Portable dental camera and system

• US 5,487,661 A
• Filed: 10/08/1993
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gendex Corporation (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DENTSPLY International Incorporated (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Inventors: Peithman, Keith C.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary E.
• Application Number:
  US08/134,158
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 433/29, 433/116, 433/31, 433/77, 128/4, 128/6, 206/368, 206/369, 206/63.5, 358/98, 348/45, 348/66, 348/68
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable

Abstract

The invention provides a camera system including a handpiece having a lens, and a cable connector connected to opposite ends of a cable and a plurality of power source bases. The cable connector includes a video processor. Each power source base has a base connector and a light source. The cable connector is adapted to be connected to each base connector. The camera system is used by connecting the cable connector one at a time to each of the base connectors. The handpiece is enclosed by a disposable sleeve. The sleeve is held against the handpiece by an autoclavable rigid jacket. The portable dental camera is maintain sterile by enclosing at least the distal end of the handpiece with a first sleeve, and generating an image of first patient with the camera and a first power source base in a first dental operatory room. The first sleeve is then removed from the handpiece and replaced with a second sleeve. An image of a second patient is then generated using the camera and a second power source base in a second dental operatory room. Preferably a sleeve which has a lens and is sterilizable and reusable is used to enclose the handpiece.

Claims

1. A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible dental camera cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and

a lens,

said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.

2. A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and

a lens,

said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a lens and a charge coupled device, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said charge coupled device, said cover being positioned over said handpiece to substantially enclose said handpiece.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said body wall is rigid and said cover is sterilizable.

4. A combination comprising a dental handpiece, and a flexible cover, said cover consisting essentially of an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and

a lens,

said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.

5. The combination of claim 4 further comprising a rigid jacket, said jacket being positioned over said cover.

6. The cover of claim 5 wherein said cover is positioned over said handpiece to substantially enclose said handpiece.