JPH11137582A - Periodontal pocket measuring apparatus and measuring element, cap and guide element used therefor and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently measure a data of the depth of a periodontal pocket. SOLUTION: This periodontal pocket measuring apparatus has a switch to move a guide element 40 insertably linked to a support bar inside a measuring element by a guide element link part 23, a relatively moving value 60 of a cap 50 insertably linked to an external case 20 of the measuring element inducing the tip part of the guide element is measured with the tip part thereof to allow determining of the depth of a periodontal pocket and the resulting depth data is inputted. The measuring element detects an insertion pressure working on the guide element with a pressure sensor 22 provided between a part where the support bar is inserted and the guide element while allowing the inputting thereof based on a prescribed input pressure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tooth-related data such as the depth of periodontal pockets, the presence or absence of plaque, ie, plaque, the presence or absence of bleeding, and the value of the degree of sway. The present invention relates to a periodontal pocket measuring device capable of easily inputting the data and electrically processing the data, a tracing stylus used in the device, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a measuring jig having a scale is inserted into a gum and the scale is read. In the method of moving the external case of the tracing stylus, a relative value is obtained by moving the external case while pressing the entire external case with respect to the tip of the shaft.

[0003]

In the conventional method, after a person who measures the depth of the periodontal pocket, writes data in a predetermined table or reads the data and reads it out. Filling the table is generally time-consuming,
Further, it is inconvenient to perform data processing such as processing the data and displaying it on a graph or calculating an average value. In addition, in the method of moving the outer case of the probe relative to the lead, there is a problem that when the relative value is obtained, the greater the depth of the periodontal pocket, the more it must be moved. In addition, data processed and printed paper is directly
There was no format that could be attached to dental medical records. In addition, there is no one that can input the degree of fluctuation and print the data on the same paper as other data. Also, there was no one capable of printing data and graphs in detail.

[0004] The present invention relates to data of the depth of a periodontal pocket,
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a periodontal pocket measuring device which efficiently and electrically captures data on the presence or absence of plaque, data on the presence or absence of bleeding, values of the degree of fluctuation, etc., and enables various data processing. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a measuring element, a cap, a conductor, and a method for manufacturing the same, which can efficiently take in data used in the apparatus.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a periodontal pocket measuring device of the present invention moves a conductor connected to a support rod inside a probe so that the probe is connected to the probe. This is combined with a probe that supports the probe and measures the amount of relative movement with respect to the tip of the cap that guides the tip of the lead.

The periodontal pocket measuring device is a printer.
, Which can process the input data and print it in a format that can be attached to dental medical records. In addition, data and graphs can be printed in detail.

[0007] Further, since many switches and LED indicators are used, it is easy to operate and easy to see.

An RS-232C interface is provided to enable communication with external devices such as a personal computer and an IC card reader.

The above-mentioned measuring element has a supporting rod connected to a variable resistor therein, and a conductive element connected detachably to a connecting part of the conductive element connected to the measuring element. By moving the lead, the relative movement between the tip of the lead and the tip of a cap that is detachably connected to support and guide the lead is changed to the resistance change of the linear sliding potentiometer. By converting and measuring the value, the depth of the periodontal pocket can be measured. In addition, a pressure sensor is incorporated in the middle of the support rod, and is input when a certain pressure is applied.

A measuring element according to another embodiment has therein a center core of a differential transformer, a supporting rod connected thereto, and a conductor detachably connected to a conductor connecting portion connected thereto. By moving the guide indirectly by moving the support rod, the relative movement amount between the tip of the guide and the tip of the detachably connected cap that supports and guides it is calculated. By converting the voltage into a voltage change of the transformer and measuring the value, the depth of the periodontal pocket can be measured. In addition, a pressure sensor is incorporated in the middle of the support rod, and is input when a certain pressure is applied.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a circuit block is shown. The control section controls each input / output section.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the main body of the periodontal pocket measuring device.
Switch with ED display, P display LED, B display LED,
Input of measurement methods, measured values, data on the presence or absence of plaque, data on the presence or absence of bleeding, data on the degree of sway, missing teeth, measurement points, measurement order, operation mode, etc. The selection is easy to operate and can be easily judged at a glance.

In addition, one-point method, two-point method, four-point method, six-point method,
Various measurement methods such as the simple CPITN method, the CPITN precision method, and the like can be selectively measured by switching a measurement method selection switch with an LED display.

A liquid crystal display (5) is provided so that conditions of various functions can be set and results can be confirmed.

A switch with an LED display, a measurement point number display and a numerical display are provided to set the conditions of various functions and display the results.

A buzzer for checking operation is built in.
A buzzer sound is generated when data is input.

A foot switch jack (8) is provided so that data can be taken in by the foot switch and the timing can be set.

Further, a tracing stylus connector (12) is provided to connect the tracing stylus.

Further, a built-in printer (4) is used to process the measurement results immediately, and for example, a format (FIG. 6), a bar graph format (FIGS. 7, 8), a line graph, etc. which can be attached to a dental medical record. It can be printed in a format.

Further, communication means such as an RS-232C terminal (6) and a mini DIN terminal (7) are provided to enable communication with an external device.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the tracing stylus.

FIG. 4 shows the use condition of the tracing stylus.

FIG. 5 shows a connector of a tracing stylus, in which a non-volatile memory for recording characteristics of the tracing stylus is incorporated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the print format (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) of the data of the measurement result is shown. Each tooth data display column displays up to 6 data of each tooth.
Data, maximum value data, average value data, minimum value data
Data, etc. can be selectively printed, and in addition to numerical data, missing teeth are ×, unmeasured-, Δ is greater than the reference value, Δ is the reference value, ↓ When there is bleeding, a character symbol such as B is printed in the MOV column (71) and the degree of fluctuation is printed. It is also possible to print numerical values, P and B selectively. In addition, the size is a size that can be attached to a dental medical record.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 shows a format in which the measurement results are printed horizontally in a bar graph instead of numerical data, and the bar graph and the data can be mixed. Has become.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 shows a format in which a bar graph is printed vertically instead of numerical data of the measurement result, and the bar graph and the data can be mixed. It has become.

Also, a format in which the measurement result is printed in a line graph as shown in the figure instead of numerical data is shown, and the line graph and the data can be mixed. .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the rear connecting button (21) is moved from the rear side of the outer case supporting the inner supporting rod to the conductor connection connected to the supporting rod. The guide (4) detachably connected to the section (23).
(5), the cap (5) being detachable from the tip of the lead and an external case for guiding and supporting the tip.
0) A measuring element for measuring a relative movement amount with respect to a tip portion, wherein a tip of a cap is placed on top of a gum, a tip of a conductor is inserted into a periodontal pocket, and the relative movement is measured. The depth of the periodontal pocket is measured by the amount. In the probe, a linear sliding potentiometer (24), a depth data input switch (29), a plaque data input switch (28), and a bleeding data are provided. It incorporates an electronic circuit such as an input switch (27), a data input switch (27) for the degree of sway, etc., so that the measurement contents can be transmitted to a periodontal pocket measuring device through a code and a connector. I have. Further, the relative movement amount is changed by a linear sliding potentiometer to change the resistance value, change the voltage,
And the like, and the data can be taken in electrically. Further, a spring is inserted in the resistor, and when the force for moving the resistor is released, the resistor returns to the original position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, as a method for determining the timing of electrically taking in data, a conductor (4) is used.
0) and a linear sliding potentiometer (24), a pressure sensor (22) is provided, and when a certain force is applied, a change in the output voltage value of the pressure sensor is read, and a force exceeding a certain fixed value is read. It is possible to determine the data input timing by inputting the output voltage value at the time of addition and comparing it with the reference value.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, as a method of deciding the timing of electrically taking in data, a pressure sensor () is provided between the insertion button (21) and the linear sliding potentiometer (24). 22), a change in the output voltage value of the pressure sensor when a certain force is applied is read, and the output voltage value when a certain or more force is applied is input and compared with a reference value to obtain data. It is possible to determine the input timing.

FIG. 12 uses a differential transformer instead of the variable resistor of FIG. 9, and uses the output voltage of the operating transformer (25) instead of the resistance change of the resistor. Is almost the same as the description of.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the conductor (4) is used as a method for deciding the timing of electrically taking in data.
0) and a differential transformer (25).
2) The change in the output voltage value of the pressure sensor when a certain force is applied is read, and the output voltage value when a certain or more force is applied is input and compared with a reference value to obtain data. It is possible to determine the input timing.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, a pressure sensor (22) is provided between the insertion button (21) and the differential transformer (25) as a method of deciding the timing of electrically taking in data. A change in the output voltage value of the pressure sensor (22) when a certain force is applied is read, and the output voltage value when a certain force or more is applied is input and compared with a reference value to input data. It is possible to determine the timing.

In the embodiment of the conductor shown in FIG. 15, the tip (45) is formed into a shape having a diameter of about 0.5 mm, and a portion connected thereto is thinned so as to be able to bend according to the bending of the cap. ing. The other end is provided with a hole so that it can be attached to and detached from the connecting rod of the tracing stylus, and its inner wall is provided with ribs (43) or splits (44) at several places so that it can be securely attached and detached. In addition, since a step (42) is provided in a part thereof, it functions as a stopper with the cap.

In the embodiment of the conductor shown in FIG. 16, when using the conductor, the guide depth is used as a guide to know the insertion depth.
A scale (41) (FIG. 17) is provided according to a fixed length from the tip of the conductor.

In the embodiment of the cap shown in FIG.
The distal end of the pipe is formed to have an inner diameter of about 1 mm, and the outer shape is formed to about 1.5 mm at the distal end and becomes about 2 mm toward the center. The other end is provided with a hole so as to be detachable from the connecting portion of the tracing stylus, and a plurality of ribs (53) or splits (54) are provided on the inner wall thereof so that it can be surely detached. In addition, a step # 52 is provided at the end of the hole so that the guide does not go further inside, so that it functions as a stopper for the guide.

In the embodiment of the cap shown in FIG.
It is made in such a manner that a pipe portion tapering from the tip of the cap is heated, then formed into a shape that changes the direction of the outlet of the pipe, and then cooled to fix the shape.

Further, since the cap and the lead are detachable, only the cap and the lead can be sterilized, and since they can be disposable, they can be kept inexpensive and clean. It has become.

In FIG. 19, a step (42) is provided on the outer wall of the lead, and when this lead is inserted into the inside of the cap, it hits the step (52) of the cap and cannot be inserted any further. I have. As a result, the maximum length of the tip of the guide projecting from the tip of the cap can be made constant.

[0040]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

When the periodontal pocket measuring device configured as described above is used, the measurement is electrically input and processed, so that a multifunctional data can be processed by the control program. .

The liquid crystal display, the LED display and the switches, which are arranged in each part of the body of the periodontal pocket measuring device, provide data on the measuring method, the measured value, and the presence or absence of bleeding.
Data, data on the presence or absence of plaque, values of fluctuation, missing teeth, measurement points, measurement order, operation mode, and CPITN measurement mode
The user can easily select data and the like, input data, and the like, and can easily determine at a glance.

Also, one-point method, two-point method, four-point method, six-point method,
Since a simple method of the CPITN and a measurement method of the CPITN precision method can be selected and measured by a switch, it is possible to efficiently perform various kinds of measurements with one device.

Further, four types of movement methods are prepared for each tooth, and various measurement orders can be selected, which is convenient.

Further, it is convenient because the measurement can be performed in any combination of the measurement order of one block unit, two block units or four block units.

Further, it is convenient because the registered missing tooth is automatically jumped and moved to the next measurement point.

Further, since a liquid crystal display is provided so that conditions of various functions can be set and results can be confirmed, more detailed display and control can be performed. .

Further, since a light emitting diode and an LED numeric display are provided to set the conditions of various functions and display the results, it is possible to confirm the measurement results and the measurement status from a relatively long distance. it can.

Also, a buzzer is built-in, and the buzzer sounds at the time of measurement, switch input, processing, etc.
The operation can be easily confirmed.

Further, since a built-in printer is provided so that the measurement results can be processed and printed in a format that can be attached to a dental medical record or in a bar graph format, the trouble of rewriting to a predetermined sheet after the measurement can be omitted. The detailed data and graphs printed and printed will enable better medical care.

Further, an RS-232C communication means is provided, so that an external device can control the device online and communicate data.

The measuring element is configured to move an inner conductor with respect to the gum and perform measurement. In practice, most of the periodontal pockets are shallow, and the amount of movement of the conductor for measurement is small, so that efficient measurement can be performed.

In another embodiment, as a method of electrically capturing data, an electronic component for electrically reading pressure is incorporated between the conductor and the internal support rod, thereby automatically inputting data and maintaining a constant value. Since pressure is input, measurement can be performed under more uniform insertion pressure conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a periodontal pocket measuring device.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a periodontal pocket measuring device main body.

FIG. 3 is an outline view of a tracing stylus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the use of a tracing stylus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector of a tracing stylus.

FIG. 6 is an example of a print format that can be attached to a dental medical record in which data is printed laterally in tooth units.

FIG. 7 is an example of a print format of a horizontal bar graph for each tooth.

FIG. 8 is an example of a print format of a vertical bar graph for each tooth.

FIG. 9 shows a type of measuring element in which a support rod is moved from the rear side of the case using a linear sliding potentiometer.

FIG. 10 shows a measuring element of a type in which a pressure sensor is provided between a conductor and a linear sliding potentiometer.

FIG. 11 shows a type of probe in which a pressure sensor is provided between a button for insertion and a linear sliding potentiometer.

FIG. 12 shows a type of measuring element in which a support rod is moved from the rear side of a case using a differential transformer.

FIG. 13 shows a type of probe in which a pressure sensor is provided between a conductor and a differential transformer.

FIG. 14 shows a tracing stylus in which a pressure sensor is provided between the insertion button and the differential transformer.

FIG. 15

FIG. 16: scaled conductor

FIG. 17: WHO-compliant scale (unit: mm)

FIG. 18 shows a guide mounting rib.

FIG. 19 Split for attaching a lead

FIG. 20: cap

FIG. 21: Cap with a bent tip

FIG. 22: Ribs for attaching caps

FIG. 23 is a split for attaching a cap.

FIG. 24 is an attached state of a cap, a conductor, and a connecting rod.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper case 2 Lower case 3 Nameplate 4 Printer 5 Liquid crystal display 6 RS-232C terminal 7 Mini DIN terminal 8 Jack for foot switch 9 Power switch 10 Power supply cord 11 Hanger 12 Terminal for measuring element 13 Rubber foot 14 Calibration hole 18 Probe connector 19 Non-volatile memory 20 Case 21 Button 23 Conductor connecting part 24 Linear sliding potentiometer 25 Operating transformer 26 Mobility input switch 27 Bleeding status -Data input switch 28 Presence or absence of plaque Data input switch 29 Pocket depth data input switch 30 Button connecting rod 40 Conductor 41 Conductor scale 42 Conductor stopper-43 Conductor mounting rib 44 Conductor mounting Split 45 Leader tip 50 Cap 51 Cap bend 52 Cap stopper 53 Cap Ri with ribs 54 cap mounting split 71 tooth mobility answer column

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An outer part of a measuring element for guiding a tip of the measuring element by moving a measuring element (40) detachably connected to a supporting rod inside the measuring element at a measuring element connecting portion (23). The depth of the periodontal pocket can be measured by measuring the relative movement amount (60) of the cap (50) detachably connected to the case (20) with respect to the tip thereof, and the depth (22) A pressure sensor provided between a part for inserting a support rod and a conductor in addition to a switch for inputting data
And a periodontal pocket measuring device having the measuring element, which detects an insertion pressure applied to the conductor and can input the input pressure at a predetermined input pressure. 2. During and after the measurement, in addition to the depth data of the periodontal pocket, the data of the presence or absence of plaque, the data of the presence or absence of bleeding, and the fluctuation data (71) from the main unit or the probe. 2. The periodontal pocket measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the correction and the re-input can be performed in units of tooth measurement points. 3. The built-in printer can attach the depth data of the periodontal pocket, the data of the presence / absence of plaque, the data of the presence / absence of bleeding and the fluctuation data (71) to the dental medical record. 2. A periodontal pocket measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing form is formed in a different shape and the printing can be performed in that form. 4. A bar graph constituted by a built-in printer in such a manner that depth data of periodontal pockets, data of presence / absence of plaque, data of presence / absence of bleeding, and a degree of fluctuation data (71) can be easily viewed. The periodontal pocket measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is capable of printing in a format or a line graph format and printing in those formats. 5. A liquid crystal display, an LED display and L
Using a switch with an ED display, etc., it is possible to operate the measuring method, measured value, presence / absence of plaque, presence / absence of bleeding, fluctuation data, missing teeth, measurement points, measurement order, operation mode, etc., and 2. The periodontal pocket measuring device according to claim 1, wherein in addition to depth data, plaque data, bleeding data, sway data, etc., can be inputted by an input switch. 6. A tip of a lead connected to a tip of a lead connected by moving a support rod connected by a button support rod by moving a button (21) from a rear side of an outer case of the probe. The amount of relative movement with the tip of the cap (6
0) is converted into a resistance value change or voltage change by a built-in linear sliding potentiometer (24), and the data can be taken in electrically, and plaque is provided by an attached input switch. A probe that allows the input of at least the relative movement amount among the probes that can be used to input data on the presence or absence of bleeding, data on the presence or absence of bleeding, and data on the degree of fluctuation. 7. A tip of a lead connected to a tip of a lead connected by a button (21) by moving a button (21) from a rear side of an outer case of the probe. The amount of relative movement with the tip of the cap (6
0) is converted into a voltage change or the like by a built-in differential transformer (25), and the data can be taken in electrically. The attached input switch detects the presence or absence of plaque,
A tracing stylus for which at least a relative movement amount can be input, among tracing styluses which can input data on the degree of fluctuation in addition to data on whether or not there is bleeding. 8. A method for converting a relative movement amount of a measuring element into a resistance value change, a voltage change, and the like and determining a timing of electrically taking in the data, a lead element and a button for inserting a support rod. A pressure sensor (22) is provided between
8. The measurement according to claim 6, wherein the output voltage value when a certain or more force is applied is input and compared with a reference value to determine the timing for taking in data or the like. Child. 9. A frictional resistance when a conductor is passed through the cap and is inserted and removed is measured in advance by a pressure sensor (22), and when a pressure is actually applied to the conductor (40), the frictional resistance is determined. 9. The measuring element according to claim 8, wherein the pressure actually applied to the conductive element is known from the difference. 10. A non-volatile memory is provided inside the connector (18) of the probe connected to the main unit or inside the probe, so that characteristic data of the probe can be stored. The tracing stylus according to claim 6 or claim 7. 11. A guide (40) in which one end is formed into a shape having a tip (45) of about 0.5 mm in diameter and the other end is formed of resin so as to be detachably attached to a connecting rod of a measuring element. 12. The guide according to claim 11, wherein a scale is provided on a part of the tip portion according to a predetermined length from the tip. 13. The mounting portion has a rib (53) or a split (5).
12. The guide according to claim 11, wherein the guide is inserted and easily detachable from the connecting rod. 14. A cap (50) in which the inside is formed in a pipe shape, and the lead is movable back and forth inside the inside thereof, and a resin is formed at the tip of the measuring element so as to be detachable. 15. The tip of the conductor is formed by heating and bending at a certain angle so that the direction of the tip of the lead coming out of the cap can be changed according to the bent angle (51). The cap described. A rib (53) or a split (5) is provided on the mounting portion.
14. The cap according to claim 13, wherein the cap is inserted and easily detachable from the connecting rod. 17. A stopper (42) is provided on a part of a conductor and a stopper (52) is provided on a corresponding cap part.
16. The conductor according to claim 11, wherein the distal end of the conductor does not protrude beyond a predetermined length, and the cap according to claim 14, 15 or 15.