REDUCING BLOCKAGES OF A PLAQUE DETECTION STREAM PROBE

摘要

A proximal body portion (210) of a detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes pump portion (124, 142) and a proximal probe portion (111, 120) in fluid communication with one another. A controller (225) processes signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor (P, P1 or P2) and determines whether the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112′) of a distal probe portion (110) of the detection apparatus (100, 100′, 100″, 100″a, 100″b, 100″c, 100″d, 100c). The controller (225) transmits a signal that changes dynamic pressure at the distal tip (112, 112′) upon determining that the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112′).

主权项

1. An oral stream probe detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a dental surface, comprising:
a distal probe portion in an oral insertion portion configured to be immersed in a first fluid, the distal probe portion defining a distal tip having an open port to enable the passage of a second fluid therethrough; and a proximal body portion that comprises (i) a pump portion, (ii) a proximal probe portion in fluid communication with the pump portion, wherein the proximal probe portion can be connected via a connector to the distal probe portion to establish fluid communication between the proximal probe portion and the distal probe portion,wherein the pump portion causes passage of the second fluid through the distal tip inducing thereby a change in a sensing parameter in the distal probe portion for enabling detection of the substance that may be present on the dental surface based on measurement of a signal representing the sensing parameter, correlating to the substance on the dental surface at least partially obstructing the passage of the second fluid through the open port of the distal tip, (iii) a parameter sensor configured and disposed to detect the signal representing the sensing parameter; and
(iv) a controller for processing signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor and for determining whether the signal readings are indicative of the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of second fluid through the open port of the distal tip, the controller in electrical communication with the pump portion and the parameter sensor, the controller transmitting an electrical communication to at least the pump portion for effecting changes in dynamic pressure at the distal tip in response to determining that the processed signal readings are indicative of the substance at least partially obstructing the passage of second fluid through the open port of the distal tip, pump portion causing a change in dynamic pressure for dislodging of the substance through the open port of the distal tip via a flow bypass around the parameter sensor.