Patent · US Expired

Device for detecting dental caries

US5306144A · kind A · utility

226Cited by
3References
39Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1993
Grant dateApr 26, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21W2131/202
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device for detecting dental caries has an illumination device which emits radiation of a pre-determined wavelength towards a tooth. A filter accepts radiation returned by the tooth in a pre-determined spectral range. The accepted radiation is evaluated for caries detection. The illumination device has at least one light guide, by means of which the radiation can be supplied to the tooth. The illumination device emits radiation in the spectral range from 360 to 580 nm. The filter accepts the returned radiation in the spectral range above 620 nm. The device can be used in a flexible manner and enables a low level of caries to be identified.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.