JPH039681Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] The present invention relates to a dental endoscope.

In dentistry, conditions such as alveolar pyorrhea can be detected by looking at the condition of the gums. In particular, as shown in Figure 1, about 2 mm of the gum 2 at the root of the tooth 1 is a non-adhesive part that is not attached to the tooth 1, and the surface that contacts the tooth 1, that is, the inner surface, is turned over. It has been found that it is very effective to observe the state of cells and capillaries in their natural state without any additional treatment. However, there was no way to see it without damaging the gums.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks by creating a dental endoscope consisting of an optical fiber for transmitting light and an image transmitting system, each of which has a prism with a mirror surface and a total reflection surface attached to its tip. The device is characterized in that by inserting the tip between the tooth and the root of the gum, the inner state of that part can be observed in a state close to its natural state.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Reference numeral 3 designates a wedge-shaped prism, and surface 3a has mirror-molded metal such as silver, aluminum, or platinum adhered to it, and surface 3b is a total reflection surface, which is formed by a transparent material having a lower refractive index than the prism body. A thin film 4 is attached or quartz or the like is deposited. The surface 3c is the light emitting surface, and the angle formed by the surfaces 3a and 3b is
30°, and the angle formed by surfaces 3b and 3c is 60°.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a cylindrical body connected to the light exit surface 3c of the prism 3, and is configured to send an image to an eyepiece 7 via an image sending system 6 including a lens or a bundle of optical fibers for image sending.

8 is an optical fiber bundle for transmitting light, the rear end of which is connected to a light source (not shown), and the surface 3c of the prism 3
It is connected so that light is emitted from the source.

To explain the operation of the present invention having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the surface 3b of the prism 3 is applied to the gums 2, the surface 3a is applied to the teeth 1, and the prism 3 is inserted into the non-adhesive part at the base of the gums 2. As a result, the surface 3b of the prism 3 is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the gum 2 at right angles to the inner surface of the gum 2 in that area, and the light enters the inner surface of the gum from the surface 3b, so that the inner surface condition is uniformly aligned with the surface 3a over the entire field of view. While being reflected by the light beam 3b, the light beam is sent from the light exit surface 3c to the eyepiece lens 7 via the image transmission system 6 and can be observed.

At this time, since an extremely thin film 4 with a refractive index lower than that of the prism material is formed on the surface 3b, the surface 3b comes into close contact with the gums, and furthermore, even if saliva etc. adhere to the surface 3b, the contact surface and the adhesion The refracted light can be refracted without leaking from the surface, and the light can be sent to the image transmission system 6.

According to the present invention, which has the above-described structure and function, a wedge-shaped prism with a sharp tip is inserted into the non-adherent part of the teeth and gums to observe the inner surface of the gums, thereby making it possible to observe the inner surface of the gums. The state of the capillaries can be observed in their natural state, and accurate judgment can be expected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the condition of teeth and gums, Figure 2
The figure is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the prism. 3... Prism, 3a... Mirror surface, 3b... Total reflection surface, 3c... Light output surface, 6... Image transmission system, 7... Eyepiece, 8... Optical fiber bundle for light transmission.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An ultra-thin transparent film with a refractive index smaller than that of the prism body is formed on the slope of the wedge-shaped prism to create a total reflection surface, one surface facing the slope is a mirror surface, and the other surface is used as a light output surface to connect the image transmission system and transmission. A dental endoscope characterized by connecting optical fiber bundles.