US5880826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of teeth
Assignee: RPX Corp
•
Filing: 1997-07-01
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2017-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light 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 optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss 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 as 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
2026-11-07 23:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0088; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/10; G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0218; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/508; G01J3/51; G01J3/513; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/255; 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; G01N2021/4742; G01N2021/4747
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe in proximity to a dental object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture; determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; and measuring the optical characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe in proximity to a dental object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture; determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; and measuring the optical characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise color characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise translucence characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise fluorescence characteristics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise surface texture characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise gloss characteristics.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
109 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a surface of a dental object, wherein light is emitted by the probe onto the object, and light is received from the object by the probe; during the movement of the probe towards the surface of the object, taking one or more first measurements; when the probe is near the surface of the object, taking one or more second measurements; based on the first and second measurements, determining optical characteristics of the object including one or more of the characteristics of the group consisting of reflected surface color spectrum, bulk material color spectrum, gloss, translucency, fluorescence, and surface texture.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a surface of a dental object, wherein light is emitted by the probe onto the object, and light is received from the object by the probe; during the movement of the probe towards the surface of the object, taking one or more first measurements; when the probe is near the surface of the object, taking one or more second measurements; based on the first and second measurements, determining optical characteristics of the object including one or more of the characteristics of the group consisting of reflected surface color spectrum, bulk material color spectrum, gloss, translucency, fluorescence, and surface texture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the probe includes one or more light sources and at least two types of light receivers, wherein the first type of light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the second type of light receivers have a second numerical aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of preparing a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of transmitting data indicative of the determined optical characteristics to a remote location, and preparing a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics at the remote location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: generating first data corresponding to characteristics of the type of dental object being measured; comparing the first data with the determined optical characteristics; and assessing a condition of the object based on the comparison.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the condition comprises a condition relating to a subsurface feature of the object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein color spectrum data is adjusted based on determined gloss data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein color spectrum data is adjusted based on determined translucency data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein color spectrum data is adjusted based on determined gloss and translucency data.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
118 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a surface of a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is directed from the probe to the object; during the movement of the probe towards the surface of the object, taking one or more first measurements; when the probe is near the surface of the object, taking one or more second measurements; based on the first and second measurements, determining optical characteristics of the object including one or more of the characteristics of the group consisting of reflected surface color spectrum, bulk material color spectrum, gloss, translucency, fluorescence, and surface texture; and storing data indicative of the determined optical characteristics in a data base.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
118 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a surface of a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is directed from the probe to the object; during the movement of the probe towards the surface of the object, taking one or more first measurements; when the probe is near the surface of the object, taking one or more second measurements; based on the first and second measurements, determining optical characteristics of the object including one or more of the characteristics of the group consisting of reflected surface color spectrum, bulk material color spectrum, gloss, translucency, fluorescence, and surface texture; and storing data indicative of the determined optical characteristics in a data base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: capturing an image of the object with an intra oral camera; and storing the captured image in the data base.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of correlating the data indicative of the determined optical characteristics with the captured image, wherein the captured image includes indicia of the location at which the optical characteristics were determined.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: posturizing the object into at least first and second regions; determining optical characteristics of the object in the first and second regions; correlating data indicative of the determined optical characteristics in the first and second regions with the captured image, wherein the captured image includes indicia of the first and second regions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of preparing a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of transmitting data indicative of the determined optical characteristics to a remote location, and preparing a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics at the remote location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the intra oral camera is positioned in the probe.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the light source and light receivers comprise fiber optics.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the dental object comprises a tooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the probe is coupled to a dental chair adapted to hold the probe during a time when the probe is not taking measurements.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the probe includes a removable tip.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the probe is covered by a removable shield.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the shield is disposable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16, wherein data indicative of the determined optical characteristics is coupled to a material preparation device, wherein the material preparation device prepares materials based on the determined optical characteristics.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the determined optical characteristics include a specular-included spectrum and a specular-excluded spectrum, wherein the specular-included spectrum substantially includes light specularly reflected from the object, and wherein the specular-excluded substantially excludes light specularly reflected from the object.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
87 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object; receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe, wherein the receivers have numerical apertures and sizes to receive light indicative of a specular-included spectrum and a specular-excluded spectrum, wherein the specular-included spectrum substantially includes light specularly reflected from the object, and wherein the specular-excluded substantially excludes light specularly reflected from the object.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
87 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object; receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe, wherein the receivers have numerical apertures and sizes to receive light indicative of a specular-included spectrum and a specular-excluded spectrum, wherein the specular-included spectrum substantially includes light specularly reflected from the object, and wherein the specular-excluded substantially excludes light specularly reflected from the object.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for measuring optical characteristics of a dental object with a probe as the probe is moved towards a surface of the object, comprising: a probe having one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the object from the one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through the plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture; sensors coupled to receive light from the light receivers; a processor coupled to receive data from the sensors; wherein the processor makes a plurality of measurements and determines data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object based on the data received from the sensors.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for measuring optical characteristics of a dental object with a probe as the probe is moved towards a surface of the object, comprising: a probe having one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the object from the one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through the plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture; sensors coupled to receive light from the light receivers; a processor coupled to receive data from the sensors; wherein the processor makes a plurality of measurements and determines data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object based on the data received from the sensors.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise color characteristics.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise translucence characteristics.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise fluorescence characteristics.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise surface texture characteristics.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the optical characteristics of the object comprise gloss characteristics.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the one or more light sources and plurality of light receivers comprise fiber optics.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein, during the movement of the probe towards the surface of the object, the processor takes one or more first measurements, and when the probe is near the surface of the object, the processor takes one or more second measurements; wherein, based on the first and second measurements, the processor determines data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object including one or more of the characteristics of the group consisting of reflected surface color spectrum, bulk material color spectrum, gloss, translucency, fluorescence, and surface texture.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object are coupled to a device for preparing a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein data indicative of the determined optical characteristics is transmitted to a remote location, wherein a dental prosthesis based on the determined optical characteristics is prepared at the remote location.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the processor compares the determined optical characteristics with first data corresponding to characteristics of the type of object being measured, and the processor assesses a condition of the object based on the comparison.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the condition comprises a condition relating to a subsurface feature of the object.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising an audio circuit for providing audio information, wherein the audio information provides information regarding the operation or status of the probe.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising an audio circuit for providing audio information, wherein the audio information provides information regarding the status of the optical characteristics determination process.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
91 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object; receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe, wherein the receivers have numerical apertures and sizes to receive light indicative of a specular-included spectrum and a specular-only spectrum, wherein the specular-included spectrum substantially includes light specularly and diffusely reflected from the object, and wherein the specular-only spectrum substantially consists of light specularly reflected from the object.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
91 words
A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe towards a dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object; receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe, wherein the receivers have numerical apertures and sizes to receive light indicative of a specular-included spectrum and a specular-only spectrum, wherein the specular-included spectrum substantially includes light specularly and diffusely reflected from the object, and wherein the specular-only spectrum substantially consists of light specularly reflected from the object.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of quantifying the color of a dental object comprising the steps of positioning a probe near the dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object, and receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe of at least two different numerical apertures, wherein a reflected color spectrum of the object is measured and translucency and gloss of the object are measured, wherein the translucency and gloss measurement are used to adjust the color spectrum measurement to compensate for translucency of the object, wherein the translucency and gloss are measured based on the probe being positioned near the dental object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the dental object.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of quantifying the color of a dental object comprising the steps of positioning a probe near the dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object, and receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe of at least two different numerical apertures, wherein a reflected color spectrum of the object is measured and translucency and gloss of the object are measured, wherein the translucency and gloss measurement are used to adjust the color spectrum measurement to compensate for translucency of the object, wherein the translucency and gloss are measured based on the probe being positioned near the dental object and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the dental object.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of quantifying the color of a dental object comprising the steps of positioning a probe near the dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object, and receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe of at least two different numerical apertures, wherein a reflected color spectrum of the object is measured and gloss of the object is measured, wherein the gloss measurement is used to adjust the color spectrum measurement to compensate for gloss of the object.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of quantifying the color of a dental object comprising the steps of positioning a probe near the dental object, wherein light from one or more light sources is emitted from the probe to the object, and receiving light from the object with a plurality of light receivers on the probe of at least two different numerical apertures, wherein a reflected color spectrum of the object is measured and gloss of the object is measured, wherein the gloss measurement is used to adjust the color spectrum measurement to compensate for gloss of the object.
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