Portable dental camera system and method

United States Patent

[19]

Peithman

US005836762A [ii] Patent Number: 5,836,762 [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 17, 1998

[54] PORTABLE DENTAL CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD

[75] Inventor: Keith C. Peithman, York, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Dentsply International Inc., York, Pa.

[21] Appl. No.: 900,713
[22] Filed: Jul. 25, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

[60] Continuation of Ser. No. 541,564, Sep. 29,1995, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 134,158, Oct. 8, 1993, Pat. No. 5,487,661.

[51] Int. C I. A61B 1/24

[52] U.S. CI 433/29; 600/121; 600/125;

600/109; 433/116

[58] Field of Search 433/29, 77, 116,

433/31; 600/102, 109, 112, 121, 122, 125,

133

[56] References Cited

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The invention provides a camera system including a handpiece having a lens, and a cable connector connected to opposite ends ol a cable and a plurality ol power source bases. The cable connector includes a video processor. Each power source base has a base connector and a light source. The cable connector is adapted to be connected to each base connector. The camera system is used by connecting the cable connector one at a time to each of the base connectors. The handpiece is enclosed by a disposable sleeve. The sleeve is held against the handpiece by an autoclavable rigid jacket. The portable dental camera is maintain sterile by enclosing at least the distal end of the handpiece with a first sleeve, and generating an image of first patient with the camera and a first power source base in a first dental operatory room. The first sleeve is then removed from the handpiece and replaced with a second sleeve. An image of a second patient is then generated using the camera and a second power source base in a second dental operatory room. Preferably a sleeve which has a lens and is sterilizable and reusable is used to enclose the handpiece.

31 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

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