WO2017134237A1 - Dental instrument bridge with novel input unit - Google Patents

Dental instrument bridge with novel input unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017134237A1
WO2017134237A1 PCT/EP2017/052402 EP2017052402W WO2017134237A1 WO 2017134237 A1 WO2017134237 A1 WO 2017134237A1 EP 2017052402 W EP2017052402 W EP 2017052402W WO 2017134237 A1 WO2017134237 A1 WO 2017134237A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dental
dental instrument
display
instrument
elongated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2017/052402
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leif Kim SØRENSEN
Peter Verner Bojsen SØRENSEN
Torben Hansen
Michael Guldsteen NIELSEN
Tom Kristensen
Rasmus BUNKENBORG
Original Assignee
Xo Care A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xo Care A/S filed Critical Xo Care A/S
Publication of WO2017134237A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017134237A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G15/00—Operating chairs; Dental chairs; Accessories specially adapted therefor, e.g. work stands
    • A61G15/14—Dental work stands; Accessories therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G15/00—Operating chairs; Dental chairs; Accessories specially adapted therefor, e.g. work stands
    • A61G15/14—Dental work stands; Accessories therefor
    • A61G15/16—Storage, holding or carrying means for dental handpieces or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/10—General characteristics of devices characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments.
  • the dental instrument bridge typically further comprises a display unit for displaying values of control parameters of the plurality of dental instruments and an input unit for setting the values.
  • the input unit may be provided separate from the display or integrated with the display, i.e. the display may be a touch screen.
  • the display unit is normally limited to having a relative small size as the overall size needed by the dental instrument bridge otherwise would make it difficult to arrange it at a desired position. This may make it difficult for a dentist or a dental care professional to view the display and prepare the dental instruments for use.
  • the positioning of the input unit may further force dentist or the dental care professional to make un-ergonomic movements to selected desired values of the control parameters.
  • the invention relates to a dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments, said dental instrument bridge comprising:
  • an instrument holder comprising an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated member being configured to hold a first, a second and a third dental instrument at approximately different predetermined positions along said central longitudinal axis;
  • said input unit comprises an elongated input zone arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may pick up and select any one of said first, second or third dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis, and wherein said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects a selected dental instrument of said first, second or third dental instruments and in response thereto is configured to change the functionality of the elongated input zone so that the elongated input zone may be used for setting values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument.
  • the central longitudinal axis being the central longitudinal axis of the elongated member.
  • the elongated member may be configured to hold the different dental instruments at predetermined positions that only differs along the central longitudinal axis, i.e. the predetermined positions do not substantially differ along a second axis being perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a third axis being perpendicular both the central longitudinal axis and the second axis.
  • the elongated input zone may comprise a plurality of buttons arranged along a second axis being parallel with the central longitudinal axis and / or an elongated trackpad.
  • the elongated trackpad may be a 1 dimensional trackpad, i.e. a slider or a 2 dimensional trackpad.
  • the functionalities of dental equipment may be values of one or more control parameters for the first, second and third dental instrument. Additionally / alternatively the functionalities of dental equipment may be values of control parameters of other parts of a dental unit which the dental instrument bridge forms part of e.g. the elongated input zone may be configured to allow a user to control the position of a dental chair, the light source of a dental light or the like.
  • the elongated input zone may be a touch screen. The user may still have to move his / her hand along the central longitudinal axis to activate a particular button in the elongated input zone and / or operate an elongated trackpad. However, the user may always enter the elongated input zone without moving his / her hand along the central longitudinal axis.
  • the dental instrument bridge may be configured to hold at least 4, 5, or 6 dental instruments.
  • the dental instrument bridge may change the functionality of only a part of the elongated input zone in response to a user picks up and thereby selects a dental instrument e.g. if the input zone comprises a plurality of buttons, the functionality of one of the buttons may be unaffected by the selection of a particular dental instruments.
  • said input unit is configured to set values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments.
  • dental instruments are a micro motor (e.g. for a drill), a syringe, a curing light, a camera, an air instrument (turbine), a curing light, a scaler, or an intraoral camera.
  • control parameters for a micro motor are: speed (RPM), torque(%), spray water (ml/min), spray air (%), direction of rotation (forward / backwards).
  • control parameters for a curing light are: state (on/off), time on (seconds), intensity (lumen).
  • control parameter for an air instrument are: state (on/off), air flow (L / minute), spray water (ml/min).
  • said dental instrument bridge comprises said first, second, and third dental instrument, said first, second and third dental instrument being arranged in the elongated member of the instrument holder, and wherein said first, second and third dental instrument is selected from the group of dental instruments consisting of:
  • ⁇ a micro motor e.g. for a drill
  • the dental instrument bridge may comprise a processing unit configured to detect when a user picks up and selects dental instruments and further control the elongated input zone e.g. the processing unit may be configured to detect when a user picks up and selects the first dental instrument and in response thereto change the functionality of the elongated input zone.
  • the processing unit may be configured to detect when a user picks up and selects the first dental instrument by receiving a sensor signal from the first dental instrument, the instrument holder and / or from another part of the dental instrument bridge.
  • the dental instrument bridge may be configured to receive control signals from a processing unit arranged in another part of a dental unit which the dental instrument bridge forms part of and / or a processing unit arranged outside the dental unit.
  • the dental instrument bridge may be configured to provide one or more dental instruments with electrical power, compressed air, a vacuum and / or water.
  • the dental instruments typically comprise a proximal end having a handle allowing the dentist to grip the dental instruments and a distal end for interacting with the mouth of a patient.
  • the instrument holder may be configured to hold the dental instruments in any manner e.g. with the distal end facing downwards or with the distal end facing upwards.
  • the dental instruments may be connected to the dental instrument bridge via a hose configured to provide the dental instruments with electrical power,
  • the dental instrument bridge may comprises a plurality of hose holders for holding hoses connected to the dental instruments, wherein the plurality of hose holders are arranged above the instrument holder.
  • the elongated member comprises a plurality of concave portions, each concave portion being configured to hold a dental instrument.
  • said elongated member is further configured to hold a fourth and a fifth dental instrument at approximately predetermined positions; wherein said elongated input zone is arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may select any one of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis.
  • said elongated input zone comprises a planar surface extending in a reference plane and a plurality of buttons for setting values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments. Consequently a simple input unit is provided allowing a user to select and control functionalities of dental equipment.
  • the elongated input zone may comprise at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons.
  • the buttons may be arranged along a second axis.
  • the second axis may be parallel to the central longitudinal axis.
  • the maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be less than 2 times the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments.
  • the maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be less than 1 .5 times the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments.
  • the maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be approximately equal to the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments.
  • the distance between two neighbouring dental instrument is measured from the centre of each of the dental instruments.
  • the distance between two neighbouring buttons is measured from the centre of each of the buttons.
  • said plurality of buttons are laying substantially flush with said planar surface of said elongated input zone.
  • said plurality of buttons are proximity buttons configured to detect the presence of an object without any physical contact between said object and said proximity buttons and in response thereto generate an activation signal for controlling functionalities of dental equipment.
  • the proximity buttons may be configured to emit an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation such as infrared radiation, and looks for changes in the field or return signal.
  • the proximity buttons may use capacitive sensing to detect the presence of the object without any physical contact between the object and said proximity buttons.
  • a light emitting unit is provided in connection with each of said plurality of proximity buttons, wherein each light emitting unit is configured to generate a first visual signal in response to the detected presence of the object by its respective proximity button. Consequently, a more user friendly input unit is provided as the user may directly see when a proximity button has been activated.
  • Each light emitting unit may comprise one or more light emitting elements.
  • the light emitting elements may be light emitting diodes (LED).
  • Each light emitting unit may circumference some or all of its respective proximity button.
  • Each light emitting unit may lay substantially flush with said planar surface of said elongated input zone.
  • each light emitting unit is configured to generate said first visual signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to its respective proximity button is below a first threshold, and wherein each light emitting unit is further configured to generate a second visual signal and said activation signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to said proximity button is below a second threshold.
  • said reference plane is angled with respect to the horizontal plane with an angle between 10 and 90 degrees, between 25 and 90 degrees, or between 35 and 80 degrees.
  • the dental instrument bridge further comprises a display for displaying information related to a dental treatment, wherein said display extends along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged above or below said input zone, and wherein said display has one or more input unit portions, and wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to show information indicating the functionality of the elongated input zone at the one or more input unit portions.
  • the display may be any display such as a Light-emitting diode display (LED), Electroluminescent display (ELD), Cathode ray tube display (CRT), Plasma display panel (PDP), Liquid crystal display (LCD), High-Performance
  • LED Light-emitting diode display
  • ELD Electroluminescent display
  • CRT Cathode ray tube display
  • PDP Plasma display panel
  • LCD Liquid crystal display
  • HPA High Addressing display
  • TFT Thin-film transistor display
  • OLED Organic light- emitting diode display
  • SED Surface-conduction electron-emitter display
  • FED Field emission display
  • said elongated input zone comprises a first, a second, and a third button
  • said display has a width along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged in a manner whereby the display is arranged directly above or below each of said first, second, and third button, and wherein said display has at least three input unit portions in the form of three button portions one arranged above / below said first button, one arranged above / below said second button and one arranged above / below said third button, wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to display information indicating the functionality of the first, second and third button in their respective button portions of the display. This allows the user to in an effective manner know what the current functionality of the buttons are. This is especially useful when the
  • the display has a first covered portion, a second covered portion and a third covered portion, the first covered portion being at least partly covered by the first dental instrument when the first dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder, the second covered portion being at least partly covered by the second dental instrument when the second dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder and the third covered portion being at least partly covered by the third dental instrument when the third dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder.
  • a larger display may be used without increasing the required space of the dental instrument bridge thereby providing a more ergonomic dental instrument bridge.
  • the instrument holder may be configured to hold the first dental instrument in front of the display so that the portion of the display behind the first dental instrument becomes covered when the first dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder, i.e. the portion of the display behind the first dental instrument will be the first covered portion.
  • the information related to a dental treatment may be a value of one or more control parameters of dental instruments held by the instrument holder, instruction for using the dental instruments, information indicative of the status of the dental instrument or the like.
  • the covered portion(s) of the display may be covered at least when the angle between the visual axis of a user and the central axis of the display is between 0 and 85 degrees, between 0 and 75 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees, or between 0 and 20 degrees, where the central axis of the display is the axis arranged in the centre of the display and being perpendicular to a reference plane in which a planar display surface of the display extends.
  • the visual axis of a user is in this disclosure defined as the axis going through the point arranged in the middle between the two eyes of the user and the centre of the display, i.e. when the angle between the central axis of the display and the visual axis of the user is zero degrees the user is arranged right in front of the display.
  • said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects a selected dental instrument of the first, second and third dental instruments and in response thereto control the display to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the selected dental instrument.
  • the invention relates to a dental unit for dental treatments comprising:
  • the different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways including as a dental instrument bridge, and a dental unit comprising a dental instrument bridge described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependant claims.
  • a dental instrument bridge and a dental unit comprising a dental instrument bridge described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependant claims.
  • embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects.
  • embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects.
  • Figs. 1 a-e show a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 2 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4a-b show a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 1 a-e show a dental instrument bridge 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where Figs. 1 a,1 d and 1 e show a front view and Figs. 1 b-c show a side view.
  • the dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments 1 10-1 15. In this embodiment the dental instrument bridge is configured to hold six dental instruments but in other embodiments the dental instrument bridge may be configured to hold at least 1 , 2,3,4,5 or 6 dental instruments.
  • the dental instrument bridge 100 comprises an instrument holder 101 , a display 102 for displaying information related to a dental treatment such as values of one or more control parameters of one or more of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15, and an input unit 180 for controlling functionalities of dental equipment.
  • the instrument holder 101 is configured to hold the six dental instruments 1 10- 1 15. Each of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 are connected to a hose
  • the dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to provide the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 with electrical power, compressed air, a vacuum, water, and / or control signals for setting values of control parameters through the hoses 120-125.
  • the instrument holder 101 may be configured to secure the dental instruments at their respective resting positions, i.e. the instrument holder may be configured to grip each of the dental instruments 1 10-1 15. Alternatively / additionally the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 may be at least partly held by the hoses 120-125.
  • the instrument holder 101 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis 192.
  • the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 are arranged in front of the display so that each dental instrument 1 10-1 15 covers of a portion of the display 102 when the dental instrument 1 10-1 15 is arranged on the instrument holder 101 .
  • the display 102 has a planar display surface that extends in a reference plane 191 being angled with respect to the horizontal plane 190 with an angle 194.
  • Each dental instrument 1 10-1 15 covers a portion of the display 102 at least when the angle between the visual axis of the user and the central axis of the display 193 is between 0 and 85 degrees, between 0 and 75 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees, or between 0 and 20 degrees, where the central axis of the display 193 is the axis arranged in the centre of the display 102 and being perpendicular to the reference plane 191 in which the planar display surface of the display 102 extends.
  • the input unit comprises an elongated input zone 180 arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder (and below the display 102) in a manner and has a width along the central longitudinal axis 192 whereby a user may select any one of the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 180 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 192.
  • a user may select any one of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 and control functionalities of dental equipment such as setting values of control parameters for the selected dental instrument with a single natural movement.
  • the dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects one of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 and in response thereto firstly control the display 102 to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the selected dental instrument and secondly change the functionality of the elongated input zone 180 so that the elongated input zone 180 may be used for setting values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument.
  • a larger display may be used without increasing the required space of the dental instrument bridge thereby providing a more ergonomic dental instrument bridge.
  • the dental instrument bridge 100 further comprises a housing 107 connected to a movable arm 106.
  • the display 102 and the elongated input zone 180 is arranged in the housing 107.
  • the movable arm is configured to allow a user to arrange the dental instrument bridge 100 at a desired position.
  • the display 102 comprises a first elongated part 104 extending along the central longitudinal axis 192 above the elongated member of the instrument holder 101 and a second elongated part 105 extending along the central longitudinal axis 192 below said elongated member of the instrument holder.
  • the first elongated part 104 and the second elongated part 105 may be parts of one large single display, i.e.
  • the elongated member of the instrument holder 101 may permanently cover a part of the display 102 thereby dividing the single display into an upper part and a lower part.
  • the first elongated part 104 may be a first display and the second elongated part 105 may be a second display, where the first and the second display together forms the display 102 of the dental instrument bridge 100.
  • Fig. 1 d shows the dental instrument bridge 100 after a user has picked up and thereby selected the dental instrument 1 13
  • Fig. 1 e shows the portion of the display 130 131 being covered by the dental instrument 1 13, when the dental instrument 1 13 is arranged in the instrument holder 101 . At least a part of the portion of the display 130 131 may preferably be used for displaying information relevant for the use of the dental instrument 1 13.
  • Fig. 2 shows a dental instrument bridge 2000 for holding a plurality of dental instruments 2010-2012 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dental instrument bridge 2000 comprises an instrument holder and an input unit for controlling functionalities of dental equipment.
  • the instrument holder comprises an elongated member 2001 extending along a central longitudinal axis 2092.
  • the elongated member 2001 is configured to hold at a first 2010, a second 201 1 , and a third dental instrument 2012 at
  • the input unit comprises an elongated input zone 2080 arranged below said elongated member 2001 in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis 2092 whereby a user may select any one of the first, second or third dental instrument 2010-2012 with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 2080 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 2092.
  • the elongated input zone 2080 may optionally comprise a first button 2081 , a second button 2082, a third button 2083, and a fourth button 2084 arranged along a second axis 2093 being parallel with the central longitudinal axis 2092.
  • the first button 2081 and the second button 2082 being the two closest buttons to the first dental instrument 2010, the second button 2082 and the third button 2083 being the two closest buttons the second dental instrument 201 1 , and the third button 2083 and the fourth button 2084 being the two closest buttons to the third dental instrument 2012.
  • Fig. 3 shows a dental instrument bridge 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dental instrument bridge 600 comprises: an instrument holder 601 configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments and a display 602 for displaying values of one or more control parameters of the plurality of dental instruments.
  • the instrument holder 601 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis 692 and the display 602 comprises a first elongated part 604 arranged above the elongated member of the instrument holder 601 and a second elongated part 605 arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder 601 .
  • the elongated member of the instrument holder 601 comprises six concave portions 661 -666, each concave portion holding a dental instrument.
  • the dental instrument bridge 600 comprises further an input unit for setting values of one or more control parameters for one or more of the dental instruments.
  • the input unit comprises an elongated input zone 680 configured to allow a user to select values of one or more control parameters for the dental instruments using an activation object such as a finger .
  • the elongated input zone 680 is arranged below said elongated member of the instrument holder 601 in manner and having a width along the central longitudinal axis 692 whereby a user may select any one of the six dental instruments with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 680 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 692.
  • an ergonomic input unit is provided allowing the dentist to select any dental instrument and in a natural movement directly enter the elongated input zone 680.
  • the elongated input zone 680 may comprise a plurality of buttons and / or an elongated trackpad.
  • the display 602 has seven input unit portions 670- 676.
  • the dental instrument bridge 600 is configured to control the display 602 to show information indicating the functionality of the elongated input zone 680 at one or more of the seven input unit portions 670-676.
  • Figs. 4a-b show a dental instrument bridge 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig.3 with the difference that the elongated input zone 780 comprises seven buttons 781 -787.
  • the seven buttons 781 -787 may be proximity buttons configured to detect the presence of an object such as a finger of a user without any physical contact between the object and the proximity button and in response thereto generate an activation signal.
  • the display 702 comprises seven button portions 770-776 one arranged above each of the seven buttons.
  • the dental instrument bridge 700 is configured to control the display 702 to display information indicating the functionality of the buttons at their respective button portions of the display.
  • Fig. 4a shows the dental instrument bridge 700, when no dental instruments are selected.
  • buttons 781 -787 may be used to control general functions of a dental unit e.g. control a water tap, control light, or control the position of the dental chair.
  • Fig. 4b shows the dental instrument bridge after the dental instrument 71 1 has been selected.
  • the dental instrument bridge700 will in response to the selection of the dental instrument 71 1 control the display 702 to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the dental instrument 71 1 , and change the functionality of the seven buttons 781 -787 so that they may be used to configure the dental instrument 71 1 .
  • Fig. 5 shows a dental instrument bridge 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dental instrument bridge 800 comprises: an instrument holder 801 configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments and a display 802 for displaying information related to a dental treatment.
  • the instrument holder 801 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis and the display 802 comprises a first elongated part arranged above the elongated member of the instrument holder 801 and a second elongated part arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder 801 .
  • the elongated member of the instrument holder 801 comprises six concave portions, each concave portion holding a dental instrument 810-815.
  • the dental instrument bridge 800 further comprises an input unit 880 for setting values of one or more control parameters for one or more of the dental instruments 810-815.
  • the following dental instruments are arranged in the instrument holder, a syringe 810, a first micro motor 81 1 , a second micro motor 812, an intraoral camera 813, a scaler 814, and a curing light 815.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract

Disclosed is a dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments. The dental instrument bridge comprises: an instrument holder comprising an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated member being configured to hold a first, a second and a third dental instrument at approximately predetermined positions; and an input unit for controlling functionalities of dental equipment. The input unit comprises an elongated input zone arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may select any one of said first, second or third dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis.

Description

Title Dental instrument bridge with novel input unit Field The present invention relates to a dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments.
Background Dental examinations and dental treatments require dentists and dental care professionals to perform a number repetitive task. This may lead to various work related injuries. Especially handling of dental instruments such as micro motors, syringes, and curing lights may be problematic. The most commonly used dental instruments are normally arranged on an instrument holder of a movable dental instrument bridge. The dental instrument bridge typically further comprises a display unit for displaying values of control parameters of the plurality of dental instruments and an input unit for setting the values. The input unit may be provided separate from the display or integrated with the display, i.e. the display may be a touch screen.
However, the display unit is normally limited to having a relative small size as the overall size needed by the dental instrument bridge otherwise would make it difficult to arrange it at a desired position. This may make it difficult for a dentist or a dental care professional to view the display and prepare the dental instruments for use. The positioning of the input unit may further force dentist or the dental care professional to make un-ergonomic movements to selected desired values of the control parameters.
Thus, it remains a problem to provide a dental instrument bridge that is easier to operate and provides a more ergonomic work environment for dentists and dental care professionals. Summary
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments, said dental instrument bridge comprising:
• an instrument holder comprising an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated member being configured to hold a first, a second and a third dental instrument at approximately different predetermined positions along said central longitudinal axis; and
• an input unit for controlling functionalities of dental equipment;
wherein said input unit comprises an elongated input zone arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may pick up and select any one of said first, second or third dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis, and wherein said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects a selected dental instrument of said first, second or third dental instruments and in response thereto is configured to change the functionality of the elongated input zone so that the elongated input zone may be used for setting values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument.
Consequently by providing an elongated input zone in immediate connection with the instrument holder a user may select a dental instrument and control functionalities of dental equipment with a single natural movement. Thus, a more ergonomic dental instrument bridge is provided.
The central longitudinal axis being the central longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The elongated member may be configured to hold the different dental instruments at predetermined positions that only differs along the central longitudinal axis, i.e. the predetermined positions do not substantially differ along a second axis being perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a third axis being perpendicular both the central longitudinal axis and the second axis. The elongated input zone may comprise a plurality of buttons arranged along a second axis being parallel with the central longitudinal axis and / or an elongated trackpad. The elongated trackpad may be a 1 dimensional trackpad, i.e. a slider or a 2 dimensional trackpad. The functionalities of dental equipment may be values of one or more control parameters for the first, second and third dental instrument. Additionally / alternatively the functionalities of dental equipment may be values of control parameters of other parts of a dental unit which the dental instrument bridge forms part of e.g. the elongated input zone may be configured to allow a user to control the position of a dental chair, the light source of a dental light or the like. The elongated input zone may be a touch screen. The user may still have to move his / her hand along the central longitudinal axis to activate a particular button in the elongated input zone and / or operate an elongated trackpad. However, the user may always enter the elongated input zone without moving his / her hand along the central longitudinal axis. This enables the user to select anyone of the dental instruments and directly set values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument in one single natural movement. The dental instrument bridge may be configured to hold at least 4, 5, or 6 dental instruments. The dental instrument bridge may change the functionality of only a part of the elongated input zone in response to a user picks up and thereby selects a dental instrument e.g. if the input zone comprises a plurality of buttons, the functionality of one of the buttons may be unaffected by the selection of a particular dental instruments.
In some embodiments, said input unit is configured to set values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments. Examples of dental instruments are a micro motor (e.g. for a drill), a syringe, a curing light, a camera, an air instrument (turbine), a curing light, a scaler, or an intraoral camera. Examples of control parameters for a micro motor are: speed (RPM), torque(%), spray water (ml/min), spray air (%), direction of rotation (forward / backwards). Examples of control parameters for a curing light are: state (on/off), time on (seconds), intensity (lumen). Examples of control parameter for an air instrument are: state (on/off), air flow (L / minute), spray water (ml/min). In some embodiments, said dental instrument bridge comprises said first, second, and third dental instrument, said first, second and third dental instrument being arranged in the elongated member of the instrument holder, and wherein said first, second and third dental instrument is selected from the group of dental instruments consisting of:
· a micro motor (e.g. for a drill);
• a syringe;
• a curing light:
• a camera:
• an air instrument;
· a curing light;
• a scaler; and
• an intraoral camera.
The dental instrument bridge may comprise a processing unit configured to detect when a user picks up and selects dental instruments and further control the elongated input zone e.g. the processing unit may be configured to detect when a user picks up and selects the first dental instrument and in response thereto change the functionality of the elongated input zone. The processing unit may be configured to detect when a user picks up and selects the first dental instrument by receiving a sensor signal from the first dental instrument, the instrument holder and / or from another part of the dental instrument bridge. Alternatively / additionally the dental instrument bridge may be configured to receive control signals from a processing unit arranged in another part of a dental unit which the dental instrument bridge forms part of and / or a processing unit arranged outside the dental unit. The dental instrument bridge may be configured to provide one or more dental instruments with electrical power, compressed air, a vacuum and / or water.
The dental instruments typically comprise a proximal end having a handle allowing the dentist to grip the dental instruments and a distal end for interacting with the mouth of a patient. The instrument holder may be configured to hold the dental instruments in any manner e.g. with the distal end facing downwards or with the distal end facing upwards. The dental instruments may be connected to the dental instrument bridge via a hose configured to provide the dental instruments with electrical power,
compressed air, a vacuum and / or water. The dental instrument bridge may comprises a plurality of hose holders for holding hoses connected to the dental instruments, wherein the plurality of hose holders are arranged above the instrument holder. In some embodiments, the elongated member comprises a plurality of concave portions, each concave portion being configured to hold a dental instrument.
Consequently, an easy way to secure that the plurality of dental instruments are being held at approximately predetermined positions is provided
In some embodiments, said elongated member is further configured to hold a fourth and a fifth dental instrument at approximately predetermined positions; wherein said elongated input zone is arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may select any one of said first, second, third, fourth or fifth dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, said elongated input zone comprises a planar surface extending in a reference plane and a plurality of buttons for setting values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments. Consequently a simple input unit is provided allowing a user to select and control functionalities of dental equipment.
The elongated input zone may comprise at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons. The buttons may be arranged along a second axis. The second axis may be parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be less than 2 times the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments. The maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be less than 1 .5 times the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments. The maximum distance between any two neighbouring buttons of the at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 buttons may be approximately equal to the maximum distance between any two neighbouring dental instruments of the first, second, third (and possibly fourth and fifth) dental instruments. The distance between two neighbouring dental instrument is measured from the centre of each of the dental instruments. Correspondingly, the distance between two neighbouring buttons is measured from the centre of each of the buttons. In some embodiments, said plurality of buttons are laying substantially flush with said planar surface of said elongated input zone.
This allows the dental instrument bridge to be easily cleaned.
In some embodiments, said plurality of buttons are proximity buttons configured to detect the presence of an object without any physical contact between said object and said proximity buttons and in response thereto generate an activation signal for controlling functionalities of dental equipment.
Consequently, a more hygienic dental instrument bridge is provided.
The proximity buttons may be configured to emit an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation such as infrared radiation, and looks for changes in the field or return signal. The proximity buttons may use capacitive sensing to detect the presence of the object without any physical contact between the object and said proximity buttons. In some embodiments, a light emitting unit is provided in connection with each of said plurality of proximity buttons, wherein each light emitting unit is configured to generate a first visual signal in response to the detected presence of the object by its respective proximity button. Consequently, a more user friendly input unit is provided as the user may directly see when a proximity button has been activated.
Each light emitting unit may comprise one or more light emitting elements. The light emitting elements may be light emitting diodes (LED). Each light emitting unit may circumference some or all of its respective proximity button. Each light emitting unit may lay substantially flush with said planar surface of said elongated input zone.
In some embodiments, each light emitting unit is configured to generate said first visual signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to its respective proximity button is below a first threshold, and wherein each light emitting unit is further configured to generate a second visual signal and said activation signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to said proximity button is below a second threshold.
Consequently, a more user friendly input unit is provided as a user may select and activate the proximity buttons in two intuitive separate steps. In some embodiments, said reference plane is angled with respect to the horizontal plane with an angle between 10 and 90 degrees, between 25 and 90 degrees, or between 35 and 80 degrees.
In some embodiments, the dental instrument bridge further comprises a display for displaying information related to a dental treatment, wherein said display extends along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged above or below said input zone, and wherein said display has one or more input unit portions, and wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to show information indicating the functionality of the elongated input zone at the one or more input unit portions.
The display may be any display such as a Light-emitting diode display (LED), Electroluminescent display (ELD), Cathode ray tube display (CRT), Plasma display panel (PDP), Liquid crystal display (LCD), High-Performance
Addressing display (HPA),Thin-film transistor display (TFT), Organic light- emitting diode display (OLED), Surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), or Field emission display (FED).
In some embodiments, said elongated input zone comprises a first, a second, and a third button, said display has a width along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged in a manner whereby the display is arranged directly above or below each of said first, second, and third button, and wherein said display has at least three input unit portions in the form of three button portions one arranged above / below said first button, one arranged above / below said second button and one arranged above / below said third button, wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to display information indicating the functionality of the first, second and third button in their respective button portions of the display. This allows the user to in an effective manner know what the current functionality of the buttons are. This is especially useful when the
functionality of the buttons are changed in response to the selection of one of the dental instruments. In some embodiments, the display has a first covered portion, a second covered portion and a third covered portion, the first covered portion being at least partly covered by the first dental instrument when the first dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder, the second covered portion being at least partly covered by the second dental instrument when the second dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder and the third covered portion being at least partly covered by the third dental instrument when the third dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder.
Consequently, by integrating a display in the dental instrument bridge a larger display may be used without increasing the required space of the dental instrument bridge thereby providing a more ergonomic dental instrument bridge.
The instrument holder may be configured to hold the first dental instrument in front of the display so that the portion of the display behind the first dental instrument becomes covered when the first dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder, i.e. the portion of the display behind the first dental instrument will be the first covered portion. The information related to a dental treatment may be a value of one or more control parameters of dental instruments held by the instrument holder, instruction for using the dental instruments, information indicative of the status of the dental instrument or the like.
The covered portion(s) of the display may be covered at least when the angle between the visual axis of a user and the central axis of the display is between 0 and 85 degrees, between 0 and 75 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees, or between 0 and 20 degrees, where the central axis of the display is the axis arranged in the centre of the display and being perpendicular to a reference plane in which a planar display surface of the display extends. The visual axis of a user is in this disclosure defined as the axis going through the point arranged in the middle between the two eyes of the user and the centre of the display, i.e. when the angle between the central axis of the display and the visual axis of the user is zero degrees the user is arranged right in front of the display.
There will always be two angles between two axes or two planes, a small angle V1 and a large angle V2, where V2=180 degrees-V1 . In this disclosure, it will always be the small angle V1 that is specified whenever the angle between two axes or two planes is mentioned. In some embodiments, said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects a selected dental instrument of the first, second and third dental instruments and in response thereto control the display to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the selected dental instrument.
According to a second aspect the invention relates to a dental unit for dental treatments comprising:
• a dental instrument bridge as disclosed in relation to the first aspect of the invention; and
• a patient chair.
The different aspects of the present invention can be implemented in different ways including as a dental instrument bridge, and a dental unit comprising a dental instrument bridge described above and in the following, each yielding one or more of the benefits and advantages described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above, and each having one or more preferred embodiments corresponding to the preferred embodiments described in connection with at least one of the aspects described above and/or disclosed in the dependant claims. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that embodiments described in connection with one of the aspects described herein may equally be applied to the other aspects.
Brief description of the drawings
The above and/or additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be further elucidated by the following illustrative and non- limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: Figs. 1 a-e show a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 2 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4a-b show a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows a dental instrument bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced.
Figs. 1 a-e show a dental instrument bridge 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where Figs. 1 a,1 d and 1 e show a front view and Figs. 1 b-c show a side view. The dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments 1 10-1 15. In this embodiment the dental instrument bridge is configured to hold six dental instruments but in other embodiments the dental instrument bridge may be configured to hold at least 1 , 2,3,4,5 or 6 dental instruments. The dental instrument bridge 100 comprises an instrument holder 101 , a display 102 for displaying information related to a dental treatment such as values of one or more control parameters of one or more of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15, and an input unit 180 for controlling functionalities of dental equipment. The instrument holder 101 is configured to hold the six dental instruments 1 10- 1 15. Each of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 are connected to a hose
120-125. The dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to provide the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 with electrical power, compressed air, a vacuum, water, and / or control signals for setting values of control parameters through the hoses 120-125. The instrument holder 101 may be configured to secure the dental instruments at their respective resting positions, i.e. the instrument holder may be configured to grip each of the dental instruments 1 10-1 15. Alternatively / additionally the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 may be at least partly held by the hoses 120-125. The instrument holder 101 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis 192. The dental instruments 1 10-1 15 are arranged in front of the display so that each dental instrument 1 10-1 15 covers of a portion of the display 102 when the dental instrument 1 10-1 15 is arranged on the instrument holder 101 . The display 102 has a planar display surface that extends in a reference plane 191 being angled with respect to the horizontal plane 190 with an angle 194. Each dental instrument 1 10-1 15 covers a portion of the display 102 at least when the angle between the visual axis of the user and the central axis of the display 193 is between 0 and 85 degrees, between 0 and 75 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees, or between 0 and 20 degrees, where the central axis of the display 193 is the axis arranged in the centre of the display 102 and being perpendicular to the reference plane 191 in which the planar display surface of the display 102 extends. The input unit comprises an elongated input zone 180 arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder (and below the display 102) in a manner and has a width along the central longitudinal axis 192 whereby a user may select any one of the dental instruments 1 10-1 15 with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 180 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 192. Thus a user may select any one of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 and control functionalities of dental equipment such as setting values of control parameters for the selected dental instrument with a single natural movement. The dental instrument bridge 100 is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects one of the six dental instruments 1 10-1 15 and in response thereto firstly control the display 102 to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the selected dental instrument and secondly change the functionality of the elongated input zone 180 so that the elongated input zone 180 may be used for setting values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument. By integrating a display in the dental instrument bridge 100 a larger display may be used without increasing the required space of the dental instrument bridge thereby providing a more ergonomic dental instrument bridge.
The dental instrument bridge 100 further comprises a housing 107 connected to a movable arm 106. The display 102 and the elongated input zone 180 is arranged in the housing 107. The movable arm is configured to allow a user to arrange the dental instrument bridge 100 at a desired position. The display 102 comprises a first elongated part 104 extending along the central longitudinal axis 192 above the elongated member of the instrument holder 101 and a second elongated part 105 extending along the central longitudinal axis 192 below said elongated member of the instrument holder. The first elongated part 104 and the second elongated part 105 may be parts of one large single display, i.e. the elongated member of the instrument holder 101 may permanently cover a part of the display 102 thereby dividing the single display into an upper part and a lower part. Alternatively, the first elongated part 104 may be a first display and the second elongated part 105 may be a second display, where the first and the second display together forms the display 102 of the dental instrument bridge 100.
Fig. 1 d shows the dental instrument bridge 100 after a user has picked up and thereby selected the dental instrument 1 13, and Fig. 1 e shows the portion of the display 130 131 being covered by the dental instrument 1 13, when the dental instrument 1 13 is arranged in the instrument holder 101 . At least a part of the portion of the display 130 131 may preferably be used for displaying information relevant for the use of the dental instrument 1 13.
Fig. 2 shows a dental instrument bridge 2000 for holding a plurality of dental instruments 2010-2012 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dental instrument bridge 2000 comprises an instrument holder and an input unit for controlling functionalities of dental equipment. The instrument holder comprises an elongated member 2001 extending along a central longitudinal axis 2092. The elongated member 2001 is configured to hold at a first 2010, a second 201 1 , and a third dental instrument 2012 at
approximately predetermined positions along the central longitudinal axis 2092. The input unit comprises an elongated input zone 2080 arranged below said elongated member 2001 in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis 2092 whereby a user may select any one of the first, second or third dental instrument 2010-2012 with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 2080 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 2092.
The elongated input zone 2080 may optionally comprise a first button 2081 , a second button 2082, a third button 2083, and a fourth button 2084 arranged along a second axis 2093 being parallel with the central longitudinal axis 2092. The first button 2081 and the second button 2082 being the two closest buttons to the first dental instrument 2010, the second button 2082 and the third button 2083 being the two closest buttons the second dental instrument 201 1 , and the third button 2083 and the fourth button 2084 being the two closest buttons to the third dental instrument 2012.
Fig. 3 shows a dental instrument bridge 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dental instrument bridge 600 comprises: an instrument holder 601 configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments and a display 602 for displaying values of one or more control parameters of the plurality of dental instruments. The instrument holder 601 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis 692 and the display 602 comprises a first elongated part 604 arranged above the elongated member of the instrument holder 601 and a second elongated part 605 arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder 601 . The elongated member of the instrument holder 601 comprises six concave portions 661 -666, each concave portion holding a dental instrument. The dental instrument bridge 600 comprises further an input unit for setting values of one or more control parameters for one or more of the dental instruments. The input unit comprises an elongated input zone 680 configured to allow a user to select values of one or more control parameters for the dental instruments using an activation object such as a finger . The elongated input zone 680 is arranged below said elongated member of the instrument holder 601 in manner and having a width along the central longitudinal axis 692 whereby a user may select any one of the six dental instruments with a first hand and directly with the first hand enter the elongated input zone 680 without moving the first hand along the central longitudinal axis 692. Thus, an ergonomic input unit is provided allowing the dentist to select any dental instrument and in a natural movement directly enter the elongated input zone 680. The elongated input zone 680 may comprise a plurality of buttons and / or an elongated trackpad. The display 602 has seven input unit portions 670- 676. The dental instrument bridge 600 is configured to control the display 602 to show information indicating the functionality of the elongated input zone 680 at one or more of the seven input unit portions 670-676.
Figs. 4a-b show a dental instrument bridge 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig.3 with the difference that the elongated input zone 780 comprises seven buttons 781 -787. The seven buttons 781 -787 may be proximity buttons configured to detect the presence of an object such as a finger of a user without any physical contact between the object and the proximity button and in response thereto generate an activation signal. The display 702 comprises seven button portions 770-776 one arranged above each of the seven buttons. The dental instrument bridge 700 is configured to control the display 702 to display information indicating the functionality of the buttons at their respective button portions of the display. Fig. 4a shows the dental instrument bridge 700, when no dental instruments are selected. In this state, the buttons 781 -787 may be used to control general functions of a dental unit e.g. control a water tap, control light, or control the position of the dental chair. Fig. 4b shows the dental instrument bridge after the dental instrument 71 1 has been selected. The dental instrument bridge700 will in response to the selection of the dental instrument 71 1 control the display 702 to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the dental instrument 71 1 , and change the functionality of the seven buttons 781 -787 so that they may be used to configure the dental instrument 71 1 . As an example if the dental instrument 71 1 is a micro motor, the button 783 may be used for increasing the speed of the micro motor and the button 785 may be used for decreasing the speed of the micro motor as preferably indicated in the button portions 772 774 respectively. Fig. 5 shows a dental instrument bridge 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dental instrument bridge 800 comprises: an instrument holder 801 configured to hold a plurality of dental instruments and a display 802 for displaying information related to a dental treatment. The instrument holder 801 comprises an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis and the display 802 comprises a first elongated part arranged above the elongated member of the instrument holder 801 and a second elongated part arranged below the elongated member of the instrument holder 801 . The elongated member of the instrument holder 801 comprises six concave portions, each concave portion holding a dental instrument 810-815. In this embodiment the dental instrument bridge 800 further comprises an input unit 880 for setting values of one or more control parameters for one or more of the dental instruments 810-815. In this embodiment the following dental instruments are arranged in the instrument holder, a syringe 810, a first micro motor 81 1 , a second micro motor 812, an intraoral camera 813, a scaler 814, and a curing light 815.
Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims:
1 . A dental instrument bridge for holding a plurality of dental instruments, said dental instrument bridge comprising:
· an instrument holder comprising an elongated member extending along a central longitudinal axis, said elongated member being configured to hold a first, a second and a third dental instrument at approximately different predetermined positions along said central longitudinal axis; and
· an input unit for controlling functionalities of dental equipment;
wherein said input unit comprises an elongated input zone arranged above or below said elongated member in manner and having a width along said central longitudinal axis whereby a user may pick up and select any one of said first, second or third dental instrument with a first hand and directly with said first hand enter said elongated input zone without moving said first hand along said central longitudinal axis, and wherein said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects a selected dental instrument of said first, second or third dental instruments and in response thereto is configured to change the functionality of the elongated input zone so that the elongated input zone may be used for setting values of one or more control parameters for the selected dental instrument.
2. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 1 , wherein said input unit is configured to set values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments.
3. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said dental instrument bridge comprises said first, second, and third dental instrument, said first, second and third dental instrument being arranged in the elongated member of the instrument holder, and wherein said first, second and third dental instrument is selected from the group of dental instruments consisting of:
• a micro motor (e.g. for a drill);
• a syringe;
· a curing light:
• a camera:
• an air instrument;
• a curing light;
• a scaler; and
· an intraoral camera.
4. A dental instrument bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of concave portions, each concave portion being configured to hold a dental instrument.
5. A dental instrument bridge according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein said elongated input zone comprises a planar surface extending in a reference plane and a plurality of buttons for setting values of one or more control parameters for each of said at least three dental instruments.
6. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of buttons are laying substantially flush with said planar surface of said elongated input zone.
7. A dental instrument bridge according to claims 5 or 6, wherein said plurality of buttons are proximity buttons configured to detect the presence of an object without any physical contact between said object and said proximity buttons and in response thereto generate an activation signal for controlling functionalities of dental equipment.
8. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 7, wherein a light emitting unit is provided in connection with each of said plurality of proximity buttons, wherein each light emitting unit is configured to generate a first visual signal in response to the detected presence of the object by its respective proximity button.
9. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 8, wherein each light emitting unit is configured to generate said first visual signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to its respective proximity button is below a first threshold, and wherein each light emitting unit is further configured to generate a second visual signal and said activation signal when its respective proximity sensor estimates that the distance from said object to said proximity button is below a second threshold.
10. A dental instrument bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the dental instrument bridge further comprises a display for displaying information related to a dental treatment, wherein said display extends along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged above or below said input zone, and wherein said display has one or more input unit portions, and wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to show information indicating the functionality of the elongated input zone at the one or more input unit portions.
1 1 . A dental instrument bridge according to claim 10, wherein said elongated input zone comprises a first, a second, and a third button, said display has a width along said central longitudinal axis and is arranged in a manner whereby the display is arranged directly above or below each of said first, second, and third button, and wherein said display has at least three input unit portions in the form of three button portions one arranged above / below said first button, one arranged above / below said second button and one arranged above / below said third button, wherein the dental instrument bridge is configured to control the display to display information indicating the functionality of the first, second and third button in their respective button portions of the display.
12. A dental instrument bridge according to claim 1 1 , wherein the display has a first covered portion, a second covered portion and a third covered portion, the first covered portion being at least partly covered by the first dental instrument when the first dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder, the second covered portion being at least partly covered by the second dental instrument when the second dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder and the third covered portion being at least partly covered by the third dental instrument when the third dental instrument is arranged in the instrument holder.
13. A dental instrument bridge according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said dental instrument bridge is configured to detect when a user picks up and selects up a selected dental instrument of the first, second and third dental instruments and in response thereto control the display to change the current display and show first information relevant for the use of the selected dental instrument.
14. A dental unit for dental treatments comprising:
• a dental instrument bridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and
• a patient chair.
PCT/EP2017/052402 2016-02-03 2017-02-03 Dental instrument bridge with novel input unit WO2017134237A1 (en)

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