Intraoral Scanner Position Mapping for Guided Dental Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental scanners operated by unskilled users often require multiple attempts and can be frustrating due to differences in scanner operation and the need for users to manually track the scanner's position within the oral cavity, leading to discomfort and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method using an intraoral scanner connected to an extraoral scanner part, employing a mapping function to correlate their positions, allowing for automatic guidance of the extraoral scanner to a desired position based on intraoral coordinates, facilitated by image sensors and human-machine interfaces for visual or audio instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If self-scanning or self-use type dental scanners are used, then cost savings are achieved, but scan time increases and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the current scanner position and orientation overlaid on the captured intraoral image. This allows unskilled users to see exactly where the scanner is located within the oral cavity and adjust their holding position accordingly, significantly reducing scan time and improving ease of use without requiring professional training
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner automatically tracks its own position within the oral cavity using image recognition and coordinate mapping systems. The system self-corrects for position and orientation deviations, eliminating the need for users to manually track or adjust the scanner position, thereby reducing scan time and operational complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If self-use scanners are used, then cost savings are achieved, but operation difficulty increases due to need for manual position tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays real-time visual feedback showing the current scanner position overlaid on the captured image, allowing users to intuitively understand scanner location and orientation without requiring knowledge of oral anatomy or scanning procedures. This dramatically improves ease of operation for unskilled users
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary visual display layer that translates complex scanner position data into intuitive graphical representations. This intermediary interface mediates between the scanner's internal coordinate system and the user's perception, making operation simple and straightforward
3Adaptability or versatility
If different scanners are used, then adaptability is improved, but operation difficulty increases due to different operating procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal interface and coordinate mapping approach that works across different scanner models and manufacturers. By standardizing the visual feedback and position tracking methodology, the system enables users to operate any scanner in the same intuitive manner, eliminating the need to learn different operating procedures for different devices
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings relate to a method for assisting an intraoral scan including providing an intraoral image of a patient, and providing an extraoral image; the extraoral image being representative of the position of an extraoral scanner part. The teaches further include generating, using the intraoral image and the extraoral image, a mapping function correlating the position of the extraoral scanner part with the position of the intraoral scanner part; and computing, using the mapping function, a desired extraoral position of the extraoral scanner part; the desired extraoral position corresponding to a preferable intraoral position of the intraoral scanner part. The present teachings also relate to a system, a device, a use, data, and a storage medium.