Intraoral scanner system

Abstract

An intraoral scanner system includes an intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scan session. The intraoral scanner includes a protective tip and a body. The protective tip is removable from the body. The intraoral scanner system also includes a sleeve configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the intraoral scanner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Generally, the present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanner system, and more particularly, to an intraoral scanner system having an intraoral scanner and a sleeve that partially covers the intraoral scanner. Background Art

[0002] Intraoral scanning devices are generally used by dentists to capture direct optical impressions of a patient's teeth. Intraoral scanning devices generally include a main body portion and an end portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion. Sometimes, after using the intraoral scanning device, fluid may enter the main body portion through a small opening that may exist between the main body portion and the end portion, which is undesirable. In addition, the intraoral scanning device may become dirty after long-term use. In addition, the outer surface of the intraoral scanning device may be scratched during operation of the device, which is also undesirable. Summary of the invention

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sleeve for covering an intraoral scanner.

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure is an intraoral scanner system having an intraoral scanner and a sleeve arranged to cover the intraoral scanner.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sleeve that can form a sealed connection between an intraoral scanner to prevent fluid flow between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sleeve that can allow air to flow between a battery compartment disposed at the rear of an intraoral scanner and the surrounding environment to remove heat from the battery compartment.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sleeve that can be easily assembled on an intraoral scanner.

[0008] These aspects are provided by an intraoral scanner system that may include an intraoral scanner and a sleeve. The intraoral scanner may be configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session. The intraoral scanner may include a main body and a protective tip that may be detachable from the main body. The sleeve may be configured to cover at least a portion of the main body of the intraoral scanner.

[0009] The sleeve may include a shape that conforms to at least a portion of the outer surface of the protective tip and the body, such that the shape of the sleeve may be configured to tighten around at least a portion of the protective tip when the handheld intraoral scanner is slid into the sleeve.

[0010] The protective tip may have a flared end that may be configured to snap-couple to the body. The circumference of the protective tip may gradually increase from the end toward the end of the protective tip, which may be removably mounted to the body. The circumference of the protective tip may increase faster at the flared end. The increase in circumference may cause the inner dimension of the protective tip to increase. The at least a portion of the protective tip may include the flared end, and the sleeve may be configured to rest slightly on the flared end, and the material of the sleeve may expand until the flexibility of the material prevents it from expanding. The material may have a certain elasticity, the elasticity may be configured to contract, and this contraction behavior may secure the sleeve to the protective tip, and more precisely, to the flared end of the protective tip.

[0011] The sleeve may include an indicator that may be configured to guide how the intraoral scanner should be received through the sleeve.

[0012] The sleeve may include an indicator that may be configured to indicate that the sleeve is properly pulled along the body.

[0013] The sleeve may include a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion may be configured to be aligned with the top portion of the body and the bottom portion of the body, respectively, and wherein the sleeve may include an indicator on the top portion that may be configured to visually guide a user how to accommodate the intraoral scanner through the sleeve.

[0014] According to some aspects, the indicator may be a visual marker. The visual marker may be adapted to be arranged on a user interface of the intraoral scanner. This feature allows for proper / correct positioning and assembly of the sleeve on the intraoral scanner.

[0015] The indicator may be an uneven surface which, when the sleeve is arranged on the intraoral scanner, must match a similar uneven surface of the intraoral scanner. Thus, the indicator may comprise a raised portion.

[0016] The indicator may be configured to mimic the shape of a user interface to indicate to a user that the sleeve may be positioned on the scanner, such that the indicator may be arranged to overlie the user interface.

[0017] The sleeve may include a first end and a second end arranged opposite the first end. The first opening of the sleeve may be arranged at the first end and the second opening of the sleeve may be arranged at the second end. The two oppositely positioned openings may allow the sleeve to be easily inserted on the scanner.

[0018] In one aspect, the second opening can be larger than the first opening. This feature allows the scanner to be easily inserted into the interior of the sleeve from the protective tip side.

[0019] The outer surface of the housing of the intraoral scanner or the end of the intraoral scanner can be partially curved along the transverse axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the housing, and this requires a certain shape of at least one opening of the sleeve to obtain an optimal seal. The first opening can be at least partially made of a curved cut to obtain an optimal seal to the curved shape of the housing. This feature enables a good seal between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner and prevents fluid from flowing between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner through the first opening.

[0020] The perimeter of the first opening may be curved along the transverse axis of the sleeve. This feature enables a good seal between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner and prevents fluid from flowing between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner through the first opening.

[0021] The second opening can be configured to allow airflow from the handheld intraoral scanner to the ambient air to remove heat from the battery compartment of the intraoral scanner. A portion of the second opening can be bent along the transverse axis of the sleeve. The portion is attached to the housing of the intraoral scanner via an adhesive material.

[0022] According to some aspects, at least a portion of the sleeve can include a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the outer shape of the protective tip or corresponding to at least a portion of the outer shape of the body of the intraoral scanner. This feature allows a tight fit between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner.

[0023] The sleeve may be configured to accommodate the intraoral scanner and may be configured to provide space for the intraoral scanner to slide into the sleeve.

[0024] The cross-sectional area of ​​the intraoral scanner may vary along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the first portion of the scanner, along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the second portion of the scanner, along the longitudinal axis. These features allow the sleeve to be easily assembled on the scanner.

[0025] The sleeve may include a transition region along the longitudinal axis. At a first portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner may be equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve, and at a second portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner may be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve to provide a sealing effect between the scanner and the sleeve.

[0026] The first opening may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the intraoral scanner or the cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the protective tip of the intraoral scanner. This feature allows a sealed connection to be formed between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner at the location of the first opening.

[0027] The sleeve may include a top portion and a bottom portion.

[0028] The top portion may be arranged opposite the bottom portion.

[0029] When the intraoral scanner is arranged within the sleeve, the top portion can be arranged at a user interface of the scanner.

[0030] The perimeter of the first opening may be curved at least between the bottom portion and the upper portion.

[0031] The top portion of the sleeve may be longer than the bottom portion of the sleeve to allow air passage between the battery compartment and the surrounding environment when the sleeve is placed on the scanner and the scanner is operated.

[0032] At the second end, the top portion may be longer than the bottom portion to provide an air gap between the intraoral scanner and the sleeve when the intraoral scanner may be arranged within the sleeve. This feature prevents closing of the air gap during operation of the intraoral scanner.

[0033] The bottom portion of the sleeve may include a first bottom distal end and a second bottom distal end opposite the first bottom distal end. The top portion of the sleeve may include a first top distal end and a second top distal end opposite the first top distal end. The top portion of the sleeve may be longer than the bottom portion of the sleeve. A portion of the first top distal end of the sleeve and a portion of the first bottom distal end of the sleeve may meet at the first end of the sleeve.

[0034] Since only a portion of the first top distal end of the sleeve and only a portion of the first bottom distal end of the sleeve may meet at the first end of the sleeve, a first opening of the sleeve may be provided.

[0035] A portion of the second bottom distal end of the sleeve may interface with a portion of the top portion of the sleeve between the first top distal end of the sleeve and the second top distal end of the sleeve.

[0036] Since only a portion of the second bottom distal end of the sleeve may be connected to only a portion of the top portion of the sleeve between the first top distal end of the sleeve and the second top distal end of the sleeve, a second opening of the sleeve opposite to the first opening of the sleeve may be provided. Since the bottom portion of the sleeve is shorter than the top portion of the sleeve, the second opening may allow an air gap at the rear of the intraoral scanner, the air gap being configured to allow air to flow into and out of the intraoral scanner, i.e., the air gap being configured to cool the intraoral scanner.

[0037] The indicator may be arranged on a top portion of the sleeve.

[0038] The sleeve may provide an airtight seal against a surface of at least a portion of the intraoral scanner and / or a surface of at least a portion of the removable tip of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0039] The sleeve can be configured to seal at least a portion of the surface of the protective tip and / or at least a portion of the body to prevent fluid flow between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner. The shape of the first opening of the sleeve can be adapted to the shape of the outer surface of the protective tip. For example, the protective device can be bent along an axis that is parallel to the transverse axis of the housing of the intraoral scanner.

[0040] The housing may be similar to the body.

[0041] The sleeve may be configured to prevent fluid from passing between the first opening and at least a portion of a surface of the protective tip and / or at least a portion of a surface of the body.

[0042] The sleeve may be at least partially made of a flexible material to allow easy assembly of the sleeve on the intraoral scanner.

[0043] The sleeve may be at least partially made of a first material that is more flexible than a second material of the body of the intraoral scanner.

[0044] The sleeve may be at least partially made of a polymer material.

[0045] The sleeve may be at least partially made of a biomaterial or a biodegradable material.

[0046] The sleeve may include an adhesive material configured to provide an adhesive connection between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner to securely attach the sleeve to the intraoral scanner.

[0047] The adhesive material may be covered by a tape, which may be configured to cover the adhesive material to prevent snagging or damage to the adhesive material.

[0048] The adhesive material may be disposed at the second end of the sleeve or at the second top distal end opposite the first top distal end of the sleeve. Thus, the adhesive material secures the sleeve to the body to prevent the sleeve from sliding off the body during use or at least prevents the sleeve from sliding away from the optimal position of the sleeve on the body. An optimal seal of the intraoral scanner is maintained during scanning. Furthermore, the arrangement of the adhesive material allows air to flow into the body for cooling the electronics within the body.

[0049] The adhesive may be disposed on a top portion of the sleeve closer to the second end than to the first end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified and they only show details that improve understanding of the claims, while other details are omitted. Throughout the text, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and / or technical effects will be apparent from and explained with reference to the illustrations described below, in which:

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an intraoral scanner system having an intraoral scanner and a sleeve disposed on the intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 2 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is illustrated Figure 1 Side view of the intraoral scanner system;

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of an intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a sleeve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0055] Figure 5 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is illustrated Figure 4 A perspective view of a sleeve in which a top portion of the sleeve is disengaged from a bottom portion of the sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The specific embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations. The specific embodiments contain specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the devices, systems, media, programs, and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design constraints, or other reasons, these elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

[0057] The electronic hardware may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. A computer program should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software groupings, routines, subroutines, objects, executable programs, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0058] The scanning for providing intraoral scan data may be performed by a dental scanning system, which may include an intraoral scanner (such as the TRIOS series scanners from 3Shape A / S). The dental scanning system may include wireless capabilities provided by a wireless networking unit. The scanning device may employ scanning principles such as triangulation-based scanning, confocal scanning, focused scanning, ultrasonic scanning, x-ray scanning, stereo vision, motion structure, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or any other scanning principle. Another example of a scanning device is a triangulation scanner, in which a time-varying pattern is projected onto a dental object, and a sequence of images of different pattern configurations is acquired by one or more cameras positioned at an angle relative to the projection unit.

[0059] The color texture of a dental object may be obtained by illuminating the object using different monochromatic lights, such as separate red, green and blue, or by illuminating the object using polychromatic light, such as white light.A 2D image may be acquired during a flash of white light.

[0060] Generally speaking, the process of obtaining surface information of a dental object to be scanned in real time requires a scanning device to illuminate the surface and obtain a large number of 2D images. Typically, a high-speed camera with a frame rate of 300 to 2000 2D frames per second is used, depending on the technology and the 2D image resolution. The scanning device needs to process a large amount of image data in order to forward the raw image data stream directly to an external processing device, or to perform some image processing before transmitting the data to an external device or display. This process requires multiple electronic components inside the scanner to operate at a high workload, and therefore requires a high current demand.

[0061] The scanning device includes one or more light projectors configured to generate an illumination pattern to be projected onto a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session. The (one or more) light projectors preferably include a light source, a mask having a spatial pattern, and one or more lenses (such as a collimating lens or a projection lens). The light source can be configured to generate light of a single wavelength or a combination of wavelengths (monochromatic or polychromatic). The combination of wavelengths can be generated by using a light source configured to generate light including different wavelengths (such as white light). Alternatively, the (one or more) light projectors can include a plurality of light sources (such as LEDs), which respectively generate light of different wavelengths (such as red, green, and blue), which can be combined to form light including different wavelengths. Therefore, the light generated by the light source can be defined by a wavelength that defines a specific color, or by a range of different wavelengths that define a combination of colors (such as white light). In an embodiment, the scanning device includes a light source configured to excite a fluorescent material of a tooth to obtain fluorescent data from a dental object. Such a light source can be configured to generate a narrow range of wavelengths. In another embodiment, the light from the light source is infrared (IR) light that can penetrate dental tissue. The (one or more) light projectors can be a DLP projector, or a diffractive optical element (DOF), or a backlit mask projector, the DLP projector using a micromirror array for generating a time-varying pattern, wherein a light source is placed behind a mask having a spatial pattern, whereby the light projected on the surface of the dental object is patterned. The backlit mask projector can include a collimating lens for collimating the light from the light source, the collimating lens being placed between the light source and the mask. The mask can have a checkerboard pattern so that the generated illumination pattern is a checkerboard pattern. Alternatively, the mask can have other patterns (such as lines or dots, etc.).

[0062] The scanning device preferably also includes optical components for directing light from the light source to the surface of the dental object. The specific arrangement of the optical components depends on whether the scanning device is a focused scanning device, a scanning device using triangulation, or any other type of scanning device. The same applicant further describes a focused scanning device in EP 2 442 720 B1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] Using the optical components of the scanning device, light reflected from the dental object in response to the illumination of the dental object is directed toward (one or more) image sensors. (One or more) image sensors are configured to generate multiple images based on the incident light received from the illuminated dental object. The image sensor can be a high-speed image sensor, such as an image sensor configured to acquire images with an exposure of less than 1 / 1000 seconds or a frame rate of more than 250 frames per second (fps). As an example, the image sensor can be a rolling shutter (CCD) or a global shutter sensor (CMOS). (One or more) image sensors can be monochrome sensors that include a color filter array (such as a Bayer filter and / or additional filters) that can be configured to substantially remove one or more color components from the reflected light before the reflected light is converted into an electrical signal and retain only other components that have not been removed. For example, such additional filters can be used to remove a portion of the white light spectrum (such as a blue component) and retain only the red component and the green component in the signal generated in response to the excitation fluorescent material of the tooth.

[0064] The network unit may be configured to connect the dental scanning system to a network including a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including at least one network element configured to receive the processed data. The network unit may include a wireless network unit. The wireless network unit is configured to wirelessly connect the dental scanning system to a network including a plurality of network elements, the plurality of network elements including at least one network element configured to receive the processed data.

[0065] The dental scanning system preferably also includes a processor configured to generate scan data (such as intraoral scan data) by processing a two-dimensional (2D) image acquired by the scanning device. The processor may be part of the scanning device. As an example, the processor may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or an advanced RISC machine (ARM) processor located on the scanning device. The scan data includes information related to a three-dimensional dental object. The scan data may include any of the following: a 2D image, a 3D point cloud, depth data, texture data, intensity data, color data, and / or a combination thereof. As an example, the scan data may include one or more point clouds, each of which includes a set of 3D points describing a three-dimensional dental object. As another example, the scan data may include images, each of which includes image data described, for example, by image coordinates and a timestamp (x, y, t), wherein the depth information may be inferred from the timestamp. The (one or more) image sensors of the scanning device may acquire multiple original 2D images of the dental object in response to irradiating the object using one or more light projectors. Multiple original 2D images may also be referred to herein as a stack of 2D images. The 2D image may then be provided as an input to the processor, which processes the 2D image to generate the scan data. The processing of 2D images may include determining which part of each of the 2D images is in focus so as to infer / generate depth information from the image. The depth information may be used to generate a 3D point cloud including, for example, a set of 3D points in a space described by Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z). The 3D point cloud may be generated by a processor or another processing unit. Each 2D / 3D point may also include a timestamp indicating when the 2D / 3D point was recorded, i.e., which image in the stack of 2D images the point originated from. The timestamp is associated with the z coordinate of the 3D point, i.e., the z coordinate may be inferred from the timestamp. Therefore, the output of the processor is scan data, and the scan data may include image data and / or depth data, for example, described by image coordinates and timestamps (x, y, t), or alternatively described as (x, y, z). The scanning device may be configured to transmit other types of data in addition to the scan data. Examples of data include 3D information, texture information (such as infrared (IR) images), fluorescent images, reflected color images, x-ray images, and / or combinations thereof.

[0066] refer to Figure 1 , a top perspective view of an intraoral scanner system 100 is shown having an intraoral scanner 102 (hereinafter referred to as scanner 102) and a sleeve 104 partially covering the scanner 102. The scanner 102 is configured to be inserted into the patient's mouth to perform scanning / imaging of a dental object. Thus, the scanner 102 is configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session to prepare a three-dimensional image of the dental object. Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , the scanner 102 includes a front end 106, a rear end 108, a body 110 extending from the rear end 108 toward the front end 106, and a protective tip 112 removably / detachably coupled to the body 110 and extending from the body 110 to the front end 106 of the scanner 102. In addition, the scanner 102 includes a user interface 116 defined at the body 110 and arranged near the protective tip 112.

[0067] The user interface 116 includes at least one button / switch adapted to be manipulated by a medical practitioner to operate the scanner 102 and perform a scan. Additionally, the sides of the scanner 102 taper inwardly in a direction from the rear end 108 to the front end 106. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner 102 varies along a central longitudinal axis 120 of the scanner 102 and decreases from the rear end 108 toward the front end 106 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 120. As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner 102 at the rear end 108 is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner 102 at the front end 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the scanner 102 includes a first portion 122 having a first cross-sectional area and a second portion 124 having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area.

[0068] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The sleeve 104 defines a space 130 (eg, Figure 4 ), and includes a first opening 132 disposed at a front end 134 (i.e., a first end 134) of the sleeve 104 and a second opening 136 disposed proximate a rear end 138 (i.e., a second end) of the sleeve 104. In order to accommodate a portion of the body 110 and the protective tip 112, the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve 104 also varies along its longitudinal axis 140, such that the first opening 132 is smaller than the second opening 136. In addition, the first opening 132 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the protective tip 112 of the scanner 102, and is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the protective tip 112. Therefore, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in the assembly of the sleeve 104 and the scanner 102, the first opening 132 allows a portion of the protective tip 112 to extend outside the sleeve 104. To facilitate a tight fit of the sleeve 104 on the scanner 102, at least a portion of the sleeve 104 has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the outer shape of the protective tip 112 and / or at least a portion of the outer shape of the body 110 of the scanner 102.

[0069] In addition, the sleeve 104 includes a first portion 142 extending from the front end 134 toward the rear end 138 and a second portion 144 extending from the first portion 142 to the rear end 138. As shown, the first portion 142 includes a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 142. Figure 1 1, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 122 of the scanner 102 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion 144 of the sleeve 104, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion 124 of the scanner is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 142 of the sleeve 104. Therefore, to assemble the sleeve 104 on the scanner 102, the first portion 122 of the scanner 102 is inserted into the interior of the sleeve 104 through the second opening 136 and pushed in the longitudinal direction so that a portion of the first portion 122 of the scanner 102 extends outward from the first opening 132 of the sleeve 104, wherein the remaining portion of the first portion 122 of the scanner 102 is disposed inside the sleeve 104, and the second portion 124 of the scanner 102 is disposed inside the second portion 144 of the sleeve 104. Additionally, the sleeve 104 has a transition region 146 extending along the longitudinal axis 140 of the sleeve. At a first portion 148 of the transition region 146, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner 102 is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve 104, and at a second portion 150 of the transition region 146, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner 102 is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve 104 to provide a sealing effect between the scanner 102 and the sleeve 104. Therefore, the shape and size of the sleeve 104 are designed to provide an airtight seal between the inner surface of the sleeve 104 and the outer surface of the scanner 102 (i.e., a portion of the protective tip 112 and / or a portion of the body 110) to prevent fluid from passing between the first opening 132 and at least a portion of the surface of the protective tip 112 and / or at least a portion of the surface of the body 110.

[0070] In addition, in order to facilitate easy assembly of the sleeve 104 and the scanner 102, and when the sleeve 104 is positioned on the scanner 102, in order to provide a tight fit and sealing effect between the sleeve 104 and the scanner 102, the sleeve 104 can be made of a flexible material. In an embodiment, the sleeve 104 can be made of a polymer material. In addition, in some embodiments, the sleeve 104 is made of a biomaterial or a biodegradable material.

[0071] In addition, if Figure 4 and Figure 5As best shown in FIG. 1 , the sleeve 104 includes a top portion 152 and a bottom portion 154 connected to each other along respective side edges to define the first opening 132 and the second opening 136 therebetween. As shown, the top portion 152 is adapted to cover an upper portion 156 of the scanner 102 having the user interface 116, while the bottom portion 154 covers a lower portion 158 of the scanner 102 disposed opposite the upper portion 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 152 covers the entire body 110 and a portion of the protective tip 112 disposed adjacent to the body 110. As shown in FIG. Figure 2 1, in the assembly of the sleeve 104 and the scanner 102, the rear edge 160 of the top portion 152 of the sleeve 104 is aligned with the rear edge 162 of the upper portion 156 of the scanner 102, while the rear edge 164 of the bottom portion 154 of the sleeve 104 is disposed offset from the rear edge 160 of the upper portion 156 and disposed inwardly of the rear edge 160 of the top portion 152. Thus, the top portion 152 includes a first portion 166 extending from a front edge 168 of the top portion 152 toward the rear edge 160 of the top portion 152, and a cover portion 170 extending from the first portion 166 toward the rear edge 160. As shown, the length of the first portion 166 is substantially equal to the length of the bottom portion 154 of the sleeve 104, and the front edge 168 of the top portion 152 is aligned with and below the front edge 172 of the bottom portion 154. Thus, the front edge 168 of the top portion 152 and the front edge 172 of the bottom portion 154 are connected to each other and define the first opening 132 of the sleeve 104 .

[0072] Reference again Figure 4 , since the length of the bottom portion 154 is equal to the length of the first portion 166, the rear edge 164 of the bottom portion 154 of the sleeve 104 is aligned with and disposed below the imaginary line 174 separating the first portion 166 and the cover portion 170. Therefore, the rear edge 164 of the bottom portion 154 and the imaginary line 174 of the top portion 152 together define the second opening 136. Therefore, the bottom portion 154 of the sleeve 104 terminates at the second opening 136, and the top portion 152 of the sleeve 104 further extends from the second opening 136. Therefore, as Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , at the second end (i.e., the rear end 138) of the sleeve 104, the top portion 152 is longer than the bottom portion 154 to provide an air gap (e.g., Figure 2In this way, the second opening 136 allows airflow from the scanner 102 to the ambient air to remove heat from the battery compartment disposed at the rear of the scanner 102.

[0073] In addition, the front edge 168 of the top portion 152 is curved and includes a substantially concave shape. Similarly, the front edge 172 of the bottom portion 154 is curved and includes a substantially concave shape. Therefore, the first opening 132 is at least partially made of a curved cut. As shown, the front edges 168, 172 are curved in a transverse direction along the transverse axis 176 of the sleeve 104. Therefore, the periphery of the first opening 132 is curved along the transverse axis 176 of the sleeve 104. Although concave front edges 168, 172 are shown and considered, it is understood that the front edges 168, 172 can be convex. In some embodiments, the periphery of the first opening 132 is curved at least between the bottom portion 154 and the top portion 152.

[0074] Additionally, the sleeve 104 includes an indicator 180 disposed on the top portion 152 of the sleeve 104 to guide the user as to the way the scanner 102 needs to be accommodated / arranged / assembled inside the sleeve 104. The indicator 180 also facilitates guiding the user in the direction to assemble or insert the scanner 102 inside the sleeve 104, and thus enables the user to properly pull the sleeve 104 onto the scanner 102. In an embodiment, the indicator 180 includes a visual mark 182 that mimics the shape of the user interface 116 of the scanner 102, thereby indicating to the user that the visual mark 182 will be arranged on the user interface 116 when the sleeve 104 is assembled on the scanner 102. Therefore, the visual mark 182 guides and ensures the proper orientation and positioning of the sleeve 104 on the scanner 102. In some embodiments, the indicator 180 may include an uneven surface. The uneven surfaces may correspond to raised and recessed portions of the user interface 116 and be adapted to align with the raised and recessed portions of the user interface 116 during assembly of the sleeve 104 and the scanner 102 .

[0075] In order to firmly engage the sleeve 104 with the scanner 102 and prevent the sleeve 104 from sliding and disengaging from the scanner 102, the sleeve 104 includes an adhesive material layer 200 to adhesively engage / connect the inner surface of the sleeve 104 to the outer surface of the scanner 102. In an embodiment, the adhesive material layer 200 is covered / protected by a tape 202, which is removed from the sleeve 104 before the sleeve 104 is adhesively engaged with the scanner 102. The tape 202 covers the adhesive material layer 200 and prevents obstruction or damage to the adhesive material. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape 202 is removed after the sleeve 104 is positioned on the scanner 102. As shown, the adhesive material layer 200 is disposed near the rear end 138 of the sleeve 104 and disposed near the rear edge 160 of the top portion 152. As shown, the adhesive material layer 200 is applied / arranged on the inner surface of the cover plate portion 170 of the top portion 152.

[0076] Benefiting from the teachings given in the foregoing description and the associated drawings, a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the appended claims, alternative embodiments may provide different combinations of elements and / or functions. In this regard, for example, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims, it is also possible to consider a combination of elements and / or functions different from the elements and / or functions explicitly described above. Although specific terms are used herein, they are only used in a general and descriptive sense and are not for the purpose of limitation.

[0077] project

[0078] 1A. An intraoral scanner system comprising:

[0079] An intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, and wherein the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0080] ο protect the end;

[0081] o a body, and wherein the protective tip is detachable from the body; and

[0082] • A sleeve configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the intraoral scanner.

[0083] 1B. An intraoral scanner system comprising:

[0084] An intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, and wherein the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0085] o a body, and wherein the protective tip is detachable from the body; and

[0086] • A sleeve configured to cover at least the user interface of the body.

[0087] 1C. An intraoral scanner system comprising:

[0088] An intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, and wherein the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0089] o a body, and wherein the protective tip is detachable from the body; and

[0090] • A sleeve configured to cover at least a portion of the body, and wherein the at least a portion is configured to be hand-held during use of the intraoral scanner.

[0091] 1D. An intraoral scanner system comprising:

[0092] An intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, and wherein the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0093] o a body, and wherein the protective tip is detachable from the body; and

[0094] • A sleeve configured to cover at least a portion of the body, and wherein the at least a portion is configured to be supported by a user during use of the intraoral scanner.

[0095] 1E. An intraoral scanner system comprising a sleeve adapted to enclose at least a portion of a handheld intraoral scanner or at least a portion of a removable protective tip of a handheld intraoral scanner.

[0096] 2. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve comprises an indicator configured to guide how the intraoral scanner should be accommodated by the sleeve.

[0097] 3. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve comprises an indicator configured to indicate that the sleeve is properly pulled along the body.

[0098] 4. An intraoral scanner system according to item 2, wherein the indicator is a visual mark.

[0099] 5. An intraoral scanner system according to item 2, wherein the indicator is an uneven surface.

[0100] 6. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 2 to 5, wherein the indicator is configured to mimic the shape of the user interface.

[0101] 7. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is arranged opposite to the first end, and wherein the first opening of the sleeve is arranged at the first end and the second opening of the sleeve is arranged at the second end.

[0102] 8. The intraoral scanner system according to item 7 above, wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.

[0103] 9. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding items 7 to 8, wherein the first opening is at least partially made of a curved incision.

[0104] 10. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding items 7 to 9, wherein the periphery of the first opening is curved along the transverse axis of the sleeve.

[0105] 11. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding items 7 to 11, wherein the second opening is configured to allow air flow from the handheld intraoral scanner to the surrounding air.

[0106] 12. An intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of the external shape of the protective tip or corresponding to at least a portion of the external shape of the body of the intraoral scanner.

[0107] 13. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is configured to accommodate the intraoral scanner and is configured to provide a space for the intraoral scanner to slide into the sleeve.

[0108] 14. An intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the intraoral scanner varies along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the first portion of the scanner along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the second portion of the scanner along the longitudinal axis.

[0109] 15. An intraoral scanner system according to item 14, wherein the sleeve includes a transition region along the longitudinal axis, wherein at a first portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve, and wherein at a second portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve to provide a sealing effect between the scanner and the sleeve.

[0110] 16. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 7 to 9, wherein the first opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the intraoral scanner or the cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the protective end of the intraoral scanner.

[0111] 17. An intraoral scanner system according to item 7, wherein the sleeve includes a top portion and a bottom portion.

[0112] 18. The intraoral scanner system according to the aforementioned item 17, wherein the top portion is arranged opposite to the bottom portion.

[0113] 19. An intraoral scanner system according to item 16, wherein when the intraoral scanner is arranged in the sleeve, the top portion is arranged at a user interface of the scanner.

[0114] 20. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 7 and 17 to 19, wherein the periphery of the first opening is curved at least between the bottom portion and the upper portion.

[0115] 21. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 17 to 20, wherein a top portion of the sleeve is longer than a bottom portion of the sleeve.

[0116] 22. The intraoral scanner system according to item 21 above, wherein at the second end, the top portion is longer than the bottom portion so as to provide an air gap between the intraoral scanner and the sleeve when the intraoral scanner is arranged in the sleeve.

[0117] 23. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 17 to 22, wherein a portion of the first top distal end of the sleeve and a portion of the first bottom distal end of the sleeve are connected at the first end, and wherein at least a portion of the second distal end of the bottom portion of the sleeve opposite to the first bottom distal end of the sleeve is connected to at least a portion of the top portion of the sleeve, and at least a portion of the top portion of the sleeve is not the distal end of the top portion of the sleeve.

[0118] 24. An intraoral scanner system according to item 17, wherein the bottom portion of the sleeve terminates at the second opening, and wherein the top portion of the sleeve extends further from the second opening.

[0119] 25. An intraoral scanner system according to items 3 to 6 and items 17 to 24, wherein the indicator is arranged on the top portion of the sleeve.

[0120] 26. An intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is configured to provide an airtight seal of a surface of at least a portion of the intraoral scanner or an airtight seal of a surface of at least a portion of the detachable end of a handheld intraoral scanner.

[0121] 27. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is configured to seal at least a portion of the surface of the protective tip and / or at least a portion of the body.

[0122] 28. An intraoral scanner system according to item 7, wherein the sleeve is configured to prevent fluid from passing between the first opening and at least a portion of the surface of the protective tip and / or at least a portion of the surface of the body.

[0123] 29. An intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is at least partially made of a flexible material.

[0124] 30. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is at least partially made of a polymer material.

[0125] 31. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve is at least partially made of biological material or biodegradable material.

[0126] 32. The intraoral scanner system according to any of the preceding items, wherein the sleeve comprises an adhesive material configured to provide an adhesive connection between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner.

[0127] 33. The intraoral scanner system according to the aforementioned item 32, wherein the adhesive material is covered by a tape configured to cover the adhesive material and configured to prevent obstruction or damage of the adhesive material.

[0128] 34. The intraoral scanner system according to the preceding item and item 23, wherein the adhesive material is disposed at a second end of the sleeve or at a second top distal end opposite to the first top distal end of the sleeve.

[0129] 35. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 17 to 31 and items 32 to 34, wherein the adhesive is arranged at a top portion of the sleeve and closer to the second end than to the first end.

Claims

1. An intraoral scanner system, comprising: An intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, and wherein the intraoral scanner comprises: Protect the end; body, and wherein the protective tip is removable from the body; and a sleeve configured to cover at least a portion of the body of the intraoral scanner; and wherein the sleeve includes a shape that conforms to at least a portion of an outer surface of the protective tip and the body, so that the shape of the sleeve is configured to tighten around at least a portion of the protective tip when the handheld intraoral scanner is slid into the sleeve.

2. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sleeve includes an indicator on a top portion of the sleeve configured to visually guide a user on how to accommodate the intraoral scanner through the sleeve so that the top and bottom portions of the sleeve are aligned with the top and bottom portions of the body, respectively.

3. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sleeve includes an indicator configured to indicate that the sleeve is properly pulled along the body, wherein the indicator is a visual marking and the indicator is an uneven surface including a raised portion.

4. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: The indicator is configured to mimic a shape of a user interface of the handheld intraoral scanner.

5. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 2, wherein: The sleeve includes a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is arranged opposite the first end, and wherein a first opening of the sleeve is arranged at the first end and a second opening of the sleeve is arranged at the second end, and wherein the second opening is larger than the first opening.

6. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 5, wherein: The perimeter of the first opening is curved along a transverse axis of the sleeve.

7. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: At a second end of the sleeve, the top portion is longer than the bottom portion to form a second opening that provides an air gap between the intraoral scanner and the sleeve when the intraoral scanner is disposed within the sleeve.

8. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least a portion of the sleeve has a shape corresponding to at least a portion of an outer shape of the protection tip or corresponding to at least a portion of an outer shape of a main body of the intraoral scanner.

9. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sleeve is configured to accommodate the intraoral scanner and is configured to provide a space for the intraoral scanner to slide into the sleeve.

10. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the intraoral scanner varies along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the first portion of the scanner, along the longitudinal axis, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve along the second portion of the scanner, along the longitudinal axis.

11. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 10, wherein: The sleeve includes a transition region along the longitudinal axis, wherein, at a first portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve, and wherein, at a second portion of the transition region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the scanner is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve to provide a sealing effect between the scanner and the sleeve.

12. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 5, wherein: The first opening is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of the intraoral scanner or a cross-sectional area of ​​at least a portion of a protective tip of the intraoral scanner.

13. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of claims 5 to 7 or 12, wherein: The bottom portion of the sleeve includes a first bottom distal end and a second bottom distal end opposite the first bottom distal end, and wherein the top portion of the sleeve includes a first top distal end and a second top distal end, and wherein the top portion of the sleeve is longer than the bottom portion of the sleeve, and wherein the second opening is provided by a portion of the second bottom distal end, a portion of the second bottom distal end is connected to a portion of the top portion of the sleeve located between the first top distal end and the second top distal end, and wherein the second opening is configured to allow air to flow into and out of the intraoral scanner.

14. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sleeve is at least partially made of a first material that is more flexible than a second material of the body of the intraoral scanner.

15. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, 12 or 13, wherein: The sleeve includes an adhesive material configured to provide an adhesive connection between the sleeve and the intraoral scanner, wherein the adhesive material is covered by a tape configured to cover the adhesive material and configured to prevent obstruction or damage to the adhesive material, and wherein the adhesive material is arranged at a top portion of the sleeve, closer to a second end of the sleeve than to a first end of the sleeve.

Images