Apparatus and method for caries detection
US8447087B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/1787
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for imaging a tooth has at least one illumination source for providing an incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image of the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image of the tooth. A first polarizer having a first polarization axis and a compensator in the path of the incident light of the first spectral range are disposed to direct light toward the tooth. A second polarizer is disposed to direct light obtained from the tooth toward a sensor and has a second polarization axis that is orthogonal to the first polarization axis. A lens is positioned in the return path to direct image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor for obtaining image data. A filter in the path of the image-bearing light from the tooth is treated to attenuate light in the second spectral range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.