JPH07275202A - Dental treatment unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simultaneously enable both photography and treatment to be carried out by one dentist, in a narrow treatment site, while dispensing with the need of drawing a mouth-inside observing device near to a prescribed position each time it is used, and also while preventing the hand shaking of a camera at the time of photographing. CONSTITUTION:A CCD camera 8 is set up inside a dental treatment unit by fitting the CCD camera 8 to the end of a flexible arm 7 that has been extended from a support stand 9 while being supported by the support stand 9, and also by providing the support stand 9 to a dental treatment device and the dental lighting device 3 attached thereto or to a dental treatment chair.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dental treatment unit having a camera for observing an oral cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In dental treatment including diagnosis, inquiry and medical treatment, it is sometimes necessary to observe the inside of the oral cavity in detail. In order to respond to such demands, conventionally, a cabinet body with casters for accommodating various operation sections and an image storage section has been prepared, and a CCD camera that captures the inside of the oral cavity in the cabinet body and a CRT that displays the image, etc. There is an intraoral observation device that is connected to a monitor display.

This intraoral observation apparatus is used by pulling toward the dental treatment unit side each time during treatment.
In orthodontics and aesthetic dentistry, a facial photograph including the oral cavity of a patient is also taken with a polaroid camera or an electronic camera.

[0004]

However, in the vicinity of the dental treatment unit at the dental treatment site, there are doctors and assistants, as well as various treatment devices and instruments, or a movable table of the unit itself.
The current situation is that there is not enough space. It is not easy to dispose the above-described intraoral observation device in such a narrow portion and draw it to a required position each time it is used.

In particular, when a medical treatment apparatus and an intraoral observation camera are alternately used during treatment to leave an image chart, the instrument for treatment and the camera for photographing are repeatedly used. Frequent separate operations, such as pulling the instrument out of the treatment table and pulling the intraoral camera, are tedious. In addition, when photographing the inside of the oral cavity, the camera must be held while holding it in the hand, which easily causes camera shake, and the doctor cannot perform the photographing and the treatment at the same time by himself.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is not necessary to pull the intraoral observation device to a required position each time it is used in a narrow treatment site, and moreover, to prevent camera shake during photographing. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dental treatment unit in which a doctor can perform imaging and treatment at the same time by himself.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the dental treatment unit of the present invention is mounted on a support stand and has a flexible camera extended from the support stand by attaching a CCD camera to the tip of the flexible arm or detachably supported on the support stand. An optical fiber is inserted through the arm, a CCD camera is attached to the base end of the optical fiber, and a supporting stand is provided on the dental treatment apparatus and the dental lighting device or dental treatment chair attached thereto.

Further, the electric signal transmitted from the CCD camera is converted into a video signal through a camera control circuit, and the video signal is sent to a video device such as a VTR or a computer prepared inside or outside the dental treatment unit. It was made connectable so that oral observation, occlusion or jaw movement analysis data could be obtained.

[0009]

According to the dental treatment unit of the present invention, since the flexible arm having the CCD camera mounted at the tip or the proximal end is used, the photographing angle of the camera can be easily changed by the flexible action, and the photographing unit can be easily changed. Since the tip of the flexible arm can be introduced into that area even in a narrow space in the oral cavity, and the base end of the flexible arm can be fixed and used, the problem of camera shake during shooting is eliminated. To be done.

Video data for oral cavity observation, occlusion or jaw movement analysis can be obtained by converting an electric signal from a CCD camera into a video signal and connecting it online, and therefore, a dedicated device for that purpose. Need not be provided separately, and therefore the device and patient need not be moved.

[0011]

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 4 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention,
1 is a perspective view of a dental treatment unit of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an entire dental treatment apparatus using the dental treatment unit,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system of a dental treatment unit,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the dental treatment unit is used in combination with a jaw movement analysis device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dental treatment unit comprises a dental treatment chair 1 attached to the dental treatment apparatus, a gargling stand 2, a therapeutic lighting device 3 and a bracket table 4, and the bracket table 4 is supported by an arm 5. Along with this, various dental instruments can be placed. The therapeutic illumination device 3 is supported by an arm 6 and is provided so as to be movable back and forth, left and right, and up and down by joints 6a, 6b and 13.

In this embodiment, a CCD camera 8 is attached to the tip of a flexible arm 7 extending from the support stand 9 while being supported by the support stand 9 provided in the therapeutic illumination device 3, and the flexible arm 7 is flexible. By the action, the photographing angle of the camera can be easily changed, and the tip of the flexible arm 7 can be introduced into the photographing region even if the photographing unit is a narrow place in the oral cavity, and the base end of the flexible arm 7 can be introduced. By fixing the part to the support stand 9, the camera can be fixed and used.

The signal transmitted from the CCD camera 8 is electrically connected to the camera control circuit 10 housed in the support stand 9 via a cable 10a inserted in the flexible arm 7 as shown in FIG. And CCD
The electric signal transmitted from the camera 8 is the camera control circuit 10
Is converted into a video signal 18 and is connected to the VTR 11 housed in the dental treatment unit via a cable (not shown) inserted in the arm.
The video recording device may record a still image using a floppy disk or an IC card medium such as a still recorder other than the VTR.

The image data transmitted from the CCD camera 8 is displayed on the display 12 provided on the treatment lighting device 3.
Is displayed in. Since the display 12 can be tilted up, down, left, and right around the joint portion 13 provided on the upper part of the treatment lighting device 3, the doctor adjusts the image displayed on the display 12 to an angle that is easy to see, while watching the image. Can proceed with treatment work.

When the doctor takes a picture of the inside of the patient's mouth,
By holding the handle 25 of the therapeutic illumination device to the vicinity of the oral cavity to illuminate the inside of the oral cavity, the CCD camera 8 at the tip of the flexible arm 7 is guided to the photographing site and the operation remote controller 14 attached to the VTR 11 as shown in FIG. Operate to perform operations such as recording.

In this case, if the flexible arm 7 and the tip of the CCD camera 8 are protected by using a transparent cover that is disposable or sterilizable, the tip may be introduced into the oral cavity as necessary for photographing. Is possible.

When photographing the entire oral cavity or the face, the therapeutic illumination device 3 is moved away from the patient, the flexible arm 7 is bent so as not to get in the way, and the CCD camera 8 is fixed toward the patient. A clear image can be recorded by providing the zoom lens mechanism 15 (FIG. 3) at the tip of the camera.

In the above example, the stand portion 9 for supporting the flexible arm 7 is fixed to the therapeutic lighting device 3. As shown by 16 in FIG. 2, the stand portion 9 is attached to the back plate 1a of the therapeutic chair 1. Alternatively, it may be stored in the back of the pillow 1b and guided to the front of the patient's oral cavity for photography when necessary, or may be fixed to the bracket table 4 or the like as shown at 17.

Although there are various positions for supporting the flexible arm 7 as described above, in any case, since the flexible arm 7 equipped with the CCD camera 8 can be supported for photographing, the doctor must hold the camera. It is not necessary to take a picture, and the patient's oral cavity can be removed, the hand mirror can be operated, the syringe can be used for cleaning, or foreign substances can be removed during the picture taking. You can also treat while taking a picture.

The above description is a method of connecting the video signal 18 from the CCD camera 8 to the VTR 11 or the display 12 to check the video. As shown in the portion surrounded by a dotted frame 26 in FIG. A computer 20 inside or outside the dental care unit
It is also possible to perform image processing on the video data input by connecting to, and file it in the storage device 22 and use it as a database together with medical chart data and the like.

The video signal 18 can be connected to the computer 20 via the image input / output port 19 and to the CRT 21 and the storage device 22. Further, if a LAN is constructed using the other computer 23 and the communication board 24, the image data can be moved.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the dental treatment unit of the present invention is used in combination with an occlusal or jaw movement analysis device. In this case, in order to analyze the movement and occlusal state of the patient's upper and lower jaws, the frame 3 fixed to the patient's upper and lower jaws
A light emitting point 31 is prepared at a key point of 0, the locus of the light emitting point 31 is tracked by the CCD camera 8 attached to the treatment lighting device 3, and the image signal is sent to the computer 20 inside or outside the dental treatment unit. , Analysis and image processing are performed from the locus of the light emitting point 31, and the result is used as diagnostic data.

According to this embodiment, the CCD camera 8 is attached to the tip.
The flexible arm 7 mounted with is attached to the stand part provided in the therapeutic illumination device 3, and the flexible angle of the flexible arm 7 allows the photographing angle of the camera 8 to be easily changed, and in a narrow place in the oral cavity. Even if there is, the tip of the flexible arm can be introduced into the imaging unit, and since the camera 8 can be used while being supported on the treatment device side, camera shake does not occur during imaging.

Further, it is necessary to separately prepare a dedicated device for converting the signal from the CCD camera into an image signal 18 and connecting it online to obtain image data for oral cavity observation, occlusion or jaw movement analysis. There is no need to move the device or patient.

[0026]

Second Embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an optical fiber 27 is inserted into a flexible arm 7 extending from a support stand 9, a CCD camera 8 is attached to the base end of the optical fiber 27, and the flexible arm 7 is mounted. Is detachable from the support stand 9. Further, the flexible arm 7 in this embodiment is provided with a support stand 9
You may fix and use it.

In this case, the CCD camera 8 receives an image from the optical fiber 27 and emits an electric signal, and the signal is converted into an image signal 18 by the camera control circuit 10 housed in the support stand 9 and then inside the arm 6. Example 1 in that it is connected to the VTR 11 (FIG. 2) via the cable of FIG.
The other configuration is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the diameter of the flexible arm 7 can be made smaller than that of the first embodiment, so that the flexible arm 7 can be more easily introduced into the oral cavity. Further, the flexible arm 7 having the optical fiber 27 inserted therein is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 32.
It is also possible to directly capture the image from the CCD camera 8 by removing it. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first and second embodiments described above, if the dental treatment unit is mounted on the treatment lighting device 3, it is not necessary to prepare the lighting device for the camera.

[0030]

According to the dental treatment unit of the present invention, by using the flexible arm 7, the tip of the flexible arm 7 can be introduced into the photographing section even in a narrow space in the oral cavity and the CCD camera 8 can be used. You can freely adjust the shooting angle of. Moreover, since the flexible arm 7 equipped with the CCD camera 8 is supported on the treatment device side for photographing, there is no fear of camera shake during photographing.

Further, in the present invention, the CCD camera 8 is configured in the dental treatment unit, and the electrical signal transmitted from the CCD camera 8 is converted into the video signal 18 and connected online to analyze the oral cavity, occlusion or jaw movement analysis. Since it is possible to obtain the image data for, there is no need to separately prepare a dedicated device therefor, and therefore it is not necessary to move the dedicated device or the patient.

Thus, the doctor alone can excrete the patient's oral cavity, operate the hand mirror, wash with a syringe, remove foreign substances, and the like, and also perform imaging during treatment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a dental treatment unit showing a first embodiment of the present invention with a part thereof shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire dental treatment unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system of a dental treatment unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example in which a dental treatment unit is used in combination with a jaw movement analysis device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a dental treatment unit showing a second embodiment of the present invention with a part in a cross section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Dental treatment chair 2 Gargage stand 3 Treatment lighting device 4 Bracket table 5, 6 arm 7 Flexible arm 8 CCD camera 9 Support stand 10 Camera control circuit 11 VTR 12 Display 13 Joint 14 Remote control 15 Zoom lens mechanism 18 Video signal 19 Image input Output board 20, 23 Computer 21 CRT 22 Storage device 24 Communication board 25 Handle 27 Optical fiber 30 Frame 31 Light emitting point 32 Attachment / detachment section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A CCD camera is attached to the tip of a flexible arm extending from the support stand while being supported by the support stand, and the support stand is provided in a dental treatment apparatus and a dental lighting device or a dental treatment chair attached to the dental treatment apparatus. Dental treatment unit characterized by. 2. An optical fiber is inserted into a flexible arm extending from the support stand while being detachably supported by the support stand, a CCD camera is attached to the base end of the optical fiber, and the support stand is a dental treatment apparatus and a dentistry attached to the dental treatment apparatus. A dental treatment unit, which is provided in a lighting device or a chair for dental treatment. 3. An electric signal transmitted from the CCD camera is converted into a video signal via a camera control circuit, and the video signal is transferred to a video device such as a VTR or a computer provided inside or outside the dental treatment unit. The dental treatment unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein by making the connection possible, it is possible to obtain intraoral observation, occlusion or jaw movement analysis data.