Intra-oral camera for diagnostic and cosmetic imaging
AssigneeCarestream Health, Inc.
InventorsRongguang Liang, Jean-Marc Inglese
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for obtaining images of a tooth comprises at least one image sensor disposed along an optical axis to take polarized reflectance image and fluorescence image, at least one broadband illumination apparatus for reflectance imaging, and a narrow-band ultraviolet illumination apparatus for fluorescence imaging. In order to remove the specular reflection, one or more polarization elements are disposed along the optical axis. A filter is disposed along the optical axis to block narrow-band ultraviolet light, and a switch for selecting one of the operation modes.
Claims14
An apparatus for obtaining images of a tooth, comprising:
- a) at least one image sensor disposed along an optical axis, the image sensor comprising common optical components for both diagnostic and cosmetic imaging;
- b) at least one broadband polarized illumination apparatus for reflectance imaging;
- c) a narrow-band ultraviolet illumination apparatus for fluorescence imaging;
- d) a near IR band polarized illumination apparatus for translucency imaging;
- e) one of a blue or UV band polarized illumination apparatus for texture imaging, the polarization orthogonal to polarization of the broad band illumination apparatus and the near IR band illumination apparatus;
- f) one or more polarization elements disposed along the optical axis to eliminate specular reflection;
- g) a filter disposed along the optical axis to block narrow-band ultraviolet light;
- and
- h) a switch for selecting one of the operation modes of diagnostic imaging using reflectance and fluorescence imaging, and cosmetic imaging using reflectance imaging, translucency imaging, and texture imaging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.