Optical probe and method for the three-dimensional surveying of teeth

US5372502A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• KALTENBACH & VOIGT GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Robert Massen · Schallstadt, DE
• Joachim Gassler · Geisingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 1991
• Grant date: Dec 13, 1994
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G16H20/40
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical oral or mouth probe which is utilized for the three-dimensional measurement or surveying of teeth possesses a highly-resoluting two-dimensional point-by-point freely-programmable projection unit, which generates a digitalized projection pattern from a computer in accordance with a programmed mathematical or graphical method, deposits the pattern in an image storage and is then brought into display through addressing of an LCD matrix plate, and with the aid of a focusing optic is then projected onto the surface which is to be surveyed or measured.