Measuring probe

An apparatus for measuring the distance between points in the mouth of a patient undergoing dental diagnosis or treatment, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing having an end thereof placeable in the mouth;
• an elongate probe means slidably mounted in said housing so that an end thereof is movable from a first point to a second point when the end of said housing is placed at one of said first and second points;
• a probe actuating means for causing said probe means to slide in said housing;
• a motion inhibiting means coupled between the housing and the probe means for preventing movement of the probe means until a predetermined level of force is applied thereto;
• a motion detection means responsive to motion of said probe with respect to said housing, said motion detection means providing an output useful for determining the position of said probe with respect to said housing;
• and
• an analyzing means responsive to said output for reporting said distance.

An apparatus for providing a record of data including distance measurements and location identifying data associated with said distance measurements, said apparatus comprising:

• designating means for selectively providing identifying data corresponding to at least one location;
• acquisition means for acquiring measurement data related to at least one distance associated with the identified location;
• means for converting the measurement data to distance measurement data;
• and
• data processing means for assembling said identifying data and said distance measurement data to form said record.