ELECTRONIC VIDEO DENTAL CAMERA

Abstract: An electronic video dental camera (10) is provided having a general shape of prior art dental mirrors, thereby being readily manipulated by dentists who are universally familiar with the manipulation of prior art dental mirrors. Such an electronic video dental camera includes a handle (11) to be held the user, and a camera head (14) located at the distal end of the handle, with the camera head being formed at an angle (A) to the handle. One embodiment also includes a mirror (20) so that the dental camera can be used simultaneously as both a video dental camera and a dental mirror. Another embodiment includes means to cause, as desired, the flow of a selected fluid over the camera lens in order to defog and/or clean the camera lens, thereby allowing proper viewing. In one embodiment, the camera head also includes light sources for properly illuminating the area to be viewed. As a feature of one embodiment, the handle includes means for transporting all appropriate signals and fluids to and from the camera head, and, if desired, valves and switching means (9) located on the handle for controlling such communication to the camera head. In one embodiment, the handle is uniquely designed to have a one piece connector to connect to a cable from video monitor (6) and control equipment, such connector providing communication with all elements connected to the camera head, such as power for a light source, video signals, fluids, etc.

Description: This invention is an electronic video dental camera having a handle and head shaped in the general form of a dental mirror, for use in placement in a dental patient's mouth and allowing areas within the mouth be displayed via a video signal. For years, dentists have used dental mirrors for insertion in a dental patient's mouth for reflecting images of areas within the patient's mouth for viewing by the dentist. This technique works, although it has several disadvantages. First, it is often difficult to hold the dental mirror in an appropriate position in order to reflect the desired image. Secondly, it is more difficult to ensure that proper lighting is available to the area within the mouth to be reflected by the dental mirror. An even greater disadvantage is that it is very difficult to use such prior art dental mirrors in a situation where a dentist wishes to discuss certain regions within the mouth with other people, be it the patient, colleagues, dental assistants, or students in a teaching institution. GB-A-922994 teaches a dental mirror comprising a handle, a mirror attached at one end of the handle, a fluid flow passage extending along the length of the handle and leading to an outlet at a location remote from the mirror in the body of the handle, the outlet directing the flow of fluid across the surface of the mirror thereby to remove matter collected or deposited thereon in use. The handle comprises valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to the outlet. Electronic video endoscopes have been used in recent years, for example as is decribed in U.S. patent 4 667 229 on an invention of Cooper et al. Such prior art video endoscopes use either fiber optics or a miniature camera, such as a charge coupled device (CCD), in order to transport an image to a monitor. Such prior art video endoscopes come in a variety of sizes, but are typically rather small and tubular in nature in order that they maybe easily inserted within a body cavity or surgical opening. Certain prior art endoscopes include a light source located at their end in order to ensure proper lighting is available for transporting the image to the monitor. However, such prior art video endoscopes were not specifically designed for use in dental applications and are rather clumsy in such applications. As one example, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to properly view the lingual aspects of the teeth using such prior art video endoscopes, due to their tubular shape. EP-A-0122537 teaches a device for observing pictures used for observations of confined portions such as an oral cavity in dental or other medical treatment. The device comprises an image transmission line for transmitting an image, an optical system for forming the image of the object at the front of a first end of said image transmission line, a reflex mirror for reflecting the light from the object and directing it toward the optical system and an image receiving means provided at the second end of said image transmission line for observing the image transmitted. The image transmission line may accomodate an image fiber for transmitting an image and a light guide for transmitting the light for illumination. The light for illumination is projected from first end of the light guide and reflected by the reflex mirror to illuminate the object. The light from the object is reflected by the reflex mirror and focused by a lens at the first end of the image fiber. The image transmitted by the image fiber is picked up by a TV camera through an optical system coupled therewith, and is projected on the screen of a TV monitor. DE-A-2208902 teaches a dental camera adapted to be attached to the handle of a dental treatment tool. The dental camera comprises a light generator, a light conductor coupled to the light generator, an image conductor, an image receiver coupled to the image conductor so as to give an image of the treated part, a tooth for example. More precisely, DE-A-2208902 teaches a dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope, the endoscope comprising : a handle, a camera head for placement within the mouth including an image input port, the camera head being located at the distal end of the handle, the camera head being formed such that the image input port is placed at an angle from the axis of the handle, and the camera head including means for providing light including one or more fiber optic light guides bringing illuminations from a light source wherein the one or more fiber optic light guides include a curvature such that illumination is routed to be emitted from the same face of the camera head as receives the image, such that the light from the means for providing light is dispersed toward the area being viewed by the camera head. SUMMARY The object of the invention is to provide an electronic video dental camera which overcomes the disadvantages of both prior art dental mirrors, endoscopes, and video endoscopes. This object is attained according to the invention with the dental camera defined in the appended claims. Claim 1 relates to a dental camera of the type teached in DE-A-2208902 comprising : a handle and a camera head for placement within the mouth, said camera head being located at the distal end of said handle and being formed at an angle to the handle, said camera head including means for receiving an image within a patient's mouth to be displayed on a video monitor, said camera head including means for providing light including one or more fibre optic light guides bringing illumination from a light source and dispersing the light towards the area being viewed by said camera, and said claim 1 is further characterized in that said camera head is reflexed toward said handle for retroflexed viewing and in that said video endoscope has a shape like a dental mirror. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, an electronic video dental camera is provided having a general shape of prior art dental mirrors, thereby being readily manipulated by dentists who are universally familiar with the manipulation of prior art dental mirrors. Such an electronic video dental camera includes a handle to be held the user, and a camera head located at the distal end of the handle, with the camera head being formed at an angle to the handle, as in prior art dental mirrors. In a preferred embodiment the dental camera constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention also includes a mirror so that the dental camera can be used simultaneously as both a video dental camera and a dental mirror. In another embodiment, means are provided to cause, as desired, the flow of a selected fluid over the camera lens in order to defog and/or clean the camera lens, thereby allowing proper viewing. In one embodiment, the camera head also includes light sources for properly illuminating the area to be viewed. As a feature of a preferred embodiment of this invention, the handle of the dental camera includes means for transporting all appropriate signals and fluids to and from the camera head, and, if desired, valves and switching means located on the handle for controlling such communication to the camera head. In one embodiment of this invention, the handle is uniquely designed to have a one piece connector to connect to a cable from video monitor and control equipment, such connector providing communication with all elements connected to the camera head, such as power for a light source, video signals, fluids, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram depicting the use of an electronic video camera constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a video dental camera constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; Fig. 3 is a more detailed view of the forward extension, camera head, and mirror attachment according to a preferred embodiment of a dental camera constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a camera head constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention; and Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a camera head constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 shows the use of a dental camera 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. Video processor and control means 8 serves to provide power, light, and if desired fluid and other appropriate signals via cable 7 to dental camera 10. Video processor and control means 8 provides a video signal to video monitor 6 in order that users may view a location within a patient's mouth by way of dental camera 10. If desired, foot switch 9 is used to provide a signal to video processor and control means 8 indicating when air and/or fluids are to be sent by video processor and control means 8 to dental camera 10. Fig. 2 shows a cross section of one embodiment of a video dental camera constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. Video dental camera 10 includes body 16 having handle 11 suitable for being held by an operator, and, if desired having forward extension 13. At one end of handle 11 is located connector 12 for connection, via a cable assembly (not shown) to video processor and control unit 8 (Fig. 1). If desired, forward extension 13 and handle 11 have generally circular cross section, although other suitable shapes, such as octagonal, and polygonal can be used. The important point is that handle 11 should be easily and comfortably gripped by the user, and forward extension 13 should be of a general size and cross section which is convenient for insertion into the patient's mouth and, of course, comfortable for the patient. In one embodiment of this invention, forward extension 13 or handle 11 is malleable, or dental camera 10 includes suitable joints and/or pivots such that its shape can be changed any number of times for selected purposes. Located at the distal end of forward extension 13, and mounted on forward extension 13 at an angle A to forward extension 13, is camera head 14. Face 15 of camera head 14 includes means for receiving an image within a patient's mouth to be displayed on a video monitor. In one embodiment of this invention, such means for receiving the image is fiber optic tubes or one or more rod lens assemblies or a combination thereof with or without additional lenses, which transmit the image to an image sensor (not shown) either within forward extension 13, body 16 or, in another embodiment of this invention, the image is transmitted by one or more rod lens assemblies or fiber optic cable, or a combination thereof with or without additional lenses, through connector 12 to an image sensor located in external video equipment (not shown). However, in a preferred embodiment the image sensor is located directly in camera head 14 and receives the image from the patient's mouth via a lens, without the need for fiber optics. In one embodiment of this invention, as shown in Fig. 3, a mirror 20 having a reflecting face 21 is placed such that the operator can use mirror 20 in much the same manner as prior art dental mirrors are used in order to visually see the viewed image which is simultaneously being received by camera head 14. While Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of mirror 20 which is a placed in a groove 19 inside of camera head 15, in another embodiment (not shown) mirror 20 is affixed to opposite sides to camera head 14. In the embodiment shown Fig. 3, mirror is held in a slot having a circular cross section within camera head 15 in an interference fit, and thus angle B is adjustable. To allow for such adjustment, the opening into camera head 14 is wider than the thickness of mirror 20. Mirror 20 is placed at an angle B to the viewed image. A wide range of camera head to viewed image angle A and mirror to viewed image angle B can be used in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, however it has been found that an angle A of approximately 45° is roughly equivalent to typical prior art dental mirrors. Similarly, a dental mirror angle B of approximately 45° is suitable for most uses. However, angles A and B can vary widely, and there is no required relationships between angles A and B, so long as the dental camera and mirror 20 function in an convenient manner for the operator. In another embodiment of this invention, a face of camera head 14 is itself used as a mirror. Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional phantom view of camera head 14. In this embodiment, fiber optic light guides 30a and 30b are used to receive light from a light source (not shown) which may comprise, for example a halogen lamp or a Xenon arc lamp located at the proximal end of light guides 30a and 30b, and conduct this light through fiber optic curvatures 31a and 31b to illumination lenses 32a and 32b respectively. Also shown in Fig. 4 is image lens 33 and image sensor 35 which is mounted on hybrid assembly substrate 36 located within cavity 37. As shown in Fig. 4, in one embodiment of this invention, the center of the ends of fiber optic light pipes 30a and 30b are offset from the center of illumination lenses 32a and 32b, respectively, in a direction toward image lens 33. This causes the light being emitted from fiber optic light pipes 30a and 30b to be directed toward the image being viewed. Also in one embodiment of this invention, illumination lenses 32a and 32b are dispersion lenses which include a "frosting" to disperse the light. Image sensor 35 is connected to video control cable 34 which communicates power and control signals to image sensor 35 and communicates video signals to the video processor and control means 8 of Fig. 1. As an alternative embodiment, a third fiber optic cable or a rod lens assembly (not shown) is used to conduct the image from image lens 33 to an image sensor located in forward extension 13, handle 11, or via connector 12 (Fig. 2) to an image sensor located external to dental camera 10. Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional phantom view of the structure shown in Fig. 3, with elements numbered in a similar fashion. Thus, shown in Fig. 5 are fiber optic light guide 30, fiber optic curvature 31, and illumination lens 32. In one embodiment, illumination lens 32 is a dispersion lens which serves to properly distribute the light over a wider angle and area upon exit from fiber optic light guide 30, to correspond to the field of view of image lens 33. Fig. 5 also shows image lens 33 located within camera head 14 between camera head face 15 and image sensor 35. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, image lens 33 is affixed directly to image sensor 35. In an alternative embodiment of this invention, image lens 33 is affixed to the body of camera head 14, and image sensor 35 is also affixed, via substrate 36, to the body of camera head 14, thereby maintaining image lens 33 and image device 35 in fixed relationship. In another embodiment of this invention, fiber optic curvature 31 is not used, but is replaced by a prism or mirror assembly which serves to reflect light from fiber optic light guide 30 to face 15 of camera head 14. If desired, a suitable lens can be placed on the fiber optic side of the prism or mirror, or on the face 15 side of the prism or mirror, or in both locations if desired. In one embodiment of this invention an infrared filter is place between the light source (not shown) and fiber optic light guide 30. This infrared filter serves to prevent damage to fiber optic light guide 30 by masking out damaging infrared rays from the light source. In another embodiment of this invention, color filters are used as desired. For example, color filters can be placed anywhere between the light source and illumination lens 32 in order to selectively apply desired colors of illumination to the image being viewed. Alternatively, one or more color filters can be placed between image lens 33 and image sensor 35, again in order to selectively remove desired colors of the image being presented to image sensor 35. In yet another embodiment, an infrared blocking filter is placed in the image path between the image being viewed and image sensor 35 in order to prevent infrared energy from being applied to image sensor 35. This is particularly useful, for example, when a dentist is using a laser to perform certain dental procedures during which time a relatively larger amount of infrared energy is present. If not blocked out, this infrared energy would be detected by image sensor 35, resulting in a "washed out" video signal. In one embodiment of this invention, forward extension 13 includes fluid jet 39 (Fig. 5) which serves to allow fluid to be introduce across face 15 of camera head 14. In this manner, for example, a constant or pulsed flow of gas, such as air, can be made to provide a laminar flow across image lens 33 to prevent fogging. If desired, a liquid such as water can be introduced as well in order to clean image lens 33. Fluid jet 39 can also be placed in any convenient location.

Claims: An electronic dental video camera (10) for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor (6) comprising, a handle (11) and a camera head (14) for placement within the mouth, said camera head (14) being located at the distal end of said handle (11) and being formed at an angle to the handle (11), said camera head (14) including means for receiving an image within a patient's mouth to be displayed on a video monitor (6), said camera head (14) including means (30) for providing light including one or more fibre optic light guides (30a, 30b) bringing illumination from a light source and dispersing the light towards the area being viewed by said camera, characterized in that said camera head (14) is arranged reflexed toward said handle (11) for retroflexed viewing, and in that said electronic dental video camera (10) has a shape like a dental mirror. A dental camera as in claim 1, further comprising means (39) for providing a flow of fluid over the surface (15) of the receiving means (15) of said camera head. A dental camera as in claim 2, wherein said fluid is selected from the group of fluids consisting of gas, liquid, slurry, and mixteurs of gas, liquid and slurry. A dental camera as in one of claim 2 or 3, wherein said handle (11) further comprises valve means for controlling said fluid. A dental camera as in one fo claims 1 to 4, wherein said handle (11) includes a break point allowing at least said head (14) to be removed. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 5, which includes a malleable member (13) connecting said handle (11) and said head (14), to provide various angles of retroflexed viewing. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 6 which comprises means (12) to connect one or more cables to said distal end of said handle (11) for communication between said head (14) and external devices. A dental camera as in claim 7, wherein said communication with said head (14) comprises items selected from the set of items consisting of gas, liquid, slurry, light, electrical power, and electrical signals. A dental camera as in claim 8, wherein said handle (11) further comprises control means for controlling said items. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said head (14) comprises an imaging device. A dental camera as in claim 10, wherein said imaging device comprises a CCD. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said receiving means is selected from the group of lenses, and optical fibers. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said head (14) further comprises a lens (32) such that light from means for providing light (30) is dispersed toward the area being viewed by said head (14). A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 13, which further includes one or more color filters in the path between means for providing light and an image being viewed. A dental camera as in claim 14 wherein said color filter comprises an infrared filter. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said fiber optic light guides (30a, 30b) extend along and within the handle and comprise a curvature for dispersing the illumination light through illumination lenses (32a, 32b) toward the area being viewed. A dental camera as in claim 16 wherein said curvature is approximately 135°. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 17 wherein an imaging device is located within said handle. A dental camera as in one of claims 1 to 17 wherein an imaging device is located external to said handle.

Inventors: BUSH, CHARLES S., COOPER, DAVID HARVEY
Applicants: FUJI OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61B1
IPC codes: A61B1, H04N5