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.
Claims5
A method for obtaining images of a tooth for cosmetic imaging, comprising:
- (a) directing light from a light source to a tooth for obtaining a monochromatic image for translucency measurement;
- (b) directing polarized visible light from one or more color light sources to the tooth for obtaining a polarized color reflectance image;
- (c) calibrating the illumination uniformity and tooth shape;
- (d) calculating a tooth shade for tooth restoration according to the images obtained;
- (e) displaying a simulated image of the tooth using the calculated shade information;
- (f) obtaining customer feedback on the displayed image;
- and
- (g) sending or saving the tooth shade information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.