Mirror-Assisted Stereo Imaging for Comfortable 3D Tooth Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental impression methods using malleable masses are imprecise and time-consuming, and intraoral scanners are uncomfortable for patients and cumbersome in treatment rooms, while surgical microscopes with stereo camera systems have limitations in integrating depth information without additional equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method using a surgical microscope with a stereo camera system that includes a mirror element to capture a partial section of teeth externally, determining the mirror's pose, and generating a three-dimensional image through stereo reconstruction, allowing for accurate and patient-friendly imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor carrier with sensor is inserted into the mouth to capture all sides of teeth using intraoral scanners, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting a sensor carrier into the mouth to capture teeth from the interior, the patent uses a mirror element to reflect the teeth back to external cameras. This inverts the traditional intraoral scanning approach, allowing complete capture of all tooth surfaces including the back side without inserting anything into the patient's mouth, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mirror element as an intermediary between the teeth and the cameras. The mirror reflects the tooth surfaces that would otherwise be inaccessible to external cameras, enabling complete capture of all sides of teeth without direct contact with the patient's oral cavity. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive measurement data while maintaining patient comfort
2Measurement precision
If a sensor carrier is inserted into the mouth to capture all sides of teeth, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a standard surgical microscope with stereo camera system that can serve multiple functions: it provides magnified images for surgical guidance and simultaneously captures three-dimensional images of teeth using the mirror element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate intraoral scanning equipment, reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tooth imaging function with the existing surgical microscope system by integrating the mirror element and camera system into the microscope. This combination allows the surgical microscope to perform both surgical guidance and dental imaging functions, reducing the number of separate devices needed in the treatment room and simplifying the overall system
3Manufacturing precision
If malleable mass is pressed onto teeth to produce dental impression, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time and loss of substance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of pressing malleable mass onto teeth with an optical measurement system using stereo cameras and mirror elements. This substitution eliminates the need for waiting periods associated with material drying while maintaining high measurement precision through digital capture of all tooth surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and time efficiency
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 fast, precise, and comfortable generation of three-dimensional tooth images without the need for intraoral sensors, improving integration into dental processes and reducing space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror element (3) that is arranged in a capture region (4) of the stereo camera system (1) and reflects the at least one partial section of the row of teeth (Z)
Implementation Method 2
a first image capturing device (5a) and a further image capturing device (5b) which each generate a respective image (15a, 15b) on the basis of beams guided in a respective beam path (11a, 11b)
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are for generating a three-dimensional image of a partial section of a row of teeth using a stereo camera system of a surgical microscope. The stereo camera system includes a first capturing device and a further capturing device, wherein: a) a respective imaged mirror image is detected in an image generated by the first capturing device and in an image generated by the further capturing device, the imaged mirror images being provided by a mirror element that is arranged in a capture region of the stereo camera system such that a mirror image of the partial section of the row of teeth can be imaged by the first and further capturing devices, b) a pose of the mirror element is determined, c) the three-dimensional image is determined on the basis of at least the imaged mirror images and the pose of the mirror element.