KR20090053568A - Portable dental imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable oral imaging device. The X-ray irradiation unit includes an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays, a high-pressure generator for supplying a driving voltage to the X-ray tube, and a first connection terminal for receiving power from the outside. The CCD sensor unit detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube. The display unit displays various images. The main examination unit includes a power supply unit, a first interface unit for receiving an image by X-ray detected from the CCD sensor unit, and a first connection terminal unit for supplying power to the X-ray irradiation unit. And a second connection terminal unit, a fixing unit for fixing one side of the display unit, and a second control unit for controlling to display the image on the display unit.

Oral cavity, X-ray, CCD sensor, hinge

Description

Portable Oral Imaging Device {PORTABLE DENTAL IMAGING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a portable oral imaging device, and more particularly, to a portable oral imaging device which photographs the inside of the oral cavity by X-rays or visible / infrared rays and displays an image of the result immediately.

In general, an oral imaging device having an X-ray imaging means is used in a medical institution such as a public health center or a hospital, and emits radiation such as X-rays to a subject, detects radiation transmitted through the subject, and images the internal state of the subject. To check.

The oral imaging apparatus having such a conventional X-ray imaging means is expensive and has a very large size and a very heavy weight, which is fixedly installed in a medical institution because it is difficult to move, and a subject who wants to take a photograph has to visit the medical institution directly.

In addition, conventionally, for X-ray imaging, X-ray imaging was performed using a special radiation photosensitive film, and developed in a separate space, and then screened using the developed film.

However, in the above method, the result of the examination after the shooting cannot be immediately confirmed, and it took a long time to confirm the shooting result because a special photosensitive film and a film developer provided in a separate space were used. There was a problem such as the continuous consumption of the developer and the increase of the maintenance cost for the safe treatment of the developer.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, to provide a portable oral imaging device that is compact, light, and easy to use.

In addition, in the portable oral imaging apparatus, by providing a configuration that can be used to separate only the function to be photographed, to further improve the portability and usability of the oral imaging apparatus.

In addition, the photographer and the examinee can check the captured oral image immediately.

Portable oral imaging apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems, an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays, a high-pressure generator for supplying a driving voltage to the X-ray tube, and a first connection for receiving power from the outside An X-ray irradiation unit having a terminal portion; A CCD sensor unit for detecting X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube; Display unit; And a power supply unit, a first interface unit for receiving an image by X-ray detected from the CCD sensor unit, and a second connection terminal unit connected to the first connection terminal unit for supplying power to the X-ray irradiation unit. And a main examination unit having a fixing unit for fixing one side of the display unit, and a second control unit for controlling to display the image on the display unit, wherein the main examination unit includes at least the X-ray irradiation unit and the main examination unit. Is characterized in that it is configured to be separated and combined.

In addition, the second control section selectively controls power supply to the X-ray irradiation unit.

The X-ray irradiation unit further includes a first control unit that monitors the operation of each unit constituting the X-ray irradiation unit and outputs a feedback signal.

In addition, the CCD sensor unit is detachably coupled with the first interface unit.

In addition, the fixing unit hinge-couples the display unit and the main examination unit to allow the display unit to rotate about the fixing unit.

The present invention further includes an oral cavity camera unit for capturing the inside of the oral cavity by visible light or infrared light, and the main examination unit includes a second interface for receiving an image by visible or infrared light provided from the oral cavity camera unit. It is characterized by further comprising a part.

In addition, the oral cavity camera unit is detachably coupled to the second interface unit.

The second control unit may selectively display an X-ray image by the CCD sensor unit and a visible light image by the oral cavity camera unit.

In addition, a portable oral imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the oral cavity camera unit for photographing the interior of the oral cavity by visible light or infrared light; Display unit; And a main examination unit having a fixing unit for fixing one side of the display unit, a power supply unit, and a control unit configured to receive the visible or infrared image detected by the oral cavity camera unit and display the image on the display unit. The fixing unit may hinge-couple the display unit and the main examination unit, and the display unit may be rotatable about the fixing unit.

According to the portable oral imaging apparatus of the above-described configuration, when the inside of the oral cavity is to be photographed using only the oral cavity camera unit, the X-ray irradiation unit can be separated, thereby improving the portability and convenience of using the oral imaging apparatus, Therefore, the storage of the device can be further improved.

In addition, since each unit can be separated separately, it is easy to troubleshoot each unit, and the convenience in upgrading software and hardware for each unit is improved.

In addition, when the X-ray irradiation unit is separated from the portable oral imaging apparatus, electromagnetic interference of the main examination unit by the X-ray irradiation unit can be minimized, and the power leaked by the X-ray irradiation unit can also be prevented. Will be.

In addition, since the display unit has a structure capable of rotating and / or detaching, the X-ray image and the visible / infrared image of the inside of the oral cavity, which are photographed by the operator as well as the operator who operates the portable oral imaging apparatus, are immediately checked by rotating the display unit. In this way, the examinee can better understand his oral condition and become more reliable in the doctor's diagnosis.

Hereinafter, a portable oral cavity imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing the appearance of a portable oral imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the portable oral imaging apparatus. 1 and 2, the portable oral imaging apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation unit 100, a CCD sensor unit 200, a display unit 300, and a main examination unit 400. Furthermore, the portable oral imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes an oral camera unit 500.

In addition, in order to prevent radiation exposure to a user performing X-ray imaging using a portable oral imaging apparatus, acryl (equivalent 0.5 mm Pb) 150 containing lead may be attached.

The concept of the term 'unit' herein refers to being configured to be structurally and electrically separated and attached, respectively.

The X-ray irradiation unit 100 includes an X-ray tube 110, a high pressure generating unit 120, a first connection terminal unit 130, and a first control unit 140.

The X-ray tube 110 receives a high voltage and emits X-rays for medical X-ray imaging. Since the X-ray tube 110 uses an X-ray tube generally known as a small, low power, low power consumption type, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The high voltage generator 120 drives the X-ray tube 110 to emit X-rays, so that the first voltage booster 121 and the second voltage booster boost the low voltage input from the power supply 410 to a high voltage. (122). That is, a DC low voltage of about 14 to 17 V supplied from a power supply unit 410 such as a battery 412 which will be described later is boosted by an AC voltage of 7.5 kV in the first boosting unit 121, and the second boosting unit 122 is increased. ) And back up to 60kV DC high voltage.

On the other hand, in order to prevent the risk of electric shock due to the high voltage or the electromagnetic effects on the electronic components, it is preferable that the high voltage generating unit 120 or the X-ray irradiation unit 100 is equipped with an appropriate insulating structure.

The first connection terminal unit 130 includes a plurality of terminals that are electrically exposed to the outside in order to receive power from the main examination unit 400. The first connection terminal unit 130 is not only a terminal for receiving power, but also for controlling the operation of the high-pressure generator 120 and / or the operation of the X-ray irradiation unit 100 including the X-ray tube 110. The control signal may be input, and the feedback of the input signal may be possible.

The first control unit 140 controls power supply and operation to each unit constituting the X-ray irradiation unit 100. In addition, a signal indicating the operation status of each unit is fed back to the main examination unit.

The CCD sensor unit 200 detects X-rays emitted by the X-ray irradiation unit 100 and passed through the subject, and outputs an image signal for displaying a still image or a moving image by the detected X-rays. If the CCD sensor unit 200 can detect the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 110 is known in the art, such as X-ray receiver, X-ray detection CCD sensor, CMOS sensor, TFT sensor, imaging plate Any sensor can be used.

The CCD sensor unit 200 may be manufactured by coating a material reacting with X-rays on the surface of a CCD sensor that responds to general visible / infrared rays. In addition, by arranging an X-ray filter or the like in a CCD sensor that responds to general visible / infrared rays, the CCD sensor unit 200 that responds to X-rays can be manufactured. According to this configuration, by detaching only the X-ray filter of the CCD sensor unit 200, there is an advantage that one CCD sensor unit 200 can detect both X-rays and visible light / infrared light.

The oral cavity camera unit 500 outputs a signal for displaying a still image or a moving image by capturing the interior of the oral cavity with visible or infrared light.

Since the CCD sensor unit 200 and the oral cavity camera unit 500 must operate inside the oral cavity, it is preferable that the CCD sensor unit 200 and the oral cavity camera unit 500 are compact and easy to operate.

The CCD sensor unit 200 and the oral cavity camera unit 500 output an image signal through a wired cable or wireless communication. However, in general, it is preferable to transmit and receive an operating power source and an image signal using a wired cable for reasons such as interference with a wireless signal generated by X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 110.

The display unit 300 is a unit for displaying a still image or a moving image captured by the CCD sensor unit 200 and / or the oral cavity camera unit 500. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an LCD screen that is easy to carry and use and has excellent image quality is used as the display unit 300, but any known device may be used as long as the device can display the captured image with sufficient resolution.

The main examination unit 400 includes a power supply unit 410, a second connection terminal unit 430, a first interface unit 420, a second interface unit 460, a fixing unit 440, an operation input unit 470, and It includes a second control unit 450.

The power supply unit 410 is formed of a rechargeable battery 412 that supplies a DC voltage to provide an operating power source for driving each unit of the portable oral imaging apparatus. The battery 412 is inserted or attached to one side of the main examination unit 400 and has a removable structure. In addition, the power supply unit 410 may further include a voltage / current stabilization means (not shown) for maintaining a constant level of the voltage to be supplied. Of course, the battery 412 may be without a charging function. In addition, in addition to the battery 412, a general commercial AC power supply may be used. It is possible to determine whether to use this AC power after rectifying it with DC or to use AC as it is.

The second connection terminal portion 430 includes a plurality of terminals exposed to the outside in order to electrically connect to the first connection terminal portion 130 of the X-ray irradiation unit 100. The second connection terminal part 430 is not only the power from the power supply part 410 to the X-ray irradiation unit 100 through the first connection terminal part 130, but also the high pressure generating part 120 and / or the X-ray tube 110. A control signal for controlling the operation of the transmission may be transmitted, and a signal fed back through the first connection terminal unit 130 may be received.

In addition, the second connection terminal portion 430 and the first connection terminal portion 130 are mechanical coupling means 130 ′ which can integrally couple or separate the main examination unit 400 and the X-ray irradiation unit 100. It may include. Various known techniques may be applied to the coupling means 130 ′, and an embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first interface unit 420 provides an interface unit for receiving an image signal for the X-ray image photographed by the CCD sensor unit 200.

The CCD sensor unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the main examination unit 400 through a flexible cable and the first interface unit 420. An end portion of the cable extending from the CCD sensor unit 200 has a structure such as a plug / socket that is electrically connected to the first interface unit 420 and that is mechanically detachable.

In addition, the first interface unit 420 may support wireless communication to receive an image signal wirelessly from the CCD sensor unit 200, the technique for this may use a technique known in the art. In this case, the CCD sensor unit 200 may operate with an independent power supply unit, or may operate by using power supplied wirelessly from the main check unit 400.

Meanwhile, the main examination unit 400 further includes a second interface unit 460 for receiving an image signal provided from the oral cavity camera unit 500, and the second interface unit 460 also includes a first interface unit 420. In the same manner as in FIG. 1, wireless communication may be configured.

The fixing unit 440 is a structure for coupling the display unit 300 to the main examination unit 400. The fixing unit 440 mechanically connects one side of the display unit 300 and one side of the main examination unit 400 to each other, and the operation power and the CCD sensor unit supplied from the main examination unit 400 to the display unit 300. An electrical connection is provided to transmit an image signal for displaying an image by X-ray sensed at 200 to the display unit 300 side.

The fixing part 440 is formed of a rotatable hinge and connects the display unit 300 to the main check unit 400 in close contact / separation and rotation in various directions. As a result, an X-ray image or the oral cavity camera unit 500 photographed by the CCD sensor unit 200 is used by the CCD sensor unit 200. The visible / infrared image to be photographed can be conveniently checked in any direction.

In addition, if necessary, the fixing unit 440 may be detachable so that the display unit may be detached from the main examination unit 400, and the various units may transmit and receive various signals or power by wire or wireless communication. You may.

The operation input unit 470 includes a plurality of buttons or a joystick so that an operator can perform operation input for arbitrarily setting and controlling operations and functions for each unit of the portable oral imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. . In addition, a wired or wirelessly connected remote control 470 ′ capable of controlling a portable oral imaging device remotely may be further provided. On the other hand, a plurality of LED or LCD display means (not shown) indicating an input or control result may be further disposed on the operation input unit 470 or the remote control 470 '.

In addition, a sensing means such as a touch screen may be disposed on the display unit 300 described above, and may be used in parallel with the manipulation input unit 470.

The second control unit 450 controls the operation of each unit and each unit constituting the portable oral imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, according to an input from the operation input unit 470 or its own control algorithm. That is, when the first connection terminal unit 130 of the X-ray irradiation unit 100 is electrically and mechanically connected to the second connection terminal unit 430 of the main examination unit 400, the operating power from the power supply unit 410 is removed. 1 is transmitted to the high-pressure generator 120 through the connection terminal 130 so that the X-ray can be emitted from the X-ray tube (110). In addition, the CCD sensor unit 200 receives an image signal for a still image or a moving image generated by detecting X-rays transmitted through the subject, and transmits the image signal to the display unit 300 after image processing such as contrast correction to display on the screen. Do it. In addition, the display unit 300 receives the visible / infrared image signal of the inside of the mouth taken by the oral cavity camera unit 500 and displays the same in the display unit 300.

In this case, the second control unit 450 may selectively control the operations of the CCD sensor unit 200 and the oral cavity camera unit 500 only as to be photographed, and the X-rays of the display unit 300 may be selectively controlled. Can be displayed separately from the image or the image by the visible / infrared light.

In addition, the second control unit 450 may transmit a signal to the first control unit 140 to monitor an operation state of each unit of the X-ray irradiation unit 100. In response, the first control unit 140 may Outputs a feedback signal for the monitoring situation. Here, the first control unit 140 may monitor the operation state of each unit of the X-ray irradiation unit 100 every predetermined time to actively output the feedback signal.

On the other hand, in the portable oral imaging apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, at least the X-ray irradiation unit 100 and the main examination unit 400 may be separated separately, and the CCD sensor unit 200 and the oral camera unit ( 500) can be attached and detached as necessary. Therefore, when the user normally wants to photograph the inside of the oral cavity in general visible or infrared light, the X-ray irradiation unit 100 and the CCD sensor unit 200 are separated and removed, and the display unit 300 is provided in the main examination unit 400. In this state, the oral cavity camera unit 500 is connected to thereby photograph. In addition, when the X-ray imaging of the oral cavity is to be performed, the CCD sensor unit 200 is connected to the main examination unit 400, and at the same time, the second connection terminal unit 430 and the first connection terminal unit of the X-ray irradiation unit 100 are used. The 130 is electrically and mechanically coupled to emit X-rays through the X-ray tube 110, and then X-ray imaging is performed by the connected CCD sensor unit 200.

X-ray examination apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the portable oral imaging device of the above-described configuration, further comprises a handle unit installed vertically. This configuration can be understood with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Fig. 3 (a) shows a normal state, and Fig. 3 (b) shows an X-ray examination apparatus with the display unit rotated to the subject side.

In such a configuration, an operation input unit for photographing can be arranged at the trigger position of the handle unit. The handle unit may also be detachable from the X-ray examination apparatus as necessary.

1 is a view schematically showing the external appearance of a portable oral imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a portable oral imaging device.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are views showing an X-ray examination apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

An X-ray irradiation unit having an X-ray tube for emitting X-rays, a high-pressure generator for supplying a driving voltage to the X-ray tube, and a first connection terminal for receiving power from the outside; A CCD sensor unit for detecting X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube; Display unit; And A power supply unit, a first interface unit for receiving an image by X-ray detected from the CCD sensor unit, a second connection terminal unit connected to the first connection terminal unit to supply power to the X-ray irradiation unit; And a main examination unit having a fixing unit for fixing one side of the display unit, and a second control unit for controlling to display the image on the display unit. And at least the X-ray irradiation unit and the main examination unit are configured to be detachable and coupled. The method of claim 1, And the second control unit selectively controls power supply to the X-ray irradiation unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The X-ray irradiation unit further comprises a first control unit that monitors the operation of each unit constituting the X-ray irradiation unit and outputs a feedback signal. The method of claim 1, And the CCD sensor unit is detachably coupled to the first interface unit. The method of claim 1, And the fixing unit hinge-couples the display unit and the main examination unit, and the display unit is rotatable about the fixing unit. The method of claim 1, It further comprises an oral cavity camera unit for photographing the interior of the oral cavity by visible light or infrared rays, The main examination unit further comprises a second interface unit for receiving the image by the visible light or infrared light provided from the oral cavity camera unit. The method of claim 6, And the oral cavity camera unit is detachably coupled to the second interface unit. The method of claim 7, wherein And the second control unit selectively displays an X-ray image by the CCD sensor unit and a visible light image by the oral cavity camera unit. An oral camera unit for photographing the inside of the oral cavity by visible light or infrared light; Display unit; And A main examination unit having a fixing unit for fixing one side of the display unit, a power supply unit, and a control unit which receives an image by visible light or infrared rays detected from the oral cavity camera unit and controls the display unit to display the image on the display unit. and, And the fixing unit hinge-couples the display unit and the main examination unit, and the display unit is rotatable about the fixing unit.

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