Modular intra-oral imaging system video camera
US5702249A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/247
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hand held intra-oral video camera (10) is provided for capturing images from inside a dental patient's mouth which has a housing (24) having a distal end (26) and a handle portion (30). Within the distal end (26) a view port (32) is located and a sensor assembly (18) is mounted. The camera (10) may include a full featured objective assembly (14) and a main lens assembly (17), for suitably manipulating image content; a reflector (16) for capturing images from an angle substantially away from a longitudinal axis (12) of the housing (24); and, an illumination assembly (20) to illuminate the surface from which images are captured. The reflector (16) may provide mirrored or conventional image orientation. Wide angles of view, high resolution, and great depth of focus are provided by the camera (10) due to the absence within it of any purely image relaying optical elements. The camera (10) may integrate with other dental tools, either in permanent or temporary modular manner. The camera (10) may also be itself modularly constructed for ease in reconfiguring, or for ease of disposal, cleaning or sterilization of patient and operator contacting portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.