Intraoral Scanner Segmentation for Extended Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraoral scanning devices face challenges in achieving a large field of view (FOV) while maintaining a compact tip height, often requiring close-focus optics that result in variations in magnification, illumination, and unwanted reflections, as well as increased view angles between the camera and projector units.
Innovation Solution
The scanning device incorporates multiple scan units, each with a projector unit and a camera, and at least one scan unit featuring a reflecting element, such as a mirror, to redirect light, allowing for an extended FOV by positioning these units in series along the scanning device's longitudinal axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If close-focus optics are used to achieve a large field of view, then the field of view is increased, but magnification variation, illumination variation, and unwanted reflections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device is divided into multiple scan units, each with its own projector and camera subsystem. This segmentation allows each unit to operate with optimized optics while collectively providing an extended field of view, thereby avoiding the magnification and illumination variations that would result from using close-focus optics in a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the field of view by adding scan units in the longitudinal dimension rather than increasing the angular field of view within a single unit. This dimensional approach allows maintaining consistent optics in each unit while achieving overall extended coverage, avoiding the harmful effects of close-focus optics.
2Area of stationary object
If close-focus optics are used to achieve a large field of view, then the field of view is increased, but unwanted reflections from the front window increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the scanning device into multiple units spaced along the longitudinal axis, each unit has its own optical path and front window. This reduces the angle of incidence for reflected light in each individual unit, minimizing unwanted reflections while collectively providing an extended field of view.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple scan units are positioned in series to extend the field of view, then the field of view is increased, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple scan units in series along the longitudinal axis of the probe, effectively nesting functional units within the overall device structure. This allows the extended field of view to be achieved while maintaining a compact handheld form factor, as the units are integrated along the length of the existing probe rather than adding lateral bulk.
4Ease of operation
If a compact tip height is maintained, then patient comfort is improved, but the field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device is segmented into multiple scan units positioned along the longitudinal axis. This allows each unit to have compact dimensions suitable for patient comfort, while the collective arrangement of multiple units provides an extended field of view, resolving the contradiction between compactness and coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the tip height in the vertical dimension to achieve a larger field of view, the patent extends the field of view by adding units in the longitudinal dimension. This maintains the compact tip height for patient comfort while achieving extended coverage through spatial arrangement.
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
This configuration enables a larger FOV, reducing registration errors and allowing for faster data capture, improved accuracy, and a more compact design by minimizing tip height and reducing variations in magnification and illumination.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the scan units further comprises a reflecting element configured to reflect light from the projector unit and/or configured to reflect light from a surface of an illuminated object
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanning device for scanning a dental object, the scanning device including an elongated probe defining a longitudinal axis of the scanning device; one or more scan units, each scan unit including: at least one projector unit configured to project a light pattern onto a surface of the dental object, wherein the projector unit defines a projector optical axis; and at least one camera including an image sensor for acquiring images, wherein the at least one camera defines a camera optical axis, wherein at least one of the scan units further includes a reflecting element, wherein each scan unit defines a field of view. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an intraoral scanning device having an extended field of view.