The Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital Authority

Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital

Peter B Lockhart

Robert Splinter

Philip C Fox

Michael T Brennan

Matthew J Davis

An erythema meter includes a probe, a light source of one or more specific probing and reference wavelengths, and an acoustic detector which determines the level of erythema present in the dental pulp chamber of a tooth. The probing and reference wavelengths are delivered in pulsed or amplitude modulated fashion through the probe, thereby permitting electronic identification and filtering of the received data. The absorption of the light wave raises the temperature of the material in the tooth and causes it to expand, thus creating tiny shockwaves which are picked up with the acoustic detector, revealing information on the location of blood and the quantity of blood inside the tooth. The erythema meter accurately measures the erythema, or inflammation, within the tooth in a qualitative and quantitative manner.

Erythema measuring device and method

The present invention provides an erythema meter comprising a light guide that carries light of two specific wavelengths (probing and reference) at two distinct frequencies that are generated and modulated by a either a single or multiple source(s), a photodetector mounted in the tip of the guide that receives light reflected from the surface being examined, and circuitry electrically coupled to the guide for processing the light data, and determining the level of erythema present on the examined surface. The probing and reference wavelengths are delivered in sinusoidal or amplitude modulated fashion, thereby permitting electronic filtering of the received data. A calculating circuit determines the quotient of the two wavelengths after having been reflected off of a surface, such as mucosal or dermal surfaces, which is representative of the severity of erythema present in the surface.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Peter B Lockhart