Optics: measuring and testing – By polarized light examination – With light attenuation
Patent
1992-11-13
1995-08-08
Rosenberger, Richard A.
Optics: measuring and testing
By polarized light examination
With light attenuation
128777, 35 4, 348 66, A61B 5103, G01B 1124
Patent
active
054403936
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for measuring the dimensions of a space, in particular a buccal cavity with upper and lower jaw dentition, using a scanning device that is introduced at least in part into the space that is to be measured, and a device for carrying out this process.
2. State of the Prior Art
Processes used to measure upper and lower dentition and apparatuses for carrying out such processes are known, for example, in the form of the dental use of mechanical impression trays. When this is done, a pair of impression trays an upper jaw impression tray and a lower jaw impression tray) that correspond to the anatomical conditions of the buccal cavity of the particular patient are selected and are checked with respect to size and fit by inserting them into the buccal cavity. After the selection and checking of a suitable pair of impression trays, both of the impression trays are filled with a paste-like impression paste and are then inserted into the patient's buccal cavity in such a way that the impression paste of one impression tray surrounds the upper jaw dentition evenly and the impression paste in the other impression tray surrounds the lower jaw dentition in the same way. The impression paste solidifies within a few minutes, and when the paste is still in the elastic state it, together with the particular impression tray, is released from the upper or lower jaw dentition, respectively, and removed from the patient's mouth. Once the impression paste has finally hardened, this is inserted into a suitable outer tray and the tray is then filled with plaster of Paris or a similar substance. As soon as this plaster of Paris, or a material that is like it, has hardened, the impression paste is removed. In this way, one obtains a geometric-topographic impression of the configuration of the buccal cavity, in particular in the area of the dentition, such as may be required, for example, for orthopaedic work that is to be done on the jaw or else for the production of dental protheses or the like. A disadvantage in this known process and device is the inconvenient and time-consuming production of an impression, the lack of any correlation between the upper and lower jaw impressions, the lack of any measurement of the articulation of the jaw, the inaccuracy of the process that is brought about by many possibilities for error and the difficulties involved in evaluating the results that are obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the task of the present invention to improve a process of the type described in the introduction hereto in order to be able to obtain exact and, as far as possible, error-free measured values, in particular with reference to the configuration of the upper and lower dentition, and to do this by simple manipulation and in a short period of time, the result being a signal that is amenable to further processing. In addition, the present invention proposes a scanning device with which this process can be carried out using simple mechanical means. Essentially, this problem has been solved according to the present invention in that an optical measurement system is used as a scanning device, the optical signals of which can be converted into electronic signals that can be evaluated by means of a computer.
In this way, the buccal cavity can be measured precisely without using an impression paste and the measured data evaluated by computer, so that extremely valuable measurement results are made available in a very short period of time.
In one advantageous configuration of the process according to the present invention, optical radiation is projected onto portions of the buccal cavity, i.e. the surfaces and/or the translucent internal volume of the buccal cavity that is to be measured, in particular the translucent teeth, by means of a projection system, and the radiation that is reflected from the surfaces and/or the translucent internal volume is recorded by means of a recording system, by means of which the geometricto
REFERENCES:
patent: 3382781 (1968-05-01), Hamilton
patent: 4070683 (1978-01-01), Altschuler et al.
patent: 4453082 (1984-06-01), Pryor
patent: 4525858 (1985-06-01), Cline et al.
patent: 4575805 (1986-03-01), Moermann et al.
patent: 4611288 (1986-09-01), Duret et al.
patent: 4724525 (1988-02-01), Purcell et al.
patent: 4742464 (1988-05-01), Duret et al.
patent: 4952149 (1990-08-01), Duret et al.
patent: 4964770 (1990-10-01), Steinbichler et al.
Com Dent GmbH
Rosenberger Richard A.
LandOfFree
Process and device for measuring the dimensions of a space, in p does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process and device for measuring the dimensions of a space, in p, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process and device for measuring the dimensions of a space, in p will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-975420