Image analysis – Applications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2004-03-30
Ahmed, Samir (Department: 2623)
Image analysis
Applications
C433S029000, C600S160000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06714657
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is the field of imaging of teeth in a mouth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The above identified U.S. patent application summarizes the background of the art in great detail. In brief, the prior art to the above identified application is deficient in that images of teeth taken with light transillumination were not reproducible. The above identified application teaches that the illumination source and imaging system must be held in a reproducible and repeatable position with respect to the tooth by anchoring the source and imaging system physically with respect to the tooth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for digital imaging fiber optic transillumination of teeth in a mouth. The invention comprises a spring mechanism prong attached to a body holding an optical fiber or other illumination system. The spring mechanism prong contacts the proximal surfaces of at least one tooth and holds the illumination system so that the illumination system illuminates the tooth in a reproducible manner. An optical imaging system attached to the body may then be used to produce reproducible images of the tooth using light transmitted and scattered through the tooth. The most preferred embodiment of the invention uses two prongs which contact both proximal surfaces of the tooth.
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patent: 5931670 (1999-08-01), Davis
patent: 6341957 (2002-01-01), Momot et al.
patent: 4307411 (1994-09-01), None
Jacobs Adam
Momot Tomasz
Bhatnagar Anand
Electro-Optical Sciences Inc.
Hodgson Rodney T.
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