Other

Ini Corporation

Nagoya University

Hideyuki Takeuchi

Akio Suzumura

Shigeru Kirino

A novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivative. The glycyrrhetinic acid derivative is represented by the following general formula. 

Glycyrrhetinic acid derivative and use thereof

Disclosed is a gap junction inhibitor which is more practically useful compared with carbenoxolone. Also disclosed is a novel glycyrrhetinic acid derivative. The glycyrrhetinic acid derivative is represented by general formula (1) or (2). 

An one-piece dental probe made of light condensing fluorescent plastic comprising a handle, a distal portion and a measuring needle for measuring and exploring blind gum pockets is provided. The measuring needle has at least one visible measurement gradation for measuring the depth of the blind pocket. Light collected at the distal end of the probe is reflected through the probe and illuminates the vicinity of the blind pocket, thus enabling accurate measurement of the depth of the blind pocket in low-light conditions. The tip of the measuring needle may be hemispherical, and form an annular ledge around the needle for probing the existence and location of tartar and other foreign matters in the blind pocket.

Dental probe for measuring and exploring the depth of a blind pocket

A dental probe that directly measures pH level and temperature of gum pockets and other diseased parts of the oral cavity is provided. The dental probe has a handle and a needle with a pH sensor and a temperature sensor in the needle tip. The handle permits the dentist to manipulate the needle tip to examine a diseased spot in the mouth, where both pH levels and temperature can be analyzed. The rear part of the handle has a light receptor which remains outside the oral cavity when the needle tip is inserted in the diseased part, creating a path for light through the needle part. The dental probe is attached to a dental diagnosis device that enables processing and readout of pH levels and temperature.

Dental probe and dental diagnosis device

A measuring device for measuring the depth of a blind pocket formed around a tooth. A first embodiment of the measuring device has a measuring probe of optical material, such an optical fiber or rod, that has light-emitting notches or grooves near the probe tip, the notches being spaced to form a rule. The probe can be coupled to a light source, such as a penlight which can also be used as handle. The measuring probe is provided with an optical path to conduct light from the light source to the light-emitting ruler markings. A second embodiment of the measuring device has a measuring probe with a tapered tip formed by a staircase bundle of optical fibers covered by a transparent sheath. When light is introduced into a light source end of the staircase bundle of optical fibers, the opposite end in the probe's tapered tip is illuminated in a staircase pattern that can be used as rule.

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Hideyuki Takeuchi