APPARATUS FOR DETECTING INFECTED TISSUE

摘要

An apparatus and method for detecting infected tissue are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a light source for producing a light beam and an optical element having an input end optically coupled to the light source and an output end arranged to direct the light beam as a confocal beam into tissue. The apparatus also comprise a detector optically coupled to the optical element to receive a return beam back from the tissue stimulated by the confocal beam and to generate an output dependent upon the return beam. An analyser is arranged to analyse the output of the detector to determine whether the return beam is indicative of infected tissue. The use of a confocal beam allows it to be directed to a specific predetermined point or depth in tissue, such as a tooth, thus eliminating the 'swamping effect' of the bulk background tissue. Thus an embodiment of the apparatus is more sensitive at detecting infected tissue.