Autoclavable 3D Scanner Tip With Heated Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D scanners face challenges in humid environments and hygiene-critical areas like body orifices due to condensation on optical surfaces, with existing solutions either risking microbial contamination or being harsh on materials and assembly agents.
Innovation Solution
A 3D scanner tip that is both autoclave-compatible and internally heated, allowing for sterilization without exposing the entire scanner, using materials like PSU and heat conducting elements protected by stainless steel, and an electromagnetic source located in the main body to prevent condensation and ensure hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip is made autoclavable for sterilization, then hygiene is improved, but the materials and assembly agents are damaged by the harsh sterilization process
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is divided into autoclavable components (tip) and non-autoclavable components (main body with electronics). Only the tip enters the sterilization process, isolating the harmful thermal and chemical effects to a single component that is designed to withstand them.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components and sensitive materials are extracted from the sterilization zone by placing them in the main body, leaving only the autoclavable tip in the sterilization chamber. This separates the sterilization function from the sensitive components.
2Measurement precision
If the optical element is heated to prevent condensation, then image quality is maintained, but the tip temperature increases which may affect patient comfort
Solution Approach 1:
Heating is applied locally only to the optical element rather than the entire tip. This localized heating prevents condensation on the critical optical surface while minimizing the temperature increase in other areas that would contact the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat-conducting element acts as an intermediary between the heating source and the optical element. This mediator efficiently transfers heat to the optical element while allowing thermal management to control the overall tip temperature and protect patient comfort.
3Reliability
If the entire scanner is exposed to sterilization, then complete hygiene is achieved, but the electronic components and assembly agents are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is segmented into sterilizable and non-sterilizable portions. The tip is designed as a separate autoclavable component that can be sterilized independently, while the main body containing electronics and glues remains outside the sterilization process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitive electronic components and organic assembly agents are extracted from the sterilization pathway by placing them in the main body. Only the inorganic, autoclavable tip enters the sterilization chamber, preserving the integrity of sensitive materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents condensation and ensures sterilization of the scanner tip, maintaining image quality and hygiene standards while being gentle on materials, allowing for repeated use without risking microbial contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a source of electromagnetic energy arranged in the main body and elements configured for transferring the electromagnetic energy from the source to the at least one optical element in the tip
Implementation Method 2
a heat conducting element arranged for conducting the heat to said optical element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
Disclosed is a 3D scanner for recording topographic characteristics of a surface of at least part of a body orifice, where the 3D scanner comprises: - a main body comprising a mounting portion; - a tip which can be mounted onto and un-mounted from said mounting portion, where said tip is configured for being brought into proximity of said body orifice surface when recording said topographic characteristics such that at least one optical element of the tip is at least partly exposed to the environment in the body orifice during said recording; and - a heater system for heating said optical element, said heater system comprising a source of electromagnetic energy and a receptive element configured for receiving the electromagnetic energy and converting it into heat, where the generated heat is provided by way of thermal conduction directly to said optical element or indirectly through a heat conducting element; where the tip can be sterilized in a steam autoclave when un-mounted from the main body of the 3D scanner such that it subsequently can be reused.