Integrated Intraoral Scanner with OCT for Surface and Internal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental imaging methods, such as intraoral scanners and optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices, struggle to accurately obtain a comprehensive three-dimensional tomography image of oral structures, particularly due to limitations in scanning depth and the difficulty in obtaining internal images without physical contact.
Innovation Solution
An intraoral scanner with integrated tomography function combines shape measurement and optical coherence tomography (OCT) capabilities, using a beam splitter to superimpose optical paths for simultaneous surface and internal imaging, allowing for the detection and registration of regions of interest (ROIs) within the oral cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a typical intraoral scanner is used to obtain surface shape information, then surface imaging capability is improved, but internal structure inspection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a typical intraoral scanner (for surface imaging) and an OCT device (for internal structure imaging) into a single integrated apparatus. The intraoral scanner captures surface shape information while the OCT device simultaneously or sequentially captures internal structure information, allowing both surface and subsurface features to be obtained in one inspection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: it can obtain both surface shape information (via the intraoral scanner) and internal structure information (via the OCT device). This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate scanning processes and provides comprehensive oral cavity inspection capabilities in a single device.
2Loss of information
If an OCT scanner is used to obtain internal tomography images, then internal structure inspection capability is improved, but surface shape measurement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates an OCT device (for internal imaging) and a typical intraoral scanner (for surface imaging) into one apparatus. The OCT device provides internal structure information while the intraoral scanner simultaneously provides accurate surface shape measurement, ensuring both internal and external features are captured with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus achieves multi-functionality by combining OCT imaging capabilities with conventional surface scanning. This allows the single device to perform both internal tomography imaging and external surface shape measurement, providing comprehensive inspection without requiring separate specialized devices.
3Loss of information
If separate scanning methods are used for surface and internal imaging, then imaging completeness is improved, but inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the surface scanning function and internal OCT imaging function into a single integrated apparatus that can operate simultaneously or in coordinated sequence. This allows comprehensive imaging information (both surface and internal) to be obtained during a single inspection process, significantly reducing the time required compared to using separate scanning methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus enables continuous inspection by performing surface scanning and internal OCT imaging in a coordinated manner without requiring the patient to undergo separate scanning procedures. The system maintains continuous operation to capture both surface and internal features efficiently, minimizing inspection time while ensuring complete imaging information is obtained.
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
Enables the acquisition of detailed internal cross-sectional images of oral structures by sequentially irradiating and registering tomography measurements with surface shape data, providing a comprehensive three-dimensional view of oral cavities.
Implementation Method 1
using a beam splitter to superimpose optical paths for simultaneous surface and internal imaging
Implementation Method 2
a typical OCT scanner includes an OCT body which transmits measurement light (for example, near-infrared light) to an oral structure S such as a tooth, detects reflected light (scattered light) reflected inside the oral structure S and each monolayer, and obtains an internal cross-sectional image of the oral structure S, using a coherence property of measurement light
Implementation Method 3
light reflected from the oral structure S is detected by the image sensor of the camera 14 to acquire surface shape information of the oral structure S
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an intraoral scanner having a tomography function capable of setting a tomography area using shape information of an oral cavity, and an intraoral tomography method using the same. The intraoral scanner having the tomography function includes a shape measurement light projector (12) configured to irradiate shape measurement light for obtaining a shape image of an oral structure; a shape measurement camera (14) configured to obtain a surface shape image of the oral structure by detecting reflected light formed when the shape measurement light is reflected from a surface of the oral structure; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) body (22) configured to transmit tomography measurement light to the oral structure and detect reflected light reflected inside the oral structure S to obtain an internal cross-sectional image of the oral structure; an OCT scan probe (24) configured to irradiate the tomography measurement light emitted from the OCT body (22) onto a desired position of the oral structure and transfer the reflected light reflected from the oral structure to the OCT body (22); and a beam splitter (30) configured to superimpose optical paths of the shape measurement light irradiated from the shape measurement light projector (12) and the tomography measurement light irradiated from the OCT scan probe (24).