Abstract: A calibration unit (28) for the calibration of a macroscopic medical imaging device. The calibration unit (28) is especially suitable for the calibration of a macroscopic dental imaging device. The calibration unit (28) comprises a main body (40) having a front surface (42) being configured for being optically oriented towards the imaging device. Moreover, a fluorescent material (54) of a first type is arranged in a first sector (48) of the main body (40). Furthermore, a fluorescent material (58) of a second type is arranged in a second sector (56) of the main body (40). Alternatively or additionally to the fluorescent material (58) of the second type, an opaque, non-fluorescent material (68) is arranged in a third sector (66) of the main body (40). Additionally, a macroscopic medical imaging calibration system, especially a macroscopic dental imaging calibration system is presented.

Abstract: A system and a method for improving visibility of newly decaying or carious tissue are described. Light having a lower peak wavelength (such as 405 nm) illuminates dental tissue, and an image is captured. Light having a higher peak wavelength (such as 450 nm) then illuminates the same dental tissue, and a second image is captured. The images are aligned, and an output image is created based on at least one of the first image and the second image, modified in certain areas as a function of the relationships between the red values of the first image (R1) and the second image (R2) at that location and the green values of the first image (G1) and the second image (G2) at that location. The function may use the ratios R2:R1 and G1:G2, such as a function of the product of those ratios, to determine the color adjustment that is applied.

Abstract: A system and a method for improving visibility of newly decaying or carious tissue are described. Light having a lower peak wavelength (such as 405 nm) illuminates dental tissue, and an image is captured. Light having a higher peak wavelength (such as 450 nm) then illuminates the same dental tissue, and a second image is captured. The images are aligned, and an output image is created based on at least one of the first image and the second image, modified in certain areas as a function of the relationships between the red values of the first image (R1) and the second image (R2) at that location and the green values of the first image (G1) and the second image (G2) at that location. The function may use the ratios R2:R1 and G1:G2, such as a function of the product of those ratios, to determine the color adjustment that is applied.

Abstract: A device provides incident light on oral structures, switchably between two states. In the first state, incident light causes autofluorescence of byproducts of decay, and an optical filter between the oral structures and either the user's eyes or a visualizing apparatus yields visually distinguishable appearances for that autofluorescence depending on whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy. In the second state, the incident light is of a color composition that yields a substantially “white” spectrum after passing through the filter.

Abstract: A device provides incident light on oral structures, switchably between two states. In the first state, incident light causes autofluorescence of byproducts of decay, and an optical filter between the oral structures and either the user's eyes or a visualizing apparatus yields visually distinguishable appearances for that autofluorescence depending on whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy. In the second state, the incident light is of a color composition that yields a substantially “white” spectrum after passing through the filter.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light-emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: A tissue examination system is disclosed in various embodiments, generally including a handle, a lighting element, (such as an LED), a filter, and in some embodiments a mirror. In a preferred embodiment, a lighting element and filter are attached to the distal end of a handle so that fluorescence by the bodily tissue can be directly observed by the filter in various configurations. In another, a mirror is integrated with the filter and light assembly to reflect and filter fluoresced light to an observer, while in yet another, a shield blocks ambient light from interfering with the tissue examination by injecting additional light into the view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for visualizing, measuring, monitoring, and observing damage to and decalcification of tooth tissue in a lesion based on one or more still images of the tooth, each preferably observing through an optical filter the fluorescent response of the tissue to blue excitation light. The image is analyzed based on a function(s) of optical components of the pixels, preferably comparing a ratio between optical components to one or more thresholds. Other analysis uses interpolation and/or curve fitting to reconstruct what intensities the pixels would have if the tooth were sound. In some embodiments, this reconstruction is based on the pixel intensities that the user indicates correspond to sound tooth tissue. In other embodiments, these points are automatically selected. In still other embodiments, images captured over time are analyzed to create a sequence of frames in an animation of the state of the lesion.

Abstract: Described are dental implements useful for inspecting tooth surfaces for abnormalities such as caries or plaque. Preferred implements of the invention include light emitting diodes mounted on an implement body having a mirror for insertion into a user's mouth. Such implements also have on-board batteries mounted in chambers in the implement handle, and a switch for energizing and de-energizing the LED with the battery. Also described are methods for examining tooth surfaces for abnormal conditions indicative of plaque involving illuminating surfaces with radiation at a wavelength in the range of 390-450 nm wherein the radiation is effective to cause detectable fluorescence emissions from bacterial metabolites known to be associated with plaque-containing surfaces, and detecting the emissions.

Abstract: A novel medical diagnostic imaging system, method, and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a reference image is compared with each image in an image stream, and a similarity value is calculated to reflect the degree of similarity between them. If the similarity value is high enough, the image is saved for later use by the diagnostician. In other embodiments, a running list is maintained of the x best-matching frames from the video stream. Images from the list are displayed for the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the detection of carious activity of a carious lesion in a tooth, comprising a light source for illuminating the tooth, and a detection device for the registration of the fluorescence radiation of the tooth. A drying device is provided for a controlled drying of the tooth. The detection device is equipped to register changes in time of the tooth's fluorescence radiation.