3D Dental Scanning System With Five-Axis Adaptive Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental scanning methods face challenges such as deformation of dental impressions due to temperature changes, inaccuracies in 3D scanning, and the need for specialized skills to operate expensive intra-oral scanners, leading to incomplete scans and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A 3D dental scanning system with a scanning surface and section that moves in five axes, controlled by a unit to capture detailed scans without deformation, using structured light patterns and multiple cameras to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If pre-programmed motion paths are used in 3D scanners, then scanning coverage is improved, but regions may be missed and manual intervention is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning coverageVSAvoidscan accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by analyzing the captured point cloud data to identify regions below a predetermined detail level, then automatically determines and executes additional scanning positions to capture those regions, creating a closed-loop system that improves both coverage and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static pre-programmed motion paths to dynamic adaptive motion paths that are adjusted in real-time based on the analysis of captured data, allowing the scanner to respond to the actual geometry and detail requirements of the dental object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If dental impressions are transported or stored, then scanning workflow is improved, but deformation occurs due to temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning workflow efficiencyVSAvoidimpression accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the dental impression immediately after removal from the patient's mouth, before any transport or storage that could cause deformation, ensuring the original accurate geometry is captured

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital 3D copy of the dental impression that preserves the accurate geometry, eliminating the need to physically transport or store the original impression material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If intra-oral 3D scanners are used in dental surgery, then scanning accuracy is improved, but device cost is prohibitively expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan accuracyVSAvoidscanner cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a conventional, cost-effective 3D scanner instead of expensive specialized intra-oral scanners, accepting that the scanner itself is a standard off-the-shelf device that can be used for multiple purposes beyond dental applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a digital processing intermediary that bridges the gap between conventional scanning technology and dental application requirements, using software algorithms to achieve the necessary precision without requiring expensive specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If clamps are used to secure dental objects during scanning, then scanning stability is improved, but object deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning stabilityVSAvoidobject shape

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical clamping system with a digital solution, using image processing and point cloud analysis to achieve scanning stability without physical contact that could deform the dental impression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scanning parameters dynamically, adjusting focal distance and viewing angles to optimize capture of different regions without requiring physical restraint of the object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides accurate, cost-effective scanning of dental objects without the need for clamping, allowing for high-detail 3D models with minimal operator training, reducing deformation and improving scan completeness.

Implementation Method 1

using structured light patterns and multiple cameras to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructured light:

Data Source

PatentEP4357729B1Three-dimensional dental scanning method

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 MIMETRIK SOLUTIONS LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A three-dimensional (3D) dental scanning system (1) for scanning a dental object (D) includes a scanning surface (124a) to support the dental object (D); a scanning section (130) to capture a 3D scan of the dental object (D); a motion section (120) to move the scanning surface (124a) and scanning section (130) relative to each other in five axes of motion, whilst retaining the scanning surface (124a) in a substantially horizontal plane, and a control unit (140) configured to control the motion section (120) and the scanning section (130) to obtain a 3D scan of the dental object (D).