Inspection of teeth using stress wave time non-destructive methods
US6589054B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/7239
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and device using stress waves for dental examination. According to the method, the dental structure (such as a tooth) under examination is subjected to a stress (acoustic) wave. The stress wave propagates through the dental structure and is received on the other side. From the analysis of the transmission time and/or the resulting waveform, diagnostic information results as to the presence of dental disease such as dental caries that may be present on the tooth surface under dental restorations such as fillings or metal crowns. According to the invention, the stress wave is generated by a suitable transducer, coupled to the dental structure through a transmission medium, propagates through the dental structure, coupled through another transmission medium, received by a acousto-electric transducer, and analyzed by suitable electronic means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.