DEVICE FOR VISUALISATION OF THE INTERIOR OF ORAL CAVITIES

Abstract

Oral cavity interior visualisation device for indirect visualisation of the interior of an oral cavity, comprising a handle (1), through the interior of which runs a duct (4) for supplying a compressed air flow, a circular mirror (3), and a support (2) attachable to the handle (1) for suspension of the mirror (3), through the interior of which runs the compressed air flow. The support (2) comprises a semi-circular base (13) located at a distal end of the support (2), and a perimeter groove in the base (13) for housing the mirror (3). The base (13) incorporates a semi-circular air diffuser (14), which extends around the entire perimeter of the base (13), for directing the compressed air circulating inside the support (2) over the surface of the mirror (3) in the form of a continuous laminar flow.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. Device for visualisation of the interior of oral cavities for indirect visualisation of the interior of an oral cavity, comprising: a handle for gripping, inside which runs a duct for supplying a compressed air flow, connectable to a corresponding compressed air pipe, a circular mirror, and a support attachable to the handle for suspension of the mirror, through the interior of which the flow of compressed air transported by the duct flows, the support further comprising: a semi-circular base located at a distal end of the support, and a perimeter groove located in the base to accommodate a section of the perimeter edge of the mirror, wherein the base incorporates a semi-circular air diffuser, extending around the entire perimeter of the base, configured and sized to direct the compressed air circulating inside the support over the surface of the mirror in the form of a continuous laminar flow.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the mirror incorporates a hydrophobic coating.

12. Device according to claim 10 wherein the handle is a hollow tubular body comprising: an internal cavity for housing the duct, a front end, a rear end, a connection located at the rear end for connection of the duct to the compressed air pipe, and a coupling located at the front end for attachment to the bracket.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the support comprises: a straight and hollow tubular section, through which the air flow transported by the duct passes, a coupling located at a first end of the tubular section, for connection to the coupling of the handle, and a bend located at a second end of the tubular section, from which the semi-circular base starts.

14. Device according to claim 10 wherein the handle incorporates a grooved surface for increasing the contact surface.

15. Device according to claim 10 wherein it further comprises a flow regulator that can be actuated on the duct for manual regulation of the flow of compressed air circulating inside it.

16. Device according to claim 10 wherein it further comprises a light emitting element for projection of a light beam inside the oral cavity.

17. Device according to claim 10, wherein the duct for supplying a compressed air flow is connectable to a corresponding compressed air pipe of a dentist's chair.

18. Device according to claim 10 wherein the duct for supplying a compressed air flow is connectable to an external, self-contained compressed air source.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to complement the description being made and in order to assist in a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached hereto as an integral part of said description, in which the following is illustrated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0016] FIG. 1.—Shows a top perspective view of the device for visualisation of the interior of oral cavities, showing its main constituent elements.

[0017] FIG. 2.—Shows a detail view of the area at the end of the device where the hydrophobic mirror is located.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The device for visualisation of the interior of oral cavities, shown schematically in FIG. 1, consists of a handle (1) connectable to a compressed air pipe, a support (2) attachable to the handle (1) and a circular mirror (3) inserted in a distal end of the support (2), which keeps it suspended.

[0019] The handle (1) is in this preferred embodiment a hollow tubular body, through the interior of which runs a duct (4) for supplying a pressurised air flow, and has a front end (5) and a rear end (6). At the rear end (6) there is a connection (7) for connecting the duct (4) either to a compressed air pipe from a dentist's chair or to an external independent source through which the compressed air flow passes. On the other hand, at the front end (5) there is a coupling (8) for connection with the support (2).

[0020] In the preferred embodiment described here, the handle (1) incorporates a grooved surface (9) to increase the contact surface, thus facilitating gripping and preventing possible slipping. Likewise, the coupling (8) consists of a conical-concentric reduction of the tubular body that forms the handle (1), as can be seen in the attached figures.

[0021] On the other hand, the support (2) comprises a straight and hollow tubular sector (10), through the interior of which the air flow transported by the duct (4) flows, which has a first end where a coupling (11) connectable to the coupling (8) of the handle (1) is located, and a second end where a bend (12) is located, from which a semi-circular base (13) starts, for the attachment of the circular mirror (3).

[0022] The base (13) has a lower perimeter groove, not shown in the attached figures, for the insertion and housing of a section of the perimeter edge of the mirror (3), which is thus kept suspended, and a semi-circular air diffuser (14) located above the mirror (3).

[0023] The semi-circular diffuser (14) is configured and dimensioned to direct the compressed air that circulates inside the support (2) from the duct (4) towards the surface of the mirror (3) in the form of a continuous laminar flow, which produces, firstly, the dragging and removal of both the liquid and the possible residues accumulated on it, and secondly, it forms a layer of air that prevents the deposition of more debris on the surface of the mirror (3) and prevents the formation of mist and other elements that can fog up the mirror (3) and make it difficult to see properly.

[0024] In this preferred embodiment, the semi-circular diffuser (14) consists of a through slot extending around the inner perimeter of the base (13).

[0025] Finally, the mirror (3) surface incorporates a hydrophobic coating, consisting of a transparent film, which prevents the accumulation of liquids, such as saliva or hydration water from the chair.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment described here, the device incorporates a flow regulator (15), which acts on the duct (4) to manually regulate the flow of compressed air circulating inside it. As can be seen in the attached figures, said flow regulator (15) consists in this embodiment of a key located in the handle (1) of the device.

[0027] The device also comprises a light-emitting element (16) which helps to improve the visualisation of the inside of the oral cavity by projecting a light beam. In this preferred embodiment, said light emitter (16) consists of an LED type light, located in the vicinity of the bend (12), oriented in such a way that said light beam is projected towards the oral cavity, without interfering with the surface of the mirror (3), thus avoiding reflections and glare.