Lighted camera for dental examinations and method of using the same

• US 6,404,984 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1998
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Parvulescu, Adrian, Van Ryzin, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/196,356
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 396/14, 396/16, 396/19, 396/199, 348/66, 348/68
• US Class Current: 396/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0605 for spatially modulated illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/24 for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors tongue depressors per se A61B13/00; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth combined with saliva removers A61C17/00; mouth openers for animals A61D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

A self-contained dental camera uses white diodes to provide sufficient illumination for dental imaging without unduly depleting battery power. The illuminated dental work is imaged by a camera, preferably a CCD, and the resulting video signal is transmitted to a base station for display on a monitor. The camera unit may be disposed in a holder on a base station to recharge the battery.

Claims

1. A dental imaging system comprising:

a sensor for imaging dental work;

a plurality of white diodes mounted on a head of said dental imaging system;

a lens mounted on said head of said dental imaging system, said plurality of white diodes being arranged in a circular ring around said lens;

an optical coupler positioned between said lens and said sensor, said optical coupler bending a path of light between said lens and said sensor;

a transmitter for transmitting a video signal from said sensor, said transmitter transmitting said video signal both wirelessly and by cable;

a battery for powering said plurality of white diodes, said sensor, and said transmitter; and

a common housing for mounting, therein, said plurality of white diodes, said lens, said optical coupler, said sensor, said transmitter, and said battery.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a charge-coupled device.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base unit comprising a receiver for receiving said video signal from said transmitter and communicating said video signal to a monitor.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

terminals electrically connected to said battery; and

a base unit comprising a holder for said camera, said holder including electrical pads which contact said terminals when said sensor is held in said holder allowing said base unit to recharge said battery.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter is an infrared optical signal transmitter and said video signal is wirelessly transmitted as an infrared optical signal.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter a radio frequency signal transmitter and said video signal is wirelessly transmitted as a radio frequency signal.

7. A method of providing dental imaging including the steps of:

illuminating a portion of dental work to be imaged with a plurality of white diodes, said plurality of white diodes being mounted on a head of a dental imaging system and arranged in a circular ring around a lens of a sensor;

coupling a path of light from said plurality of white diodes between a lens and said sensor, wherein said path of light is bent between said lens and said sensor, said lens being mounted on the head of a dental imaging system;

imaging said illuminated portion of dental work with said path of light by said sensor;

transmitting a video signal from said sensor with a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting said video signal both wirelessly and by cable;

mounting said plurality of white diodes, said lens, said optical coupler, said sensor, said transmitter, and said battery within a common housing; and

powering said plurality of white diodes, said sensor and said transmitter with a battery.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sensor is a charge-coupled device.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

receiving said video signal from said transmitter with a receiver disposed in a base unit; and

communicating said video signal to a monitor.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

providing terminals electrically connected to said battery;

holding said sensor in a holder of a base unit;

electrically contacting said terminals with electrical pads in said holder; and

recharging said battery through said contact between said terminals and said pads.

11. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said transmitter an infrared optical signal transmitter and said video signal is wirelessly transmitted as an infrared optical signal.

12. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said transmitter a radio frequency signal transmitter and said video signal is wirelessly transmitted as a radio frequency signal.