Vacuum film for scanning an oral cavity

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum film for scanning an oral cavity and methods for scanning an oral cavity.

[0002] The shape of oral cavities that have no or few teeth can be difficult to capture using intraoral scanners because the oral mucosa has only small contours.

[0003] Document EP 3 130 885 A1 discloses a vacuum film for scanning an oral cavity.

[0004] It is therefore the technical object of the present invention to improve scanning of an oral cavity by means of an intraoral scanner.

[0005] This technical problem is solved by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a vacuum film for scanning an oral cavity, comprising a perforation layer; a fiber layer arranged on the perforation layer; and a texture layer arranged on the fiber layer. The vacuum film achieves the technical advantage that even the shape of contourless soft tissue can be captured using an optical intraoral scanner.

[0007] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the vacuum film has an oval or semi-oval shape. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum film used covers a large area of ​​the oral cavity.

[0008] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the vacuum film has a central fold. This provides the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum film can be inserted more easily into the oral cavity.

[0009] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the vacuum film includes a connector for connecting a vacuum hose. This provides the technical advantage, for example, of easily generating a vacuum that presses the vacuum film against the oral cavity.

[0010] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the perforation layer has a plurality of openings. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum can spread efficiently within the vacuum film.

[0011] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the openings are arranged in a hexagonal pattern. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that air can be extracted evenly and the vacuum film adheres to the oral cavity over a large area.

[0012] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the openings have a diameter between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. This also achieves the technical advantage that the air can be removed from the vacuum film quickly and efficiently.

[0013] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the fiber layer comprises fibers made of cellulose or cotton. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum film conforms well to the oral cavity.

[0014] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the fiber layer has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm or between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of improving the comfort of the vacuum film.

[0015] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the texture layer has a diamond pattern, a dot pattern, or a cross pattern. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the shape of the oral cavity can be scanned particularly well.

[0016] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the texture layer comprises an elastic plastic film. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum film adapts well to the shape of the oral cavity.

[0017] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the plastic film is made of polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer. This achieves the technical advantage of using particularly suitable materials.

[0018] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the vacuum film, the plastic film has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the vacuum film has good strength.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for scanning an oral cavity, comprising the steps of inserting a vacuum film according to the first aspect into the oral cavity; extracting the air from the vacuum film; and scanning the texture of the texture layer using a scanner. This achieves the same technical advantages as with the vacuum film according to the first aspect.

[0020] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the air is extracted via a vacuum hose. This provides the technical advantage, for example, of easily removing air from the vacuum film.

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an oral cavity and a vacuum film; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the structure of the vacuum film; and Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a method for scanning an oral cavity.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an oral cavity 101 and a vacuum film 100. The vacuum film 100 is placed in the oral cavity of a patient and adhered to the oral mucosa by applying a vacuum. The texture of the vacuum film 100 can then be optically captured using an intraoral scanner to determine the shape of the oral cavity.

[0024] The vacuum film 100 has an oval shape with a central fold 109. This allows the vacuum film 100 to be easily inserted into a patient's mouth and adapts well to the oral cavity. For example, the vacuum film 100 has a length of at least 30 mm and a width of at least 50 mm. A semi-oval shape of the vacuum film can also be used.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the structure of the vacuum film 100. The vacuum film 100 comprises at least three different layers in a sandwich composite.

[0026] The perforation layer 103 is perforated and conforms to the jaw contours. For this purpose, it has a plurality of openings 115. The openings 115 are arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The spacing of the openings 115 from one another is, for example, 20 mm. The size of the openings is, for example, 50 mm. The perforation layer 103 is formed, for example, from polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer and has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0027] The fiber layer 105 is arranged on the perforation layer 103 and comprises an absorbent and air-permeable material that is also suitable for drying. The fiber layer 115 is formed, for example, from cellulose or cotton wool and comprises fibers made of cotton wool. The thickness of the fiber layer 105 is, for example, 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0028] The texture layer 107 is in turn arranged on the fiber layer 107 and comprises an airtight barrier film provided with a geometric pattern. The texture layer 107 is formed, for example, from an air-impermeable and elastic plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or polyolefin. The texture layer 107 can, for example, have a thickness of 0.05 mm - 1.0 mm. The applied geometric pattern can be, for example, a diamond pattern, a line pattern, or a color pattern.

[0029] The perforation layer 103, the fiber layer 105, and the texture layer 107 are connected to each other at their outer periphery. A connection 111 is located on the front side of the vacuum film 100, through which the air can be extracted from the vacuum film 100. A hose can be connected for this purpose, through which the air is extracted.

[0030] If the air is sucked out of the perforation layer 103 and the fiber layer 105, the vacuum film 100 is pressed against the oral cavity 101. The geometric pattern of the adjacent vacuum film 100 can then be easily captured by an intraoral scanner.

[0031] Using the Vacuum Film 100 reduces the number of visits to the dentist and allows for a digital workflow from start to finish. This eliminates the need for physical impressions.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a method for scanning an oral cavity. In step S101, the vacuum film 100 is inserted into the oral cavity. Subsequently, in step S102, the air is sucked out of the vacuum film 100. Subsequently, in step S103, the texture 113 of the texture layer 107 is scanned using a scanner. This allows a precise shape of the oral cavity 101 to be obtained during scanning.

[0033] The vacuum film procedure allows an edentulous jaw to be scanned using an intraoral scanner. This eliminates the need to create a pre-impression and then scan it.

[0034] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0035] All method steps can be implemented by devices suitable for performing the respective method step. All functions performed by physical features can be a method step of a method.

[0036] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0037] 100Vacuum film 101Oral cavity 103Perforation layer 105Fiber layer 107Texture layer 109Fold 111Connection 113Texture 115Opening

Claims

1. A vacuum film (100) for scanning an oral cavity (101), comprising: - a perforation layer (103); - a fiber layer (105) arranged on the perforation layer (103); and - a texture layer (107) arranged on the fiber layer (105).

2. The vacuum film (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum film (100) has an oval or a semi-oval shape.

3. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum film (100) comprises a central fold (109).

4. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum film (100) comprises a connection (111) for connecting a vacuum hose.

5. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforation layer (103) comprises a plurality of openings (115).

6. The vacuum film (100) according to claim 5, wherein the openings (115) are arranged in a hexagonal pattern.

7. The vacuum film (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the openings (115) have a diameter between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.

8. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber layer (105) comprises fibers of cellulose or cotton wool.

9. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber layer (105) has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm.

10. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the texture layer (107) comprises a diamond pattern, a dot pattern or a cross pattern.

11. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the texture layer (107) comprises an elastic plastic film.

12. The vacuum film (100) according to claim 11, wherein the plastic film is formed from polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer.

13. The vacuum film (100) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein the plastic film has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm.

14. A method for scanning an oral cavity, comprising the steps of: - inserting (S101) a vacuum film (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 into the oral cavity; - sucking off (S102) the air from the vacuum film (100); and - scanning (S103) the texture (113) of the texture layer (107) by means of a scanner.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the air is sucked off via a vacuum hose.