Researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea Photonics Technology Institute recently developed a novel wide-angle insect eye camera, the biologically inspired intraoral camera (BIOC), for assorted functional imaging. Using the device, assorted functional imaging was demonstrated to satisfy clinical needs.

Figure 1: A novel wide-angle insect eye camera for imaging the condition of the teeth.

Figure 1 shows thatConventional dental photography technology has had a limitation in using inconvenient tools such as mirrors and cheek retractors. Dentists require basic teeth images from various angles, such as right/left buccal and maxillary/mandibular occlusal, for dental health inspection. [1]

To get these images, patients experience discomfort because dentists must place a mirror in their mouth to capture a reflected image of the teeth with a handheld camera.The compact intraoral dental camera is able to overcome discomfort and scan the condition of the teeth.

Insect eyes have been an inspiration for miniature cameras, and insect-inspired cameras can solve the problems of conventional compact cameras, such as limited viewing range. However, previously developed insect cameras have the disadvantages of low resolution or limited functionality. [2]

The BIOC includes a new configuration of convex-concave lens and inverted micro lens arrays (iMLA) and a single CMOS image sensor on a flexible printed circuit board in a handpiece holder. The convex-concave lens significantly increases the field of view to 143 degrees, and iMLAs reduce optical aberration through the scaling law.

In addition, the new camera overcomes many chronic problems of conventional intraoral cameras, such as limited depth of field, thick overall track length, and limited functional imaging.The ultra-thin dental camera, due to its thinness, can resolve discomfort and observe teeth even in anatomically narrow areas.

Also, clear dental imaging is achieved without image blur by mimicking the insect vision function of infinite depth of field, even at close object distances. The BIOC provides multifunctional dental imaging, such as high dynamic range, 3D depth and autofluorescence imaging, through the multi-channel vision system.

The authors hope that the new wide-angle insect eye camera will not only contribute to technical progress in biomedical engineering societies, but also have a significant impact on diverse vision applications such as surveillance, smartphone and drones. They anticipate a further expansion of applications in the future. [3]

References:

1. https://spie.org/news/ultrathin-dental-camera-inspired-by-insect-eye-structure?SSO=1
2. https://journalbreak.com/ultrathin-dental-camera-inspired-by-insect-eye-structure/
3. http://xeniasday.com/2022/08/20/ultra-thin-dental-camera-inspired-by-the-structure-of-insect-eyes/

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), Ultrathin Dental Camera to Solve the Discomfort and Scan the Teeth, AnaTechMaz, pp.99