Novadent Ltd.

Vered Vivi Ziv

Itai Bab

Osnat Feuerstein

A device and method for the detection of smooth surface lesions such as caries and tooth crown surface cracks on a tooth crown surface, the device having an ultrasonic surface wave transmitter/receiver comprising a focused ultrasonic surface waves along a tooth crown surface. Surface lesions encountered by the ultrasonic surface waves produce ultrasonic surface wave reflections which are receivable at the generator/receiver, thus enabling the presence of the lesion, and particularly small lesions, to be detected. The ultrasonic surface wave generator/receiver may comprise a focused transducer, having a focusing element integral therewith or separate therefrom, operatively connected to a wedge-like coupler. Longitudinal ultrasonic waves generated by the transducers are at least partially focused by the focusing element and then imparted onto the tooth surface by the coupler which has a contact surface in contact with the tooth surface being tested. The coupler also enables ultrasonic surface wave reflections to be received by the transducer.

Device and method for the ultrasonic detection of smooth surface lesions on tooth crown surfaces

This invention is a device and method for the detection of smooth surface lesions such as caries and tooth crown surface cracks on a tooth crown surface, the device having an ultrasonic surface wave transmitter/receiver (20) capable of transmitting ultrasonic surface waves along a tooth crown surface. Surface lesions encountered by the ultrasonic surface waves produce ultrasonic surface wave reflections which are receivable at the generator/receiver, thus enabling the presence of the lesion to be detected. The ultrasonic surface wave generator/receiver may comprise a transducer operatively connected to a wedge-like coupler (30). Longitudinal ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer are imparted onto the tooth surface by the coupler which has a contact surface in contact with the tooth surface being tested. The coupler also enables ultrasonic surface wave reflections to be received by the transducer.

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Mazkeret Batia, Israel

Vered Vivi Ziv