Patent ID: 7740477
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Dental device for the investigation of the optical properties of tooth tissue, comprising an excitation radiation generator, which radiation is to be directed through a first light conductor, a diagnosis probe arranged at a forward end of the first light conductor, the probe having an elongate light wedge at a lower end of the probe, the wedge to direct the radiation onto a tooth tissue region to be investigated, a radiation detector and a radiation evaluator for the detection and evaluation of a response radiation arising from the irradiated tooth tissue region as response to the irradiation, the response radiation being transmitted from the irradiated tooth tissue through the elongate light wedge to an end face of the probe and through a second light conductor to the radiation detector and the radiation evaluator, and an indicator for the indication of a measurement result determined by the radiation evaluator on the basis of the detected response radiation, wherein the first and second light conductors are coupled into the light fiber bundle to transmit the radiation from the first light conductor to the tooth tissue region and to receive the response radiation from the tooth tissue region to the second light conductor, wherein the excitation radiation generator and the radiation detector are integrated in a dental handpiece, wherein the radiation detector includes a photodiode for the detection of the response radiation, which photodiode is arranged in the handpiece at an end of the second light conductor for the transmission of the response radiation, and wherein the photodiode is arranged behind an opening into which the second light conductor opens out.