JP2008302233A - Probes for dental optical diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide various kinds of probes for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus, of which the structure is simple, the size is small, and the operability is good. <P>SOLUTION: In constitution of gaining diagnostic signals, in order to get the surface image of a teeth part and the optical tomographic image in the selective domain, the dental optical diagnostic probe is of an optical fiber type or various kinds of bulk types and connected to a manual end or multi-arm end so as to control the attitude of an end in contact with teeth part, and of a wireless type for transmission of diagnostic signals or includes a linear polarization means, and basically has a tubular shape, and a revolver shape, and further includes an outer surface cover for the probe and a mechanism to prevent a shake upon diagnosis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a diagnostic apparatus in dental practice, and more particularly to a probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus using an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) apparatus.

Conventional diagnostic apparatuses and methods in dental practice include, for example, X-ray images, visual observation by lamp irradiation, probe, fluorescence measurement by laser excitation, root canal length measurement, laser Doppler blood flow measurement, three-dimensional X-ray CT, etc. By means.
The use example of the OCT apparatus for diagnosis in a living body is used, for example, in ophthalmology to acquire an optical tomographic image of a detailed structure below the fundus retina.

However, the diagnosis of each item described above has the following problems.
For example, diagnosis by X-ray image has a problem of invasiveness, and other measuring means lack accuracy.
In addition, an example of the use of the OCT apparatus in the ophthalmology is that the measurement target is a soft tissue made of water, blood, fat, and the like, and the upper surface of the affected part is open to the space, so that the measurement is easy and the apparatus can be implemented early. Has been done.
On the other hand, in dentistry, the object of measurement is a tooth part, and the tooth part is composed of a hard tissue made of dentin and enamel, the soft tissue of the gingival part, and a tissue around the tooth.
And the space which can be used in the oral cavity where a dentition exists is narrow, and the shape varies greatly between individuals.
Therefore, in the OCT apparatus that measures the reflected light reflected at a predetermined depth of the hard and soft tissues of the tooth part, the low-coherence light whose contact wavelength is selected in contact with the tooth surface is irradiated and the reflected light The shape of the probe (handpiece) at the end of the apparatus for receiving light, the internal structure and operability are particularly important.
The present invention provides various probes for a dental photodiagnostic apparatus having a high resolution that is non-invasive and solves the above-described problems.

In view of the above, the present inventors have solved the above problems by the following means as a result of intensive experimental research.
(1) Illumination light emitting means for irradiating illumination light to the tooth portion of the subject, means for picking up a surface image by reflected light reflected by the tooth portion of the subject based on the illumination light through an imaging lens, An observation image display means for displaying the observed image of the tooth part, a predetermined low coherent light generation means for irradiating the tooth part with illumination light, and selection of the tooth part using the low coherent light as signal light The light in the scanning region is scanned by interference between the reflected light from a predetermined depth in the scanning region and the reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or having undergone phase modulation. A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus including an OCT means for acquiring a tomographic image, wherein the diagnostic signal acquisition configuration is an optical fiber type using an optical fiber, and a tip used for the optical fiber type Part A large-diameter cylinder for gripping and freely controlling the posture of the diagnostic probe that abuts the tooth in the cavity, a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from its front end, and A measurement window provided on the side or front of the tip of a small-diameter semi-cylinder, an optical fiber extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder, a signal line, and a tube covering the optical fiber, or , A rotatable ring is disposed on the outer periphery of the base of the large diameter cylinder, the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side of the ring, and the posture is freely controlled by the movement, and at the required position. A probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus characterized by being stopped.

(2) An optical fiber that irradiates signal light introduced from an external body inside a large-diameter cylinder of an optical fiber type diagnostic probe; a lens disposed at the tip of the optical fiber; A right-angle prism disposed in front and configured to bend the optical path at a right angle; a polygon mirror for lateral scanning that irradiates condensed light forward while receiving and rotating the irradiation light; and the optical fiber, lens, and polygon mirror A surface plate with an optical system of
A mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction, or arranged in a semi-cylinder with a small diameter, sends the signal light forward, and obtains reflected light from the teeth In addition, a beam splitter for capturing a surface image, a camera for acquiring the surface image, and a light source for the camera are provided, and the tooth portion is irradiated with the signal light as a point, and an optical tomographic image is obtained from the reflected light. The probe for dental diagnosis device according to item (1), characterized in that

(3) An optical fiber for irradiating a signal beam for scanning in the depth direction in the external body inside the large-diameter cylinder and the small-diameter semi-cylinder of the optical fiber type diagnostic probe; A lens disposed in front of the lens, a beam splitter for transmitting the signal light downward and capturing a surface image of the tooth portion, a camera for acquiring the surface image, and a light source for the camera A surface plate provided with an entire optical system composed of
It is equipped with a mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the horizontal direction and a wide range of measurement windows corresponding to the moving mechanism described above. The probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus as described in (1) above, which acquires an optical tomographic image.

(4) Illumination light emitting means for irradiating illumination light to the tooth portion of the subject, means for taking a surface image of reflected light reflected by the tooth portion of the subject based on the illumination light through an imaging lens, and An observation image display means for displaying an observation image of the tooth part, a predetermined low coherent light generation means for irradiating the tooth part with illumination light, and the selected tooth using the low coherent light as signal light. The light in the scanning region is scanned by interference between the reflected light from a predetermined deep portion in the scanning region and the reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or having undergone phase modulation. A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus that scans a tooth portion of a subject with signal light, which includes an OCT unit that acquires a tomographic image, and the acquisition configuration of the diagnostic signal is a bulk type (space propagation type) ) The outer shape of the diagnostic probe with the tip used in the cup shape abuts against the teeth in the oral cavity is a large-diameter cylinder for gripping and freely controlling the posture, and projects forward from its front end. A small-diameter semi-cylinder, a measurement window provided on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder, a signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder, and a tube covering the signal line. Or a rotatable ring is provided on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter cylinder, and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side of the ring, and the posture can be freely controlled by moving the ring. And a probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus, wherein the probe is stopped at a required position.

(5) In the bulk diagnostic probe described in (4) above, a light source that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates light from the light source, and an optical fiber that is disposed at the tip of the fiber are disposed inside a large-diameter cylinder. A reference lens having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path, the optical path being bent at a right angle via a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, a beam splitter disposed in front of the lens, and reflected by a mirror A light generation unit; a two-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image from an upper portion of the beam splitter through an imaging lens; the light source, an optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an image sensor, and a reference light generation unit; A surface plate provided with an optical system comprising:
A mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction, and disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder, sending the signal light downward, and taking a surface image of the tooth A beam splitter and a surface image acquisition camera and a light source for the camera, or forward the planar signal light disposed at the tip of a small-diameter semi-cylinder, A beam splitter for capturing the surface image of the tooth and a measurement window in front of the tip of the small semi-cylindrical unit, irradiating the tooth with the signal light as a surface, and obtaining an optical tomographic image from the reflected light A probe for a dental optical diagnostic device, characterized in that

(6) An optical fiber for irradiating low-coherent light introduced from an external main body into the large-diameter cylinder of the bulk diagnostic probe according to (4), and a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber And a beam splitter disposed in front of the lens, a reference light generator having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path, whose optical path is bent at a right angle via a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, reflected by a mirror, Also, a two-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image and a surface image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens, the optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, and a space A surface plate provided with an optical system composed of a propagation path and an image sensor, a mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth and scanning in the depth direction, and the small semi-cylinder A light source for acquiring a surface image of the tooth portion disposed inside and a measurement window in front of the tip portion, or a mirror having a 45 ° inclination at the tip of the small semi-cylinder, A probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus, comprising a measurement window below, irradiating a tooth portion with signal light as a surface, and acquiring an optical tomographic image from the reflected light.

(7) In the bulk type diagnostic probe of (4), the outer shape of the diagnostic probe in which the tip used is in contact with the tooth portion in the oral cavity has a large diameter for gripping and controlling the posture freely. A cylinder, a funnel-shaped hollow cone integral with the front end of the cylinder and projecting forward from the front end, a measurement window disposed at the tip of the cone, and the tip thereof at 45 ° A light source that emits low-coherent light within the large-diameter cylinder and a light that propagates the light, including an insertion portion in which a bent diagnostic image fiber base is detachably inserted. A fiber and a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the lens, a reference light generating unit having a light path bent at a right angle through a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, reflected by a mirror, and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path; A two-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens, the optical fiber, the beam splitter, the lens, the imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, a spatial propagation path, and an image sensor. A surface plate provided with an optical system comprising: a mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction; and a surface of the tooth portion disposed at the tip of the cone It comprises a beam splitter for capturing an image, a camera for acquiring a surface image, and a light source for the camera, irradiates the tooth part with signal light as a surface, and takes an optical tomographic image from the reflected light. Dental light for diagnostic equipment probes, characterized in that the.

(8) A large-diameter corner for allowing the bulk diagnostic probe to grip and freely control the outer shape of the diagnostic probe in which the tip used in the bulk mold contacts the tooth portion in the oral cavity. A cylinder, a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from its front end, a measuring window established on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter cylinder, and extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder A pivotable ring is provided on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter rectangular tube, and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side of the ring. It is equipped with a mechanism to freely control the posture by its movement and stop at a required position, and a light source that emits low-coherent light inside the large-diameter rectangular tube and light that propagates the light A fiber, a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber, and in front of the lens A beam splitter provided, a reference light generator having an optical path bent at a right angle from a lower portion of the beam splitter via a prism, reflected by a mirror, and having an oscillator and a spatial propagation path; and an upper portion of the beam splitter A one-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image via a cylindrical lens, and a cylindrical lens disposed in front of the beam splitter;
An optical system comprising a galvanometer scanner disposed below the galvanometer scanner that scans in the horizontal direction according to the vibration direction and a mirror that reflects the reflected light from the galvanometer scanner in the semi-cylindrical direction of the small diameter. A fixed surface plate, a mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction, and disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder, and sending the signal light from the mirror downward; A beam splitter for acquiring a reflected light from the tooth portion and capturing a surface image, or disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder, sending the signal light from the mirror forward, and the tooth A beam splitter for capturing the reflected light from the unit and capturing a surface image, a camera for acquiring the surface image, a light source for the camera, and a side surface or a front surface of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder. Measuring window and front Dental light for diagnostic equipment probes characterized in that it comprises a tube coated extended signal lines and to a more proximal of the rectangular tube of large diameter.

(9) In the bulk type diagnostic probe, the outer shape of the diagnostic probe whose tip is in contact with the tooth portion in the oral cavity is a pistol, and has a vertical bottom for gripping and freely controlling the posture. A cylindrical part, a cylinder horizontally provided with a central part connected to the upper end of the vertical cylindrical part, and a small diameter projecting and held by a pin so as to be rotatable forward from the front end part of the horizontally provided cylinder A measurement window that can be directed in any direction up, down, left, or right by being attached to the side surface of the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder, or a measurement window that is opened in the front, A signal line extending from the base of the horizontal cylinder and a tube covering the signal line are provided, or a rotatable ring is disposed on the outer periphery of the base of the horizontal cylinder, and a side surface of the ring The tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the The dental light is characterized in that it is equipped with a mechanism for controlling the posture and stopping at a required position, or that the signal transmitted from the inside of the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion is a wireless independent type. Probe for diagnostic equipment.

(10) In the bulk type diagnostic probe, inside the bottomed cylindrical portion and the horizontal cylindrical portion,
A light source that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light, a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber, a right-angle prism that changes the optical path disposed in front of the lens to a right angle, and in front of the prism An optical tomographic image is received from an upper part of the beam splitter, a reference light generator having a transducer and a spatial propagation path, and an upper part of the beam splitter via an imaging lens. A two-dimensional image sensor, a surface plate on which an optical system including the light source, the lens, the prism, the reference light generation unit, the beam splitter, the image sensor, and the like are disposed; A mechanism for scanning in the direction and the signal light from the beam splitter are arranged at the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder and sent downward, and reflected from the teeth. Acquires the, a beam splitter for imaging the surface image,

Alternatively, the signal light from the beam splitter is disposed at the front end portion of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder and is sent forward, and the reflected light from the tooth portion is acquired and a surface image is taken. A beam splitter, a camera for acquiring a surface image, a light source for the camera, and a measuring device that can be directed in any direction up, down, left, or right attached to the side surface of the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder A window or a measurement window opened in front, a signal line extending from a base of the large-diameter rectangular tube, a tube covering the signal line, and an inside of the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion are image sensors. An amplifier for a signal from a (detector), a demodulator for an interference signal with a reference light, a signal processing unit comprising an A / D converter for the signal, a computer for image processing and scanning control, and the image signal externally Nothing to send to A wireless type having a transmitter or the like, or a transmitter is not included in the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion, and a signal from a computer is transmitted to the outside through a signal line from a base portion of the horizontal cylinder. A probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus comprising a set of optical diagnostic apparatuses having a means and excluding display inside the pistol-shaped probe.

(11) A predetermined low-coherent light generating means for irradiating the tooth portion of the subject, and scanning the predetermined region of the tooth portion using the low-coherent light as signal light, from a predetermined deep portion in the scanning region Dental optical diagnostic apparatus comprising: reflected light; and OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of the scanning region by interference between reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or phase modulation. The probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the probe is provided with a linearly polarized light means for extracting only a non-polarized component. .
(12) a predetermined low-coherent light generating means for irradiating the tooth portion of the subject;
The low-coherent light is used as signal light to scan a predetermined region of the tooth, and the reflected light from a predetermined deep portion in the scanning region and the reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or having undergone phase modulation And a probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus comprising an OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of the scanning region by interference with a linearly polarized low-coherent light source optical path, A quarter-wave plate that converts circularly polarized light into circularly polarized light, a polarizing beam splitter that divides the circularly polarized light into two orthogonally polarized light, and a reference optical path. The linearly polarized light from the polarizing beam splitter is A quarter-wave plate for polarization, a quarter-wave plate disposed in the reflection optical path and using linearly polarized light from the polarization beam splitter as circular polarization, and a close proximity to the quarter-wave plate Arranged straight line And an optical plate, non-depolarizing component only to the previous section and characterized in that it comprises a linear polarizing means for extracting (1) dental light diagnostic device probe according to any one of - (10).
(13) In the probe for an optical diagnostic apparatus, a probe cover to be attached to and detached from the probe for disinfection after setting and arranging the measurement window is disposed forward from the large-diameter cylinder or square tube and its front end. A shape that is close to and detachable along each shape with respect to the protruding small-diameter semi-cylinder or with respect to the protruding small-diameter semi-cylindrical portion, (1) to (1) above, characterized in that a measurement window is arranged on the side or front of the tip, can be replaced and attached in accordance with the irradiation direction, and can be removed and disinfected after use. (12) The probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (12).
(14) In a probe for an optical diagnostic apparatus, a probe cover which is attached to and detached from the probe for disinfecting after use to prevent the probe body from being impacted at the time of mounting and to set the arrangement direction of the measurement window. A cylinder or square tube having a diameter and a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from the front end portion thereof, or in close contact with the projecting small-diameter semi-cylinder portion along each shape. It consists of two layers, a cushioning material and an outer cover that is placed on top of it, and a measuring window is provided on the side or front of the front end of the cover. Wearing is possible,
And the probe for dental photodiagnosis devices given in any 1 paragraph of the preceding clauses (1)-(13) characterized by being able to remove and disinfect after use.

(15) In the probe for an optical diagnostic device, a mechanism for preventing the movement of the tip of the probe that contacts the tooth portion is a suction cup sucked by a vacuum before and after the measurement window of the probe cover, or an elastic prevention It has a shaker, and the cover is equipped with a mechanism that can be adjusted manually in the front and rear, and is fixed after moving the suction cup or vibration isolator to an appropriate position before and after the target tooth part. The probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus according to the preceding item (13) or (14).

According to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be exhibited.
1. According to claim 1 of the present invention,
An observation image display means for displaying an image of the observed tooth image;
A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus comprising OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of a scanning region,
The diagnostic signal acquisition configuration is an optical fiber type, and the outer shape of the diagnostic probe whose tip is in contact with the teeth in the oral cavity is a large-diameter cylinder and a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting from its front end. A measuring window provided on the side or front of the tip of the semi-cylinder, an optical fiber extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder, a signal line and a tube covering the optical fiber, or a large-diameter A rotatable ring is provided on the outer periphery of the base of the cylinder, and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side surface of the cylinder so that the posture can be freely controlled by the movement and stopped at a required position. Since an optical fiber is used for transmission and reception of signals in the optical system, the structure can be simplified.
The type including an optical fiber extended from the base of a large-diameter cylinder, a signal line, and a tube covering the signal line allows the practitioner to freely set the diagnostic position by holding the probe.
Furthermore, if a rotatable ring is installed on the outer periphery of the base of a large-diameter cylinder and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed on the side, the posture can be freely controlled by the movement and stopped at the required position. And can be diagnosed without shaking of the probe.

2. According to the invention of claim 2,
An optical fiber for irradiating signal light introduced from an external main body inside a large-diameter cylinder of an optical fiber type diagnostic probe, a lens disposed at the tip thereof, and a vertical surface disposed in front of the lens A right-angle prism for receiving signal light on a horizontal plane and irradiating the horizontal light with signal light, a polygon mirror for lateral scanning that irradiates the condensed light forward while receiving and rotating the irradiation light, an optical fiber, a lens, and a polygon mirror An optical system surface plate in the probe with the optical system, a mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth and scanning in the depth direction, and a tip in the small-diameter semi-cylinder. Provided with a beam splitter for sending the signal light downward and obtaining the reflected light from the tooth part,
Alternatively, because it comprises a beam splitter for capturing a surface image, a camera for acquiring a surface image and a light source for the camera,
The tooth part is irradiated with the signal light as a point, and the surface image and the optical tomographic image can be obtained from the reflected light.

3. According to the invention of claim 3,
An optical fiber for irradiating signal light that scans in the depth direction with an external body inside the large-diameter cylinder and small-diameter cylinder of an optical fiber type diagnostic probe, and a lens disposed at the tip of the optical fiber And an optical system surface plate in the probe in which all the optical systems are arranged, and an optical system surface plate in the probe, which is composed of a beam splitter disposed in front of the lens to send the signal light downward. It has a mechanism to move back and forth and scan in the horizontal direction,
Alternatively, a beam splitter for capturing a tooth surface image,
An optical system surface plate in the probe in which all the optical systems composed of a camera for surface image acquisition and a light source for the camera are arranged, and the optical system surface plate in the probe is moved back and forth to perform horizontal scanning. Because it is equipped with a wide range of measurement windows corresponding to the above moving mechanism, it can irradiate the tooth part with signal light as a point, and can acquire surface images and optical tomographic images from the reflected light Since the scanning in the depth direction is performed on the main body side, the configuration can be simplified.

4. According to the invention of claim 4,
An illumination light emitting means for irradiating illumination light to the tooth portion of the subject; a means for imaging a surface image by reflected light reflected by the tooth portion of the subject based on the illumination light through an imaging lens;
Comprising a surface image display means for displaying a surface image of the imaged tooth portion;
Also, a reference region that scans a predetermined region of the tooth portion using low-coherent light as signal light, has a slight frequency difference from the signal light from the predetermined depth in the scanning region, or has been subjected to phase modulation. A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus that scans a tooth portion of a subject with signal light, which includes an OCT unit that acquires an optical tomographic image of the scanning region by interference with light,
The acquisition configuration of the diagnostic signal is a bulk type (spatial propagation type),
The outer shape of the diagnostic probe in which the tip used in the bulk mold abuts on the tooth in the oral cavity has a large-diameter cylinder for gripping and freely controlling the posture, and projects forward from its front end. A small-diameter semi-cylinder, a measurement window provided on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder, a signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder, and a tube covering the signal line Or a rotatable ring is provided on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter cylinder, and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side of the ring, and the posture can be freely controlled by moving the ring. In addition, since the signal light is stopped at the required position, the signal light propagates through the space and is transmitted and received, and the optical system can be accurately and compactly made. In addition, a two-dimensional image can be easily obtained by an image sensor.
Further, the effects of the posture control and holding method of the probe are the same as in the first aspect.

5. According to the invention of claim 5,
In a bulk-type diagnostic probe, a light source that emits low-coherent light inside a large-diameter cylinder, an optical fiber that propagates light from the light source, a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber, and a front of the lens A reference beam generator having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path, the beam path being bent at a right angle via a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, reflected by a mirror,
An optical system comprising a two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens, the light source, an optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an image sensor, and a reference light generator. An optical system surface plate in the probe in which the system is disposed, a mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth to scan in the depth direction, and a tip portion in the small-diameter semi-cylinder. A beam splitter that is disposed and transmits the signal light downward, or a beam splitter that is disposed at the tip of a small-diameter semi-cylinder and transmits the planar signal light forward, or the small diameter A beam splitter for sending the signal light downward and capturing a surface image of the tooth, a camera for acquiring the surface image, and a light source for the camera.
Alternatively, a beam splitter for sending the planar signal light disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder to the front and taking a surface image of the tooth can be measured in front of the small semi-cylinder tip. Because it has a window,
The tooth part is irradiated with signal light as a surface, and an optical tomographic image is acquired from the reflected light. Each element is collected and stored inside the probe.

6. According to the invention of claim 6,
An optical fiber that irradiates low-coherent light introduced from an external body inside a large-diameter cylinder of a bulk-type diagnostic probe; a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the lens, a reference light generating unit having a light path bent at a right angle through a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, reflected by a mirror, and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path; A two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image and a surface image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens, the optical fiber, the beam splitter, the lens, the imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, and a spatial propagation path And an optical system surface plate in the probe provided with an optical system composed of an image sensor,
A mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth to scan in the depth direction, a light source for acquiring a surface image of the tooth portion disposed inside the small semi-cylinder, and a front surface of the tip portion With a measurement window,
Alternatively, a mirror having an inclination of 45 ° is provided at the tip of the small semi-cylinder, a measurement window is provided below the tip, and the signal light is irradiated onto the tooth portion as a surface, and an optical tomographic image is obtained from the reflected light. The two-dimensional sensor can receive and share an optical tomographic image and a surface image.

7. According to the invention of claim 7,
In the bulk type diagnostic probe, the outer shape of the diagnostic probe in which the tip used is in contact with the tooth part in the oral cavity is a large-diameter cylinder for gripping and freely controlling the posture, and the front end of the cylinder An integral funnel-shaped hollow cone projecting forward from its front end, a measurement window disposed at the tip of the cone, and a diagnostic image fiber whose tip is bent at 45 ° The base has an insertion part that is detachably inserted,
In addition, a light source that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light, a lens that is disposed at the tip of the fiber, and a beam splitter that is disposed in front of the lens are disposed inside the large-diameter cylinder. An optical path bent at a right angle from the lower part of the beam splitter via a prism, reflected by a mirror, having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path, and an imaging lens from the upper part of the beam splitter. An optical system comprising a two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image, an optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, a spatial propagation path, and an image sensor. An optical system surface plate in the probe, and a mechanism for scanning the depth direction by moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth,
Alternatively, further comprising a beam splitter disposed at the tip of the cone, for capturing a surface image of the tooth, a surface image acquisition camera, and a light source for the camera,
The signal light is used as a surface to irradiate the tooth portion with a diagnostic image fiber whose tip is bent at 45 ° to obtain a surface image and an optical tomographic image, and to the predetermined tooth portion with the curved image fiber. Is easy to contact.

8. According to the invention of claim 8,
The bulk type diagnostic probe has a large-diameter square tube for gripping and freely controlling the posture of the diagnostic probe in which the tip used for the bulk type comes into contact with the tooth part in the oral cavity, A small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from the front end, a measurement window established on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter cylinder, and a signal extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder Or a tube covering the wire, or a rotatable ring is provided on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter square tube, and the tip of the articulated arm is fixed to the side of the ring. , Comprising a mechanism for freely controlling the posture by the movement and stopping at a required position, and inside the large-diameter rectangular tube, a light source that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light, A lens disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the lens, a reference light generating unit having a light path bent at a right angle through a prism from the lower part of the beam splitter, reflected by a mirror, and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path; A one-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via a cylindrical lens; a cylindrical lens disposed in front of the beam splitter;

An optical system comprising a galvanometer scanner disposed below the galvanometer scanner that scans in the lateral direction according to the vibration direction, and a mirror that reflects the reflected light from the galvanometer scanner in the semi-cylindrical direction of the small diameter. An optical system surface plate in the probe, a mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth and scanning in the depth direction, and a small diameter semi-cylinder, A beam splitter is provided for sending the signal light from the mirror downward, and the reflected light from the tooth portion is acquired or disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder, and the signal light from the mirror is sent forward. And a mechanism for acquiring reflected light from the tooth part,
Or, further comprising a beam splitter for capturing a surface image, a camera for acquiring a surface image and a light source for the camera,
Since the measuring window provided on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder, the signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter rectangular tube, and the tube covering the signal line are provided. A main optical system including a galvanometer scanner is housed in a large-diameter rectangular tube.

9. According to the invention of claim 9,
In the bulk type diagnostic probe, the outer shape of the diagnostic probe whose tip is in contact with the tooth portion in the oral cavity is a pistol shape as a whole, and a vertical bottomed cylindrical portion for gripping and freely controlling the posture. , A cylinder that is horizontally installed with a central portion connected to the upper end of the vertical cylinder, and a small-diameter semi-cylinder that is rotatably supported forward by a pin from the front end of the horizontally installed cylinder And a measurement window that can be directed in either the top, bottom, left, or right direction by being attached to a side surface of the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder, or a measurement window that is opened in the front, A signal line extending from the base of the formed cylinder and a tube covering the signal line, or a rotatable ring arranged on the outer periphery of the base of the horizontal cylinder, and a multi-joint on the side of the ring Fix the tip of the arm and move it freely It is equipped with a mechanism for controlling and stopping at a required position, or the transmission of the signal from the inside of the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion to the outside is a wireless independent type, and the optical system and the signal are provided inside the probe. Since it also includes processing and image processing, it is easy to handle the outer shape and is small and lightweight.

10. According to the invention of claim 10,
In the bulk type diagnostic probe, inside the bottomed cylindrical portion and the horizontal cylindrical portion, a light source that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light, a lens disposed at the tip of the fiber, A right-angle prism that changes the optical path disposed in front to a right angle; a beam splitter disposed in front of the prism; and a reference light generator that is sent to the lower portion by the beam splitter and includes a transducer and a spatial propagation path In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a two-dimensional image sensor that receives an optical tomographic image from an upper part of the beam splitter via an imaging lens, the light source, a lens, a prism, a reference light generation unit, a beam splitter, and an image sensor. An optical system surface plate in the probe in which the optical system is disposed, a mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate in the probe back and forth, and scanning in the depth direction; A beam splitter disposed at the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder for sending signal light from the liter to the bottom and sending signal light for obtaining reflected light from the tooth part to the bottom; Equipped with a mechanism for acquiring reflected light from the tooth portion, or disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder, sending signal light from the mirror forward, and acquiring reflected light from the tooth portion. Become

Alternatively, a beam splitter for capturing a surface image, and the signal light from the beam splitter is disposed at the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder and forwards, and from the tooth portion. A beam splitter for capturing reflected light and a surface image, a camera for acquiring the surface image, and a light source for the camera are provided.
A measuring window that can be directed in either the top, bottom, left, or right direction attached to the side surface of the tip of the pivotable small-diameter semi-cylinder, or a measuring window that is opened in the front, and the large-diameter square tube A signal line extending from the base, a tube covering the signal line, and a vertical bottomed cylindrical portion include an amplifier for a signal from an image sensor (detector) and a demodulator for an interference signal with reference light. A wireless processing unit including a signal processing unit including a signal A / D converter, a computer for image processing and scanning control, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the image signal to the outside, or the like. The bottom cylindrical part does not include a transmitter, and the signal from the computer has means for sending it out to the outside through a signal line from the base of the horizontal cylinder, and the display is excluded inside the pistol probe. Optical diagnostic equipment To become equipped with a complete set,
It is easy to handle the outer shape, is small and lightweight, and can be a wireless type.

11. According to the invention of claim 11,
A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus comprising an OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of the scanning region, and comprising a linearly polarized light means for extracting only a non-polarized component,
By removing the reflected light wave from the part outside the linear position of the incident light wave, the background noise can be reduced and the resolution can be increased, so the tooth part has a high signal resolution and good signal-to-noise ratio. An optical tomographic image can be obtained.
12. According to the invention of claim 12,
A quarter-wave plate that is arranged in a light source optical path of linearly polarized low-coherent light and that linearly polarizes circularly polarized light, and a polarizing beam splitter that divides the circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light that is orthogonal to each other, see A quarter-wave plate disposed in the optical path and linearly polarized light from the polarizing beam splitter and circularly polarized light; and a quarter-wave plate disposed in the reflected light path and linearly polarized light from the polarized beam splitter and circularly polarized light. Since it comprises a one-wave plate and a linearly polarizing plate disposed in the vicinity of the quarter-wave plate, optical loss along the way can be minimized, and the multiple reflection can be performed as linearly polarized light parallel to each other. Interference with light waves is detected very efficiently, and a high-resolution optical tomographic image can be obtained with a good signal-to-noise ratio with high resolution for the tooth.
13. According to the invention of claim 13,
In the probe for an optical diagnostic apparatus, the probe cover to be attached or detached is a large-diameter cylinder or square tube and a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from its front end, or a small-diameter projecting The cylindrical part has a shape that is in close contact with each shape and can be attached and detached, and a measuring window is provided on the side or front of the front end of the cover. It can be worn and can be removed and disinfected after use.
14. According to the invention of claim 14,
In the probe for optical diagnostic equipment, the probe cover, which is attached to the probe for disinfection after use to prevent the probe body from impact at the time of mounting, and to set the measurement window orientation, A shock absorber in close contact with each cylinder or square tube and a small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from the front end thereof, or a small-diameter semi-cylindrical portion projecting; Since it consists of two layers of the outer cover provided on top of each other, even if there is an impact from the outside, it is possible to maintain precise optical axis alignment of the optical system inside the main body.

15. According to the invention of claim 15,
In a probe for an optical diagnostic device, a mechanism for preventing the tip of the probe from abutting against a toothed portion from being shaken by a vacuum before and after the measurement window of the probe cover, or an anti-vibration having elasticity and adhesiveness A cover is provided, and the cover is equipped with a mechanism that can be adjusted manually in the front and rear direction, and the suction cup or vibration isolator can be fixed after moving to an appropriate position before and after the target tooth part. It is possible to prevent shaking of the probe at the time.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a built-in dental optical diagnostic apparatus incorporated in a dental chair unit according to the present invention and having a cylindrical diagnostic probe at the tip of an articulated arm.
In the figure, 1 is a dental chair unit, 2 is a built-in optical diagnostic device, 3 is a main body storage unit, 4 is an operation unit, 5 is a display unit, 6 is a main pole, 7 is an articulated arm, and 8 is an arm tip 9 is a diagnostic probe, 10 is a probe rotation part, 11 is a probe tip, 12 is a measurement window, 13 is a probe and a light pole, 14 is a light arm, and 15 is a tray table. , 16 is a handpiece holder, 17 is a chair, 18 is a spitton, 19 is an assistant-side handpiece holder, 20 is a tray table arm, and 122 is a foot switch.

Below, arrangement | positioning of a dental chair unit, a dental optical diagnostic apparatus, and its diagnostic probe is shown.
In the built-in optical diagnostic apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1, circuits and mechanisms other than the diagnostic probe 9 are disposed in the main body storage portion 3 and the tray table 15.
Further, a pole 6 erected from the vicinity of the side surface of the chair 17, a tray table arm 20, a probe and a light pole 13 are disposed from the pole 6, and a light arm is provided from the probe and the light pole 13. 14 and the articulated arm 7 are arranged. The articulated arm 7 has an articulated arm 8 with an articulated arm 10 at its distal end and an articulated arm 10. A diagnostic probe 9 having an optical tomographic image or an OCT optical system for acquiring a surface image and an optical tomographic image is provided.
Then, the measurement window 12 at the distal end portion 11 of the diagnostic probe 9 is positioned at a predetermined position of the affected part (described later) of the tooth portion of the subject by posture control by the articulated arm 7 and the probe rotating unit 10. Can abut.
In addition, since the diagnostic probe 9 is not shaken at the time of contact, it is possible to obtain a stable wide-field surface image and a small-area optical tomographic image.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a built-in dental optical diagnostic apparatus that is incorporated in the dental chair unit of the present invention and includes a diagnostic probe at the tip of a tube.
In the figure, 21 is a tube, 22 is a diagnostic probe holder, and 23 is the tip of the tube.
The diagnostic probe 9 of the built-in optical diagnostic apparatus 2 includes a measurement window 12 at the distal end portion 11 of the probe at the distal end 23 of the tube 21 extended from the diagnostic probe holder 22, and a surface inside. And an OCT optical system for acquiring an image and acquiring an optical tomographic image.

The measurement window 12 at the distal end portion 11 of the diagnostic probe 9 is diagnosed by the practitioner by the flexibility of the optical fiber or the signal line and the tube 21 covering the affected portion (described later) of the tooth portion 24 of the subject. Since the position of the probe 9 can be grasped and freely controlled, and a predetermined position can be contacted, a surface image with a wide field of view and an OCT image (optical tomographic image) with a small area can be obtained.
When the diagnostic probe 9 is not used, it is stored in the diagnostic probe holder 22.
Further, a buffer material 22 ′ is disposed on the inner surface of the diagnostic probe holder 22, and absorbs the impact during the storage to protect the mechanism inside the diagnostic probe 9.
Since this apparatus does not use the articulated arm 7, the apparatus can be simplified.
Since the built-in optical diagnostic apparatus 2 is incorporated in the dental chair unit 1, the present apparatus is useful as a dental chair unit having a diagnostic function for teeth by OCT.
In addition to the above type, an independent cart or stand type (not shown) equipped with a diagnostic function for teeth by OCT may be provided.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a diagnostic probe in contact with a tooth portion in the oral cavity during diagnosis,
(A) The figure is a diagram in which a diagnostic probe having a measurement window on the side is brought into contact with the front side of the lower left dentition via an articulated arm,
(B) The figure shows the back side of the lower left dentition with a diagnostic probe having a measurement window on the side,
(C) The figure shows a diagram in which a diagnostic probe having a measurement window in front is in contact with the surface of the lower jaw front dentition.
In the figure, 24 is a tooth part, 25 is a tooth, 26 is gingiva, 27 is an oral cavity, and 28 is a finger.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the measurement window 12 (side or front) of the distal end portion 11 of the diagnostic probe 9 is moved toward the target tooth portion (affected portion) 24 with respect to the finger 28. A part is applied to the periphery of the lips outside the oral cavity 27 as a fulcrum, and by changing the application angle and contacting, the surface, back surface, top surface, and gingival surface, back surface, etc. of any tooth in the dentition are free from shaking. Can measure without blind spots.

Next, various types of diagnostic probes will be described for each external shape and diagnostic signal acquisition means.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a diagnostic probe provided with a measurement window on the side surface of the large cylinder and the front end of the small semi-cylinder.
In the figure, 72 indicates a cover.
A cover 72 for gripping and controlling the posture freely, and a probe distal end portion 11 protruding forward from the front end portion thereof have a measurement window 12 opened on the side surface of the distal end portion of the cover 72. ing.
Note that the cover 72 has an integral shape and covers the small semi-cylinder and the large cylinder.
Further, a ring-shaped probe turning portion 10 is disposed on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter cylindrical cover 72, and the turning portion 8 at the tip of the articulated arm 7 is provided on the side surface of the turning portion 10 of the probe. It is possible to fix the position and to freely control the posture by the movement and to stop at a required position. And there is no shake when stopping.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a diagnostic probe provided with a measurement window in front of the large cylinder and the front end of the small semi-cylindrical cylinder.
As shown in the drawing, an optical fiber extended from the base of the large-diameter cylinder, a signal line, and a tube 21 covering the signal line are provided.
The practitioner can grip and move the cover 72 to freely control the posture. Moreover, since the measurement window 12 is located in front of the tip portion 11 of the probe, it is suitable for measuring the surface of the front part of the dentition.

  The above explanation is as follows (block diagram for explaining the outline of the optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 6) and (structure diagram of the probe for optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 7). Are described in an apparatus for displaying both surface images and optical tomographic images.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of the optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
In this example, the surface image by the camera and the OCT unit manipulate the position of the reference mirror (outside or inside the probe) to acquire a one-dimensional reflected light profile, and then scan the light beam laterally. A two-dimensional optical tomographic image is obtained by (inside the probe), and diagnosis is facilitated by displaying both.
In addition, since an optical fiber is used for transmission / reception of signals in the optical system, the structure can be simplified.
In the figure, 29 is a large-diameter cylinder, 30 is a small-diameter cylinder, 31 is a light source, 32 is an optical fiber, 33 is a low coherence interferometer, 34 is an optical surface plate in the probe, 35 is signal light, and 36 is Camera, 37 detector, 38 signal line, 39 amplifier, 40 demodulator, 41 A / D converter, 42 signal processing unit, 43 computer, 44 storage device, 45 LAN connection, 46 Is a printer, 47 is an image processing / scanning control unit, 48 is a signal line, 49 is a display unit, 50 is a surface image, 51 is a designated area, 52 is an optical tomographic image, 53 is a measurement pattern, 54 is measurement data, and 55 is Horizontal scanning, 56 indicates depth scanning, and 57 indicates image signal lines.

As shown in the figure, first, the white light source (59) in the optical diagnostic probe 9 is irradiated to the tooth portion 24 of the subject from the front periphery of the surface image capturing camera 36 by an optical fiber (not shown). A surface image of a wide area is obtained by the surface image capturing camera 36.
This image is stored in the storage device 44 of the computer 43 and displayed as a surface image 50 on the surface image display of the monitor of the display unit 49 by the operation of the computer 43.
Further, an area designation area 51 for designating a display area of the optical tomographic image 52 in the surface image is displayed on the monitor.
Next, the optical tomographic image 52 is acquired by using, as the light source 31, a light source of low-coherent light, for example, the SLD or the mode-locked laser: Cr ^-4+ : Mg ₂ SiO ₄ (forsterite) having a different wavelength region. By switching, light having a wavelength in the range of visible light to ordinary infrared light is generated (not shown).
Here, when the wavelength of light is greatly changed, replace the optical fiber corresponding to the required wavelength, or arrange two or more optical fibers in parallel in advance and switch quickly. (Not shown).
The low-coherent light (signal light) passes through the optical fiber 32, passes through the low-coherence interferometer 33, reaches the lens in the optical diagnostic probe 9 by the extended optical fiber 32, and is converged to The teeth 24 are irradiated and reflected from a plurality of deep layers.

The light reflected from the predetermined depth is combined with the reference light by the optical fiber 32 and the low coherence interferometer 33 along the reverse path to the above, and then detected by the detector 37 and processed through the signal line 38. Sent to the unit 42.
The interference signal amplified by the amplifier 39 is demodulated by the demodulator 40, converted to digital by the A / D converter 41, and sent to the computer 43 of the image processing unit 47.
Then, display of the surface image 50, the optical tomographic image area 51 of the optical tomographic image and the optical tomographic image 52 of the tooth portion by OCT in the area, the measurement pattern 53, the measurement data 54, etc. is displayed on the display unit 49, and the practitioner Use for diagnosis.
Further, the intermediate depth direction scanning 56 is performed by moving the optical system surface plate 34 in the probe or by a reference mirror operation unit in the low coherence interferometer 33 (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a probe for an optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatus.
(A) is a front view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.
In the figure, 35 'is an optical path, 58 is an optical fiber, 59 is a white light source, 60 is a lens, 61 is a right-angle prism, 62 is a polygon mirror, 63 is a microswitch, 64 is a stopper, 65 is a slide rail, 66 is a motor, 67 is a coupling, 68 is a nut, 69 is a ball screw, 70 is a beam splitter, and 71 is an O-ring.
As shown in the figure, an optical fiber 32 for irradiating a signal light 35 introduced from an external body into a large-diameter cylinder 29 of an optical fiber type diagnostic probe;
A right angle prism 61 disposed at the tip of the optical fiber 32 for bending the optical path at a right angle, and a polygon for the lateral scanning 55 that irradiates the condensed light forward while receiving and rotating the irradiation light (signal light 35). A mirror 62;
The optical system surface plate 34 in the probe of the optical fiber 32, the lens 60, and the polygon mirror 62, and the optical system surface plate 34 in the probe are moved back and forth on the slide rail 65 to perform scanning 56 in the depth direction. A mechanism to do,

A beam that is disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 to send the signal light 35 downward, acquire reflected light from the tooth portion 24 (FIG. 6), and capture a surface image. It is disposed at the tip of the splitter 70 or the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30, sends the signal light 35 forward, acquires the reflected light from the tooth portion 24 (FIG. 6), and displays the surface image. A beam splitter 70 for imaging;
A surface image acquisition camera 36, a white light source 59 for the camera 36, and an irradiation guide optical fiber 58;
The signal light 35 is irradiated to the tooth portion 24 as a point like an optical path 35 ′, and an optical diagnostic image (optical tomographic image 52: FIG. 6) is acquired from the reflected light.
Further, the cover 72 is detachable, and is closely attached to the large-diameter cylinder 29 and the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 by the O-ring 71 when being inserted.
The cover 72 is removed after use and sterilized.

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of another optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic device probe.
(A) The figure is a front view, (b) The figure is a BB 'sectional view of (a) figure.
As shown in the figure, an optical fiber 32 for irradiating signal light introduced from an external body up to the inside of a large-diameter cylinder 29 and the tip of a small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 of an optical fiber type diagnostic probe, and the optical fiber A lens 60 disposed at the tip of 32,
A beam splitter 70 that is disposed in front of the lens 60, sends the signal light 35 downward, acquires reflected light from the tooth portion 24 (FIG. 6), and captures a surface image, and a surface image An acquisition camera 36 and a white light source 59 for the camera 36, and irradiates the tooth portion 24 with a signal light 35 as a point like an optical path 35 ′;
An optical diagnostic image (optical tomographic image 52: FIG. 6) is acquired from the reflected light.
In the above, since the scanning 56 (FIG. 6) in the depth direction is performed in a main body (not shown) outside the probe 9, the structure of the probe can be simplified and reduced in size.
Further, the cover 72 is detachable, and is closely attached to the large-diameter cylinder 29 and the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 by the O-ring 71 when being inserted.
The cover 72 is removed after use and sterilized.

FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of the bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
In this example, the surface image obtained by the camera and the OCT unit acquires a two-dimensional reflected light profile, and further obtains a three-dimensional optical tomographic image by scanning the light beam in the depth direction (within the probe). It is easy to diagnose by displaying both.
Also, bulk type (spatial propagation type) is mainly used for transmission / reception of optical system signals.
In the figure, reference numeral 73 denotes a vibrator.
This block diagram uses a spatial propagation mechanism instead of the low coherence interference system in FIG. 6 and the optical fiber 32 used for signal propagation between the irradiation lenses and between the detectors, and the operation is the same.
In the figure, 31 is a light source, 32 is an optical fiber, 33 is a low coherence interferometer, 35 is signal light, 36 is a camera, 37 is a detector, 38 is a signal line, 39 is an amplifier, 40 is a demodulator, and 41 is A. / D converter, 42 is a signal processing unit, 43 is a computer, 44 is a storage device, 45 is a LAN connection, 46 is a printer, 47 is an image processing / scanning control unit, 48 is a signal line, 49 is a display unit, and 50 is a display unit. A surface image, 51 is a designated area, 52 is an optical tomographic image, 53 is a measurement pattern, 54 is measurement data, 56 is a depth direction scan, and 57 is an image signal line.

As shown in the figure, first, the white light source (59) in the optical diagnostic probe 9 is irradiated to the tooth portion 24 of the subject from the front periphery of the surface image capturing camera 36 by the optical fiber (58), and the surface image is obtained. A surface image 50 of a wide area is obtained by the photographing camera 36.
This image is stored in the storage device 44 of the computer 43 and displayed as a surface image 50 on the surface image display unit of the monitor of the display unit 49 by the operation of the computer 43.
In addition, an area designation designation area 51 for designating a display area of the optical tomographic image 52 in the surface image 50 is displayed on the monitor.
Next, the optical tomographic image 52 is acquired by using, as the light source 31, a light source of low-coherent light, for example, the SLD or the mode-locked laser: Cr ^-4+ : Mg ₂ SiO ₄ (forsterite) having a different wavelength region. By switching, light having a wavelength in the range of visible light to ordinary infrared light is generated (not shown).
The low-coherent light (signal light) passes through the optical fiber 32, passes through the low-coherence interferometer 33, and is irradiated to the tooth portion 24 from the optical diagnostic probe 9 like the signal light 35. Reflected from multiple layers.

The light reflected from the predetermined depth is combined with the reference light by the low coherence interferometer 33 through the reverse path to the above, and then detected by the detector 37 and transmitted to the signal processing unit 42.
The interference signal amplified by the amplifier 39 is demodulated by the demodulator 40, converted to digital by the A / D converter 41, and sent to the computer 43 of the image processing / scanning control unit 47.
Then, the surface image 50, the tomographic designation area 51 and the optical tomographic image 52 of the tooth portion by OCT in the area, the measurement pattern 53, the measurement data 54, and the like are displayed on the display unit 49. Use for diagnosis.
Further, the intermediate depth direction scanning 56 is performed by moving (not shown) the optical system surface plate 34 in the probe.

FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe.
(A) is a front view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. (A), and (C) is a bottom view of the tip of (B).
In the figure, 73 is a vibrator, 74 is a glass rod, 75 is a beam splitter, 76 is an image sensor, and 78 is a mirror.
Here, the glass rod 74 utilizes the fact that the refractive index of light of glass is larger than that of air, shortens the actual optical path length, shortens the entire diagnostic probe 9 and reduces its weight, and improves operability. For this purpose, it may be omitted if weight reduction or the like is not a problem, such as when the diagnostic probe 9 is fixed to the tip of the articulated arm.
In the structural diagram of the bulk diagnostic probe of FIG. 9,
Inside the large-diameter cylinder 29, a light source 31 that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber 32 that propagates the light, and a lens 60 that is disposed at the tip of the optical fiber 32,
A beam splitter 75 disposed in front of the lens 60;
A reference light generator having a vibrator 73 and a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74) having a light path bent at a right angle from a lower part of the beam splitter 75 via a right angle prism 61 and reflected by a mirror 78;

A two-dimensional image sensor 76 that receives the optical tomographic image 52 (FIG. 9) from the upper part of the beam splitter 75 via the imaging lens 60 ′;
An optical system surface plate 34 in a probe in which an optical system including a light source 31, an optical fiber 32, a beam splitter 75, a lens 60, an image sensor 76, an imaging lens 60 ', and a reference light generation unit are disposed;
A mechanism for moving the optical surface plate 34 in the probe back and forth on the slide rail 65 to perform depth direction scanning 56;
A beam splitter 70 disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 to send the signal light 35 to a lower optical path 35 ′ and to capture a surface image 50 (FIG. 9) of the tooth portion 24; A measurement window 12 opened in the front end side surface of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30;
A camera 36 for acquiring a surface image, a light source 59 for the camera 36, and a guide optical fiber 58 are provided.

FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of another bulk type diagnostic probe.
(A) is a front view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ in FIG.
The beam splitter 70 for sending the line-shaped signal light disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 and capturing the surface image of the tooth portion 24, and the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 is provided with a measurement window 12 in front of the tip,
Signal light is irradiated onto the tooth portion 24 as a surface (optical path 35 ′), and an optical tomographic image 52 (FIG. 9) is acquired from the reflected light.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of another bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
In this example, as a summary, the surface image 50 and the OCT unit obtain a two-dimensional optical tomographic image 52 by the detector 37, and both are alternately displayed as necessary by the detector 37 for diagnosis. To make it easier.
Also, bulk type (spatial propagation type) is mainly used for transmission / reception of optical system signals.
In the figure, reference numeral 123 denotes a spatial propagation path.
This block diagram uses a spatial propagation mechanism instead of the low coherence interference system in FIG. 6 and the optical fiber 32 used for signal propagation between the irradiation lenses and between the detectors, and the operation is the same.

FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of a probe for a bulk-type dental optical diagnostic apparatus, where FIG. 13A is a front view, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG.
Inside the large diameter cylinder 29 of the bulk type diagnostic probe shown in FIG.
An optical fiber 32 that emits low coherent light introduced from an external body;
A plano-convex lens 60 disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A beam splitter 75 disposed in front of the lens 60;
A reference light generating section having a light path bent at a right angle from a lower part of the beam splitter 75 via a right angle prism 61, reflected by a mirror 78, and having a vibrator 73 and a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74);
A two-dimensional image sensor 76 for receiving an optical tomographic image and a surface image from the upper part of the beam splitter 75 via the imaging lens 60;
Inside the probe provided with an optical system comprising the optical fiber 32, beam splitter 75, lens 60, image sensor 76, imaging lens 60 ', mirror 78, vibrator 73, and spatial propagation path (glass rod 74). An optical system surface plate 34 in the optical system probe;
A mechanism for moving the optical surface plate 34 in the probe back and forth on the slide rail 65 to perform depth direction scanning 56;
A white light source 59 for obtaining a surface image of the tooth portion 24 disposed inside the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30, an optical fiber 58 for an irradiation guide, and a measurement window 12 in front of the tip portion are provided.
Here, the glass rod 74 uses the fact that the refractive index of light of glass is larger than that of air, and aims to shorten the actual optical path length, shorten the overall length of the probe, reduce the weight, and improve the operability. However, when the weight reduction is not a problem, such as when the probe is fixed to the tip of the articulated arm, it may be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a structural diagram of a probe in which a mirror having an inclination of 45 ° is disposed at the tip of a small semi-cylinder.
(A) The figure is a front view, (b) The figure is a BB 'sectional view of (a) figure.
In the figure, reference numeral 77 denotes a mirror.
As shown in the figure, a mirror 77 having an inclination of 45 ° is disposed at the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30, and a measurement window 12 is provided below the tip, and the optical path 35 ′ with signal light as a surface. Thus, the tooth portion 24 is irradiated and an optical tomographic image is acquired from the reflected light.

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of a bulk type diagnostic probe having a curved tip.
In the figure, 79 is a cover, 80 is a curved image fiber, 81 is a measurement window, 82 is a large-diameter cylinder, and 83 is a hollow cone.
In the bulk diagnostic probe,
The diagnostic probe 9 in which the tip used is in contact with the tooth portion 24 in the oral cavity,
A large-diameter cylinder 82 (FIG. 17) for gripping and freely controlling the posture, a funnel-shaped hollow cone 83 integrally formed with the front end of the cylinder and projecting forward from the front end;
A diagnostic curved image fiber 80 whose distal end is bent at 45 °, an insertion portion whose base is detachably inserted, and a measurement window 81 disposed at the distal end of the curved image fiber 80. It is equipped with.
FIG. 15 shows the articulated arms 7 and 8 arranged at the base of the probe.
FIG. 16 is a diagram in which a signal tube is disposed at the base of the probe of FIG.
The tube 21 is disposed directly from the base of the diagnostic probe 9.

FIG. 17 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe having a curved tip.
Inside the large-diameter cylinder 82, a light source 31 that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber 32 that propagates the light, and a lens 60 that is disposed at the tip of the fiber 32,
A beam splitter 75 disposed in front of the lens 60;
A reference light generator having a light path bent at a right angle from a lower part of the beam splitter 75 via a right angle prism 61, reflected by a mirror 78, and having a vibrator 73 and a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74), and the beam splitter. A two-dimensional image sensor 76 that receives the optical tomographic image 52 from the upper part of the image 75 through the imaging lens 60 ′, the light source 31, the optical fiber 32, the beam splitter 75, the lens 60, the image sensor 76, and the imaging lens 60. ', An optical system surface plate 34 in the probe in which an optical system composed of a mirror 78, a vibrator 73, and a reference light generating portion of a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74) is disposed;
A mechanism for moving the optical system surface plate 34 in the probe back and forth on the slide rail 65 to perform a depth direction scan 56 and a surface image of the tooth portion 24 disposed at the tip of the hollow cone 83. A beam splitter 70 for imaging 50, a camera 36 for acquiring a surface image, and a light source 59 for the camera 36,
The tooth portion 24 is irradiated with the signal light 35 as a surface, and an optical tomographic image 52 is acquired from the reflected light.
This device can be easily brought into contact with the predetermined tooth portion 24 by the curved image fiber 80.

FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of a large-diameter rectangular tube bulk type diagnostic probe,
FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of another large-diameter rectangular tube bulk diagnostic probe.
In the figure, reference numeral 85 denotes a large diameter square tube.
The outer shape of the diagnostic probe 9 in which the tip used in the bulk mold shown in FIG. 18 abuts on the tooth portion 24 in the oral cavity is a large-diameter rectangular tube 85 for gripping and freely controlling the posture, A small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 projecting forward from the front end;
A measurement window 12 opened on the side surface of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30;
A pivoting portion 10 of the pivotable probe is disposed on the outer periphery of the base of the large-diameter rectangular tube 85, and the tip of the articulated arm 7 is fixed to the side surface of the pivoting portion 10 of the probe. It is provided with a mechanism for freely controlling the posture by movement and stopping at a required position.
FIG. 19 shows a type in which the measurement window 12 is disposed on the front surface and includes a signal line extending from the base of the rectangular tube 85 and a tube 21 covering the signal line.

FIG. 20 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of another bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
This block diagram is the same as FIG. 9 except that the light source 31 is housed in the diagnostic probe 9, the signal light 35 is focused by the cylindrical lens 88, and the detector 37 ′, which is a one-dimensional image sensor, is used. The point to do is different.
FIG. 21 is a structural diagram of a large-diameter rectangular tube bulk type diagnostic probe,
(A) The figure is a front view, (B) The figure is a CC 'cross-sectional view of (A).
FIG. 22 is a bottom view (partially perspective view) of FIG.
In the figure, 84 is a cover, 85 is a large-diameter square tube, 86 is a galvanometer scanner, 87 is a reflecting mirror, and 88 is a cylindrical lens.

In FIG. 21, a light source 31 that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber 32 that propagates the light, a lens 60 disposed at the tip of the optical fiber 32, and the lens A beam splitter 75 disposed in front of 60, and an optical path bent at a right angle from the lower portion of the beam splitter 75 via a prism, reflected by a mirror 78, and having a vibrator 73 and a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74). A reference light generator, and a one-dimensional image sensor 76 that receives an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via a cylindrical lens 88;
A cylindrical curyl lens 88 disposed in front of the beam splitter 75;
A right angle prism 61 which is disposed in front of the light beam and bends the optical path downward at a right angle;
A galvanometer scanner 86 which is disposed below and scans 55 in the lateral direction according to the vibration direction;
An optical system surface plate 34 in a probe provided with an optical system including a mirror 87 that reflects reflected light from the galvanometer scanner 86 in the direction of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30;

A mechanism for moving the optical system platen 34 in the probe back and forth to perform depth direction scanning 56;
Further, the reflection mirror 87 is disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30, sends the signal light from the reflection mirror 87 downward, acquires the reflection light from the tooth portion 24, and displays the surface image 50. A beam splitter 70 for imaging;
Alternatively, the beam splitter 70 is disposed in the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 to send the signal light from the mirror 87 forward and to acquire the reflected light from the tooth portion 24 and to capture the surface image 50. When,
A measurement window 12 provided on the side surface or the front surface of the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30, including a camera 36 for surface image acquisition, a white light source 59 for the camera 36, and a guide optical fiber 58, and the large window A signal line extending from the base of a square tube 85 having a diameter and a tube 21 covering the signal line are provided.
Here, the glass rod 74 uses the fact that the refractive index of light is larger than that of air, and the purpose of the glass rod 74 is to shorten the actual optical path length, shorten the overall length of the diagnostic probe, reduce the weight, and improve the operability. If the weight reduction is not a problem, such as when a diagnostic probe is fixed to the tip of the articulated arm, it may be omitted.
Further, the cover 84 is detachable, and is attached to the large-diameter square cylinder 85 and the small-diameter semi-cylinder 30 by the O-ring 71 at the time of insertion.
The cover 84 is removed after use and sterilized.

FIG. 23 is an external perspective view of a pistol-shaped bulk type diagnostic probe articulated arm mounting type,
FIG. 24 is an external perspective view of the signal tube extending type,
FIG. 25 is an external perspective view of the independent type.
In the figure, 89 is a horizontally installed cylinder, 90 is a bottomed cylinder, 91 is a small-diameter semi-cylinder, and 92 is a cover.
In the bulk diagnostic probe,
FIG. 23 shows that the outer shape of the diagnostic probe 9 whose tip is in contact with the tooth portion 24 in the oral cavity 27 has a pistol shape as a whole, and a vertical bottomed cylindrical portion 90 for gripping and freely controlling the posture. And a cylinder 89 horizontally provided with a central portion connected to the upper end of the vertical bottomed cylindrical part 90, and a front end portion of the horizontally provided cylinder 89 projecting from the front end so as to be freely rotatable.
A small-diameter semi-cylinder 91 held by a pin 96;
By attaching to the side surface of the tip of the rotatable semi-cylinder 91 having a small diameter, the measurement window 12 can be directed in any direction, up and down, left and right, or opened in front, and the horizontally installed cylinder 89. A pivoting portion 10 of the pivotable probe is disposed on the outer periphery of the base,
A rotating portion 8 at the tip of the articulated arm 7 is fixed to the side surface of the rotating portion 10 of the probe, and is provided with a mechanism for freely controlling the posture by the movement and stopping at a required position.
FIG. 24 includes a signal line extending from the base of the horizontal cylinder 89 and a tube 21 covering the signal line.
In FIG. 25, the transmission of the signal from the inside of the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion 90 to the outside is a stand-alone type that is wireless.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the pistol-type bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
In the figure, 93 is a transmitter, 94 is a wireless channel, and 95 is a receiver.
In the block diagram of the outline description of the bulk type of FIG.
All of the pistol-like diagnostic probe 9 except the display unit and computer peripherals are housed and integrated, and an image signal and a data signal are transmitted wirelessly from a transmitter 93 connected to the computer 43. The data is sent out on the transmission path 94 and displayed on the display unit 49 via the receiver 95 for diagnosis.
Since the probe 9 includes the signal processing unit 42 and the image processing / scanning control unit 47 (excluding computer peripheral devices), the probe 9 is easy to handle and can be reduced in weight and size.

FIG. 27 is a structural diagram of a pistol-shaped bulk diagnostic probe,
(A) is a front view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.
Inside the bottomed cylindrical portion 90 and the horizontal cylinder 89, a light source 31 that emits low-coherent light, an optical fiber 32 that propagates the light, a lens 60 that is disposed at the tip of the fiber 32, and the front of the lens A prism 61 that changes the optical path 35 disposed at a right angle, a beam splitter 75 disposed in front of the right angle prism 61, and
Sent to the lower part by the beam splitter 75, reflected by the mirror 78,
A reference light generator having an oscillator 73 and a spatial propagation path (glass rod 74);
A two-dimensional image sensor 76 that receives the optical tomographic image 52 from the upper portion of the beam splitter 75 via the imaging lens 60 ′;
An optical system surface plate 34 in the probe in which an optical system including the light source 31, the lens 60, the right-angle prism 61, the reference light generator, the beam splitter 75, the image sensor 76, and the like is disposed;
A mechanism for performing depth direction scanning 56 by moving the optical system surface plate 34 in the probe back and forth on the slide rail 65;

The signal light from the beam splitter 75 is disposed at the tip of the rotatable small-diameter cylinder 91 and is sent downward, and the reflected light from the tooth portion 24 is acquired and the surface image 50 is captured. The signal beam from the beam splitter 70 or the beam splitter 75 is transmitted to the front end portion of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder 91 and forwardly reflected. And a beam splitter 70 for capturing the surface image 50;
A camera 36 for acquiring a surface image and a white light source 59 for the camera 36;
By attaching to the side surface of the distal end portion of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder 91, it can be directed in any direction, up, down, left, or right, or the measurement window 12 opened in the front and the large-diameter sideways The wireless transmission path (antenna) 94 extended from the base of the cylinder 89 and the vertical bottomed cylinder 90 have an amplifier 39 for signals from an image sensor (detector) 76, reference light, and the like. A signal processor (42) comprising a demodulator 40 that double-tunes the interference signal and an A / D converter 41 of the demodulated signal,
A computer 43 for image processing and scanning control (47);
It is a wireless independent type having a wireless transmitter 93 and the like for transmitting the image signal to the outside.
Here, the glass rod 74 uses the fact that the refractive index of light is larger than that of air, and aims to shorten the actual optical path length, shorten the overall length of the probe, reduce the weight, and improve the operability. It may be omitted if weight reduction is not a problem, such as when the probe is fixed to the tip of an articulated arm.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of another pistol bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.
This machine is housed and integrated into the pistol-like diagnostic probe 9 of FIG. 26 except for the display unit and peripheral devices of the computer, and is integrated into the computer 43 inside the vertical bottomed cylindrical part 90. A signal from the base of the horizontal cylinder 89 is sent to the outside by a signal line (tube 21), and an image signal and a data signal are sent out and a display unit 49 performs display diagnosis. It is.

FIG. 29 is a structural diagram of another pistol-shaped bulk type diagnostic probe.
(A) is a front view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.
The difference from FIG. 27 described above is that the transmitter (93) is not provided in the bottomed cylindrical portion 90, and the image signal and the data signal are transmitted from the computer 43 to the outside through the signal line (tube 21). It is.
In addition, a cover made of a cushioning material is provided on the outer periphery of the bottomed cylindrical portion 90 and the horizontal cylinder 89 shown in FIGS. 27 and 29 (not shown, to be described later), so as to protect the internal mechanism. Has been.
Further, as shown in the figure, the rotatable small semi-cylindrical 91 and the cover 92 in front of the horizontal cylinder 89 are detachable corresponding to the front or side measurement window 12.

Next, an example of a spatial propagation type dental optical diagnostic apparatus provided with linear polarization means will be described.
FIG. 30 is a structural diagram of a bulk type (spatial propagation type) diagnostic probe provided with linear polarization means.
The basic structure of the bulk type diagnostic probe provided with the linear polarization means is the same as that described in the structure diagram of the bulk type diagnostic probe of FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 98 denotes a linearly polarizing plate. Moreover, the optical fiber 32 in this figure shall use a polarization plane preservation | save type.
The linear polarizing plate 98 is disposed in the multiple reflection optical path 35 ′ between the beam splitter 75 and the tooth portion 24, and even when a low-coherent light wave is linearly polarized, the non-polarization is eliminated from the tooth portion 24. Only components can be extracted and detected.
The secondary reflected light wave from the fine indefinite shape surface in the tooth portion 24 does not show clear polarization and depolarizes, but the primary reflected light wave of the incident light wave reflects the polarization.
Accordingly, a linearly polarizing plate 98 is disposed between the multiple reflection optical path 35 'between the beam splitter 75 and the tooth portion 24, and the background light is reduced by removing the reflected light wave from the portion deviating from the linear position of the incident light wave. Since the resolution can be increased and the resolution can be increased, the optical tomographic image 52 can be obtained with high resolution and a good signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the tooth portion 24.

FIG. 31 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe including a linearly polarizing plate, a quarter-wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter.
In the figure, 99 indicates a quarter-wave plate, and 75 ′ indicates a polarizing beam splitter. 30 is replaced with a polarizing beam splitter 75 ′,
A quarter-wave plate 99 is provided between the polarizing beam splitter 75 ′ and the linear polarizing plate 98, between the glass rod 74 and the right-angle prism 61, and between the polarizing beam splitter 75 ′ and the lens 60. It is arranged.
Further, it is assumed that the optical fiber 32 in FIG. 31 uses a polarization plane preserving type. The linearly polarized light output from the low coherence light source 31 (SLD of the light emitting element) is transmitted through the quarter-wave plate 99 and is divided into two by using the polarization beam splitter 75 'as a circularly polarized light.
Of these, one linearly polarized light component passes through the right-angle prism 61, passes through the quarter-wave plate 99, and is reflected by the reference mirror (mirror 78 and vibrator 73).
The polarized light transmitted through the quarter-wave plate 99 again through the reverse path is converted into linearly polarized light by an appropriate angle combination with the polarizing beam splitter 75 ′, and the detector (image) is passed through the beam splitter 75 ′. Sensor 76).
As a result, optical loss along the way can be minimized, and the linearly polarized light parallel to each other can be interfered and detected with the multiple reflected light waves very efficiently.

FIG. 32 is an external perspective view, partially perspective view of the cover of the probe for optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention,
In the figure, 100 is an integral cover, 101 is a large cylindrical portion, 102 is a small semi-cylindrical portion, 71 'is an O-ring groove, 104 is a side measurement window, and 105 is an insertion direction.
At this time, the O-ring groove 71 ′ of the integrated cover 100 is fitted into the O-ring 71 of the probe 9 and stops and is in close contact.
In the optical diagnostic device probe 9, the integrated cover 100 that is attached to and detached from the probe 9 is used for setting the arrangement direction of the measurement window and disinfecting after use. From the small semi-cylindrical portion 102 projecting forward from
Alternatively, with respect to the projecting small semi-cylindrical portion 102, it has a shape that is in close contact with each shape and detachable,
Further, a side measurement window 104 or a front measurement window (not shown) is arranged at the front end of the cover,
It can be exchanged according to the direction of irradiation and can be removed and disinfected after use.

FIG. 33 is an external perspective view and a partial perspective view of the separation type cover.
In the figure, 101 'is a cover of a large cylindrical portion, 102' is a cover of a small cylindrical portion, 104 'is a front measurement window, 106 is a fitting insertion direction, 107 is an irradiation direction, 116 and 117 are fitting portions, 71 'Denotes an O-ring groove of the cover, 103 denotes an O-ring groove, and 71 denotes an O-ring.
In this method, only the small cylindrical portion cover 102 ′ can be attached to and detached from the diagnostic probe 9 while the large cylindrical portion cover 101 ′ remains inserted.

FIG. 34 is an external perspective view and a partial perspective view of a probe cover having a cushioning material.
In the figure, 114 is a buffer material, and 115 is a measurement window.
In the optical diagnostic device probe 9, a probe cover that is attached to and detached from the diagnostic probe 9 to prevent the body of the probe 9 from impact at the time of mounting and to set the arrangement direction of the measurement window 115 and disinfects after use. 101
With respect to the large cylindrical portion 101 (FIG. 32) or the large-diameter square tube 85 (FIG. 21) and the small-diameter semi-cylinder 102 (FIG. 32) projecting forward from the front end portion, along each shape. It consists of two layers of a close cushioning material 114 and an integral cover 121 provided on top of it,
In addition, a measurement window 115 is provided on the side surface or the front surface of the integrated cover 121, and can be replaced and attached in accordance with the irradiation direction, and can be removed and disinfected after use. .
As shown in the drawing, since the probe main body is covered with the buffer material 114, even if there is an impact from the outside, a precise optical axis alignment of the optical system inside the main body can be maintained.

FIG. 35 is a structural diagram that prevents the tip of the probe from shaking by a suction cup.
(A) is a front view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of (A), (C) is a bottom view of (B), and (D) is an enlarged view of a vacuum portion. .
FIG. 36 is an external view when a suction cup is adsorbed on the side surface of the dentition.
In the figure, 71 'is an O-ring groove of the cover, 108 is a suction cup, 108' is a suction hole, 109 is a measurement window, 110 is a sliding direction of the cover,
Reference numeral 111 denotes a vacuum tube, 112 denotes a vacuum joint, 113 denotes a suction passage, and 119 denotes a cover.
In the optical diagnostic device probe 9, a mechanism for preventing the tip portion of the probe 9 from coming into contact with the tooth portion 24 is shaken.
A suction cup 108 sucked by vacuum is provided before and after the measurement window 109 of the probe cover 101,
As shown in the enlarged view of the vacuum portion, the suction cup 108 introduces a vacuum tube 111 from the outside, disposes a vacuum joint 112 at the connection end of the suction passage 113, and has a suction hole 108 ′ through the suction passage 113. The tooth portion 24 is sucked by the suction cup 108.
Further, the cover 119 can be manually adjusted to the front and rear as in the cover sliding direction 110, and the suction cup 108 is fixed after moving to an appropriate position before and after the target tooth portion 24 as shown in FIG. .
The fixing is performed by fitting the O-ring groove 71 ′ of the cover adjusted in the front-rear direction to the O-ring 71 disposed in the rear part of the diagnostic probe 9 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG.
As described above, the distal end portion of the diagnostic probe 9 is sucked and fixed, and shake can be prevented.

FIG. 37 is a structural diagram for preventing the vibration of the tip of the diagnostic probe 9 by the suction vibration isolator.
(A) is a front view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. (A), and (C) is a bottom view of FIG.
FIG. 38 is an external view when a vibration isolator is attached to the side surface of the dentition.
In the figure, reference numeral 118 denotes a suction vibration isolator.
This device replaces the suction cups having the suction holes shown in FIGS.
An adsorption vibration isolator 118 such as a synthetic resin (elastomer) having elasticity and adhesiveness is used.
Therefore, although a vacuum relationship is not required, the tip of the diagnostic probe 9 is similarly adhesively fixed, and shake can be prevented.

The external appearance perspective view of the built-in type dental optical diagnostic apparatus which was incorporated in the dental chair unit of this invention, and was equipped with the cylindrical diagnostic probe in the front-end | tip part of the articulated arm. The external appearance perspective view of the built-in type dental optical diagnostic apparatus incorporated in the dental chair unit of this invention, and having the diagnostic probe at the front-end | tip of a tube. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a diagnostic probe in contact with a tooth portion in the oral cavity during diagnosis. The diagnostic probe figure provided with the measurement window in the side surface of the front-end | tip part of the small semi-cylinder in front of the large cylinder. The diagnostic probe figure provided with the measurement window in front of the large cylinder and the front end of the small semi-cylinder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a probe for an optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatus. The structure figure of the probe for other optical fiber type dental optical diagnostic apparatuses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of a bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. Structure diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe. FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of another bulk type diagnostic probe. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of another bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a probe for a bulk type dental optical diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a probe in which a mirror having a 45 ° inclination is disposed at the tip of a small semi-cylindrical cylinder. The external appearance perspective view of the bulk type diagnostic probe with which the front-end | tip part curved. The figure which has arrange | positioned the signal tube in the base of the probe of FIG. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe with a curved tip. 1 is an external perspective view of a large-diameter rectangular tube bulk diagnostic probe. FIG. The external appearance perspective view of the bulk type diagnostic probe of other large diameter square tubes. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory block diagram of another bulk dental optical diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a large-diameter rectangular tube bulk type diagnostic probe. The bottom view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a pistol-shaped bulk type diagnostic probe articulated arm mounting type. The external appearance perspective view of the signal tube extension type. FIG. The block diagram of outline | summary description of the pistol-shaped bulk type dental optical diagnostic apparatus of this invention. Structure diagram of a pistol-shaped bulk type diagnostic probe. The block diagram of outline | summary description of the other pistol-shaped bulk type dental optical diagnostic apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of another pistol-shaped bulk diagnostic probe. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe provided with a linear polarization means. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a bulk type diagnostic probe including a linearly polarizing plate, a quarter-wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter. The external appearance perspective view and partial perspective view of the probe cover for optical diagnostic devices of the present invention. The external appearance perspective view and partial perspective view of a separation type cover. The external appearance perspective view and partial perspective view of the probe cover which has a buffer material. FIG. 6 is a structural diagram for preventing the probe tip from shaking by a suction cup. The external view when a suction cup is made to adsorb | suck to the side surface of a dentition. FIG. 6 is a structural diagram for preventing the tip of a probe from shaking by a suction vibration isolator. The external view when making a vibration isolator adsorb | suck to the side surface of a dentition.

Explanation of symbols

1: Dental chair unit 2: Built-in optical diagnostic device 3: Main body storage unit 4: Operation unit 5: Display unit 6: Main pole 7: Articulated arm 8: Rotating unit at the arm tip 9: Diagnostic probe 10 : Probe rotating part 11: Probe tip part 12: Measuring window 13: Probe and light pole 14: Light arm 15: Tray table 16: Handpiece holder 17: Chair 18: Spitton 19: Assistant-side handpiece Holder 20: Arm for tray table 21: Tube 22: Probe holder for diagnosis 22 ': Buffer 23: Tip of tube 24: Tooth part 25: Teeth 26: Ginge 27: Oral cavity 28: Finger 29: Large diameter cylinder 30: Small-diameter semi-cylinder 31: light source 32: optical fiber 33: low coherence interferometer 34: optical system surface plate 35 in the probe: signal light 35 ': Optical path 36: Camera 37: Detector 37': Detector 38: Signal line 39: Amplifier 40: Demodulator 41: A / D converter 42: Signal processing unit 43: Computer 44: Storage device 45: LAN connection 46: Printer 47: Image processing / scanning control unit 48: Signal line 49: Display unit 50: Surface image 51: Designated area 52: Optical tomographic image 53: Measurement pattern 54: Measurement data 55: Horizontal scanning 56: Depth direction Scan 57: Image signal line 58: Optical fiber 59: White light source 60: Lens 60 ': Imaging lens 61: Right angle prism 62: Polygon mirror 63: Micro switch 64: Stopper 65: Slide rail 66: Motor 67: Coupling 68 : Nut 69: Ball screw 70: Beam splitter 71: O-ring 71 ′: O-ring groove of cover 72: Cover 73: Vibration 74: Glass rod 75: Beam splitter 75 ′: Polarizing beam splitter 76: Image sensor 77: Mirror 78: Mirror 79: Cover 80: Curved image fiber 81: Measuring window 82: Large diameter cylinder 83: Hollow cone 84: Cover 85: Square tube 86 having a large diameter 86: Galvanometer scanner 87: Reflecting mirror 88: Cylindrical lens 89: Horizontally installed cylinder 90: Bottomed cylindrical portion 91: Small-diameter semi-cylinder 92: Cover 93: Transmitter 94: wireless transmission path 95: receiver 96: pin 97: rotating part 98: linear polarizing plate 99: quarter-wave plate 100: integral cover 101: large cylindrical part 101 ': cover of large cylindrical part 102: small half Cylindrical portion 102 ': Cover of small cylindrical portion 103: O-ring groove 104: Side measurement window 104': Front measurement window 105: Insertion direction 106: Fitting Insertion direction 107: Irradiation direction 108: Suction cup 108 ′ suction hole 109: Measurement window 110: Cover sliding direction 111: Vacuum tube 112: Vacuum joint 113: Suction passage 114: Buffer material 115: Measurement window 116, 117: Fit Joint part 118: Suction vibration isolator 119: Cover 120: Cover 121: Integrated cover 122: Foot switch 123: Spatial propagation path

Claims (7)

Illumination light emitting means for irradiating illumination light to the teeth of the subject;
Means for imaging a surface image by reflected light reflected by the tooth portion of the subject based on the illumination light through an imaging lens;
An observation image display means for displaying an image of the observed tooth image;
Means for generating low coherent light having a wavelength in the range of visible light to ordinary infrared light for irradiating the tooth part;
Scanning the selected predetermined region of the tooth using the low coherent light as signal light,
OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of the scanning region by interference between reflected light from a predetermined depth in the scanning region and a reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or phase modulation A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus that scans a tooth portion of a subject with a signal light,
The signal acquisition configuration for acquiring the optical tomographic image is a bulk type (spatial propagation type),
A large-diameter cylinder for gripping and controlling the posture of the probe freely;
A small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from its front end,
A measurement window established on the side or front of the tip of the small-diameter semi-cylinder;
In the probe for an optical dental diagnostic apparatus comprising a signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder and a tube covering the signal line,
Inside the large diameter cylinder of the probe,
An optical fiber that emits low-coherent light introduced from an external body;
A lens disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the lens;
A reference light generation unit having a light path bent at a right angle from a lower part of the beam splitter via a prism, reflected by a mirror, and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path;
A two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image and a surface image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens;
A surface plate provided with an optical system including the optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, a spatial propagation path, and an image sensor;
A mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction;
A light source for obtaining a surface image of a tooth portion disposed inside the small semi-cylinder;
A measuring window is provided in front of the tip,
Alternatively, a mirror having an inclination of 45 ° is provided at the tip of the small semi-cylindrical, and a measurement window is provided below the tip.
A probe for a dental light diagnostic apparatus, which irradiates a tooth portion with signal light as a surface and acquires an optical tomographic image from the reflected light. Illumination light emitting means for irradiating illumination light to the teeth of the subject;
Means for imaging a surface image by reflected light reflected by the tooth portion of the subject based on the illumination light through an imaging lens;
An observation image display means for displaying an image of the observed tooth image;
Means for generating low coherent light having a wavelength in the range of visible light to ordinary infrared light for irradiating the tooth part;
Scanning the selected predetermined region of the tooth using the low coherent light as signal light,
OCT means for acquiring an optical tomographic image of the scanning region by interference between reflected light from a predetermined depth in the scanning region and a reference light having a slight frequency difference from the signal light or phase modulation A probe provided in a dental optical diagnostic apparatus that scans a tooth portion of a subject with a signal light,
The signal acquisition configuration for acquiring the optical tomographic image is a bulk type (spatial propagation type),
A large-diameter cylinder for gripping and controlling the posture of the probe freely;
A funnel-shaped hollow cone integrally formed with the front end of the cylinder and projecting forward from the front end;
A measuring window disposed at the tip of the cone, and an insertion portion into which the base of the diagnostic image fiber whose tip is bent at 45 ° is detachably inserted;
In the probe for an optical dental diagnostic apparatus comprising a signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter cylinder and a tube covering the signal line,
Inside the large diameter cylinder of the probe,
A light source that emits low coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light, and
A lens disposed at the tip of the optical fiber;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the lens;
A reference light generation unit having a light path bent at a right angle from a lower part of the beam splitter via a prism, reflected by a mirror, and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path;
A two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens;
A surface plate provided with an optical system including the optical fiber, a beam splitter, a lens, an imaging lens, a mirror, a vibrator, a spatial propagation path, and an image sensor;
A mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction;
A beam splitter disposed at the tip of the cone, for capturing a surface image of the tooth, a camera for acquiring the surface image, and a light source for the camera;
A probe for a dental light diagnostic apparatus, which irradiates a tooth portion with signal light as a surface and acquires an optical tomographic image from the reflected light.   The bulk type diagnostic probe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rotatable ring-shaped rotating portion is disposed on an outer periphery of a base of the large-diameter cylinder, and a plurality of ring-shaped rotating probes are arranged on a side surface of the ring-shaped rotating portion. A probe for a dental photodiagnostic device, characterized in that the distal end portion of the joint arm is fixed, the posture is freely controlled by the movement of the joint arm, and the joint arm is stopped at a required position. For bulk diagnostic probes,
Inside the bottomed cylindrical part and the horizontal cylindrical part,
A light source that emits low coherent light, an optical fiber that propagates the light,
A lens disposed at the tip of the fiber;
A right-angle prism that changes the optical path disposed in front of the lens to a right angle;
A beam splitter disposed in front of the prism;
A reference light generator sent to the lower part by the beam splitter and having a vibrator and a spatial propagation path;
A two-dimensional image sensor for receiving an optical tomographic image from above the beam splitter via an imaging lens;
A surface plate provided with an optical system including the light source, the lens, the prism, the reference light generator, a beam splitter, an image sensor, and the like;
A mechanism for moving the surface plate back and forth to scan in the depth direction;
Signal light from the beam splitter is arranged at the tip of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder and is sent downward to acquire reflected light from the tooth part and to capture a surface image. A beam splitter,
Alternatively, the signal light from the beam splitter is disposed at the front end portion of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder and is sent forward, and the reflected light from the tooth portion is acquired and a surface image is taken. A beam splitter for,
A camera for acquiring a surface image and a light source for the camera;
A measurement window that can be directed in any direction up, down, left, or right attached to the tip side surface of the rotatable small-diameter semi-cylinder, or a measurement window that is opened in the front,
A signal line extending from the base of the large-diameter rectangular tube, a tube covering the signal line, and
In the inside of the vertical bottomed cylindrical part, a signal processing unit comprising an amplifier for a signal from an image sensor (detector), a demodulator for an interference signal with reference light, and an A / D converter for the signal,
A computer for image processing and scanning control;
It is a wireless type having a wireless transmitter that sends the image signal to the outside,
Alternatively, the vertical bottomed cylindrical portion does not include a transmitter, and a signal from a computer is provided to the outside by a signal line from a base of the horizontal cylinder, and the pistol probe A probe for a dental optical diagnostic apparatus, comprising a set of optical diagnostic apparatuses excluding display inside. In the probe for dental optical diagnostic equipment,
A probe cover to be attached to and detached from the probe for disinfection after setting and use of the measurement window is provided.
For the large-diameter cylinder or square tube and the small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from its front end, or for the projecting small-diameter semi-cylindrical portion,
It has a shape that can be closely attached and detached along each shape,
In addition, a measurement window is disposed on the side or front of the front end of the cover,
Replacement mounting is possible according to the irradiation direction,
And the probe for dental optical diagnostic apparatuses of any one of Claims 1-4 which can be removed and disinfected after use. In the probe for dental optical diagnostic equipment,
It is equipped with a probe cover that is attached to and detached from the probe for disinfection after use to prevent the probe body from impact during mounting and to set the measurement window orientation,
For each of the large-diameter cylinder or square tube and the small-diameter semi-cylinder projecting forward from the front end portion thereof, or for the projecting small-diameter semi-cylindrical portion along each shape. It consists of two layers: an intimate cushioning material and an outer surface cover placed over it,
In addition, a measurement window is disposed on the side or front of the front end of the cover,
Replacement mounting is possible according to the irradiation direction,
And the probe for dental optical diagnostic apparatuses of any one of Claims 1-4 which can be removed and disinfected after use. In the probe for dental optical diagnostic equipment,
Provided with a mechanism that prevents the tip of the probe from abutting against the tooth part from shaking,
Having a suction cup sucked by vacuum before and after the measurement window of the probe cover, or a vibration isolator having elasticity,
In addition, the cover is equipped with a mechanism that can be adjusted back and forth manually,
The probe for dental photodiagnosis device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sucker or the vibration isolator is fixed after moving to an appropriate position before and after the target tooth portion.

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