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EP0113152A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for examining anomalies on surfaces of objects
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1983-12-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Diseased areas of human teeth are identified by an orange-red fluorescence which is produced when the teeth are illuminated with visible light having a wavelength of less than approximately 434.5 nm. The teeth are viewed directly through an optical filter which blocks transmission at the illuminating wavelength. A peaking filter may be used to enhance the visibility of the fluorescence.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Joseph Lafond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6486; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for identifying diseased regions of objects such as teeth comprisng the steps of: illuminating the object with light having a wavelength less than or substantially equal to 434.5 nm, and directly observing orange-red fluorescence from anomalous regions of the illuminated object through an optical filter which blocks transmission of light at the exciting wavelength.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for identifying diseased regions of objects such as teeth comprisng the steps of: illuminating the object with light having a wavelength less than or substantially equal to 434.5 nm, and directly observing orange-red fluorescence from anomalous regions of the illuminated object through an optical filter which blocks transmission of light at the exciting wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein the step of directly viewing the fluorescence includes viewing the fluorescence simultaneously through an optical filter which blocks transmission at the excitation wavelength and through an optical filter which peaks transmission at the wavelength of the orange-red fluorescence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of Claim 2 comprising the step of illuminating the object with monochromatic light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of Claim 3 wherein the monochromatic light has a wavlength of 405 nm as dedicated to the examination of teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein the diseased regions comprise dental caries or calculus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of dental surgery comprising identifying diseased areas according to the method of Claim 1 while surgically excising the identified diseased regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for identifying anomalous regions of objects comprising: means for illuminating an object with light having a wavelength less than or substantially equal to 434.5 nm, and; an optical filter having a transmission characteristic which blocks light at the illuminating wavelength disposed between an observer and the object to permit direct viewing of orange-red fluorescence from anomalous regions of the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for identifying anomalous regions of objects comprising: means for illuminating an object with light having a wavelength less than or substantially equal to 434.5 nm, and; an optical filter having a transmission characteristic which blocks light at the illuminating wavelength disposed between an observer and the object to permit direct viewing of orange-red fluorescence from anomalous regions of the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein the means for illuminating the object comprise a source of substantially monochromatic light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein the light has a wavelength of 405 nm and the apparatus is dedicated to the examination of human teeth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 or 9 wherein the means for illuminating the toothcomprises a mercury arc lamp; an optical fiber bundle coupled to the arc lamp to transmit light therefrom; dental probe means adapted to project light from the optical fiber onto the tooth and means for carrying optical filters adapted to the light to be examined.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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