Intraoral Scanner Window Fluorescence for Reflection Artifact Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanners face challenges in accurately detecting the presence and alignment of disposable sleeves due to reflections and scattering of light, which can affect the quality of three-dimensional digital models of teeth and gingiva.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fluorescent transparent film or material on the probe window or a couplable sleeve, allowing cameras to differentiate between reflected light from the object and light emitted by the film, and using processors to identify the sleeve's presence and alignment, ensuring proper scanning conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a transparent window is used on the probe for light transmission, then light can enter and exit the probe effectively, but reflections and scattering from the window surface interfere with accurate detection of the intraoral scene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fluorescence conversion by coating the transparent window with fluorescent material. The window material absorbs light at one wavelength and emits it at a different wavelength, converting the harmful reflection issue into a beneficial detection feature. The fluorescent emission serves as a unique identifier that helps the system distinguish the window from other surfaces and detect sleeve presence and alignment accurately.
2Reliability
If disposable sleeves are used to cover the probe for hygiene reasons, then hygiene requirements are met, but the presence and alignment of the sleeve cannot be reliably detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fluorescent material with specific emission characteristics on the window. When excited by light, the fluorescent material emits light at a characteristic wavelength that serves as a visual and detectable signal. This allows the system to detect whether a sleeve is present and properly aligned by monitoring the fluorescent emission pattern, solving the detection difficulty while maintaining hygiene through disposable sleeve usage.
3Measurement precision
If the window material itself is made fluorescent, then the window can be easily identified and alignment detected, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining a transparent window material with a fluorescent coating layer. This composite structure maintains the optical transmission properties of the transparent material while adding the detection capability of the fluorescent layer. The separation of functions (transmission vs. detection) in different material layers simplifies manufacturing compared to requiring a single material to possess both properties inherently.
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
Enhances the accuracy of intraoral scanning by ensuring the presence and correct alignment of the sleeve, thereby improving the quality of three-dimensional digital models.
Implementation Method 1
The projected light also stimulates the fluorescent transparent film to emit photons of a longer wavelength than the wavelength of the projected light. The photons emitted by the fluorescent transparent film are emitted in all directions.
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D scanner system includes a scanner and a processor. The scanner includes a wand comprising a distal end configured for insertion into an oral cavity, wherein the wand comprises an opening in a sidewall of the distal end; and at least one of a window arranged in the opening of the wand or a sleeve mounted on an outside of the wand such that the sleeve covers the opening. The processor is configured to receive 2D images generated by the scanner, the 2D images comprising a) captured structured light reflected off of an intraoral object and b) captured additional light arising from reflections from at least one of the window or the sleeve; and perform 3D image reconstruction using the captured structured light in the 2D images while excluding the captured additional light in the 2D images based on processing of the 2D images using one or more algorithms.