WO2005120331A1

WO2005120331A1 - Treatment position setting device for use in a dental unit chair, treatment position setting method and computer-readable record medium thereof, system and method for dental treatment in by fingerprint recognition

Info

Publication number: WO2005120331A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hun Joo Kim
Original assignee: Ewoo Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-06-14
Filing date: 2005-06-14
Publication date: 2005-12-22

Abstract

Disclosed is a treatment position setting device, a treatment position setting device and a computer-readable record medium thereof, in which a patient is recognized by an electronic method using unique identifiers such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name, and the latest treatment position of the patient is searched from a treatment position DB to display the treatment position on a monitor fixed to a unit chair so that a seat is auto¬ matically set on the treatment position if necessary. Thus, it is possible to reduce inconvenience caused by setting the seat at the treatment position per patient and increase convenience of treatment. A dental treatment system includes a monitor outputting treatment data of a patient and treatment-related data, a fingerprint recognition sensor recognizing a fingerprint of the patient, a database storing fingerprint data of the patient, the treatment data, and the treatment- related data, and a personal computer searching the database depending on the input fingerprint of the patient and outputting the searched result through the monitor.

Description

Description TREATMENT POSITION SETTING DEVICE FOR USE IN A DENTAL UNIT CHAIR, TREATMENT POSITION SETTING METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORD MEDIUM THEREOF, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DENTAL TREATMENT IN BY FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a treatment position setting device, a treatment position setting device and a computer-readable record medium thereof, in which a patient is recognized by an electronic method using unique identifiers such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name, and the latest treatment position of the patient is searched from a treatment position database (DB) to display the treatment position on a monitor fixed to a unit chair so that a seat is automatically set on the treatment position if necessary.

[2] Also, the present invention relates to a system and method for dental treatment, and more particularly to, a system and method for dental treatment, in which a patient is automatically recognized and treatment data of the patient are output, and illegal treatment of the patient is avoided. Background Art

[3] Generally, a dental clinic issues a patient treatment card of a new patient through a computer referring to a medical insurance card submitted to a reception desk. The dental clinic searches a previously issued patient treatment card of a regular patient from a database of the computer to fill additional data such as the present treatment in the patient treatment card so that the data can be transmitted to a computer 3 (computer of a unit chair) of a doctor through a network 2 (see FIG. 1).

[4] Afterwards, when the patient sits down on a dental unit chair provided in a treatment room, the doctor consults the patient based on patient data (filled in the patient treatment card) displayed on a monitor 30 (display means) to treat the patient.

[5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a dental unit chair. The dental unit chair 100 includes a dental treatment device 10 such as a dental light, handpiece, a vacuum syringe, and a dental film viewer, an oral camera (not shown), a keyboard and mouse (input means 20), a monitor (display means 30), and a computer (not shown).

[6] The dental unit chair 100 further includes a patient seat 50, an installation bar 60 provided with the input means 20 and either a treatment cartridge or the dental treatment device 10, a connection support 70 (mechanism holder) connecting the in- stallation bar 60, the oral camera, the monitor 30, and the seat 50 with one another and supporting them, and a base 80 supporting the seat 50, the installation bar 60 and the connection support 70.

[7] The installation bar 60 is provided with a receiving space 61 for the input means 20. As shown, the input means 20 is inserted into the receiving space 61. Therefore, the input means 20 moves along an arrow so that it is either received in the receiving space 61 or exposed to the outside. Also, the receiving space 61 may be provided with a drawer for receiving the input means therein.

[8] Furthermore, the base 80 is provided with a mechanism and a control system. The mechanism controls the seat 50 to ascend, descend, tilt, and rotate the seat 50. The control system serves to control the mechanism. In this case, the control system may separately be provided or incorporated into the computer.

[9] The computer is a general calculating device that includes a memory (not shown) storing identification data of the patient, a reception desk, and a communication means 140 communicating with another computer. The computer may be provided separately from the seat 50 or incorporated into the seat 50.

[10] The monitor 30 is designed to display either the oral state taken by an LCD panel or an oral camera, or an X-ray photograph.

[11] The oral camera includes a camera portion taking the oral cavity, an illuminating means, and a connection line connected with the computer.

[12] The unit chair 100 includes a card reader 90. Therefore, if the card of the patient is read through the card reader 90, it is possible to read patient data, such as patient identification data (patient name, treatment card number, and so on), a resident registration number, age, address, treatment record image data (X-ray results), treatment records, and appointment status, from the memory of the computer.

[13] The card reader 90 may be provided in the vicinity of the input means 20.

[14] Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, a reference numeral 91 denotes a lighting lamp, and a reference numeral 92 denotes a washstand.

[15] The unit chair 100 used for dental treatment is a multifunctional device that can carry out medical examination, treatment, and other works.

[16] If the patient sits down on the seat 50 of the unit chair 100, the seat 50 is adjusted to set the treatment position of the patient. For example, the doctor explains to the patient the screen displayed through the monitor 30 while taking an affected part of the patient using an examination device such as the oral camera (not shown). The doctor determines a treatment method of the patient based on the displayed screen.

[17] Subsequently, the doctor treats the affected part using the treatment device 10 provided in the unit chair 100. The doctor manipulates the device used for examination and treatment, fills the patient's status or particularities recognized in the examination and treatment steps of the patient in the patient treatment card, prepares a written diagnosis after treatment or fills medical insurance settlement.

[18] The position of the seat of the dental unit chair is set depending on a body shape of a patient, a habit of the doctor, and a type of the treatment. In other words, the doctor needs to adjust an angle or a height of the seat during treatment. This could lead to inconvenience and long treatment time.

[19] Meanwhile, a dental clinic conventionally provides or obtains patient data for treatment by 1) checking a treatment record after directly identifying the treatment record and a patient and 2) displaying a patient record stored in a memory of a computer on a monitor of the computer after inputting a unique patient registration number using a computerized medium. To this end, communication between the doctor and the patient is used. In this case, it takes time to search the treatment record of the patient. If the treatment record is not searched, the doctor should treat the patient without the existing data of the patient. In this case, a problem occurs in that it is difficult to exactly treat the patient. Also, the conventional method for obtaining the patient data has a problem caused by miscommunication between the patient and the doctor. A misdiagnosis caused by inconsistency between the patient record and the patient may be fatal to the patient depending on a treatment method or a treatment time. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[20] As described above, since the conventional dental unit chair is set at different treatment positions depending on the habit of the doctor and the type of treatment, a problem occurs in that inconvenience and long treatment time are caused. Technical Solution

[21] An object of the present invention is to provide a treatment position setting device and a computer-readable record medium thereof, in which a patient is recognized by an electronic method using unique identifiers such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name, and the latest treatment position of the patient is searched from a treatment position database to display the treatment position on a monitor fixed to a unit chair so that a seat is automatically set on the treatment position if necessary, thereby enhancing convenience of treatment.

[22] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for dental treatment, which obviates problems such as misdiagnosis caused by inconsistency between a patient data and a patient, illegal treatment, and inconvenience in searching patient data. Advantageous Effects [23] Since it is not necessary to set the position of the chair depending on patients, it is possible to enhance convenience of treatment.

[24] In addition, since the basic treatment position suitable for characteristics of the patient, such as weight and height, is stored in the computer, the treatment position can be set separately for children patients and women patients.

[25] Moreover, since treatment is carried out by fingerprint recognition, it is possible to obviate problems such as misdiagnosis caused by inconsistency between patient data and a patient, illegal treatment, and inconvenience in searching patient data. Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] FIG. 1 illustrates the state that a computer of a reception desk of a dental clinic is connected with a computer (doctor's computer) of a dental unit chair in a treatment room through a network;

[27] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the dental unit chair;

[28] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a treatment position setting device according to the present invention;

[29] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the treatment position setting device shown in FIG. 3;

[30] FIG. 5 illustrates a dental treatment system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[31] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operation control of the dental treatment system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[32] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a treatment position setting device includes a dental unit chair provided with a seat, examining or treating the oral state by taking an oral image of a patient, who sits down on the seat, using an oral camera, an input means inputting unique identifiers of the patient, a treatment position memory storing a treatment position per patient, a control means searching the treatment position per patient stored in the treatment position memory based on the unique identifiers input by the input means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, a display means displaying the identifiers of the input means, the image taken by the oral camera, and the treatment position per patient of the treatment position memory, a motor driving means supplying a motor driving signal to a seat driving motor in response to the position signal of the control means, and a motor connected with the seat, driving the seat depending on the driving signal of the motor driving means.

[33] In the present invention, the treatment position per patient stored in the treatment position memory is searched based on the unique identifiers of the patient input by the input means to output the position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[34] The treatment position setting device further includes a weight sensing means connected to the seat, sensing a weight of a new patient, and a treatment position memory per weight storing the treatment position per weight as a previously simulated reference position, wherein the control means searches the treatment position stored in the treatment position memory per weight based on the patient's weight sensed by the weight sensing means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[35] In the present invention, the treatment position per weight stored in the treatment position memory is searched based on the patient's weight sensed by the weighting sensing means to output the position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[36] The unique identifiers of the patient are selected from a group consisting of a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name.

[37] The treatment position setting device further includes a height sensing means instead of the weight sensing means, and a treatment position memory per weight storing the treatment position per height as a previously simulated reference position, wherein the control means searches the treatment position stored in the treatment position memory per height based on the patient's height sensed by the height sensing means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[38] The treatment position is selected based on the weight and the height sensed by the weight sensing means and the height sensing means.

[39] In another aspect of the present invention, a treatment position setting method includes the steps of identifying a patient based on unique identifiers of the patient, determining whether the identifiers exist in a patient memory, displaying treatment records stored in the patient memory and sequentially displaying the latest several treatment positions stored in a treatment position memory to select the treatment position most suitable for the present status of the patient and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the unique identifiers of the patient exist in the patient memory, measuring and inputting a weight of the patient and selecting a reference treatment position previously stored in the treatment position memory per weight based on the weight of the patient to display the selected treatment position on a monitor and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the identifiers do not exist in the patient memory, and storing the present treatment record or the present treatment position in a corresponding memory before the treatment position of the seat is reset at an initial value after treatment.

[40] In the treatment position setting method, the unique identifiers of the patient are selected from a group consisting of a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name.

[41] The treatment position setting method further includes the step of sensing a height of the patient instead of sensing the weight of the patient, wherein a treatment position stored in a treatment position memory per height is searched based on the patient's height sensed by the height sensing step to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[42] In the treatment position setting method, the treatment position is selected based on the weight and the height sensed by the weight sensing step and the height sensing step.

[43] In other aspect of the present invention, a dental treatment system includes a monitor outputting treatment data of a patient and treatment-related data, a fingerprint recognition sensor recognizing a fingerprint of the patient, a database storing fingerprint data of the patient, the treatment data, and the treatment-related data, and a personal computer searching the database depending on the input fingerprint of the patient and outputting the searched result through the monitor. Mode for the Invention

[44] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a treatment position setting device according to the present invention.

[45] The treatment position setting device according to the present invention includes a dental unit chair 100 provided with a seat 50, examining or treating the oral state by taking an oral image of a patient, who sits down on the seat, using an oral camera (not shown), a key board or mouse 20 (input means) inputting unique identifiers of the patient, a memory 110 storing treatment records of the patient, a treatment position per patient and a treatment position per weight, a computer 40 (control means) searching the treatment position per patient stored in the memory 110 based on the unique identifier input by the input means 20 to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, a monitor 30 (display means) displaying the identifiers of the input means 20, the image taken by the oral camera, and the treatment position per patient of the memory 110, a motor driver 130 (motor driving means) supplying a motor driving signal to a seat driving motor 120 depending on the position signal of the computer 40, and the seat driving motor 120 connected with the seat 50, driving the seat 50 depending on the driving signal of the motor driver 130.

[46] The memory 110 includes a patient DB 111 storing the unique identification data of the patient, such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number and a name, or treatment records, a treatment position DB per patient 112 storing a previous treatment position of a regular patient not a new patient, and a treatment position DB per weight 113 storing the treatment position per weight as a previously simulated reference position. The position of the basic seat is stored in the treatment position DB per weight 113 as a reference position.

[47] Further, for a new patient, the treatment position setting device further includes a weight sensor 140 connected with the seat 50 to sense the weight of the patient, wherein the computer 40 searches the treatment position stored in the treatment position DB per weight 113 based on the patient's weight sensed by the weight sensor 140 to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat 50.

[48] Moreover, the treatment position setting device includes a height sensor (not shown) instead of the weight sensor 140, so that the computer 40 searches the treatment position stored in a treatment position DB per height (not shown) based on the patient's height sensed by the height sensor to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat 50.

[49] Preferably, the treatment position setting device includes both the weight sensor and the height sensor so that the treatment position is selected based on the weight and the height sensed by the weight sensor and the height sensor. In this case, it is possible to obtain more satisfactory results than the case where the treatment position is selected based on either the weight or the height.

[50] Further, the unique identifiers of the patient are selected from a group consisting of a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name.

[51] In the aforementioned present invention, the treatment position stored in the treatment position DB 113 per weight 113 and/or the treatment position DB per height is searched based on the patient's weight and/or height sensed by the weight sensor 140 and/or the height sensor to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat 50.

[52] Next, the operation of the treatment setting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[53] First, a patient is identified through the input means 20 fixed to the unit chair in a treatment room based on unique identifiers of the patient, such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name, in step SI. It is determined whether the unique identifiers of the patient exist in a patient DB 121 in step S2.

[54] If it is determined that the unique identifiers of the patient exist in the patient DB 121 in step S2, i.e., in case of a regular patient, treatment records stored in the patient DB 121 are displayed on the monitor 30 and the latest several treatment positions stored in a treatment position DB 122 are sequentially displayed in step S3 to select the treatment position most suitable for the present status of the patient and set the seat 50 to match the selected treatment position in step S4.

[55] Meanwhile, if it is determined that the unique identifiers of the patient do not exist in the patient DB 121, i.e., in case of a new patient, a weight of the patient is measured and input in step S5 and a reference treatment position previously stored in a treatment position DB per weight 123 is selected to display the selected treatment position and set the seat 50 to match the selected treatment position in step S6.

[56] Afterwards, treatment is performed in step S7. If the treatment ends in step S8, the present treatment record or the present treatment position is stored in a corresponding DB before the treatment position of the seat is reset at an initial value in step S9.

[57] In this way, after the patient is recognized by an electronic method using the unique identifiers such as a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name, the latest treatment position of the patient is searched from the treatment position DB to display the searched treatment position on the monitor fixed to the unit chair so that the seat is automatically set on the treatment position if necessary.

[58] A frequently used position of the seat is stored in the treatment position DB 123 per weight as a reference position.

[59] In the embodiment of the present invention, the weight is used as a parameter for setting the seat in case of a new patient. However, the parameter is not limited to the weight. The height may be used as the parameter. Also, both the weight and the height may be used as the parameter.

[60] Meanwhile, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations, such as a treatment position setting device for use in other medical instruments that employ a seat as well as a dental unit chair, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[61] FIG. 5 illustrates the dental treatment system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operation control of the dental treatment system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[62] Referring to FIG. 5, a personal computer 200 controls the whole system and receives a fingerprint of the patient through a fingerprint recognition sensor. The personal computer 200 searches a database 230 depending on the fingerprint and outputs the searched result on a monitor 210.

[63] The monitor 210 is connected with the personal computer 200 and outputs treatment data of the patient and treatment-related data to allow a doctor to identify the output data.

[64] The fingerprint recognition sensor 220 is connected with the personal computer 200 and recognizes the fingerprint of the patient to transmit the recognized fingerprint to the personal computer 200.

[65] The database connected with the personal computer stores fingerprint data of the patient, treatment data, and other data related to treatment.

[66] The operation of the dental treatment system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[67] Unlike the related art dental treatment system in which a patient treatment card is searched to identify a patient if the patient visits a dental clinic, a fingerprint is input through the fingerprint recognition sensor 220 if the patient visits the dental clinic in step 200. The personal computer 200 searches the database 230 to check whether data corresponding to the fingerprint exist in step 220. If the data corresponding to the fingerprint do not exist, the step proceeds to the step 230 to register a new patient. At this time, an address, a resident registration number and age are input to register a new patient.

[68] If the data corresponding to the fingerprint exist in step 220, the step proceeds to the step 240 to output previously recorded treatment data on the monitor 210. In step 250, the personal computer 200 updates the treatment data. In step 260, the personal computer 200 stores the data according to complement of treatment in the database 230. Industrial Applicability

[69] As described above, the present invention is useful for the dental unit chair system.

Claims

[1] A treatment position setting device comprising: a dental unit chair provided with a seat, examining or treating the oral state by taking an oral image of a patient, who sits down on the seat, using an oral camera; an input means inputting unique identifiers of the patient; a treatment position memory storing a treatment position per patient; a control means searching the treatment position per patient stored in the treatment position memory based on the unique identifiers input by the input means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position; a display means displaying the identifiers of the input means, the image taken by the oral camera, and the treatment position per patient of the treatment position memory; a motor driving means supplying a motor driving signal to a seat driving motor in response to the position signal of the control means; and a motor connected with the seat, driving the seat depending on the driving signal of the motor driving means.

[2] The treatment position setting device according to claim 1, further comprising a weight sensing means connected to the seat, sensing a weight of a new patient, and a treatment position memory per weight storing the treatment position per weight as a previously simulated reference position, wherein the control means searches the treatment position stored in the treatment position memory per weight based on the patient's weight sensed by the weight sensing means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[3] The treatment position setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unique identifiers of the patient are selected from a group consisting of a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name.

[4] The treatment position setting device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a height sensing means instead of the weight sensing means, and a treatment position memory per weight storing the treatment position per height as a previously simulated reference position, wherein the control means searches the treatment position stored in the treatment position memory per height based on the patient's height sensed by the height sensing means to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[5] The treatment position setting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment position is selected based on the weight and the height sensed by the weight sensing means and the height sensing means.

[6] A treatment position setting method comprising the steps of: identifying a patient based on unique identifiers of the patient; determining whether the identifiers exist in a patient memory; displaying treatment records stored in the patient memory and sequentially displaying the latest several treatment positions stored in a treatment position memory to select the treatment position most suitable for the present status of the patient and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the unique identifiers of the patient exist in the patient memory; measuring and inputting a weight of the patient and selecting a reference treatment position previously stored in the treatment position memory per weight based on the weight of the patient to display the selected treatment position on a monitor and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the identifiers do not exist in the patient memory; and storing the present treatment record or the present treatment position in a corresponding memory before the treatment position of the seat is reset at an initial value after treatment.

[7] The treatment position setting method according to claim 6, wherein the unique identifiers of the patient are selected from a group consisting of a treatment card number, a resident registration number, and a name.

[8] The treatment position setting method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of sensing a height of the patient instead of sensing the weight of the patient, wherein a treatment position stored in a treatment position memory per height is searched based on the patient's height sensed by the height sensing step to output a position signal corresponding to the searched position, thereby setting the seat.

[9] The treatment position setting method according to claim 6, wherein the treatment position is selected based on the weight and the height sensed by the weight sensing step and the height sensing step.

[10] A computer-readable record medium having a treatment position setting program comprising the steps of: identifying a patient based on unique identifiers of a patient through a computer; determining whether the identifiers exist in a patient memory; displaying treatment records stored in the patient memory and sequentially displaying the latest several treatment positions stored in a treatment position memory to select the treatment position most suitable for the present status of the patient and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the identifiers exist in the patient memory; measuring and inputting a weight of the patient and selecting a reference treatment position previously stored in the treatment position memory per weight based on the weight of the patient to display the selected treatment position on a monitor and set a seat to match the selected treatment position, if it is determined that the identifiers do not exist in the patient memory; and storing the present treatment record or the present treatment position in a corresponding memory before the treatment position of the seat is reset at an initial value after treatment.

[11] A dental treatment system comprising : a monitor outputting treatment data of a patient and treatment-related data; a fingerprint recognition sensor recognizing a fingerprint of the patient; a database storing fingerprint data of the patient, the treatment data, and the treatment-related data; and a personal computer searching the database depending on the input fingerprint of the patient and outputting the searched result through the monitor.

[12] A dental treatment method comprising the steps of: inputting a fingerprint of a patient; comparing the input fingerprint with data previously stored in a database; outputting corresponding data and related data if the previously stored data exists; registering new data in the database if the previously stored data does not exist; and storing treatment-related data.