US5518008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structural analyzer, in particular for medical implants
Assignee: SPECTRAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CORP
•
Filing: 1994-08-25
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Granted: 1996-05-21
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Expires: 2014-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A dental analyzer for analyzing dental implants includes a dental probe having a probe tip for contacting a patient's dental implant. An accelerometer is coupled to the probe tip. A hammer fired by an actuator against the accelerometer impacts the probe tip against the dental implant which vibrates the dental implant. The accelerometer measures the acceleration time history of the vibrating dental implant. A processor converts the measured acceleration time history of the dental implant into a frequency spectrum from which a diagnosis can then be made regarding the condition of the dental implant.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Cucchiaro
- 👤 Anthony DeLuzio
- 👤 Lawrence J. Dario
- 👤 Stephen J. Cucchiaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4657; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1111; A61B9/00; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61F2/48; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0219; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528; A61B5/4538; A61B5/4542; A61B5/4547; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/682; A61B5/6843; A61F2/32; A61F2/36; A61F2/3609; A61F2002/3625; A61F2002/4671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip for measuring an acceleration time history of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being mechanically isolated from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacted; and an actuator for firing the hammer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip for measuring an acceleration time history of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being mechanically isolated from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacted; and an actuator for firing the hammer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The probe of claim 1 further comprising: a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator; and a membrane secured to the probe body and supporting the accelerometer for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The probe of claim 1 in which the actuator comprises: an electromagnetic coil for positioning the hammer into firing position; and a spring positioned against the hammer for firing the hammer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for preventing the actuator from firing the hammer until the probe tip contacts the structure at a predetermined force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of claim 1 further comprising a processor for converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The probe of claim 1 in which the structure is a dental implant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip for measuring an acceleration time history of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure; an actuator for firing the hammer; a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator; and a membrane secured to the probe body supporting the accelerometer for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip for measuring an acceleration time history of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure; an actuator for firing the hammer; a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator; and a membrane secured to the probe body supporting the accelerometer for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The probe of claim 7 in which the actuator comprises: an electromagnetic coil for positioning the hammer into firing position; and a spring positioned against the hammer for firing the hammer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe of claim 7 further comprising a sensor for preventing the actuator from firing the hammer until the probe tip contacts the structure at a predetermined force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of claim 7 further comprising a processor for converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The probe of claim 7 in which the structure is a dental implant.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure with a hammer to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure with a hammer to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of firing the hammer with an actuator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of preventing the actuator from firing the hammer until the probe tip contacts the structure at a predetermined force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: housing the actuator within a hollow probe body; and supporting the accelerometer on a membrane secured to the probe body for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 in which firing the hammer with the actuator comprises the steps of: positioning the hammer into firing position with an electromagnetic coil; and firing the hammer with a spring positioned against the hammer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 in which the structure is a dental implant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of comparing characteristics of the frequency spectrum with a database of frequency spectrums.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of adhering the probe tip to the structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of mechanically isolating the probe tip from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacted.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; firing a hammer with an actuator, the actuator being housed within a hollow probe body; impacting the probe tip against the structure with the hammer; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer, the accelerometer being supported on a membrane secured to the probe body for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; firing a hammer with an actuator, the actuator being housed within a hollow probe body; impacting the probe tip against the structure with the hammer; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer, the accelerometer being supported on a membrane secured to the probe body for isolating motion of the accelerometer from motion of the probe body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of preventing the actuator from firing the hammer until the probe tip contacts the structure at a predetermined force.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 22 in which firing the hammer with the actuator comprises the steps of: positioning the hammer into firing position with an electromagnetic coil; and firing the hammer with a spring positioned against the hammer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 in which the structure is a dental implant.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of comparing the frequency spectrum with a database of frequency spectrums.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer; and converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer; and converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of determining dynamic characteristics of a medical implant comprising the steps of: impacting the medical implant with a probe tip to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; measuring the acceleration time history of the medical implant with an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip; and converting the measured acceleration time history into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of determining dynamic characteristics of a medical implant comprising the steps of: impacting the medical implant with a probe tip to initiate dynamic resonance of the structure, the probe tip remaining in contact with the structure during dynamic resonance of the structure; measuring the acceleration time history of the medical implant with an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip; and converting the measured acceleration time history into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of comparing characteristics of the frequency spectrum with a data base of frequency spectrums.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; a sensor coupled to the probe tip for measuring motion characteristics of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure; an actuator for firing the hammer; a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator; and a membrane secured to the probe body supporting the sensor for isolating motion of the sensor from motion of the probe body.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
74 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; a sensor coupled to the probe tip for measuring motion characteristics of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure; an actuator for firing the hammer; a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator; and a membrane secured to the probe body supporting the sensor for isolating motion of the sensor from motion of the probe body.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising: a hand-held probe having a probe body and a probe tip, the probe tip for impacting the structure, the probe tip being substantially mechanically isolated from the probe body such that the probe tip can move independently from the probe body, an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip measuring the acceleration time history of the structure; and a processor for converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising: a hand-held probe having a probe body and a probe tip, the probe tip for impacting the structure, the probe tip being substantially mechanically isolated from the probe body such that the probe tip can move independently from the probe body, an accelerometer coupled to the probe tip measuring the acceleration time history of the structure; and a processor for converting the measured acceleration time history of the structure into a frequency spectrum.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 32 in which the frequency spectrum has a spectral signature.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure with a hammer; mechanically isolating the probe tip from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacting; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of measuring dynamic characteristics of a structure comprising the steps of: positioning a probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being secured to an accelerometer; impacting the probe tip against the structure with a hammer; mechanically isolating the probe tip from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacting; and measuring an acceleration time history of the structure with the accelerometer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
77 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; a sensor coupled to the probe tip for measuring motion characteristics of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being mechanically isolated from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacted; an actuator for firing the hammer; and a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
77 words
A probe comprising: a probe tip for contacting a structure; a sensor coupled to the probe tip for measuring motion characteristics of the structure; a hammer for impacting the probe tip against the structure, the probe tip being mechanically isolated from the hammer such that the probe tip can move independently from the hammer after the structure is impacted; an actuator for firing the hammer; and a probe body comprising a hollow tube for housing the actuator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-21 | 1999-11-20 | 2000-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-21 | 2003-11-20 | 2004-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-21 | 2007-11-20 | 2008-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |