Patent US5759030A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5759030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for determing optical characteristics of teeth
Assignee: RPX Corp
•
Filing: 1996-01-02
•
Granted: 1998-06-02
•
Expires: 2016-01-02
Abstract
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 a 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 is part of a patient data base.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne D. Jung
- 👤 Russell W. Jung
- 👤 Alan R. Loudermilk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4538; A61B5/4542; A61B5/4547; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61C19/10; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0218; G01J3/46; G01J3/463; G01J3/50; G01J3/508; G01J3/51; G01J3/513; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N21/474; G01N21/55; G01N21/57; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0223; A61B2560/0228; A61B2560/0233; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/24; A61B2562/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for producing a dental prosthesis for a patient, comprising the steps of: measuring a tooth of the patient, the measuring step comprising moving a probe in proximity to the tooth, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the tooth from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the tooth through a plurality of light receivers, determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors, and measuring the optical characteristics of the tooth with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the tooth; generating data for the dental prosthesis based on the measured data; and preparing the dental prosthesis based on the generated data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for producing a dental prosthesis for a patient, comprising the steps of: measuring a tooth of the patient, the measuring step comprising moving a probe in proximity to the tooth, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the tooth from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the tooth through a plurality of light receivers, determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors, and measuring the optical characteristics of the tooth with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the tooth; generating data for the dental prosthesis based on the measured data; and preparing the dental prosthesis based on the generated data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating data for the dental prosthesis comprises generating data determinative of a match between the measured data and a dental shade guide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise color characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise translucence characteristics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise fluorescence characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise surface texture characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises one or more light source fiber optics coupled to a light source and a plurality of light receiver fiber optics coupled to the first and second sensors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receivers are each spaced a first distance from a first light source on the probe, and wherein the plurality of light receivers are spaced apart from adjacent light receivers on the probe by a second distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the probe comprises three light receivers spaced around the first light source, wherein the light receivers are spaced apart from adjacent light receivers with an angular spacing of about 120 degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensors comprise light measuring sensors measuring the same bandwidth, and wherein the second sensors comprise a color spectrophotometer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the second sensors comprise a plurality of filters optically coupled to a plurality of light measuring devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the filters comprise filters that pass light below a predetermined frequency of received light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensors comprise light measuring sensors measuring the same bandwidth, and wherein the second sensors comprise a color tristimulus measuring device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: processing the measured data with a computing device; and displaying a representation corresponding to the measured data on a display device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the computing device is coupled to a telecommunication device, the method further comprising transmitting data corresponding to the measured data to a remote facility, wherein the step of preparing the dental prosthesis is performed at least in part at the remote facility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the remote facility comprises a laboratory for preparing dental prostheses, wherein the method further comprises the step of measuring the prepared dental prosthesis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating data for the dental prosthesis comprises generating data indicative of the constituent materials of the dental prosthesis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of preparing the dental prosthesis comprises manufacturing the dental prosthesis based upon the constituent materials.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the dental prosthesis comprises a tooth-colored filling material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the dental prosthesis comprises a dental crown having optical characteristics corresponding to adjacent teeth.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the dental prosthesis comprises a cement having color content and a dental prosthesis element that is semi-transparent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising generating audio information, wherein the audio information is indicative of the status of the measuring step.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising positioning the cover element on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising sterilizing the removable cover element and positioning the cover element on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the probe has a removable tip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising sterilizing the removable tip and positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the intensity of reflected light with the first sensors comprises the steps of: determining a first peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved towards the tooth; and determining a second peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved away from the tooth.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the tooth is measured with the second sensors when the first and second peak intensity values are substantially equal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of: comparing the first and second peak intensity values; accepting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are within a predetermined range; and rejecting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are outside the predetermined range.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of: generating first audio information if the measured data is accepted; and generating second audio information if the measured data is rejected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of modifying the predetermined range.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of determining an intermediate intensity value with the first sensors at a time intermediate between the time when the first and second peak intensity values are determined, wherein the intermediate intensity value corresponds to the translucence of the tooth.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the intermediate intensity value is determined when the probe is in contact or near contact with the tooth.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth are measured without the probe contacting the tooth.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the tooth is measured at a time when a plurality of the first sensors measure peak intensity values as the probe moves with respect to the tooth.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the tooth is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance from the tooth.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the tooth is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance and angle with respect to the tooth.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for determining the optical characteristics of a tooth, comprising the steps of: measuring the tooth by moving a probe in proximity to the tooth, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the tooth from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the tooth through a plurality of light receivers; determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors; and measuring the optical characteristics tooth with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the tooth.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for determining the optical characteristics of a tooth, comprising the steps of: measuring the tooth by moving a probe in proximity to the tooth, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the tooth from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the tooth through a plurality of light receivers; determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors; and measuring the optical characteristics tooth with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the tooth.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise color characteristics.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise translucence characteristics.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise fluorescence characteristics.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth comprise surface texture characteristics.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the probe comprises one or more light source fiber optics coupled to a light source and a plurality of light receiver fiber optics coupled to the first and second sensors.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the plurality of light receivers are each spaced a first distance from a first light source on the probe, and wherein the plurality of light receivers are spaced apart from adjacent light receivers on the probe by a second distance.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 47, wherein the probe comprises three light receivers spaced around the first light source, wherein the light receivers are spaced apart from adjacent light receivers with an angular spacing of about 120 degrees.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the first sensors comprise light measuring sensors measuring the same bandwidth, and wherein the second sensors comprise a color spectrophotometer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the second sensors comprise a plurality of filters optically coupled to a plurality of light measuring devices.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the filters comprise filters that pass light below a predetermined frequency of received light.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the first sensors comprise light measuring sensors measuring the same bandwidth, and wherein the second sensors comprise a color tristimulus measuring device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of: processing the measured data with a computing device; and displaying a representation corresponding to the measured data on a display device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the computing device is coupled to a telecommunication device, the method further comprising transmitting data corresponding to the measured data to a remote facility.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41, the method further comprising generating audio information, wherein the audio information is indicative of the status of the optical characteristics determination.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 56, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 56, further comprising positioning the removable cover element on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 56, further comprising the steps of sterilizing the removable cover element and positioning the cover element on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the probe has a removable tip.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 60, further comprising positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 60, further comprising sterilizing the removable tip and positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the tooth.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the step of determining the intensity of reflected light with the first sensors comprises the steps of: determining a first peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved towards the tooth; and determining a second peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved away from the tooth.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 63, wherein the tooth is measured with the second sensors when the first and second peak intensity values are substantially equal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 63, further comprising the steps of: comparing the first and second peak intensity values; accepting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are within a predetermined range; and rejecting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are outside the predetermined range.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 65, further comprising the steps of: generating first audio information if the measured data is accepted; and generating second audio information if the measured data is rejected.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of modifying the predetermined range.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 63, further comprising the step of determining an intermediate intensity value with the first sensors at a time intermediate between the time when the first and second peak intensity values are determined, wherein the intermediate intensity value corresponds to the translucence of the tooth.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 68, wherein the intermediate intensity value is determined when the probe is in contact or near contact with the tooth.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the optical characteristics of the tooth are measured without the probe contacting the tooth.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the tooth is measured at a time when a plurality of the first sensors measure peak intensity values as the probe moves with respect to the tooth.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the tooth is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance from the tooth.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 41, wherein the tooth is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance and angle with respect to the tooth.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of: storing a patient data record in a computing system; providing the measured data to the computing system; and updating the patient data record with the measured data.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 74, further comprising the steps of: measuring a plurality of teeth of the patient; providing the measured data from the plurality of teeth to the computing system; and updating the patient data record with the measured data from the plurality of teeth.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 74, further comprising the steps of: preparing image data corresponding to the tooth with an intra-oral camera; providing the image data to the computing system; and updating the patient data record with the image data.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 75, further comprising the steps of: preparing image data corresponding to the plurality of teeth with an intra-oral camera; providing the image data to the computing system; and updating the patient data record with the image data.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 74, wherein the tooth is divided into a plurality of sectors, wherein measurements of the optical characteristics of the tooth are made in the plurality of sectors, wherein the measured data from the plurality of sectors is stored in the patient data record.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of placing a positioning device on the tooth prior to measuring the tooth, wherein the positioning device positions the relative placement of the probe with respect to the tooth.
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