Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5759030?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6233389
Timestamp: 2014-09-03 00:53:54
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Patent US5759030 - Method for producing a dental prosthesis for a patient - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsColor measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter...http://www.google.com/patents/US5759030?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5759030 - Method for producing a dental prosthesis for a patientAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5759030 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/582,054Publication dateJun 2, 1998Filing dateJan 2, 1996Priority dateJan 2, 1996Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2238499A1, CA2238499C, EP0877577A1, EP0877577A4, EP0877577B1, US5851113, US5871351, US6264470, US7018204, US7244122, US20010029009, US20010049083, US20080102417, WO1997024075A1Publication number08582054, 582054, US 5759030 A, US 5759030A, US-A-5759030, US5759030 A, US5759030AInventorsWayne D. Jung, Russell W. Jung, Alan R. LoudermilkOriginal AssigneeLj Laboratories, L.L.C.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (44), Non-Patent Citations (66), Referenced by (72), Classifications (44), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod for producing a dental prosthesis for a patientUS 5759030 AAbstract Color measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized is part of a patient data base.
What is claimed is: 1. A method for producing a dental prosthesis for a patient, comprising the steps of:measuring a tooth of the patient, the measuring step comprising moving a probe in proximity to the tooth, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the tooth from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the tooth through a plurality of light receivers, determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors, and measuring the optical characteristics of the tooth with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the tooth; generating data for the dental prosthesis based on the measured data; and preparing the dental prosthesis based on the generated data. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating data for the dental prosthesis comprises generating data determinative of a match between the measured data and a dental shade guide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, devices and methods are provided for measuring the color of objects such as teeth, reliably and with minimal problems of height and angular dependence. A handheld probe is utilized in the present invention, with the handheld probe containing a number of fiber optics. Light is directed from one (or more) light source fiber optics towards the object/tooth to be measured, which in certain preferred embodiments is a central light source fiber optic (other light source arrangements also may be utilized). Light reflected from the object is detected by a number of light receiver fiber optics. Included in the light receiver fiber optics are a plurality of perimeter fiber optics. In certain preferred embodiments, three perimeter fiber optics are utilized in order to take measurements at a desired, and predetermined height and angle, thereby minimizing height and angular dependency problems found in conventional methods. In certain embodiments, the present invention also may measure translucence and fluorescence characteristics of the object/tooth being measured, is well as surface texture and/or other surface characteristics.
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