Intraoral scanning system with focus image aligned to 3D surface model

By combining a microlens array and a structured light image sensor unit, high-precision 3D imaging of the internal structure of teeth was achieved, solving the problem of inaccurate imaging in existing technologies, reducing costs, and expanding the field of view.

CN122374596APending Publication Date: 2026-07-103SHAPE AS
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
3SHAPE AS
Filing Date
2024-12-13
Publication Date
2026-07-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing dental imaging methods suffer from insufficient precision in imaging the internal structure of teeth, particularly in accurately displaying cavities and cracks in enamel and dentin, and the increased cost associated with using multiple cameras.

Method used

By combining a first image sensor unit equipped with a microlens array and a second image sensor unit for structured light acquisition, high-precision 3D surface model reconstruction of dental objects is achieved through the combination of infrared and visible light.

Benefits of technology

It improves the imaging accuracy of the internal structure of teeth, reduces system costs, expands the scanner's field of view, and enhances the alignment capability of multiple focused images.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN122374596A_ABST
    Figure CN122374596A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanning system configured to determine a three-dimensional surface model and a plurality of focus images. The intraoral scanning system comprises: a projector unit configured to emit light onto a dental object, wherein the emitted light comprises an infrared wavelength and a structured light, the structured light comprising a first visible wavelength; a first image sensor unit comprising: a first image sensor configured to acquire first reflected light from the dental object, wherein the first reflected light comprises the infrared wavelength, and wherein the first image sensor comprises a pixel array, a microlens array arranged in front of the pixel array and configured to transmit the first reflected light to the pixel array, wherein one or more microlenses of the microlens array direct the first reflected light to one or more pixels of the pixel array; a second image sensor unit comprising: a second image sensor configured to acquire second reflected light from the dental object, wherein the second reflected light comprises the structured light; a processor unit configured to: determine three-dimensional (3D) data of the dental object based on the second reflected light, determine a three-dimensional (3D) surface model of the dental object by merging the 3D data, and determine a plurality of focus images at different focus depths into the dental object by selecting a set of pixels from the pixel array associated with each microlens of the microlens array, and wherein the processor unit is configured to align a position of each focus image of the plurality of focus images to a position in the 3D surface model based on the 3D data.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Focus scanning apparatus

    EP2442720B1