Dentistry – Apparatus – Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
Patent
1995-01-03
1997-06-10
Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
A61C 300
Patent
active
056369840
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dental inspection device, which is intended to allow an individual layman to conduct his own dental examination. It may also be used for veterinary examination or for general use in industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most people have at one time or another experienced difficulties in conducting a proper dental examination of their own teeth, for example by looking in a mirror. There is thus a danger of people neglecting to check their teeth regularly, particularly if periodical check-ups are not carried out by a dentist. In this way, irreparable dental damage may occur, which might have been prevented had a simple device been available with which the individual could regularly monitor his own teeth and gums.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,945 discloses a heated dental mirror which is battery operated and includes an illumination device. International patents W080/00300 and W088/08686 also disclose illuminated mirrors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,838 discloses a complex self inspection device which includes extenders for moving the cheek out of the way. However the construction is complicated, expensive to produce and difficult to use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the aforementioned type which improves on those currently available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the present invention provides a dental inspection device which comprises: portion connecting the mouth portion to the handle portion; electrically connected to illumination means for illuminating the object to be viewed; and displace the cheek or tongue of the person during viewing and to give an unobstructed view of the mirror means.
For ease of operation, the neck portion is preferably offset relative to the handle portion. However, the mirror means and the mouth portion are preferably substantially parallel to the handle portion.
In order to prevent condensation on the mirror means during use, the device may include a heater for heating the mirror means, and which is operated from the low voltage battery means. However, in a preferred embodiment the illumination means comprises an electric bulb and a metal reflector located behind the bulb. The mirror means is also formed of metal and is in heat-conductive connection with the metal reflector such that heat generated by the bulb heats the reflector, which in turn heats the mirror means. Preferably, the reflector and the mirror means are formed from a single piece of metal.
The handle portion preferably includes an end cover for the battery compartment which allows insertion of the battery means. For simplicity and ease of construction, the end cover is preferably rotatable and is provided with switch means for turning the illumination means (and preferably any heater used) on and off as the end cover is rotated.
The mirror means may be a magnifying, e.g. concave mirror, to facilitate viewing.
The illumination means may be located in a cavity adjacent the mirror means and be arranged for directing light onto the object being viewed. A convex lens may be located over the bulb and sealed to the periphery of the reflector, so as to enclose the bulb and protect it from dirt and saliva. The lens focusses light onto the object being viewed. Advantageously, a guard is provided adjacent the illumination means for shielding thereof to substantially prevent light shining directly into the users eyes.
In order to allow rinsing and sterilisation, the entire device is preferably water resistant and sealed against water entry.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings therein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a first embodiment of a dental inspection device;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation;
FIG. 3 is a view from above the battery compartment end cover;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the end cover;
FIG. 5 is an opened flat view of a groove in the end of the battery compartment along which passes a flexible metal leve
REFERENCES:
patent: 1283189 (1918-10-01), Houck
patent: 1817417 (1931-08-01), Weitzler
patent: 1989162 (1935-01-01), Barr
patent: 4219331 (1980-08-01), Getz
patent: 4872838 (1989-10-01), Canter et al.
Atox Innovations Pte Ltd.
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
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