JPH1147092A - Intraoral imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To insert an illumination into the mouth together with a photographing part and to easily and safely perform operation in that case. SOLUTION: Inside an outer frame 7, a mirror, lens part 3, photographing part composed of a CCD image sensor 5 and a white LED lamp 9 of low temperature heating property are provided. The outer frame 7 is composed of a top end part 7a and a main body part 7b, and the top end part 7a is shaped so as to be easily and safely inserted into the mouth of a patient. The top end part 7a is equipped with a lens window 15 and a lamp window 17. When a dentist is to photograph the inside of the patient's mouth, the top end 7a of the outer frame 7a is covered while being temporarily adhered with a transparent film 23, it is sanitarily inserted into the mouth and the desired place to be photographed is photographed while making the lens window 15 closer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intraoral photographing apparatus for photographing the inside of a patient's mouth for diagnosis and treatment by a dentist.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows the structure of an operation unit having a photographing unit and an illumination unit in a conventional intraoral photographing apparatus A, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the photographing structure.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a photographing grip, 31 denotes a CCD camera head, 32 denotes a lamp, 33 denotes a lamp lighting switch, 34 denotes a reflecting mirror, and 35 denotes a reflecting mirror to a photographing grip 30. A fixing screw for fixing the recording / playback unit to the remote control unit 3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a remote control switch unit. The camera control unit is CC in the shooting grip 30
It is connected to the D camera head 31. The recording / playback unit is connected to a remote control unit 36 for the recording / playback unit and a remote control switch 37 in the shooting grip 30.

In the above-mentioned conventional example, a trial object is illuminated by a lamp 32 and an image thereof is taken by a CCD camera head 31. When it is difficult to directly image the back side of the patient's teeth or the like, the imaging can be performed using the reflecting mirror 34. This image can be viewed on the monitor through the camera controller unit recording and playback unit. The recording / playback operation is performed by pressing the remote control switch 37 to activate the remote control switch unit 36 for recording / playback.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of an operation unit having an imaging unit and an illumination unit in another conventional intraoral imaging apparatus B, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the imaging configuration.

In FIG. 7, the support stand 4 is supported by a support stand 49 provided in the intraoral imaging apparatus.
A CCD camera head 48 is attached to the tip of a flexible arm 47 extending from the position 9. The flexible function of the flexible arm allows the photographing angle of the camera to be easily changed, and the distal end of the flexible arm 47 can be introduced into the photographing site even when the photographing section is a narrow place in the oral cavity. By fixing the base end of 47 to the support stand 49, the camera can be fixed and used.

In FIG. 8, a signal transmitted from a CCD camera 48 is electrically connected to a camera control circuit 40 housed in a support stand 49 via a cable 40 a inserted into a flexible arm 47. And C
The electric signal transmitted from the CD camera 48 is converted into a video signal 48 by the camera control circuit 40, and the video signal 48
Is connected to a VTR 41 housed in the dental treatment unit via a cable (not shown) inserted into the arm.

[0008] The image data transmitted from the CCD camera 48 is displayed on a display 42 provided above the treatment lighting device 43. When taking an image of the inside of the oral cavity of the patient, the doctor holds the handle 55 of the treatment lighting device and approaches the inside of the oral cavity to illuminate the inside of the oral cavity, and as shown in FIG. Guide to the imaging site.

[0009]

In the conventional intraoral imaging apparatus A, the imaging section has a large diameter and a short dimension. For this reason, it is difficult to insert an imaging unit into the oral cavity of a patient or to approach an affected part or a target part for imaging, and it is difficult to accurately image a desired imaging location. Further, in the conventional intraoral imaging devices A and B described above, the blip is provided with the illumination unit and the imaging unit separately, and the illumination unit cannot be inserted into the oral cavity together with the imaging unit, so that the blip can be inserted from the mouth of the patient. Since the light is illuminated at a distance, it is not possible to directly and accurately image a shadowed portion such as a lack of light amount or the back side of a tooth.

Here, it is conceivable to insert the light source into the oral cavity together with the photographing unit. In this case, it is considered that the lens unit is damaged by heat generated by the light source because the lens unit and the light source approach each other. In addition, in order to insert the imaging unit and the like into the oral cavity, it is necessary to cover the imaging unit and the like with a sterilized cover, and this cover has a small thickness so that the imaging unit and the like can be spatially inserted into the oral cavity. You need to use something. However, when using a thin cover,
It was considered that the heat generated by the light source deteriorates or damages the membrane and damages the oral cavity of the patient.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, enables illumination to be inserted into the oral cavity together with the photographing unit, and enables easy and safe operation at that time. An object of the present invention is to provide an intraoral imaging device.

[0012]

An intraoral radiographing apparatus according to the present invention has a radiographing section having a CCD image sensor and a lens section, and a shape capable of accommodating the radiographing section and being inserted into a patient's oral cavity. An outer frame, a low-temperature heat-generating illumination lamp attached to the inside of the outer frame for illuminating a shooting location, a transparent cover covering the outer frame, and a monitor for reproducing an image captured by the imaging unit. It is characterized by having.

[0013]

Therefore, in the intraoral imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the outer frame for accommodating the imaging unit has a shape that can be inserted into the patient's mouth when imaging, and a transparent cover that covers the outer frame is provided. Further, a low-temperature exothermic illumination lamp for illuminating a photographed object is provided inside the outer frame. Therefore, the imaging unit can be easily and safely inserted into the oral cavity of the patient together with the illumination.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an intraoral imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an internal schematic view of the imaging unit of the intraoral imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the P direction, and FIG. 3 is an internal schematic diagram when FIG. 1 is viewed from the Q direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing section comprises a mirror 1, a lens section 3, and a CCD image sensor 5, which are housed in an outer frame 7. Also, two white LED lamps 9 that are heat-generating at a low temperature are provided in the outer frame 7, and the angle and the like are adjusted so as to irradiate the photographing place as shown in FIGS. Fixed. This white LE
The connection cord 8 of the D lamp 9 penetrates the outer frame 7 and is molded along the outer wall of the outer frame, and can be connected to a power supply (not shown) via the light amount adjusting knob 11 and the main switch 13. Connected. The power supply of the CCD image sensor 5 is also taken via the main switch 13. Further, the CCD image sensor 5 has a connection line 19.
Is connected to the monitor 21. The lens unit 3 is combined with a plurality of lenses so that the image light from the shooting location is reflected by the mirror 1 and passes through the lens unit 3 to form an image on the CCD image sensor 5 exactly. I have.

The outer frame 7 has a front end 7a and a main body 7b.
The tip portion 7a is fitted into the main body portion 7b, and can be hooked on a hook (not shown) to be connected and fixed by being slightly rotated. In the shape of the outer frame 7, the tip 7a has a cylindrical shape (about 10 mm in diameter) and a length of about 8c so that it can be easily and safely inserted into the oral cavity of a patient.
m. Also, the lens window 1 is provided at the tip 7a.
5 and a lamp window 17 are provided. In addition, the outer frame 7
The rear portion of the main body 7b is shaped so that the dentist can easily grasp and operate it. As described above, since the distal end portion 7a storing the lens 3 can be detached from the main body portion 7b, it can be replaced with a distal end portion storing a different lens portion. It is also possible to select a part.

Next, the actual imaging of the patient's mouth will be described. FIG. 4 shows a sterilized transparent film 23 for covering the front end 7a of the outer frame. The film 23 is in the form of a thin film bag, and the inside of the opening peripheral portion 23a is coated with an adhesive in advance. Before photographing the inside of the patient's mouth for diagnosis or treatment, the dentist temporarily adheres the outer frame 7 to the outer frame 7 using the opening peripheral portion 23a as shown in FIG. Cover the tip 7a. Thereby, the imaging unit can be inserted into the mouth of the patient in a sanitary manner. In addition, it is easy to take sanitary measures when using the same device for other patients.

In this state, the dentist turns on the power, grasps the other end 7b of the outer frame, inserts it into the patient's mouth, and brings the lens window 15 close to a desired imaging location. At this time, the image light is reflected by the mirror 1, passes through the lens unit 3, and is collected on the CCD image sensor 5. Here, the image signal is converted into an electric image signal, input to the monitor 21 via the connection line 19, and a desired image is displayed on the monitor 21.

At this time, the white LED lamp 9 can be inserted into the patient's mouth together with the imaging section, so that a desired place can be illuminated and projected anywhere in the mouth. Further, since the white LED lamp 9 has a characteristic that the calorific value is extremely low unlike a general light source, the lens unit 3 is not damaged even when the photographing unit is provided close to the LED lamp 9 and the sterilized transparent LED lamp 9 is not damaged. Even when inserted by covering with the film 23, the film can be easily and safely inserted into the patient without damaging or damaging the film without damaging the oral cavity.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, the outer frame has a cylindrical end, but may have any shape as long as it can accommodate the imaging section and can be inserted into the mouth of a patient. Further, the distal end portion of the outer frame is made detachable, but may be formed integrally. Further, in the embodiment according to the present invention, two white LED lamps are used, but one or three or more light sources may be used as long as a light source suitable for photographing can be obtained.
Also, the lamp does not need to be a white lamp as long as it is a low-temperature exothermic lamp.

In one embodiment according to the present invention,
As a transparent cover for covering the outer frame, a thin film, such as a film, is put on and temporarily adhered when using the photographing device. However, if it is removable, it may be attached so as to cover the outer frame in advance. .

[0022]

According to the intraoral imaging apparatus according to the present invention,
The outer frame that houses the imaging unit has a shape that can be inserted into the patient's mouth when imaging, and a transparent cover that covers the outer frame is further provided. Since the exothermic illumination lamp is provided, the imaging unit can be easily and safely inserted into the oral cavity of the patient together with the illumination.

Therefore, the imaging section can be inserted into the oral cavity of the patient together with the illumination lamp, so that a desired place can be illuminated and projected anywhere in the oral cavity. Also, since the white LED lamp is a general light source and generates a very small amount of heat, it does not damage the lens part even if it is installed close to the imaging unit, and is covered with a sterilized transparent film and inserted. However, the film can be easily and safely inserted into the patient without damaging or damaging the film.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an intraoral imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal schematic diagram of a photographing unit of the intraoral photographing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a P direction.

FIG. 3 is an internal schematic diagram of a photographing unit of the intraoral photographing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a Q direction.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a transparent film for covering a tip of an outer frame.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit having an imaging unit and an illumination unit in a conventional intraoral imaging apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the photographing configuration.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit having an imaging unit and an illumination unit in another conventional intraoral imaging apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the shooting configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Lens section 5 CCD image sensor 7 Outer frame 9 White LED lamp 21 Monitor 23 Transparent film

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An imaging unit having a CCD image sensor and a lens unit, an outer frame accommodating the imaging unit and having a shape insertable into a patient's mouth, and an imaging unit mounted inside the outer frame. An intraoral imaging apparatus, comprising: a low-temperature exothermic illumination lamp for illuminating a place; a transparent cover that covers the outer frame; and a monitor that reproduces an image captured by the imaging unit.