SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF AN OBJECT - Patent application

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for measuring structural characteristics of an object.SOLUTION: An object is subjected to an energy application process and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of the object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The system does not include an external on / off switch or any remote on / off switching mechanism. The system also includes a disposable feature or assembly for minimizing cross-contamination between tests. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1a

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This Patent Cooperation Treaty international application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 441,085, filed December 30, 2016, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING Structural Characteristics of an Object,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] [Field of the Invention] This application relates generally to the evaluation of structural characteristics of an object, and more particularly to the evaluation of structural characteristics that reflect the integrity of an object after it has been subjected to the application of energy thereon. [Background technology]

[0003] When an object is subjected to an impact force, stress waves are propagated through the object. These stress waves cause deformations in the object's internal structure. The deforming object acts in part as a shock absorber and dissipates some of the mechanical energy associated with the impact. An object's ability to dissipate mechanical energy, commonly referred to as the object's "damping capacity," depends on several factors, including the type of material the object is made of and its structural integrity.

[0004] Instruments exist that can measure the damping of an object. One example of such an instrument is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,466 (the "'466 Patent"). The instrument disclosed in the '466 Patent provides an objective, quantitative measurement of an object's damping, referred to as the loss factor 17. Elastic wave energy can decay relatively slowly in a material with a relatively low loss factor, while elastic wave energy can decay relatively quickly in a material with a relatively high loss factor.

[0005] The damping capacity of an object is an important parameter in a wide variety of applications. For example, in dentistry, when a healthy tooth is subjected to an impact force, the mechanical energy associated with the impact is mainly dissipated by the periodontal ligament. Changes in the structure of the periodontal ligament, which reduce its ability to dissipate the mechanical energy associated with the impact force and therefore reduce the overall tooth stability, can be detected by measuring the loss factor of the tooth. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a system and method for measuring structural characteristics of an object, the object being subject to an energy application process, and the system being adapted to provide an objective, quantitative measurement of the structural characteristics of the object after the energy application process. The system and method are capable of producing more reproducible measurements and are better able to detect some anomalies that may be present in the object.

[0007] The system provides a non-destructive measurement method and may include an instrument, e.g., an impact instrument, having at least a portion that can be reproducibly placed in contact with the object to be measured for more reproducible measurements. The system may be turned on and off without an external switch or remote control. In general, any external switching device, such as a flip switch, a locking switch, or a push button switch, may tend to limit how the operator holds the instrument, e.g., when it is carried during measurement to allow the operator easy access to the switching device to turn it on and / or off, and therefore may limit the positioning of the instrument on the object. To obtain flexibility in positioning the device, voice or remote control may be commonly used, but such voice or remote control may complicate the system. In the present invention, the same advantage of flexibility may be obtained without such remote control or complexity.

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, the system may include an instrument having a housing having a hollow interior with an open end and an energy application tool, such as a percussion rod or impact rod, mounted within the housing for movement within the housing. A sleeve portion may be disposed at the open end of the housing.

[0009] The sleeve portion may be open at its free end with an object resting, pressing, or contacting portion for resting, pressing, or contacting on at least a portion of the object during measurement. The contact by the sleeve portion aids in the stability of the device on the object. During measurement, the force exerted by the sleeve portion on the object is controlled by the operator, e.g., an appropriate force on the object may be important and may need to be monitored, since insufficient or excessive force exerted by the operator may complicate the measurement and even produce less accurate results. To ensure that an appropriate contact force by the contact portion of the sleeve portion can be applied by the operator for better reproducibility even with different operators, there may be a sensor that is disposed inside the housing and is not physically or mechanically coupled to the energy application tool.

[0010] The drive mechanism may be an electromagnetic mechanism and may include an electromagnetic coil and a permanent magnet fixed to the rear end of an energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, near the interface (e.g., coil mount). The electromagnetic coil may, for example, lie axially behind the permanent magnet. The electromagnetic coil may also act directly on a metallic or conductive component, such as a ferromagnetic component. Other types of linear motors may also be used.

[0011] The sleeve portion may be mounted on a force transmission sleeve-like component, or force transmission member, that forms or protrudes from the front of the housing and protects the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, from damage in the absence of the sleeve portion, e.g., the sleeve portion may form part of a disposable assembly, as discussed below. The force transmission sleeve-like component surrounds the energy application tool or rod, is held at the front by the housing, and is mounted at the rear on the front of the electromagnetic coil. The force transmission sleeve-like component may be adapted to slide a small amount, thereby acting on a force sensor, e.g., a force-sensing resistor, that is placed between the rear of the force transmission sleeve-like component and the coil mount. The energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, may be actuated and a force may be detected when the object-contacting portion of the sleeve portion is pressed into the object to be measured, e.g., a tooth. If a correct force within a certain range is detected, the meter is turned on to start the measurement.

[0012] The sensor, e.g., a force sensor, may be physically proximate and / or in contact with and / or coupled to at least a portion of the device other than the energy application tool, e.g., as described above, when the open end of the sleeve portion includes an object contact portion, it may be physically proximate and / or in contact with and / or coupled to the housing and / or the sleeve portion. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor may include at least one strain gauge for sensing. The strain gauge may be attached or mounted to a cantilever between the device housing and the sleeve portion such that when the object contact portion of the sleeve portion is pressed onto an object, it also deforms the cantilever, which is measured by the strain gauge, thus providing a force measurement. In some embodiments, multiple strain gauges mounted on a single or separate cantilevers may be utilized. The cantilever may also be on a component separate from, e.g., the housing or the remainder of the sleeve portion, e.g., on the device on which it is mounted. In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor may include a sensing pad that may be positioned between the rigid surface and the slider such that a force is measured when the pad is pressed or squeezed as the slider moves toward the rigid surface. According to one embodiment, the rigid surface may be, for example, a coil interface that holds an electromagnetic coil of a drive mechanism within the device housing. The slider may be a force-transmitting sleeve-like component disposed within the housing and coupled to the object-contacting portion of the sleeve portion, adapted to slide within the housing when a force is applied by the object-contacting portion of the sleeve portion on the object. In some embodiments, it may be disposed within the sleeve portion. The sliding distance may be very small, for example, on the order of about 0.3 mm to about 1 mm (in millimeters or mm), and even, for example, about 0.5 mm. The sensing pad may include a layered structure, which may be generally referred to as a "shunt mode" FSR (force sensitive resistor) that may change resistance depending on the force applied to the pad to provide a force measurement. According to another embodiment, the force transmission sleeve-like component may be biased forward by a spring such that when a force is applied on an object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion, the force transmission sleeve-like portion may transmit the force towards the spring.According to one aspect, the force sensing may be performed by a linear position sensor, which knows, for example, that if a force transmitting sleeve-like part is at position X, a force of Y must be applied to it (towards the reaction force of the spring) to move it to that position. According to another aspect, the force sensing may be performed by an optical sensor for optically sensing the position of the moving part when pressed against the spring. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the relative position of the object contacting part of the sleeve part on the object may be determined by having one or more strain gauges attached at one end to the moving part, e.g., the force sensing sleeve-like component, and at the other end to a static element, e.g., a housing. In a further embodiment of the invention, the device may include a piezoelectric element for directly measuring the force. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a Hall effect sensor may be used to detect a change in the magnetic field when a magnet (attached to the moving element) is moving relative to the position of the sensor. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a capacitive linear encoder system, such as found in a digital caliper, may be used to measure the force.

[0013] Although the sensor is not physically or mechanically coupled to the energy application tool, it may be in electronic communication with the energy application tool and may act as an on / off switch for the device or meter, as described above. For example, when an appropriate force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, it may trigger an activation mechanism of the device or meter to activate movement of the energy application tool to initiate a measurement. Thus, as described above, no external switch or push button is required to activate the system on and off. An indication of the appropriate force may be indicated by a visible or audible signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, the meter may be turned on immediately once the proper contact force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, as indicated by a visible or audible signal. In another embodiment, there may be a delay before turning on the meter once the proper contact force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, as indicated by a visible or audible signal. In a further embodiment, once a certain pressing force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object is detected and maintained for a period of time, for example, about 1 second, or further for example, about 0.5 seconds, the meter may be turned on to begin measuring. In this embodiment, a green light will illuminate the tip and impact will begin about 1 second, or further for example, 0.5 seconds after the force within the correct range has been maintained.

[0015] For example, an appropriate force exerted by the operator on the object through the sleeve portion acts as a switch for the system. If the system does not switch on, it may be desirable to know if it is faulty or if insufficient or excessive force is exerted. In one embodiment, the force measurement may be connected to a visible output such as a light emitter. The light emitter may be mounted in any convenient location on the device or instrument, for example, one or more LEDs may be mounted on the front of the device or instrument. In one aspect, multiple light systems may be included. For example, two LEDs may be used. If the force is within the correct range, a blue light may be illuminated. If too much force is detected, the LED may turn red and the instrument will not activate unless the pressure is reduced. In some embodiments, if the user presses too hard on the object, the light may first turn amber and then red. If the pressure is enough to turn the light red, the impact may not be initiated or may be aborted if already initiated. There may also be an amber LED state that warns if the user is approaching too much pressure. At that stage, the gauge may still work if the LED is illuminated amber. In another aspect, the light may not indicate any too little force, and a blue light may indicate the right amount of force, while a red light may indicate too much force. In yet another aspect, one light system may be included. For example, the light may not give any signal of too little force, and a red light may give a signal of too much force. In a further aspect, a flashing red light may indicate too much force, and the light may not indicate any too little force.

[0016] In another embodiment, the force measurement can be connected to an audible output. In one aspect, the audible output can include a beep to indicate too little force and multiple beeps to indicate too much force. In another aspect, the audible output can include a beep to indicate too little force and a beep with a flashing red light to indicate too much force. In a further aspect, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too much or too little force. In a further aspect, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too little force and an audio alarm and a flashing red light to warn of too much force.

[0017] If the force sensor acts as an on / off switch, it may also act to monitor that an appropriate force is being applied by the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion during measurement and / or that an appropriate positioning of the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion toward the object during measurement is obtained. For example, as part of the electronic control system, there may be an inclinometer, which may trigger an audible warning if the device is outside of the angular range of motion relative to the percussion bar, for example, plus / minus about 45 degrees, even for example 30 degrees, from the horizontal. If a pressing force is detected on the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion, and the device is oriented such that the axis of motion is greater than about 45 degrees, even for example greater than about 30 degrees, from the horizontal, this may result in a warning sound being emitted by a speaker mounted on the device, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) within the device. In such a situation, the impact action will not be initiated until the device is returned to an acceptable angle. In some instances, if an impact action is initiated when the above-mentioned deviation from the range is detected, the device may not actually stop operation, but may simply sound an alarm so that a correction can be made.

[0018] The energy application tool has a length having a rest configuration and an activated configuration. The movement can be axial movement along the longitudinal axis of the housing or can be oscillatory movement about the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the rest configuration can be the retracted configuration and the activated configuration can be the extended configuration, where the energy application tool moves axially along the longitudinal axis of the housing and the retracted configuration is retracted from the extended configuration. Movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion bar, can be accomplished by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive it axially within the housing between the retracted and extended positions during operation. In the extended configuration, the free end of the energy tool, if present, can extend or protrude from the open end of the housing or sleeve portion and is substantially extended to contact the object to be measured. The meter can be of any size, including a size that allows measurements to be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, in the molar region of a patient's teeth.

[0020] In another embodiment, the rest configuration of the energy application tool may be in a form substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the activation configuration may be in a form forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing. Thus, during operation, the energy application tool oscillates from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing near a pivot point. The energy application tool may be held horizontally or in other positions during measurement, and may have a tip portion that is substantially perpendicular to the main part of the tool and maintains a constant length either at rest or at impact. The movement of the energy application tool, for example, a percussion rod, may be achieved by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive the percussion rod from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position forming an acute angle with the axis near a pivot point and back, with the tip oscillating up and down in turn. Using this embodiment, measurements may be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, in the molar region of a patient's tooth.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sleeve portion may attach and / or surround at least the length of the free end of the housing and project from the housing a distance that is substantially coextensive with the end of the energy application tool, e.g., the percussion rod, in its extended form when the percussion rod moves axially. Thus, the length of the sleeve portion in this embodiment may depend somewhat on the length of the extension of the extended percussion rod desired. The free end of the sleeve may be placed toward the object to be measured. The contact on the object by the sleeve portion aids in the stability of the device on the object, as described above. In another embodiment, the sleeve portion may be attached to the end of the housing and may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing when the energy application tool, e.g., the percussion rod, moves from being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing during operation to making an acute angle with the longitudinal axis at the pivot. The sleeve portion may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In a further embodiment, the sleeve may be an extension of the housing and may be substantially semi-cylindrical to allow free movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, as it moves from being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to being at an acute angle thereto during operation. Using this system, measurements may be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, in the molar region of a patient's teeth.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, the systems described above may also include disposable features to help eliminate or minimize contamination of the object being measured through transmission from the system or cross-contamination from the object prior to being measured without interfering with the measurement or the performance of the system. The disposable features may include any of those described below or as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 20130174639 entitled "System and Method For Determining Structural Characteristics Of An Object," the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0023] The present invention also relates to systems and methods for measuring structural characteristics using an energy application tool, including a disposable mechanism to help eliminate or minimize contamination of the object being measured or cross-contamination from the object prior to being measured through transmission from the system without impeding the measurement or the system's capabilities. The instrument includes a housing having a hollow interior with an open end, and an energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod or impact rod, mounted within the housing for movement within the housing. The system provides a non-destructive method of measurement with some contact with the object being measured, whatever may be contained within the housing of the instrument, without the need for wiping or autoclaving the energy application tool, and at the same time, without disposal of the energy application tool and / or the housing.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, the housing has a longitudinal axis and the energy application tool has a length having a rest configuration and an activated configuration. The housing includes a sleeve portion extending therefrom. The sleeve portion is open at a free end thereof and has an object rest or contact portion for resting on, pressing against, or contacting an object immediately prior to or during a measurement.

[0025] The energy application tool is driven by a drive mechanism, which may be an electromagnetic mechanism and may include an electromagnetic coil and a permanent magnet fixed to the rear end of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, and the electromagnetic coil may, for example, lie axially behind the permanent magnet.

[0026] In one embodiment, the resting configuration can be a retracted configuration and the activated configuration can be an extended configuration, and as the retracted configuration is retracted from the extended configuration, the energy application tool moves axially along the longitudinal axis of the housing. Movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, can be accomplished by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive it axially within the housing between the retracted and extended positions during operation. In the extended configuration, the free end of the energy tool, if present, can extend or protrude from the open end of the housing or sleeve portion and is substantially extended to contact the object to be measured. In one aspect, the meter can be of any size, including a size that allows measurements to be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, within the molar region of a patient's teeth.

[0027] In another embodiment, the rest configuration of the energy application tool can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the activation configuration can be at an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing. Thus, during operation, the energy application tool oscillates from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position at an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing near a pivot point. The energy application tool can be held in a horizontal or other position during measurement, and can have a tip portion that is substantially perpendicular to the main part of the tool and maintains a constant length at rest or impact. The movement of the energy application tool, for example, a percussion rod, can be achieved by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive the percussion rod from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position at an acute angle with the axis near a pivot point and back, with the tip oscillating up and down in turn. Using this embodiment, measurements can be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, in the molar region of a patient's tooth. The disposable mechanism may optionally include a cover to encase parts of the system that may come into close proximity or contact with the object being measured without significantly interfering with the sensitivity, repeatability, or general operation of the meter.

[0028] The cover may include a sleeve portion extending from and / or enveloping the open end of the housing. The sleeve portion includes a hollow interior and an open free end having an object resting or contacting portion for resting on, pressing against, or contacting an object at the open end during measurement. A mechanism such as a contact mechanism having a length and disposed toward the open end of the sleeve portion is adapted to nestle against the interior of the sleeve portion, for example, by friction. The contact mechanism may be, for example, a short tubular segment or ring, adapted to move or slide freely inside the sleeve portion substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve portion, and may include a closed end for substantially closing the free end of the sleeve portion. The contact mechanism may be positioned between the tip of the energy application tool and the surface of the object to be measured, and may adjust itself to various surface configurations of the object to be measured by moving or sliding freely. The freely moving or sliding contact mechanism may vary in size and / or otherwise be adapted to move a desired predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve portion. In some examples, such as for ring-shaped contact features, there may be movement stops, such as small ridges, stops, or other obstacles, inside the sleeve portion to prevent sliding or movement inside the sleeve portion outside of a desired range. For example, at least a portion of the closed end may be proximate to the surface of the object and may or may not contact the surface of the object immediately prior to impact with the energy application tool on the contact feature. During impact with the energy application tool on the closed end of the contact feature, at least a portion of the outer surface of the closed end of the contact feature or the object contacting surface of the closed end is in intimate contact with the surface of the object. Therefore, better contact with the object may be made and energy transfer from the impact with the energy application tool may not be substantially impaired if at least a portion of the object contacting surface of the closed end is contoured to reflect the surface of the object it is coming into contact with. In one aspect, the closed end of the contact feature may include at least a portion that may have a substantially flat portion facing the object to substantially reflect the flat surface of the object. In another aspect, the closed end of the contact feature may include at least a portion that may be contoured to reflect the surface of the object it is coming into contact with if the surface of the object is contoured.For example, if the surface of the object to be measured includes a depression, the contact mechanism may include a closed end having a concave outer surface to substantially mirror the depression so as to adjust itself to maintain contact between the closed end and the object during impact. As another example, if the surface of the object includes a protuberance, the contact mechanism may include a closed end having a convex surface to substantially mirror the protuberance so as to maintain contact with the object during measurement. In a further aspect, the closed end may have some elasticity or may be deformable so that intimate contact with the object may be achieved during impact.

[0029] In general, contact between the object and at least a portion of the closed end of the contact mechanism may aid in the stability of the device on the object and / or improve the repeatability of the measurement even though the contact mechanism is free to move.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, during measurement, the closed end of the contact mechanism may adjust itself to the surface configuration of the object, and the object contacting portion of the open end of the sleeve may properly contact the object. The sensors described above, if present, detect and / or monitor that the sleeve portion provides the proper contact force on the object. An energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, repeatedly percusses the object indirectly through the closed end of the contact mechanism during measurement.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, during measurement, the closed end of the contact mechanism may adjust itself to the surface configuration of the object, such that the object contacting portion of the open end of the sleeve properly contacts the object, while a portion of the closed end may extend beyond the sleeve to simultaneously contact the irregular surface of the object. The sensors described above, if present, detect and / or monitor that the sleeve portion provides the proper contact force on the object. An energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, repeatedly percusses the object indirectly through the closed end of the contact mechanism.

[0032] The contact mechanism can be of any shape and length that fits snugly inside the sleeve portion with a closed end that substantially closes the free end of the sleeve, yet still moves or slides freely. It can be constructed of any material that can be molded or cast, and can include polymers or filled polymeric materials. For light weight, it can also be thin, yet rigid enough to facilitate sliding action.

[0033] The contact mechanism may also include a membrane at its closed end. The membrane may be attached or integrally bonded to the remaining contact mechanism. The membrane may be selected to have a small effect on the operation of the energy application tool. In one aspect, the membrane may have some elasticity or deformability for better contact between the membrane and the object upon impact with the energy application tool, as described above, but may still be able to transmit the impact force brought to the object by the energy application tool. In another aspect, the membrane may be of any material that allows for better transmission of the impact force between it and the object.

[0034] In one embodiment, the closed end may include a polymeric thin film that may or may not be of the same material as the rest of the contact feature, or it may be a material that has substantially the same properties as the rest of the contact feature. The polymer may include any polymeric material that can be molded, cast, or stretched into a thin film so as not to substantially adversely affect the measurement. In another embodiment, the closed end may include an insert molded metal foil film. The metal may be any metallic material that can be stretched, cast, or molded into a thin film so as not to substantially adversely affect the measurement. In other embodiments, the closed end may be integrated into the contact feature. For example, the contact feature may be formed from a material that can be shaped, such as by pressing a metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or other suitable metal), into a tubular or hoop structure with a closed end of a desired thickness.

[0035] In another exemplary embodiment, the housing has a longitudinal axis and the energy application tool has a length having a resting configuration and an activated configuration. The housing may or may not include a sleeve portion extending therefrom and has an open end at its free end.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the rest configuration can be the retracted configuration and the activated configuration can be the extended configuration, where the energy application tool moves axially along the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the retracted configuration is retracted from the extended configuration. Movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, can be accomplished by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive it axially within the housing between the retracted and extended positions during operation. In the extended configuration, the free end of the energy tool can extend or protrude from the open end of the housing and can be substantially extended to contact the object to be measured.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the rest configuration of the energy application tool can be in a form substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the activation configuration can be in a form forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing. Thus, during operation, the energy application tool oscillates from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the housing near a pivot point. The energy application tool can be held horizontally or in other positions during measurement and can have a tip portion that is substantially perpendicular to the main part of the tool and maintains a constant length either at rest or at impact. The movement of the energy application tool, for example a percussion rod, can be achieved by a drive mechanism mounted inside the housing to drive the percussion rod from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position forming an acute angle with said axis at a pivot point and back, with the tip oscillating up and down in turn. Using this embodiment, measurements can be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, for example in the molar region of a patient's tooth.

[0038] The disposable mechanism may optionally include a cover to encase parts of the system that may come into close proximity and / or contact with the object being measured without significantly interfering with the sensitivity, reproducibility, or general operation of the instrument.

[0039] The cover may include a portion that extends from and / or envelops the open end of the housing, or a sleeve portion if the sleeve portion extends from the housing. The contact mechanism, which has a length and is disposed toward the open end of the housing or sleeve portion, may be fitted close to the inside of the housing or sleeve portion by friction and may extend beyond the open end of the housing or sleeve portion, if present. The contact mechanism, if present, includes a closed end for closing the free end of the housing or sleeve portion. The closed end of the contact mechanism comes between the tip of the energy application tool and the object, and a portion of the surface of the closed end of the contact mechanism comes into contact with at least a portion of the surface of the object to be measured. In this exemplary embodiment, the end of the housing or sleeve portion may not come into contact with the object during the measurement. The contact mechanism, if present, may be adapted to move or slide freely inside the housing or sleeve portion, or may be slightly limited to a predetermined moving distance and not completely housed inside the housing or sleeve portion. The contact mechanism, if present, may include a closed end for substantially closing the free end of the housing or sleeve portion. Stability of the device towards the object to be measured may be achieved by contact of at least a part of an outer surface of the closed end of the contact mechanism on at least a part of the surface of the object.

[0040] Again, the contact mechanism is positioned between the tip or end of the energy application tool and the surface of the object to be measured, and can adjust itself to various surface configurations of the object to be measured by moving or sliding freely. For example, at least a portion of the closed end may be in contact with the surface of the object before impact by the energy application tool on the contact mechanism. During impact by the energy application tool on the closed end of the contact mechanism, at least a portion of the outer surface or object contacting surface of the closed end remains in intimate contact with the surface of the object. Therefore, if at least a portion of the object contacting surface of the closed end can be contoured to reflect the surface of the object coming in contact, better contact with the object may be made and energy transfer from the impact by the energy application tool may not be impaired. In one aspect, the closed end of the contact mechanism may include at least a portion that may have a substantially flat portion facing the object to substantially reflect the plane of the object. In another aspect, the closed end of the contact mechanism may include at least a portion that may be contoured to reflect the surface of the object coming in contact when the surface of the object is contoured. For example, if the surface of the object to be measured includes a depression, the contact mechanism may include a closed end having a concave outer surface to substantially mirror the depression so as to adjust itself to maintain contact between the closed end and the object during impact. As another example, if the surface of the object includes a protuberance, the contact mechanism may include a closed end having a convex surface to substantially mirror the protuberance so as to maintain contact with the object during measurement. In a further aspect, the closed end may have some elasticity or may be deformable so that intimate contact with the object may be achieved during impact.

[0041] For example, during measurement, the closed end of the contact mechanism can adjust itself to the surface configuration of the object and remain in contact with the surface of the object. An energy application tool, for example a percussion rod, repeatedly percusses the object indirectly through the closed end of the contact mechanism.

[0042] The contact mechanism may be of any shape, as described above, with a closed end that closes the free end of the housing or sleeve portion, if present, and a length that fits snugly inside the housing or sleeve portion and still moves or slides freely as needed for a predetermined length. The contact mechanism may be of any suitable length, such as, for example, a short tubular piece or a ring, adapted to move or slide freely inside the sleeve portion substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve portion, and may include a closed end to substantially close the free end of the sleeve portion. The contact mechanism may be positioned between the tip of the energy application tool and the surface of the object to be measured, and may adjust itself to fit various surface configurations of the object to be measured by moving or sliding freely. The travel distance for the contact mechanism may vary and, in some instances, may be a predetermined distance. In some instances, for a ring-shaped contact mechanism or the like, there may be a travel stop, such as a small ridge, stop, or other obstacle, inside the sleeve portion to constrain the movement of the contact mechanism within the sleeve portion.

[0043] It may be constructed of any material that can be molded or cast, and may include polymers or polymer-filled materials. For light weight, it may also be thin, but rigid enough to facilitate sliding activity. The contact mechanism may include a thin membrane at its closed end so as not to substantially affect the measurement. The membrane may be attached or integrally bonded to the rest of the contact mechanism. The membrane may be selected to have a slight effect on the operation of the energy application tool. In one aspect, the membrane may have some elasticity or deformability for better contact between the membrane and the object upon impact with the energy application tool, but may still be able to transmit the impact force brought to the object by the energy application tool. In another aspect, the membrane may be of any material that allows for better transmission of the impact force between it and the object.

[0044] In one embodiment, the closed end may include a polymeric thin film that may or may not be of the same material as the rest of the contact mechanism, or it may be a material that has substantially the same properties as the rest of the contact mechanism. The polymer may include any polymeric material that can be stretched, cast, or molded into a thin film so as not to substantially adversely affect the measurement. In another embodiment, the closed end may include an insert molded metal foil membrane. The metal may be any metallic material that can be stretched, cast, or molded into a thin film so as not to substantially adversely affect the measurement. The membrane may also be formed to conform to the shape of the energy application tool for optimal transfer of force / energy, or vice versa. In some exemplary embodiments, the membrane may be constructed from stainless steel foil or sheet, and may be, for example, pressed and / or molded. In other embodiments, the closed end may be integrated into the contact mechanism. For example, the contact mechanism may be formed from a material that can be shaped, such as by pressing a metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or other suitable metal), into a tubular or hoop structure with a closed end of a desired thickness.

[0045] For these exemplary embodiments, the force sensor described above, including all aspects of the mechanism, may or may not be present to detect and / or monitor that an appropriate force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion or the closed end of the contact mechanism, and / or to trigger the system to begin measuring when an appropriate force is exerted.

[0046] For any of the exemplary embodiments of devices described herein that have a force sensor for detecting or monitoring the force exerted by either the object contacting surface or the contact mechanism of the sleeve portion, the force sensor may be in physical proximity to and / or in contact with at least a portion of the device other than the energy application tool, for example, the sleeve portion or at least a portion of the sleeve portion if the open end of the sleeve portion includes an object contacting portion, or at least a portion of the housing if no sleeve portion is present.

[0047] The sensor, e.g., a force sensor, may be physically proximate to and / or in contact with and / or coupled to at least a portion of a device other than the energy application tool, e.g., as described above, it may be physically proximate to and / or in contact with and / or coupled to the housing and / or the sleeve portion when the open end of the sleeve portion includes an object contact portion. The various embodiments of the sensor as described above may also be applicable here.

[0048] The sensor is not physically or mechanically coupled to the energy application tool, but as described above, it may be in electronic communication with the energy application tool and may act as an on / off switch for the device or meter. For example, when an appropriate force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, it may trigger an activation mechanism of the device or meter to activate movement of the energy application tool to initiate a measurement. Thus, as described above, no external switch or push button is required to activate the system on and off. An indication of the appropriate force may be indicated by a visible or audible signal.

[0049] In one embodiment, the meter may be turned on immediately once the proper contact force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, as indicated by a visible or audible signal. In another embodiment, there may be a delay before turning on the meter once the proper contact force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, as indicated by a visible or audible signal. In a further embodiment, once a certain pressing force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object is detected and maintained for a period of time, for example, about 0.5 seconds, the meter may be turned on to begin measuring. In this embodiment, a blue light will illuminate the tip and impact will begin about 0.5 seconds after the force within the correct range has been maintained.

[0050] For example, an appropriate force exerted by the operator on the object through the sleeve portion acts as a switch for the system. If the system does not switch on, it may be desirable to know if it is faulty or if insufficient or excessive force is exerted. In one embodiment, the force measurement may be connected to a visible output such as a light emitter. The light emitter may be mounted in any convenient location on the device or instrument, for example, one or more LEDs may be mounted on the front of the device or instrument. In one aspect, multiple light systems may be included. For example, two LEDs may be used. If the force is within the correct range, a blue light may be illuminated. If too much force is detected, the LED may turn red and the instrument will not activate unless the pressure is reduced. In some embodiments, if the user presses too hard on the object, the light may first turn amber and then red. If the pressure is enough to turn the light red, the impact may not be initiated or may be aborted if already initiated. There may also be an amber LED state that warns if the user is approaching too much pressure. At that stage, the gauge may still work if the LED is illuminated amber. In another aspect, the light may not indicate any too little force, and a blue light may indicate the right amount of force, while a red light may indicate too much force. In yet another aspect, one light system may be included. For example, the light may not give any signal of too little force, and a red light may give a signal of too much force. In a further aspect, a flashing red light may indicate too much force, and the light may not indicate any too little force.

[0051] In another embodiment, the force measurement can be connected to an audible output. In one aspect, the audible output can include a single beep to indicate too little force and multiple beeps to indicate too much force. In another aspect, the audible output can include a beep to indicate too little force and a beep with a flashing red light to indicate too much force. In a further aspect, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too much or too little force. In a further aspect, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too little force and an audio alarm and a flashing red light to warn of too much force.

[0052] If the force sensor acts as an on / off switch, it may also act to monitor that the proper force is being applied by the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion during measurement and / or that the proper positioning of the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion towards the object during measurement is obtained. For example, as part of the electronic control system, there may be an inclinometer that may trigger an audible warning if the device is outside of the angular range of motion relative to the percussion bar, for example, at plus / minus 45 degrees from the horizontal, and further for example, greater than about plus / minus 30 degrees. If a pressing force is detected on the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion, and the device is oriented such that the axis of motion is greater than about plus / minus 45 degrees from the horizontal, and further for example, greater than about plus / minus 30 degrees, this may result in a warning sound being emitted by a speaker mounted on the device, such as a PCB in the device. In such a situation, the impact activity will not be initiated until the device is returned to the allowable angle. In some instances, if collision activity is initiated when the above-mentioned departure from range is detected, the device may not actually cease operation, but may simply sound an alarm so that corrections can be made.

[0053] The present invention further includes a disposable assembly having a sleeve portion adapted to attach or mate to a forward portion of a device housing. The sleeve portion may include a front end and a rear end and may include a mating or mounting component toward its rear end for mating or attachment to the housing. In one embodiment, the mounting or mating component may be a friction fit onto a portion of the housing or a part inside the housing, a mating bayonet style, a tongue and groove type style, a snap fit, a clip, an internesting pin and eye style, a latch, and other interconnect structure. In another embodiment, the mounting or mating component between the sleeve and the housing may be a custom threaded system for better compatibility of fit or mating.

[0054] The disposable assembly of the present invention may be applicable to and / or improve the repeatability of measurements of any existing energy application tool, such as any impact tool, in addition to helping to eliminate or minimize contamination or cross-contamination of the energy application tool or the object being measured through transmission from a system or object, or cross-contamination from an object prior to being measured, without the need to wipe and / or autoclave the energy application tool prior to use. For example, for systems including an object contacting portion of a sleeve portion for contacting an object to be inspected, or a mechanism for assisting repositionability, such as the systems and methods disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,997,887, 7,008,385, and 9,358,089, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, the disposable mechanism helps to eliminate or minimize contamination or cross-contamination of the energy application tool or the object being measured through transmission from a system or object, or cross-contamination from an object prior to being measured, without the need to wipe and / or autoclave the energy application tool prior to use. For other examples in which the meters do not include an object-contacting portion of the sleeve portion, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,482,324 and 4,689,011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, the disposable mechanisms can transform them into systems that can be reproducibly placed directly on the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible measurements and can help eliminate or minimize contamination or cross-contamination of the energy application tool or the object undergoing measurement through transmission from the system or object, or cross-contamination from the object prior to being measured, without the need to wipe and / or autoclave the energy application tool prior to use.

[0055] A contact mechanism that slides freely inside the sleeve portion may be disposed toward the front end of the sleeve portion of the disposable assembly. In one embodiment, the contact mechanism may be of any shape, for example, it may be of a short tubular piece and may be of any dimension provided it is shorter than the length of the sleeve portion. It may include an open end and a closed end toward the front end of the sleeve portion to substantially close the front end of the sleeve portion. It may be thin enough for light weight, but rigid enough to facilitate the sliding action. In another embodiment, the contact mechanism may include a membrane attached to a ring. The ring may slide freely inside the sleeve portion, and the membrane may substantially close the opening of the housing or sleeve portion, if present. The travel distance for a freely moving or sliding contact mechanism may vary and in some instances may be a predetermined distance. In some instances, for a ring-shaped contact mechanism or the like, there may be travel stops, such as small ridges, stops, or other obstacles, inside the sleeve portion to constrain the movement of the contact mechanism within the sleeve portion.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the sleeve portion may include an object contacting portion towards its front end for contacting the surface of the object to be measured. In this embodiment, the sliding capability of the contact mechanism may not include any distance restriction and may slide freely inside the sleeve portion. In this embodiment, the sleeve portion may include an object contacting portion towards its front end for contacting the surface of the object to be measured.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the sleeve portion may not include an object contact portion for contacting the surface of the object during measurement. In this embodiment, the sliding distance for the contact mechanism may be predetermined such that the front end of the contact mechanism may protrude further than the sleeve portion. The contact mechanism may be a component that provides contact during measurement.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, the sleeve includes an object contacting portion towards its front end for contacting the surface of the object to be measured and a tab extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve portion such that when the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion is in contact with at least a portion of the surface of the object to be measured, the tab may rest on a part or surface of the object that is distinct from the surface of the object in contact with the sleeve and substantially perpendicular to the surface.

[0059] According to yet another embodiment, the sleeve portion includes a tab extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve portion such that when the object contacting portion of the contact mechanism is in contact with at least a portion of a surface of the object to be measured, the tab may rest on a portion or surface of the object that is different from and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object contacted by the contact mechanism.

[0060] According to yet another embodiment, the sleeve portion may include a tab and a component, such as a ridge, protrusion, or other component, substantially orthogonal to the surface of the tab on the side adapted to face the surface of the object. For example, for a tooth, the component may fit between an adjacent tooth or other orthogonal surface and thus help prevent substantial lateral movement of the tab across the surface of the object and / or further aid in repeatability. The tab may be of sufficient length or width depending on the length or width of the top portion of the object so that the ridge or protrusion may be properly seated during operation.

[0061] In one embodiment, in addition to the disposable assembly having mounting or mating components that may be a friction fit onto a portion of the housing or a part inside the housing, a mating bayonet style, a tongue and groove type style, a snap fit, a clip, a nested pin and eye style, a latch, and other interconnecting structures, additional mechanisms may be included within the device such that the activation mechanism of the device is not triggered if the attached disposable assembly has not yet been used.

[0062] In another embodiment, in addition to the disposable assembly having a mounting or coupling component that may be a friction fit onto a portion of the housing or a component within the housing, a mating bayonet style, a tongue and groove type style, a snap fit, a clip, a nested pin and eye style, a latch, and other interconnect structures, the mounting component may include a component that allows a predetermined number of connections to be made by the disposable assembly to the housing or a component within the housing.

[0063] For other embodiments of the devices described herein, the device with or without any disposable features, e.g., an impact meter, may also include a tab extending from an open end of the housing or sleeve portion such that an object contacting surface of the sleeve portion or contacting mechanism described above contacts at least a portion of the surface of the object to be measured, and the tab may rest on a portion or surface of the object that is different from and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object that is contacted by the sleeve or contacting mechanism. The tab and sleeve or contacting mechanism together aid in the repeated positioning of the device relative to the object. Also, the tab may be adapted to be repeatedly placed in substantially the same location on the surface of the object each time.

[0064] In one embodiment, the tabs may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing or sleeve portion.

[0065] In another embodiment, the sleeve portion or housing may include a tab and a component, such as a ridge, protrusion, or other component, substantially orthogonal to the surface of the tab on the side adapted to face the surface of the object. For example, for a tooth, the component may fit between an adjacent tooth or other orthogonal surface and thus help prevent substantial lateral movement of the tab across the surface of the object and / or further aid in repeatability. The tab may be of sufficient length or width depending on the length or width of the top portion of the object so that the ridge or protrusion may be properly seated during operation.

[0066] For all of the embodiments described herein, the component can be of any shape and size. In one aspect, for example, if the object is a tooth, the component can be short and of a thickness that is small enough that it can fit between adjacent teeth. In another aspect, for example, if the object is a tooth, the component can be short and shaped to fit between the top portions of adjacent teeth. In yet another aspect, for example, if the object is a tooth and the component rests against the back surface, it can be sized to cover a major portion of the back surface.

[0067] The tabs and / or tabs and components not only serve to assist in repeatably positioning the meter on an object such as a tooth or mechanical or industrial structure, composites, and the like, but also serve to help prevent the object such as a tooth or mechanical or industrial structure, composites, and the like from moving in a direction other than parallel to the direction of energy application or percussion, as described above. This helps to minimize any unnecessary disturbance of the object under test and / or the foundation to which it is fixed, and / or complications that may result from these other disturbances, thus further contributing to the sensitivity and / or accuracy of detection. The tabs or tabs and / or components are applicable whether the sleeve portion has an object contacting portion or whether a contact mechanism provides contact to the object.

[0068] The end of the sleeve that does not have the tab protruding therefrom can be flat or substantially flat, and the portion of the tab that contacts the top of the object can also be flat or substantially flat. The tab can extend in a substantially parallel direction from the end of the sleeve. In one aspect, the tab can be integral with the sleeve a distance before protruding from the end of the sleeve and substantially maintain the cross-sectional profile of the sleeve after protruding from the sleeve. In another aspect, the tab can protrude uniformly from a top or bottom portion of the sleeve, but have a substantially different cross-sectional profile than the top or bottom portion of the sleeve after protruding from the sleeve.

[0069] In one embodiment of the invention, the tabs may have a contact surface that substantially mirrors the contours of the surface of the object that it comes into contact with during use to aid in reproducibly and directly positioning the device on the object.

[0070] In one aspect, the protruding portion of the tab can have a rectangular cross section. In another aspect, the protruding portion of the tab can have a slightly arcuate top portion. In yet another aspect, the protruding portion of the tab can conform to the contours of the surface that comes in contact with the object.

[0071] In any of the embodiments, the corners of the tabs are smooth or rounded, or substantially smooth or rounded, to avoid any infection on the object on which they may rest.

[0072] In general, the device may be useful for making any measurement where vibrations are generated on an object through the application of energy, e.g., through a strike with a percussion stick, etc. An advantage is that the device may be held in contact with the object during the percussion activity, compared to traditional devices that do not contact.

[0073] The sleeve portion and tab, and the mechanism and / or the sleeve, tab, and contact mechanism may be made of any material having vibration damping, sound damping, or vibration damping properties, and the sleeve may be of a length such that any vibration traveling through the sleeve to the housing of the handpiece may be substantially damped. In one embodiment, the sleeve and the end of the housing adjacent to the sleeve may be made of the same material. In another embodiment, the sleeve and the end of the housing to which it is attached may be made of a material having similar vibration damping properties. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve and the end of the housing to which it is attached may be made of a different material. In a further embodiment, the sleeve and the end of the housing to which it is attached may be made of a material having different vibration damping properties. In a further embodiment, the sleeve may be made of any material having a vibration damping coating on one or more surfaces thereof. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve, tab, and / or mechanism may be made of different materials having similar thermal expansion properties.

[0074] Additionally, the sleeve portion, contact mechanism and tab and / or the sleeve, tab and components may be made from recyclable, compostable or biodegradable materials, which is particularly useful in those embodiments that are to be disposed of after a single use.

[0075] The energy application tool is driven by a drive mechanism during the measurement, as described above. The drive mechanism may be an electromagnetic mechanism and may include an electromagnetic coil. The drive mechanism may include a permanent magnet fixed to the rear end of the energy application tool, for example a percussion rod, and the electromagnetic coil may lie axially behind this permanent magnet. In one embodiment, if the device is a handpiece, the electromagnetic coil together with the rear of the housing and any power supply lines form a structural unit, which may be integrally movable and connected to the remaining device, for example by a removable suitable connection, for example a screw-type connection or a plug-type connection. This removable connection may facilitate cleaning, repair, etc. In another embodiment, if the device is a handpiece, the electromagnetic coil together with the rear of the housing and any power supply lines form a structural unit, which may be integrally movable and connected permanently to the remaining device. The energy application tool, such as a percussion rod, is placed at the front of the housing, and the mounting mechanism for the percussion rod may include frictionless bearings. These bearings may include one or more axial openings so that adjacent chambers formed by the housing and the percussion rod communicate with each other for air exchange.

[0076] In one embodiment, the percussion bar may have a substantially constant cross-sectional construction over its entire length, with the permanent magnet ensemble mounted at the end remote from the free end, as described above. The electromagnetic coil of the drive mechanism may be located behind the same end of the energy application tool, e.g., percussion bar, as the permanent magnet ensemble, resulting in a relatively small outer diameter for the housing. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the housing may be substantially defined by the diameter of the electromagnetic coil, the cross-section of the energy application tool, e.g., percussion bar, the mounting mechanism for the percussion bar within the housing, and the thickness of the wall of the housing. However, the length of the tool may be designed such that the electromagnetic coil (representing the largest mass of the assembly) may be positioned to balance the device, e.g., the handpiece in the hand, and, if present, the battery at the rear of the device.

[0077] The device itself may be tethered to an external power supply, such as a battery, a capacitor, a transducer, a solar cell, an external power source, and / or any other suitable power source, or may be powered by a power source contained within the housing.

[0078] In one embodiment, communication between the drive mechanism or a part of the drive mechanism, for example an electronic control board component, and an energy application tool such as a percussion rod, may be via a conductive insulated wire lead or strand, which may be concentrically spirally wrapped around the percussion rod and has spring elastic properties. This may also allow for minimal space requirements for wire management. A strand of wire concentrically wrapped around the rod connects the piezoelectric sensor to the control electronics. One purpose of concentrically wrapping the wire is to minimize pressure on the wire from repeated back and forth movement of the rod. In some embodiments, a helical spring, which may be formed by the spirally wrapped wire, may help avoid or prevent looping or kinking of the wire connection.

[0079] In another embodiment, communication between the drive mechanism and the energy application tool may be transmitted wirelessly via any suitable wireless connection. In one example, an energy application tool such as a percussion rod may be advanced by energizing an electromagnetic coil to create a magnetic field that repels the magnet on the end of the percussion rod. The rod is retracted by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the electromagnetic coil. The magnet may also serve to hold the rod in its retracted position through its magnetic force on the steel core of the coil when the electromagnetic coil is de-energized.

[0080] If present, the helical spring may be made of stranded wire with two separate wires twisted together or may be made of coaxial wire. In its loaded state, the spring may be compressed to such an extent that its prestressing force corresponds to a frictional force and opposes this frictional force during the forward movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion bar, from a retracted position to an extended position or from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position at an acute angle with said axis at a pivot. The prestressing path of the spring may therefore be much larger than the stroke of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion bar, so that the spring force remains substantially constant over the entire stroke of the percussion bar. Any unwanted frictional forces of the bearings of the mounting mechanism against the percussion bar during the forward movement may be substantially compensated by this spring.

[0081] In one aspect, the drive mechanism may include a measurement device, e.g., a piezoelectric force sensor, mounted within the housing for coupling with an energy application tool, such as a percussion rod. The measurement device is adapted to measure the deceleration of the percussion rod upon impact with the object during operation, or any vibrations caused by the percussion rod on the specimen. The piezoelectric force sensor may detect changes in the properties of the object and objectively quantify its internal features. Data transmitted by the piezoelectric force sensor may be processed by a system program, discussed further below.

[0082] In another aspect, the drive mechanism may include a linear variable differential transformer adapted to sense and / or measure the displacement of an energy application tool, such as a percussion rod, before, during, and after the application of energy. The linear variable differential transformer may be a non-contact linear displacement sensor. The sensor may utilize inductive technology and therefore may be capable of sensing any metallic object. The non-contact displacement measurement may also allow the computer to determine the velocity and acceleration immediately prior to impact, such that the effects of gravity may be omitted from the results.

[0083] In one embodiment, the housing may taper toward the end surrounded by the sleeve portion such that the device may have a substantially uniform dimension when the sleeve is attached. In another embodiment, the housing may have a substantially uniform dimension and the sleeve may expand the dimension of the end surrounding it to a certain extent. In a further embodiment, the sleeve itself may have a reverse taper toward its free end to increase the flat area of ​​contact with the object.

[0084] In general, the device may be useful for making any measurement whereby vibrations are generated through the application of energy on an object, for example a strike such as with a percussion stick.

[0085] The assessment of such structural characteristics as described above may be performed in a number of ways using a number of instruments, for example, suitable instruments are as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,466, entitled “System and Method for Quantitative Measurements of Energy Damping Capacity,” issued September 19, 2000 (the “'466 Patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference. Other instruments and methods may include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,997,887, 7,008,385, and 9,358,089, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. These measurements may include using an instrument to measure the energy reflected from the object as a result of percussion or application of energy over a time interval, which may include creating a time-energy profile based on the energy reflected from the object during the time interval, and / or evaluating the time-energy profile to determine the damping capacity of the object. Additionally, devices may be used such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,482,324 and 4,689,011, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. All these instruments and devices may be modified with the present disposable assembly to help eliminate or minimize contamination of the object being measured through transmission from the system or cross contamination from the object being measured prior to the object being measured, with added repeated repositionability without interfering with the measurement or performance of the system.

[0086] In general, structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacity; acoustic damping capacity; defects, including, for example, defects inherent in the structure or material that constitutes the object; cracks, microcracks, fractures, microfractures; loss of cement seal; cement failure; adhesion failure; microleakage; lesions; caries; general structural integrity or general structural stability. For anatomical objects such as tooth structures, natural teeth, natural teeth having fractures due to wear or trauma, natural teeth that have become at least partially abscessed, or natural teeth undergoing bone augmentation procedures, prosthetic dental implant structures, dental structures, orthopedic structures, or orthopedic implants, such characteristics may indicate the health of the object or the health of an underlying foundation to which the object may be fixed or attached. The health of the object and / or underlying foundation may also relate to density or bone density, or level of osseointegration; any inherent or other defects; or cracks, fractures, microfractures, microcracks; loss of cement seal; cement failure; adhesion failure; microleakage; lesions; or caries. For objects in general, such as polymeric or metallic composite structures including honeycomb or layered honeycomb; industrial structures including, but not limited to, airframe structures, automobiles, ships, bridges, buildings, power generation equipment, arch structures, or other similar physical structures, such measurements may also relate to any structural integrity or structural stability, such as defects or cracks, even hairline cracks or microcracks.

[0087] Also, changes in tooth structure that reduce the ability to dissipate mechanical energy associated with impact forces and therefore reduce overall tooth structure stability can be detected by evaluation of energy return data compared to ideal, undamaged samples.As also mentioned above, the present invention also generally contributes to the accuracy of detection location of defects, cracks, microcracks, fractures, microfractures, leaks, lesions, loss of cement seal; microleakage; caries; structural integrity of cement failure; adhesion failure; general or structural stability.

[0088] The present invention further relates to a system and method for measuring structural features that minimizes impacts, even micro-impacts, on an object being measured without compromising the sensitivity of the measurement or the operation of the system. In one embodiment, the system includes an energy application tool that is light weight and / or can move at a slower speed to minimize the force of the impact on the object being measured while exhibiting or maintaining better sensitivity of the measurement. In one aspect, the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, can be made of a lighter material to minimize the weight of the handpiece if the device is a handpiece. In another embodiment, the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, can be made shorter and / or with a smaller diameter so that the size of the handpiece can also be minimized. In a further embodiment, the system can include a drive mechanism that can lessen the acceleration of the energy application tool. For example, the drive mechanism can include a smaller drive coil, whether it is light weight or not and / or has a smaller length or diameter or not, to lessen the acceleration of the energy application tool and the impact force on the object being moved while maintaining the sensitivity of the measurement. These embodiments may be combined with one or more of the previously described embodiments, including a lighter handpiece housing. The speed at which measurements are made may be desirable without increasing the initial velocity of impact to minimize impact on the object being measured. The present invention relates to yet another system and method for measuring structural features having a drive mechanism that may reduce the travel distance of the energy application tool, for example from about 4 mm to about 2 mm, while maintaining the same initial velocity at contact, thus allowing for faster measurements without compromising the operation of the system. The system may or may not have disposable parts and / or mechanisms to aid repositionability and / or reduce impact with the mechanisms described below.

[0089] As mentioned above, the device may be tethered to an external power supply or may be powered by a power source contained within the device housing. If powered by a power source within the device housing, the power source may or may not be rechargeable. If rechargeable, a base charging station may be used. The base station may be a separate, independent station or it may be part of the system of the present invention. For an independent charging station, any existing station may be applicable. The charging mechanism may be wired or wireless. For these charging bases, in most instances, only a current may be provided to charge the device. For a base station that may be part of the system, more current may be provided to charge the device.

[0090] The invention further relates to a base station that may be part of the system of the invention and that may be connected to a computer, for example a PC, via a USB cable. This connection may provide both data transfer between the PC and the base station, and current to charge the device during the charging process if the device is docked. In this way, the base station may also serve to act as a wireless transceiver for the PC that communicates with a wireless transceiver in the device.

[0091] It may be desirable for each device to be accompanied by its own charging base station, which may avoid the possibility of the wrong device communicating with the wrong base station in a multiple device environment, which may be important in any testing setting, for example, a dental office.

[0092] During preparation of the system just prior to performing measurements on an object, for example prior to commencing a patient examination session at a dental clinic, the device is docked in the charging base to pair the device with the base station as part of a usage protocol, which may be controlled by software.

[0093] For embodiments in which the device may include the disposable mechanism or assembly described above, the disposable portion is typically removed from the device prior to placing the device in the charging base, hi other embodiments, the disposable portion may be physically contained within the interface between the device and the base.

[0094] The present invention further relates to a non-reusable, disposable assembly or mechanism in a medical setting. As mentioned above, the disposable mechanism or assembly is intended to help eliminate or minimize contamination of the object undergoing measurement through transfer from the system, or cross-contamination from a previous object undergoing measurement, without the need to perform a decontamination process before moving to a different test object. To ensure that such a mechanism or assembly once used is not reused, the disposable mechanism or assembly can be programmed to be single-use. In one embodiment, a computer chip can be used. The chip can be present on the disposable mechanism or assembly, for example on a PCB mounted on the back of the disposable assembly, and can help ensure that once used, it cannot be reused or reused, so that any unwanted substances cannot be transferred from one patient to another. When the disposable mechanism or assembly is coupled to a device, the chip in the assembly or mechanism can be interrogated by the device using a challenge and response system to ensure authenticity. Once authenticated, it is permanently marked as 'used'. If the used assembly or mechanism is placed on the device again, whether it is the same device or a different device, the challenge and response will fail and the device will not be able to function as intended. In another embodiment, a timeout feature may also be used to prevent reuse of the disposable assembly or mechanism after a certain binding period. In a further embodiment, a chip may be used in conjunction with the timeout feature for added safety. In a further embodiment, the attachment mechanism of the disposable mechanism or assembly may include a portion that is folded or wrapped so that once removed from the device, it is no longer attachable to the device.

[0095] To further facilitate ease of use of the system, better lighting of the object undergoing measurement may be provided, such as a light pipe or other illumination that may be used to enable better lighting of the object and enhance visualization by the user. In some embodiments, light pipes may also be utilized to aid in coupling between components, such as between a hand piece and a disposable mechanism.

[0096] The present invention together with the above and other advantages may be better understood from the following detailed description of aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention, taken together with the description of the drawings. The following description sets forth various aspects, embodiments, and examples of the invention and several specific details thereof, given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions, or permutations may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions, or permutations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0097] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1a] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handpiece with a sleeve portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1b] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handpiece with a sleeve portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1c] 1 illustrates the end of a handpiece without a sleeve portion. [Figure 1d] 1 illustrates an exploded view of a handpiece with a sleeve portion. [Figure 1e] 1 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of a handpiece showing portions of the drive mechanism, force sensor, and piezoelectric sense wires, with portions of the sleeve not shown. [Figure 1f] 1 illustrates a block diagram of a device with a substantially vertical sleeve portion and a pivoting energy application tool. [Figure 1g] Alternative configurations of the lighting arrangement are described. [Diagram 2] A sleeve portion with a tab is described. [Figure 2a] A sleeve portion with a safety mechanism and an attachment mechanism is described. [Figure 2b] 1 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view along the long axis of a sleeve portion with a contact mechanism. [Figure 2c] A sleeve portion without a tab is described. [Figure 2d] A contact portion of a sleeve portion with a movable or deformable portion is described. [Figure 2e] A contact portion of a sleeve portion with a movable or deformable portion is described. [Figure 2f] A sleeve portion with a tab and an enlarged contact surface is described. [Figure 2g] A sleeve portion with a safety mechanism, a lighting interface, and an attachment mechanism is described. [Figure 2h] FIG. 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view along the long axis of a sleeve portion with a contact mechanism and a lighting interface. [Diagram 3] Contact between an object with an irregular surface having a convex portion and a sleeve portion is described. [Figure 3a] Contact between an object with an irregular surface having a concave portion and a sleeve portion is described. [Figure 4] The transmission of a contact force from an object to a force sensor will now be described. [Figure 4a] The transmission of a contact force from an object to a force sensor will now be described. [Figure 4b] The transmission of a contact force from an object to a force sensor will now be described. [Diagram 5] A base unit for the handpiece is described. [Figure 5a] A base unit for the handpiece is described. [Figure 6] A layered force sensor is described. [Figure 7] 1 shows a flow chart for operating the handpiece to place on an object and take measurements from the object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0098] The detailed description set forth below is intended to describe presently exemplary systems, devices, and methods provided in accordance with aspects of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only manner in which the invention may be made or utilized. Rather, it should be understood that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0099] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In the practice or testing of the invention, any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, and exemplary methods, devices, and materials are described herein.

[0100] All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, designs or methodologies described therein that may be used in combination with the presently described invention. Publications listed or discussed above, below, or throughout this text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0101] The present invention can be used to inspect objects of any practical size and shape to obtain information about their structural features. The measuring device can be of any size, and it can be a handpiece, which is useful for inspecting objects that may be difficult to measure with normal tools. The system can be used to perform non-destructive measurements. Such structural features include not only the physical features of the object or the base of the object that can be fixed, but also information about their location, compatibility or suitability of materials for dental work before the actual work, whether the tooth structure can be restored before the actual work, whether the restorative treatment was successful, when any treated tooth structure was remodeled, loosening of the tooth structure before and after dental work, and combinations thereof.

[0102] As mentioned above, the system and method of the present invention is a non-destructive method. It is applicable to systems that may or may not have disposable parts and / or mechanisms to aid repositionability. As mentioned above, the device may be activated and part of a system that includes computerized hardware and instrument programs that may be programmed to input and track the actuation and the response of the device to determine the structural characteristics of the object. The hardware may include a computer to control the device and analyze any data collected upon impact with the object, such as the deceleration of the energy application tool, such as a percussion bar. Generally, the device and hardware may communicate via wired connections, wireless connections, and / or combinations thereof. Upon activation, the energy application tool, such as a percussion bar, extends toward the object at a speed, and the deceleration of the percussion bar upon impact with the object may be measured by a measuring device attached to the device, such as a piezoelectric force sensor, and transmitted to the rest of the system for analysis. In one aspect, the percussion bar may be programmed to repeatedly strike the object, for example, at substantially the same speed a predetermined number of times per second or minute, and the deceleration information is recorded or compiled for analysis by the system. In some embodiments, the object may be struck four times per second.

[0103] In general, the object may be receptive to the energy application process provided via a device, e.g., a handpiece, that forms part of a computerized system capable of collecting and analyzing any data imbued from the object. As described above, using the systems and methods of the present invention, many different structural characteristics may be determined, including vibration damping, sound damping, structural integrity or structural stability of both mechanical and anatomical objects and any foundations on which they may be fixed, as described above. For anatomical objects such as natural or restored teeth, prosthetic dental implant structures, dental structures, or orthopedic implants, examples of structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping, sound damping, or structural stability, and may indicate the health of the object. The health of the object may also relate to structural integrity, such as the level of bone density or osseointegration described above; defects or cracks. For general objects, such measurements may also relate to their structural integrity, such as defects or cracks, also described above. For physical structures, such as airplanes, automobiles, ships, bridges, buildings, or other similar physical structures, or damping materials suitable to aid in the construction of such structures, examples of structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping, sound damping, or structural stability, and may indicate the soundness of the structural integrity of the object.

[0104] The present invention provides efficient and repeatable measurement of structural characteristics of objects as described above and / or below.

[0105] The instrument of the present invention may be used for such purposes, for example, to predict compatibility of materials with anatomical objects prior to construction, and may be useful after construction to detect loss of cement seal; cement failure; adhesion failure; microleakage; caries, etc., as described above. The present invention is also useful for distinguishing defects inherent to the materials that make up the structure or object from cracks or fractures as discussed above due to trauma or wear or repeated loading. Defects inherent to material constructs or physical constructs of bone or implants may include, for example, bone lesions, implant constructs or similar defects of polymers, polymer composites or alloys, ceramics of any type, or metal composites or alloys. Measurements of various other applications useful for measuring damping properties, including, but not limited to, natural or restored teeth, dental implant constructs, orthopedic implant constructs, as well as inspection of airframe structures, composite structures, industrial materials, or the integrity of medical implants, are particularly beneficial in locations where access is difficult or where liquid couplants cannot be used. Structural integrity may also be measured, such as loose screws, cracks in teeth and bones and bone gaps, delaminated repairs, and damage to integrated circuit materials, etc. However, the above list is not intended to be exhaustive.

[0106] In one aspect of the invention, a system may include an instrument housing an energy application tool for generating an applied force on an object, such as through physical impact, collision, or repeated percussion impacts, and a sensing mechanism for detecting characteristics of the resulting applied force, such as, for example, deceleration of the energy application tool upon impact, energy back-propagated from the impact, physical deformation of the energy application tool, and / or any other suitable characteristic or combination thereof.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the instrument may include a hand piece 100 having a housing 102 housing an energy application tool and a sensing mechanism, as illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the exploded view of FIG. 1d. In general, the hand piece may be referred to as a handheld device, but may also include any other suitable form for a desired application, such as, but not limited to, a mounted device or a tool / mechanical / robot-controlled articulated device. The hand piece 100 may also be interchangeably referred to herein as, for example, a device or an instrument. In some embodiments, the energy application tool 110 as described may be mounted within the housing 102 for axial movement in a direction A toward the object, and such axial movement may be achieved via a drive mechanism 140. The drive mechanism 140 may generally be a linear motor or actuator, such as an electromagnetic mechanism, that may affect the axial position of the energy application tool 110, such as by generating a magnetic field that interacts with at least a portion of the energy application tool 110 to control its position, velocity, and / or acceleration through magnetic interaction. For example, an electromagnetic coil at least partially disposed near the energy application 110, as illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 1e, may be energized to advance the energy application tool 110 toward the object to be measured, as illustrated with the electromagnetic coil 140 that may be clipped by wrapping 140b. The electromagnetic coil may also be alternately energized to retract the energy application tool 110, for example, to prepare for a subsequent impact. Other elements, such as repulsive magnetic elements, may also be included, such as to aid in repositioning the energy application tool 110 after propelling through the electromagnetic coil. The drive mechanism 140 and / or other parts of the instrument may generally be powered by a power source, as illustrated with power source 146, which may be a battery, a capacitor, a solar cell, a transducer, a connection to an external power source, and / or any suitable combination.To power the handpiece 100 or to charge an internal power source such as power source 146, an external connection to a power source such as power interface 147 of FIG. 1 may be provided, which may include, for example, power contacts 113a as in FIGS. 1c and 1d for direct conductive charging, or the power interface 147 may utilize wireless charging, such as inductive charging.

[0108] In some other embodiments, as illustrated in the block diagram of the handpiece 100 in FIG. 1f, the energy application tool 110 may be utilized to move substantially in a direction A, which may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 102. As illustrated, the energy application tool 110 may be substantially L-shaped, for example, to accommodate interaction with the drive mechanism 140 and to protrude in the direction A substantially perpendicular to the axis of the housing 102. As illustrated in one example, the drive mechanism 140 may act on the energy application tool 110 to rock the pivot 110a and move the tip in the direction A. The drive mechanism 140 may utilize an alternating magnetic element, for example, that may act on the energy application tool 110 to move alternately in two directions, such as up and down. In another example, as shown with bend 110b, the bend portion of the L-shaped energy application tool 110 may include a bendable and / or deformable construction such that a linear force applied by the drive mechanism 140 may urge the energy application tool 110 at the tip in direction A by imparting a forward motion around the bend 110b. For example, the bend 110b may include braided, segmented, springy, and / or otherwise bendable segments that may also impart motion and / or force around the bend.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the energy application tool 110 may generally include a percussion bar or impact bar as described in FIG. 1, FIG. 1d, and FIG. 1e, as well as a straight bar type energy application tool 110. Generally, a portion of the energy application tool 110 may be designed for the release of a desired amount of energy to an object via impact or the like, and / or for carrying return energy for measurement. The energy application tool 110 may further be designed to interact with the drive mechanism 140, such as by including metallic, magnetic (e.g., ferromagnetic), conductive, and / or other desired portions or components that can be steered by magnetic fields and magnetic forces. The energy application tool 110 may also be designed to reduce overall mass or density, such as for easier propulsion by the drive mechanism 140 and / or to control the force of the impact on the object.

[0110] To aid in the movement of the energy application tool 110, such as a percussion or impact bar, a support or bearing is utilized that allows the energy application tool 110 to slide freely axially but is constrained from moving away from the axial direction, as shown using the sliding retainer 112b in Figures 1d and 1e.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment, the hand piece 100 may further house a sensing mechanism 111 for detecting a characteristic of an effect from an impact of the energy application tool 110 with an object. In general, the sensing mechanism 111 may be physically coupled, operably coupled, or otherwise in contact with the energy application tool 110 so as to detect a characteristic of the impact. In some embodiments, the sensing mechanism 111 may include a piezoelectric sensing element that may generally produce an electrical signal or a change in response to mechanical energy, such as a change in pressure on the piezoelectric sensing element, may be utilized to analyze the object. As shown with the sensing mechanism 111 inserted in FIG. 1e, a piezoelectric wire may be loaded, for example, into the energy application tool 110. The sensing mechanism 111 may also include other types of sensing elements, such as a linear variable differential transformer, an accelerometer, a resistive pressure sensor, a strain gauge, and / or any suitable sensor or combination of sensors, that may detect the position of the energy application tool 110 due to a change in the transformer voltage due to the positioning of the energy application tool 110, which may be metallic, or may otherwise affect the inductivity of the transformer. In general, the location of the sensing mechanism 111 or a part thereof may be determined for optimal sensing of the desired characteristic. For example, the piezoelectric sensing element may be generally positioned as close to the point of impact as practical, such as near the tip that impacts the object, so that a greater amount of physical deformation of the energy application tool 110 may be detected. The sensing mechanism 111 may be adapted to measure the deceleration of the energy application tool 110 upon impact with the object in motion, or any vibrations caused by the impact. The sensing mechanism 111 may detect changes in the properties of the object and objectively quantify its internal characteristics. The data transmitted by the sensing mechanism 111 may be processed by a system program, which is further discussed below.

[0112] In some embodiments, communication between the drive mechanism 140 or parts of the drive mechanism, such as the energy application tool 110, the sensing mechanism 111, or the electronics assembly 144, may be through conductive insulated wire leads or strands that may be concentrically spiraled around the percussion bar and have spring elastic properties. This may also allow for minimal space requirements for wire management. For example, strands of wire concentrically wrapped around the energy application tool 110 may be utilized to carry signals to and from the sensing mechanism 111. One purpose of concentrically wrapping the wire is to minimize pressure on the wire from repeated back and forth movements of the energy application tool 110. In some embodiments, a helical spring that may be formed by the spirally wrapped wire may help avoid or prevent looping or kinking of the wire connections.

[0113] In another embodiment, communication between the drive mechanism 140 and the energy application tool 110 may be transmitted wirelessly via any suitable wireless connection. In one example, the energy application tool 110, such as a percussion rod, may be advanced by energizing an electromagnetic coil to create a magnetic field that repels the magnet on the end of the energy application tool 110, e.g., the percussion rod. The rod is retracted by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the electromagnetic coil. The magnet may also serve to hold the rod in its retracted position through its magnetic force on the steel core of the coil when the electromagnetic coil is de-energized.

[0114] If present, the helical spring may be made of stranded wire with two separate wires twisted together or may be made of coaxial wire. In its loaded state, the spring may be compressed to such an extent that its prestressing force corresponds to a frictional force and opposes this frictional force during forward movement of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion bar, from a retracted position to an extended position or from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to a position at an acute angle with said axis at a pivot. The prestressing path of the spring may therefore be much larger than the stroke of the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion bar, so that the spring force remains substantially constant over the entire stroke of the percussion bar. Unwanted frictional forces of the bearings of the mounting mechanism against the percussion bar during forward movement may also be substantially compensated by the spring.

[0115] Handpiece 100 may include mechanisms such as an electronics assembly 144 that may generally control drive mechanism 140 and may also store, process, and / or transmit data from sensing mechanism 111. Electronics assembly 144 may include wired or wireless transmission mechanisms for relaying data to a computer or other device for analysis or viewing, for example. In some embodiments, electronics assembly 144 may interface with an external device, such as via electronics contacts 113 of FIG. 1c, to transmit data.

[0116] 1d and 1e, the sensing mechanism 111 may be connected to the electronics assembly in a wired manner, such as through a wired connection carried within a conduit 111a, which may be flexible to accommodate movement of the energy application tool 110. The conduit 111a may also provide protection for the wired connection from movement of components within the handpiece 100, such as the energy application tool 110.

[0117] As mentioned above, the handpiece 100 may be tethered to an external power supply or may be powered by a power source contained within the housing 102, such as power source 146. If powered by a power source internal to the housing 102, power source 146 may or may not be rechargeable. If rechargeable, a base charging station may be used.

[0118] 5 and 5a illustrate a base station 200 including a handpiece receptacle 202 for receiving a handpiece 100. The base station 200 may be a separate, independent station or it may be part of the system of the present invention. For an independent charging station, any existing station may be applicable. The charging mechanism may be wired or wireless. For these charging bases, only current may be provided for charging the device. For base stations that may be part of a system, more current may be provided for charging the device.

[0119] The invention further relates to a base station that may be part of the system of the invention and that may be connected to a computer, for example a PC, via a USB cable. This connection may provide both data transfer between the PC and the base station, and current to charge the device during the charging process if the device is docked. In this way, the base station may also serve to act as a wireless transceiver for the PC that communicates with a wireless transceiver in the device.

[0120] 5 illustrates an example of a base station 200 with base electronics contacts 206 that contact and transfer data through corresponding contacts on the handpiece 100, such as electronics contacts 113. The base station 200 may also provide charging to the handpiece, such as through base power contacts 208, which may be charged by contact with corresponding features on the handpiece 100, such as power contacts 113a.

[0121] It may be desirable for each device to be associated with its own charging base station. This may avoid the possibility of the wrong device communicating with the wrong base station in a multiple device environment. This may be important in any testing setting, such as a dental office. For example, each handpiece 100 may have an associated base station 200.

[0122] During preparation of the system immediately prior to performing measurements on an object, for example, prior to beginning a patient examination session at a dental clinic, the handpiece 100 may be docked to the base station 200 to pair the device with the base station 200 as part of a usage protocol. The usage protocol may be software controlled. Pairing may also be accomplished by placing the base station 200 and handpiece 100 in a pairing mode, such as via the control 204 and / or programming button 144a as shown in Figures 1d, 5, 5a.

[0123] For embodiments in which the device may include a disposable feature or assembly described above, such as sleeve 120, the disposable portion is typically removed from the device prior to placing the device in base station 200. In other embodiments, the disposable portion may be physically contained within the interface between the device and base station 200.

[0124] In some exemplary embodiments, the handpiece 100 may include a housing having a hollow interior with an open end as illustrated in Figures 1a, 1b, and 1c with the housing 102, an applicator end 102a with an opening 102c, and a distal end 102b. In general, the energy application tool 110, or at least a portion thereof, may emerge from an opening in the housing 102, as illustrated in Figure 1c with the opening 102c. The housing 102 may also include a handling mechanism, such as a gripping mechanism 103, as described. The housing 102 may also include other mechanisms, such as for accessing portions of the interior, such as a battery access cover 104.

[0125] The housing 102 may include multiple parts or pieces, as shown in FIG. 1d with upper and lower housing clamshells 102d, 102e, a front end cap 105, and a base end cap 106. In general, the components of the handpiece 100 may be positioned within the housing 102 such that they are substantially axially disposed with the energy application tool 110 forming approximately at the center of the formation with the other components concentrically disposed.

[0126] The front end cap 105 may include openings for portions of the device to emerge, such as opening 102c, to allow the energy application tool 110 and / or its associated components to emerge.

[0127] In another aspect of the invention, the system may include mechanisms to facilitate stable, consistent, and / or repeatable positioning of the energy application tool 110 relative to the object being measured, which may be done in a manner that reduces cross-contamination or other cleaning issues.

[0128] In some exemplary embodiments, a sleeve portion as discussed above and / or below may be present or positioned near a portion of the energy application tool 110 that contacts and / or impacts an object and may include be utilized in conjunction with the hand piece 100 and associated components discussed above. FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b, and 1d illustrate a sleeve 120 disposed near the applicator end 102a of the housing 102. In some embodiments, a sleeve portion such as the sleeve 120 may be integrated into the hand piece 100 or may be mounted to the hand piece 100 in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, such as for multiple uses. The sleeve portion may also be a removable and / or disposable piece that may be replaced, such as between different patients and / or procedures, to help reduce cross-contamination or other cleaning issues, such as the need to clean / sterilize portions of the system that contact the patient.

[0129] Figures 2, 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate an embodiment of a sleeve 120 that is a separable piece from the remainder of the handpiece 100. The sleeve 120 may generally be coupled to the handpiece 100 or a portion thereof through any suitable connection type, such as, for example, any threaded, friction fit, mating bayonet style, tongue and groove type style, snap fit, clip, telescoping pin and eye style, latch connection, and other interconnect structures. Figures 1b and 2a illustrate a clip 125 on the sleeve 120 that may clip onto a portion of the handpiece 100, such as the sleeve mount 112a of Figures 1c and 1d.

[0130] In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve portion, such as sleeve 120, can be a non-reusable, disposable assembly or mechanism in a medical setting, such as a dental clinic or the like. As mentioned above, the disposable mechanism or assembly is intended to help eliminate or minimize contamination of the object undergoing measurement through transfer from the system, or cross-contamination from a previous object undergoing measurement, without the need to perform a decontamination process before moving to a different test object. To ensure that such a mechanism or assembly, once used, is not reused, the disposable mechanism or assembly can be programmed for single use. In some embodiments, a computer chip can be used. The chip can be present on the disposable mechanism or assembly, for example, on a PCB mounted on the back of the disposable assembly, and can help ensure that once used, it cannot be reused or is not reused, so that any unwanted substances cannot be transferred from one patient to another. 1 and 2a illustrate a device coupled to a sleeve 120 that may be used to interface with the electronics of the handpiece 100 via an electronics interface 142, which may utilize contact pins such as the electronics contacts 113 of FIG. 1c, or other types of electronics interfaces, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), near field radio (NFC), Bluetooth, and / or any other type of interface.

[0131] The electronics interface 142 may include a PCB as illustrated in Figure 1d with sleeve mounted PCB 108 and its retainer 107. Electronics contacts 113, if utilized, may emerge from the housing 102 through an opening in the front end cap 105.

[0132] When a disposable feature or assembly is mated to a device, the chip in the assembly or feature may be interrogated by the device using a challenge and response system to ensure authenticity. Once authenticated, it is permanently marked as 'used'. If a used assembly or feature is placed on a device again, whether it is the same device or a different device, the challenge and response will fail and the device will not be able to function as intended. In another embodiment, a timeout feature may also be used to prevent reuse of the disposable assembly or feature after a certain mating period. In a further embodiment, a chip may be used with a timeout feature for additional security. In a further embodiment, the attachment feature of the disposable feature or assembly may include a portion that is folded or wrapped so that once removed from the device, it is no longer attachable to the device. For example, the chip 125 of FIG. 2a may be adapted to be folded if the sleeve 120 is removed.

[0133] According to another embodiment, a sleeve portion, such as sleeve 120, may be an assembly or mechanism that is limitedly reusable and disposable in a medical setting, such as a dental office or the like. For example, the disposable mechanism or assembly may also be autoclavable a limited number of times.

[0134] In general, the sleeve 120 may protrude from the applicator end 102a of the housing 120 a distance that is substantially coextensive with the end of the energy application tool 110 during measurement, and may extend to at least the extended or propelled state of the energy application tool 110, as discussed above. Thus, the length of the sleeve portion 120 may depend on the length of protrusion of the extended energy application tool 110.

[0135] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1f, the sleeve portion may be attached to the end of the housing 102 and may be substantially perpendicular to the housing 102 when the energy application tool 110, e.g., a percussion rod, moves during operation from being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 102 to making an acute angle at the pivot 110a. The sleeve portion may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In further embodiments, the sleeve may be an extension of the housing and may be substantially semi-cylindrical in order to allow the energy application tool, e.g., a percussion rod, to move freely when the percussion rod moves during operation from being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing to making an acute angle with said longitudinal axis. Using this system, measurements may be undertaken in relatively inaccessible locations, such as, for example, in the molar region of a patient's tooth.

[0136] The sleeve 120 may generally include an object contacting portion 123 that may be utilized to rest or press against a surface of an object, such as to stabilize and / or aid in repeated positioning of the handpiece 100 against the object during measurement. The sleeve portion may be substantially cylindrical and / or conical in shape with a hollow interior, as shown with a sleeve hollow portion 128 with a base portion 127 having an opening 126 through which the energy application tool 110 may enter. The object contacting portion 123 may generally form an opening through which the energy application tool 110 may access the object. The size of the opening may be variable, such as to provide a larger platform for resting against the object, as shown with a smaller opening formed in the object contacting portion 123 in FIG. 2f, or to provide a larger opening that may conform to a more varied object surface, as shown with the varied surfaces in FIGS. 3 and 3a.

[0137] In some embodiments, the opening of the object contacting portion 123 may further include a mechanism, e.g., a contact mechanism, for contacting the object at the exterior surface and the energy application tool 110 on the interior surface, such that direct contact between the energy application tool 110 and the object may be prevented. This may be desirable to help prevent any contaminants or other cleaning concerns from transferring between the object and the energy application tool 110 by providing a barrier. For example, this may allow repeated use of the energy application tool 110 without cleaning / sterilization / cleaning, e.g., between different patients. The mechanism may be a contact mechanism 121, such as described in Figures 1-1b and 2, 2b, and 2c. In general, the contact mechanism 121 may be flexible, deformable, and / or otherwise adapted to transmit force between the energy application tool 110 and the object during measurement with minimal interference, attenuation, or other unwanted effects.

[0138] In some exemplary embodiments, the contact mechanism 121 may be a separate component from the remainder of the sleeve 120, as described with the contact mechanism 121 in Figures 2b, 2d, and 2e. It may be desirable for the separate contact mechanism 121 to be able to move at least semi-independently from the remainder of the sleeve 120, for example, as discussed further below. The separate contact mechanism 121 may be slidably and / or otherwise movably disposed in the sleeve 120 with the contact tubular portion 121a, as described in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2b, and may rest within the sleeve 120, such as with a semi-friction fit, so as to be partially pinned but still able to move. The contact tubular portion 121a may also include features that may interact with corresponding features of the sleeve 120, such as to provide a limited range of movement, as described with the slot 121c and the stop tab 120a. In other embodiments, the contact mechanism 121 may be constrained by stops, ridges, bumps, or other obstacles to prevent movement beyond a desired range along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 120, as illustrated with travel stops 120b, 120c in FIG. 2h.

[0139] In some embodiments, the contact mechanism 121 may include a thin membrane portion that may be thin, deformable, and / or shaped to produce a minimal effect on the transmission of force therethrough. FIG. 2d illustrates an embodiment of a contact mechanism with a movable contact portion 121a that may include a thin membrane or other layer as shown with a separate contact portion 121b that is free to move and / or deform, such as a thin plastic film or metal foil. In some other embodiments, such as FIG. 2e, the contact mechanism 121 may be formed with an integral portion that may deform, bend, and / or otherwise transmit the force of the energy application tool 110, such as with a soft plastic forming the contact mechanism 121 with a deformable contact portion 121b′. The movable contact portion 121a may also be formed to match the shape of the energy application tool 110, or vice versa, for optimal transmission of force / energy. In some exemplary embodiments, the movable contact portion 121a may be constructed from a metal foil, e.g., stainless steel foil or sheet, and may be, for example, pressed and / or molded to conform to an edge of the energy application tool 110, e.g., having a hemispherical shape, etc. Some metal foils or sheets, such as stainless steel and similar materials, may be desirable due to, for example, their high strength characteristics, e.g., hardness or rigidity, ease of casting / forming, attenuation of transmitting energy or force therethrough, desirable properties for medical or dental applications, and / or their commonality or low cost. For example, a thin stainless steel foil or sheet, e.g., about 0.1 mm thick, may be utilized.

[0140] In other embodiments, the closed end of contact mechanism 121 may be integral to contact mechanism 121. For example, contact mechanism 121 may be formed from a material that may be shaped, such as by pressing, a metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or other suitable metal) into a tubular or hoop structure with a closed end of a desired thickness. For example, contact mechanism 121 may take the shape of a thimble or cup with a closed end that may be of a thickness that provides a deformable or moveable characteristic.

[0141] For example, polymeric materials suitable for the membrane of the contact mechanism may include any polymer having one or more of the following properties including, for example, low coefficient of friction, high damping capacity, absorbency, biodegradability, hydrolysis, transparency, translucency, and non-conductivity.

[0142] Metallic materials suitable for foil or sheet, for example, such as stainless steels and similar metallic materials, may be austenitic and may be work hardened, electropolished, and annealed before being formed into the desired shape or superplastically formed into the desired shape.

[0143] In some embodiments, the contact features 121 may be utilized to help create consistent contact of the energy application tool 110 with a surface of an object, such as a surface with irregular or indefinite surface features. For example, Figures 3 and 3a illustrate the use of the handpiece 100 with an object 90 having a non-flat surface feature, such as an object 90 having a convex contact surface 95 in Figure 3 and another object 90 having a concave contact surface 96 in Figure 3a. The object contact surface 123 resting on the contact surface 94 of the object 90 may be near the irregular or indefinite surface feature that may provide a contact point for the energy application tool 110 either before or after the plane of the object contact portion 123, as illustrated with the convex contact surface 95 projecting behind the plane in Figure 3 and the concave contact surface 96 remaining in front of the plane in Figure 3a. With the contact mechanism 121 movable relative to the object contact surface 123, it may move to provide contact with the convex contact surface 95 and / or may remain in a non-extended or stowed position C as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3a, the movable contact mechanism 121 may move to an extended position D to provide contact with the concave contact surface 96. During measurement, the energy application tool 110 may make an initial impact that may force the contact mechanism 121 into an appropriate position depending on the shape of the contact surface 94, and may substantially remain in that position, or may be adjusted to a different position upon subsequent impacts or positioning of the handpiece 100. In general, the contact or impact of the energy application tool 110 may be controlled to not cause deformation or damage to the object 90, but rather to apply energy through appropriately adapted contact as described.

[0144] In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve 120 may include features for additional stability, such as providing stability substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the direction A of the energy application tool 110. Figures 1a, 1b, and 2-2b illustrate a sleeve portion having a tab 124 protruding from the sleeve 120 in the vicinity of the object contacting portion 123 such that when the object contacting portion 123 is in contact with the surface of the object being measured, the tab 124 may rest on a top portion of the object, as shown in Figures 3 and 3a with the tab 124 resting on the vertical surface 92 and the object contacting portion 123 resting on the contact surface 94 of the object 90. Thus, both the tab 124 and the object contacting portion 123 may aid in repeatable positioning of the handpiece 100 relative to the object 90, and for better reproducibility, the object contacting portion 123 may be positioned substantially the same distance from the top of the object in the vertical surface 92 during subsequent measurements. As mentioned above, although anatomical structures are illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a using human teeth, object 90 may include anatomical structures or physical or industrial structures.

[0145] In either embodiment, the corners of the tabs 124 may be smooth or rounded, or may be substantially smooth or rounded, to avoid any infection on the object 90 on which they may rest. In other embodiments, the corners do not necessarily have to be rounded, but the tabs 124 may be smooth.

[0146] In general, it may be desirable for the sleeve 120, or a portion thereof, to be sufficiently rigid so that it may be permanently attached to the handpiece 100 and not collapse during use. If multiple uses are contemplated, the sleeve 120 may generally be constructed to withstand multiple sterilization procedures, such as by autoclaving, as necessary, unless a disposable cover is used, as discussed below. In other embodiments, the sleeve 120 may be disposable, and therefore may be constructed of any material that may be formed into the sleeve 120, unless a disposable cover is used, in which case the sleeve 120 may be disposable. Examples of suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, polymers that may be molded, thermoformed, or cast, for example. Suitable polymers include polyethylene; polypropylene; polybutylene; polystyrene; polyester; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); acrylic polymers; polyvinyl chloride; acetal polymers such as polyoxymethylene or Delrin (available from DuPont); natural or synthetic rubber; polyetherimide or other high temperature polymers such as ULTEM®, polymer alloys such as Xenoy®, a composite of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, and Lexan® plastic, a copolymer of polycarbonate and isophthalic acid terephthalate resorcinol resin (all available from GE Plastics); aromatic hydrides such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol terephthalate ... Liquid crystal polymers such as aromatic polyesters or aromatic polyesteramides containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids (such as hydroxybenzoates (hard monomers) and hydroxynaphthoates (flexible monomers)), aromatic hydroxylamines, and aromatic diamines (as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,063, 6,274,242, 6,643,552, and 6,797,198, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), polyesterimide anhydrides having terminal anhydride groups or side anhydrides (as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,377, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), or combinations thereof. Some of these materials are recyclable or can be made to be recyclable.Compostable or biodegradable materials may also be used, including any biodegradable or compostable polyester, such as polylactic acid resins (including L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid) and polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyhydroxyvaleric acid / hydroxybutyrate resins (PHBV) (copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid (3-hydroxyvaleric acid)) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers, and polyester / urethane resins. Some non-compostable or non-biodegradable materials may also be made compostable or biodegradable by the addition of some additives, for example, any oxidative biodegradable additive, such as D2W® supplied by Symphony Environmental (Borehamwood, UK) and TDPA® manufactured by EPI Environmental Products Inc., British Columbia, Canada.

[0147] Polymer composites may also be used, such as engineered prepregs or composites that are polymers filled with pigments, carbon particles, silicon dioxide, glass fibers, or mixtures thereof. For example, a mixture of polycarbonate and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be used for the sleeve 120. Further, for example, carbon fiber and / or glass fiber reinforced plastics may also be used.

[0148] Synthetic rubbers, for example, may be elastomeric materials and may include, but are not limited to, various copolymers or block copolymers available from Kraton (Kratons®); polymers such as styrene butadiene rubber or styrene isoprene rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber, nitrile (acrylonitrile butadiene) rubber, and the like.

[0149] In some embodiments, sleeve 120 may also be made from metallic and / or ceramic materials that may be further coated and / or treated with suitable materials, such as polymers or composites as described above. For example, metallic and / or ceramic materials may be utilized that can substantially dampen / absorb / reflect vibrations. Viscoelastic and / or other coatings may also be used to prevent vibrations and / or other mechanical energy from being transferred to metallic and / or ceramic components of sleeve 120.

[0150] In one embodiment, titanium and titanium alloys such as nickel titanium may be used for the sleeve 120 or components / portions thereof.

[0151] In a further aspect of the invention, the system may include a mechanism to aid in reliable and repeatable measurements from the object, such as by detecting the contact pressure of the hand piece 100 toward the object. Since the contact by the sleeve portion helps stabilize the hand piece on the object during measurement, the force exerted on the object by the energy application tool and any characteristics measured may be affected by the force exerted by the operator on the hand piece to hold it in position toward the object. For example, a proper amount of contact force on the object may be important and may need to be monitored, since insufficient or excessive force exerted by the operator may complicate the measurement and even produce less accurate results. To aid in monitoring that the proper contact force is applied by the operator for better reproducibility, even among different operators, a sensor may be deployed inside the hand piece to measure such contact force, which may not generally be physically or electrically coupled to the energy application tool 110. In general, it may be desirable to isolate the energy application tool 110 from other parts of the system, such as portions of the handpiece 100 that contact the object (besides the energy application tool 110 itself), so as to not interfere or only minimally interfere with the application of energy or measurements taken.

[0152] In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor may be deployed in a manner that measures a force exerted on an object by an operator through contact with the hand piece 100. Thus, for example, a sensor may be positioned between the object and the hand piece. The sensor may also be positioned to receive a force conducted or transmitted from a portion of the hand piece that contacts the object. The sensor may further be positioned between the hand piece and the operator in a manner that is capable of capturing an applied force. In some embodiments, an internal force sensor may be utilized that may rely on the conduction or transmission of a normal force from contact with an object through a portion of the hand piece 100. Figures 1, 1d, and 1e illustrate an arrangement in which contact of a portion of the hand piece 100, such as the sleeve portion 120, may push a force transmitting member 130, such as a force transmitting sleeve or sleeve-like component (e.g., through contact at contact point 129 shown in Figures 2b and 4), which may then exert a force by pushing on the force sensor 143 in direction B. In the exploded views of Figures 1d and 1e, the force sensor 143 is sandwiched between a relatively fixed component, such as that described with the drive mechanism interface member 141 which is itself rigidly mounted to the drive mechanism 140 as discussed further below, and the components which transmit force to the force sensor 143, such as the sleeve 120 (if present), the transmission sleeve 112 which may pass through an opening in a portion of the housing, such as that shown with the sleeve mount PCB 108 and its retainer 107, and the sleeve mount 112a / force transmission member 130 stack. The force sensor 143 may be held in a relatively fixed position, for example, by mounting it on a rigid portion of the hand piece 100, such as the drive mechanism interface member 141 which may be coupled to the drive mechanism 140 and / or the housing 102 of the hand piece 100 so that it is in a fixed position relative to the operator. The force sensor 143 may then detect a load resulting from contact with the object 90 which is urged towards the relatively fixed portion, such as the drive mechanism interface member 141. In general, it may be understood that there may or may not be intervening components or parts between the object contact and the force sensor 143, so long as a complete conduction / transmission path for the force is maintained during operation.

[0153] In some embodiments, the force conducting or transmitting member may be utilized without the sleeve 120 as illustrated in Figures 1c and 1e, as shown in Figure 1e with a force transmitting member 130 and a transmission sleeve 112 that may be used to contact an object.

[0154] In an embodiment of the system using a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion 120 may be mounted on the force transmission member 130, such as on a sleeve mount 112a, which may be coupled to or form a part of the force transmission member 130, and may extend out of the housing 102 through an opening 102a. Force from contact with an object may then be transmitted as described in Figures 4, 4a, and 4b. As described, a normal force E from holding the sleeve portion 120 against the object may push the sleeve 120 towards a transmission sleeve 112, which may be part of or coupled to the force transmission member 130, which may then exert a force in direction B on the force sensor 143, which may be biased towards a rigid and / or relatively fixed portion of the handpiece 100, such as a drive mechanism interface member 141, which may be mounted to a drive mechanism 140, which itself may be mounted to the housing 102 via a drive mount 140a, etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, portions of the handpiece 100 may be movable relative to a rigid and / or relatively fixed portion. This may be desirable to aid in the transfer of force from contact with an object to the force sensor and to provide physically perceptible feedback to an operator exerting a contact force.

[0156] In some embodiments, multiple components may be utilized to form the force transmission member 130 for ease of manufacture of the assembly, reproducibility of parts, etc. For example, as described, the force transmission member 130 may include a separate part from the transmission sleeve 112, a sleeve mount 112a, and a force transmission base portion 130b that may be attached to or at least contact to provide force transmission at the transmission member contact(s) 130a, etc.

[0157] 4 and 4a, the force transmitting member 130 and its mechanically coupled parts, such as the sleeve portion 120, the transmitting sleeve 112, the sleeve mount 112a, and the force transmitting base portion 130b, may be movable, such as in a direction B, relative to relatively fixed parts, such as the force sensor 143, the drive mechanism interface member 141, the drive mechanism 140, and the housing 102. For example, a biasing member, such as a force sensor biasing portion 143a, may be further provided between the force transmitting member 130 and the force sensor 143, such as to evenly distribute the force on the force sensor 143 and / or to serve as a return bias to return the force transmitting member 130 to its original position along the direction B when contact with the object ceases, such as via a bias or leaf spring, or a resilient cushion, or the like.

[0158] Generally, the movement, such as the sliding distance, may be very small, for example, on the order of about 0.3 mm to about 1 mm, and as a further example, about 0.5 mm.

[0159] In embodiments having electrical contact between the sleeve portion 120 and the hand piece 100, such as where the safety mechanism 122 interacts with electronics contacts 113, movement between the sleeve 120 and the hand piece 100 may be compensated for using spring pins, etc., and / or by placement on parallel surfaces or on movable parts, such as the sleeve mount 112a, to position the electrical contacts such that contact is maintained through any movement of the sleeve 120 while mounted on the hand piece 100.

[0160] The sleeve portion 120 also forms a permanent portion on the front of the housing 102 and may be mounted on a force transmission member 130 that protects the energy application tool 110, e.g., a percussion rod, from damage when the sleeve portion is not present, e.g., the sleeve portion forms part of a disposable assembly, as discussed above and / or below.

[0161] In some embodiments, as discussed above, the sleeve 120 and / or the energy application tool 110 may be deployed substantially perpendicular to the housing 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1f. A holding force may then act towards the object in direction B, as described, and the sleeve 120, etc. may press in direction B towards the force transmitting member 130 on the force sensor 143, which may be mounted and / or positioned towards a relatively fixed position, such as towards the housing 102, as described.

[0162] When an object contacting portion of a sleeve portion, such as contact portion 121 of sleeve 120, is pressed against an object to be measured, such as a tooth, the energy application tool 110, such as a percussion rod, may be enabled or actuated and a force within a certain range may be detected. If the correct force is detected, the handpiece 100 is turned on or enabled to begin the measurement.

[0163] For example, with dental procedures on human teeth, a suitable contact force may be from about 3 N to about 10 N, and as a further example, from about 5 N to about 8 N. In general, the force sensor 143 may read an actual contact force, or may read a transmitted, conducted, or transmitted force that is different from the actual contact force, which may be interpreted or correlated to an actual contact force by the hand piece 100, such as with the electronics assembly 144. The contact force measurement may be further corrected for, such as the orientation of the hand piece 100 in a gravitational field, using input from an accelerometer or other suitable device for detecting orientation as described in FIG. 1 using the orientation sensor 145.

[0164] The sensor, e.g., force sensor 143, may be physically proximate and / or in contact with and / or coupled to at least a portion of the hand piece 100 other than the energy application tool 110, e.g., in the case where the open end of the sleeve portion 120 may include the object contact portion 123, as described above, the sensor may be physically proximate and / or in contact with and / or coupled to the sleeve portion 120. In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor may include at least one strain gauge for sensing. The strain gauge may be attached or mounted to a cantilever between the device housing and the sleeve portion such that when the object contact portion of the sleeve portion is pressed onto an object, it also deforms the cantilever, which is measured by the strain gauge, thus providing a force measurement. In some embodiments, multiple strain gauges mounted on a single or separate cantilevers may be utilized. The cantilever may also be on a separate component, e.g., on the device on which it is mounted, e.g., on a housing or a remainder of the sleeve portion. According to one aspect, the force sensing may be performed by a linear position sensor, which knows, for example, that if a force-transmitting sleeve-like part is at position X, a force of Y must be applied to it (towards the reaction force of the spring) to move it to that position. According to another aspect, the force sensing may be performed by an optical sensor for optically detecting the position of the moving part when pressed against the spring. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the relative position of the object-contacting part of the sleeve part on the object may be determined by having one or more strain gauges that may be attached at one end to the moving part, e.g., a force-sensing sleeve-like component, and at the other end to a static element, e.g., a housing. In a further embodiment of the invention, the device may include a piezoelectric element for directly measuring the force. In a further embodiment of the invention, a Hall effect sensor may be used to detect a change in the magnetic field when a magnet (attached to the moving element) is moving relative to the position of the sensor. In a further embodiment of the invention, a capacitive linear encoder system, such as found in a digital caliper, may be used to measure the force.

[0165] The sensing pad may include a layered structure, which may be referred to as a "shunt mode" FSR (force sensitive resistor), that may change resistance depending on the force applied to the pad to provide a force measurement. FSRs are typically composed of conductive polymers that change resistance in a predictable manner following the application of force to their surface. The sensing membrane of the FSR typically includes both conductive and non-conductive particles suspended in a matrix. Applying a force to the surface of the FSR causes the particles to contact the conductive electrodes, changing the resistance of the FSR. It may be desirable for the FSR to be small in size, typically less than 0.5 mm thick, low cost, and good impact resistance.

[0166] 6 illustrates an example of a layered force sensor 143, which may include a base layer 143h on which is printed or otherwise deposited conductive traces 143c having two conductive paths joined by an FSR layer 143e on an FSR substrate 143f to create a conductive path regulated by the resistance of the FSR layer 143e. Pressure applied to the FSR layer 143e from the force transmitting member 130, such as in direction B, may change its resistance, such as by decreasing with applied pressure. An adhesive layer, such as adhesive layer 143d, and a mounted adhesive 143g may also be included to bond the layers to each other and / or to provide adhesion to a substrate, such as the drive mechanism interface member 141. The force sensor 143 may generally include a connector, such as the flexible connector 143b shown in FIGS. 1d and 1e, to connect to an interface on an electronics assembly 144, such as by extending a connection to the conductive paths in the conductive traces 143c.

[0167] Piezoelectric sensors may also be utilized that convert pressure exerted on the force sensor 143 into a change in an electrical characteristic, such as a voltage across a piezoelectric element.

[0168] Strain gauges or other similar elements may also be included on other biasing members such as leaf springs or force sensor biases 143a.

[0169] In some exemplary embodiments, the force sensor may be in electronic communication with the energy application tool 110 and may act as an on / off switch or activation switch for the handpiece 100. For example, when an appropriate force is exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve, it may trigger an activation mechanism of the meter to activate movement of the energy application tool 110 to begin a measurement. Thus, as described above, no external switch or push button is required to activate the system on and off. An indication of the appropriate force may be indicated by a visible or audible signal.

[0170] In some embodiments, as described with the flow chart of FIG. 7, contact of the hand piece 100 with an object 90, such as the sleeve portion 120 (300) may transmit a contact force, such as a normal force E from the contact, to the force sensor 143 (301). The force sensor 143 may measure the contact force or transmitted force and produce a change in a signal or characteristic, such as resistance, voltage, etc. (302). The change in signal or characteristic may then be relayed (303) to a control mechanism, such as in the electronics assembly 144. The control mechanism may then determine (304) whether the contact force is within an acceptable range, e.g., 5-8 N. If the force is within the range, the control mechanism may operate the energy application tool 110 (305) and / or output a signal to the user that the contact force is acceptable (306). If the contact force is outside the acceptable range, the control mechanism may output a signal to the user to change the pressure (307) and / or disable or keep the energy application tool 110 disabled (308). If acceptable, the control mechanism may also automatically start the energy application tool 110 and perform the measurement 309. The control mechanism may then be reset for a new measurement.

[0171] In some embodiments, the energy application tool 110 may be turned on immediately once an appropriate contact force is exerted on the object by the contact portion 121 (or sleeve 120 or other portion of the handpiece 100, as appropriate), as indicated by a visible or audible signal. FIG. 1c illustrates an operator signal, as shown with a light source 114 that may provide a signal to the operator about the contact force. In some embodiments, as described above, there may be a delay before activating the energy application tool 110 once an appropriate contact force is exerted on the object, as indicated by a visible or audible signal. In further embodiments, once a constant pressure on the object is detected and maintained for a period of time, for example, about 0.5 seconds, the meter may be turned on to begin measuring.

[0172] In some embodiments, the force measurement may be connected to a visible output, such as a light emitter. The light emitter may be mounted in any convenient location on the instrument, for example, one or more LEDs may be mounted on the front of the instrument, as shown with light source 114. For example, multiple light systems may be included. For example, two LEDs may be used, such as blue for acceptable contact force and red for unacceptable contact force.

[0173] In some embodiments, light, which may be transparent or translucent, from light source 114 illuminates sleeve 120 to indicate acceptable or unacceptable contact forces.

[0174] The appropriate force exerted by the operator on the object acts as a switch for the system. If the system does not switch on, it may be desirable to know if it is faulty or if insufficient or excessive force is exerted. In some embodiments, if the user presses too hard on the object, the light may first change to amber and then to red, as indicated via the output from the light source 114. If the pressure is enough to turn the light red, the collision may not be initiated or may be aborted if already initiated. There may also be an amber LED state that warns if the user approaches too much pressure. At that stage, the gauge may still operate if the LED is illuminated amber. In another example, the light may not indicate any too little force, and a blue light may indicate the right amount of force, while a red light may indicate too much force. In yet another example, one light system may be included. For example, the light may not give any signal of too little force, and a red light may give a signal of too much force. In a further example, a flashing red light may indicate too much force and no light may indicate too little force. The LEDs may be mounted on the surface of the handpiece 100 or they may be inside the housing 102 and the light may be conveyed via a light pipe or fiber optic channel that may be on the surface of the housing 102, such as light source 114 shown as a light pipe in FIG. 1d. In some examples, light pipe 114 may be inside or attached to handpiece 100, such as inside or attached to holder 107' in FIG. 1g, which may be the alternative holder 107 in FIG. 1d.

[0175] In some embodiments, the light pipe 114 may extend into the sleeve portion 120, such as to better deliver light towards an object and / or to better illuminate the sleeve portion 120 for the user's perception. FIGS. 4 and 4a illustrate a light pipe 114 extending from the hand piece 100 to deliver light from the light source 114a into the sleeve portion 120, as shown by extending into a slot 125a in the sleeve portion 120. Light emitted from the light pipe 114 may then illuminate the sleeve portion 120, which may be adapted in a manner readily observable by a user, such as by including light diffusing materials, additives, and / or by physical treatments, such as frosting and / or other suitable treatments, to diffuse the light towards the object. The light pipe 114 may also be utilized to provide additional positioning, connection, and / or fixation between the sleeve portion 120 and the hand piece 100, such as by fitting into a slot 125a of the sleeve portion 120. For example, the use of one or more light pipes 114 that fit into slots 125a can help provide resistance to rotation about the longitudinal axis due to the fit between the light pipes 114 and the slots 125a (e.g., by a close fit or a friction fit).

[0176] In another embodiment, the force measurement can be connected to an audible output. In one example, the audible output can include a single beep to indicate too little force and multiple beeps to indicate too much force. In another example, the audible output can include a beep to indicate too little force and a beep with a flashing red light to indicate too much force, such as via light source 114 or as discussed above with an internal light source. In a further example, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too much or too little force. In a further example, the force measurement can be connected to an audio alarm system to warn of too little force and an audio alarm and a flashing red light to warn of too much force.

[0177] The handpiece 100 may also include a reset button, such as shown in FIGURE 1d with reset control 144b, for resetting the handpiece 100, such as to retry placement with the appropriate force after an initial incorrect placement. The reset button 144b may push to an appropriate control on the electronics assembly 144 to place the handpiece 100 in an updated state.

[0178] If the force sensor acts as an on / off switch, it may also act to monitor that the proper force is being applied on the object during measurement and / or that the proper positioning of the handpiece 100 towards the object during measurement is obtained. An inclinometer, as shown with the orientation sensor 145 in FIG. 1, may be present, for example, as part of the electronic control system, which may trigger an audible warning if the device is outside of the angular range of motion relative to the percussion bar, for example, plus / minus 30 degrees from horizontal. If a pressing force is detected on the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion, and the device is oriented such that the axis of motion is greater than 30 degrees from horizontal, this may result in a warning sound being emitted by a speaker mounted on the device, such as a PCB within the device. In such a situation, the impact action will not be initiated until the device is returned to an acceptable angle. In some instances, if the impact action is not initiated when the above-mentioned deviation from the range is detected, the device may not actually stop operation, but may simply sound an alarm so that a correction can be made.

[0179] Common implementations of tilt sensors and inclinometers may include, but are not limited to, accelerometer, liquid capacitive, electrolytic, air bubbles in liquid, and pendulum-type systems. Traditional spirit levels and pendulum-based electronic level instruments are usually constrained by a single axis and a narrow tilt measurement range. However, many precision leveling, angle measurement, alignment, and surface flatness profiling tasks essentially involve two-dimensional plane angles rather than two independent orthogonal single-axis objects. Two- or three-axis inclinometers are typically built using Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMs) tilt sensors that simultaneously provide two- or three-dimensional angular readouts of a plane tangent to the Earth's reference plane.

[0180] MEMS tilt sensors typically use an accelerometer as a functionality. Conceptually, the accelerometer behaves as a damped mass on a spring, where the accelerometer experiences an acceleration and the mass is displaced to a point where the spring can accelerate the mass at the same rate as the case. The displacement is then measured to give the acceleration. In commercial devices, piezoelectric, piezoresistive, and / or capacitive components may be commonly used to convert mechanical motion into an electrical signal. Piezoelectric accelerometers rely on piezoelectric ceramics (e.g., lead zirconate titanate) or single crystals (e.g., quartz, tourmaline). They typically offer favorable characteristics in applications such as higher frequency ranges, low package weight, and high temperature ranges. Piezoresistive accelerometers are typically desirable for high shock applications. Capacitive accelerometers typically use micromachined silicon sensing elements, their performance is excellent in the low frequency range, and they can be operated in an auto-control mode to achieve high stability and linearity. Today's accelerometers are often miniature MEMs that include a cantilever with a proof mass. Damping arises from residual gas sealed in the device. Under the influence of an external accelerometer, the proof mass deflects from its neutral position. This deflection can be measured by analog or digital methods.

[0181] Portions of the device and / or housing may also have an antimicrobial coating coated thereon that eliminates, prevents, impedes, or minimizes microbial growth, thus allowing for the minimization of high temperature autoclave processes or the use of harsh chemicals, increasing the variety and number of materials useful as substrates for the fabrication of such tools or instruments.

[0182] Furthermore, the instrument may be useful to aid in the selection of materials, such as mechanically or biomechanically compatible materials, used in the construction and / or selection of materials for anatomical structures, such as implants. For normal healthy teeth, the impact energy generated by chewing is attenuated by the periodontal ligament at the interface between healthy bone and natural teeth. However, when natural teeth are replaced with implants due to injury or disease, the ligament is usually lost and the implant may transmit impact forces directly to bone. Some materials, such as composite, gold, and zirconia, used to fabricate implant abutments have been shown to be effective in many studies. Studies have demonstrated the remaining strength of implant restorations after construction of abutments using composite resin, gold, or zirconia abutments, but no such academic studies have been conducted to measure the dynamic response of the abutment materials to loading. The instrument of the present invention may be used for such purposes and may be useful in predicting the fit or compatibility before implantation or in selecting the appropriate material to protect the natural teeth adjacent to the implant. Therefore, material selection may minimize the difference between implants and natural teeth in response to impact.

[0183] Additionally, the instrument may be useful in aiding in the selection of materials, such as mechanically or chemically durable or compatible materials used in the construction and / or selection of materials for any industrial structure, including but not limited to airplanes, automobiles, ships, bridges, buildings, power generation equipment, arch structures, or other similar physical structures, or suitable damping materials to aid in the construction of such structures. The instrument of the present invention may be used for such purposes and may be useful in predicting the suitability of materials prior to construction, in addition to detecting cracks, fractures, microcracks, cement failures, adhesion failures, or defect locations after construction.

[0184] The present invention is also useful in distinguishing between defects inherent in the materials that make up a structure or object and cracks or fractures as discussed above that result from trauma or wear and tear or repeated loading. Defects inherent in the material construct or physical structure of a bone or implant can include, for example, bone lesions, polymer, polymer composite or alloy, or similar defects in the construction or manufacture of a metal composite or alloy implant.

[0185] The stability of the instrument due to the sleeve portion or contact mechanism and / or tab or tabs and / or components can also minimize jerky movements that can confuse the test results, for example, any defects inherent in the bone structure or physical or industrial structure can be drowned out by the jerky movements of the examiner. This type of defect detection is important because the location and extent of the defect can dramatically affect the stability of the implant or physical or industrial structure. In general, when a lesion such as a crestal or apical defect is detected in an implant, for example, the stability of the implant is affected if both crestal and apical defects are present. Previously, there was no other way to collect this type of information other than a process requiring expensive radiation. With the present invention, this type of information can be collected and done in an unobtrusive manner.

[0186] In general, the present invention also represents a new form of precision in risk assessment of dental health or structural integrity of physical structures and an opportunity to diagnose in a new way. The present invention provides for management of kinetic energy to the specimen, load and displacement rates that can be determined by the specimen, deceleration measured upon impact, and analysis of dynamic mechanical response for more accurate prediction of cracks, fractures, microcracks; microfractures; loss of cement seal; cement failure; adhesion failure; microleakage; lesions; caries; general structural integrity; general structural stability or defect location.

[0187] Additionally, multiple indicators of structural integrity such as LC (loss factor) and ERG (energy return graph) may be possible along with critical orientation crash loads. The system provides a convenient and easy way to provide buccal loads and allows for other load orientations such as lingual orientation to test the structural properties mentioned above.

[0188] Buccal loads are typically important as many types of dangerous loads are caused by, for example, teeth. Generally, vertical loads induce relatively low pressures on teeth. However, working and / or non-working movements produce lateral loads as a result of the lateral movement of the jaw and the inclined geometry of the occlusal surfaces of teeth and restorations. This lateral load can induce much higher stress concentrations on the outer and inner surfaces as well as under the margins. Therefore, using the system of the present invention, such an inspection can be easily performed. In short, the system can be adapted not only for the detection of structural stability, integrity, cracks, etc. of prosthetic dental implant structures, dental structures, orthopedic structures, or orthopedic implants, but also for use in the actual construction and replacement process through inspection under pressures that may be encountered after implantation.

[0189] Natural loads are typically pulsatile (as opposed to sinusoidal, for example). Muscular, cardiovascular, actuation, jerking, clenching / grinding, etc., can all produce pulsatile loads, for example. Impact loads can be used to measure viscoelastic properties and detect damage in structures.

[0190] The present invention further relates to a system and method for measuring structural features that minimizes impacts, even micro-impacts, on an object being measured without compromising the sensitivity of the measurement and the operation of the system. In one embodiment, to achieve lower impact forces without compromising the sensitivity of the measurement, the system includes an energy application tool 110 that is lighter and / or can move at a slower speed to minimize the force of impact on the object during measurement while exhibiting or maintaining better sensitivity of the measurement. In one aspect, the energy application tool 110, e.g., a percussion rod, can be made of a lighter material to minimize the weight of the handpiece if the device is a handpiece. In another embodiment, the energy application tool 110, e.g., a percussion rod, can be made shorter and / or with a smaller diameter to also minimize the size of the handpiece. For example, the tool 110 can be made of a material that can include titanium, or the tool can have a hollow framework, e.g., filled with reeds. In a further embodiment, the system can include a drive mechanism that can lessen the acceleration of the energy application tool 110. For example, the drive mechanism may include a smaller drive coil, which may or may not be lighter and / or may or may not be smaller in length or diameter, to reduce the acceleration of the energy application tool 110 and the impact force on the object being moved while maintaining the sensitivity of the measurement. These embodiments may be combined with one or more of the previously described embodiments, including a lighter handpiece housing. The speed at which the measurement is made may be desirable not to increase the initial velocity of the impact to minimize the impact on the object being measured. The present invention relates to yet another system and method for measuring structural features having a drive mechanism that may reduce the travel distance of the energy application tool, for example, from about 4 mm to about 2 mm, while maintaining the same initial velocity at contact, thus allowing for faster measurements without compromising the operation of the system. The system may or may not have disposable parts and / or mechanisms to aid repositionability and / or reduce impact with the mechanisms described below.

[0191] As mentioned above, the present invention provides ease and speed of use and can be used to detect and evaluate in a non-destructive manner microleakage, gross recurrent caries, loose abutments / constructions, caries in the abutments, whether the tooth is irreparable, gross caries, near pulp exposure, cracks in the enamel and dentin, internal alloy fractures, or any biomechanical incompatibility and defects that create movement in the structure. This also applies to the industrial or physical structures mentioned above. Although the invention has been described with respect to specific aspects, embodiments, and examples thereof, these are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention. The description herein of the illustrated embodiments of the invention, including the description in the Abstract and Summary of the Invention, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein (in particular, the inclusion of any particular embodiment, feature, or function in the Abstract or Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiment, feature, or function). Rather, the description is intended to describe the illustrated embodiments, features, and functions to provide those skilled in the art with a context for understanding the invention, without limiting the invention to any specifically described embodiments, features, or functions, including those embodiments, features, or functions described in the Abstract or Summary of the Invention. Specific embodiments and examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, and as those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. As indicated, in light of the foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, these modifications may be made to the invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, while the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various modifications and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure, and in some cases, some features of the embodiments of the invention may be employed without the corresponding use of other features as described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the invention.

[0192] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a specific embodiment," or similar terminology mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment, and may not necessarily be present in all embodiments. Thus, the individual appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment," or similar terminology in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any particular embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein, and should be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0193] In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and / or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other devices, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, and / or parts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, components, systems, materials, or operations have not been shown or described in particular detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the invention. Although the invention may be described using specific embodiments, this does not limit the invention to any particular embodiment, and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are readily discernible and part of the invention.

[0194] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comrising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a list of elements includes a process, product, article, or device is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, product, article, or device.

[0195] Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" generally contemplates "and / or" unless otherwise indicated. For example, condition A or B satisfies any one of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), or both A and B are true (or exist). As used herein, including in the claims that follow, terms preceded by "a" or "an" (and "the" when the antecedent is "a" or "an") include both the singular and the plural of such terms, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the claim (i.e., unless the reference "a" or "an" clearly indicates only the singular or only the plural). Also, as used in the description of this specification, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Claims

1. 1. A system for determining a structural characteristic of an object, comprising: a device having a housing with an open end and a longitudinal axis; an energy application tool mounted within the housing for applying mechanical energy to the object, the energy application tool having a rest position and an activated position; a drive mechanism supported within the housing and coupled to the energy application tool, the drive mechanism adapted to repeatedly move the energy application tool from the rest position to the activation position; and a sleeve portion projecting a distance from the open end of the housing, the sleeve portion having an object contacting portion at the free open end, the sleeve portion adapted to contact at least a portion of the object with at least a portion of the object contacting portion at the free open end; a force sensor positioned within the housing for monitoring a contact force between the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion and the object, the force sensor being coupled to at least a portion of the device without being physically coupled to the energy application tool; the force sensor activates the drive mechanism of the energy application tool to initiate measurements when the appropriate force exerted on the object by the object contacting portion of the sleeve portion is detected and maintained for a period of at least about 0.5 seconds. system.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an inclinometer positioned within the housing to monitor tilt of the device relative to the horizontal.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the inclinometer comprises part of an electronic control system that issues an audible warning if the device is outside an angular range of operation of about plus / minus 30 degrees from horizontal.

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