Patent US1274669A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4727416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic video dental camera
Assignee: MALACHI PARTNERS A FLORIDA LLC LLC
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Filing: 1987-03-05
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Granted: 1988-02-23
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Expires: 2007-03-05
Abstract
Abstract An electronic video dental camera is provided having a general shape of prior art dental mirrors, thereby being readily manipulated by dentists who are universally familiar with the manipulation of prior art dental mirrors. Such an electronic video dental camera includes a handle to be held the user, and a camera head located at the distal end of the handle, with the camera head being formed at an angle to the handle. One embodiment also includes a mirror so that the dental camera can be used simultaneously as both a video dental camera and a dental mirror. Another embodiment includes means to cause, as desired, the flow of a selected fluid over the camera lens in order to defog and/or clean the camera lens, thereby allowing proper viewing. In one embodiment, the camera head also includes light sources for properly illuminating the area to be viewed. As a feature of one embodiment, the handle includes means for transporting all appropriate signals and fluids to and from the camera head, and, if desired, valves and switching means located on the handle for controlling such communication to the camera head. In one embodiment, the handle is uniquely designed to have a one piece connector to connect to a cable from video monitor and control equipment, such connector providing communication with all elements connected to the camera head, such as power for a light source, video signals, fluids, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 David H. Cooper
- 👤 Charles S. Bush
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/24; A61B1/247; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00091; A61B1/04; A61B1/05; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B1/12; A61B1/127; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/56; H04N23/50; H04N23/555
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; and means for providing a flow of fluid over the surface of said camera lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; and means for providing a flow of fluid over the surface of said camera lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 wherein said fluid is selected from the group of fluids consisting of gas, liquid, slurry, and mixtures of gas, liquid and slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 wherein said handle further comprises valve means for controlling said fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 wherein said handle includes a break point allowing at least said camera head to be removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 which includes a malleable member connecting said handle and said camera head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 wherein said handle comprises means interior to said handle, for communication with said camera head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dental camera as in claim 6 which comprises means to connect one or more cables to said distal end of said handle for communication between said camera head and external devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dental camera as in claim 6 wherein said communication with said camera head comprises items selected from the set of items consisting of gas, liquid, slurry, light, electrical power, and electrical signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dental camera as in claim 8 wherein said handle further comprises control means for controlling said items.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental camera as in claim 1 wherein said camera head comprises an imaging device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dental camera as in claim 10 wherein said imaging device is a CCD.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dental camera as in claim 10 wherein said camera lens is affixed to said imaging device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A dental camera as in claim 10 wherein said camera lens is affixed to said camera head, and said imaging device is affixed to said camera head.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; and a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; wherein said camera head includes means for providing light and a lens such that the light from said means for providing light is dispersed toward the area being viewed by said camera head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; and a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; wherein said camera head includes means for providing light and a lens such that the light from said means for providing light is dispersed toward the area being viewed by said camera head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dental camera as in claim 14 wherein said means for providing light comprises means for reflecting light within said camera head in order to exit said camera head and illuminate a desired field of view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental camera as in claim 14 which includes a malleable member connecting said handle and said camera head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dental camera as in claim 14 which further includes one or more color filters in the path between said means for providing light and an image being viewed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental camera as in claim 17 wherein said color filter is an infrared filter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dental camera as in claim 14 wherein said means for providing light comprises a fiber optic light guide bringing illumination from a light source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dental camera as in claim 19 wherein said fiber optic light guide includes a bend within the range of 0°-180°.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A dental camera as in claim 20 wherein said bend is approximately 135°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
89 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; an imaging device; and a color filter in the image path between the image being viewed and said imaging device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
89 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; an imaging device; and a color filter in the image path between the image being viewed and said imaging device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental camera as in claim 22 wherein said color filter is an infrared filter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental camera as in claim 22 which includes a malleable member connecting said handle and said camera head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; and an imaging means located external to said camera head.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
A dental camera for use in displaying an image from inside the mouth onto a monitor comprising an electronic video endoscope having a shape like a dental mirror, said endoscope comprising: a handle; a camera head including a camera lens located at the distal end of said handle, said camera head being formed such that said camera lens is placed at an angle from the axis of said handle; and an imaging means located external to said camera head.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dental camera as in claim 25 wherein said imaging device is located within said handle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dental camera as in claim 25 wherein said imaging device is located external to said handle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental camera as in claim 25 which includes a malleable member connecting said handle and said camera head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-08-24 | 1992-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-22 | 1995-08-24 | 1996-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-22 | 1999-08-24 | 2000-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |