The subject of the invention is an arrangement for diagnosing dental diseases, a dental examination device that includes a case and an electronic board, and the application of the arrangement by tapping teeth with the examination device.

It is common that a patient visiting a dentist cannot localize his long-standing pain. Frequently, the intraoral and panoramic x-rays do not show deformations that might characterise the cause of the disease. The use of other clinical examination methods does not always yield a clear diagnosis either. In such situations, it would be helpful to have an examination device that provides information on a display to the attending dentist about the tooth causing the discomfort and the possible dental diagnoses that may cause the patient's pain.

Taiwanese patent document No. TWI365736 B of 2012 describes a conventional modal analytical procedure for assessing the condition of a dental implant. A metal clamp is attached to the implant. An ultrasonic excitation unit is attached to the metal clamp, and two acceleration sensors that record the vibration image are either attached to the metal clamp or to the implant itself.

US publication document No. US4823807 A of 1989 describes a complex solution for assessing the condition of joints, such as inflammation (arthritis). The sound of the joint is recorded during controlled movement (e.g. speed, range of motion, controllable counterforce depending on these), thus practically recording a vibration image.

Canadian patent application No. CA2870132 Al of 2012 describes an electrical impedance-based testing procedure, the essence of which is to transmit a sinusoidal current signal between an electrode located in the mouth and another electrode located on the tooth to be examined with a frequency between 200 Hz and 100 kHz, and with an amplitude between 50 mV and 5V. The condition of the tooth is assessed based on the obtained impedance characteristics.

US patent document No. US4537573 A of 1985 also describes a dental diagnostic solution based on electrical impedance measurement; however, the electrode used on the tooth is built into a wand-like examination device that the operator can move along the denture.

Documents of US patent No. US6413220 Bl describe a dental diagnostic device that probes the junction of the tooth and the gum with ultrasound, and it estimates the average size of the gap along the tooth from the reflections and absorptions, thereby providing an opportunity to determine the degree of gingivitis more accurately. The ultrasound emitting and sensing units are integrated into a thin wand, allowing the entire denture to be scanned.

US patent description No. US5518008 A of 1994 can be considered the closest solution. This includes a solution intended for assessing the embeddedness and condition of implants; however, the modal analysis of teeth is also mentioned among the possible applications.

The analyser contains a thin, integrated exciter sensor wand [20], and electronics [16, 12] that perform frequency range calculations and provide a user interface. Holding the wand [20] in his hand, the examiner presses its tip [27] to the crown [76] of the implant [28], To facilitate permanent contact, it is recommended to use glue or gel between the tip [27] of the wand [26] and the crown [76], When the start button [34] is pressed, the actuator [44] is energized and activates the hammer [42], if there is a contact. Contact can be achieved under certain conditions: for example, if the tip [27] of the wand [26] is pressed with sufficient force into the tested crown [76], or the membrane [58] has already been pressed in so far that the distance between the acceleration sensor [56] and the body of the wand [24] is suitable. Then, the electromagnet [45] tenses the spring [40], removing it from the acceleration sensor [56]. After that, excitation takes place in such a way that the electromagnet [45] releases the hammer [42], and the tensioned spring [40] hits the tip [27] of the wand [20] via the acceleration sensor [56]. As there is contact, the device transfers the impact to the crown [76]. The electromagnet [45] pulls back the hammer [42] again, so that the acceleration sensor [56] can pick up the vibration image of the crown [76] freely.

A disadvantage of this solution is that it reflects 30-year-old technology; at that time, there were no diagnostic devices available in terms of size, data processing, or data transmission that would have enabled the use of the latest advances in electronics. The spring-based acceleration sensors of that time may be suitable for checking the adhesion of implants, but they are not actually suitable for analysing the fine vibrations of teeth. The description does not provide any information as to whether any data processing takes place at all, or what the essence of the evaluation is. The solution is also not suitable for examining, recording, and processing 3D data, meaning that it is not fit for our purposes.

The purpose of the invention is to overcome the shortfalls of known solutions and to realize a solution that helps determine the health condition of teeth and provides assistance in the detection of certain dental diseases. The aim is also to create a diagnostic possibility that is different in space and time.

The inventive step is based on the recognition that a solution, which is more advantageous than the previous ones, may be created by implementing the measures described in the main claims. In connection with the invention, we realized that teeth with different density and embeddedness respond to pulse-like excitation with different vibration patterns. This excitation is produced by tapping the tooth with the device, generating a pulse-like input signal. The vibration of the examination part is detected in 3D, and this vibration pattern characterises the embeddedness and internal structure of the examined tooth. The data is processed, then forwarded to a diagnostics server, and the result is returned or forwarded to a remote medical team, if necessary.

Recognition of the inventive step is based on the knowledge that teeth are connected to the lower jaw bone and the upper jaw bone by way of a transverse course of connective tissue fibres. For this reason, teeth are slightly movable. The degree of mobility can increase with age, depending on the condition, excessive use, and diseases of the teeth. With sufficient experience and data, knowledge of these factors can help in establishing a diagnosis. We were looking for a solution that would possibly allow a person other than a dentist to carry out this examination.

When the tested tooth is hit in a given direction and degree, it begins to move in a way that is characteristic of its condition. Such movement can be registered and analysed. E.g. vibration rate, acceleration, vibration pattern, etc. The more aspects of the movement curve are examined, the more information can be used to infer the condition of the tooth and the root membrane. The movement curve is examined by computer analysis (software), and the obtained results are divided into groups (classified), and the properties characteristic of groups of diseases can be combined. As a result of registering and analysing the degree and characteristics of mobility, we can also create a measure that is characteristic of the mobility of the tooth from a periodontological point of view, which is of great use when establishing a correct diagnosis.

In line with the desired purpose, the arrangement according to the invention for diagnosing dental diseases, which includes a dental examination device, has distinctive features that a replaceable examination tip that transmits three dimensional vibration is installed in the examination device, the examination tip is connected to the vibration sensor of the examination device, the examination device is connected to a data processor unit through a wireless communications module, and the data processor unit is connected to a diagnostics server. It is possible that the data processor unit and the diagnostics server are integrated.

The dental examination device for diagnosing dental diseases includes a case and an electronic board, and one of its distinctive features is that it includes an examination tip holding cavity, a three-channel vibration sensor is located behind the examination tip holding cavity, the vibration sensor is connected to an analogue-digital A/D converter, the A/D converter is connected to a microcontroller, and the microcontroller is connected to a communications module. If appropriate, it is also fitted with a wireless charging part, and the wireless charging part is connected to a battery. A signal conditioning part is located between the vibration sensor and the A/D converter.

During the application method according to the invention, teeth are tapped with the dental examination device. A distinctive feature of the procedure is that an examination tip is inserted into the examination device before tapping, the three-dimensional vibrations of the examination tip are transmitted to the three-channel vibration sensor, the signals of the vibration sensor are digitized, the digital signal is converted by the microcontroller into a processed signal within the 2 Hz to 1600 Hz frequency range and then it is transmitted to the data processor unit wirelessly, the signal processed by the data processor unit is transmitted to the diagnostics server where a trend diagram is generated from the processed signals, then the diagram as compared to alarm thresholds, and then the result of the comparison is sent by the diagnostics server to the data processor unit and/or a remote doctor capable of establishing a diagnosis. The processed signal and the obtained result are transmitted in an encrypted form. If necessary, additional data and observations are attached to each data package through the data processor unit before transmission to the diagnostics server.

The invention is further presented in more detail using drawings of possible implementation forms. On the attached drawings,

1. Figure 1 shows a spatial drawing of the examination device without the top cover of the case,

2. Figure 2 shows the drawing of an implementation form of the examination device and the examination tip,

3. Figure 3 shows the drawing of another implementation form of the examination device and the examination tip,

4. Figure 4 shows a drawing of a treatment,

5. Figure 5 shows the connection diagram of the arrangement.

Figure 1 shows the examination device 1 located in the lower part of the case 14. The figure schematically shows the parts located on the printed circuit of the electronic board 4, the battery 7 located below the electronic board 4, and the charging part 3 located its end; the latter is also called an RX head and it allows the Li-ion battery 7 to be regenerated by induction charging. The examination tip holding cavity 6 is located on the top part of the examination device 1, and it makes it possible to install the examination tip 2, shown on Figure 2, in the examination device 1, so that its end located in the cavity can transfer its vibrations to the three-channel vibration sensor 5. The vibration sensor 5 is connected to the signal conditioning part 8, and the signal conditioning part 8 is connected to the analogue-digital A/D converter 9. The A/D converter 9 is connected to the microcontroller 10, and the microcontroller 10 is connected to the communications module 11, which is a Bluetooth module in this example. The wireless connection is also controlled by the microcontroller 10. The A/D converter 9 must have at least 10 bit resolution and a 50 kHz sampling speed, so that it can record all three acceleration values.

Figures 2 and 3 show different implementation forms of the examination device 1 and the installed and replaceable examination tip 2. The examination device 1 is designed to fit into ordinary dentistry environments and to be cleaned and disinfected in a known way. Figure 4 shows a human head with its denture being approached by a schematic examination device 1, so that it is in a communication connection with a data processor unit 12, which is a laptop in this example, but it could also be a tablet, a mobile phone, or another computer. In another possible but not presented implementation form, it could also be integrated into the diagnostics server 13.

Figure 5 shows, as an example, a schematic connection diagram of the arrangement according to the invention with its main components. The figure shows that the examination device 1 is connected to the data processor unit 12 so that signals can be transmitted, and the data processor unit 12 is connected to the diagnostics server 13 so that signals can be transmitted and received. In another possible but not presented implementation form, the diagnostics server 13 transmits data to the computer of a remote doctor. Within the examination device 1 the vibration sensor 5 can be observed, collecting and transmitting the movement/vibration signals of the X, Y, Z dimensions in three channels and which is connected to the analogue-digital A/D converter 9 through the known signal conditioning part 8. The microcontroller 10 is connected to the A/D converter 9, where signals are processed and effective values are generated in the 2 Hz to 1600 Hz frequency range. This signal is transmitted by the communications module 11 to the data processor unit 12.

In the course of applying the arrangement, an examination tip 2 is installed in the examination device 1 and is used to tap individual teeth. The vibration pattern characterises the embeddedness and internal structure of the examined tooth. The tapping can be performed randomly, as the examination device 1 detects the X, Y, Z directions in themselves. The three-dimensional vibrations of the examination tip 2 are transmitted to the three-channel vibration sensor 5, the signals of the vibration sensor 5 are digitized, the digital signal is converted by the microcontroller 10 into a processed signal within the 2 Hz to 1600 Hz frequency range, and then it is transmitted to the data processor unit 12 wirelessly. The signal processed by the data processor unit 12 is transmitted to the diagnostics server 13 where a trend diagram is generated from the processed signals, then the diagram is compared to alarm thresholds, and then the result of the comparison is sent by the diagnostics server 13 to the data processor unit 12 and/or a remote doctor capable of establishing a diagnosis. Data and results are transmitted in a known encrypted form. The diagnostics server 13 runs a diagnostics software that not only evaluates data, but also collects data for its own improvement to adjust alarm thresholds. The data processor unit 12 makes it also possible to associate additional data and observations with data packages.

The invention has numerous advantages. It provides significant support for dentists in establishing a correct diagnosis. It also helps in determining the health condition of teeth and in examining certain dental illnesses. It provides a diagnostics possibility that differs in space and time, meaning that a dentist does not need to be present during the examination. Thus, it helps patients who live in another country to be examined in their home, thereby preparing adequately for treatment in another country. In complex situations, a specialist dentist team can also provide support online. From a hygiene perspective, the examination device fits well to the tools and means available in a dentist's office.

The invention can be applied on the field of dentistry. Its application is not suitable for establishing a diagnosis in itself, but it does provide support for dentists to establish a correct diagnosis. Other implementation forms and application methods are also possible within the scope of protection