Lighted camera for dental examinations and method of using the same
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A dental imaging system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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.
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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.
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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.
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7. A method of providing dental imaging including the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
receiving said video signal from said transmitter with a receiver disposed in a base unit; and
communicating said video signal to a monitor.
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10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
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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.
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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.
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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.
Specification