US2015257636A1PendingUtilityA1

Dental Instrument Camera Apparatus and Methods of Using the Same

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 11, 2014Filed: Mar 11, 2015Published: Sep 17, 2015
Est. expiryMar 11, 2034(~7.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Craig S. Kohler
A61C 15/02A61B 1/00016A46B 15/0036A61C 17/20A61C 17/22A61B 1/247A61C 15/046A61C 1/088A61B 1/00087
56
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Claims

Abstract

The present invention relates to dental instruments having video capabilities. Specifically, the present invention relates to a dental instrument having a video camera for viewing a user's or patient's mouth when utilizing the dental instrument. More specifically, the dental instrument provides video output to a wireless device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer or other like computer. Methods of using the same are further provided.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
I claim: 
     
         1 . A dental tool apparatus comprising:
 a housing and a first end and a second end, wherein on the first end of the housing is a lens for a camera and a dental instrument extending from the first end of the housing, the dental instrument having a working tip, wherein the camera has a line of sight in line with the working tip of the dental instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an aperture in the first end of the housing, wherein the dental instrument extends from the aperture. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the dental instrument is removably attachable to the housing within the aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one light source on the first end of the housing for illuminating the working tip of the dental instrument. 
 
     
     
         5 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light source is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         6 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a motor within the housing for moving the dental instrument. 
     
     
         7 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the motor is coupled to a power source. 
     
     
         8 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the power source is rechargeable. 
     
     
         9 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a controller associated with the dental tool apparatus for controlling the dental tool apparatus. 
 
     
     
         10 . The dental tool apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dental instrument is selected from the group consisting of a powered dental brush, a gum stimulator, a mirror, a pick and a scaler. 
     
     
         11 . A dental tool system comprising:
 a dental tool apparatus comprising a housing, a first end and a second end, wherein on the first end of the housing is a lens for a camera and a dental instrument extending from the first end of the housing, the dental instrument having a working tip, wherein the camera has a line of sight in line with the working tip of the dental instrument; and   a display associated with the dental tool apparatus for displaying images from the lens on the first end of the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The dental tool system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a base, wherein the dental tool apparatus is removably attachable to the base. 
 
     
     
         13 . The dental tool system of  claim 12 , wherein the base comprises a recharging element, and further wherein the dental tool apparatus is electrically recharged when attached to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The dental tool system of  claim 11  wherein the display is wirelessly connected to the dental tool apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The dental tool system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a plurality of holders within the base, wherein the base holds a plurality of dental instrument inserts within the holders. 
 
     
     
         16 . The dental tool system of  claim 11  wherein the display is a smart phone or a tablet computer. 
     
     
         17 . The dental tool system of  claim 11  wherein the dental tool apparatus further comprises a processing board. 
     
     
         18 . The dental tool system of  claim 17 , wherein the processing board comprises a controller for controlling the dental tool apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The dental tool system of  claim 17 , wherein the processing board processes video that is received by the dental tool apparatus via the lens. 
     
     
         20 . The dental tool system of  claim 17 , wherein the processing board wirelessly sends video to the display.

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