Intraoral Scanner Feedback for Real-Time Scan Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D dental scanning systems are costly, inflexible, and rely on external displays that can cause latency and distract the dentist from the patient, lacking effective feedback mechanisms for ensuring complete scan data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A 3D scanner system with an intraoral scanner that provides real-time local and global scan coverage metrics through built-in feedback mechanisms, such as illumination, color changes, and sound, allowing the dentist to monitor scan progress directly in the patient's mouth without relying on external displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an external display is used to show 3D model feedback during scanning, then the dentist can monitor scan progress, but the dentist's attention is distracted from the patient and latency occurs between scanner movements and model reconstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system that projects scan coverage information directly into the patient's oral cavity. This intermediary allows the dentist to see feedback through the scanner lens without looking at an external display, eliminating distraction while maintaining real-time monitoring of scan progress. The optical projection acts as a mediator between the scanning system and the dentist's visual field.
2Loss of information
If an external display and computer are used for 3D scanning, then real-time 3D model generation is possible, but the system becomes expensive and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feedback display function directly into the intraoral scanner device. The scanner now includes integrated projection capabilities that combine scanning and visualization functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate computers and external displays. This integration reduces system complexity while maintaining real-time feedback functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner device provides its own feedback mechanism through integrated optical projection and illumination systems. The device serves itself by generating and displaying scan coverage information without requiring external computing equipment, making the system more self-sufficient and reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If scan coverage feedback is provided through external displays, then the dentist can see which areas need scanning, but the system requires fixed setup and specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting feedback information directly into the oral cavity through an optical intermediary, the system eliminates the need for fixed display setups in specific locations. The dentist can view scan coverage feedback wherever the scanner is positioned, providing location flexibility while maintaining complete scan coverage monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 3D scanner system for scanning the oral cavity of a patient. In particular, the disclosure relates to feedback mechanisms and user interfaces of intraoral scanners. In some embodiments, the 3D scanner system comprises an intraoral scanner comprising one or more reconfigurable buttons, wherein each reconfigurable button comprises a force sensor, such as a strain gauge sensor; and wherein the intraoral scanner further comprises a display configured for displaying one or more icons, texts, or animations, associated with the reconfigurable buttons, wherein the display covers the strain gauge sensors, and wherein the scanner system further comprises one or more processors configured to generate 3D scan data of at least a part of the dental arch.