Dentistry – Apparatus – Having heater or electrode
Patent
1980-01-21
1981-12-29
Peshock, Robert
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having heater or electrode
128741, A61C 0000
Patent
active
043080120
ABSTRACT:
A dental pulp vitality tester for selectively applying heat, cold, or electrical stimulation to a patient's tooth in a controlled reproducible manner. Broadly, the device includes a handle having a thermally and electrically conductive probe tip, a heat sink within the handle, and a thermoelectric element having a first junction thermally coupled to the probe tip and a second junction thermally coupled to the heat sink. Heating or cooling of the probe tip is accomplished by passage of electric current through the thermoelectric element. A temperature sensing device such as a thermistor is thermally coupled to the probe tip, and temperature regulation circuitry responsive to the state of the temperature sensing element regulates the current to the thermoelectric element to maintain the temperature of the probe tip constant at a predetermined desired value. The present invention includes circuitry for quantifying the stimulus applied. In particular, circuitry is provided for sensing electrical contact with the tooth, which electrical contact is strongly correlated with thermal contact. Additionally, timing circuitry measures and displays the length of time that the probe tip has been in contact with the tooth so that the precise time at which a patient response occurs may be used to render the diagnosis quantitative. Electrical stimulation is provided by regulating the current that is passed through the probe tip into the tooth rather than the voltage that is applied to the probe tip. This current is applied in pulses, and the amplitude of the current pulses is gradually increased from a minimum value in an automatic fashion so that the patient's sensitivity may be determined. Electrical contact with the tooth is monitored as with the thermal testing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3533397 (1966-05-01), Scher
patent: 3618590 (1969-06-01), Frank
patent: 4197641 (1980-04-01), Paulke
Stoneham Edward B.
Tamler Richard
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