1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
System and Device for Intraoral Screening of Multiple Oral Abnormalities
2. APPLICANT:
Name: 1. Mokkapati Vyagreswara Sarma 2. Mokkapati Surekha
Nationality: 1. Indian 2. Indian
Address: 1. S\o M Rama Krishna Murthy, # 8-3-1100/2A Ramkamal Doyen, Adjacent to Drishti Eye hospital, Sri Nagar Colony, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500073.
2. W/o Mokkapati Vyagreswara sarma, # 8-3-1100/2A Ramkamal Doyen, Adjacent to Drishti Eye hospital, Sri Nagar Colony, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500073.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: 4. DESCRIPTION:
Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of intraoral medical devices, and in specific relates to a portable intraoral screening device for multiple oral abnormalities that aids for automatic emission of specific wavelength of light based on selected disease.
Background of the invention:
[0002] Dental health is the most commonly neglected aspect in human health. Various lifestyle-related diseases and infections can be traced back to the causes of mastication and occlusal functions related to nutrition intake, as well as the effects of oral bacteria. Survey results show that people who regularly visit dentists tend to have lower annual total medical costs for all illnesses, and regular oral screening aids in early detection of oral cancer. In addition to being connected, it has been recognized that it is also effective in curbing medical expenses for the public.
[000S] The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 estimated that oral diseases affect close to S.5 billion people worldwide. Some of the most common oral health conditions include dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal diseases, oral cancers, oral manifestations of HIV, oro-dental trauma, cleft lip and palate, and noma (severe gangrenous disease starting in the mouth mostly affecting children). However, most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages by regular screening.
[0004] Spectroscopic devices and endoscopes are being widely used as imaging devices based on tissue optics for screening and diagnostic purposes. Tissue optics refers to the effect of light on living tissue. In the identification of oral cancers blue light (wavelength 400- 490nm) has been used to identify abnormal tissues via fluorescence visualization loss (FVL).This technique is particularly useful as blue light penetrates about 1mm deep, and over 95% of all oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Tumours tend to exhibit lower levels of autofluorescence when compared to healthy tissue due to their increased metabolic activity. This increase in metabolic activity leads to the breakdown of the extracellular matrix as well as decreased concentration of Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).
[0005] In existing technology, device and disposables for determining a patient risk for oral cancer in the same visit when a sample is collected is known. The VELscope is a device that aids to reveal oral cancer that that are indiscernible with the naked eye during standard examinations and cannot be used in a low resource setting due to economic constraints based on the cost of the device, and the sensitivity of many such devices still remain low. These devices lack image sensors and therefore neither visualizes the margins of the lesions nor any PMDs.
[0006] In updated technology, an oral cancer screening device is used for the detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The device includes a power supply, an illumination source, a selector switch that enables the activation of a specific wavelength of light from the illumination source, an electrical system in communication with the selector switch and the illumination source, a heat sink in thermal communication with the illumination source, a filter or cover to protect the illumination source, and a transparent sheath for providing a sanitary shield for the device when it is brought into contact or close proximity with the patient oral cavity. The selector switch enables the user to switch different colours of light to examine the cancer. The operator will optionally utilize head mounted lenses to assist the operator's visualization of the light from the illuminated oral cavity. However, there is a need for an intraoral screening device that aids to detect different diseases with automatic emission of corresponding wavelength of light.
[0007] Therefore there exists a need for an intraoral screening device that aids to detect different diseases with automatic emission of corresponding wavelength of light. There is a need for an intraoral screening device that aids the operator to choose a specific disease to be screened and emits corresponding wavelength of light for a specific disease. There is a need for a screening device that detect different oral diseases such as oral caries, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, fluorosis, and oral cancer in primary stages to avoid severity of diseases that usually have no symptoms. There is a need for a screening device that aids the operator to capture oral image without disturbing the position of the probe. There is a need for a screening device that displays affected regions in different colours. There is a need for a device that provides access to captured images to the health care professional for remote diagnosis.
Objectives of the invention:
[0008] The primary objective of the invention is to provide an intraoral screening device for oral abnormalities that aids for automatic emission of specific wavelength of light based on selected disease.
[0009] The other objective of the invention is to provide a screening device with a shutter button that aids the operator to capture oral image without disturbing the position of the probe.
[0010] Further objective of the invention is to detect different oral diseases such as oral caries, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, fluorosis, and oral cancer in primary stages to avoid severity of diseases that usually have no symptoms.
[0011] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a screening probe that is connected with fluorescence imaging technology either through wire or wireless to distinguish the affected regions from the healthy region.
[0012] Further objective of the invention is to provide an interactive touch display that enables the operator to choose a template of the screening disease.
[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide an additional camera that aids to detect other oral diseases such as hairy tongue and malocclusion and to capture personal details of the patient.
[0014] The other objective of the invention is to provide a single screening device to screen multiple oral diseases that displays affected regions in different colours.
[0015] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide access to the raw image and processed image to the health care professional for remote diagnosis. [0016] Another objective of the invention is to process the captured images in a remote server using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.
[0017] Further objective of the invention is to provide a disposable plastic cover on the probe for each patient.
Summary of the invention:
[0018] The present disclosure proposes a system and device for intraoral screening of multiple oral abnormalities. The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later
[0019] In order to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present disclosure is to solve the technical problem to provide a system and device for intraoral screening of multiple oral abnormalities that aids for automatic emission of specific wavelength of light based on selected disease.
[0020] According to an aspect, the invention provides an intraoral screening system for multiple oral abnormalities. The screening system comprises a portable housing, a wavelength selector, a wireless data transmitter, a remote processor, and a remote database. In specific, the different abnormalities include oral cancer, oral caries, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis and fluorosis. The screening system utilizes fluorescence produced from the light emitted region of the patient's mouth to distinguish the affected region from healthy region. The screening system is fed with different blue-violet light wavelengths required for specific diseases.
[0021] The portable housing is configured to house different components of the screening device including an interactive touch display, a processor, an oral probe, a shutter button, and a secondary camera. The display is configured to project predetermined abnormalities to enable the operator to select an abnormality for which a patient is to be screened. The processor is configured to transmit a control command based on the selected abnormality. The oral probe is configured with a circular array of LEDs to emit a wavelength of blue-violet light on a region of the patient's mouth based on the received control command and a primary camera to capture images of the light emitted region. In specific, the oral probe comprises a power button to switch it on and off. The oral probe is connected to the portable housing either using wire or wireless.
[0022] The shutter button is configured to activate the primary camera and enable the paramedic or operator to capture image of a required region without disturbing the position of oral probe. The secondary camera is configured to capture other abnormalities and personal data of the patient. In specific, the primary camera and the secondary camera are cmos cameras and other abnormalities detectable by the secondary camera include hairy tongue and malocclusion. The portable housing further comprises different ports including power port, input port and output ports. The portable housing comprises a transparent enclosure with slots to accommodate the oral probe and the secondary camera.
[0023] The wavelength selector is configured to automatically select a predetermined wavelength of blue-violet light to emit based on the selected abnormality to be screened. The wireless data transmitter is configured to transmit data from the primary camera and the secondary camera to a remote server. The remote processor is configured in the server to receive and process the captured images of the primary camera to identify the presence of fluorescence to thereby detect the oral abnormality. The remote database is configured to store the raw data and processed data and further allow access to health professionals to thereby enable remote diagnosis. In specific, the remote processor processes the captured images using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.
[0024] Further, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims, and the attached drawings.
Detailed description of drawings:
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of an intraoral screening device for multiple abnormalities in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 refers to an exemplary block diagram of an intraoral screening system for multiple oral abnormalities in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. BA refers to a processed image of a tooth in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 3B refers to a processed image of upper and lower teeth together in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 3C refers to a processed image of a region behind the teeth of a patient in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 3D refers to a processed image of an affected region in the mouth of a patient in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Detailed invention disclosure:
[0032] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps.
[0033] The present disclosure has been made with a view towards solving the problem with the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and device for intraoral screening of multiple oral abnormalities that aids for automatic emission of specific wavelength of light based on selected disease.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 refers to an isometric view of an intraoral screening device 100 for multiple abnormalities. The screening system comprises a portable housing 101, a wavelength selector, a wireless data transmitter, a remote processor, and a remote database. In specific, the different abnormalities include oral cancer, oral caries, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis and fluorosis. The screening system utilizes fluorescence produced from the light emitted region of the patient's mouth to distinguish the affected region from healthy region. The screening system is fed with different blue-violet light wavelengths required for specific diseases.
[0035] The portable housing 101 is configured to house different components of the screening device including an interactive touch display 102, a processor, an oral probe 103, a shutter button 106, and a secondary camera 105. The interactive touch display 102 is configured to display predetermined abnormalities to enable the operator to select an abnormality for which a patient is to be screened. The processor is configured to transmit a control command based on the selected abnormality. The oral probe 103 is configured with a circular array of LEDs to emit a wavelength of blue-violet light on a region of the patient's mouth based on the received control command and a primary camera 104 to capture images of the light emitted region. The circular array of LEDs arranged around the primary camera 104 emit a specific wavelength that excites the oral mucosa and when the excited electrons of the oral mucosa return to the ground state, the mucosa emits fluorescence. Healthy cells produce fluorescence, whereas affected cells lack the ability to produce fluorescence. In specific, the oral probe 103 comprises a power button to switch it on and off. The oral probe 103 is connected to the portable housing either using wire or wireless.
[0036] The shutter button 106 is configured to activate the primary camera 104 and enable the paramedic or operator to capture image of a required region without disturbing the position of the oral probe 103. The secondary camera 105 is configured to capture other abnormalities and personal data of the patient. In specific, the primary camera 104 and the secondary camera 105 are cmos cameras and other abnormalities detectable by the secondary camera include hairy tongue and malocclusion. The portable housing 101 further comprises different ports 107 including power port, input port and output ports. The portable housing 101 comprises a transparent enclosure 108 with slots to accommodate the oral probe 103 and the secondary camera 105.
[0037] According to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 refers to an exemplary block diagram of an intraoral screening system 200 for multiple oral abnormalities. The screening system comprises a portable housing 201, a wavelength selector 202, a wireless data transmitter 203, a remote processor 204, and a remote database 205. The portable housing 201 houses different components including an interactive touch display, a processor, an oral probe, a shutter button, and a secondary camera.
[0038] The wavelength selector 202 is configured to automatically select a predetermined wavelength of blue-violet light to emit based on the selected abnormality to be screened. The wireless data transmitter 203 is configured to transmit data from the primary camera and the secondary camera to a remote server. The remote processor 204 is configured in the server to receive and process the captured images of the primary camera to identify the presence of fluorescence to thereby detect the oral abnormality. The remote database 205 is configured to store the raw data and processed data and further allow access to health professionals to thereby enable remote diagnosis. In specific, the remote processor 204 processes the captured images using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.
[0039] According to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D refer to processed images of different regions of a patient's mouth. The screening system utilizes fluorescence of fluorophores and porphyrins to distinguish the affected region from the healthy region. The wavelength utilized to excite the fluorophores and porphyrins is around 400 to 460 nm (blue-violet light) where the fluorescence is maximum. The fluorophores emit fluorescent light at a wavelength of around 520 to 540 nm and for porphyrins it is around 600 to 650 nm. The affected region and the healthy region are depicted using different colours in the processed image by the remote processor to enable easy identification of affected region.
[0040] Numerous advantages of the present disclosure may be apparent from the discussion above. In accordance with the present disclosure, an intraoral screening device for oral abnormalities that aids for automatic emission of specific wavelength of light based on selected disease is provided. The screening device with a shutter button aids the paramedic or operator to capture oral image without disturbing the position of the probe. The screening device detects different oral diseases such as oral caries, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, fluorosis, and oral cancer in primary stages to avoid severity of diseases that usually have no symptoms.
[0041] The screening probe is connected with fluorescence imaging technology either through wire or wireless to distinguish the affected regions from the healthy region. The interactive touch display of the screening device enables the paramedic or operator to choose a template of the screening disease. The screening device incorporates an additional camera that aids to detect other oral diseases such as hairy tongue and malocclusion and aids to capture personal details of the patient.
[0042] The screening device screens multiple oral diseases and displays affected regions in different colours after processing the captured images. The screening system provides access to the raw image and processed image to the health care professional for remote diagnosis. The screening system processes the captured images in a remote server using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. The probe is provided with a disposable plastic cover for each patient for sterilization. [0043] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.