Erythema measuring device and method
US7477925B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/1708
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An erythema meter includes a probe, a light source of one or more specific probing and reference wavelengths, and an acoustic detector which determines the level of erythema present in the dental pulp chamber of a tooth. The probing and reference wavelengths are delivered in pulsed or amplitude modulated fashion through the probe, thereby permitting electronic identification and filtering of the received data. The absorption of the light wave raises the temperature of the material in the tooth and causes it to expand, thus creating tiny shockwaves which are picked up with the acoustic detector, revealing information on the location of blood and the quantity of blood inside the tooth. The erythema meter accurately measures the erythema, or inflammation, within the tooth in a qualitative and quantitative manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.