“Specialized Keyboard For Dental Examinations” in Patent Application Approval Process (USPTO 20190258324)

2019 SEP 06 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Business Daily -- A patent application by the inventor Ibsies, Fadi (Tigard, OR), filed on April 9, 2019, was made available online on August 22, 2019, according to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by NewsRx correspondents.

This patent application has not been assigned to a company or institution.

The following quote was obtained by the news editors from the background information supplied by the inventors: “This invention relates to specialized input devices, specifically a keyboard and method of use, and software related to periodontal examinations.

“A periodontal examination, an important procedure performed frequently in dental and periodontal offices, includes an examination of the bones holding the teeth in place and the conditions of the teeth and gums. The examination includes probing the teeth and the gums around each of the patient’s teeth in succession, and recording the results. Because the examination requires several measurements for each of the (normally) 32-teeth 32 teeth, a large amount of data is generated and must be recorded.

“The data output from the examination of a patient is recorded on a chart. Today, the dental chart--no longer a paper record hand-written by the dentist--is computerized system including user interface, input device and database. Accordingly, today’s dentist electronically inputs a patient’s dental examination into a computerized record associated with the patient. This record requires the dentist or assistant to input the patient exam. Preferably, this input occurs real-time to avoid errors and reduce inefficient duplication of effort.

“However, real-time data entry, while entry, while also maintaining a safe and clean environment free of risk of contamination of infectious disease, requires disease, requires a time intensive operation requiring two persons (examiner and data-entry person). In some instances, specialized tools are used to facilitate the exam and real-time data recording, but most often a standard keyboard and/or touch screen touch-screen and/or mouse, or mouse, or other point-and-click input device is used by the assistant while the dentist probes and examines each tooth and audibly notes the condition. In turn, the turn, the assistant keys in the audible notes via a standard keyboard or touch screen touch-screen into the electronic chart for the dental patient.

“This dental chart often includes notations and records of the locations of carious, broken, and missing teeth. The dental chart also includes notations and records of along with work previously performed by another dentist, including restorations, crowns, and crowns, and bridges. To improve efficiencies, various prior art methods and devices have been introduced to record and retain patient records on a varied form of the dental chart.

“One such improvement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,305 granted to Benn et al. on Mar. 11, 2008. Benn et al. teach a method and system for charting tooth decay and disclose a conventional input device and computer for entering tooth conditions during an examination. Particularly, this reference discloses a method and system for advanced caries management that provides more descriptive representations of tooth decay, including site severity, activity (demineralization or remineralization), and cavitation state (non-cavitated or cavitated) of decay. Benn et al. teach a need in the art for a simple graphical user interface (GUI) to make entering and viewing data relative to caries management easier. A conventional GUI display includes a desktop metaphor upon which one or more icons, application windows, or other graphical objects are displayed. Typically, a user interacts with a GUI display utilizing a graphical pointer, which the user controls with a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse, touch pen, trackball, or joystick. The user selects icons or other graphical objects within the GUI display by positioning the graphical pointer over the graphical object and depressing a button associated with the graphical pointing device. In addition, the user can typically relocate icons, application windows, and other graphical objects on the desktop utilizing the well-known drag-and-drop techniques. By manipulating the graphical objects within the GUI display, the user can control the underlying hardware devices and software objects represented by the graphical objects in a graphical and intuitive manner.

“Other known methods and devices relating particularly to input devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,827 issued on May 19, 1998 to Baron et al. Baron et al. teach a specialized input keyboard specifically adapted for inputting tooth conditions during a dental examination. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Baron et al. reference show a generally rectilinear, thin, portable, input keyboard with standard alpha-numeric keys arranged in a conventional row/column layout. Baron et al. further teach a method of special codes representing combinations of a tooth and a condition.

“U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,402 issued on Apr. 8, 2008 to Hoarau et al. Hoarau et al. teach an intra-oral data input tool including a discoid head and handle. The discoid head includes a data input device responsive to force applied by a stylus and may be used directly by contacting a tooth during a dental examination.

“Yet other methods and devices, relating particularly to output or display improvement, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,531 issued on Aug. 31, 1999 to Foley et al., which teaches an instructional display of a human mouth; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,986 issued on Dec. 16, 2003 to Kopelman et al., which teaches a graphical user interface and display of a representation of a human mouth in simulated 3-D.

“One improved input device for periodontal examinations includes the teaching of Baron et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,827 issued on May 19, 1998. Baron et al. teach an automated periodontal examination data recording and recall apparatus having at least one pre-programmed mode of operation. Periodontal examination data is entered in a predetermined sequence into the Baron et al. apparatus. The periodontal examination must be performed in a predetermined sequence. The periodontal examination apparatus includes a keypad input device, an LCD, a main controller, and an attachment device for securing the apparatus to the examiner’s arm.

“Despite the attempts at improving the methods and devices to improve efficiency of data collection during a dental examination, there remains a need for an easy-to-use, customized or specialized keyboard that enables rapid data entry in any sequence tailored to the needs of a periodontal examination. Such a keyboard must adapt to existing computer hardware and software systems commonly used in dental offices.”

In addition to the background information obtained for this patent application, NewsRx journalists also obtained the inventor’s summary information for this patent application: “The present invention, in various preferred embodiments, includes an input device for use with a computerized system and a method of use of the keyboard can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a component of a computer or database system, a method of data input, an apparatus, an apparatus connected to a computer readable medium, a computer program product, or a data structure tangibly fixed in a computer readable memory. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

“As a computer system, an embodiment of the invention includes a memory unit containing data, a display, and a processor unit. The system may be, for example, in the form of a desktop, laptop, handheld, or palm-sized device, a personal data assistant (PDA), or integrated with other devices. The display has at least one display area (window). The processor unit operates to receive input from the user (via, e.g. a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice, touch-screen, or any other means by which a human can input data into a computer, including through other programs such as application programs or devices such as a probe), store the input as data, and output the data to the screen or printer. The data may also be transmitted to another device, such as a computer, or transferred via electronic means (including Internet communications). The memory unit may store the protocol for the method of recording carious lesions. The display device may include icons representative of the method of the present invention. The computer system further includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for the display screen for searching, inputting, and displaying data. A variety of formats for searching, inputting, and displaying data are contemplated.

“In one preferred embodiment, a graphical representation of all of the teeth of a patient is displayed on a device (such as a computer screen) from which a specific tooth is selected via the specialized keyboard of the present invention. That tooth is then displayed with individual anatomical graphical regions delineated. The region on the display that corresponds to the region on the actual tooth being examined is selected (or the regions can be automatically activated in a predetermined order). If using a digital probe, the reading on the probe is recorded (directly or manually) for the selected region on the screen. If manual probing is conducted, the operator enters the appropriate data for that region. Voice recognition and voice output may be used in conjunction with the method. Readings are recorded for each region as necessary. The process is repeated for each tooth as necessary. A printout of the chart can be provided from the device or from a central system with which the device communicates (e.g. PDA synchronized with desktop).

“As a computer readable media containing program instructions, an embodiment of the invention includes: computer readable code devices for the specific operations of the invention, including graphical display of the teeth, unique display of regions for systematic examination, input of data (manually or directly from another instrument), recording of data, display of data, and output of data. The methods of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product with a computer-readable medium having code thereon. The program product includes a program and a signal bearing media bearing the program.

“As an apparatus, the present invention may include at least one specialized keyboard coupled to a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a program residing in the memory which implements the methods of the present invention.

“One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus comprising a specialized dental keyboard. This keyboard will revolutionize the way data is entered in all dental offices and schools and reducing error due to misdiagnosis and increase the accuracy of data entry of patient’s existing conditions prior to rendering treatment. This data entry device seamlessly integrates with existing patient management software via key macros and direct software bridging. The keyboard includes keys (separate keys or combinations of keys) representing all teeth numbers, including primary teeth, based on the Universal/National System primarily used in the United States.

“The Universal/National System for permanent (adult) dentition (1-32) includes: (1) is the patient’s upper right molar and follows around the upper arch to the upper left third molar (16), descending to the lower left third molar (17) and follows around the lower arch to the lower right third molar (32). The Universal/National System order for the primary (baby) dentition is the same as described for the permanent dentition, however, the primary teeth are designated by upper case letters A through T, with A being the patient’s upper right second primary molar and T being the lower right second primary molar.

“Accordingly, the present invention utilizes this Universal/National System and functions as an improved dental pathosis and treatment plan entry device. The present invention enables the operator (such as a dental assistant, dental hygienist, or a dentist, for example) to enter data into pre-determined software, linked via a software bridge. And, key-macros make the entry of data more accurate, providing protection for both the dentist and the patient as far as the data entry is concerned. This data provides the existing conditions present in the patient’s mouth and the treatment plan needed to correct these conditions. The patient will be able to have a complete diagnosis and have a better understanding of the conditions that exist in his mouth. This device enables connection to certain educational videos that the patient will be able to benefit from and get a better understanding of the need for the recommended treatment. This device improves the data-entry operation for a tooth and includes short cuts (keys and/or macros) for existing conditions, a link with intraoral images of the tooth, a link with the periodontal assessment of the tooth, and is able to select any combination of several different treatment options including placement of the correct fees for each procedure and American Dental Association (ADA) codes for each procedure.

“The keyboard of the present invention, therefore, better enables a doctor or dentist to efficiently create a record of past work (‘what was done’ or ‘existing’), what needs to be done, why it needs to be done, and the long term prognosis of the procedure based on the periodontal health of the tooth--all the essential data the a board of dentistry requires to protect both the patient and the doctor. This device can become the educational tool of the future if schools were to carry this device and make incoming dental students use it as the standard of care in data entry.

“This keyboard works with existing dental software tools that are available on the market and it will be made compatible via software bridges or patches, or in the future--software can be specifically developed for it. One example of existing software for which the present invention is well suited includes the DENTRIX.RTM.-brand software tool available from http://www.dentrix.com, which is a readily available dental software tool and is well known in this art. Other examples of compatible software include the EAGLESOFT.RTM.-brand (available from http://patterson.eaglesoft.net/index.htm), DAISY DENTAL.TM. Software (available from http://www.daisydental.com/software/index.shtml), and KODAK.RTM.-brand dental software (available from http://www.kodakdental.com/for-dentists/practice-management-systems/softd- ent.aspx).

“The present invention includes a keyboard with specific buttons (tooth identifying keys). Each button represents a tooth on the two rows of keys including a shift-like key on the right side that toggles between primary and permanent teeth. On the left side is the dental diagnosis and treatment section. The following symbols and abbreviations are used: EX=existing condition, whether it is a filling (type of filling), broken half of tooth, or decay on a certain spot on the tooth; DX=what is wrong with the tooth, and why it needs treatment, for example a failing alloy filling, open margins, or recurrent decay on mesial; and TX=recommended treatment; for example, the proposed treatment, such as a crown, gold inlay, porcelain inlay, or composite filling. There will be a toggle to choose different options of treatment, such as a root canal on tooth #30 or a removal of tooth #30, and treatment plan--for example, an implant.

“When a user presses the probing chart key, the computer will automatically pull up the patient’s periodontal chart. On the right side of the device is the periodontal health of the tooth. It is represented with the most common buttons for millimeter readings of the periodontal pockets, for example from 1 mm to 6 mm and the less common measurements are represented with smaller buttons, for example from 7 mm to 12 mm for each tooth. A bleeding point button can be pressed for the mesial, middle reading, and distal reading. As an example, tooth #2 has a facial reading of 3-5-4, bleeding points on both mesial and middle readings, and class I mobility. The sequence of buttons that will be pressed include the #2 button on the upper left (to select tooth #2), followed the bleeding point button, the numbers 3-5-4 of the probing buttons, the mobility button, and the class I button. This will give a very accurate reading of the existing periodontal condition of tooth #2.

“Pressing the image capture button causes the computer to pull up the intra-oral camera.

“One contemplated method includes using the keyboard to assist with dental photographs (pictures). Accordingly, the way pictures will be taken is the assistant, for example, will press the #4 key and the camera will be activated to point to tooth #4 and the image will be stored in the patient’s computer chart as tooth #4. Thus, when data is pulled for tooth #4, there will be an existing condition of what the patient’s tooth looked like when he first joined the practice, along with an image of the tooth, the periodontal health of the tooth, what the proposed treatment was at the time, and the treatment that was rendered on the tooth.

“An assistant, doctor or hygienist can enter a full treatment plan on this keyboard without having to use a mouse because using a mouse in the dental operatory is awkward at best and tends to really slow down the data entry which causes the assistant to skip over pertinent data.

“The LCD display displays the data entered and has a 2 second time lapse so that data can be reviewed prior to having it sent to the software. This way the person entering the data can intercept it and change it if he/she sees that they made a mistake in the data entry.

“One embodiment of the present invention contemplates a specialized dental keyboard/input-output device adapted for use with a host computer to record conditions of teeth in a patient during a dental exam using a dental examination software tool resident on the host computer. The device includes a wired or wireless connection coupled to the host computer for sending inputted data representing a plurality of keystrokes; a set of programming sequences resident on the host computer adapted to convert the inputted keystrokes to a data string recognizable by the dental examination software tool; a plurality of input keys arranged on a keyboard, each key communicating to the wired or wireless connection; and a liquid-crystal display screen mounted on the keyboard and adapted to display a sequence of keystrokes.

“This embodiment further contemplates that the plurality of input keys consists of at least 32 keys wherein each key is consecutively numbered beginning with digit ‘1’ and ending with the combination digits ‘32’ indicating each one of the thirty-two teeth.

“This embodiment further contemplates a first-condition key on the keyboard and a second condition key wherein the first condition key represents the patient’s current condition and a second condition key represents the patient’s prescribed treatment.

“This embodiment further contemplates a second multidirectional input element having at least five unique input directions, the five input directions disposed generally in a common input plane; and wherein the plurality of input keys comprises a first set of keys numbered from 1 to 32, the first set of keys being adapted to input the current condition of the patient’s teeth; and a second set of keys numbered from 1 to 32, the second set of keys being adapted to input the treatment or proscribed treatment of the patient’s teeth.

“This embodiment further contemplates that the keys also include an RCT (Root Canal Therapy) key; a PFM (Porcelain Fused to Metal crown) key; an FGC (Full Gold Crown) key; an A.Prophy (Adult Prophy) key; a C.Prophy (Child Prophy) key; an SRP (Scaling and Root Planing) key; a Pontic (middle fake tooth on a bridge) key; a Part Denture (partial denture) key and a Full Denture (complete denture, no teeth on upper or lower arch).

“This embodiment further contemplates that the keys also include an F (Facial or Buccal) key; an L (Lingual or Palatal, that is palate side or tongue side) key; a D (Distal, the back side of the tooth) key; an M (Mesial, the front side of the tooth) key; and an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal, the top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the tooth--in the anterior teeth case that is called incisal) key. This embodiment further contemplates a method for examining a patient’s teeth during a dental exam. The method includes providing a specialized dental keyboard having a plurality of keys, the plurality of keys including at least 32 keys wherein each key is consecutively numbered beginning with digit ‘1’ and ending with the combination digits ‘32’ indicating each one of the thirty-two teeth and at least one additional key from the following group: an RCT (Root Canal Therapy) key; a PFM (Porcelain Fused to Metal crown) key; an FGC (Full Gold Crown) key; an A.Prophy (Adult Prophy) key; a C.Prophy (Child Prophy) key; an SRP (Scaling and Root Planing) key; a Pontic (middle fake tooth on a bridge) key; a Part Denture (partial denture) key and a Full Denture (complete denture, no teeth on upper or lower arch); providing a host computer with a dental examination software tool resident in memory; providing a software macro installed on the host computer, the software macro adapted to translate keystrokes of the specialized dental keyboard to data strings for inputting into the dental examination software tool; and inputting a sequence of keystrokes on the dental keyboard, the sequence of keystrokes representing a condition observed during the dental exam.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A dental examination system for use with a dental examination software tool, the dental examination software tool being able to record conditions of a patient’s teeth and store the records in an associated patient’s computer chart of the dental examination software tool, the system comprising: (a) a host computer having a central processor, at least one output screen or monitor device, and at least one input device, the dental examination software tool resident on the host computer; (b) a specialized dental keyboard/input-output device having a plurality of input keys, said specialized dental keyboard/input-output device physically distinct from said host computer; © each input key having an associated data string recognizable by the dental examination software tool; and (d) groupings of input keys specific to dental procedures, wherein each grouping includes a plurality of said input keys, the distance between adjacent input keys of the grouping being smaller than the distance between the input keys of the grouping and input keys not associated with the grouping, comprising: (i) a tooth surface grouping of input keys comprising: an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal, the top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the tooth--in the anterior teeth case that is called incisal) input key; an M (Mesial, the front side of the tooth) input key; a D (Distal, the back side of the tooth) input key; an L (Lingual or Palatal, that is palate side or tongue side) input key; and an F (Facial or Buccal) input key; wherein the I/O input key is centrally positioned, the M input key is positioned above the I/O input key, the D input key is positioned below the I/O input key, the L input key is positioned to the left of the I/O input key, and the F input key is positioned to the right of the I/O input key, such that the I/O input key, the M input key, the D input key, the L input key, and the F input key are arranged in a cross pattern; and (ii) a tooth grouping of tooth input keys, each tooth input key designating a specific tooth, comprising: a first set of at least 16 tooth input keys, the first set including consecutively numbered from 1 to 16 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the upper arch of a mouth; and a second set of at least 16 tooth input keys, the second set including reverse consecutively numbered from 32 to 17 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the lower arch of a mouth.

“2. The system of claim 1, the specialized dental keyboard/input-output device further comprising an image capture button, the image capture button for activating a camera to create an image, the image being stored in the associated patient’s computer chart of the dental examination software tool, the camera being an intra-oral camera.

“3. The system of claim 1, the specialized dental keyboard/input-output device further comprising an image capture button, the image capture button for activating a camera to provide input images of human gestures, a pre-determined set of command or data instructions being associated with particular individual gestures or particular sequences of gestures, recognized input images of human gestures activating the command or data instructions to implement commands or input data.

“4. A method for using an automated supply ordering and inventory control system in conjunction with a dental examination system, the dental examination system comprising a computer and at least one input device, the dental examination system having an associated dental examination software tool, the method comprising the steps of: (a) storing pre-determined supply lists associated with procedures or treatments in memory accessible by the automated supply ordering and inventory control system, the pre-determined supply lists associated with procedures or treatments to be performed on a patient; (b) storing a virtual inventory in memory accessible by the automated supply ordering and inventory control system, the virtual inventory detailing a stock of supplies; © the dental examination software tool accepting input from a dental practitioner via the at least one input device, the input from the dental practitioner pertaining to a particular procedure or treatment to be performed on the patient; (d) the automated supply ordering and inventory control system accessing a particular pre-determined supply list associated with the particular procedure or treatment to be performed on the patient; (e) the automated supply ordering and inventory control system accessing the virtual inventory to verify supplies listed on the particular pre-determined supply list are in stock; and (f) the automated supply ordering and inventory control system automatically re-orders supplies if the removal of supplies listed on the particular pre-determined supply list reduces the stock of those supplies to a set threshold point; (g) wherein automated supply ordering and inventory control is based on a procedure or treatment inputted by the dentist.

“5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of presenting steps associated with the particular procedure or treatment to a dental practitioner on a screen, and allowing the dental practitioner via the at least one input device to customize the steps of the particular procedure or treatment.

“6. A specialized dental keyboard/input-output device adapted for recording conditions of teeth in a patient during a dental exam using a dental examination software tool, the specialized dental keyboard/input-output device comprising: (a) a display area; (b) groupings of input keys specific to dental procedures, wherein each grouping includes a plurality of said input keys, the distance between adjacent input keys of the grouping being smaller than the distance between the input keys of the grouping and input keys not associated with the grouping, comprising: (i) a tooth surface grouping of input keys comprising: an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal, the top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the tooth--in the anterior teeth case that is called incisal) input key; an M (Mesial, the front side of the tooth) input key; a D (Distal, the back side of the tooth) input key; an L (Lingual or Palatal, that is palate side or tongue side) input key; and an F (Facial or Buccal) input key; wherein the I/O input key is centrally positioned, the M input key is positioned above the I/O input key, the D input key is positioned below the I/O input key, the L input key is positioned to the left of the I/O input key, and the F input key is positioned to the right of the I/O input key, such that the I/O input key, the M input key, the D input key, the L input key, and the F input key are arranged in a cross pattern; and (ii) a tooth grouping of tooth input keys, each tooth input key designating a specific tooth, comprising: a first set of at least 16 tooth input keys, the first set including consecutively numbered from 1 to 16 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the upper arch of a mouth; and a second set of at least 16 tooth input keys, the second set including reverse consecutively numbered from 32 to 17 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the lower arch of a mouth.”

URL and more information on this patent application, see: Ibsies, Fadi. Specialized Keyboard For Dental Examinations. Filed April 9, 2019 and posted August 22, 2019. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220190258324%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20190258324&RS=DN/20190258324

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