QLF Plaque Quantification in Conscious Pet Animals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing plaque and calculus in pet animals are subjective, require multiple anaesthetics, are expensive, and lengthy, making them inaccurate and impractical for efficient oral care product trials.
Innovation Solution
A method using Qualitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) technology to detect and quantify plaque and calculus in conscious pet animals by imaging their teeth, allowing for objective assessment without anaesthesia, reducing trial duration, and minimizing human subjectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard clinical methods using anaesthesia and dye staining are used to assess plaque, then plaque detection can be performed, but the method is subjective, requires multiple anaesthetics, is expensive, and lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical and chemical method of dye staining with fluorescence imaging technology. The QLF system uses light-induced fluorescence to detect plaque naturally present on teeth without requiring external dyes or anaesthesia, thereby eliminating the subjectivity and time-consuming nature of manual scoring while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the tooth surface through fluorescence imaging. The QLF system captures fluorescent images that replicate the plaque distribution and intensity, allowing objective digital analysis and quantification without physical contact or intervention, thus reducing trial duration and eliminating the need for repeated anaesthetic procedures
2Measurement precision
If trials are extended to 28 days to accurately observe plaque build-up and calculus formation, then efficacy assessment becomes more accurate, but the trial duration and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-dependent calculus formation observation with immediate fluorescence-based plaque detection. By substituting the need for long-term calculus development with real-time plaque imaging, the system achieves accurate efficacy assessment in significantly shorter trial periods, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of plaque at the earliest stages of formation using fluorescence imaging. This allows the system to assess plaque accumulation trends and product efficacy before calculus forms, eliminating the need to wait 28 days for calculus to develop and enabling earlier, more efficient efficacy determination
3Area of stationary object
If multiple anaesthetics are administered to perform plaque assessment, then complete mouth assessment can be achieved, but the method becomes more expensive and carries additional risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the animal to remain conscious and cooperative during the imaging process. The QLF system is designed to work with conscious animals, eliminating the need for anaesthesia. The animal's natural state is maintained while still allowing complete mouth assessment through non-invasive fluorescence imaging, thereby removing harmful factors while preserving full assessment coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the anaesthetic-based immobilization method with a conscious cooperation model. Instead of using anaesthesia to enable assessment, the system uses rapid, non-invasive fluorescence imaging that can be performed on conscious animals, substituting a harmful chemical intervention with a safe optical method that maintains full assessment capability
4Ease of operation
If subjective scoring by human scorers is used to assess plaque coverage, then assessment can be performed, but the results vary due to human subjectivity and require higher numbers of animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of the tooth surfaces through fluorescence imaging. These optical replicas allow for objective, computer-based analysis of plaque distribution and intensity. The digital images can be consistently analyzed without human subjectivity, improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated image processing algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human visual assessment system with an optical detection and digital analysis system. The QLF technology uses light-induced fluorescence captured by imaging devices and processed by software, substituting subjective human scoring with objective, repeatable digital measurement, thereby eliminating variability while keeping the process simple and operational
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, rapid, and reliable detection and quantification of plaque and calculus in pet animals, reducing trial duration from 28 days to as little as 3 days, while ensuring high precision and repeatability, thus improving the efficiency and accuracy of oral care product testing.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining one or more images of one or more teeth of a conscious test subject using an image taking device that is capable of detecting fluorescence
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods for detecting and quantifying an oral substrate in companion animals, where the oral substate is selected from dental caries lesions, dental plaque, bacteria, calculus, staining and/or any combination thereof, and the use of such information during trials of oral health products. The methods disclosed enable the trialling of companion animals for a shorter period of time, without the need for long and expensive trials on oral healthy products to be conducted. The methods described are conducted on conscious pet animals.