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. 2016 Nov 1;21(11):114002.
doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.21.11.114002.

Development of a handheld smart dental instrument for root canal imaging

Chukwuemeka Okoro  1 , Albert Vartanian  2 , Kimani C Toussaint Jr  3
Affiliations

Development of a handheld smart dental instrument for root canal imaging

Chukwuemeka Okoro et al. J Biomed Opt. .

Abstract

Ergonomics and ease of visualization play a major role in the effectiveness of endodontic therapy. Using only commercial off-the-shelf components, we present the pulpascope—a prototype of a compact, handheld, wireless dental instrument for pulp cavity imaging. This instrument addresses the current limitations of occupational injuries, size, and cost that exist with current endodontic microscopes used for root canal procedures. Utilizing a 15,000 coherent, imaging fiber bundle along with an integrated illumination source and wireless CMOS sensor, we demonstrate images of various teeth with resolution of ?48???m and angular field-of-view of 70 deg.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Block diagram showing optical train. Components highlighted are (a) integrated fiber bundle, (b) light source, (c) Relay module consisting of: [c1] objective lens and [c2] tube lens, and (d) camera module.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Integrated illumination and imaging fiber bundle (courtesy Myriad Fibers).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Experimental setup.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
3-D design of the pulpascope fiber holder.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(a) Assembled pulpascope with integrated fiber bundle and the Moticam camera. The LED is attached to the outlet for the illumination fibers. (b) Pulpascope in use. The viewing tablet is shown to the side.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Demagnification from the focal plane to the fiber tip surface by the GRIN lenses.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Images taken at distances (a) 7 mm, (b) 3 mm, and (c) inside the tooth. Each scale bar is 1 mm.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Images of tooth with light from (a)–(c) 30 W halogen bulb, (d)–(f) laboratory flashlight, and (g)–(h) 15 lumens LED. Note that there is no ambient light. Each scale bar is 1 mm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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