Virtual dental operatory

Embodiments of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with a dental treatment procedure. In particular, example embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem connected to an image display subsystem. For example, the image capture subsystem can capture and communicate a live image of a treatment site to the image display subsystem for the dental professional to view while performing a dental treatment procedure. In at least one example embodiment, the virtual operatory system can also include an image rendering subsystem that can render the live image of the treatment site in one or more ways to provide an improved visual to the dental professional of the treatment site.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of dental operatory and more particularly relates to devices, systems and methods of providing virtual live views of a treatment site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern dental operatory is centered on an adjustable dental chair. The dental chair has the purpose of providing the patient with a comfortable seat while at the same time allowing the dental professional to maneuver the dental chair in multiple directions to provide easier access to the patient's oral cavity. For example, a dental professional can recline, rise, lower, or spin the dental chair in order to maneuver the patient to allow the dental professional the best access to the patient's oral cavity to perform dental treatment procedures.

Although the dental chair can assist the dental professional in gaining access to the patient's oral cavity, the oral cavity is generally a small area in which it is difficult to perform dental treatment procedures. For example, dental treatment procedures usually include performing high tolerance procedures on a very small scale. Due to the high tolerances and small scale of most dental treatment procedures, dental professionals usually try to use some form of magnification to enhance their ability to perform the dental treatment procedure. The nature of the dental cavity, however, often makes it very difficult for a dental professional to use magnification tools effectively. For example, many dental professionals may use magnification lenses that may attach to a pair of conventional glasses and are hand adjustable. The magnification lenses, however, are usually heavy and are an annoyance when worn for long periods of time

In addition to the small scale of dental treatment procedures, the oral cavity is generally a dark area, which further increases the challenges associated with performing dental treatment procedures. In particular, most dental professionals now use a high-powered overhead light to flood the oral cavity with light to help the dental professional adequately see the treatment site. Although the high-powered lights help provide light within the oral cavity, many time the dental professional's hands or tools block the light, thus limiting the effectiveness of the high-powered light.

What is needed in the art are systems, devices and methods that easily allow a dental professional to light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with the dental treatment procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with a dental treatment procedure. In particular, example embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem connected to an image display subsystem. For example, the image capture subsystem can capture and communicate a live image of a treatment site to the image display subsystem for the dental professional to view while performing a dental treatment procedure. In at least one example embodiment, the virtual operatory system can also include an image rendering subsystem that can render the live image of the treatment site in one or more ways to provide an improved visual to the dental professional of the treatment site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with a dental treatment procedure. In particular, example embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem connected to an image display subsystem. For example, the image capture subsystem can capture and communicate a live image of a treatment site to the image display subsystem for the dental professional to view while performing a dental treatment procedure. In at least one example embodiment, the virtual operatory system can also include an image rendering subsystem that can render the live image of the treatment site in one or more ways to provide an improved visual to the dental professional of the treatment site.

As will be further explained below, the virtual dental operatory system allows the treatment site located within an oral cavity of a patient to be magnified without having to use heavy bulky optical magnifiers that are often uncomfortable to wear. Moreover, the virtual dental operatory system can provide an image where the treatment site is lighted well, or at least where the image of the treatment site is rendered such that the treatment site appears lighted. Furthermore, the virtual dental operatory system is configured such that the dental professional can perform the procedure minimizing the opportunity for the dental professional or the dental professional's tools to block the lighting effect.

FIG. 1illustrates one example embodiment of a virtual dental operatory system100. As used herein, operatory means any dental procedure, including but not limited to removal of cavity, adding fillings, root canals, bridges, orthodontics, surgery, and/or any or all treatments that take place around or within the oral cavity. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the virtual dental operatory system100can be arranged and configured to cooperate with a standard dental chair wherein a patient102sits while a dental professional104performs a dental treatment procedure. AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates one arrangement, the virtual dental operatory system100can be arranged in almost any arrangement as will be described further below.

Figure one illustrates that the virtual dental operatory system100can include an image capture subsystem200. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the image capture subsystem200is configured to capture an image of a treatment site and communicate that image to various other subsystems within the virtual dental operatory system100. In particular, the image capture subsystem200can be configured to capture and communicate a live video image of a treatment site.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, portions of the image capture subsystem200can be mounted to a wall or ceiling by way of an adjustable mounting system106that allows the dental professional104to position the image capture subsystem200in the best location to capture the best image. In alternative embodiments, portions of the image capture subsystem200can be located directly on dental tools that the dental professional is using, for example, a dental drill housing or similar dental tool. Alternatively, portions of the image capture subsystem200can be a free standing hand held tool that a dental assistant can maneuver and position while the dental professional104performs a dental treatment procedure.

As shown inFIG. 1, the image capture subsystem can capture an image of at least a portion of the patient's102oral cavity110. The image capture subsystem can then communicate the image of the oral cavity110to an image display subsystem400aand/or400bsuch that the dental professional can view the image during the dental procedure. For example,FIG. 1illustrates that that part of the image display subsystem400aand/or400bmay include a monitor that is mounted to a wall or ceiling by way of an adjustable mounting system108that allows the dental professional to maneuver the monitor to almost any position or location. As illustrated, the monitor can display a virtual view112of the treatment site within the oral cavity110. In an alternative, or in the same embodiment, the image display subsystem400aand/or400bcan include goggles that include a display that allows the dental professional104to view the virtual view112of the treatment site within the oral cavity by wearing the goggles. These and other components will be explained in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 2 through 5.

In addition to the various example components and subsystems illustrated inFIG. 1,FIG. 2further illustrates an example embodiment of the virtual dental operatory system100. As discussed above with reference toFIG. 1, the virtual dental operatory system100can include the image capture subsystem200that can capture an image of a treatment area within a patient's oral cavity to produce a captured image.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the image capture subsystem200can be communicably connected to an image rendering subsystem300. The image capture subsystem200can communicate the captured image to the image rendering subsystem300. After receiving the captured image, the image rendering subsystem300can apply one or more rendering routines to the captured image to produce a rendered image.

As further illustrated inFIG. 2, the image rendering subsystem300can be communicably connected to an image display subsystem400. In particular, the image rendering subsystem300can communicate the rendered image to the image display subsystem400. After receiving the rendered image, the image display subsystem400can display the rendered image on one or more image display devices.

The image capture subsystem200, the image rendering subsystem300and the image display subsystem400(the “subsystems”) can communicate using any suitable communication technologies, devices, networks, media, and protocols supportive of remote data communications. For example, the subsystems can communicate over a network using any communication platforms and technologies suitable for transporting captured images and/or communication signals, including known communication technologies, devices, transmission media, and protocols supportive of remote data communications, examples of which include, but are not limited to, data transmission media, communications devices, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), Internet Protocol (“IP”), File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), Telnet, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (“HTTPS”), Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”), Simple Object Access Protocol (“SOAP”), Extensible Mark-up Language (“XML”) and variations thereof, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (“SMTP”), Real-Time Transport Protocol (“RTP”), User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”), Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) technologies, Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) technologies, Evolution Data Optimized Protocol (“EVDO”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”) technologies, radio frequency (“RF”) signaling technologies, wireless communication technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), optical transport and signaling technologies, live transmission technologies (e.g., media streaming technologies), media file transfer technologies, in-band and out-of-band signaling technologies, and other suitable communications technologies.

Moreover, the network may include one or more networks or types of networks (and communication links thereto) capable of carrying communications, captured images, and/or data signals between the subsystems. For example, the network may include, but is not limited to, one or more wireless networks, cable networks, hybrid fiber coax networks, optical fiber networks, broadband networks, narrowband networks, the Internet, wide area networks, local area networks, public networks, private networks, packet-switched networks, and any other networks capable of carrying data and/or communications signals between the subsystems. Communications between the subsystems may be transported using any one of above-listed networks, or any combination or sub-combination of the above-listed networks.

The various subsystems illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2can each include various facilities that assist the various subsystems in performing various tasks within the virtual dental operatory system100. For example,FIG. 3illustrates on example of the image capture subsystem200. As illustrated, the image capture subsystem200can include a capture facility202. The capture facility202can include any devices that provide for the capture of an image, and in particular, the capture of a live video image.

For example, the capture facility202can include a camera. In one embodiment, the camera can be a live feed auto-focus camera. The camera can have various optical magnification lenses to provide optical magnification of the treatment site. For example, a camera such as the SONY ALPHA A350 is a camera with live feed and auto focus capabilities.

The capture facility can be configured to focus on a particular instrument such that the camera's focus automatically adjusts depending on the location of the particular instrument within the oral cavity. This feature can be provided by image recognition routines that are part of the capture facility202.

The image capture subsystem200can further include a communication facility204. Communication facility204may be configured to facilitate communication between the image capture subsystem and the image rendering subsystem300and/or the image display subsystem400. In particular, communication facility204may be configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals, captured images, metadata and/or any other data to/from the image capture subsystem200. For example, communication facility204may transmit data representative of one or more captured images to the image rendering subsystem300.

Data representative of captured images may be transmitted in one or more media content streams, as one or more data files, or in any other suitable manner as may serve a particular implementation. Communication facility204may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

In addition to the communication facility204, the image capture subsystem200can include a storage facility206. Storage facility206may be configured to maintain captured data208representative of one or more captured images. It will be recognized that storage facility208may maintain additional or alternative data as may serve a particular implementation. In one example, the captured data can be used by the dentist to demonstrate a particular procedure to another patient, insurance company, or keep it on file for other purposes, such as if a particular procedure fails then the dentist can review the procedure in an attempt to identify the cause of failure.

FIG. 4illustrates an example embodiment of the image rendering subsystem300. The image rendering subsystem300can include a rendering facility302configured to perform one or more rendering routines on the captured image. The rendering routines can perform digital enhancements that render or change the captured image to a rendered image. The rendering or changes to the captured image can enhance the captured image in one or more ways such that resulting rendered image allows the dental professional a superior view or visual access to the treatment site.

For example, rendering routines performed on the captured image can magnify, brighten, increase/decrease contrast, enlarge, zoom in, zoom out, provide a three-dimension model, change colors, add lighting effects and/or change or render the captured image in any way to produce a customized rendered image for the dental professionals use.

The image rendering subsystem300can include a user input interface that allows the dental professional to customize the rendered image by inputting rendering specifications. The rendering facility can be provided with pre-set rendering routines that easily allow the dental professional to render the captured image in a preset way and also be able to switch back and forth between two or more pre-set rendering routines during a procedure.

The image rendering subsystem300can further include a communication facility304. Communication facility304may be configured to facilitate communication between the image rendering subsystem300and the image capture subsystem200and/or the image display subsystem400. In particular, communication facility304may be configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals, captured images, metadata and/or any other data to/from the image rendering subsystem300. For example, communication facility304may transmit data representative of one or more rendered images to the image display subsystem400.

Data representative of rendered images may be transmitted in one or more media content streams, as one or more data files, or in any other suitable manner as may serve a particular implementation. Communication facility304may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

In addition to the communication facility304, the image rendering subsystem300can include a storage facility306. Storage facility306may be configured to maintain rendered data308representative of one or more rendered images. It will be recognized that storage facility308may maintain additional or alternative data as may serve a particular implementation. In one example, the rendered data308can be used by the dentist to demonstrate a particular procedure to another patient, insurance company, or keep it on file for other purposes, such as if a particular procedure fails then the dentist can review the rendered data in an attempt to identify the cause of failure.

FIG. 5illustrates an example embodiment of the image display subsystem400. For example, the image display subsystem400can include a presentation facility402. The presentation facility has the ability to use data received from either the image capture subsystem200or the image rendering subsystem300and create a visual depiction of the treatment site.

For example, the presentation facility400can include a monitor or projector that displays a visual depiction of the treatment site. In another example, the presentation facility400can include goggles (e.g., virtual reality goggles) that are capable of producing a visual depiction of the treatment site to the wearer of the goggles. In one embodiment, the goggles can be TECHWOOD TG-06V IC Goggles from WELTON ELECTRONICS. The goggles can be worn like traditional glasses or goggles with the depiction of the treatment site viewed directly through the goggles.

With the goggles, or the monitor, the dental professional can perform a dental procedure on the patient, while directly monitoring an enhanced view of the dental procedure through the virtual operatory system100. Thus, the dental professional is provided with a superior view of the oral cavity during the procedure (including magnification and lighting effects).

The image display subsystem400can further include a communication facility404. Communication facility404may be configured to facilitate communication between the image display subsystem400and the image capture subsystem200and/or the image rendering subsystem300. In particular, communication facility404may be configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals, captured images, rendered images, metadata and/or any other data to/from the image display subsystem400. For example, communication facility404may receive data representative of one or more rendered images from the image rendering subsystem300.

Data representative of rendered images may be transmitted in one or more media content streams, as one or more data files, or in any other suitable manner as may serve a particular implementation. Communication facility404may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary method600of virtual dental operatory. WhileFIG. 6illustrates exemplary steps according to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the steps shown inFIG. 6. The steps shown inFIG. 6may be performed by any component or combination of components of the virtual dental operatory system100.

In step602, an image representative of a treatment site in a patient's oral cavity is captured during the performance of a dental treatment procedure to produce a captured image. To illustrate,FIG. 3illustrates that the image capture subsystem200can include the capture facility that is configured to capture an image of the treatment site. For example, a camera or similar image capturing device can be used to capture the image.

In step604, the captured image is rendered to enhance the visual properties of treatment site to produce a rendered image. To illustrate,FIG. 4illustrates that the image rendering subsystem300can include a rendering facility that is configured to apply one or more rendering routines to the captured image to produce a rendered image that is enhanced and customized to provide a superior visual depiction of the treatment site.

In step606, the rendered image is displayed to the dental professional during the performance of the dental treatment procedure. To illustrate,FIG. 5illustrates that the image display subsystem400can include a presentation facility that is configured to display the rendered image. For example, virtual reality goggles can be used to display the rendered image to the dental professional.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the components and/or processes described herein may be implemented and/or performed by one or more appropriately configured computing devices. To this end, one or more of the systems and/or components described above may include or be implemented by any computer hardware and/or computer-implemented instructions (e.g., software), or combinations of computer-implemented instructions and hardware, configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein. In particular, system components may be implemented on one physical computing device or may be implemented on more than one physical computing device. Accordingly, system components may include any number of computing devices, and may employ any of a number of computer operating systems.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary computing device700that may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein. As shown inFIG. 7, computing device700may include a communication interface702, a processor704, a storage device706, and an input/output (“I/O”) module708communicatively connected via a communication infrastructure710. While an exemplary computing device700is shown inFIG. 7, the components illustrated inFIG. 7are not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternative components may be used in other embodiments. Components of computing device700shown inFIG. 7will now be described in additional detail.

Communication interface702may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices. Examples of communication interface702include, without limitation, a wired network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and any other suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communication interface702may provide a direct connection between system100and one or more of provisioning systems via a direct link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface702may additionally or alternatively provide such a connection through, for example, a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal area network, a telephone or cable network, a satellite data connection, a dedicated URL, or any other suitable connection. Communication interface702may be configured to interface with any suitable communication media, protocols, and formats, including any of those mentioned above.

Processor704generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting, executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein. Processor704may direct execution of operations in accordance with one or more applications712or other computer-executable instructions such as may be stored in storage device706or another computer-readable medium.

Storage device706may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination of data storage media and/or device. For example, storage device706may include, but is not limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc, random access memory (“RAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), other non-volatile and/or volatile data storage units, or a combination or sub-combination thereof. Electronic data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and/or permanently stored in storage device706. For example, data representative of one or more executable applications712(which may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the software applications described herein) configured to direct processor704to perform any of the operations described herein may be stored within storage device706. In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more databases residing within storage device706.

I/O module708may be configured to receive user input and provide user output and may include any hardware, firmware, software, or combination thereof supportive of input and output capabilities. For example, I/O module708may include hardware and/or software for capturing user input, including, but not limited to, a keyboard or keypad, a touch screen component (e.g., touch screen display), a receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared receiver), and/or one or more input buttons.

I/O module708may include one or more devices for presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen, one or more output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers. In certain embodiments, I/O module708is configured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to a user. The graphical data may be representative of one or more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical content as may serve a particular implementation.

In some examples, any of the facilities described herein may be implemented by or within one or more components of computing device700. For example, one or more applications712residing within storage device706may be configured to direct processor704to perform one or more processes or functions associated with capture facility202, communication facility204, rendering facility302, communication facility304, presentation facility402, and/or communication facility404. Likewise, storage facilities206and/or306may be implemented by or within storage device706.