Intraoral Scanner Feedback Interface for Real-Time Scan Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D dental scanning systems face challenges such as high cost, inflexibility, dependency on external displays for feedback, and latency in rendering 3D models, which can distract the dentist and lead to incomplete data acquisition during scanning.
Innovation Solution
A 3D scanner system with an intraoral scanner that provides feedback mechanisms like built-in displays, illumination rings, and sound, allowing for real-time local and global scan coverage metrics without relying on external displays, ensuring accurate and complete data acquisition.
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 diverted from the patient and latency occurs between scanner movements and model rendering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display function directly into the intraoral scanner device itself, merging the scanning mechanism and feedback display into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate external displays and allows the dentist to view scan progress information directly at the scanning site, maintaining focus on the patient while receiving real-time feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera system as an intermediary to capture the dental arch and generate 3D models, which are then displayed on the scanner's built-in display. This intermediary processing allows real-time feedback without requiring the dentist to look away at external monitors, as the feedback is delivered through the scanner's own display interface.
2Loss of information
If an external display and computer setup is used, then 3D model feedback is provided, but the equipment cost increases and the system becomes inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the computer processing, display system, and scanning mechanism into a single integrated intraoral scanner device. The processor within the scanner generates 3D models from captured images and displays them on the built-in display, eliminating the need for separate external computers and displays, thereby reducing equipment cost and setup complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intraoral scanner is designed as a multi-functional device that performs scanning, processing, and display functions all in one unit. This universal device can be used in various dental settings without requiring complex external equipment setups, providing both cost-effectiveness and flexibility across different practice environments.
3Device complexity
If the display is omitted from the scanning system, then cost and flexibility improve, but the dentist lacks feedback mechanism to know if sufficient scan data is acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the display function directly into the scanner device, combining what would otherwise be separate components. This integrated approach provides necessary feedback functionality without requiring external display equipment, maintaining both cost-effectiveness and complete feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intraoral scanner provides its own feedback through a built-in display that shows 3D models and scan coverage information. The device serves itself by generating and displaying feedback internally, eliminating the need for external display systems while ensuring the dentist has all necessary information about scan data sufficiency.
Data Source
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 force 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.