An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional data of dentition including a plurality of teeth in an oral cavity, a generator that generates multi-image data of a plurality of images different in point of view toward the dentition based on the three-dimensional data acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the multi-image data generated by the generator to a display.

An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional data of dentition including a plurality of teeth in an oral cavity, a generator that generates multi-image data of a plurality of images different in point of view toward the dentition based on the three-dimensional data acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the multi-image data generated by the generator to a display.

A laryngoscope blade (30) includes a blade proximal end (32), to be articulated to a handle (20), a blade distal end (38), a patient tongue side (34), a patient palate side (36), a plurality of adjacent rigid elements (40, 50, 60, 70) extending from the tongue side to the palate side, a plurality of joints (46, 56, 66) articulately connecting two of the adjacent rigid elements, and a force-transmitting mechanism (80), with a proximal end (82) and a distal end (87). The force-transmitting mechanism distal end is mechanically connected to the blade distal end. The force-transmitting mechanism is movable relative to the rigid elements in a longitudinal direction. The force-transmitting mechanism proximal end is mechanically couplable to the handle such that, by pivoting of the handle relative to the blade proximal end, the force-transmitting mechanism is moved relative to the blade proximal end.

A laryngoscope blade (30) includes a blade proximal end (32), to be articulated to a handle (20), a blade distal end (38), a patient tongue side (34), a patient palate side (36), a plurality of adjacent rigid elements (40, 50, 60, 70) extending from the tongue side to the palate side, a plurality of joints (46, 56, 66) articulately connecting two of the adjacent rigid elements, and a force-transmitting mechanism (80), with a proximal end (82) and a distal end (87). The force-transmitting mechanism distal end is mechanically connected to the blade distal end. The force-transmitting mechanism is movable relative to the rigid elements in a longitudinal direction. The force-transmitting mechanism proximal end is mechanically couplable to the handle such that, by pivoting of the handle relative to the blade proximal end, the force-transmitting mechanism is moved relative to the blade proximal end.

The present invention describes an improved surgical mouth gag for the exposure of the palatal and oropharyngeal region of a patient comprising a frame (2) adapted to be arranged in use around the mouth of the patient and a tongue depressor system (21, 30) insertable in the oral cavity of the patient and movable with respect to the frame (2), the tongue depressor blade (21, 30) comprising two elements articulated to each other, able to mobilise fully in a graduated way the entire tongue base both in the caudal and posterior-anterior direction. The metal arch (2) supports and anchors the aforesaid tongue depressor system, by resting on the upper premolar and molar teeth (respecting the incisors) and acts as an anterior window adapted to guarantee both optimal exposure of the palatal structures and of the isthmus of the fauces and to facilitate palatal and oropharyngeal surgery in general and that of obstructive sleep disorders in particular.

The present invention describes an improved surgical mouth gag for the exposure of the palatal and oropharyngeal region of a patient comprising a frame (2) adapted to be arranged in use around the mouth of the patient and a tongue depressor system (21, 30) insertable in the oral cavity of the patient and movable with respect to the frame (2), the tongue depressor blade (21, 30) comprising two elements articulated to each other, able to mobilise fully in a graduated way the entire tongue base both in the caudal and posterior-anterior direction. The metal arch (2) supports and anchors the aforesaid tongue depressor system, by resting on the upper premolar and molar teeth (respecting the incisors) and acts as an anterior window adapted to guarantee both optimal exposure of the palatal structures and of the isthmus of the fauces and to facilitate palatal and oropharyngeal surgery in general and that of obstructive sleep disorders in particular.

An intra-oral optical scanning method for intra-oral optical scanning including projecting a pattern, the pattern including at least a first area illuminated by a first color of light and a second area illuminated by a second color of light and at least one non-illuminated area onto an intra-oral feature, making a first image of the first area, the second area and the non-illuminated area differentiating between the first color of light and the second color of light in the first image of the projected pattern, and determining from the image of the non-illuminated area at least one of an ambient light level, a level of scattered light, a level of light absorption and a level of light reflected from at least one of the first area and the second area. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

An intra-oral optical scanning method for intra-oral optical scanning including projecting a pattern, the pattern including at least a first area illuminated by a first color of light and a second area illuminated by a second color of light and at least one non-illuminated area onto an intra-oral feature, making a first image of the first area, the second area and the non-illuminated area differentiating between the first color of light and the second color of light in the first image of the projected pattern, and determining from the image of the non-illuminated area at least one of an ambient light level, a level of scattered light, a level of light absorption and a level of light reflected from at least one of the first area and the second area. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A method for distinguishing plaque and calculus is provided. The method is used in a device and includes the following steps: emitting, by a blue light-emitting diode, blue light to illuminate teeth in an oral cavity, wherein the blue light is used to generate autofluorescence of plaque and calculus on the teeth; sensing, by an image sensor, the autofluorescence of plaque and calculus; and distinguishing, by a processor, a plaque area and a calculus area on the teeth based on the autofluorescence.

A method for distinguishing plaque and calculus is provided. The method is used in a device and includes the following steps: emitting, by a blue light-emitting diode, blue light to illuminate teeth in an oral cavity, wherein the blue light is used to generate autofluorescence of plaque and calculus on the teeth; sensing, by an image sensor, the autofluorescence of plaque and calculus; and distinguishing, by a processor, a plaque area and a calculus area on the teeth based on the autofluorescence.