Portable Dental Scanner with Orientation Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating three-dimensional models of teeth for dental aligners require visits to orthodontic professionals, which are inconvenient, costly, and prone to errors, especially when using at-home impression kits, which can be difficult to execute properly.
Innovation Solution
A portable scanning device that allows users to scan their teeth without professional assistance, using a camera with a guide to orient the device and communicate images to a server system for developing a treatment plan and manufacturing aligners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical impression or intraoral scan is performed by an orthodontic professional, then the accuracy and reliability of the teeth model is improved, but the convenience and accessibility for the user deteriorates due to required office visits
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform dental scanning themselves using a portable scanning device and mobile application, eliminating the need for professional operators. The self-contained device includes all necessary components (camera, guide, processing software) to allow independent teeth scanning and model creation at home.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable scanning device acts as an intermediary between the user's teeth and the professional orthodontic system. The device captures dental images and transmits them to a server system that generates treatment plans, bridging the gap between home convenience and professional accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If an at-home dental impression kit is used, then the convenience for the user is improved, but the reliability and accuracy of the impression deteriorates due to difficulty in proper execution
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile application provides real-time feedback to guide users through the scanning process, ensuring proper technique and complete coverage. The system validates scan quality and prompts users to re-scan specific areas if necessary, guaranteeing accurate results while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical impression materials and trays with a digital optical scanning system using a camera and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the complexity of proper impression material handling while maintaining high accuracy through digital capture and processing.
3Reliability
If multiple scans are required due to incomplete or corrupted data, then the reliability of the final model is improved, but the loss of time and additional professional visits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation and quality checks during the scanning process itself, identifying incomplete or corrupted data immediately. The mobile application guides users to complete all necessary scans in one session, preventing the need for repeat visits by ensuring data completeness before final processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device allows users to perform scanning continuously at home without interruption by office schedules or travel constraints. If re-scanning is needed, users can immediately repeat the process without scheduling delays, maintaining continuous progress toward completing the dental model.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a scanning device is operable by a user to scan teeth of the user to acquire images of the teeth. The scanning device comprises a camera operable to acquire the images, a guide configured to orient the camera with respect to the teeth to facilitate acquisition of the images, and a server system configured to receive the images acquired by the scanning device and to develop a treatment plan for the user based on the received images.