Microbe and cell function control device, a microbial ecology detector device, and a method of controlling a microbe and cell function control device

• US 6,373,972 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kubushiki Kaisha Marutomo
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Marutomo
• Inventors: Nonomura, Yuusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERALI, ISHRAT I
• Application Number:
  US08/993,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 433/215, 433/29, 433/229, 348/66, 606/10, 382/128, 382/100, 382/132, 600/473, 600/477, 600/476, 600/322, 378/38-39, 378/168-170, 378/189-191, 424/50, 514/54, 607/89, 426/238, 426/248, 250/228, 250/574, 250/341.8
• US Class Current: 382/133
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/46 of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/04 Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor C12Q1/6897 takes precedence

Abstract

In a microbe and cell function control device, a primary electromagnetic wave radiation member is provided to radiate electromagnetic wave on microbes and cells within a predetermined wave length range thereof. An electromagnetic wave measuring member measures an intensity of a predetermined range of the electromagnetic wave permeated or reflected from the microbes and cells. An absorption intensity distinction member determines wavelength the microbes and cells absorb based on the intensity of the electromagnetic wave measured by the electromagnetic wave measuring member. A secondary electromagnetic wave radiation member radiates the electromagnetic wave absorbed by the absorption intensity distinction member on the microbes and cells.

Claims

1. A method for determining a risk that a tooth of a patient contains caries comprising the steps of:

radiating a dental plaque of a patient with electromagnetic energy to measure an amount of α

1→

3 glycosidic bonds of the glucan;

measuring the electromagnetic wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque; and

generating output data corresponding to the measured electromagnetic wave as compared to a reference wavelength.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wavelength of said irradiating electromagnetic wave is 1038 cm⁻

1.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic wave is measured to determine a peak intensity of the 1038 cm⁻

1 electromagnetic wave, the risk of caries being determined by comparing said peak intensity with the intensity of a 3300 cm<sup>−

1</sup> reference electromagnetic wave.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the reflected electromagnetic wave is measured to determine an intensity of the 1038 cm⁻

1 wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque of said patient.

5. A method for determining a risk that a tooth of a patient contains caries comprising the steps of:

radiating a dental plaque of a patient with electromagnetic energy to measure an amount of α

1→

6 glycosidic bonds of the glucan;

measuring the electromagnetic wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque; and

generating output data corresponding to the measured electromagnetic wave as compared to a reference wavelength.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the wavelength of said irradiating electromagnetic wave is selected from the group consisting of approximately 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup> and 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup>.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic wave is measured to determine an intensity of the selected 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup> or 1080 cm<sup>−

1</sup> waves reflected from said dental plaque of said patient.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the risk of caries is determined by comparing peak intensities of the 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup> or 1080 cm<sup>−

1</sup> reflected or transmitted electromagnetic waves.

9. Apparatus for determining a risk that a tooth of a patient contains caries comprising:

means for radiating a dental plaque of a patient with electromagnetic energy to measure an amount of α

1→

3 glycosidic bonds of the glucan;

means for measuring the electromagnetic wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque; and

means for generating output data corresponding to the measured electromagnetic wave as compared to a reference wavelength.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the wavelength of said irradiating electromagnetic wave is 1038 cm⁻

1.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic wave is measured to determine a peak intensity of the 1038 cm⁻

1 electromagnetic wave, the risk of caries being determined by comparing said peak intensity with the intensity of a 3300 cm<sup>−

1</sup> reference electromagnetic wave.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the reflected electromagnetic wave is measured to determine an intensity of the 1038 cm⁻

1 wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque of said patient.

13. Apparatus for determining a risk that a tooth of a patient contains caries comprising:

means for a radiating dental plaque of a patient with electromagnetic energy to measure an amount of α

1→

6 glycosidic bonds of the glucan;

means for measuring the electromagnetic wave reflected from or transmitted through said dental plaque; and

means for generating output data corresponding to the measured electromagnetic wave as compared to a reference wavelength.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wavelength of said irradiating electromagnetic wave is selected from the group consisting of approximately 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup> and 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup>.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic wave is measured to determine an intensity of the 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup> or 1080 cm<sup>−

1</sup> waves reflected from said dental plaque of said patient.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the risk of caries is determined by comparing peak intensities of the 1026 cm⁻

1, 1015 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 992 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 855 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 837 cm<sup>−

1</sup>, 820 cm<sup>−

1</sup> or 1080 cm<sup>−

1</sup> reflected or transmitted electromagnetic waves.