Dental optical coherence domain reflectometry explorer
US6179611A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/4795
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hand-held, fiber optic based dental device with optical coherence domain reflectometry (OCDR) sensing capabilities provides a profile of optical scattering as a function of depth in the tissue at the point where the tip of the dental explorer touches the tissue. This system provides information on the internal structure of the dental tissue, which is then used to detect caries and periodontal disease. A series of profiles of optical scattering or tissue microstructure are generated by moving the explorer across the tooth or other tissue. The profiles are combined to form a cross-sectional, or optical coherence tomography (OCT), image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.