阅读说明：本技术 用于牙科护理的操作灯 (Operating lamp for dental care ) 是由 C·德戈德津斯基 A·凯图 A·福斯伯格 于 2020-03-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及投影仪构造(86),该投影仪构造(86)被布置为在结构上和操作上都集成到牙科操作灯(8)中以成为牙科操作灯(8)的一部分,并且其中牙科操作灯(8)照亮表面上的第一区域,而投影仪构造(86)被配置为在表面上在与操作灯(8)基本相同的方向上将图形、图片和/或视频投影在第二区域上。(The invention relates to a projector construction (86), which projector construction (86) is arranged to be structurally and operationally integrated into a dental worklight (8) to be part of the dental worklight (8), and wherein the dental worklight (8) illuminates a first area on a surface, while the projector construction (86) is configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video on the surface on a second area in substantially the same direction as the worklight (8).)

1. A dental care unit comprising:

-a frame structure (2);

-a support construction (5) for supporting at least one dental instrument (6), a diagnostic instrument related to dental care and/or at least one instrument used in connection with a dental care operation;

-a control system;

-a user interface (12);

-means via which the power or control signals or both required for its operation can be delivered to the at least one instrument (6);

-an operating light (8) arranged for use in connection with dental care, comprising an illumination system (83, 85) arranged to generate a light pattern of a desired kind at a desired distance from the operating light (8) and in a desired direction to illuminate the first area;

-support structure for operating lamps (7)

Characterized in that the projector arrangement (86) is configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video onto the surface in substantially the same direction as said desired direction, the surface comprising a second area onto which the graphics, pictures and/or video are projected, the projector arrangement (86) being structurally and operationally integrated into the operating lamp (8) as part of the operating lamp (8).

2. The dental care unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projector arrangement (86) is configured to project the graphics, pictures and/or videos at the second area such that the second area is outside but very close to the first area in the vicinity of the desired distance.

3. The dental care unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projector configuration (86) is configured to be controlled by a projector controller (802) structurally integrated into the operating light (8).

4. The dental care unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the projector arrangement (86) is configured to be able to project graphics, pictures and/or video such that the second area is larger than the first area in the vicinity of the desired distance.

5. The dental care unit of claim 4, wherein the second area that is larger than the first area comprises the first area.

6. The dental care unit according to claim 3, wherein the projector controller (802) is configured to be able to project the graphics, pictures and/or videos at the second area by default or as a response to a control signal, wherein the second area is outside but very close to the first area in the vicinity of the desired distance.

7. The dental care unit according to any of claims 3-6, wherein the projector controller (802) is configured to project the graphics, pictures and/or videos at a first portion within the second area and at the same time not project any content on a second portion within the second area.

8. The dental care unit according to any of claims 3-7, wherein said projector controller (802) is configured to receive information related to projecting said graphics, pictures and/or videos from said dental instrument (6), which instrument may be dental care related or used in connection with dental care operations, from a control system of the instrument itself, or from an instrument of the dental care unit when controlling the operation of the dental instrument (6).

9. The dental care unit according to any of claims 1-8, wherein said graphics, pictures and/or videos comprise a user interface of the dental care unit or a part thereof.

10. The dental care unit according to any of claims 1-9, wherein an operation light (8) is further arranged with at least one camera (87) configured to at least partially photograph the second area.

11. The dental care unit according to claim 10, wherein the operation light (8) comprises or is functionally connected to a component configured to recognize gestures within the field of view of the at least one camera.

12. The dental care unit according to claim 11, wherein a control system of the dental care unit is configured to recognize the gesture taken by the at least one camera as a control signal when the gesture is made when the graphic, picture and/or video is projected by the projector and comprises a given feature of a user interface (12) of the dental care unit.

13. The dental care unit according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the system comprising the dental care unit comprises a stereo camera arranged to an operating light, means for pattern recognition, and means for projecting said graphics, pictures and/or video at and/or outside an area covered by or comprising a given pattern configured to be recognized by said means for pattern recognition.

14. The dental care unit according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the system comprising the dental care unit comprises a stereo camera arranged to an operating light, means for pattern recognition and means for projecting at the second area a drilling plan comprising locations and orientations of holes to be drilled in an anatomical structure together with an image or a part of an image taken by the stereo camera, the image or part of an image taken by the stereo camera comprising a given pattern recognized by means for pattern recognition, wherein the given pattern is a pattern arranged to a dental drill instrument.

15. The dental care unit according to any of claims 1-14, wherein at least a part of the electronics required for operation of both the operating light (8) itself and the projector (86) is arranged as a physical part of the structure of the operating light (8).

16. A dental operating light arranged for use in connection with dental care, comprising: an illumination system (83, 85) arranged to generate a light pattern of a desired kind at a desired distance from the dental operating light and in a desired direction to illuminate the first area; and an articulated and balanced support arm structure (7) for supporting the operation light within the operation range of the arm structure (7), characterized in that the projector configuration (86) is configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video onto a surface in substantially the same direction as said desired direction, the surface comprising a second area onto which the graphics, pictures and/or video is projected, the projector configuration (86) being structurally and operationally integrated into the dental operation light (8) to be part of the dental operation light (8), and wherein the dental operation light (8) comprises at least a mechanical connection configuration or signaling means compatible with corresponding means of the dental care unit.

17. The dental operating light of claim 16, wherein the dental care unit is a dental care unit according to any of claims 1-15.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device that can be implemented in connection with a dental operating light.

Background

In the field of dentistry, the term dental care unit (often simply referred to as "dental unit") is a device or apparatus that is directed to powering diagnostic instruments associated with dental care or instruments used in connection with dental care operations and possibly also to providing control signals. A typical solution is to arrange such an instrument on an instrument console supported by a support arm extending from the frame structure of the dental care unit.

In a dental care unit, an arm for operating the lamp is often also arranged. For such operating lights, there are standards relating to lighting, in particular, the oral area of a patient, which define the properties of the light field generated by the operating light, such as its size, shape, penumbra area, etc. The dental operating light is also referred to as a stand-alone product or sold as a stand-alone item but arranged to be connectable to a dental care unit.

The prior art dental care units typically comprise means for presenting various information related to the dental care work. This information may include, for example, basic settings of the instrument connected to the dental care unit, more detailed information related to the operation of the instrument during use of the instrument, and on the other hand other types of information related to, for example, guiding a dental care job. This type of information is known to be displayed, for example, on a user interface of the dental care unit or on a display connected to the dental care unit. One place for displaying such information is a support structure for the dental instrument(s).

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that enables information relating to dental care work to be brought close to the field of vision of the dentist when operating in the mouth.

For one, as an aspect of the invention, the information may relate to the operation currently in progress itself or to the use of the instrument that has currently been picked up for use from the support structure of the instrument, as an example.

According to one aspect of the invention, as an example, a light beam projection pattern, picture and/or video may be generated in a dental operating light, the direction of which is substantially the same as the direction in which the operating light is arranged at a desired distance from the operating light and in a desired direction to generate a light pattern of a desired kind to illuminate the oral cavity of a patient.

According to an aspect of the invention, as an example, the projector configuration arranged to the dental operating light may be configured to be able to project graphics, pictures and/or video at a desired distance from the operating light over a larger area than the area covered by said desired light pattern.

According to an aspect of the invention, as an example, the projector arranged to operate the lamp comprises a control system which may be configured to project, by default or in response to a control signal, graphics, pictures and/or video in an area outside the area covered by the desired light pattern in an area larger than the area covered by the desired light pattern.

According to one aspect of the invention, the area on which the graphics, pictures and/or video is arranged to be projected within an area larger than the area covered by the desired light pattern is, as an example, an area above or below the desired light pattern illuminating the mouth of the patient, such as a part of the forehead or the torso of the patient.

According to an aspect of the invention, the area on which the graphics, pictures and/or video are projected may be, as an example, the patient's goggles or a reflective structure arranged in connection with the patient's goggles.

According to one aspect of the invention, by way of example, flashes at specific time intervals (or countdown/count up to the remaining time) are generated and projected to inform of the time elapsed during a given dental procedure.

According to one aspect of the invention, as an example, when instrument navigation is activated, a color-coded graphic may be generated and projected, for example, relating to the position of the instrument during surgery.

According to an aspect of the invention, information about the actual position of the instrument or the deviation of the instrument from the target position may be projected during instrument navigation, as an example.

According to one aspect of the invention, by way of example, subtle information about a patient whose appointment time is near its end may be projected.

According to an aspect of the invention, basic information relating to the functionality of the instrument or the dental care unit may be projected, as an example, enhancing or replacing the traditional user interface of the dental care unit.

According to an aspect of the invention, as an example, gesture recognition features may be included in the projected user interface, while gestures may be observed, for example, by a camera device additionally included in the operating light. The gesture may be arranged to be recognized as a control signal related to a feature of the dental care unit or dental instrument being projected, such as a feature of the user interface or a part of the user interface starting to be projected.

According to an aspect of the invention, as an example, the dental care unit is arranged as part of a system comprising means for pattern recognition. Patterns configured to be recognized may include, for example, mouth, eyes, goggles.

According to one aspect of the invention, for example, a new operating lamp, which is at least functionally connectable to a dental care unit, is designed to comprise a projector device, wherein the projector device has initially been designed as an integral part of the structure of the operating lamp.

According to one aspect of the invention, for example, a new operating lamp is devised which is functionally connectable to a dental care unit, which also comprises a camera device, wherein the camera device has initially been designed as an integral part of the structure of the operating lamp. According to one aspect of the invention, for example, the camera arrangement comprises a stereo camera, i.e. two cameras at a distance from each other. Such a device may be used in conjunction with, for example, drilling the desired hole for a dental implant to generate information regarding the location and position of the drill bit relative to the hole designed for the implant.

The essential features of the invention will be defined in the appended independent claims.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be presented in the appended dependent claims and in the following more detailed description of the invention.

Drawings

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows an example of a typical dental care unit.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of one possible arrangement for implementing the integration of a projector into a dental operating light.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of one possible arrangement for implementing the integration of a projector and a stereo camera into a dental operating light.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of another possible arrangement for integrating a projector and a stereo camera into a dental operating light.

Figure 5 shows a (partly) schematic example of an inventive device according to a part of a dental operating light,

fig. 6 shows another example of an inventive device according to a part of a dental operating light.

Fig. 7a and 7b show examples of how the second area, to which graphics, pictures and/or video can be projected by a projector operating the lamp, can be configured to be located in relation to the first area, which is the area that produces a light pattern of the desired kind at the desired distance from the operating lamp and in the desired direction to illuminate the patient's mouth.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a typical dental care unit 1, which dental care unit 1 is designed for use in connection with dental care and is thus an example of a dental care unit suitable for implementing the invention. However, fig. 1 only shows an example of such a dental care unit, and it is not necessary to include some components in the dental care unit according to the invention.

The dental care unit 1 according to fig. 1 comprises a frame structure 2 and a patient chair 3 connected thereto. Extending from the frame structure 2 is a vertical structure 4 to which vertical structure 4 a first support structure 5 for supporting a dental instrument 6 is connected, the dental instrument 6 being for example a diagnostic instrument in connection with dental care and/or an instrument used in connection with a dental care operation. The vertical structure 4 is further connected to a second support structure 7 for operating a lamp 8 and to a third support structure 9 for a display 10.

Fig. 1 also shows an instrument console 11, which may be designed to support instruments commonly used by dental assistants, and a foot control 12, by means of which foot control 12 the operation of dental care unit 1 and/or equipment and structures associated or connected thereto may be controlled. Not shown in fig. 1, the dental care unit 1 may also comprise another user interface, such as a touch screen, as part of its control system. Furthermore, the dental care unit 1 of fig. 1 is arranged in operative connection with a data network or a personal computer 13.

As mentioned, it should be noted that the dental care unit according to fig. 1 is only an example. Within the scope of the invention, the dental care unit may comprise more or less support structures for different kinds of components and equipment than shown in the structure according to fig. 1. It is also not necessary to have a patient chair, for example in the dental care unit itself, since it can be realized as a separate structure from the frame of the dental care unit. Furthermore, the frame structure of the dental care unit may not be the structure shown in fig. 1 with significant horizontal and vertical dimensions, but only a support structure with its basic dimensions, from which one or more support arms extend. The frame may also be arranged to be integrated with the structure of the patient chair fixed on the floor.

However, the frame structure of the dental care unit is typically implemented such that via it is arranged to be provided with the power and/or control signals required for using the instruments and devices used in connection with dental care. Physically, this means providing for example at least one of: water, compressed air, electricity, or other control signals. Thus, when referring to a dental care unit in the present application, it refers to a structure comprising means for providing at least some of the above listed or equivalent to a dental care instrument arranged for connection with a dental care unit or other device used in connection with dental care.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of one possible arrangement for integrating a projector into a dental operating light. The apparatus according to fig. 2 comprises a projector unit 801 arranged in operative connection with a projector controller 802. As also shown, a projector controller 802 may be arranged in operative connection with a control system 804 that operates the lamp 8. The control system 804 of the operation lamp 8 controls and may also be arranged to communicate with the light emitter 803 of the operation lamp.

In the embodiment of the invention according to fig. 3, the operation light 8 further comprises a stereo camera, i.e. two camera units 805 and a camera controller 806. In the embodiment of the invention according to fig. 4, the resources of the projector unit 801 and the stereo camera 805, such as the controller 802, are integrated into a single controller 802, whereas according to an aspect of the invention the resources are only partially integrated.

Fig. 5 shows as a schematic example an arrangement of a dental operating light for a dental care unit according to the invention (support arm structure not shown). The operating lamp 8 of fig. 2 comprises a frame part 81 and a cover glass 82, only partially shown in fig. 2 to enable some of the internal components of the operating lamp 8 to be seen. In the example of fig. 2, the structure designed to produce the desired kind of light pattern at the desired distance from the operating light and in the desired direction comprises a reflective structure 83 designed to reflect light produced by the light emitting component 85, which is not visible in fig. 2 but starts to lie below the support structure 84. The projector 86 is arranged on the support 84, in fig. 5 in the middle of the operating lamp 8. Fig. 5 also shows two optical cameras 87 arranged close to the sides of the operating light 8.

In fig. 6, some of the same basic components of the operating lamp 8 are present as in fig. 5, but where the location of the projector 86 is arranged differently. Also in this embodiment, the control and other functions of projector 86 may be arranged in the same manner as discussed above, e.g., in the context of discussing fig. 2-4, and as further discussed below.

Fig. 7a and 7b show examples of how the second area, to which graphics, pictures and/or video can be projected by the projector 86 operating the lamp, can be configured to be located in relation to the first area, which is the area that produces the desired kind of light pattern to illuminate the patient's mouth at the desired distance from the operating lamp and in the desired direction.

An embodiment in which the projector projection or projector controller 802 is configured to be able to project graphics, pictures and/or video such that the second area is larger than the first area in the vicinity of the above-mentioned desired distance is shown in fig. 7 a.

In the embodiment of fig. 7a, the second region is not only thus larger than the first region, but it also surrounds the first region.

In the embodiment of fig. 7b, the projector projection or projector controller 86 is configured to be able to project graphics, pictures and/or video at a second area, optionally by default or in response to a control signal, wherein the second area is outside the first area but in close proximity to the first area at the desired distance.

According to another aspect of the invention, a projector or projector controller 802, which may be structurally integrated into the operating lamp 8, is configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video at a first portion within a second area as described above, while not projecting any content on the second portion within the second area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the operating light includes other components, other than the projector controller 802, for not projecting anything on the second portion within the second area, as described above.

In general, the invention may thus be characterized as a dental care unit comprising:

-a frame structure 2;

a support construction 5 for supporting at least one dental instrument 6, a diagnostic instrument related to dental care and/or at least one instrument used in connection with a dental care operation;

-a control system;

-a user interface 12;

means via which the power or control signals or both required for its operation can be delivered to the at least one instrument 6;

an operating light 8 arranged for use in connection with dental care, comprising an illumination system 83, 85 arranged to generate a light pattern of a desired kind at a desired distance from the operating light 8 and in a desired direction to illuminate the first area;

a support structure 7 for operating the lamp;

and wherein the projector configuration 86 is configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video in substantially the same direction as the desired direction onto a surface comprising the second area onto which the graphics, pictures and/or video is projected, the projector configuration 86 being structurally and operationally integrated into the operating lamp 8 to be part of the operating lamp 8.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, projector controller 86 is configured to receive information related to projected graphics, pictures and/or videos to be projected from a dental instrument, which may be dental care related or used in connection with a dental care operation, from a control system of the instrument itself, or from a dental care unit when controlling the operation of the dental instrument.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the graphics, pictures and/or videos comprise a user interface of the dental care unit or a part thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the operating light, on which the at least one camera 87 is arranged, is configured to at least partially photograph the above-mentioned second area.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the operating light includes or is functionally connected to a component configured to recognize gestures arranged within the field of view of the camera 87 of the operating light.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the control system of the dental care unit is configured to recognize a gesture taken by the at least one camera as a control signal when the gesture is made when the graphic, picture and/or video is projected by the projector and comprises a given feature of a user interface (12) of the dental care unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the dental care unit with the operating light and the projector 86 is part of a system comprising a stereo camera arranged to the operating light, means for pattern recognition, and means for projecting said graphics, pictures and/or video at and/or to an area outside the area covered by or comprising a given pattern configured to be recognized by said means for pattern recognition.

The pattern to be recognized may be, for example, eyes or goggles, or a reflective surface of a given shape designed to remain on the patient's chest during dental care operations.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system comprising a dental care unit may comprise a stereo camera arranged to operate a light, means for pattern recognition and means for projecting a drilling plan comprising locations and orientations of holes to be drilled in an anatomical structure together with an image or a part of an image taken by the stereo camera in the second area, the image or part of an image taken by the stereo camera comprising a given pattern recognized by the means for pattern recognition, wherein the given pattern is a pattern arranged to a dental drill instrument.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least a part of the electronics required for operating the operation of both the lamp 8 itself and the projector 86 is arranged as a physical part of the structure of the operating lamp 8.

Returning to fig. 5, there is shown the operating lamp 8 in which a cover glass 82 protects components placed to a frame portion 81 of the operating lamp. The operating lamp may also be realized without a cover glass without departing from the idea of the invention. Importantly, the projector 86 is structurally and operationally integrated as part of the operating lamp. That is, the controls for the operation of the projector are part of the operating light.

And optionally, controls for the operation of the stereo camera 87 arranged to operate the light and its signal path may be arranged to operate a portion of the light.

The camera 87 is preferably arranged in the operating lamp 8, which is directed to take a photograph mainly at the area where the operating lamp 8 is arranged to produce the desired type of light pattern discussed above. On the other hand, the optics of the cameras may be arranged to be able to adjust their field of view (FOV). The direction of the camera shot may also be arranged to be adjustable.

Since the worklight according to the invention has been originally designed to include the projector 87, and in various embodiments of the invention there are also two cameras, the design of the mechanism of its support structure is based on the consideration of the additional mass added by the additional components of a conventional worklight.

Likewise, whenever additional cables need to be routed for the operating lamp of the projector and optional camera, the requirement to pass these cables through the support structure of the operating lamp can also be taken into account when designing the operating lamp.

As for the camera unit 805, they may comprise, for example, a lens system and an image detector and their required and possible peripheral components. The operation of these components may be related to, for example, processing detected image information or controlling the lens system.

The lens system may include a lens with a fixed or adjustable focal length that forms an image on the detector. From the camera unit 805, the image information may be forwarded to the camera controller 806 in digital form. The image information may be pre-processed in the camera unit 805 before forwarding, for example by compensating for defective pixels of the detector, by eliminating artifacts caused by the lens, or by adjusting the exposure, sensitivity or color balance.

The camera controller 806 may include components whose operation involves processing and storing image information in addition to receiving signals and image information from the camera unit 805 and on the other hand forwarding them.

The camera controller 806 and the projector controller 802 may be arranged to receive information and signals from an external data system.

Accordingly, the above-described image processing that is possible in the camera unit 805 may be partially or entirely performed only in the camera controller 806. The components used in the processing may be implemented as, for example, ASIC or FPGA based solutions. In forwarding data as well as receiving data, a WLAN or ETHERNET connection, for example, may be used as an alternative to a cable.

In the arrangement according to fig. 2-4, the projector controller 802 is arranged in operative connection with a control system 804 for operating the lamp with which it can communicate, in particular it can be arranged to receive power from the control system. If necessary, a device that converts power supplied thereto into appropriate voltage for use inside projector controller 802 and also for projector unit 801 may be arranged to projector controller 802.

The same applies to the camera unit 805 and the camera controller 806.

A control system 804 for operating the lamp may be operatively connected to the light emitters of the projection unit 801 and the operating lamp 803. The light emitter 803 of the operation lamp 8 may comprise as actual light emitting components, for example, an LED arrangement and further optical components, such as one or more lenses and/or reflecting surfaces.

Additionally or alternatively, the operation lamp in general and suitable for use in the context of the present invention may comprise more than one light source and/or other kinds of optics, such as one or more lenses and/or other kinds of reflective surfaces, for generating a desired kind of light pattern at a desired distance from the operation lamp and in a desired direction. Generally, a light pattern of a desired kind having desired characteristics substantially at a distance from the operating light is generated by the dental operating light, which light pattern can then be positioned in the area of the patient's mouth so that the patient's mouth can be illuminated without the light being dazzling the patient.

As for embodiments of the invention comprising a camera, the camera controller 806 may be arranged to receive image information in digital form from the camera unit 805, and both the camera controller 806 and the camera unit 805 may be arranged to process the information they receive. The camera controller 806 may also include a mass memory in which detected and processed image information may be stored. In particular, in embodiments where the information is not forwarded from the operating light via a cable, the image information may preferably be compressed into a format that is easy to transmit and store prior to forwarding.

The camera unit 805 may be arranged to generate image information as a continuous stream of information that may be analyzed and processed within the camera system. Such processing may be based on controls external to the system or on analysis performed in the camera system itself. The information handling may be, for example, deleting information unrelated to its intended use before forwarding the information.

The analysis of the image data may include, for example, identifying spatial frequency components and their intensities in different parts of the image, identifying patterns predefined to be detected and identifying their two-dimensional locations, or calculating the variation between successive images.

The processing of the image information may also include, for example, processing the image into the form: wherein a portion of the spatial frequency components of the image are presented with a lower numerical accuracy than other portions, wherein regions are deleted from the image information, or wherein the image information is partially or fully replaced by the results of the analysis.

In one embodiment, the above-mentioned information stream refers to individual images ("frames") taken at high frequencies. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera controller 806 is arranged to enable control of such camera unit 805 that generates such individual images, such that such individual images may generate a pair of images that are taken substantially simultaneously. Then, a high-quality stereoscopic image of the image information generated by the camera unit 805 can be generated.

In one embodiment, the control of the operation of the camera and the operating light is synchronized so that the light is turned off when the image is taken in order to prevent overexposure of the image. Thus, a live image can be produced such that the operating light flashes at a suitable frequency, which is arranged to substantially correspond to the image capturing frequency.

In a preferred embodiment, the image detector and the optical component of the camera unit are located in the operating lamp structure such that their fields of view open from the same structure of the operating lamp, from the direction of the same surface from which the light field of the operating lamp is also emitted, and from the inside of the cover of the operating lamp.

For example, an operating light may be used that includes a camera configuration for monitoring a dental care instrument (such as a bur). In such an arrangement, features, markers, which the camera is arranged to integrate with the operation light image, are added in the instrument or at known points in the instrument. Computer software operatively connected to the operating light is arranged to detect from the image information the marker itself and its position and orientation in the image produced by the operating light.

This detection function may be arranged to be performed already in the operating light. If only information on the position and orientation of the marker is forwarded instead of the detected image information, the amount of information forwarded from the operation lamp can be reduced.

In order to be able to control the drilling, in addition to detecting the position and orientation of the instrument, information is required on how to position the markers arranged in association with the instrument relative to the anatomy as the operation target. This information can be obtained, for example, by arranging different markers at known points of the anatomy, while it is also reasonable to use as a reference a surface model showing the intra-oral anatomy imaged by the camera, which is generated and the resulting image information can be updated by the camera arranged in the operating light.

If the above-described type of method is applied, for example, for drilling a dental implant in the jaw bone, the information of the position and orientation of the instrument obtained in the above-described manner can be compared with a model of the anatomical structure that is the target of the operation, which model has also been modeled with holes designed for the implant. When all of this information is present, there are various possible means to use it. For example, the point at which the instrument should be located, on the other hand, the point at which it is located at the present moment, may be visually indicated by using a projector arranged to the operating light. Such a system may be implemented to indicate when an instrument is at a point and orientation corresponding to a drilling plan, and/or is not present. This information may even be used to control a robot performing the drilling.

Since the dental operating light is also manufactured and sold separately from the actual dental care unit, according to an aspect of the invention, one embodiment of the invention comprises: an illumination system 83, 85 arranged to generate a light pattern of a desired kind at a desired distance from the dental operating light and in a desired direction to illuminate the first area; and an articulated and balanced support arm structure 7 for supporting the operation light with such an illumination system within the operation range of the arm structure 7, and further comprising a projector configuration 86 configured to project graphics, pictures and/or video in substantially the same direction as the desired direction onto a surface comprising a second area onto which the graphics, pictures and/or video is projected, the projector configuration 86 being structurally and operationally integrated into the dental operation light 8 to be part of the dental operation light 8, and wherein the dental operation light 8 comprises at least a mechanical connection configuration or signaling components compatible with corresponding components of the dental care unit.

Such an operating light may comprise any of the features of the invention described above even if not physically connected to the dental care unit.