Intraoral scanner with sanitary housing

Abstract

A hand-held intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scan session includes a scan module, a scan tip configured to be connected to the scan module, and a housing composed of a single piece and including a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to hygienic components of a handheld intraoral scanner. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a handheld intraoral scanner that includes a housing made in one piece and supports insertion and removal of a scanning module into and out of the housing through an opening in the housing. Background Art

[0002] In dentistry, it is vital that medical devices comply with national and international health standards to ensure patient safety and ensure the safe use of the device.

[0003] This generally means that medical devices in close proximity to the patient have surfaces that minimize the risk of contamination.

[0004] Surfaces with cavities, even relatively small cavities such as grooves, may allow fluids from the patient (such as saliva and blood) to reach these cavities and potentially allow bacteria to grow therein and cause contamination.

[0005] Cavities and grooves in the surface of medical devices will further complicate the process of cleaning the device, thereby causing further risk of spreading bacteria to other patients.

[0006] Such grooves are often found in the housing or casing of a medical device, particularly where different parts of the housing or casing meet.

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to improving the hygiene of a handheld intraoral scanner and reducing the risk of contamination of the housing surface of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0008] The handheld intraoral scanner may require maintenance, cleaning, repair, or replacement of parts.

[0009] The present disclosure also relates to a handheld intraoral scanner that allows removal and insertion of a scanning module enclosed by a housing.

[0010] A handheld intraoral scanner comprises elements for performing a scan of a dental object. Such elements comprise a scanning probe or tip for reaching a dental object to be scanned in an oral cavity and an optical lens, wherein an optical axis is defined between the scanning tip or probe and the optical lens. The optical axis extends through the scanning probe or tip. The optical lens is typically arranged in a scanning module, which is typically enclosed and protected by a housing. The handheld intraoral scanner is typically held by the housing during use. The housing may deform during use, which may have an effect on the optical axis, resulting in a reduction in the quality of the scan.

[0011] The present disclosure also relates to a handheld intraoral scanner, which reduces the risk of affecting the optical axis during use of the handheld intraoral scanner. Summary of the invention

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a handheld intraoral scanner that provides improved hygiene and reduces the risk of contamination of the housing surface of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a handheld intraoral scanner having a hygienic housing that allows removal and insertion of a scanning module enclosed by the housing.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a handheld intraoral scanner that reduces the risk of affecting the optical axis during use of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0015] Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure is that it makes it easier to assemble the intraoral scanner when the housing is made from a single piece.

[0016] The present disclosure provides these aspects.

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a handheld intraoral scanner that can be configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session. The handheld intraoral scanner may include a scanning module that can be configured to support the electronic, optical, and electromechanical components of the handheld intraoral scanner, and can also be configured to slide into a housing, thereby allowing the handheld intraoral scanner to be more easily assembled according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The scanning module may include active electronic components, such as a processor unit (e.g., a CPU), a drive unit (e.g., a motor), etc. The processor unit (e.g., a central processing unit) can be configured to receive and process the acquired intraoral scan data and generate a virtual 3D model of the three-dimensional dental object. The processor unit can also be configured to display the generated virtual 3D model of the three-dimensional dental object on a display unit. The drive unit (e.g., a motor) can be configured to drive a lens driver, which can include an optical focusing lens and a gear device, and can be arranged in the handheld intraoral scanner. The drive unit can be configured to use the lens driver to move the optical focusing lens back and forth, while using the optical focusing lens of the lens driver to acquire intraoral image data, so that the intraoral image data can be acquired at different focal points according to the current position of the optical focusing lens. Acquiring intraoral scan data of a three-dimensional dental object at different focal points may allow acquiring intraoral scan data at different layers (ie, vertical axes), thereby generating a virtual 3D model of the three-dimensional dental object.

[0018] The scanning module may also include passive electronic components such as capacitors, inductors, resistors or electronic wires.

[0019] The handheld intraoral scanner may also include a housing that may be configured to at least partially house a portion of the scanning module, may be further configured to at least partially house at least one active electronic component, and may be further configured to be made in a single piece, thereby allowing for improved hygiene of the handheld intraoral scanner according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Additionally, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the handheld intraoral scanner may include a scanning tip that may be configured to be at least partially inserted into the patient's oral cavity, and may be further configured to be connected to the scanning tip, thereby allowing the scanning tip and the scanning module to be directly connected independent of the housing, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis between the scanning module and the scanning tip when the housing is deformed. If the optical axis is affected during a scanning session, the quality of the scan may be reduced, and therefore, having an unaffected optical axis during a scanning session may improve the quality of the scan.

[0020] The handheld intraoral scanner may further include a connecting element configured to connect the scanning tip to the scanning module. Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the connection between the scanning tip and the scanning module is achieved, and thus the optical axis is not affected by the deformation of the housing.

[0021] The housing may be configured to enclose at least a portion of the scanning module and may be comprised of, or may be made in, a single piece or a single part.

[0022] A single piece housing means that the housing has a limited number of cavities in which dirt can accumulate over time. Furthermore, a single piece housing means that the housing is molded in a way that avoids or minimizes any joints in the housing. It has been shown that it is difficult to properly clean the microscopic cavities that occur in the joints, therefore, making the housing a single piece affects the cleaning process of the intraoral scanner, making it easier to clean.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the feature that the housing is composed or made of a single piece, one part or a single portion can prevent contamination of the housing surface of the handheld intraoral scanner because the housing has no assembled parts and therefore has no grooves such as intersections.

[0024] The housing may include a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening may be configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the feature of the housing having a first opening and a second opening allows a scanning module including electrical, optical, mechanical and electromechanical components to be inserted into and removed from the housing, thereby allowing maintenance, replacement or repair of the scanning module or components thereon.

[0026] The electrical components may be, for example, a circuit board, a processor unit, a memory unit, a network unit, a light emitting unit (eg a photo diode or a projector) and an image sensor.

[0027] The optical component may be, for example, a projector unit, an image sensor, an optical lens, a beam splitter configured to split light, a pattern generator configured to generate a light pattern when light passes through the pattern generator.

[0028] The mechanical and electromechanical components may be, for example, a lens drive assembly configured to drive an optical lens in the intraoral scanner and a fan for cooling the intraoral scanner. The scanning module may include a support portion configured to support the scanning module or a component of the scanning module. The support portion may be a frame.

[0029] The scanning module may, for example, include at least one projector unit, at least one image sensor, and at least one processor unit. At least one projector unit may include one or more light sources configured to emit light with a wavelength range between 10nm (nanometers) and 1mm (millimeter). The projector unit may also include invisible light, such as infrared light (e.g., 700nm to 2000nm) and / or near infrared. The projector unit may also include ultraviolet light, colored light (e.g., blue, white, red, yellow, and / or green). The image sensor may, for example, include a monochrome image sensor or an RGB image sensor. The processor unit may be configured to process the raw image data provided by the image sensor into 2D image data or 3D image data. In other examples, the processor unit may be configured to perform simple image processing or no image processing for wireless transmission to an external device. In this example, the external device is processing the received image data from the handheld intraoral scanner into 2D image data and / or 3D image data.

[0030] The scanning module may include a support portion, which may be, for example, a frame. The support portion may be configured as a support member or a scanning module.

[0031] The handheld intraoral scanner may also include a scanning tip that can be configured to be connected to the scanning module. The scanning tip may include a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite to the first end. The scanning tip may include a passage defined between the first opening and the second opening, and may be configured to allow light to pass through the passage. The scanning tip may be configured to be covered by a scanning tip cover that may be configured to be detachably connected to the scanning tip. The scanning tip cover may be retained on the scanning tip by, for example, a snap connection, by an engaging thread arranged on an outer surface of the scanning tip and an inner surface of the scanning tip cover, by a friction connection between the scanning tip and the scanning tip cover, or by a screw. The scanning tip cover may be configured to prevent fluids (e.g., saliva or blood of a patient) from reaching the scanning tip. The scanning tip cover may include an opening that may be covered by a window that may be configured to allow light to pass through. The scanning tip cover may be configured to be inserted into a patient's oral cavity and may be configured to be cleaned in an autoclave. The scanning tip cover can be configured to be removably connected to a sanitary sleeve covering at least a portion of the scanning tip cover and the housing, and is configured to prevent cross contamination between the scanning tip cover and the housing by preventing fluids such as saliva and blood from reaching and crossing the interface between the scanning tip cover and the housing. The scanning tip can be configured to be inserted into the patient's oral cavity, and can be configured to allow light from a projector unit in the intraoral scanner to reach a dental object in the patient's oral cavity, and can be configured to allow reflected light from the dental object in the oral cavity to pass toward an image sensor in the intraoral scanner. The second opening can be arranged at an angle between 45 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the first opening. The second opening can be covered by a window or a transparent sheet, which is configured to allow light to pass through and is configured to prevent liquids (such as saliva or blood from the patient) from entering the passage of the scanning tip. The scanning tip can also include a reflector located at the second end, the reflector configured to reflect light at a certain angle, and guide the light from the projector unit in the intraoral scanner through the passage of the scanning tip to the dental object in the patient's oral cavity, and vice versa. The angle at which the reflector reflects the light may be between 45 and 90 degrees, which may allow scanning to be performed even at difficult angles. Thus, an optical axis within the scanning tip passage may be defined between a first opening of the scanning tip and a second opening of the scanning tip. The optical axis may also be defined between a projector unit within the intraoral scanner and a dental object within the patient's mouth.

[0032] The scanning head can be configured to be connected to the scanning module. The connection can be achieved, for example, by engaging threads, nuts, screws, clamps or intermediate connecting elements that can be connected to the scanning head and the scanning module. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, this allows the connection between the scanning head and the scanning module, thereby allowing the connection between the scanning head and the housing to be omitted, thereby allowing the risk of affecting the optical axis between the scanning module and the scanning head to be reduced.

[0033] The scanning tip may include a threaded portion for engaging with a threaded portion on the scanning module. The scanning tip may include holes in the side wall of the scanning tip, which holes may be aligned with holes in the side wall of the scanning module, or through the side wall of an intermediate connecting element connected to the scanning module, and by inserting screws through the aligned holes, a direct connection between the scanning tip and the scanning module may be further achieved. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, this allows reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis.

[0034] The housing may include an open channel defined between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the channel may be configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0035] The open channel feature may allow the scanning module to be inserted and removed from any opening, and may allow a portion of the scanning module to be inserted while another portion of the scanning module protrudes from the housing.

[0036] At least a portion of the scanning module can be configured to slide into the first opening or the second opening of the housing. The sliding can be supported by a protrusion of the scanning module, which can engage with a guide arranged on the inner surface of the housing, and vice versa. The sliding can be supported by an indentation in the scanning module, which can engage with a protrusion arranged on the inner surface of the housing. The sliding can also be supported by the housing or a channel arranged on the inner surface of the housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing or the channel in the housing has a larger cross-sectional area than at least a portion of the scanning module. The sliding of the scanning module allows the scanning module to be easily installed in the housing.

[0037] The open channel of the housing may be configured to support sliding movement of the scanning module.

[0038] The feature that the scanning module slides into the housing can reduce the complexity of assembling the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0039] At least a portion of the scanning module may be configured to be inserted into either the first opening or the second opening of the housing, and when the scanning module is inserted into one of the first opening or the second opening of the housing, at least a portion of the scanning module may be configured to protrude out of the first opening of the housing.

[0040] At least a portion of the scanning module protruding beyond the first opening of the housing may allow the scanning module to be connected to a connecting element or another portion of the handheld intraoral scanner. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the feature of arranging the connecting element on the protruding portion of the scanning module may allow the scanning tip to be directly connected to the scanning module instead of the housing, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis if the housing is deformed. The feature of reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis by deformation of the housing can also be achieved by directly connecting the protruding portion of the scanning module to the scanning tip without the need for a connecting element, for example by engaging a threaded portion arranged on the scanning tip with a threaded portion arranged on the protruding portion of the scanning module. The connecting element can be formed as a ring or a nut, so that the scanning module can be connected to a portion of the ring or the nut, and the scanning tip can be connected to another portion of the ring or the nut. The component on the connecting element may include a thread or a hole in a side wall of the connecting element, the thread or the hole being configured to receive a screw for connecting the scanning tip and the scanning module to the connecting element. The connecting element can be connected to the scanning module by arranging the connecting element on the support portion and maintaining the position of the connecting element by applying a retaining element (e.g., a locking ring).

[0041] The housing may include a flange at the first opening, which may be configured to abut against an abutment of the scanning module. The flange may be a portion of an inner wall of the housing or passage, which may be arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction of the housing or passage, and may be arranged at an edge of the first opening of the housing. The flange may be configured to stop the scanning module when the scanning module slides through the passage. Stopping may occur when an abutment (e.g., a protrusion) of the scanning module reaches the flange and abuts against the flange.

[0042] The flange may be configured to prevent at least a portion of the scanning module from moving out of the first opening when a portion of the scanning module is received by the housing.

[0043] The scanning module may include an abutment portion that may be configured to abut a flange of the housing.

[0044] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, features of a flange at the first opening of the housing and an abutment portion of the scanning module may allow removal and insertion of the scanning module enclosed by the housing.

[0045] After the scanning module is inserted into the housing through the second opening, the flange prevents the scanning module from sliding out of the first opening. The flange can also allow the scanning module to be fixed in the housing, because the connecting element and the retainer can be arranged on the side of the scanning module protruding from the first opening to the flange, and the abutment of the scanning module is pressed against the flange to the part on the other side of the flange. Thereby, the use of fastening devices (such as screws or clips) that fully or partially penetrate the housing can be avoided to facilitate disassembly. The fastening device may also cause a risk of contamination around the hole or cavity for the fastening device. In addition, the use of a connecting element as described above allows the use of glue for assembly to be avoided, thereby allowing a releasable attachment between the scanning module and the housing.

[0046] The scanning module may include a support portion, which may be arranged at a first end of the scanning module and may be configured to be connected to a connecting element or a scanning tip. The support portion may be a part of the scanning module, or may be a frame that supports the scanning module or a component of the scanning module. The frame may be a plastic frame or a metal frame. The support portion may include a channel that may be configured to allow light to pass through. The connecting element may, for example, be an element configured to be arranged on the support portion of the scanning module and may be configured to connect the scanning module to the scanning tip, and may be formed as a ring or a nut.

[0047] The frame may be a frame housing.

[0048] The scanning module may include a frame housing that may house at least one active electronic component. The frame housing may include a support portion that may be configured to support the frame housing to the housing. The support portion may be arranged outside the housing, and the remainder of the frame housing may be arranged inside the housing. The connecting element may be removably fixed to the support portion and the outer surface of the housing.

[0049] The connecting element may be removably secured to the support portion and to the flange of the outer surface of the housing.

[0050] According to one aspect of the present invention, the support portion can reduce the complexity of connecting the scanning module to other components (such as a connecting element or a scanning end), and can allow light to be transmitted to and from the optical components of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0051] The handheld intraoral scanner may further include a connection element, which may be configured to connect the scanning tip to the scanning module or to connect the scanning tip to the support.

[0052] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a connecting element can allow a direct connection between a scanning module and a scanning end, and thus can reduce the risk of affecting the optical axis. The connecting element can be arranged on the scanning module. The connecting element can be arranged on the support portion of the scanning module. The connecting element can be arranged on a portion of the scanning module or the support portion of the scanning module protruding from the first hole of the housing. The connecting element can be a ring. The connecting element can include a groove through an opening of the connecting element. The groove can be configured to accommodate or abut a protrusion of the scanning module or the support portion of the scanning module. The connecting element can include an insertion hole that passes through the side wall of the connecting element and reaches the groove, and is configured to receive an insertion element, which can be a screw and is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole and configured to abut a protrusion of the support portion of the scanning module when accommodated in the groove, which can prevent the connecting element from rotating, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The connecting element can include one or more holes in the outer wall of the connecting element, and the one or more holes can be configured to receive a screw in each hole. The connecting element can be configured to be arranged on the portion of the scanning module or the support of the scanning module protruding from the first opening, and is configured to be arranged to abut the flange of the housing arranged at the first opening, and can be configured to be connected to the scanning tip. The connection can be achieved by, for example, aligning the holes in the side wall of the scanning tip with the holes in the side wall of the connecting element and inserting screws through the holes in the side wall of the scanning tip and the corresponding holes in the side wall of the connecting element. The connecting element can be fixed or held in place, and is configured to apply pressure to the scanning module or the support and flange of the scanning module by abutting and tightening the retaining element on the connecting element. The retaining element can be, for example, a retaining ring, a locking ring or a nut. The retaining ring, the locking ring and the nut can be tightened by screwing them onto the threaded portion of the scanning module or the support of the scanning module. The connecting element can also be a ring, the ring including a threaded portion on the inner surface, the threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded portion on the scanning module or the support of the scanning module.

[0053] The protrusion of the scanning module may be arranged on an outer surface of the support portion.

[0054] The housing may be manufactured in a single piece so that the outer surface of the housing does not include any assembly parts. Therefore, the outer surface of the housing may not include any intersection surfaces. Therefore, the outer surface of the housing may not be composed of components, but may be composed of a single integral piece. The inner surface of the housing may include an assembly interface, such as a groove, a clamp, a protruding element, a thread, etc., which may be configured to connect a scanning module and / or a power module, such as a battery, a battery module, a power cord, a power interface, or a wired power interface.

[0055] For example, a housing consisting of two housing parts is considered an assembly because the two housing parts are assembled together to form the housing. The present disclosure discloses a housing that is not composed of two or more parts, but is formed as a single piece. This can be achieved, for example, by injection molding the housing as a single piece, so that no assembly is required to manufacture the housing.

[0056] The scanning tip may include one or more holes, the connecting element may include one or more holes, the one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element may be configured to be aligned when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module, and each of the one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element may be configured to receive a screw when the scanning tip is connected to the connecting element. The connection between the scanning tip and the connecting element may allow a direct connection between the scanning module and the scanning tip, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0057] The connecting element may be configured to be arranged on a support portion of the scanning module. The connecting element may be configured to be arranged on a portion of the scanning module protruding from the first opening. Arranging the connecting element on the support portion or on a portion of the scanning module protruding from the first opening may reduce the complexity of assembling the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0058] The surface of the connection element may include a groove, which may be configured to receive a protrusion of the scanning module or a support portion of the scanning module.

[0059] The scanning module or a support portion of the scanning module may include a protrusion that may be configured to receive a recess in a surface of the connecting element.

[0060] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the feature of the connection element having a groove that receives the protrusion in the support portion can prevent rotation of the connection element, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis.

[0061] The protrusion of the scanning module or the support portion can be configured to prevent the connection element from rotating around an axis passing through the longitudinal direction of the connection element when the protrusion is received by the groove of the connection element. The protrusion of the scanning module can prevent the connection element from rotating, thereby preventing the connection between the scanning end and the scanning module from moving, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis, thereby improving the quality of the scan.

[0062] The connecting element may be a ring that may be configured to connect the scanning module to the scanning tip. The connecting element may be circular, or may resemble a different shape. The connecting element may be a closed ring, or may not be a closed ring, and may include two non-intersecting ends, thereby only partially closing a gap or opening through the ring.

[0063] Forming the connection element as a ring can reduce the complexity of having a connection element that connects the scanning tip to the scanning module. The ring can be simply inserted onto the scanning module. This feature can allow the connection element to be simply arranged on the scanning module or on a support portion of the scanning module.

[0064] The connecting element may also include a retaining element, which may be configured to be arranged on the scanning module or on a support of the scanning module, and may be configured to maintain the position of the connecting element or may be configured to prevent movement of the connecting element. The retainer may be a retaining ring, a locking ring or a nut, which may have a threaded portion arranged on an inner surface. The threaded portion of the retainer may be configured to engage the threaded portion of the scanning module. After the connecting element is arranged on the scanning module or on a support of the scanning module, the retainer may be screwed into place on the scanning module, thereby locking the connecting element in place between the scanning module and the retainer. When the retaining element abuts the connecting element, the retainer may be tightened and the connecting element may be pressed against the flange of the housing, thereby pressing the scanning module or the support of the scanning module against the flange, thereby providing fixation of the connecting element and the scanning module and providing a rigid connection between the connecting element and the scanning module.

[0065] The feature of having a retaining element can prevent the scanning module from moving out of its position, which may affect the integrity of the scanner and the retaining element, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the optical axis according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0066] The retaining element may be a retaining ring or a nut. The retaining element being a ring or a nut makes the assembly of the handheld intraoral scanner less complicated.

[0067] A sealing element may be provided between the scanning tip and the housing, and may be configured to prevent fluid from reaching the interface between the scanning tip and the scanning module or from entering the gap between the scanning tip and the scanning module. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing element may prevent fluid from the patient (e.g., saliva or blood) from reaching the interface or gap between the scanning tip and the housing, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and thereby improving the hygiene of the handheld intraoral scanner.

[0068] The sealing element may be, for example, a gasket, an O-ring or a polymer sheet (e.g., rubber or plastic). The sealing element may be arranged so that it forms a waterproof enclosure around a portion of the housing and a portion of the scanning tip at the interface where the housing and the scanning tip meet. The seal may be arranged, for example, on a support portion of the scanning tip, before or after the connecting element, or before or after the retaining element. The sealing element may be made of a flexible material, such as a polymer material such as rubber.

[0069] The sealing element may be a gasket.

[0070] The scanning module may include an optical lens, the scanning tip may include a passage that may be configured to allow light to pass through at least a portion of the passage, and wherein when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module, an optical axis may be defined between a cross-section of the optical lens and at least a portion of the passage.

[0071] The feature of defining an optical axis between the optical lens and a cross-section of at least a portion of the passage allows light to pass unimpeded between the optical lens within the intraoral scanner and the passage through the scanning tip at the portion connecting the scanning tip and the scanning module (connecting element).

[0072] The scanning module may include an optical lens, the scanning tip may include a passage that may be configured to allow light to pass through at least a portion of the passage, and wherein, when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module, an optical axis between the optical lens and the scanning tip may pass through a cross-section of the connecting element.

[0073] The feature of the optical axis passing through the cross section of the connecting element can allow light to pass unimpeded between the optical lens in the intraoral scanner and the passage through the scanning tip at the portion connecting the scanning tip and the scanning module (the connecting element).

[0074] The scanning tip may be configured to align with the scanning module.

[0075] The scanning tip may be configured to align with the scanning module by connecting the scanning tip to the outer surface of the ring and connecting the scanning module to the inner surface of the ring (or vice versa).

[0076] The feature of aligning the scanning tip with the scanning module allows the optical axis to be directly connected to the scanning module without relying on the housing. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the influence of the deformed housing on the optical axis can be reduced.

[0077] The alignment can be achieved by a rigid and direct connection between the scanning tip and the scanning module. The rigid and direct connection between the scanning tip and the scanning module can be achieved by any of the connection elements mentioned in the previous section. The rigid and direct connection can also be achieved by a connection element between the scanning tip and the scanning module. As mentioned in the previous section, the connection element can be a ring or a nut connected to the scanning tip and the scanning module.

[0078] The scanning module may be configured to be aligned with the connection element, and wherein the scanning tip may be configured to be aligned with the connection element. The feature of aligning the scanning module and the scanning tip with the connection element allows the optical axis to be directly connected to the scanning module without relying on the housing. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the influence of the deformed housing on the optical axis can be reduced.

[0079] The alignment can be achieved by a rigid and fixed direct connection between the scanning tip and the connecting element and between the connecting element and the scanning module. As described in the previous section, the connecting element can be a ring or a nut connected to the scanning tip and the scanning module.

[0080] The housing may include a user interface. The user interface may be part of the housing. The user interface may be manufactured as one part or a single part or a single piece or a single part together with the housing. The user interface may be made together with the housing by casting or molding (e.g., injection molding). The position indication of the user interface may be a visual or tactile mark on the housing surface. The user interface may be similar to a button. The user interface may be a button. The user interface may be formed as one or more raised surfaces of the housing. The user interface may be made as an area or one or more surfaces of a material thinner than the surrounding surface of the housing. The user interface may be made of a material that is more flexible than the rest of the housing.

[0081] The housing may include an indication of the location of the user interface. The user interface may be part of the housing. The user interface may be manufactured as one part or a single part or a single piece or a single part together with the housing. The user interface may be made together with the housing by casting or molding (e.g., injection molding). The indication of the location of the user interface may be a visual or tactile mark on the surface of the housing. The user interface may be similar to a button. The user interface may be a button. The user interface may be formed as one or more raised surfaces of the housing. The user interface may be made as an area or one or more surfaces of a material thinner than the surrounding surface of the housing. The user interface may be made of a material that is more flexible than the rest of the housing.

[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, the feature of a user interface or an indication of the position of the user interface included in the housing can allow for improved hygiene of a handheld intraoral scanner, because the interface (which can include a button) or an indication of the position of the user interface (which can include a marking or an uneven surface of the housing) is part of the housing and is therefore made in one piece with the housing and can therefore not contain grooves, gaps or spaces that allow fluids from the patient (e.g., saliva or blood) to enter. The user interface or the indication of the position of the user interface can include one or more buttons. The button can be part of the housing. The button can be made into a casting or molding with the rest of the housing. The button can be a visual or tactile marking. The button can be a raised area on the surface of the housing. The button can be made of a thinner material than the surrounding surface of the housing.

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the feature of including a user interface or an indication of the position of the user interface in the housing can allow for improved hygiene of the handheld intraoral scanner because the interface (which may include a button) or an indication of the position of the user interface (which may include markings or an uneven surface of the housing) is part of the housing and is thereby made in one piece with the housing and therefore may not contain grooves, gaps or spaces through which fluids from the patient (e.g., saliva or blood) may enter.

[0084] The scanning module may be configured to be inserted into the first opening of the housing, and a portion of the scanning module may be configured to protrude from the first opening of the housing.

[0085] This may allow one end of the scanning module to be inserted into an opening and the other end of the scanning module to protrude from the opening. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, this may reduce the complexity of assembling the handheld intraoral scanner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they only show details to improve understanding of the claims, while other details are omitted. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may 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 elucidated with reference to the illustrations described below:

[0087] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a handheld intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0088] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a handheld intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the scanning tip cover is removed and the scanning tip is uncovered;

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a handheld intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0090] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a housing of a handheld intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0091] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A schematic diagram of a front view of the diagram in FIG.

[0092] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the housing;

[0093] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the housing through the longitudinal axis of the housing;

[0094] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a support portion of a scanning module;

[0095] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a connecting element being a ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0096] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a retaining element being a ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0097] Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram of a connection element arranged on a support portion of a scanning module and a scanning module arranged in a housing;

[0098] Fig. 10B yes Fig. 10A A schematic diagram of a front view of the diagram in FIG.

[0099] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a support portion of a scanning module arranged in a housing;

[0100] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of a sealing element arranged on a support portion and a housing of a scanning module; and

[0101] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view through the longitudinal axis of a handheld intraoral scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus, system, medium, program, and method 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 may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

[0103] 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 in the present disclosure. A computer program should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0104] Scanning may be performed by a dental scanning system to provide intraoral scan data, which may include an intraoral scanning device, such as a TRIOS series scanner from 3Shape A / S or a laboratory-based scanner, such as an E series scanner from 3Shape A / S. The dental scanning system may include wireless capabilities provided by a wireless network unit. The scanning device may utilize scanning principles, such as triangulation-based scanning, confocal scanning, focused scanning, ultrasonic scanning, X-ray scanning, stereoscopic vision, motion recovery structure, optical coherence tomography OCT, or any other scanning principle. In an embodiment, the scanning device is capable of obtaining surface information by projecting a pattern and translating a focal plane along an optical axis of the scanning device and capturing multiple 2D images at different focal plane positions, so that each series of captured 2D images corresponding to each focal plane forms a 2D image stack for operation. The acquired 2D image is also referred to herein as a raw 2D image, wherein raw in this context means that the image has not been image processed. The focal plane position is preferably moved along the optical axis of the scanning system so that the 2D images captured at multiple focal plane positions along the optical axis form a 2D image stack (also referred to herein as a sub-scan) for a given view of the object (i.e., for a given arrangement of the scanning system relative to the object). After moving the scanning device relative to the object or imaging the object in a different view, a new 2D image stack for the view can be captured. The focal plane position can be changed by at least one focusing element (e.g., moving a focusing lens). The scanning device is typically moved and angled relative to the dentition during a scanning session so that at least some of the sub-scan groups at least partially overlap, so that a digital dental 3D model can be reconstructed by stitching the overlapping sub-scans together in real time, and the progress of the virtual 3D model is displayed on a display as feedback to the user. The result of the stitching is a digital 3D representation of a surface that is larger than the surface that can be captured by a single sub-scan, i.e., a digital 3D representation that is larger than the field of view of the 3D scanning device. Stitching, also known as registration and fusion, works by identifying overlapping areas of the 3D surface in the individual sub-scans and transforming the sub-scans to a common coordinate system so that the overlapping areas match, ultimately producing a digital 3D model. An Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm can be used for this purpose.Another example of a scanning device is a triangulation scanner, where a time-varying pattern is projected onto the dental object and a sequence of images of different pattern configurations is acquired by one or more cameras at an angle relative to the projector unit.

[0105] The color texture of the dental object may be acquired by illuminating the object using different monochromatic lights (eg separate red, green and blue) or by illuminating the object using polychromatic light (eg white light).The 2D image may be acquired during a white light flash.

[0106] Typically, the process of acquiring surface information of a dental object to be scanned in real time requires a scanning device to illuminate the surface and acquire a large number of 2D images. High-speed cameras are typically used, with a frame rate of 300-2000 2D frames per second, depending on the technology and the 2D image resolution. The scanning device needs to process a large amount of image data 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 within the scanner to operate at a high load, thus requiring a high current demand.

[0107] 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 scanning. 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 wavelength combination can be generated by using a light source configured to generate light containing different wavelengths (e.g., white light). Alternatively, the (one or more) light projectors may include multiple light sources, such as LEDs, which individually generate light of different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, and blue), which can be combined to form light containing different wavelengths. Therefore, the light generated by the light source can be defined by a range of different wavelengths that define a wavelength of a specific color or a range of different wavelengths that define a color combination (e.g., 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, which is able to penetrate dental tissue. The (one or more) light projectors can be DLP projectors that use a micromirror array to generate a time-varying pattern, or a diffractive optical element (DOF), or a back-illuminated mask projector, in which a light source is placed behind a mask having a spatial pattern so that the light projected onto the surface of the dental object is patterned. The back-illuminated mask projector may 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 may have a checkerboard pattern so that the generated illumination pattern is a checkerboard pattern. Alternatively, the mask may have other patterns, such as lines or dots, etc.

[0108] The scanning device preferably also includes an optical element for directing light from the light source to the surface of the dental object. The specific arrangement of the optical element 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 EP2442720B1, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0109] Using optical elements of the scanning device, light reflected from the dental object in response to illumination of the dental object is directed toward (one or more) image sensors. The (one or more) image sensors are configured to generate multiple images based on the incoming 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 time of less than 1 / 1000 second or a frame rate exceeding 250 frames per second (fps). As an example, the image sensor can be a rolling shutter (CCD) or a global shutter sensor (CMOS). The (one or more) image sensor can be a monochrome sensor, including a color filter array (e.g., a Bayer filter) and / or additional filters that can be configured to substantially remove one or more color components from the reflected light before converting the reflected light into an electrical signal, and retain only other unremoved components. For example, such additional filters can be used to remove a portion of the white light spectrum (e.g., a blue component) and retain only red and green components in the signal generated in response to exciting the fluorescent material of the tooth.

[0110] 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 or a wired 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. The wired network unit is configured to establish a wired connection between the dental scanning system and 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.

[0111] The dental scanning system preferably also includes a processor configured to generate scan data (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. For 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, such as image data described by image coordinates and a timestamp (x, y, t), wherein 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 dental object using one or more light projectors. Multiple original 2D images may also be referred to herein as 2D image stacks. The 2D images may then be provided as input to the processor, which processes the 2D images to generate scan data. The processing of 2D images may include a step of determining which part of each 2D image is in focus in order to infer / generate depth information from the image. The depth information may be used to generate a 3D point cloud, which includes a group of 3D points in space, for example, described by Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z). The 3D point cloud may be generated by the processor or other processor units. Each 2D / 3D point may also include a timestamp indicating the recording time of the 2D / 3D point, i.e., which image in the 2D image stack 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). In addition to the scan data, the scanning device may be configured to transmit other types of data. Examples of data include 3D information, texture information such as infrared (IR) images, fluorescent images, reflective color images, X-ray images, and / or combinations thereof.

[0112] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a handheld intraoral scanner 100 according to a preferred embodiment is shown. The housing 3 is shown having a scanning tip cover 21 and a cover window 29, which is configured to allow light to pass through the scanning tip cover 21. The housing 3 is shown as including a user interface 36 located on the top surface of the housing 3. The user interface 36 is shown as a button, but can be part of the housing 3 in other embodiments. The user interface 36 can be a visual or tactile indication of the location of the user interface. The user interface 36 can also be a surface area of ​​the housing 3 that has a thickness that is less than the surrounding surface of the housing 3, thereby making this particular surface more flexible than the surrounding surface of the housing 3.

[0113] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a handheld intraoral scanner 100, wherein the scanning tip cover 21 (such as Figure 1 ) is removed, thereby exposing the scanning tip 2. The scanning tip 2 is shown with screws 42 passing through holes in the side wall of the scanning tip 2. The top of the screw can also be used as a retainer for holding the scanning tip cover 21 (as shown) when covering the scanning tip 2. Figure 1 A sealing element 48 (eg a gasket) is shown arranged between the scanning tip 2 and the housing 3.

[0114] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exploded view of a handheld intraoral scanner 100 is shown. The scanning module 1 is shown as an elongated portion having a first end 11 and a second end 12. The scanning module 1 is shown to include a support portion 13, which may be a frame, on which the components of the scanning module 1 are arranged. The support portion 13 may be made of a polymer material such as plastic. A portion of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 is shown to extend from an abutment portion 14 of the scanning module 1 and is shown to have a circular cross-section. The support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 may be an integral part of the scanning module 1, thereby being cast or molded with the rest of the scanning module 1, or may be a separate part connected to the scanning module 1. The scanning module 1 includes electronic components such as a circuit board, a computing processor, and a memory. The scanning module 1 includes electromechanical systems such as a drive for moving a focusing lens and a fan for cooling the handheld intraoral scanner 100. The scanning module 1 includes optical components such as a lens, a beam splitter, a pattern generator, and a light emitter. The support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 includes an opening 17 and a channel 18 for allowing light to pass from the light emitter in the scanning module 1 to the dental object in the oral cavity, and for allowing light to be reflected from the dental object to the image sensor in the scanning module 1. The support portion 13 includes a threaded portion 16 on the outer surface for engaging with the threaded portion 47 of the locking ring 46 (such as Fig. 9The housing 3 is also shown as having a user interface 36 and a first opening 31 and a second opening 32. The scanning tip 2 is shown as having a hole 22 in the side wall for receiving a screw 42 and connecting the scanning tip 2 to the connecting element 4. The connecting element 4 is shown as having a hole 41 in the side wall (as shown in FIG. Figure 8 , 10, 11). The connecting element 4 also includes a groove 43 located on the inner surface, which is used to abut against the protrusion 15 protruding from the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1. The connecting element 4 also includes an insertion hole 44 (as shown in Figure 8 and Fig.11 ), the insertion hole passes through the side wall of the connecting element 4 and has an opening at the groove 43 for receiving the insertion element 45, which can be a screw for fixing the connecting element 4 to the support part 13 of the scanning module 1 and preventing the connecting element 4 from rotating. The retaining element 46 is also shown as a locking ring, including a threaded portion 47 on the inner surface (as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 ), for engaging with the threaded portion 16 of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 and fastening the retaining element 46 against the connecting element 4, thereby connecting the connecting element 4 to the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 and preventing the connecting element 4 from moving, and for pressing the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 against the flange 35 of the housing 3, which is arranged at the first opening 31 of the housing 3, thereby preventing the scanning module 1 from sliding out of the housing 3 through the second opening 32 of the housing 3. The sealing element 48 shown as an O-ring is arranged at the interface 39 between the connecting element 4 and the first opening 31 of the housing 3 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 A protective element 49 is also shown disposed between the scanning tip 2 and the retaining element 46, configured to protect the scanning tip 2 from physical damage when in contact with the retaining element 46 or the connecting element 4.

[0115] The scanning module 1 is shown to be configured to be inserted into the passage 34 of the housing 3 through the second opening 32 , and a portion of the support portion 13 is configured to protrude from the first opening 31 .

[0116] In an embodiment where the scanning module 1 can be inserted into the housing 3 through the first opening 31 and the flange 35 does not form a complete circle along the first opening 31, the abutment portion 14 (eg Figure 7The scanning module 1 is inserted into the housing 3 by rotating the scanning module 1 (as shown) by a certain angle so that it does not abut against the flange 35 of the housing 3 when the scanning module 1 is inserted into the housing 3, and rotated back again after being inserted into the first opening 31 so that the abutment portion 14 of the scanning module 1 abuts against the flange 35 when a part of the scanning module 1 is located in the housing 3 and at least a part of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 protrudes from the first opening 31, thereby inserting the scanning module 1 through the first opening 31 of the housing 3. In this way, when the connecting element 4 and the retaining element 46 are arranged on the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1, the scanning module 1 will be retained in the housing 3. This allows the scanning module 1 to be inserted further through the first opening 31 of the housing 3, rather than just through the second opening 32. Thereby, the use of fastening means (such as screws or clips) that fully or partially penetrate the housing 3 can be avoided, so as to make it easier to disassemble. The fastening means do further pose a risk of contamination in the vicinity of the hole or cavity for the fastening means. In addition, the use of the connecting element 4 as described above allows the use of glue for assembly to be avoided, thereby allowing a releasable attachment between the scanning module 1 and the housing 3.

[0117] The housing 3 is manufactured in a single piece, so that the outer surface of the housing 3 does not include any assembly parts. Therefore, the outer surface of the housing 3 does not include any intersection surfaces. Therefore, the outer surface of the housing 3 is not composed of components, but is composed of a single body. The inner surface of the housing 3 includes an assembly interface, such as a groove, a clamp, a protruding element, a thread, etc., which is configured to connect the scanning module 1 and / or a power module, such as a battery, a battery module, a power cord, a power interface or a wired power interface.

[0118] The scanning module 1 includes active electronic components, such as a processor unit (e.g., a CPU), a drive unit (e.g., a motor), etc. The processor unit (e.g., a central processing unit) is configured to receive and process the acquired intraoral scan data and generate a virtual 3D model of a three-dimensional dental object. The processor unit is also configured to display the generated virtual 3D model of the three-dimensional dental object on a display unit. The drive unit (e.g., a motor) is configured to drive a lens driver, which includes an optical focusing lens and a gear device and is arranged in the handheld intraoral scanner 100. The drive unit is configured to move the optical focusing lens back and forth using the lens driver, while acquiring intraoral image data using the optical focusing lens of the lens driver, thereby acquiring intraoral image data at different focal points according to the current position of the optical focusing lens. Acquiring intraoral scan data of a three-dimensional dental object at different focal points allows intraoral scan data to be acquired at different layers (i.e., the vertical axis), thereby generating a virtual 3D model of a three-dimensional dental object.

[0119] The scanning module 1 also includes passive electronic components, such as capacitors, inductors, resistors or electronic wires.

[0120] The housing 3 of the handheld intraoral scanner 100 is configured to at least partially house a portion of the scanning module 1. The housing 3 is also configured to at least partially house at least one active electronic component and is also configured to be made in a single piece, thereby allowing for improved hygiene of the handheld intraoral scanner 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0121] Figure 4A A schematic diagram of the housing 3 is shown, wherein a first opening 31, a second opening 32, a position indication 37 of a user interface, and a channel 34 (indicated in dashed lines) defined between the first opening 31 and the second opening 32 are indicated. A flange 35 is shown as being arranged at the first opening 31, indicated as a circular wall along the circumference of the first opening 31, the circular wall extending perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the housing 3 and having an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the connecting side wall of the housing 3. The flange is part of the housing and is formed together with the housing, for example by molding or injection molding. The flange 35 is configured to abut against the scanning module 1 (e.g., when the scanning module 1 is inserted into the channel 34 of the housing 3). Figure 3 The support portion 13 (as shown) Figure 3 , 7 , 12, 13) of the abutment portion 14 (as shown Figure 7 As shown), the scanning module 1 is prevented from completely sliding out of the first opening 31.

[0122] Figure 4B Shows Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a front view of the housing shown. The housing 3 shown includes a channel 34 and a flange 35, which protrudes from the side wall of the housing 3 along the entire circumference of the first end 31 of the housing 3 and is angled at 90 degrees relative to the side wall of the housing 3. The channel 34 of the housing is shown (indicated by a dotted circle) as extending into the housing 3 behind the flange 35.

[0123] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a cross section of the housing 3 is shown, wherein the channel 34 is shown as the first opening 31 (eg Figure 3 , 4, 6) and a second opening 32 (as shown in Figure 3 , 4, 6, and 12).

[0124] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cross section of the housing 3 through the longitudinal direction of the housing 3 is shown, wherein the inner surface of the channel 34 is shown, which is represented by the shaded area between the first opening 31 and the second opening 32, the position indication 37 of the user interface is a part molded or formed together with the housing 3, and the flange 35 forms a circular wall at a 90-degree angle relative to the end of the housing 3 arranged at the first opening 31.

[0125] Figure 7 The support part 13 (eg, Figure 3 The support portion 13 has a configuration to be arranged on the housing 3 (as shown). Figure 3 The scanning module 1 is arranged on the part, and has a first opening 31 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) of the housing 3. Figure 3 , 4, 6) protruding portion, connecting element 4 (as shown Figure 3 , 12 , 13) and a retaining element 46 (as Figure 3 A portion of the scanning module 1 is also configured to be inserted into the scanning end 2 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 , 3 , 13) in the passage 24 (as shown in Fig.13 The support portion 13 shown in the figure includes a flange 35 for abutting against the housing 3 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , 4, 6) and prevent the scanning module 1 from sliding out of the first opening 31. The support portion 13 shown in the figure includes a groove 43 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , 8 , 10) to prevent the protrusion 15 of the connecting element 4 from rotating. The support portion 13 shown in the figure includes a cylindrical portion, which includes a channel 18 for allowing light to pass from the light emitter arranged on the scanning module 1 into the passage 24 of the scanning end 2 and to the dental object to be scanned in the oral cavity.

[0126] Figure 8 4 shows a front view of a schematic diagram of a connecting element 4. The connecting element 4 shown in the figure is a ring having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface includes two holes 41 for receiving a screw 42 (such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown), to connect the connecting element 4 with the scanning end 2 (as shown Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Fig.13 When the hole 22 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The connection element 4 is aligned with the hole 41 in the side wall of the connection element 4, and a screw 42 is inserted into each hole 22, 41 to connect the connection element 4 to the scanning end 2. The connection element 4 also includes a groove 43 for accommodating the scanning module 1 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The support portion 13 (as shown) Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Fig.12 , Fig.13 The protrusion 15 (as shown) Figure 3 , Figure 7 , as shown in FIG10 ). Insertion element 45 (as shown in FIG10 ) Figure 3As shown in the figure, a screw, for example, is inserted into the insertion hole 44 through the surface of the connecting element 4 to prevent the connecting element 4 from rotating around the axis along the longitudinal direction of the scanning module 1.

[0127] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a retaining element 46 is shown, the retaining element 46 being shown as a locking ring, comprising a threaded portion 47 located on the inner surface of the retaining element 46 for engaging with a scanning module 1 (eg Figure 3 The support portion 13 (as shown) Figure 3 , 7 , 12, 13) on the outer surface of the threaded portion 16 (as shown Figure 7 and 10).

[0128] Fig. 10A A schematic side view of a connecting element 4 arranged on a support 13 of a scanning module 1 is shown, wherein a protrusion 15 of the support 13 is received in a recess 43 of the connecting element 4 .

[0129] Fig. 10B Shows Fig. 10A The schematic diagram of the middle figure is a front view. The protrusion 15 is shown to be received in the groove 43 of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1. The passage 18 through the scanning module is further shown to have a circular cross-section. A portion of the scanning module 1 is shown (indicated by a dashed square) to be received in the housing 3.

[0130] Fig.11 Schematic diagram showing the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 protruding from the first opening 31 of the housing 3, and showing a retaining element 46 arranged on the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1. The retaining element 46 is shown to abut the connecting element 4, thereby pressing the connecting element 4 against the flange 35 of the housing 3 (at Figure 3 , 4, 6) on one side, thereby pressing the flange 35 against the abutment portion 14 of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 on the other side of the flange 35 (in Figure 7 ), thereby connecting the connecting element 4 to the scanning module 1 and preventing the scanning module 1 from sliding out of the second opening 32 of the housing 3.

[0131] Fig.12 The schematic diagram shows that the support portion 13 protrudes from the first opening 31 of the housing 3, the connecting element 4 is arranged on the support portion 13, the retaining element 46 is arranged on the support portion 13, and the sealing element 48 is arranged on the scanning end 2 (such as Figure 2 , 3 , 13) (when connected) and the interface 39 between the housing 3 (as shown in Figure 2 As shown), the protective element 49 is arranged on the supporting portion 13 of the scanning module 1 and abuts against the retaining element 46.

[0132] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a support portion 13 of a scanning module 1 connected to a scanning tip 2 and a scanning tip cover 21 and a cover window 29 is shown. The cross-sectional view of the scanning tip 2 is shown to reveal the scanning tip 2, including a passage 24 between a first opening 23 of the scanning tip 2 and a second opening 28 of the scanning tip 2. The second opening 28 of the scanning tip 2 is covered by a window 25 to prevent fluids such as saliva and blood from the patient from entering the passage 24 and allowing light to pass through. The scanning tip 2 is also shown to include a reflector 26, which is arranged at a 45-degree angle relative to the passage 24 of the scanning tip 2 and is arranged at the second opening 28 covered by the window 25. An optical axis 27 is indicated by a dotted line. The optical axis 27 is defined between a light source in the scanning module 1 and a dental object in the oral cavity. The optical axis 27 passes through the channel 18 of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1, passes through the passage 24 of the scanning tip 2, is reflected by the reflector 26 at a 45-degree angle, and passes through the window 25. The protruding portion of the support portion 13 of the scanning module 1 is shown to be arranged in the passage 24 of the scanning tip 2 and is fixed by screws 42 (such as Figure 3 The screw is connected to the scanning tip 2 by passing through a hole 22 (position indicated by a dotted circle) through the wall of the scanning tip 2 and through a hole 41 (position indicated by a dotted circle) through the wall of the connecting element 4. A retaining element 46 abutting against the connecting element 4 is also disclosed.

[0133] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to such details, but can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the appended claims. In particular, it should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0134] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein for specific embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any (one or more) parts / (one or more) units that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to appear or become more significant should not be interpreted as key, essential, or necessary features or parts / elements of any or all claims or the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, wherein, unless explicitly stated, references to singular parts / units / elements are not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". A claim can refer to any of the preceding claims, and "any" is understood to mean "any one or more" in the preceding claims.

[0135] Structural features of the apparatus described above in the detailed description and / or in the claims can be combined with steps of the method when appropriately replaced by corresponding processes.

[0136] As used, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e., have the meaning of "at least one"), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including", and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof. It will also be understood that, unless expressly stated otherwise, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but there may also be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wireless connections or couplings. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of any disclosed method are not limited to the exact order described herein.

[0137] It should be understood that throughout this specification, references to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" or "aspect" or features included as "possible" mean that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with this embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be appropriately combined. The previous description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0138] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language, wherein, unless otherwise specifically stated, elements referred to in the singular are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more.

[0139] project

[0140] 1. A handheld intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, comprising:

[0141] - a scanning module comprising at least one active electronic component;

[0142] - a scanning tip configured to be connected to a scanning module; and

[0143] - a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of a scanning module, wherein the at least a portion of the scanning module includes at least one active electronic component, and the housing is composed of a single piece and includes a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0144] 1B. A handheld intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, comprising:

[0145] - Scanning module;

[0146] - a scanning tip configured to be connected to a scanning module; and

[0147] - a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the scanning module and made in a single piece and comprising a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0148] 1C. A handheld intraoral scanner configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, comprising:

[0149] - Scanning module;

[0150] - a scanning tip configured to be connected to a scanning module; and

[0151] - a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the scanning module and made in a single piece and comprising a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0152] 2. A handheld intraoral scanner according to item 1, wherein the housing includes an open channel defined between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the channel is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the scanning module.

[0153] 3. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein at least a portion of the scanning module is configured to slide into the first opening or the second opening of the housing.

[0154] 4. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding items and item 2, wherein the open channel of the housing is configured to support sliding movement of the scanning module.

[0155] 5. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein at least a portion of the scanning module is configured to slide into a first opening or a second opening of the housing, and when the scanning module slides into one of the first opening or the second opening of the housing, when the scanning module is in place in the housing, at least a portion of the scanning module is configured to protrude from the first opening of the housing.

[0156] 6. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the housing comprises a flange at the first opening, the flange being configured to abut against an abutment portion of the scanning module.

[0157] 7. The handheld intraoral scanner according to the preceding item, wherein the flange is configured to prevent at least a portion of the scanning module from moving out of the first opening when a portion of the scanning module is received by the housing.

[0158] 8. A handheld intraoral scanner according to the aforementioned items 6-7, wherein the scanning module comprises an abutment portion configured to abut against a flange of the housing.

[0159] 9. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the scanning module comprises a support portion arranged at a first end of the scanning module and configured to be connected to a connecting element or a scanning tip.

[0160] 10. The handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the handheld intraoral scanner further comprises a connecting element configured to connect the scanning tip to the scanning module or to connect the scanning tip to the support.

[0161] 11. A handheld intraoral scanner according to the preceding item, wherein:

[0162] - the scanning tip comprises one or more apertures;

[0163] - the connecting element comprises one or more holes;

[0164] And wherein the one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element are configured to be aligned when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module or the support, and wherein each of the one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element is configured to receive a screw when the scanning tip is connected to the connecting element.

[0165] 12. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding items 10-11, wherein the connecting element is configured to be arranged on a support portion of the scanning module.

[0166] 13. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding items 10-12 and item 5, wherein the connecting element is configured to be arranged on a portion of the scanning module protruding from the first opening.

[0167] 14. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding items 10-13, wherein a surface of the connecting element comprises a groove configured to accommodate a protrusion of the scanning module or a protrusion of a support portion of the scanning module.

[0168] 15. The handheld intraoral scanner according to the preceding item, wherein the scanning module or the support comprises a protrusion configured to be received by a groove in the surface of the connecting element.

[0169] 16. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding items 14-15, wherein the protrusion of the scanning module or the protrusion of the supporting portion is configured to prevent the connecting element from rotating around an axis passing through the longitudinal direction of the connecting element when the protrusion is received by the groove of the connecting element.

[0170] 17. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of items 10-16, wherein the retaining element is configured to be arranged on the scanning module or on a support portion of the scanning module and is configured to maintain the position of the connecting element.

[0171] 18. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of items 10-16, wherein the retaining element is configured to be arranged on the scanning module or on a support portion of the scanning module and is configured to prevent the connection element from moving.

[0172] 19. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items 10-18, wherein the connecting element is a ring configured to connect the scanning module to the scanning tip.

[0173] 20. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items 18-19, wherein the retainer is a retaining ring or a nut.

[0174] 21. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein a sealing element is provided between the scanning tip and the housing, the sealing element being configured to prevent fluid from reaching the interface between the scanning tip and the scanning module or entering the gap between the scanning tip and the scanning module.

[0175] 22. The handheld intraoral scanner according to the preceding item, wherein the sealing element is a gasket or an O-ring.

[0176] 23. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any preceding item, wherein:

[0177] -The scanning module includes an optical lens,

[0178] - the scanning tip comprises a passage configured to allow light to pass through at least a portion of the passage, and

[0179] Wherein when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module, an optical axis is defined between the optical lens and a cross-section of at least a portion of the passageway.

[0180] 24. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of items 10-23, wherein:

[0181] -The scanning module includes an optical lens,

[0182] - the scanning tip comprises a passage configured to allow light to pass through at least a portion of the passage, and

[0183] When the scanning head is connected to the scanning module, the optical axis between the optical lens and the scanning head passes through the cross section of the connecting element.

[0184] 25. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items 10-23, wherein the scanning tip is configured to be aligned with the scanning module by connecting the scanning tip to the outer surface of the ring and connecting the scanning module to the inner surface of the ring, or vice versa.

[0185] 26. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items 10-25, wherein the scanning module is configured to be aligned with the connecting element, and wherein the scanning tip is configured to be aligned with the connecting element.

[0186] 27. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the housing comprises a user interface or an indication of the location of the user interface.

[0187] 28. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the user interface or the indication of the location of the user interface comprises one or more buttons.

[0188] 29. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein the scanning module comprises a support portion comprising a frame configured to support the scanning module or a component of the scanning module, and wherein the frame is configured to be connected to a connecting element or a scanning tip.

[0189] 30. The handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one active electronic component comprises at least one of a processor unit, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a drive unit and / or a motor.

Claims

1. A handheld intraoral scanner, the handheld intraoral scanner being configured to acquire intraoral scan data from a three-dimensional dental object during a scanning session, the handheld intraoral scanner comprising: - a scanning module comprising at least one active electronic component; - a scanning head, the scanning head being configured to be connected to the scanning module; as well as - a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the scanning module, wherein the at least a portion of the scanning module includes the at least one active electronic component, and wherein the housing is composed of a single piece and includes a first opening and a second opening opposite to the first opening, wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive at least a portion of the scanning module.

2. The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes an open channel defined between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the open channel is configured to accommodate the at least a portion of the scanning module.

3. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein; The housing comprises a flange located at the first opening, wherein the flange is configured to abut against an abutting portion of the scanning module. The scanning module comprises an abutment portion configured to abut against a flange of the housing, and wherein, The flange is configured to prevent at least a portion of the scanning module from moving out of the first opening when a portion of the scanning module is received by the housing.

4. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least a portion of the scanning module is configured to slide into the first opening or the second opening of the housing, and when the scanning module slides into one of the first opening or the second opening of the housing, when the scanning module is in place in the housing, at least a portion of the scanning module is configured to protrude from the first opening of the housing.

5. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The scanning module includes a frame housing that accommodates at least one active electronic component, and wherein the frame housing includes a support portion that is configured to support the frame housing to the housing, and wherein the support portion is arranged outside the housing and the remainder of the frame housing is arranged inside the housing, and wherein a connecting element is removably fixed to the support portion and an outer surface of the housing.

6. The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 5, wherein: The connecting element is removably secured to the support portion and to a flange of an outer surface of the housing.

7. A handheld intraoral scanner according to the preceding claim, wherein: A surface of the connecting element includes a groove configured to abut against a protrusion of the scanning module.

8. The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 7, wherein: The protrusion of the scanning module is arranged on the outer surface of the supporting part.

9. The handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The protrusion of the scanning module is configured to prevent the connecting element from rotating about an axis in a longitudinal direction of the connecting element when the protrusion abuts against the groove of the connecting element.

10. The handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of claims 5 to 9, comprising a scanning tip, the scanning tip comprising one or more holes, and the connecting element comprising one or more holes, and wherein, The one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element are configured to be aligned when the scanning tip is connected to the scanning module or the support portion, and wherein, when the scanning tip is connected to the connecting element, a screw is configured to be inserted through each of the one or more holes of the scanning tip and the one or more holes of the connecting element.

11. The handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding claims 5-10, wherein: The connecting element is a ring configured to connect the scanning module to the scanning tip.

12. The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: - the scanning module comprises an optical lens, - the scanning tip comprises a passage configured to allow light to pass through at least a portion of the passage, and Wherein, when the scanning head is connected to the scanning module, the optical axis between the optical lens and the scanning head passes through the cross section of the connecting element.

13. The handheld intraoral scanner according to claim 11, wherein: The scanning tip is configured to align with the scanning module by connecting the scanning tip to the outer surface of the ring and connecting the scanning module to the inner surface of the ring, or vice versa.

14. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one active electronic component comprises at least one of a processor unit, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a drive unit and / or a motor.

15. A handheld intraoral scanner according to any of the preceding items, wherein: A sealing element is disposed between the scanning tip and the housing, and the sealing element is configured to prevent a fluid from reaching an interface between the scanning tip and the scanning module or entering a gap between the scanning tip and the scanning module.

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