Intraoral Scanner Tip With Segmented Gas Apertures for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanners face difficulties in collecting accurate three-dimensional data of the jaw and teeth due to concealed regions and contamination by blood and saliva, as existing air delivery systems often cover the optical elements with particles.
Innovation Solution
A tip for intraoral scanners featuring a housing body with an optical arrangement and apertures that provide gas streams for cleaning and maintaining the scanned region clean, including a pre-scanning nozzle for initial cleaning and sub-gingival nozzles for diffusing air around the periphery during scanning, along with a buffering wall to prevent particle spread and an absorbing layer to capture particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressurized air is supplied through an air delivery device to reveal concealed regions, then sub-gingival regions become visible, but optical elements become covered with oral particles
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into two distinct functional zones: a first portion (pre-scanning nozzle) directed toward the scanned region for cleaning, and a second portion (buffering wall area) directed toward the optical arrangement for protection. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and optical element protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the aperture are given different orientations and functions tailored to their specific roles. The first portion is optimized for particle removal from the scanned region, while the second portion is optimized for protecting the optical elements. This local differentiation of quality and function allows simultaneous achievement of cleaning and protection goals.
2Ease of operation
If gas streams are directed to clean the scanned region, then oral particles are removed, but particles may spread to contaminate optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering wall acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the pre-scanning nozzle and the optical arrangement. It intercepts and contains oral particles within the scanned region while allowing the beneficial gas stream cleaning action to continue. This intermediary structure enables cleaning effectiveness without transmitting particles to the optical elements.
3Device complexity
If a single aperture is used for air delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot simultaneously clean and protect optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is segmented into two functional portions with different orientations and purposes. This segmentation allows the aperture to perform multiple functions (cleaning and protection) simultaneously, achieving scanning reliability without requiring multiple separate components, thus maintaining simplicity while improving performance.
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 accurate and precise data collection and transmission, revealing concealed teeth portions while keeping optical elements clean, facilitating the creation of a correct 3D model and optimal partial denture design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one aperture adapted to provide gas streams, wherein said at least one aperture is configured such that during a scanning session a scanned region is first being cleaned (e.g., from blood or oral particles) by gas streams
Implementation Method 2
after the cleaning and during the actual scanning of said region, said at least one aperture causes gas streams to diffuse around the entire periphery of said cleaned and scanned region
Implementation Method 3
the tip further comprises a buffering wall adapted for preventing the spread of oral particles to reach the optical arrangement during the cleaning
Implementation Method 4
the tip further comprises an absorbing layer adapted to capture oral particles during the cleaning of the scanned region
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tip for an intraoral scanner, comprising: a housing body having an optical arrangement through which images are transferred to an imaging module of the intraoral scanner, at least one aperture adapted to provide gas streams, wherein said at least one aperture is configured such that during a scanning session a scanned region is first being cleaned (e.g., from blood or oral particles) by gas streams prior to the actual scanning of said region by said optical arrangement, while after the cleaning and during the actual scanning of said region, said at least one aperture causes gas streams to diffuse around the entire periphery of said cleaned and scanned region.