Apparatus and method for measuring the color of teeth
First Claim
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a probe in proximity to an object, wherein he probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors, wherein data indicative of at least spectral and translucence characteristics of the object are generated by positioning of the probe in proximity to the surface of the object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the object;
generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; and
storing the optical characteristics data in a record of a software database, wherein the software database includes a plurality of database records.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Color measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base.
168 Citations
97 Claims
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1. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object, wherein he probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors, wherein data indicative of at least spectral and translucence characteristics of the object are generated by positioning of the probe in proximity to the surface of the object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the object;
generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; and
storing the optical characteristics data in a record of a software database, wherein the software database includes a plurality of database records. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method, comprising the steps of:
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sectoring a dental object of a patient into one or more sectors;
positioning a probe in proximity to the one or more sectors of the dental object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the dental object in each of the one or more sectors and receives light from the dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors for generating data indicative of optical characteristics of the dental object including at least spectral and translucence characteristics in each of the one or more sectors, wherein the data are generated by positioning of the probe in proximity to the surface of the dental object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the dental object; and
generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the dental object in each of the one or more sectors. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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- 50. An apparatus comprising a probe, a spectral analysis system and a removable cover element adapted for the probe, wherein the probe measures optical properties including at least spectral properties of a dental object, the cover element being removably securable to the probe, wherein the cover element transmits light from the probe to the dental object and receives light from the dental object and transmits the received light to the probe for measurement of the spectral characteristics of the received light by the spectral analysis system, wherein the probe includes at least one source that emits broadband light on a first area of an outer surface of the dental object and at least one receiver that receives light returned from a second area of the outer surface of the dental object, wherein the measuring of the optical properties includes at least one measurement taken when the first area does not intersect with the second area, wherein the removable cover element does not adversely affect the measuring of the optical properties of the dental object.
- 60. An apparatus comprising a probe, a spectral analysis system and a shield for preventing infection, wherein the probe measures optical properties including at least spectral characteristics of a dental object, the shield being removably positioned on the probe, wherein the shield transmits broadband light from the probe to the dental object and receives light from the dental object and transmits the received light to the probe for measurement of the spectral characteristics of the received light by the spectral analysis system, wherein optical characteristics of the dental object are determined through the shield by positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object, wherein the shield is adapted to cover a probe that includes at least one source that emits broadband light on a first area of an outer surface of the dental object and at least one receiver that receives light reflected from a second area of the outer surface of the dental object, wherein the measuring of the optical properties includes at least one measurement taken when the first area does not intersect with the second area, wherein the shield does not adversely affect the measuring of the optical properties of the dental object.
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63. A method of producing a second dental object, comprising the steps of;
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positioning a probe in proximity to a first dental object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the first dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors for determining optical characteristics of the first dental object;
generating optical characteristics data indicative of translucence and spectral characteristics of the first dental object without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the first dental object;
transmitting the optical characteristics data to a remote location;
receiving the optical characteristics data at the remote location; and
producing We second dental object based on the optical characteristics data. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
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82. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors for determining optical characteristics of the object, wherein information indicative of spectral and translucence characteristics of the object is determined by positioning of the probe in proximity to the surface of the object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the object;
generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; and
generating audio information indicative of a status of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92)
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- 93. An apparatus comprising a probe and a positioning device for the probe, wherein the probe measures optical properties of a desired location on a dental object, the positioning device being removably positioned on the dental object, wherein the positioning device includes an opening for positioning of the probe and for transmitting light to and from a singe surface of the dental object, wherein the opening is substantially centered on the desired location and is adapted to direct the probe to the desired location on the dental object, wherein the positioning device transmits light from the probe to the desired location on the dental object and transmits light from the dental object to the probe, wherein optical characteristics of the desired location on the dental object are determinable through the positioning device by positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.
Specification