Abstract:
A portable intra-oral capture and display system, designed for use by a dental practitioner in connection with a patient seated in a dental chair, includes: a handpiece elongated for insertion into an oral cavity of the patient, where the handpiece includes a light emitter on a distal end thereof for illuminating an object in the cavity and an image sensor for capturing an image of the object and generating an image signal therefrom; a monitor interconnected with the handpiece, where the monitor contains electronics for processing the image for display and a display element for displaying the image, where the interconnection between the monitor and the handpiece includes an electrical connection for communicating the image signal from the image sensor in the camera to the electronics in the monitor; and a receptacle on the dental chair for receiving the monitor, wherein the receptacle conforms to the monitor such that the monitor may be withdrawn from the receptacle in order to allow the display element to be seen by the dental practitioner or the patient.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation-in-part of commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/238,174, which was filed on Sep. 10, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/796,239, which was filed on Feb. 28, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to intra-oral imaging systems for dental applications, and particularly to an intra-oral camera system that is used by a dental practitioner to display images of objects in the mouth.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Electronic handheld cameras configured with intra-oral imaging optics are used for capturing images of the inside of a patient&#39;s mouth. The camera typically has an elongated body that contains an image sensor and optics.  
           [0004]    The optics and sensor are designed for capturing images of the inside of the mouth when the distal or viewing end of the camera is inserted into the patient&#39;s mouth.  
           [0005]    Wires carrying electronic signals typically connect the image sensor to the proximal end of the camera where a communication interface is provided to an image processing system or display monitor that allows manipulation and display of the images. By viewing the displayed images, a diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment prescribed.  
           [0006]    For illuminating the inside of the mouth, a fiber optic cable typically is used to transmit light to the viewing end of the camera. The light is generated by a high intensity light source such as a lamp or bulb typically held in a light box. In a typical embodiment, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,211, the fiber optic cable terminates in a connector that plugs into a power source housing that also includes the light source. Preferably, the housing for the power supply and the light source is supported on a countertop or on a post in the dental operatory room. In other words, the housing is basically immovable and portability is provided by having the portable handpiece removable from the housing. According to the &#39;211 patent, this design is chosen so that any number of operatories having a power source base and display may be serviced by a single handpiece system.  
           [0007]    In a typical installation, the housing containing the power supply and the light box includes a communications interface to an external image processing system or display monitor. This leads to various placements of the processor and monitor. For instance, in the Reveal® Imaging Platform sold by Welch Allyn® the monitor is mounted on top of the housing, which makes the whole assembly virtually unmovable. Consequently, similar to what was described above in connection with the &#39;211 patent, in the Reveal® Imaging Platform the handpiece is plugged into a receptacle on the housing.  
           [0008]    The use of intra-oral cameras among dental practitioners is well known. Besides their use in the diagnosis of dental and oral disease, they are used as well in providing a visual record of the condition of the patient. It is frequently the case that a dentist, orthodontist, or the like, may have multiple operatories where the use of such a camera is desirable. Current camera systems require either the use of an attached computer system and video monitor, or a separate monitor for the display of images. Thus the practitioner is required to either purchase multiple camera systems or display capabilities for each operatory, as such display systems are rather large and bulky.  
           [0009]    In many cases, a dentist desires to produce images of the interior of a patient&#39;s mouth in order to provide both a diagnosis of dental and oral disease as well as to provide a visual record of the condition of the patient. This process becomes cumbersome, costly, and inconvenient, as current camera systems are not designed for portability. What is needed is a truly portable camera system that would incorporate an integral display and provide advantages over the current state-of-the-art. Because of size and portability issues, were such a camera and display system to become available, it would be desirable to maximize ease of use despite the small size and minimize the possibility of contamination due to dentist and patient interaction with the system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, the invention resides in a portable intra-oral capture and display system for use by a dental practitioner in connection with a patient seated in a dental chair. The system includes: a handpiece elongated for insertion into an oral cavity of the patient, said handpiece including a light emitter on a distal end thereof for illuminating an object in the cavity and an image sensor for capturing an image of the object and generating an image signal therefrom; a monitor interconnected with the handpiece, said monitor containing electronics for processing the image for display, and a display element for displaying the image, where the interconnection between the monitor and the handpiece includes an electrical connection for communicating the image signal from the image sensor in the camera to the electronics in the monitor; and a receptacle on the dental chair for receiving the monitor, wherein the receptacle conforms to the monitor such that the monitor may be withdrawn from the receptacle in order to allow the display element to be seen by the dental practitioner or the patient.  
           [0011]    The advantage of the present invention lies in the integration of the display into a dental chair. This integration enables the practitioner to easily view and act upon the the results of image recording in close proximity to the capture location by interaction with the system, and conveniently display the captured image(s) either for the practitioner&#39;s or patient&#39;s benefit.  
           [0012]    These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 shows an intra-oral camera and display system according to the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the electronics in the integral base.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 shows the integral base for the light source and hand held monitor of the system shown in FIG. 1, particularly as it would be used for communication to a group of peripherals, including communication of color coordinates for an intra-oral object to an offsite dental facility for the fabrication of a prosthetic.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for a process for correcting the color of the system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an intra-oral camera and display system according to the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of an intra-oral camera and display system according to the invention.  
         [0019]    FIGS.  7 A- 7 D show a first embodiment of a contamination control device for use with the display system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    FIGS.  8 A- 8 C show a second embodiment of a contamination control device for use with the display system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the electronics in the integral base according to a further embodiment including a touch screen capability.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 shows a touch screen display for use with the intra-oral camera and display system shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 illustrates a standard dental chair and a portable monitor of the type shown in FIG. 6 that is inserted into a receptacle under one of the armrests on the dental chair.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 illustrates how the portable monitor is removed from the receptacle under one of its armrests as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 illustrates how the portable monitor shown in FIG. 12 can be hinged to the receptacle and tilted upward for easy viewing.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 illustrates how the portable monitor is disconnected from the receptacle shown in FIG. 11 and used as a wireless display. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    Because intra-oral cameras employing electronic sensors are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Elements not specifically shown or described herein may be selected from those known in the art. Certain aspects of the embodiments to be described may be provided in software. Given the system as shown and described according to the invention in the following materials, software not specifically shown, described or suggested herein that is useful for implementation of the invention is conventional and within the ordinary skill in such arts.  
         [0028]    Referring first to FIG. 1, an intra-oral dental camera system  10  includes a portable dental camera  12  and a power source, illumination source and a display unit integrally located in a portable enclosure (hereinafter referred to as the integral base  14 ) tethered to the camera  12 . The camera  12  and the integral base  14  thus constitute, in the terms of this invention, an intra-oral camera with integral display. The dental camera  12  includes a handpiece  16  and a cable  18  connecting the dental camera  12  to the integral base  14 . As shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 1, the integral base  14  can be easily cradled in a hand, and includes a display monitor  20  that can be easily hand positioned relative to the dentist&#39;s and/or patient&#39;s line of sight. A set of user controls  22  are provided on the integral base  14  that can be easily hand-navigated for controlling the illumination and the images displayed on the monitor, as well as communicating with peripheral devices. The handpiece  16  supports a removable lens unit  24  that includes a lens  26  and light emitting apertures  28 . The handpiece  16  is generally elongated and cylindrical with a central axis. The lens  26  is positioned to receive light impinging on the handpiece in a direction substantially perpendicular and normal to the central axis of the handpiece.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 2, the integral base  14  further includes a central processing unit (CPU)  30 , a CPU memory  31 , a power supply  32 , a wireless transceiver  34 , and flash memory (RAM)  36 . The user controls  22  interface with a video control unit  38  and an illuminator control unit  40 . The illuminator control unit  40  connects with an illumination source  42 , which provides illumination to the handpiece  16  through a fiber optic  44  that is part of the cable  18 . The illumination source may take a variety of forms known to those of skill in this art, such as a halogen arc lamp lighting system or a tungsten/halogen lamp. The power supply  32  is connected by a power cable (not shown) to a power source, such as a wall socket. The image signal communication between the handpiece  16  and the CPU  30  is maintained through an electrical connection  46 , which is also in the cable  18 . While not shown in detail, the handpiece  16  also supports a connection of the fiber optic  44  with the light emitting apertures  28  and a connection of the electrical conductor  46  to an image sensor  50 , such as a conventional charge coupled device (CCD). The image sensor  50  is arranged in a conventional optical path, with mirrors and other optical components as might be necessary, such that the lens  26  can form an image of an intra-oral object on the image sensor  50 .  
         [0030]    It should be noted that portability is facilitated by incorporating into the dental camera system  10  both a high quality image display  20  along with means to transfer image data to a physically separate and distinct data storage associated with an image printing capability. The high quality image display may be provided by a number of well-known technologies; for example, it is well-known in the art of hand-held televisions (e.g., the Casio EV660 Color Active Matrix Handheld TV) to use a small (e.g., 3 inch) screen with thin-film transistor active matrix (TFT) technology. The means to accommodate a transfer of image data may include (a) wireless RF or microwave transceiver technology, (b) wireless infra-red transmission technology, and/or (c) removable memory technology embodied in physically small elements, such as flash RAM cards or small hard drives, that are easily removed from the camera part of the system and subsequently plugged into either the image data storage or printer parts of the system.  
         [0031]    Accordingly, the dental camera system  10  can, through the transceiver  34  in its integral base  14 , initiate communication via wireless links  58  with a variety of peripheral units as shown in FIG. 3. Each of these units would have its own data storage for receiving the transmitted images. Without intending to be exhaustive as to type of peripheral unit that may be accessed, such peripheral units include a larger monitor or television receiver  60 , a printer  62 , and a computer system  64 , such as any conventional desktop PC, where the images may be stored. With this arrangement, a dental practitioner may view an image on the integral base  14  and immediately initiate its transfer to any one of the peripheral units  60 ,  62  or  64  by means of the user controls  22 . The incorporation of the transceiver  34  and the display monitor  20  into the dental camera system  10  further enables the practitioner to view the results of an image recording, and conveniently display the captured image(s) either for the practitioner&#39;s or patient&#39;s benefit. For this purpose, the transceiver  34  would receive images from a storage peripheral, such as the computer system  64 , and display the stored images on the display monitor  20 . Importantly, such viewing occurs without the requirement of producing a physical print of the image.  
         [0032]    Just as importantly, with this arrangement the practitioner can separate the movable, but clumsy and sometimes bulky, printing and processing operation from the dental operatory, and devote a particular room to these peripherals. Moreover, incorporation of the display as a tethered adjunct to the camera system removes the requirement on the dentist to move a large bulky system (a video monitor and/or attached computer) from one operating room to the next. Alternatively, the requirement that the dentist purchase multiple such systems for multiple operatories is eliminated.  
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the image sensor  50  provides an image signal that the CPU  30  processes (as a video signal) for display on the display monitor  20 . The video control unit  38  interacts through the CPU  30  and the user controls  22  to provide functionality for several modes, including a video/still mode, a mode for initiating a recording of a still or video sequence, a mode for stopping the imagery at any point (freeze-frame), a mode for initiating transmission to any of the peripherals shown in FIG. 3 and a mode for initiating retrieval of a stored image from an external memory, e.g., from the computer system  64 . In the latter two modes, the images are transmitted and/or received via an antenna or light beam emitter (not shown) to/from any of the peripherals  60 ,  62  or  64 . Alternatively, the images may be stored in a removable memory and the removable memory is then transported to the peripheral units. For instance, the integral base  14  may also include a receptacle  66  for a physically small RAM card  68 , which may be easily removed from the integral base  14  and subsequently plugged into a corresponding receptacle (not shown) in any one of the peripheral units  60 ,  62  and  64 .  
         [0034]    In order to adjust the colorimetry of the dental camera system  10  to match the color of intra-oral objects, e.g., to match a natural tooth color, it is desirable to provide an optimum color calibration for an intra-oral camera application. FIG. 4 shows the process for correcting the color of a system designed for the collection of intra-oral images. It is desirable to have a broadband match (broadband spectrum) because of the need to match teeth under a variety of illumination conditions. The camera is first initialized in a stage  70  to clear previous color correction factors from the CPU memory  31 . These can be in the form of look up table elements, matrix elements, and the like. As is well-known in the color management arts, these digital data are used in a mathematical transformation process to modify the color characteristics of components of the system to allow for a true color rendition to occur throughout the system. The illuminator is allowed to stabilize for a period of time so that the spectral output of the illumination source  42  remains the same for a period of time that allows multiple images to be captured, without the need for adjustment of the illuminator color temperature (or spectral output characteristics). The display monitor  20  may also require a period of stabilization before use.  
         [0035]    In stage  72 , target materials are illuminated with the illumination source  42  so as to characterize the image recording response. Such target materials can include, but are not limited to, color matching charts for the fabrication of color-matched prostheses. For example, the target materials would include the white(s) that dental practitioners use to match teeth for prosthetic purposes, such as the fabrication of a crown. (Note that calibration would ordinarily not be done with the intra-oral camera in a patient&#39;s mouth; the camera would typically be hooked up to the computer  64  for this calibration process.) Calibration of the system includes measurements of such targets to establish the characteristic input color response for the intra-oral camera system. The characteristic is stored digitally in stage  74  in the CPU memory  31  and used to transform the unknown color of the teeth (which are imaged in a separate image recording event or events resulting from stage  76 ) to a color representation within the system that can be used to produce a “true-color” output. The calibration of each output device is also performed and stored in stage  78  in the respective memories (not shown) of each output device. Then, the dental image is output to a selected output device(s) in stage  80 , e.g., to the display monitor  20  or any of the output devices  60 ,  62  and  64  shown in FIG. 3. In this manner, the system can correct for color imbalance in any of the components in the system and render color corrected output regardless of the output channel.  
         [0036]    In addition to the many output channels considered in FIG. 3, and the transmission of a color corrected image to an output device, transmission of data describing the color of a tooth or teeth is valuable. Using a color corrected system such as described above would enable a practitioner to accurately determine the color of a patient&#39;s teeth with the purpose of replicating the color in a prosthesis. Thus the practitioner could “shade match” a crown or other prosthetic device to the tooth to be replaced or other teeth proximate to the replaced tooth. Color matching calculations can be performed in CPU memory  31  and the results of such a calculation, the color coordinates of the tooth in question, can be transmitted over a computer network, e.g. the Internet, connected to the computer system  64  shown in FIG. 3, or via other means, e.g., disk or tape, to a lab technician in an offsite location, such as a dental laboratory facility  65  as shown in FIG. 3, where an appropriate prosthetic device would be fabricated. (Alternatively, under certain situations the prosthetic device may be fabricated in the dental operatory or elsewhere in the dentist&#39;s own facility.)  
         [0037]    In a second embodiment of the intra-oral camera and display system shown in FIG. 5, the system includes a docking unit  100  with a recessed area  102  for mating with the integral base  14 . The power supply  32  in the integral base  14  includes rechargeable batteries  104  connected to externally accessible charging electrodes  106 . The docking unit  100  is provided with a battery charger  108  connected to externally accessible charging electrodes  110 . When the integral base  14  is inserted into the recessed area  102  on the docking unit  100 , the electrodes  106  and  110  are electrically connected and the batteries  104  are recharged.  
         [0038]    In a third embodiment of the intra-oral camera and display system shown in FIG. 6, the handpiece  16  of the system includes electronics and an interface for communicating with the integral base  14  across a wireless transmission linkage  116  or by means of a removable memory  118 . More specifically, the handpiece  16  includes its own light source  120 , processor  122 , transceiver  124  and power supply  126 . In addition, the power supply  126  may include rechargeable batteries  128 , and the intra-oral camera and display system can further include a docking unit  130  with a battery charger  132 . Both the handpiece  16  and the docking unit include mating electrodes  134  and  136  such that when the handpiece  16  is inserted into the docking unit  130 , the electrodes  134  and  136  are electrically connected and the batteries  128  are recharged. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the integral base may have its own docking unit; moreover, the two docking units could be combined in one component.  
         [0039]    Because of the liklihood of contamination due to contagious afflictions that can be passed on to patients and staff when the same device is used with more than one patient, a contamination control device may be added to the intra-oral capture and display system. In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.  7 A- 7 D, the contamination control device is a clear sleeve or pouch  200  having a flap  202  lined with an adhesive  204 . One side of the pouch  200  has a slot  206 , as shown in a top view in FIG. 7A, which provides clearance for the cable  18  (of course, if the connection with the camera is a wireless connection, then the slot  206  is unnecessary and may be omitted). As shown by the arrow  208  in FIG. 7B, the integral base  14  slides into the pouch  200  and the flap  202 , as shown in a top view in FIG. 7C, is closed; the pouch is than used with a single patient and then disposed after the patient&#39;s visit. In a front view, as shown in FIG. 7D, the display monitor  20  is visible through the transparent front panel  210  of the pouch  200 .  
         [0040]    FIGS.  8 A- 8 C show an alternate embodiment of the pouch  200  including multiple clear layers  212  attached to the front of the pouch  200  by a plurality of tear off tabs  214 . As shown by the arrow  208  in FIG. 8A, the integral base  14  slides into the pouch  200  and the flap  202 , as shown in a top view in FIG. 8B, is closed. In a front view, as shown in FIG. 8C, the display monitor  20  is visible through the transparent multiple clear layers  212  on the front of the pouch  200 . In use, as shown in the top view in FIG. 8B, the top layer  216  of the multiple clear layers  212  can be peeled off at the tear off tabs  214  and thrown away, revealing a clean, sterile layer for the next patient.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 shows the block diagram of the electronics in an integral base that includes a touch screen capability according to the invention. Most of the electronics in FIG. 9 is the same as shown in FIG. 2, and common electronic components sharing the same reference characters as in FIG. 2 will not be further described unless they relate in particular to the touch screen capability. A touch screen is a type of display screen that has a clear touch sensitive transparent panel  21  covering the screen of the monitor  20 . Instead of using a pointing device such as a mouse or a light pen, a finger may be used to point directly at objects (touch screen controls  23 ) on the screen of the display monitor  20 . The touch sensitive panel  21  may be sized to fit over substantially the entire display screen  20  or it may fit over a limited area  21 ′ (see FIG. 10) of the display screen where it is desirable to locate a set of touch sensitive controls. The touch sensitive panel  21  registers touch events and passes these signals to a touch screen controller  33 , which then processes these signals and sends them to the CPU  30 . The CPU  30  includes driver software (stored in memory  31 ) for telling the CPU  30  how to interpret the touch event information that is sent to the controller  33 . The driver software allows the CPU  30  to reconfigure the touch screen controls  23  to represent different sets of control events. For purposes of this disclosure, the touch screen controller  33  and its related driver software will be referred to as the touch screen interface  
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 10, the touch sensitive panel  21  (or  21 ′) may be configured to display a specific group of controls, including a zoom in touch control  220 , a zoom out touch control  221 , a pan up touch control  222 , a pan down touch control  223 , a pan right touch control  224 , a pan left touch control  225  and a save touch control  226  (thereby allowing the user to save the current image). Furthermore, the control buttons  22  may be employed in conjunction with the video control unit  38  to scroll through other control configurations that may be produced by the touch screen interface and displayed on the touch sensitive panel  21  (or  21 ′). For instance, the touch screen interface may allow the user to initiate transfer of the image to a peripheral device across the output interface, or to retrieve an image from the peripheral device across the output interface.  
         [0043]    The specific controls shown in FIG. 10 are intended as a suggestion for a preferred set, but are not intended as a limitation; any number and type of controls may be selected and displayed depending on the application. Moreover, many of the functions needed on a display of this type are dependent on the image being displayed. For instance, different controls may be appropriate depending on whether video or still, or single or multiple, images are being displayed (which are all possible display capabilities of an intra-oral camera). Consequently, typical functions that might be rendered on a touch sensitive panel include:  
         [0044]    Zoom (plus and minus)  
         [0045]    Pan (left, right, up, down)  
         [0046]    Image select  
         [0047]    Where to zoom (touching display image itself versus a screen button)  
         [0048]    Save image  
         [0049]    Add image to patient record  
         [0050]    Change exposure  
         [0051]    Enhancements  
         [0052]    Color modifications  
         [0053]    Analyses  
         [0054]    In a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.  11 - 14 , the handpiece of the intra-oral camera and display system includes electronics and an interface for electrically interconnecting the image signal from the handpiece to the integral base across an electrical linkage, which for example may be a hardwired linkage, an optical linkage, a wireless transmission linkage or any other suitable form of transmission linkage. More specifically, and as shown in connection with FIG. 6, the handpiece  16  would ordinarily include its own light source  120 , processor  122 , transceiver  124  and power supply  126 . The integral base  14 , for purposes of this further embodiment, is a small monitor  302  including a small display element  303  (shown best in FIG. 12). More specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates the further embodiment in use with a standard dental chair  300 , where a small monitor  302  of the type shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into a receptacle  304  mounted under one of the armrests  306  on the dental chair  300 .  
         [0055]    The receptacle  304  conforms to the shape of the monitor  302  such that the monitor  302  may be withdrawn from the receptacle  304  in order to allow the display element  303  to be seen by the dental practitioner or the patient. For instance, FIG. 12 illustrates how the monitor  302  is removed from the receptacle  304  under one of its armrests  306 . As shown in FIG. 13, the monitor  302  shown in FIG. 12 can be hinged to the receptacle  304  via a hinge connection  308  and tilted upward for easy viewing. As was shown in FIG. 6, the integral base  14  may be electrically interconnected with the handpiece via a wireless connection  116 . Accordingly, FIG. 14 illustrates how the monitor  302  is disconnected from the its receptacle  304  and used as a small, portable wireless display.  
         [0056]    Although preferably mounted under an armrest  306 , it should be understood that the receptacle  304  may be mounted to other parts of the dental chair, such as along the leg rest portion or the head rest portion. Indeed, the receptacle may be associated with some other nearby piece of dental apparatus, such as a light fixture. Moreover, the notion of a “receptacle” is merely intended to describe a structural or supporting feature that conforms sufficiently to the monitor  302  so as to support the monitor  302  when it is inserted into the feature and to enable easy withdrawal of the monitor  302  from the feature. Accordingly, this may be without limitation a substantially enclosed space such as a pocket, or a relatively open space such as a framework. The specific material used for the receptacle is unimportant as long as it performs its supporting function, i.e. it may vary from a relatively soft pocket to a firm framework.  
         [0057]    Furthermore, the monitor  302  shown in FIGS.  11 - 14  may include the contamination control devices shown in FIGS.  7 A- 7 D or FIGS.  8 A- 8 C. The touch screen capability shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may also be incorporated in the monitor  302 .  
         [0058]    The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0059]    Parts List  
         [0060]    dental camera system  
         [0061]    portable dental camera  
         [0062]    integral base  
         [0063]    handpiece  
         [0064]    cable  
         [0065]    display monitor  
         [0066]    touch sensitive panel  
         [0067]    limited area  
         [0068]    user controls  
         [0069]    removable lens unit  
         [0070]    lens  
         [0071]    light emitting apertures  
         [0072]    CPU  
         [0073]    CPU memory  
         [0074]    power supply  
         [0075]    touch screen controller  
         [0076]    wireless transceiver  
         [0077]    flash memory  
         [0078]    video control unit  
         [0079]    illuminator control unit  
         [0080]    illumination source  
         [0081]    fiber optic  
         [0082]    electrical conductor  
         [0083]    image sensor  
         [0084]    wireless link  
         [0085]    larger monitor or television receiver  
         [0086]    printer  
         [0087]    computer system  
         [0088]    dental laboratory facility  
         [0089]    receptacle  
         [0090]    RAM card  
         [0091]    initialize stage  
         [0092]    illuminate target stage  
         [0093]    compute stage  
         [0094]    record stage  
         [0095]    output compute stage  
         [0096]    output select stage  
         [0097]    docking unit  
         [0098]    recessed area  
         [0099]    rechargeable batteries  
         [0100]    charging electrodes  
         [0101]    battery charger  
         [0102]    charging electrodes  
         [0103]    wireless link  
         [0104]    removable memory card  
         [0105]    light source  
         [0106]    processor  
         [0107]    transceiver  
         [0108]    power supply  
         [0109]    rechargeable batteries  
         [0110]    docking unit  
         [0111]    battery charger  
         [0112]    electrodes  
         [0113]    electrodes  
         [0114]    pouch  
         [0115]    flap  
         [0116]    adhesive  
         [0117]    slot  
         [0118]    arrow  
         [0119]    transparent front panel  
         [0120]    multiple clear layers  
         [0121]    tear of tabs  
         [0122]    zoom in touch control  
         [0123]    zoom out touch control  
         [0124]    pan up touch control  
         [0125]    pan down touch control  
         [0126]    pan right touch control  
         [0127]    pan left touch control  
         [0128]    save touch control  
         [0129]    standard dental chair  
         [0130]    small monitor  
         [0131]    small display element  
         [0132]    receptacle  
         [0133]    armrest  
         [0134]    hinge