Optical Camera System for 3D Contour and Caries Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental imaging technologies require separate devices for 3D contour data acquisition and dental decay detection, leading to equipment inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A single optical camera system capable of operating in both 3D imaging and caries detection modes, utilizing various imaging techniques such as phase-shift triangulation, color-coded triangulation, scanning confocal imaging, and light-induced fluorescence, to capture combined 3D and diagnostic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for 3D contour data acquisition and caries detection, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 3D imaging functionality and caries detection functionality into a single integrated optical camera system. The device uses a single optical axis to perform both phase-shift triangulation for 3D contour acquisition and fluorescence/transillumination for caries detection, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical camera system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single device. It can operate in different modes (3D imaging mode and caries detection mode) by switching optical configurations, making the device universal and eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Device complexity
If a single optical system is used for both 3D imaging and caries detection, then equipment cost and complexity are reduced, but the system must handle multiple operational modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes by changing optical configurations. A mode switching mechanism adjusts the optical path, aperture, and filtering based on whether 3D imaging or caries detection is required, allowing a single device to adapt to multiple functions without permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as aperture size, optical filtering, and illumination wavelength to switch between 3D imaging and caries detection modes. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the single optical system can optimize performance for each specific function while maintaining a unified device structure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple imaging techniques are integrated in one device, then diagnostic accuracy is improved through data overlay, but the optical system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging functions into distinct optical paths that share a common camera sensor. The 3D imaging path and caries detection path are separated through optical elements (beam splitters, filters, apertures) but converge on the same sensor, allowing independent optimization of each function while maintaining a unified detection platform.
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 efficient and cost-effective combination of 3D imaging and caries detection functionalities in a single device, reducing equipment needs and improving diagnostic accuracy by overlaying caries detection data onto 3D imaging data sets.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging sensor is arranged to receive light backscattered by at least one surface of the object, the backscattered light defining an observation optical path
Implementation Method 2
U.S. Patent No. 6,885,464 describes a 3-D camera system which utilizes phase-shifting triangulation for determining height or depth differences of the surface structure of an object
Implementation Method 3
phase-shifting triangulation for determining height or depth differences of the surface structure of an object
Implementation Method 4
U.S. Patent No. 6,697,164 describes a 3-D camera system based on confocal imaging for determining height or depth differences of the surface structure of an object
Implementation Method 5
a variety of other optical technologies are commercially available to enable the diagnosis of dental decay. Examples of such diagnostic technologies include fiber-optic transillumination, quantitative light-induced fluorescence
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and apparatus for obtaining images of an object, a method for operating an optical camera system to obtain images of the object, and a computer program that operates in accordance with the method. The system includes an optical system and at least one processing system. The optical system is arranged to capture at least one first image of the object while the optical system operates in an imaging mode, and is also arranged to capture at least one second image of the object while the optical system operates in a diagnostic mode. The at least one processing system is arranged to combine the first and second images.