Handpiece for detection of dental demineralization

• US 8,360,771 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Therametric Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Therametric Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Stookey, George K., Thomeczek, Charles L. Jr., Ge, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, YOGESH P
• Application Number:
  US11/617,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20080160477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,224 Days
• Field of Search: 433 29- 31, 600/179, 600/160, 600/109, 600/129, 600/175, 600/173, 600/189, 606 88- 90
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/247 with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/022 Air-blowing devices , e.g. with means for heating the air

Abstract

A dental implement including a housing, a light source, and an air supply, the implement being suitable for examining tissue such as dentition of a patient and detecting loss of mineralization therein. The implement is capable of operating in a wireless mode. The implement is further able to communicate with a computing device to allow recording of images captured by the implement.

Claims

1. A handheld dental implement including:

a housing defining an interior space;

a power source;

a light source electrically coupled to the power source;

a light detecting device;

a gas reservoir

a mirror positioned to reflect light from the light source onto a diagnostic specimen and positioned to reflect light from the diagnostic specimen to the light detecting device; and

a gas conduit positioned to transmit gas from the gas reservoir into contact with the mirror.

2. The implement of claim 1, further including a gas conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the gas reservoir and the second end being exposed to ambient air.

3. The implement of claim 2, further including a switch that selectively places the gas reservoir in fluid communication with ambient air.

4. The implement of claim 1, further including a gas input fluidly coupled to the gas reservoir.

5. The implement of claim 1, wherein the gas reservoir is rechargeable.

6. The implement of claim 1, wherein the light source is an LED.

7. The implement of claim 1, wherein the gas conduit is further positioned to transmit gas from the gas reservoir into contact with a diagnostic subject.

8. The implement of claim 1, wherein the light detecting device is coupled to the power source and coupled to an antenna.

9. The implement of claim 8, wherein the light detecting device and the antenna are both located within the interior space of the housing.

10. The implement of claim 1, further including a microphone coupled to the power source.

11. The implement of claim 1, further including a cradle including a bay sized and shaped to at least partially receive the housing therein.

12. The implement of claim 1, wherein the mirror is located on an interior portion of a removable end cap.

13. A handheld dental implement including:

a power source;

a light source electrically coupled to the power source;

a microphone;

an antenna coupled to the power source and the microphone;

a light detecting device,

a gas reservoir;

a mirror positioned to reflect light from the light source onto a diagnostic specimen and positioned to reflect light from the diagnostic specimen to the light detecting device; and

a gas conduit positioned to transmit gas from the gas reservoir into contact with the mirror.

14. The implement of claim 13, further including a housing defining an interior space.

15. The implement of claim 13, wherein the implement is wireless.