System, device and method for determining dental erosion
15 claims: 12 independent, 3 dependent
- 1CONCLUSIES 1. Inrichting voor het bepalen van de toestand van een tand, een kies of een ander lichaamsdeel, omvattende een drager, waarop een lichtbron en een op de lichtbron gerichte lichtsensor zijn bevestigd, zodanig dat de drager tegen de snijkant van een tand of kies of tegen een ander lichaamsdeel gezet kan worden waarbij de tand, de kies of het andere lichaamsdeel zich tussen de lichtbron en de lichtsensor bevindt.
- 2Inrichting volgens conclusie 1, voorts omvattende elektronische verwerkingsmiddelen die zijn ingericht om het signaal van de lichtsensor om te zetten in een kwantitatieve waarde, en op die wijze de doorschijnendheid van de tand, de kies of het andere lichaamsdeel te kunnen meten.
- 3Inrichting volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de drager is voorzien van een lijnvormige aanslag, welke zich parallel aan en op afstand van de as tussen de lichtbron en de lichtsensor uitstrekt, zodanig dat de aanslag tegen de zijkant van de tand, de kies of het andere lichaamsdeel gezet kan worden als de tand, de kies of het andere lichaamsdeel zich tussen de lichtbron en de lichtsensor bevindt.
- 4Inrichting volgens conclusie 3, waarbij de lijnvorige aanslag wordt gevormd door een rand van een plaat die zich vanaf de drager uitstrekt.
- 5Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 4, waarbij de drager is voorzien van een handvat voor het aangrijpen door een gebruiker.
- 6Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 4, waarbij de drager een eenheid is die in de mond van een persoon of dier kan worden geplaatst.
- 7Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 6, waarbij de lichtbron een light emitting diode of laserbron omvat.
- 8Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 7, waarbij de lichtsensor een light dependent resistor of een camera omvat.
- 9Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 8, waarbij de elektronische verwerkingsmiddelen een display omvatten.
- 10Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 9, waarbij de inrichting een drukknop of drukschakelaar omvat voor het activeren van de inrichting.
- 11Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 10, waarbij de inrichting een schakelaar omvat die is ingericht om de lichtbron en/of de lichtsensor gedurende een vooraf bepaalde of een instelbare tijd te activeren.
- 12Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies 1 11, waarbij de elektronische verwerkingsmiddelen een aansluiting voor een dataoverdrachtskabel omvatten, waarbij bij voorkeur de aansluiting voor de dataoverdrachtskabel tevens voedingsbron voor de lichtbron is, zoals een USBaansluiting of een FireWire-aansluiting.
- 13Werkwijze voor het bepalen van tanderosie, waarbij op ten minste twee tijdstippen in het leven van een mens of een dier de doorschijnendheid van een tand op dezelfde locatie van de tand wordt gemeten.
- 14Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een vulling, kroon, brug of implantaat uit een geschikt materiaal, waarbij een lichtbron aan een zijde tegen een tand of kies van een persoon, waarvoor de kroon, brug of implantaat is bestemd, wordt geplaatst, waarbij een sensor tegen de andere zijde van de tand of kies wordt geplaatst, waarbij de sensor het signaal van de lichtbron meet bij voorkeur op meerdere locaties van de tand of de kies, en waarbij de kleur en/of de intensiteit van het gemeten signaal wordt geanalyseerd teneinde het materiaal van de kroon, brug of implantaat te kiezen en/of samen te stellen.
- 15Werkwijze voor het bepalen van de toestand van een tand, een kies of een ander lichaamsdeel, waarbij een lichtbron aan een zijde tegen een tand, kies of ander lichaamsdeel wordt geplaatst, waarbij een lichtgevoelige camera tegen de andere zijde van de tand of kies of tegen het andere lichaamsdeel wordt geplaatst, waarbij met de camera een foto wordt gemaakt, en waarbij de foto wordt geanalyseerd teneinde de aanwezigheid van cariës, tanderosie of andere onregelmatigheden te bepalen en te localiseren. 1/2
Independent claims15
41 paragraphs, as filed
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STATE OF A TOOTH, A DIAL OR ANOTHER BODY PART
The invention relates to a device for determining the condition of a tooth, a molar or other body part, such as a finger or other body tissues. Such devices are used, for example, in dental practice.
The object of the invention is generally to provide an aid with which the condition of a tooth, a molar or another part of the body can be more easily determined in order to improve treatment or repair of the teeth or part of the body. The condition of a tooth or molar can in this context be understood to mean inter alia the color, the degree of erosion, the presence of caries or fault lines and the like. The condition of another part of the body can be understood to mean, for example, the presence of fault lines, growths or thickenings.
It is an object of the invention to provide, in one aspect, an accurate determination of the degree of, or the detection of, the presence of erosion, so that timely measures can be taken to prevent dental erosion already started. By erosion is meant the decrease in the thickness of a tooth or molar, in particular the enamel, which is mainly caused by the consumption of acidic foods.
According to another aspect the object of the invention is to provide an improved method for selecting or manufacturing the material of a filling, crown, bridge or implant.
According to yet another aspect, the invention aims to provide an improved method in determining the presence of caries or other irregularities in a tooth, a molar or another body part.
To this end, the device comprises a support on which a light source and a light sensor directed at the light source are mounted, such that the support can be placed against the cutting edge of a tooth, a tooth or against another part of the body, the tooth, the tooth or the other body part is between the light source and the light sensor. From the signal emitted by the light sensor, the condition of the tooth, the tooth or the other body part can be determined.
In a preferred embodiment the device comprises electronic processing means which are adapted to convert the signal from the light sensor into a quantitative value, and in this way to be able to measure the transparency or degree of transparency of the tooth or the tooth. The transparency or degree of transparency of a tooth or molar is a measure of the thickness of the tooth at that location. By measuring the translucency or degree of transparency at a first moment, the condition and thickness of the tooth or molar can be measured, or it can be determined whether there is dental erosion. By measuring the translucency or degree of transparency again at one or more points in time at the same location on the tooth or tooth, the course of dental erosion can be monitored and, if necessary, a treatment plan can be established.
The carrier is preferably provided with a linear stop, which extends parallel to and at a distance from the axis between the light source and the light sensor, such that the stop can be set against the side of the tooth or molar if the tooth or molar between the light source and the light sensor. The line abutment is preferably formed by an edge of a plate extending from the carrier. In this way the location of the measurement can be accurately set. The device is furthermore preferably provided with adjustable screening means to prevent the incident of external light on the light sensor, which can be adjusted depending on the shape of the tooth, the tooth or the other body part. The screening means are preferably formed by a flexible material that molds to the tooth, the tooth or the other body part.
In a first preferred embodiment, the carrier is provided with a handle for engaging by a user. In a second embodiment, the carrier is a unit that can be placed in the mouth of a person or animal.
The light source preferably comprises a light emitting diode, preferably a white LED, and the light sensor preferably comprises a light dependent resistor or a camera, preferably a photo camera, a 2-D camera, a 3-D camera or a web camera, preferably a CCD sensor. The photo that is taken with this is preferably displayed in predetermined colors.
The electronic processing means preferably comprise a display. The device preferably comprises a push button or a push switch for activating the device and preferably also for activating the photo camera. With such a push button, for example, a light pulse of a specific duration can be generated. Preferably, the intensity or power of the light source can also be adjusted with the push button or push button switch. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a switch which is adapted to activate the light source and / or the light sensor for a predetermined or an adjustable time. Preferably, the intensity, sensitivity and / or power of the light source and / or the sensor can be adjusted, preferably by means of the push button or the push switch.
The electronic processing means in a first preferred embodiment preferably comprise a connection for a data transfer cable, which is preferably also the power source, such as a USB connection or a FireWire connection. In another preferred embodiment, the power source comprises a rechargeable battery. In yet another preferred embodiment, the power supply comprises an electrical plug.
The invention also relates to a method for determining dental erosion, wherein at least two times in the life of a human or animal the transparency or the degree of transparency of a tooth or molar is determined at the same location of the tooth or molar measured.
The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a filling, crown, bridge or implant from a suitable material, wherein a light source on one side against a tooth or molar of a person for which the crown, bridge or implant is intended, is placed, wherein a camera is placed against the other side of the tooth or molar, the sensor measuring the signal from the light source, preferably at multiple locations of the tooth or molar, and wherein the color and / or intensity of the measured signal is analyzed to select and / or assemble the material of the crown, bridge or implant. The sensor is preferably a camera and a photo is taken with a camera, and the color and / or brightness of the photo is analyzed.
The invention also relates to a method for determining the condition of a tooth, a molar or another body part, wherein a light source, such as a laser source, is placed on one side against a tooth or molar or against another body part, wherein a light-sensitive camera is placed against the other side of the tooth or molar or against the other part of the body, the camera taking a photo, and wherein the photograph is analyzed to determine and locate the presence of caries, dental erosion or other irregularities. Other irregularities can be understood to mean, for example, fault lines, growths and thickenings in tissues. Preferably, the photograph taken is displayed in predetermined colors, such as gray tones or other color tones.
The invention will be further elucidated with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a portion of the devices of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic rear view of a portion of the devices of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the devices of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective front view of a third exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention disposed over a tooth; and
Figure 8 is an electrical diagram of a device according to the invention.
The device according to Figure 1 comprises a carrier 1 with a handle 2 and a stem-shaped end 3. In the stem-shaped end 3 a recess 4 is provided which can partially receive a person's tooth. An electric cord 5 and a USB data cable 6 are attached to the carrier 1. The handle 2 is provided with an operating button 7.
In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 2, the handle 2 of the carrier 1 is placed in a cloth 8 to which the electrical cord 5 is attached. A rechargeable battery is included in the handle. The battery can be charged by mutually cooperating connectors in the cloth 8 and the handle. In this exemplary embodiment, the USB data cable 6 is detachable from the handle 2 or from the cloth 8.
According to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the recess 4 in the stem-shaped end 3 is substantially a U-shaped channel extending from one side of the carrier 1 to the other side of the carrier 1, with a bottom 9, an outer wall 10 and an inner wall 11. On one side, the recess 4 is partially closed by an upright wall 12, which forms a stop which can be placed against the side of a tooth. Not shown are flexible closures, for example of rubber, of the recess 4 on both sides, which can be pressed in by a tooth or molar and which are intended to exclude external light during measurements.
The stem-shaped end is provided with a light source 13 and a light sensor 14. In this example, the light source 13, for example an LED, a laser source or another lamp, is located in a recess of the inner wall 10, such that the light source acts on the outer wall 11 radiates. The light sensor 14 is located in a recess of the outer wall 11.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the stem-shaped end 3 with the light source 13 and the light sensor 14 is transverse to the handle 2, so that if desired a measurement is possible in which the light source is against the front of the tooth and the sensor is against the rear of the tooth is set, or vice versa. In yet another embodiment, the stem-shaped end 3 is hinged or connected to the handle 2 by means of a flexible part.
According to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6, the carrier 1 comprises a block-shaped element with a substantially U-shaped channel extending from one side of the carrier 1 to the other side of the carrier 1, with a bottom 9, an inner wall 10 and an outer wall 11. The carrier 1 is provided with a light source 13 and a light sensor 14. The light source 13 is located in a recess of the inner wall 10, such that the light source radiates on the outer wall 11 in operation. The light sensor 14 is located in a recess of the outer wall 11. The inner wall 10 is slidably mounted in its normal direction in the carrier 1, and is connected to a push button 24, such that inner wall 10 after the carrier is mounted on a tooth in the direction can be slid off the butien wall 11 until both walls abut the tooth. The light source 13 and the light sensor 14 can be connected by means of a USB data and power cable 6 to a computer or other control and data processing device.
According to exemplary embodiments not shown, the carrier 1 is adapted to be mounted on another device, for example on an (electric) toothbrush, a thermometer, a dental curing lamp (for example for composite filling and sealing), a plaque-scoring meter, a caries detector lamp, a digital printing device, a CAD / CAM device.
Figure 7 shows the carrier 1 which is placed on a tooth 15, wherein the inner wall 10 is placed against the inside of the tooth, and the outside wall 11 is placed against the outside of the tooth.
According to Figure 8, the device comprises a rechargeable battery 16 and an adapter / charger connection 17, which are connected to the LED light source 13 and the LDR light sensor 14 by means of a switch 18. The switch 18 can be operated with the control button 7. The control button 7 can be a push button which switches the switch to the on position as long as the button is pressed and which switches the switch to the off position when the button is released. The operating button 7 can also be an on / off button which permanently sets the switch to the on-position or the off-position. The switch 18 can also be arranged such that after operation of the control button 7 a pulse of a predetermined or set duration and intensity is given by a pulse timer.
The pulse duration can for example be variable between 0.000001 s and 1 hour, but preferably the pulse duration is set or is adjustable between 0.00001 sec and 60 seconds, more preferably between 0.01 and 10 seconds, even more preferably between 0.5 and 5 seconds.
The light sensor 14 is further connected to an electronic display 19 in the carrier 1 on which the strength of the signal from the light sensor 14 is displayed. In this way, for example, the degree of transparency can be measured and noted, which over time is a representative of the degree of erosion of the tooth or molar on the spot.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the light source 13 and the light sensor have relatively large effective transmitting and receiving surfaces, and a detachable screen with a diaphragm (opening) for the light source 13 and / or for the light sensor 14 can be placed at a specific location, so that transparency can be measured at that particular location. For this purpose, in another embodiment not shown, the light source 13 and / or the light sensor 14 can also be movable, in which case they then have a small effective surface. Both embodiments can also be combined.
By means of the light source 13 and the sensor 14, the different values of transparency of the entire tooth or molar (or other body part), or a part thereof, can be determined at different places. This can be done, for example, by x, y determination, location determination, or by a preset interval measurement location (from bottom to top, from top to bottom, from left to right, from right to left, or diagonally). The result of the measurements is then displayed in quantitative measurement values.
The light sensor is also connected to a USB connection
22. The device can hereby be connected to a computer for further data processing and data storage. For example, the computer may be provided with a program to convert the measured light values into images (shades of gray or other colors).
The switch 18 is further connected to a potential-free contact 20 in the carrier 1, to which a camera 21 can be connected. In this way, during the period that the light source 13 is on, recordings of the tooth or molar can be made. The camera 21 can, for example, be a photo camera, a 2D camera, a 3D camera, a video camera or a web camera, and can be connected or connected to a computer for example to view the recorded images by means of a USB cable 23. In this way, for example, caries, erosion or other irregularities can be detected, or the color and transparency of a tooth can be determined.
14 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13 Sheet 14
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Category | Cited during | Relevant claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2006047190A1 | Cites | United States of America | X | Search report | 1-9,12 |
| EP2078493A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | X | Search report | 1-10,12 |
| US5040539A | Cites | United States of America | X | Search report | 1-4,6-9,11 |
| US6201880B1 | Cites | United States of America | X | Search report | 1-12 |
4 members in 4 offices
Priority claims6
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004046 | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | A | |
| 2004046 | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | A | |
| 2004154 | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | A | |
| 2004046 | – | – | – |
| NL20102004046 | – | – | – |
| NL20102004154 | – | – | – |
Members4
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2004154C2This record | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | C2 | |
| WO2011081524A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| EP2521481A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2013071808A1 | United States of America | A1 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual feeLapsedV1 | V1 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2004154
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2004154
- Publication, EPODOC
- NL2004154C
- Application
- 2004154
- Application, DOCDB
- 2004154
- Application, EPODOC
- NL20102004154
Titles2
- Dutch
- INRICHTING EN WERKWIJZE VOOR HET BEPALEN VAN DE TOESTAND VAN EEN TAND, EEN KIES OF EEN ANDER LICHAAMSDEEL.
- English
- DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STATE OF A TOOTH, A DIAL OR ANOTHER BODY PART.
Classification
- CPC, 6
- A61B1/24
- A61B6/512
- A61B5/0059
- A61B5/0088
- A61B5/682
- A61B2562/0238
- IPC, 3
- A61B5 00
- A61B6 51
- A61C19 04
