Patent ID: 6958766
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A dental imaging system, comprising: a handpiece including a handle portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion having a view port for viewing intra- and extra-oral dental anatomy; an optical system mounted in said distal end portion of said handpiece, said optical system being configured to acquire, orient and transmit an image of said dental anatomy appearing in said view port; a sensor assembly mounted in said distal end of said handpiece, said sensor assembly being configured to convert images received through said optical system into video data signals; a camera control unit mounted in said handle portion of said handpiece, said camera control unit being configured to receive said video data signals from said sensor assembly and to generate video output signals of said image from said video data signals; a connector disposed in said handpiece to flexibly interconnect said camera control unit with said sensor assembly, wherein said connector is configured to permit axial adjustment of said sensor assembly for focusing on said dental anatomy; and an interface means connected to said camera control unit for providing power to said camera control unit and for receiving video output signals from said camera control unit for transmission to a device for display or further processing.