Patents by Inventor Hideo Kakuma

Hideo Kakuma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11421978
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography imaging device (OCT device) splits laser light emitted from a light source into measurement light for irradiating an object and reference light for irradiating a reference mirror, then analyze the interference light formed by combining scattered measurement light reflected back from the object and reflected reference light reflected from the reference mirror in order to generate tomographic images. An OCT device includes a probe, which is used for irradiating the object with measurement light and collecting scattered measurement light that is reflected back from the object, and an OCT main unit, which includes a light source for emitting measurement light. The probe is arranged on an odonto-therapy unit equipped with an instrument hanger, and includes a probe-connection optical fiber for transmitting measurement light and scattered measurement light. The probe-connection optical fiber is detachably connected to the OCT main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: THE YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Patent number: 10799099
    Abstract: Provided are an optical interference tomographic image generating apparatus and a method for using the same, whereby an image can be acquired in which the effect of unnecessary matter near a sample is reduced. An optical interference tomographic image generating apparatus is provided with an OCT control device for performing image processing for vertically inverting an image generated from a detection signal in the case of a setting whereby a reference mirror is disposed so that the optical path length of a reference optical path matches the optical path length of a sample optical path having as a reference position a position at a greater depth along the optical axis of a sample than a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Publication number: 20200113440
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography imaging device (OCT device) splits laser light emitted from a light source into measurement light for irradiating an object and reference light for irradiating a reference mirror, then analyze the interference light formed by combining scattered measurement light reflected back from the object and reflected reference light reflected from the reference mirror in order to generate tomographic images. An OCT device includes a probe, which is used for irradiating the object with measurement light and collecting scattered measurement light that is reflected back from the object, and an OCT main unit, which includes a light source for emitting measurement light. The probe is arranged on an odonto-therapy unit equipped with an instrument hanger, and includes a probe-connection optical fiber for transmitting measurement light and scattered measurement light. The probe-connection optical fiber is detachably connected to the OCT main unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Hideo KAKUMA
  • Patent number: 10555673
    Abstract: A probe (1) is used in an optical coherence tomography device which irradiates measurement light to a subject and collects scattered light that has returned from the subject after being reflected. The probe (1) is provided with a scanning means (70) composed of galvanometer mirrors (72, 73) that change an irradiation direction of the measurement light. The scanning means (70) is provided with actuators (72b, 73b) which switch reflecting mirrors (72a, 73a) that reflect the measurement light between a state where the measurement light is reflected by the subject and returns as the scattered light, and a state where the measurement light is diffusely reflected within the probe (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: THE YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Patent number: 10433730
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic image generation apparatus includes: a probe including a two-dimensional scanning mechanism therein reflecting a beam incident from one of sides of the probe while a position of the beam is shifted by time-division drive; an optical unit that detects an optical coherent light created by interference between the reference beam and scattered light returned by reflection from the measuring object irradiated through the probe with the measurement beam to generate an optical coherent tomographic image from the detection signal of the coherent light acquired in a time base in one of first or second operation modes. In the first operation mode, scanning is performed parallel on an optical irradiation plane at the measuring object in a first direction. In the second operation mode, scanning is performed parallel on the optical irradiation plane at the measuring object in a second direction orthogonal with the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Yoshida Dental Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Publication number: 20190029505
    Abstract: Provided are an optical interference tomographic image generating apparatus and a method for using the same, whereby an image can be acquired in which the effect of unnecessary matter near a sample is reduced. An optical interference tomographic image generating apparatus is provided with an OCT control device for performing image processing for vertically inverting an image generated from a detection signal in the case of a setting whereby a reference mirror is disposed so that the optical path length of a reference optical path matches the optical path length of a sample optical path having as a reference position a position at a greater depth along the optical axis of a sample than a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Publication number: 20180310825
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic image generation apparatus includes: a probe including a two-dimensional scanning mechanism therein reflecting a beam incident from one of sides of the probe while a position of the beam is shifted by time-division drive; an optical unit that detects an optical coherent light created by interference between the reference beam and scattered light returned by reflection from the measuring object irradiated through the probe with the measurement beam to generate an optical coherent tomographic image from the detection signal of the coherent light acquired in a time base in one of first or second operation modes. In the first operation mode, scanning is performed parallel on an optical irradiation plane at the measuring object in a first direction. In the second operation mode, scanning is performed parallel on the optical irradiation plane at the measuring object in a second direction orthogonal with the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Hideo KAKUMA
  • Publication number: 20170196460
    Abstract: A probe (1) is used in an optical coherence tomography device which irradiates measurement light to a subject and collects scattered light that has returned from the subject after being reflected. The probe (1) is provided with a scanning means (70) composed of galvanometer mirrors (72, 73) that change an irradiation direction of the measurement light. The scanning means (70) is provided with actuators (72b, 73b) which switch reflecting mirrors (72a, 73a) that reflect the measurement light between a state where the measurement light is reflected by the subject and returns as the scattered light, and a state where the measurement light is diffusely reflected within the probe (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventor: Hideo KAKUMA
  • Patent number: 9084562
    Abstract: To measure internal information on the subject, the OCT (optical coherence tomographic) control device is equipped with: a first imaging control means for initiating imaging when it is determined that input of a measurement instruction to scan the laser light at a prescribed pitch in the imaging target area of a sample using the galvano mirror has been received, and completing imaging in an imaging time that matches the prescribed pitch; and with a second imaging control means for initiating imaging when it is determined that input of a preview instruction to scan at a coarser pitch than the prescribed pitch has been received, and for completing imaging when it is determined that input of a measurement instruction as an instruction to cancel the preview instruction has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma
  • Publication number: 20140192323
    Abstract: To measure internal information on the subject, the OCT (optical coherence tomographic) control device is equipped with: a first imaging control means for initiating imaging when it is determined that input of a measurement instruction to scan the laser light at a prescribed pitch in the imaging target area of a sample using the galvano mirror has been received, and completing imaging in an imaging time that matches the prescribed pitch; and with a second imaging control means for initiating imaging when it is determined that input of a preview instruction to scan at a coarser pitch than the prescribed pitch has been received, and for completing imaging when it is determined that input of a measurement instruction as an instruction to cancel the preview instruction has been received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: THE YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Kakuma