Plaque detecting device and toothbrush incorporating same
US11903481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The plaque detecting device of the present invention comprises a light emitting unit (450) which irradiates ultraviolet or blue excitation light (L) toward the tooth surface (99a), and a first and second light receiving units (402) which receive radiated light (L′) from the tooth surface (99a). The first light receiving unit extracts the spectral component of a first wavelength region including the wavelength range of fluorescent light specific to plaque from the radiated light (L′), and obtains a first output value corresponding to the intensity of that spectral component. The second light receiving unit extracts, from the radiated light (L′), the spectral component of a second wavelength region containing the wavelength range of the fluorescent light specific to enamel and having a predetermined lower limit wavelength below the lower limit wavelength of the first wavelength region, and obtains a second output value corresponding to the intensity of this spectral component. Determination of the relative magnitude of the ratio between the first output value and the second output value as compared to a first threshold value is performed. Determination of the relative magnitude of th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.