Mirror-Based Intraoral Scanner Cap for Variable Depth-of-Field
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral scanners lack flexibility in depth-of-field adjustment, making it difficult to capture the three-dimensional shape of teeth with varying conditions such as partial missing, and enlarging the optical mechanism to adjust depth-of-field increases the device size.
Innovation Solution
The use of caps with varying longitudinal lengths and adjustable mounting mechanisms on the intraoral scanner allows for flexible depth-of-field adjustment without increasing the scanner's size, enabling capture of three-dimensional shapes of teeth with and without occlusal portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the depth-of-field is extended to capture deep tooth structures, then the optical path length must be increased, but this increases the size of the housing which hinders intraoral imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into multiple sections with different optical path lengths. A first cap section has a first optical path length for capturing shallow tooth structures, while a second cap section has a second optical path length for capturing deep tooth structures. This segmentation allows the system to switch between different depth-of-field configurations without increasing the overall housing size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different cap sections based on the imaging requirements. The controller selects which cap section to use depending on whether shallow or deep tooth structures need to be captured, allowing the optical path length to be adjusted without physically changing the housing size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single cap configuration is used, then the device structure is simplified, but it cannot capture both shallow and deep tooth structures effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple cap sections that can be selectively used. The first cap section is optimized for shallow tooth structures while the second cap section is optimized for deep tooth structures. This universal design allows a single cap assembly to perform multiple imaging functions that would otherwise require separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the selection and switching between different cap sections. Based on the imaging requirements detected or specified by the user, the controller automatically selects the appropriate cap section, simplifying the user interface while enabling versatile tooth structure coverage.
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 capture of three-dimensional data of both shallow and deep tooth structures, facilitating the production of customized prostheses for partially-missing teeth without enlarging the scanner's physical dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror that reflects light from the measurement window toward the opening
Implementation Method 2
an optical element that shifts a position of the depth-of-field by a predetermined amount
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a cap mountable on and detachable from an intraoral scanner (100). The cap includes a housing (12) having an opening (11) for connecting to at least a part of the intraoral scanner (100), a measurement window (13) provided in the housing (12) and located opposite to the opening (11), and a mirror (14) that reflects light from the measurement window (13) toward the opening (11). The cap defines a depth-of-field (S) for the image capturing device that extends from a position located a predetermined distance away from the light inlet (13) of the cap to a predetermined extent.