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US 6,672,868 B1Granted
Method of transillumination imaging of teeth
AssigneeElectro-Optical Sciences, Inc.
InventorsTomasz Momot, Adam Jacobs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An means for blocking light reflected from the surface of a tooth from the imaging system while imaging light transilluminated through the tooth is presented.
Claims16
A method of transillumination imaging of a tooth in vivo in a mouth, comprising:
- a) placing an elastomeric locator in a position against a surface in the mouth;
- then
- b) illuminating a non-occlusal surface of the tooth using at least one illumination means held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator;
- and then
- c) imaging the occlusal surface of the tooth using light from the illumination means which has tansilluminated the tooth, wherein the imaging is performed with an imaging system held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator, wherein at least one blocking means is used for blocking light from the illumination means which is reflected from the illuminated non-occlusal surface of the tooth, the reflected light blocked from entering the imaging system.
2 more elements
An apparatus for transilluminating and imaging a tooth in vivo in a mouth, comprising;
- a) an elastomeric locator for placing against a surface in the mouth;
- b) at least one illumination means for illuminating a non-occlusal surface of the tooth, the illumination means held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator;
- c) an optical system for conveying light from the illumination means which has transilluminated the tooth to an image receiver, wherein the image receiver is held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator;
- and
- d) at least one blocking means for blocking light from the illumination means which is reflected from the illuminated non-occlusal surface of the tooth, the reflected light blocked from entering the optical system for conveying light.
2 more elements
A system for transilluminating and imaging a tooth in vivo in a mouth, comprising;
- a) an elastomeric locator for placing against a surface in the mouth;
- b) at least one illumination means for illuminating a non-occlusal surface of the tooth, the light source held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator;
- c) an image receiver held in a known position with respect to the elastomeric locator;
- d) an optical system, for conveying light from the illumination means which has transilluminated the tooth to the image receiver, the transilluminated light exiting the occlusal surface of the tooth;
- e) at least one blocking means for blocking light from the illumination means which is reflected from the illuminated non-occlusal surface of the tooth, the reflected light blocked from entering the optical system;
- and
- f) a controller for controlling the illumination means.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.