Patent ID: 7477364
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: A61C,G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for determining optical properties of a dental object, comprising: a probe tip including a plurality of light source/light receiver pairs; a spectrometer assembly receiving light from the plurality of light source/light receiver pairs, wherein the spectrometer assembly generates data of a first average optical depth based on light received by a first light source/light receiver pair and generates data of a second average optical depth based on light received by a second light source/light receiver pair, wherein the second average optical depth is different from the first average optical depth; a body integral with the probe tip and encompassing the spectrometer assembly and adapted for positioning in a hand of an operator, wherein the hand of the operator substantially encompasses a bulk portion of the spectrometer assembly; wherein the probe tip is positioned in proximity to the dental object, wherein data generated by the spectrometer assembly is processed and optical properties of the dental object are determined based on the data generated by the spectrometer assembly.