TWI769110B - Gingivitis evaluation device - Google Patents

Abstract

A gingivitis evaluation device comprises a main unit, at least one detection unit, and a processing unit. Said detection unit includes a sensing probe, a pair of transmitting fiber which is embedded in said sensing probe, a receive fiber which is embedded in said sensing probe, a lamps, and a spectrometer. Said lamps is configured to emit a light source towards the gums and said spectrometer receive the light signal reflected by the gums, so as to obtain its spectral information. Said processing unit includes an analysis module which is configured to analyze the spectral information and obtain the changes in the blood oxygen level of the gums based on said spectral information. In order to improve the detection accuracy, any two adjacent of said transmitting fiber and said receive fiber have a axis spacing which is less than 1.0mm, so that the diffuse reflction range of the light is controlled to be irradiated on the gums.

Description

Gingivitis detection device

The present invention relates to a detection device, in particular to a gingivitis detection device.

Gingivitis is an early symptom of periodontal disease. It is caused by uncleaned teeth, resulting in a long-term accumulation of dental plaque on the gingival margins and adjacent surfaces of the teeth. The bacteria in the plaque will secrete toxins to stimulate the gums, leading to inflammation of the gums. If it persists, it may further deteriorate into severe periodontitis.

There is an annular groove at the junction of the teeth and the gums called the gingival sulcus. When periodontal disease causes damage, the gingival sulcus will become deeper, which is called the periodontal pocket. At present, gingivitis is mainly detected by contact with periodontal probes. The most widely used periodontal probe is the Michigan O probe. With a scale of 10, the dentist will insert the probe tip into the patient's gingival sulcus, and measure the depth of the gingival sulcus through the scale. The depth of the healthy gingival sulcus is generally 1 to 3 mm. When the depth is greater than 3 mm, it means that the tooth has formed. Periodontal pockets, deeper depths represent periodontal damage The more serious the shape. However, this kind of probe needs to go deep into the gingival sulcus and read the scale, which is not only time-consuming but also often uncomfortable for the patient. There may also be errors in the reading method of the visual scale, and the accuracy needs to be improved.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a gingivitis detection device with a low degree of invasion and high judgment accuracy.

Therefore, the gingivitis detection device of the present invention includes a main body unit, at least one detection unit disposed in the main body unit, and a processing unit disposed in the main body unit. The at least one detection unit includes a sensing probe, two transmitting optical fibers embedded in the sensing probe, a receiving optical fiber embedded in the sensing probe, and one for generating a wavelength range covering 400-800 nm. The light source of the light source, and a pair of spectrometers that should receive the fiber set. The distance between the axes of any two adjacent ones of the sending fibers and the receiving fibers is less than 1 mm, and the light source generated by the light source is outputted through the sending fibers, and diffusely reflected on the gums, and sent to the receiving fibers through the receiving fibers Spectrometer, so that the spectrometer can obtain spectral information after diffuse reflection.

The processing unit includes an analysis module for analyzing the spectral information received by the spectrometer. The analysis module can obtain the change of the oxygen content in the gingival blood according to the spectral information, and finally obtain the health status of the gum according to the change of the oxygen content in the gingival blood. .

The effect of the present invention is: when the gums are inflamed or damaged, the blood vessels of the gums and the oxygen content in the blood will change. Changes in oxygen content can be used to estimate the inflammation of the patient's gums. During measurement, the sensing probe only needs to touch the gums lightly, which can greatly reduce the patient's discomfort. The design of the distance between the axes is less than 1.0mm, which can limit the diffuse reflection range after the light source is shot, so that the diffuse reflection range can be controlled near the gums, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

1: main unit

11: Main shell

12: Display

13: Warning Lights

14: Operation interface

2: Detection unit

21: Sensing probe

211: base part

212: Probe Department

22: Send Fiber

23: Receive fiber

24: Light source

241: Lighting module

25: Spectrometer

26: Pressure sensor

3: Processing unit

31: Analysis module

32: Warning module

A: Gums

B: blood vessels

Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an incomplete bottom view illustrating an embodiment of the gingivitis detection device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a The incomplete perspective view further illustrates the partial three-dimensional aspect of this embodiment. In order to illustrate the internal structure, one of the main casings of this embodiment is represented by an imaginary line; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship of each element of this embodiment; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the implementation of the embodiment during detection; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are both graphs illustrating the relationship between the intensity and wavelength change obtained after the detection of the embodiment; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view, Another aspect of this embodiment will be described.

Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, an implementation of the gingivitis detection device of the present invention For example, it includes a main body unit 1 , a detection unit 2 disposed in the main body unit 1 , and a processing unit 3 disposed in the main body unit 1 . The main unit 1 includes a main casing 11 , a display 12 embedded in the main casing 11 and exposed to the outside, a warning light 13 disposed on the main casing 11 , and a display 12 disposed on the main casing 11 The operation interface 14 on the body 11 . The warning light 13 can also be combined with the display 12, so that the warning light 13 is displayed only when the display 12 is turned on. The operation interface 14 can be a physical button or a touch interface combined with the display 12 . The detection unit 2 includes a sensing probe 21 disposed in the main casing 11 and whose front end protrudes out of the main casing 11 , two transmitting optical fibers 22 embedded in the sensing probe 21 in parallel with each other, a A receiving optical fiber 23 embedded in the sensing probe 21 and parallel to the transmitting optical fibers 22, a light source 24 disposed in the main casing 11 and behind the transmitting optical fibers 22, a light source 24 disposed in the main casing A spectrometer 25 inside the body 11 and behind the receiving fiber 23 , and two pressure sensors 26 arranged in the sensing probe 21 .

The sensing probe 21 has a base portion 211 fixed in the main casing 11 for the pressure sensors 26 to be embedded in, and a base portion 211 extending forward and passing through the main casing 11 of the probe part 212. The diameter of the front end of the probe part 212 is 2 mm, and this size design makes the probe part 212 more easily and accurately contact the gingival junction, which improves the measurement accuracy. The transmitting fibers 22 pass through the base portion 211 and the probe portion 212 in the front-rear direction, and are arranged with the receiving fibers 23 along the radial direction of the sensing probe 21 . The distance between the axial centers of any two adjacent ones of the transmitting optical fibers 22 and the receiving optical fibers 23 is within 1 mm, preferably is 0.46mm. It should be noted that, the center-to-center distance referred to here is the shortest distance between the center axes of the transmitting optical fibers 22 and the receiving optical fibers 23 . In this embodiment, the diameter of each transmitting optical fiber 22 and each receiving optical fiber 23 may be 100-600 μm, and after considering the close fit between the sensing probe 21 and the gingiva, a preferred design solution is the transmitting The diameter of the optical fiber 22 is 100-300 μm, and the diameter of the receiving optical fiber 23 is 300-500 μm. In this embodiment, the transmitting optical fiber 22 with a diameter of 200 μm and the receiving optical fiber with a diameter of 400 μm are respectively used to achieve the best transmission and reception effect. The sensing probe 21 is made to have a desired size. The light source 24 is located behind the base portion 211 , and has two light-emitting modules 241 respectively aligned with the transmitting optical fibers 22 . Each light emitting module 241 can be a halogen lamp or a light emitting diode, and can generate a light source with a wavelength range covering 400-800 nm. The processing unit 3 includes an analysis module 31 connected to the spectrometer 25 and the display 12 by a signal, and a warning module 32 connected to the pressure sensors 26 and the warning light 13 by a signal.

Referring to FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 , the detection process of the present embodiment will be described as follows: first, the measuring person holds the main casing 11 and gently touches the probe part 212 against the patient’s gum A. If the measuring person holds the main casing 11 If the force of pressing against the gum A is too large, the blood vessel B of the gum A will be squeezed and the accuracy of interpretation will be affected. Therefore, the pressure sensors 26 will detect whether the pressure exceeds the standard value (less than or equal to 10N, preferably 5N). ), if it exceeds the standard value, the warning module 32 will issue a warning through the warning light 13 to ensure the accuracy of the measurement. In addition to issuing a warning through the warning light 13, the light source 24 can also be further designed so that the light source 24 does not emit on, or the detection result is not displayed on the display 12. After gently pressing against the gum A with a suitable force, the hair The light module 241 will generate light sources in sequence. First, the light-emitting module 241 on the right in FIG. 3 generates a light source, and the light source is output toward the gum A through the corresponding sending optical fiber 22, and after generating diffuse reflection on the gum A, it will pass through the receiving optical fiber 23. It is sent to the spectrometer 25, so that the spectrometer 25 can obtain the first spectral information, and then the light-emitting module 241 on the left in FIG. After the diffuse reflection is generated, it will be sent to the spectrometer 25 through the receiving fiber 23, so that the spectrometer 25 can obtain the second spectral information. The analysis module 31 can obtain the change of the blood oxygen content in the blood vessel B of the gum A according to the analysis module 31 of the spectral information received by the spectrometer 25, and finally obtain the health status of the gum according to the change of the blood oxygen content of the gum A, and displayed on the display 12 . It should be noted that, when the axial center distance between any two adjacent ones of the transmitting optical fibers 22 and the receiving optical fibers 23 is 0.46 mm, the diffuse reflection range after the light source is fired can be limited, so that the diffuse reflection range can be controlled within the gum A. In the vicinity, the detection accuracy is improved, and at the same time, the wall surface for separating the transmitting optical fibers 22 in the main casing 11 can be prevented from being too thin, and the strength of the main casing 11 can be taken into consideration.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, further, the analysis module 31 will judge the gingival index (gingival index, GI value for short) through the changes in the oxygen content of the gingival blood in the characteristic bands of 545 nm and 575 nm in the spectral information, For example, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are graphs showing the relationship between the intensity change of the oxygen content in the blood of two gums and the wavelength. The curves of Fig. 5 are relatively smooth in the characteristic bands of 545 nm and 575 nm, which represent a lower gingival index (for example, 0~ 1), while the curves of Figure 6 in the characteristic bands of 545nm and 575nm have more dramatic Severe changes, which represent higher gingival index and possibly more severe gingivitis (eg, 1-3). Through this interpretation method, specific information in the spectral information can be accurately locked for interpretation, and the analysis speed and detection accuracy can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the present embodiment may also include two detection units 2 . When designing this aspect, it is necessary to ensure that the sensing probes 21 maintain a sufficient distance so that the sensing probes 21 can accurately touch the patient. two adjacent gums A. The aspect of Fig. 7 can measure two gums A at one time, which improves the detection speed. Of course, the detection units 2 may also be other numbers, and the main consideration in the design is that the sensing probes 21 can accurately touch the gum A.

To sum up, the detection method of the present invention is more comfortable and can avoid excessive interference of human factors. The design of the axial center distance between any two adjacent ones of the transmitting optical fibers 22 and the receiving optical fibers 23 can control the concentration of the diffuse reflection of the light source. On the target gingiva A, to improve the detection accuracy, the analysis module 31 includes the gingival blood oxygen content changes in the characteristic bands of 545 nm and 575 nm to determine the gingival index, which can reduce the interpretation time and improve the detection efficiency, so the present invention can indeed be achieved. purpose.

However, the above are only examples of the present invention, and should not limit the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the application for patent of the present invention and the content of the patent specification are still within the scope of the present invention. within the scope of the invention patent.

1: main unit

11: Main shell

12: Display

13: Warning Lights

2: Detection unit

21: Sensing probe

211: base part

212: Probe Department

26: Pressure sensor

Claims (10)

A gingivitis detection device, comprising: a main unit; At least one detection unit is arranged in the main body unit, and includes a sensing probe, two transmitting optical fibers embedded in the sensing probe, a receiving optical fiber embedded in the sensing probe, and one for generating wavelengths A light source with a light source ranging from 400 to 800 nanometers, and a pair of spectrometers that should be installed on the receiving fiber. The distance between the axes of any two adjacent ones between the sending fiber and the receiving fiber is less than 1mm. The light source generated by the light source The output is output through the sending fibers, and after diffuse reflection on the gums, it is transported to the spectrometer through the receiving fiber, so that the spectrometer obtains diffusely reflected spectral information; and a processing unit, disposed in the main unit, and comprising an analysis module for analyzing the spectral information received by the spectrometer, the analysis module can obtain the change of the oxygen content in the gingival blood according to the spectral information, Changes in oxygen levels give an indication of gum health. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting optical fibers and the receiving optical fibers of the at least one detection unit are arranged along the radial direction of the sensing probe, and any two of the transmitting optical fibers and the receiving optical fibers are arranged along the radial direction of the sensing probe. The distance between adjacent axes is less than 0.5mm. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of each transmitting optical fiber of the at least one detection unit is 100-300 μm, and the diameter of the receiving optical fiber is 300-500 μm. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis module of the processing unit judges the degree of gingival inflammation or the gingival index through characteristic wavelength bands of 535-555 nm and 565-585 nm. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the front end of the sensing probe is less than or equal to 2 mm. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 4, wherein the main body unit comprises a main casing, and a display embedded in the main casing and used for displaying the analysis result of the analysis module. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the light source of the at least one detection unit has two light-emitting modules respectively aligned with the transmitting optical fibers, and the light-emitting modules are halogen lamps or light-emitting diodes. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit further includes a warning module disposed in the main body unit, and the at least one detection unit further includes at least one signal connection disposed in the sensing probe The pressure sensor of the warning module will make the warning module issue a warning when the pressure sensor detects that the pressure exceeds a standard value. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 8, wherein the standard value of the pressure sensor of the at least one detection unit is less than or equal to 10N. The gingivitis detection device according to claim 8, wherein the main body unit comprises a main casing, and the sensing probe of the at least one detection unit has a main casing fixed in the main casing for the pressure sensors to be embedded The base part, and a probe part extending forward from the base part and passing through the main casing, the lamp source and the spectrometer are located behind the base part, the transmitting optical fibers and the receiving optical fibers penetrate the base part For the seat part and the probe part, the diameter of the front end of the probe part is less than or equal to 2mm.

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