Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
  • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
  • A61B5/6814—Head
  • A61B5/682—Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
  • A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
  • A61B5/0088—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for oral or dental tissue
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
  • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
  • A61C19/10—Supports for artificial teeth for transport or for comparison of the colour
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/02—Details
  • G01J3/0205—Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
  • G01J3/0251—Colorimeters making use of an integrating sphere
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
  • G01J3/50—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors
  • G01J3/502—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors using a dispersive element, e.g. grating, prism
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
  • G01J3/50—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors
  • G01J3/508—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors measuring the colour of teeth
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
  • G01J3/50—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors
  • G01J3/51—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors using colour filters
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
  • G01J3/52—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using colour charts
  • G01J3/524—Calibration of colorimeters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B2560/00—Constructional details of operational features of apparatus; Accessories for medical measuring apparatus
  • A61B2560/02—Operational features
  • A61B2560/0223—Operational features of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
  • A61B2560/0228—Operational features of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors using calibration standards
  • A61B2560/0233—Optical standards
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
  • A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
  • A61B2562/0233—Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
  • A61B2562/0238—Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J3/00—Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
  • G01J3/46—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters
  • G01J3/50—Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters using electric radiation detectors
  • G01J3/501—Colorimeters using spectrally-selective light sources, e.g. LEDs

Definitions

• the invention concerns a spectrum-photometer device that can be used by dental medical doctors and by dental surgeons or by dental technicians working in dental laboratories to exactly determine the colour of one or more of the patient's teeth, so as to be able to obtain a dental prosthesis or dental fillings/identical in colour to the natural colour of the patient's teeth.
• This invention envisions a device for detecting, immediately and with the greatest precision, the colour of the patient's teeth, which device includes as its principal part a UV/VIS spectrum-photometer of any suitable kind, a device that in itself is already known, but that, according to this invention, is outfitted with special means whose purpose is the specific one indicated above.
• the device comprises substantially a light source and means for obtaining a monochromatic pencil of rays that are made to pass through two parallel circuits.
• a housing within which at least one tooth may be inserted, whose colour is to be measured, and in the other circuit a cell is inserted, which contains a reference white sample, from which an information signal is generated for making the comparison of the two colours picked up, with signals of the various UV/VIS wave lenghts.
• the two circuits channeling the beam of monochromatic rays that has crossed over the tooth and the one that has crossed over the sample contained in the reference cell end up at a device that compares the two signals and provides, in code form, visual or printed information of the colour detected, after processing the input data.
• the invention envisions that the cell, assigned to housing the tooth or teeth being observed, be perfectly screened from the entrance of any possible external light, as well as from moisture present in the mouth, which would prejudice the exactness of the colour reading.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic of the main components of the material device of the invention
• Fig. 2 is a variation of the schematic of Fig. 1;
• Figs. 3 and 4 display, in perspective view and in cross- section, respectively, a cell for the insertion of one or more teeth side by side;
• Figs. 5, 6, 7A, 7B display in perspective and in plan
• Figs. 8 and 8A display in cross section and in perspective view respectively, another variation of the detection cell
• Figs. 9A, 9B display schematic perspective view of two other variations of the detection cell
• Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a cell reduced down just to the bar of some flexible material, acting as a shutter for the light, having a longitudinal groove that can deform when the teeth are inserted;
• Fig. 11 displays, in perspective view, a cell that is a variation on the cell -of Fig. 10, reduced down now to just two parallel quartz laminas, acting in concert with a flexible light shutter bar ' that also acts to keep out moisture;
• Fig. 12 shows a schematic longitudinal vertical section through just the parts and the circuits of a first form which the device can take, these being housed in a box support and bitten element;
• Figs. 13A, 13B and 13C show, to larger scale, some variations of the circuits followed by the light rays, which leave the cells and finish up at the detector;
• Figs. 14 and 15 show a- schematic view f_.om above, and- cross-section x-x of Fig. 14 is through an improved bitten box element, and complete with cell;
• Figs. 16 and 17 show two variations of a possible form for the box support and bitten element that includes two twin complexes for the reading, whether simultaneously or not, of the colour of the teeth in the upper or lower dental arches;
• Fig. 18 schematically illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, a form in which a box support and bitten element are connected, removably, to a box for housing the remaining devices of the circuits of Figs. 1 or 2, for its replacement, with another element suited to the kind of teeth the specific patient has.
• Figs. 19A, ' 19B show respectively a vertical longitudinal section and a side view, partly in section, of the removable part of the complex of Fig. 18, suited for being used in two use positions;
• Figs. 20 and 20A show a view of a flexible cable housing optical transmission fibers, that has a bitten device, this being a further variation of the invention
• Figs. 21 and 21A show a form of the invention with the light being transmitted through optical fibers, the former figure in vertical longitudinal section and the latter in horizontal section;
• Figs. 22A, 22B, 22C are variations of the solution of Figs. 21 and 21A, but concerning only the detail of the application of a section converter, mounted at the end of the transmission optical fibers;
• Figs. 23, 24 and 25 show vertical longitudinal sections of other circuit variations all using optical fibers
• Figs. 26A and 26B show a variation on the form in which the light is transmitted through optical fibers, but the detection of the tooth colour is effected by reflection? said figures representing, respectively, a vertical longitudinal section and a horizontal cross section of the cable ;
• Fig. 27 shows a schematic partial horizontal section of one kind of spectrum-photometer device that includes an integrating ball and adapted to the invention's purpose
• Fig. 28 schematically shows, in a longitudinal vertical section, just the part of the spectrum-photometer device, .including the ball and the bitten device, when it has been set up inside the patient's mouth;
• Fig. 29 shows the vertical section got along line V-V of Figure 27, and '
• Fig. 30 shows an exploded view of the support device for the pair of cells housing the teeth, to be applied to the integrating ball so as to get the form the invention takes as shown in Figs. 27 and.29.
• the device comprises a light source (1), which sends a beam of light rays to a monochromator (2), which sends out monochromatic light rays to an optical switcher or chopper (3), that shunts the light rays into two parallel circuits (4, 5), by means of mirrors (13), mounted so as to be adjustable.
• circuit (4) the rays are guided by said mirrors so as to pass through a cell, generically indicated by (6), that can hold at least one of the patient's teeth (9), while the rays, guided in circuit (5), go through cell (7), holding a reference white sample (28).
• the rays from the two output circuits (4A, 5A) are guided to a detector (8), such as a photocell, or photomultiplier or similar, that will supply signals for the two bundles of • rays.
• a light source (1) is provided that, by means of an optical system of mirrors (13), these mounted so as to be adjustable for the purposes to be described in what follows, provides a beam of light rays that are sent into circuit (4), which includes the cell (6) for housing the tooth (9) and into circuit (5), which leads to the cell (7) holding the reference white sample (28), or other such as suitable.
• Each cell (6) may be built so as to be able to detect the colour of one isolated tooth (9) or tooth with gaps separating it from the other teeth, or else of one or more teeth (9) where the teeth are set side by side, these being inserted in one cell only (6).
• a pair of separate cells (6A, 6B) may also be used, to detect the colour of two teeth superposed in the two dental arches, at the same time.
• Cell (6) or cells (6A, 6B) comprise a housing having substantially the form of a U-cross-section channel, which is defined by an entry wall (6e), by an exit wall (6u) and by a -bottom side (6f).
• Walls (6e, ⁇ " 6u) . may lie parallel one to the other and have a cylindrical curvature, so that they may be adapted to the curvature of the dental arches of teeth (9), for which the colour must be detected.
• the rear wall (6u') could also be inclined to follow the anatomical form of the corresponding dental arch (as envisioned in Fig. 9B).
• Walls (6e) and (6u) or (6u') together with the bottom side, (6f) define a channel of rectangular cross section, having a depth and width substantially suited to the dimensions of the tooth or teeth (9) to be lodged in it.
• the entry wall (6e) and the exit wall (6u or 6u' ) may be built of quartz crystal laminas cut perpendicularly to the optical axis, or may be made of some other suitable equivalent material .(Fig. 3).
• the bottom side (6f) may be made of any opaque material, or of quarz too, but lined outside with opaque material.
• the proportions of cell (6) may be adapted to specific tooth dimensions, as regards the tooth whose colour is to be detected. In ' this case, there would be a set of interchangeable cells. Or else there could be one universal cell, got using the expedients envisioned in the variations to be described herein.
• Figs. 3 and 4 re and ru indicate the direction of entry and of exit of the axiy of the light beam used.
• a cell ( 6C ) is envisioned, it being' suited to the present case, i.e. of several teeth (9) side by side.
• Cell (6C) in that case has such length ' .as to let at least three teeth. (9) set side by side be housed in it (Fig. 7B) .
• both the walls and bottom side (6a, 6f, 6u) be made of opaque material, while in walls (6e and 6u) (Fig. 6) two facing apertures are made (16e and 16u), through which the light rays enter and exit, after having crossed the tooth or teeth (9), the colour of which is to be detected and described in code.
• the element (14) (in Fig. 5) comprises elastically deformable material such as rubber or similar, which is shaped in the form of a longitudinal bar (Fig. 5); having a somewhat larger cross-section than the channel of cell (6C).
• a crosswise aperture (18) is opened, having about the same dimensions as the apertures (16e, 16u) in cell (6C), while along the longitudinal midplane of the bar (14) a slot (15) is made (Fig.
• the cell of type 6D is designed to be used for a diastemic tooth, so that - ⁇ the shutter element (15D) comprises a solid block (15D) having a cross aperture (18D) facing the center area of walls (6e, 6u), which aperture (18D) is prolongated at its top into groove '(42) having a shape that makes it somewhat smaller that the cross-section of the tooth (9) to be colour-detected.
• cell (6E) In the variation of Fig. 9A, where cell (6E) alone is illustrated, it is envisioned that walls ( 6e and 6u) of said cell (6E) are not made of quartz laminas, but simply of opaque material, like the bottom side (6f); they are however furnished with two longitudinal slits (43e, 43u), facing one another and made at the height of the optic axis re-ru.
• Variation (6E' ) of the cell seen in Fig. 9B, differs from cell (6E) only in that the rear wall ( ⁇ u 1 ) lies at an inclination, like the dental arch.
• cell (6F) comprises substantially only the shutter body (14), seen in Fig. 5, a body that will be held up at its sides by device (36, 36A) to be described in what follows, with reference to Fig. 18.
• cell (6G) is formed, in combination, of a pair of quartz laminas (31), so sized as to block, one the cross entry aperture and the other the exit aperture of aperture (18), formed in the shutter body (14).
• These laminas (31) will be inserted in the device's housing seats (31a), as will be described in what follows.
• the reference cells (7) containing the white reference sample (28), are made in a simpler manner, having their front and rear walls as envisioned for cells (6), while they will have an opaque upper wall, bottom wall, and side walls. Clearly, reference cells (7) will always have identical dimensions, since they must only hold the reference sample (28).
• Fig. 12 shows one form of the most characteristic part of the present invention, which part is lodged inside a shaped bitten element generically indicated with (19), which sticks out from a box (35), which houses at least devices (i-, 2 and 3) of Fig. 1.
• This element comprises a box-shaped body (20), made of metal or plastic, which is to be partially introduced into the mouth (21).
• a box-shaped body (20) made of metal or plastic, which is to be partially introduced into the mouth (21).
• the two circuits (4, 4a and 5, 5a) lodged in the cavity inside the tubular body (20) are the two circuits (4, 4a and 5, 5a) as well as cells (6 and 7), and the detector (8).
• Cell (6) is inserted into an upper socket (20a) in element (20) its section being complementary to the cross- section of the central operating part of cell (6), which cell is arranged in such a manner as to have wall (6e) the entry, or grooves (43) arranged in such a manner as to let the beam of light rays from circuit (4), enter, in such a way that they may strike tooth (9), in this case this being a tooth in the patient's upper dental arch, at about half its height.
• element (20) is furnished with apertures to let said light rays enter into the cell (6) and to let them leave it (31a).
• the wall of element (20) displays undulations (22) or similar to facilitate its grip on the teeth (9) of the lower dental arch, so as to assure the exact positioning and immobility of the detection device during detection.
• annular flanges (24A, 24B), made up of membranes of rubber or other material that can deform elastically, which are destined to be pushed toward the outside: one of them, (24A) against the lips (25) and the other, (24B) to be inserted between the patient's lips (25) and the dental arches (26).
• Flange (24A) is pushed against the lips (25) so as to prevent any light from entering the mouth (21) from outside.
• Fig. 1 are inserted lenses (27) to guide the rays and to keep the rays' optic axis aligned along said circuits (4, 4a) and (5, 5a).
• devices are envisioned (29, 30) to get a bias voltage signal that is to be sent through circuit (40) to detector (8).
• Circuit (41) is the output circuit for detector (8), and it heads up at amplifier (11). Figs.
• 13A, 13B and 13C show to larger scale the detail of the terminal tooth-clamping part of the tubular element (20), where cells (6 and 7) are inserted, together with detector (8), and a detail of the paths of the rays through circuits (4a, 5a), sent on the detector (8) and deflected through systems of mirrors (33) or of prisms (34) .
• Figs. 14 and 15 schematically ' show, in one view from above and in the cross-section X-X of Fig. 14, a variation of the tooth-clamping system, which must obviously be completed by flanges (24A, 24B) as illustrated in Fig. 12.
• the body of the housing cell in this case of type 6C, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which includes the elastic shutter element (14), envisioned to keep out outside light, is now furnished with a lower support (36 ' ) (see detail drawing of Fig. 18), made of a material that is only slightly elastic, such as rubber or similar; this body is attached to the lower wall (6f) of cell (6C) and, whose side walls (6e and 6u) are kept back and held up by the pairs of wings (36a), projecting up-wards.
• This body also has substantially the form of the dental arches (26) .
• FIGs. 16 and 17 show two variations of the invention, suited to be used to detect the colour of one or more upper teeth and/or of one or more lower teeth. In said Figs. 16 and 17 the same numbers are used to indicate equivalent parts, while being distinguished by the addition of a letter.
• the box support (20a) houses two complexes of devices substantially identical to the complex of devices forming the invention's operating part as seen in Fig. 12.
• the tooth (9) to be colour-detected in the upper dental arch will be lodged in cell (6A) and that one in the lower dental arch in cell (6B).
• suitable means i.e. mirrors and interrupters — will be used to cut out the other complex.
• Fig. 17 shows a perspective, exploded view of a part of the device of the invention in which the box support for support (20) is envisioned as being separable from box (35), in which at least the devices (1, 2, 3) seen in Fig. 1 are. housed.
• box support for support (20) is envisioned as being separable from box (35), in which at least the devices (1, 2, 3) seen in Fig. 1 are. housed.
• two sockets set side by side (38A, 38B) ' are made in box (35), their shapes being complementary to the shape of the entering end of box element (20), whose operating structure is built as shown in Fig.
• the cell for housing the tooth or teeth to be detected will be of type (6G), that is, will be . made up of but two quartz laminas (31), shaped in such a manner as to be inserted in housings (31a), made in correspondence to the apertures in the box element (20) that are facing socket (20a), as described and illustrated with reference to Fig. 11.
• the shutter body (14) Within socket (20a) and between laminas (31) the shutter body (14) will be inserted, as illustrated in Fig.
• Body (36) is outfitted with two sides pairs of parallel tabs (36a), projecting upwards, their task to lock and to hold up the ends of the shutter body (14) that are projecting from box element (20).
• Shown in Fig. 18 too is a transverse anular flange (24A), which slides with 5 some friction along the box body (20), and that is to be pushed up against the lips (25) after the patient's teeth (9) whose colour is to be detected, have been inserted in the groove (15) of the shutter body (14). (39) is used to indicate the laminas, collars or similar
• FIGS. 19A and 19B show the details of the variation of
• housing (38A) has on its bottom side (38a) attachments for connecting up circuits (4, 5, 40, 41) where the device (20) must be used in its setup as shown in Fig.
• housing (38B) calls for connections (38b) for device (20), when it is set up as shown in Fig. 19B, properly shunting the light rays along routes (4 and 5) by means of the adjustment of the positions of mirrors (13) in circuit (1), in such a fashion that they are led to the connections of Fig. 19A- or to those of Fig. 19B, and travel routes (40 and 41), by means of switches or other suitable means.
• Figs. 20 through 25 inclusive concern a variation in which the circuits transmitting the _beams of light are at least partly replaced by optical fibers.
• the stiff box element used for the earlier forms of the device is, in the various type (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) replaced (see Fig. 20) by a flexible cable (44), which heads up on one of its ends at the grip part that is bitten, which is protected by a stiff box shell (45), in which at least one cell (6) is inserted, and that may or may not house cell (7), containing the white reference sample (28).
• a stiff box shell in which at least one cell (6) is inserted, and that may or may not house cell (7), containing the white reference sample (28).
• Figs. 22A, 22B and 22C display variations similar to the one shown in Fig. 21A, in these Figures similar items bearing the same numbers used above for reference. The only difference is that the optical fibers (54 and 55), only the upper fiber (54) of which is visible, terminate with a section adaptor-converter (46), whose task is to output at least one beam having a line cross section, which may be either horizontal or vertical, this adaptor being located in front of one cell of type, for example. ( 6C or 6G ) .
• Fig. 22A the output face of said adaptor (46) is plane and perpendicular to the optic axis.
• a convex lens (not shown) may be mounted in proximity to cell (6), and downline of the tooth (9) another convex one (not shown) may be mounted, the former lens being to define the area of the tooth to be detected, and the latter to concentrate the rays on detector (8).
• Fig. 22B shows the adaptor (46A) which still has a plane terminal wall, but penetrates inside the cell, which is of type (6E or 6E'), passing through slit (43e) called for in wall (6e).
• Fig. '22C is similar to Fig. 22B, but displays an adaptor (46B) having a concave terminal face so as to be better adapted to the front profile of tooth (9), together with a suitable lens downline of the tooth.
• flexible cable (44A) holds only the two circuits for cells (6 and 7), while the detector is housed in box (35).
• Indicated by (54, 54a) are two sections of optical fiber guiding the light rays to cell (6) and that receive them on their output from this cell.
• (55, 55a) are the two branches of optical fiber that concern cell (7).
• cable (44B) and the bitten support (45B) are there to house the same elements, as in Fig.
• Fig. 25 The variation of Fig. 25 is the simplest of the variations proposed, since in this case cable (44C) is used to hold only cell (6) and the two truncated ends of optical fiber (54, 54a) belonging to that cell, while cell (7) holding the reference sample is to be found inside box (35), as seen in the scheme of Fig. 2.
• Figs. 26A, 26B show another variation of the form of the invention in which optical fibers are used to convey the light rays.
• cable (44D) together with the part inserted in the mouth (45D) is prepared for detecting the colour of teeth both in the upper dental arch and in the lower one, cable (44D), as may hold true for the earlier cases too, may be hooked up permanently to box (35), or there may be attachments to make it removable.
• light ray impulses are sent to cells (6A, 6B) that are used to hold teeth (9) in the two dental arches, by means of optical fibers ( 48A and 48B) respectively, so as to hit the teeth (9) under detection right in their center, said rays being reflected from these teeth and sent back along the same fibers to be shunted into a detector, housed in box (35).
• the optical fibers (48 and 49) are furnished with concave terminal surface section converter (46B).
• Fig. 27 schematically shows a spectrum-photometer (50) of a kind already known, in particular of UV/VIS type, which includes said integrating ball (51), which may or may not be outfitted with two flattened opposite paralallel parts (51A and 51B).
• Said spectrum-photometer (50) is housed inside a case (52) that, as shown in the form shown in Fig. 27, is prolonged to form a side appendage (52a), whose task is to hold said ball (51), in such a manner that its flattened part (51B) is accessible through an aperture (53) in the head of the appendage (52).
• these are two openings ( 56A, 56B) see Figs.
• Openings (56A, 56B) are so proportioned and arranged as to lie directly before the central area of 5.teeth (9) set into cells (6FA, 6FB).
• three apertures are called for ( 57A, 57C, 57B), these being in optical alignment with aperture (56A), with the reference sample (28) and with aperture (56B) respectively.
• a support (58, 58A) is attached to the center part of the flat portion (60) of the rear wall (51B) lying between apertures (56A and 56B) .
• Said support (58) is extended upwards to become a pair of front side tabs (58aA) and a rear tab (58bA), and 5 extends downwards to become a pair of front tabs (58aB) and a rear tab (58bB).
• Said support (58), together with said tabs forms the two cells (6FA and 6FB) respectively, whose task is to hold at least one tooth (9) of each of the two dental arches, with the 0 interposition of the respective shutter element (14A, 14B), which elements are built according to the characteristics already set forth for the shutter element (14, 15D) already explained.
• the light rays enter at alternate times from apertures ( 57A and 57B and 57C), striking through apertures (56A, 18A) to hit an upper tooth (9), and through apertures ( 56B, 18B) to hit a lower tooth (9), being then reflected from the special interior surface of ball (51) so as to strike, after successive reflections, detector (61), while the rays penetrating through aperture (57C) alternately strike reference sample (28) and then, after successive reflections, detector (61), according to the scheme: upper tooth - reference white, and lower tooth - reference white, proceeding as already described above.
• the control- systems for making the two color detections are identical to those described above, that is mirrors (33) and switches.
• the variation shown in Fig. 20A comprises the integrating ball located at the end of cable (44), it too functioning by means of optical fibers.
• Another variation, not shown in the figures, comprises a smaller ball, containing only one cell (6) and one cell (7), which can be used to colour-detect the upper incisor-teeth, it being outfitted with a system similar to that of Figs. 19A and 19B, which will also let the lower teeth be colour-detected.
• Another variation, not shown in the figures either, uses the reflection of the rays into an optical system of mirrors that convey the reflected light directly into the detector inside the spectrum-photometer.

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• 1985
  • 1985-11-08 WO PCT/IT1985/000046 patent/WO1986003292A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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