US 2016/0256244 A1 · DENTAL IMAGING INSTRUMENT HAVING AN AIR STREAM AUXILIARY

Abstract

A dental instrument and method for imaging the three-dimensional topography of one or more teeth in the oral cavity of an individual is provided. The instrument includes a probe insertable into the oral cavity to receive the image of these surfaces which can then be processed. Combined with the probe is an auxiliary which projects an air stream toward the surface to be imaged by the probe and acts to evaporate and remove from these surfaces a liquid film coating formed by saliva and other fluids present in the oral cavity, to render these surfaces dry and to enhance their reflectivity and in doing so, provide clearer images.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A dental instrument for determining three dimensional (3D) topography of one or more teeth, said instrument comprising:

a probe for scanning the one or more teeth so as to capture an image of surfaces of the one or more teeth in order to determine 3D topography of the surfaces of the one or more teeth by processing the image, said probe comprising a light source to generate an array of light beams, confocal optics to focus the array of light beams, and a detector to detect light from the array of light beams that is reflected by the one or more teeth, so as to capture the image of the surfaces or the one or more teeth;
and
an auxiliary coupled to the probe so as to direct only a stream of gas over the teeth surfaces, the auxiliary being coupled to the probe such that gas from the stream is provided to the one or more teeth while scanning to clear material from the teeth surfaces and dry the teeth surfaces, so as to improve the image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/158,366Filed 18 May 2016

Priority

18 Jun 2002

Published

8 Sep 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61C 9/006
Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam: projecting one or more stripes or patterns on the teeth
A61B 1/253
With means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors: with means for preventing fogging
A61C 17/0208
Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication: combined with means providing suction
A61C 17/022
Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication: air-blowing devices , e.g. with means for heating the air

Family

Application10/174,271Continuation · filed 18 Jun 2002

Application11/703,085Continuation · filed 7 Feb 2007

Application13/082,630Continuation · filed 8 Apr 2011

Application15/158,366Continuation

US 2003/0232302 A1Published application

US 2007/0134617 A1Published application

US 2011/0183282 A1Published application

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