A new study has shown the benefits of using biologically inspired cameras for high-quality intraoral imaging.
Dental cameras are often used to inspect patient teeth. Typically, dentists will use a mirror to capture the image of the reflected teeth in a dental camera. The process can be uncomfortable, but it provides essential information on tooth arrangement and location.
To overcome this discomfort, a compact intraoral camera can be used. Conventional devices are limited in close-up imaging (for signs of tooth decay) and wide-angle imaging (for capturing the entire arrangement of teeth).
Taking inspiration from the superior vision of insect eyes, researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea Photonics Technology Institute developed a new wide-angle camera to provide functional imaging. Cameras have previously been developed drawing from similar inspirations, but the researchers set out to solve the previous limitations in resolution and limited functions.
The biologically inspired intraoral camera (BIOC) uses a 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 lens increases the field of view by up to 143 degrees and the iMLA’s reduce optical aberration by the scaling law.
For patients, this new technology could have significant benefits. The camera’s ultrathin design means that teeth can be observed even in narrow regions with minimal discomfort.
Emulating insect vision feature of infinite depth of field, even at short distances, has meant clear dental images are created without blur. BIOC also provides a high dynamic range, 3D depth and autofluorescence imaging, through the multichannel vision system.
Read the full study here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JOM.2.3.031202