3D Scan Verification Gauge for Dental Stitching Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating accurate 3-D images of the oral cavity for dental or medical applications, such as dental implant procedures, face challenges due to discrepancies between stitched scans caused by soft tissue movement and minor patient movement, leading to positional and dimensional errors in prosthetic placements.
Innovation Solution
A verification gauge with a scannable bar of adjustable length is used to correct discrepancies between scans by providing a visual and imageable scale, allowing for precise measurement and alignment of digital images, which can be affixed between points in the oral cavity, including dental implants or appliances, to enhance stitching accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple intra-oral scans are stitched together to create a 3-D image, then the coverage area is increased, but positional and dimensional errors occur due to soft tissue movement and patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a verification gauge as an intermediary object that is affixed to stable reference points in the oral cavity (such as dental implants or appliances). This gauge provides known reference dimensions that serve as a mediator between the scanning system and the oral cavity, enabling accurate registration and correction of stitching errors caused by soft tissue movement and patient movement during multi-scan procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional impression methods are used to create dental models, then prosthetic placement can be achieved, but dimensional and positional errors of sub-millimeter magnitude occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical impression-taking process with an optical scanning system. Instead of using malleable impression materials and physical models, the system uses intra-oral scanners to capture digital images that are stitched together to create a 3-D digital model. This substitution eliminates the dimensional errors inherent in conventional impression methods while maintaining the ability to create accurate prosthetic placements.
3Ease of operation
If scan flags or dental appliances are used for registering scans, then scan registration can be achieved, but accuracy is reduced due to soft tissue movement affecting reference points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a verification gauge that creates a digital copy of known reference dimensions within the scan data. By affixing the gauge to stable reference points and capturing its known dimensions in the scan, the system creates a digital reference that can be used to accurately register and correct stitching errors, providing a more reliable alternative to soft tissue-based reference points.
Data Source
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AI summary
A verification gauge (10) for use in improving the accuracy of a 3D scan. A bar (11) of adjustable length has a first and second ends (14,15) that can be affixed between two points (12, 13) of the oral-cavity. The bar (11) is scanable and has a visual indicia (21) thereon to verify and determine the length and relative position between the two points (12, 13).