Patent Publication Number: US-2021177541-A1

Title: Dental handpiece device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a dental handpiece device that photographs and displays an affected part in dental treatment. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In dental treatment, a dental handpiece main body is equipped with a tool, and a tooth is drilled by means of this tool. At this time, a practitioner preferably proceeds with drilling while observing a drilling state. Specifically, it is known it is important that a shape of a dental prosthesis mounted on a tooth accurately corresponds to that of a drilled tooth, which strongly influences a lifetime of a dental prosthesis. Therefore, it is very important to precisely perform drilling while observing a drilling state more clearly. 
     For this, Patent Literatures 1 to 4 propose a dental handpiece that has (a) built-in, or attachable and detachable camera module(s) in, or mounted on one or a plurality of places around a tool mounted part of a head part of the dental handpiece. (An) image signal(s) from the camera module(s) is/are transmitted to a video camera control unit outside the dental handpiece, and displayed on a monitor connected to the control unit as an image. Using this dental handpiece on which (a) camera module(s) is/are mounted makes it possible to observe condition of an affected part during performance of drilling on a screen of a monitor, to improve the accuracy of the operation, and the operability of the performance. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: JP 2015-112377 A 
         Patent Literature 2: JP 2014-046016 A 
         Patent Literature 3: JP 2013-169256 A 
         Patent Literature 4: JP H09-056730 A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in a conventional dental handpiece on which (a) camera module(s) is/are mounted, there is a problem of a drilled face in a blind spot according to the positional relationship of a drilling tool, (a) light entry face(s) of the camera module(s), and teeth, which makes it impossible for the camera module(s) to capture the drilled face. 
     In view of the above described problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a dental handpiece device that can suppress a case where a drilled face is in a blind spot and thus cannot be observed. 
     Solution to Problem 
     One aspect of the present invention is a dental handpiece device comprising: a dental handpiece main body; and a dental handpiece imaging device with which the dental handpiece main body is equipped, wherein the dental handpiece imaging device comprises: a plurality of camera modules each of which takes an image, to convert the image, which is taken, to an electric signal; and a processing means that receives the electric signal from each of the camera modules, to calculate for generating an image based on the electric signal, and to switch a display of the image, which is taken by each of the camera modules. 
     The processing means can calculate for determining whether or not a portion drilled by a tool that is mounted on the dental handpiece main body can be visually perceived. 
     At this time, the processing means may determine whether or not a tip of the tool can be visually perceived, to determine whether the portion can be visually perceived. 
     The processing means can determine whether the portion can be visually perceived using one of the camera modules which is set as a priority in advance, and when determining that the portion cannot be visually perceived, the processing means can switch the camera module of the priority to another one of the camera modules which is set as a second priority, to determine whether the portion can be visually perceived using the camera module of the second priority. 
     At this time, the processing means may suspend for a predetermined time before switching the camera module of the priority to the camera module of the second priority. 
     As another aspect of the present invention, a switch is further included, wherein the processing means may calculate so that a signal from the switch switches the image, which is taken by each of the camera modules. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, a case where a drilled face is in a blind spot and cannot be seen when a tooth is drilled can be suppressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory view of one embodiment, which schematically shows structure of a dental handpiece device  100 . 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view around a head. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are explanatory views of structure of a light entry and outgo means  13 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram schematically showing structure of a dental handpiece imaging device  10 . 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory flowchart of an example of calculations carried out by a processing means  21 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be described below based on the embodiment shown in the drawings. The present invention is not restricted to this embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  is an explanatory view of one embodiment, which schematically shows the structure of a dental handpiece device  100 . As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the dental handpiece device  100  has the structure including a dental handpiece main body  1 , and a dental handpiece imaging device  10 .  FIG. 2  is an enlarged view around a head  2  of the dental handpiece main body  1 , which is a plan view seen from a side where a tool  3  is mounted. 
     In this embodiment, a known dental handpiece main body can be used as the dental handpiece main body  1 . That is, the head  2  is included, and a tool mounted part  2   a  is provided for one face side of the head  2 , on which the tool  3  such as a dental drill is mounted. Blowing air into a passage provided for the inside of the dental handpiece main body  1  gives the tool  3  a turning force. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, a face of the head  2  where the tool mounted part  2   a  is formed includes four cooling water ejecting outlets  2   b . The cooling water ejecting outlets  2   b  communicate with a passage provided for the inside of the dental handpiece main body  1 . Passing water through the passage leads to ejection of cooling water from the cooling water ejecting outlets  2   b.    
     While the embodiment of the dental handpiece main body  1  is given here as one example, the present invention is not limited to this, and a known dental handpiece main body can be applied as described above. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the dental handpiece imaging device  10  includes image obtaining devices  11 , a processing means  21 , and a display means  31 . 
     The image obtaining devices  11  are devices that obtain images of a scene of drilling a tooth, convert the images to electric signals, and transmit the signals to the processing means  21 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , a plurality of the image obtaining devices  11  are provided in this embodiment. Here, two image obtaining devices  11  are shown. However, the image obtaining device(s)  11  may be further provided at (an)other position(s).  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are explanatory views of a tip portion of one image obtaining device  11 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show members included inside using dotted lines.  FIG. 3A  is a view seen from the same viewpoint as  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3B  is a view seen from the same viewpoint as  FIG. 1 . 
     The image obtaining device  11  has the structure including an electric conducting means  12 , a light entry and outgo means  13 , and retention members  16 . 
     The electric conducting means  12  is a tubular member having the structure including conducting wires thereinside which electrically connect the light entry and outgo means  13  and the processing means  21 , which will be described later. The electric conducting means  12  includes what is called conducting wires in a tubular inside thereof. At least two conducting wires are arranged in the electric conducting means  12 . One of the conducting wires is a conducting wire  12   a  that connects a camera module  15  and the processing means  21 , and the other is a conducting wire  12   b  that connects a light source  14  and the processing means  21 . 
     The light entry and outgo means  13  is a tubular member that is arranged at one end of the electric conducting means  12 , as can be seen from  FIGS. 1 to 3B . The light entry and outgo means  13  has the light source  14  including a light source light output part, and the camera module  15  including a light entry part having an inlet for incident light from an oral cavity, in a tubular inside thereof. 
     The light source  14  is a means of making illumination light outgo in response to the electric supply from a power source  22  of the processing unit  21  via the conducting wire  12   b . Whereby the inside of an oral cavity is illuminated. Therefore, white light is preferable. A specific form of the light source  14  is not limited, and examples thereof include a LED in view of power consumption and a lifetime. 
     The camera module  15  is a means of properly letting light from the inside of an oral cavity which is to be photographed as an image enter, and converting this to an electric signal. The converted signal is transmitted to the processing means  21  by means of the conducting wire  12   a . A specific form of the camera module  15  is not limited, and examples thereof include a device including a lens, and a photoelectric conversion sensor such as a CCD and a CMOS. 
     The retention members  16  are members provided so as to protrude from the electric conducting means  12  as can be seen from  FIG. 1 . The retention members  16  are means that make it possible to attach the electric conducting means  12 , and the light entry and outgo means  13  to the dental handpiece main body  1 , to retain them. A specific form of the retention members  16  is not limited as long as making such retention possible. Examples thereof include one having a structure so that the dental handpiece main body  1  is sandwiched in the retention member(s)  16 , and one having a structure so as to adsorb the dental handpiece main body  1 . 
     Here, the retention members have only to be able to retain the light entry and outgo means to the dental handpiece main body, and may be provided for the light entry and outgo means. 
     The image obtaining devices  11  as described above are attached and retained to the dental handpiece main body  1 , to be a dental handpiece. That is, as can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the retention members  16  are attached to the dental handpiece main body  1 . At this time, a plurality of the camera modules  15  of the image obtaining devices  11  are arranged so as to be focused on the tip of the tool  3  in different directions. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the other components of the dental handpiece imaging device  10  will be described. 
     The processing means  21  has the power source  22  for the light sources  14  of the image obtaining devices  11 , and is a means of processing image signals obtained from a plurality of the camera modules  15  of the image obtaining devices  11 , and controlling a display. The processing means  21  has the structure including the power source  22 , a receiving means  24 , a central operator  25 , a storage means  26 , a RAM  27 , and a transmitting means  28 .  FIG. 4  is an explanatory block diagram also showing the relationship between the processing means  21 , the light sources  14 , and the camera modules  15 . 
     The power source  22  is a power source for the light sources  14 . Therefore, as can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the power source  22  is connected to the light sources  14  via the conducting wires  12   b  of the electric conducting means  12 . 
     The receiving means  24  is a member having a function of taking in electrical signals from the camera modules  15  which are based on the light from the inside of an oral cavity. The receiving means  24  is connected to a plurality of the camera modules  15 . What is called an input port, an input connector, etc. are included therein. The manner of the connection is not limited, and may be either wired or wireless connection. 
     The central operator  25  is what is called a CPU, and functions as an image processing means, and other various calculating means. That is, the central operator  25  carries out various programs stored in the storage means  26  that functions as a storage medium, calculates and outputs results thereof, and controls the dental handpiece imaging device  10 . 
     When functioning as an image processing means, the central operator  25  takes in an electrical signal from the receiving means  24 , calculates based on programs, and as a result, generates an image signal. As one of the calculations, a calculation of determining a proper image among images from a plurality of the camera modules  15 , to switch an image as needed as described later is included. Whereby, it is prevented that a portion drilled by the tool  3  is into an invisible state due to a blind spot. A specific manner thereof will be described later. 
     In addition, such an iconic effect can be given to the generated image signal as displaying the received signal as it is as an image, displaying images from a plurality of the camera modules  15  on a screen at the same time, partially enlarging an image, displaying part of an image so as to highlight the part, and measuring on a screen. Whereby, the convenience for a practitioner is improved. Known programs can be applied as programs for such image processing. 
     The central operator  25  is connected to other members provided for the processing means  21  such as the receiving means  24 , the storage means  26 , the RAM  27 , and the transmitting means  28 , and is configured so as to control them based on programs. 
     The storage means  26  is a member that functions as a storage medium where various programs and data that are the bases of calculations carried out in the central operator  25  are stored. The storage means  26  may further function as a storing means where data of images to be stored, and patients&#39; data are stored. 
     The RAM  27  is a member that functions as a work area for calculations of the central operator  25 , and a storage means for temporary data. The RAM  27  can be configured by a SRAM, a DRAM, flash memory, or the like, which is the same as a known RAM. 
     The transmitting means  28  is a member having a function of transmitting a signal of the obtained results which is to be transmitted to the display means  31 . What is called an output port, an output connector, etc. are included therein. The manner of the transmission is not limited, and may be either wired or wireless transmission. 
     The display means  31  is connected to the transmitting means  28  of the processing means  21 , and is a means of displaying an image based on information obtained from the transmitting means  28 . Any monitor or the like can be used as the display means  31 . 
     The dental handpiece imaging device  10 , and the dental handpiece device  100  having the above described structures function as follows. 
     Blowing air into the dental handpiece main body  1  turns the mounted tool  3 , and at the same time passing cooling water therethrough leads to ejection of the cooling water from the cooling water ejecting outlets  2   b . Whereby, a tooth etc. can be drilled as usual while cooled. 
     In this embodiment, further, electricity is supplied from the power source  22  of the processing means  21 , to light the light sources  14 . This makes light outgo from the light sources  14 , to illuminate the inside of an oral cavity. Illuminating the inside of an oral cavity as described above can lead to obtainment of an intraoral image. That is, reflected light from the illuminated inside of an oral cavity is captured by the camera modules  15 , the processing means  21  generates images, and the images are displayed on the display means  31 . 
     Here, the processing means  21  calculates, for example, as follows based on programs stored in the storage means  26  by means of the central operator that functions as an image processing means, to keep drilling condition by the tip of the tool  3  visually perceivable.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart of one example of calculations of switching an image as needed. This flow includes steps S 11  to S 17 . 
     First, as shown in the step S 11 , an image is obtained from a camera module  15  of priority  1 , which is the first priority among a plurality of the camera modules  15 , and a color image is generated by the processing means  21  as in the step S 12 . As can be found from the above, the priority order is decided in advance for a plurality of the camera modules  15 . 
     After that, as shown in the step S 13 , it is determined whether the tip of the tool can be perceived with this camera module  15 . If the tip of the tool can be perceived in this step, this means that drilling condition of a tooth can be visually perceived with this camera module. Thus, Yes is selected, the flow moves to the step S 14 , and the image is displayed. Returning to the step S 12 , the above steps are repeated. 
     In contrast, if the tip of the tool cannot be perceived with this camera module  15 , No is selected in the step S 13 , and the flow moves to the step S 15 , to start counting. This step suspends for a predetermined time. This is because it is considered that the tip of the drilling tool is temporarily hard to be seen due to swarf, water drops attached by a spray of cooling water, etc. while a tooth is drilled. Thus, the camera module is not switched just after the drilling tool cannot be perceived, but a time limit counted by a counter is set, and only when the duration of a hidden state exceeds the set time, switching is carried out. 
     After a predetermined time has passed in the step S 15 , the flow moves to the step S 16 , and it is determined again whether the tip of the tool can be perceived with this camera module  15 . If the tip of the tool can be perceived in this step, this means that the drilling condition of a tooth can be visually perceived with this camera module. Thus, Yes is selected, the flow moves to the step S 14 , and the image is displayed. Returning to the step S 12 , the above steps are repeated. 
     In contrast, if the tip of the tool cannot be perceived as well in this step, it can be determined that the drilling condition cannot be visually perceived with this camera module  15  in this position. Thus, the flow moves to the step S 17 , and an image from a camera module  15  of the second priority is obtained. After that, returning to the step S 12 , the above described steps are repeated. 
     As described above, according to the dental handpiece device  100  that is equipped with the dental handpiece imaging device  10 , drilling can be performed while condition of a tooth etc. drilled by the tool  3  is visually perceived more certainly using the display means  31 . Specifically, it can be prevented that a drilled portion is hidden by teeth etc., and cannot be seen while drilling, to improve the convenience for a practitioner. 
     The above description is one example of the control of the dental handpiece device  10  by the processing means  21 . Modification can be added thereto as needed. For example, while an image from one camera module is displayed in this example, such a structure may be employed that images from a plurality of the camera modules can be displayed on a plurality of screens at the same time. Whereby, a drilled portion can be visually perceived from a plurality of viewpoints, which further improves convenience. 
     In addition to the above described structure of automatically switching a camera module, such a structure may be employed that a practitioner can manually switch a camera module. Whereby, an image can be selected according to the practitioner&#39;s preference, which is convenient. In this case, for example, a switch is provided somewhere for the dental handpiece device  100 , and the processing means  21  can be configured so that an operation signal of this switch can switch and display one of a plurality of the camera modules. For example, whenever a practitioner pushes the switch, a camera module to be displayed is switched, which makes it possible to improve the convenience of a practitioner. 
     In the above embodiment, the handpiece main body  1  and the image obtaining device  11  are formed individually, and attachably and detachably. The present invention is not limited to this, and the handpiece main body  1  and the image obtaining device  11  may be made integrally. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  dental handpiece main body 
               2  head 
               2   a  tool mounted part 
               2   b  cooling water ejecting outlets 
               3  tool 
               10  dental handpiece imaging device 
               11  image obtaining device 
               12  electric conducting means 
               13  light entry and outgo means 
               14  light source 
               15  camera module 
               21  processing means 
               22  power source 
               24  receiving means 
               25  central operator 
               26  storage means 
               27  RAM 
               28  transmitting means 
               31  display means 
               100  dental handpiece device