above-mentioned irradiation observation, since the light guide probe 4 has a tapered conical shape, it can be inserted deep into narrow parts such as periodontal pockets and root canals, and since the light guide probe 4 is flexible, it can be inserted deep into narrow parts such as periodontal pockets and root canals. Even if the inside of the probe 4 has a complicated shape, it can be easily inserted into the bottom of the narrow gap in a freely curved manner, and even when the light guide probe 4 is in a curved state, it does not capture images of the target area, but rather displays bright and dark colors. Since it is identified, the presence or absence of tartar in the target area, disease state, etc. can be accurately observed and grasped.

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

(Example 1) FIGS. 1 to 8 show the operation base 6 outside the grip part 1.
A flexible protective tube 61 is connected between the base portion 6 and the grip portion 1, and two portions are provided in the protective tube 61.
Separate light guide fibers 2 and 3 are inserted through the light guide fibers 2 and 3, and a grip portion 1 is attached to the distal end of the light guide fibers 2 and 3 so as to surround the light guide fibers 2 and 3. Further, in this embodiment, a supply channel 5 for air, water, or a chemical solution such as physiological saline is provided for cooling or cleaning the target region and/or the light guiding probe 4. This supply path 5 is formed such that a cooling or cleaning medium supply port 50 is provided in the operation base 6, and the protection tube 61 is provided with a cooling or cleaning medium supply port 50.
, the internal cavity of the gripping part 1 and the internal cavity of the tip protection tube 11 are communicated and used as a cooling or cleaning medium supply path 5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), or a separate protection tube 61, It is also possible to insert a cooling medium supply tube 51 into the gripping part 1 and the protective tube 11 at the tip of the gripping part 1, and use the inside of this tube as the supply path 5 (see FIG. 4). The cooling medium supplied through the supply path 5 is discharged from its tip and has the effect of cooling the observation target area and removing dental plaque or pus accumulated in the area, and also has the effect of removing dental plaque or pus accumulated in the area. It also contributes to the cooling of No. 4.

The two types of light guide fibers 2 and 3 are concentrically combined with the inner side as the irradiation light guide fiber 2 and the outer side as the observation light guide fiber 3, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the interface thereof is used for total reflection. Prepare fibers 2 and 3 that have been mirror-finished to obtain a mirror finish, or prepare two separate fibers 2 and 3 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to do so.

The light guide probe 4 is removably attached to the protective tube 11 at the tip of the gripping part 1. This removable attachment is achieved by attaching a cap nut-shaped fastener 41 to the probe 4.
The tube 11 is screwed and fastened to the tube 11 so as to fit over the outer periphery of the tube 11 and press against the tapered surface of the outer periphery.

In order to inject the cooling medium to the target area, as shown in FIG.
1,411 to eject toward the target area;
As shown in FIG. 6, a through hole 42 is provided in the approximate center of the probe 4, which is open from the base end to the distal end and also communicates with the supply path 5, and the jet is emitted from the end of the through hole 42. As shown in the figure, the guide tube 43 is attached to the fastener 4 around the probe 4.
1, and the gap between the tube 43 and the probe 4 is used as a cooling medium passage leading to the supply path 5, and furthermore, as shown in FIG. 44 and making this tube 44 communicate with the supply path 5 can be adopted. In the case of the method shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is possible to attach a guide tube 43 and a nozzle tube 44 to the fastener 41 so that they can communicate with the supply path 5 in the protective tube 11 at the tightening site. desirable. In particular, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the light guide probe 4 is also cooled at the same time, which is effective when using laser light as the irradiation light.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 shows an example in which a light source 21 and an image receiving/observing means 31 are provided in the grip part 1.
A battery 22 is also built in as a power source for causing the light to emit light. Further, as described above, an optical lens, a screen, a wavelength analyzer, a CCD, etc. are employed as the image receiving and observing means 31, but either the light source 21 or the image receiving and observing means 31 is provided at a location different from the grip part 1. This is not excluded either. This embodiment is preferably adopted when no cooling medium passage is provided, has the advantage of making the entire device compact, and can be used as appropriate depending on the application, along with the first embodiment. Furthermore, since the configuration from the gripping part 1 to the light guide probe 4 is the same as that in the case where the supply path 5 is not formed in the first embodiment, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

(Effects of the invention) As described above, the handpiece for observing inside a capillary tube of the present invention has a tapered conical light guide in which the tips of the light guide fibers 2 and 3 for irradiation and observation are tied together at the tip of the grip part 1. Since the probe 4 is attached, the probe 4 can be inserted deep into narrow areas such as periodontal pockets or tooth root canals, and the condition of the target area can be checked based on the intensity, color, and color of the reflected light. It can be observed and understood accurately by wavelength, etc. Further, since the probe 4 is detachable, sterilization and disinfection can be performed extremely easily. Furthermore, since at least two types of light guide fibers 2 and 3 are inserted into the grip portion 1, the diameter of the body does not increase, making it extremely easy to handle. Furthermore, the probe 4
Since it is made of a flexible transparent molded body of synthetic resin or the like, it is possible to adapt it to the shape of the observation target site, and even if the tube wall has complicated irregularities, the probe 4 can be inserted into the inside thereof. The above observation can be made more accurately.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a partial cutout overall view showing an example of the handpiece of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line - - of the same embodiment, and Figs. 3 and 4 are similar to Fig. 2 of other embodiments. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the line in FIG. 1, FIGS. 6 to 8 are views showing modifications of FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway overall view showing another embodiment. , FIG. 10 is a dimensional drawing of the probe adopted in the present invention. Explanation of symbols, 1...Gripping part, 2...Light guide fiber for irradiation, 3...Light guide fiber for observation, 4...
...Light guiding probe, 5... Supply path.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A gripping part 1, and two types of light guiding fibers 2, 3 for irradiation and observation inserted into the gripping part 1.
and a flexible conical tapered light guiding probe 4 which is removably connected to the end of the two types of fibers 2 and 3 at the tip of the gripping part 1. hand piece. 2. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the light guide fibers 2 and 3 are inserted into the grip portion 1. 3. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the light guide fibers 2 and 3 are coaxially inserted into the grip portion 1. 4. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein a supply path 5 for air, water, or a chemical solution is formed in the gripping portion 1.