Patent Application
20170333294
This document relates to the fields of medical and dental examination, and particularly to devices for use in oral examinations.
Medical examination and testing for certain individuals such as infants and toddlers is often difficult. This is particularly true when the area to be examined is in a location that is difficult for the medical professional to easily access and inspect. Examination of these areas often results in discomfort and trauma for the infant, toddler, or other patient during the examination and any related testing.
Oral examinations are one example of examination that occurs in a location that is difficult to access and inspect, particularly on an infant or toddler. In order to view the mouth, teeth and throat of the infant or toddler, the dental or other medical professional must convince the infant or toddler to open his or her mouth and leave the mouth open during the examination. In some instances, this may require some use of physical force to try to keep the infant or toddler's mouth open for the duration of the inspection. Forced opening of the mouth may further the discomfort and pain for the infant or toddler and significantly contribute to anxiety during the examination procedure.
In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a device that allows for simplified and improved medical examinations and testing for infants, toddlers, and other individuals, and particularly simplified and improved oral examinations. It would also be advantageous if such a device allowed for more thorough medical and dental examinations and testing of the mouth, teeth and throat. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous if such device alleviated discomfort and trauma for the patient during oral examinations and other testing procedures, such as X-rays, therefore providing the medical or dental professional with better views of the patient's mouth, teeth and/or throat.
In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an oral examination device including a lip shield, a nipple, and a camera. The lip shield defines a front side and back side. The nipple extends from the front side of lip shield. The nipple defines an interior cavity with an opening to the interior cavity provided from the rear of the lip shield. The camera is positioned in the interior cavity of the nipple.
Pursuant to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a method of conducting an oral examination on a patient. The method includes inserting a nipple into a mouth of the patient, the nipple including an interior cavity with a camera positioned in the interior cavity. The method further includes obtaining images with the camera.
In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an oral examination device including a flexible nipple designed and dimensioned to be received in the mouth of a patient, the flexible nipple defining an interior cavity. The oral examination device further includes a camera positioned in the interior cavity of the nipple.
The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While it would be desirable to provide an oral examination device that provides one or more of any of the foregoing or other advantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned advantages.
With reference to
The nipple 12 is configured in the form of a standard pacifier nipple configured to fit within the mouth of an infant. The nipple 12 includes an outer membrane 14 with a hollow interior that defines an interior cavity 16. It will be recognized that in at least one embodiment the nipple 12 is designed and dimensioned to fit properly within the mouth of the infant or toddler, allowing the infant to suck on the nipple 12 without extending too far into the mouth of the infant or toddler such that the nipple 12 chokes the infant or is uncomfortable to the infant. The outer membrane 14 that forms the nipple 12 is contoured in any of various shapes to conform to the interior of the mouth of a patient. For example, in at least one embodiment, a proximal base of nipple 12 near the shield 20 has a relatively small diameter, and a distal bulbous portion extending outward from the base, the bulbous portion defined by a diameter that is significantly greater than the diameter at the base. The outer membrane 14 is generally provided as monolithic construction and provided as a unitary piece with a congruent outer surface that is smooth to the touch (and the tongue and mouth of a patient).
In at least one embodiment, a portion of the outer membrane 14 is made of a substantially clear material (i.e., a transparent or translucent material) that allows a sufficient amount of light to pass there-through and allow for images to be seen through the outer membrane. In the embodiment of
In at least one embodiment, the outer membrane 14 is comprised of a resilient flexible material, such as a thermoplastic made from any of various materials such as phthalates, BPA, lead, PVC-free silicone, or any of various other materials as will be recognized by those of skill in the art. Exemplary nipples 1 include those sold in association with various pacifiers such as the GumDrop® pacifier, Gerber® pacifier, or any of various other brands as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
With reference to
The nipple 12 is connected to the shield 20 at the proximal base of the nipple 12. As illustrated in
The nipple 12 is durable and may be used repeatedly with different patients. In such embodiments, the nipple may be permanently fixed to one or more component of the oral examination device 10 (e.g., permanently fixed tot the shield 20, basket 80, or other components). However, in at least one embodiment, the nipple is releasable from the oral examination device 10 and therefore disposable and designed to be replaced with each subsequent use of the oral examination device 10.
With continued reference to
The camera protector 30 is positioned on the interior of the nipple 12 at the opening 22 to the interior cavity and extends slightly inwardly at the proximal base of the nipple 12. The camera protector 30 is generally a ring-like member that defines an exterior and interior and prevents collapse of the outer membrane of the nipple 12 at the proximal base of the nipple 12. The camera protector has a sufficient stiffness and rigidity to prevent collapse of the nipple 12 at the proximal base of the nipple even if a patient bites down on the proximal base of the nipple. Therefore, the camera protector 30 is made from a stiffer form of phthalates, BPA, lead, and PVC-free silicone than the nipple 12. The camera protector 30 is configured to receive and retain the basket 80 and camera 40 therein. Accordingly, the camera protector 30 also serves as a mount for the camera 40 on the oral examination device 10.
The camera 40 may be any of various types of cameras as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the camera may be a digital video camera, still photo camera, X-ray camera/device, infrared camera, camera with back-illuminated sensor, etc.; accordingly, the camera 40 may be configured to record any of various different types of images, such as black and white images, color images, digital images, analog images, etc. The camera 40 is typically a miniature camera configured to fit within the interior of the nipple 12, the camera protector 30 and the basket 80. Any of various kinds of micro cameras may be used. Accordingly, the camera is designed and dimensioned such that it, along with the nipple 12, may be easily received within the mouth of a human. For example, in at least one embodiment, the camera 40 has a diameter of less than an inch. A lens configured to allow light (including, for example, visible, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, or gamma radiation) to pass there-through is positioned on one end of the camera. Electrical connections are provided on the opposite side of the camera 40.
In at least some embodiments, the camera 40 includes an integral light source built into the camera. Alternatively, a light source may be provided as a separate component from the camera 40, and mounted to any of various locations that may be appropriate for the light source, including locations within the nipple 12 (e.g., secured to the basket 80), or outside of the nipple 12 (e.g. mounted to a base 92) of the handle. In the embodiment of
When the oral examination device 10 is assembled, the camera 40 is positioned within the basket 80 on the interior of the nipple 12 and the lens is directed to outwardly from the interior cavity 16 through the one or more transparent areas of the nipple 12 (e.g., the tip 18). In this manner, the camera 40 is configured to receive light and obtain associated images through the one or more transparent areas on the nipple 12. Accordingly, medical and dental professionals will be able to view and take pictures of various areas of the patient's mouth such as the palatopharyngeal arch, palatopharyngeus muscles, oropharynx and any of various other areas of the mouth or throat. As explained in further detail below, the camera may be configured as a wired or wireless camera.
At least one sensor 50 may be positioned on the oral examination device 10. The sensor 50 may be positioned within the interior of the nipple 12 or on the rear side of the shield 20. In at least one embodiment, the sensor 50 is a separate component from the camera and configured to detect or measure at least one physiological parameter or condition of the patient such as temperature, oxygen levels, or the existence of infection. Accordingly, the sensor may be, for example, a thermometer or an oxygen sensor. In at least some embodiments, the sensor 50 is directly associated with the camera in some manner. For example, the sensor 50 may be an image sensor configured to detect image size, resolution, low-light, depth of field, dynamic range, etc. Various configurations for the image sensor are possible such as a front-illuminated sensor or a back-illuminated sensor. In embodiments wherein the sensor 50 is associated with the camera 40, the sensor 50 will typically be located in the nipple 12 along with the camera 40. In embodiments wherein the sensor 50 is separate from the camera 40, the sensor 50 may be positioned outside of the nipple 12 or within the nipple 12, depending on the type of sensor and desired configuration. When the sensor 50 is positioned within the nipple 12, the sensor 50 may advantageously be mounted on the camera itself 40 or on the basket 80. In other embodiments when the sensor 50 is positioned outside of the nipple 12, the sensor 50 may be mounted on the shield 20, the camera protector 30, or any of various other locations that may be appropriate for the sensor.
One or more sanitary gaskets 60 are coupled to the shield 20 and/or the basket 80. The sanitary gasket 60 includes flanges and may be compression controlled. The sanitary gasket 60 may be comprised of any of various materials as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, including materials approved: USP Class VI, FDA and NSF. The sanitary gaskets 60 seal the space between the basket 80 and the shield 20, and thereby prevent liquids from the mouth of the patient from inadvertently entering the interior cavity 16 of the nipple 12. In at least one embodiment, the gaskets 60 further facilitate coupling of the camera 40, basket 80, and camera protector 30 by allowing the components to easily snap together or by providing a wedge between the basket 80 and the camera guard 30. In at least one embodiment, the sanitary gaskets 60 are disposable and designed to be replaced with each subsequent use of the oral examination device.
In the embodiment of
The basket 80 is connected to the camera protector 30. The basket 80 is a cylindrical component that is configured to receive and pass the camera 40, thus allowing the camera 40 to extend into the interior of the nipple 12. The basket 80 is short enough to extend into the nipple 12 without reaching the tip 18, but is long enough such that most or the entire length of the camera 40 within the nipple 12 is surrounded by the basket 80. The wireless connector 70 may also be received within the basket 80, with at least a portion of the wireless connector 70 retained within the basket 80. The basket 80 may also be configured to receive and retain any of various additional electronic components for the oral examination device 10, such as electronic components for the sensor 50 and any of various wireless connections made from the oral examination device 10.
The outer surface of the proximal end of the basket 80 is snugly received by the camera protector 30 and/or the sanitary gaskets 60. Accordingly, the proximal end of the basket 80 is supported, but the distal end of the basket 80 extends into the interior cavity 16 of the nipple 12 in a cantilever manner. The inner surface of the basket 80 is configured to engage clips 82 that retain the camera 40 and extend between the camera and the handle 90.
In at least one embodiment, the basket is made from a stiffer form of phthalates, BPA, lead, and PVC-free silicone than the nipple 12 and has a significantly greater shore durometer than the nipple 12. Accordingly, in addition to serving as a mount for the camera 40, the basket 80 also protects the camera 40 within the nipple, preventing damage to the camera 40 should a patient clamp down on the nipple 12. In at least one embodiment, the camera 40 is moveable relative to the basket 80 and/or the camera protector 30. However, in other embodiments, the camera 40 is stationary relative to the basket 80 and the camera protector 30.
As noted previously, the handle 90 is connected to the camera 40 via the clips 82. In the embodiment of
The handle 90 is a member that allows a medical or dental professional to grasp the handle 90 with his or her fingers and manipulate the oral examination device 10 for insertion in the mouth of the patient. In at least one embodiment, the handle 90 and camera 40 are configured to move at least somewhat relative to the basket 80 and nipple 12, thus allowing the professional to manipulate the camera 40 within the mouth of the patient. For example, depending on the hardness and elasticity of the sanitary gaskets 60, a torque applied to the handle 90 may cause the sanitary gaskets 60 to slightly deform, and thus allow the professional to slightly adjust the direction the camera 40 is oriented within the interior cavity 16 of the nipple 12. Moreover, the handle 90 allows the professional to adjust the position of the nipple 12 and the associated camera 40 within the mouth of the patient, and thereby orient the camera in a more desirable position for image capture.
The handle 90 may be a ring-like member as shown in FIG, 1, a post, or any of various other configurations designed to be held and manipulated by the human hand. The handle includes a base 92 that designed to be directly coupled to either the interior or exterior surface of the clips 82. The handle 90 may be made from a relatively form of phthalates, BPA, lead, and PVC-free silicone.
While the oral examination device 100 is shown in an exploded view in
With reference now to
In addition to the above, in the embodiment of
With reference now to
With reference now to
While the oral examination device 10 has been described herein in association with various exemplary embodiments and for various exemplary uses, it will be recognized that the oral examination device 10 may be used for other purposes. For example, in at least one embodiment, the oral examination device is configured for use with any of various species of animals.
The foregoing detailed description of one or more exemplary embodiments of the oral examination has been presented herein by way of example only and not limitation. It will be recognized that there are advantages to certain individual features and functions described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other features and functions described herein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements of the above-disclosed exemplary embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systems or applications. Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and any eventually appended claims should not be limited to the description of the exemplary embodiments contained herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/337,457, filed May 17, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62337457 | May 2016 | US |
