Method of and apparatus for measuring sulfides within a periodontal pocket
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing the presence and extent of disease activity in a periodontal pocket by measuring the concentration of sulfides therein, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a dual electrode probe having a first uncoated silver electrode and a second, reference silver electrode including a silver chloride coating deposited thereon;
providing a voltage indicator for generating a data readout reflective of the strength of the electrical potential between said first and second electrodes;
making electrical connection between said first and second electrodes and said voltage indicator;
positioning said probe within said periodontal pocket such that both said electrodes are in contact with periodontal sulcus fluid contained therein and said sulcus fluid bridges said electrode to cause a potential between said first and second electrodes the magnitude of said potential corresponding to the concentration of sulfides in said fluid;
reading the data readout provided by the voltage indicator and indicative of the concentration of sulfides within said pocket; and
comparing the data readout with a predetermined standard to determine the presence and extent of periodontal disease.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of and apparatus for diagnosing the presence and extent of disease activity within a periodontal pocket. A dual electrode probe having a first, working silver electrode and a second, reference silver/silver chloride electrode is inserted into the pocket to take data measurements of the electrochemical potential between the electrodes while they are immersed in the fluid contained in the periodontal sulcus. The strength of the potential reflects the amount of sulfides within the sulcus fluid and reflects the presence and extent of disease therewithin.
11 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for diagnosing the presence and extent of disease activity in a periodontal pocket by measuring the concentration of sulfides therein, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a dual electrode probe having a first uncoated silver electrode and a second, reference silver electrode including a silver chloride coating deposited thereon; providing a voltage indicator for generating a data readout reflective of the strength of the electrical potential between said first and second electrodes; making electrical connection between said first and second electrodes and said voltage indicator; positioning said probe within said periodontal pocket such that both said electrodes are in contact with periodontal sulcus fluid contained therein and said sulcus fluid bridges said electrode to cause a potential between said first and second electrodes the magnitude of said potential corresponding to the concentration of sulfides in said fluid; reading the data readout provided by the voltage indicator and indicative of the concentration of sulfides within said pocket; and comparing the data readout with a predetermined standard to determine the presence and extent of periodontal disease. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A probe suitable for diagnosing the presence and extent of disease in a periodontal pocket containing sulcal fluid by measuring the concentration of sulfides in said fluid, said probe comprising:
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a housing having a length and diameter configured to be easily handled and manipulated in the mouth of a patient; a tip configured to probe a periodontal pocket, said tip being disposed at a first end of said housing; a pair of electrodes including a first uncoated silver electrode and a second, reference silver electrode having a silver chloride coating deposited thereon, each of said pair of electrodes having a surface portion at least partially exposed in said tip; and first and second electrical leads in communication with, respectively, said first and second electrodes; said exposed surface portions of said electrodes generating an electrical potential difference between said electrodes as a function of the sulfide concentration of sulcal fluid when said tip is disposed within a periodontal pocket containing sulcal fluid, said fluid bridging said exposed surface portions of said electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification