Intraoral Scanner Tip Detection for Automatic Scan Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraoral scanners face challenges in identifying whether scan data is from the maxilla, mandible, or occlusal regions, requiring manual user input which is inconvenient and hygienically unsuitable, and struggle with scanning small oral cavities like those of children due to the use of adult-sized tips.
Innovation Solution
An intraoral scanner system that includes a sensor to detect tip information, such as fastening direction and size, to automatically identify scan modes and adjust projection and ROI based on tip characteristics, enabling accurate oral image processing without manual user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual user input is used to identify scan data type, then scan data can be correctly identified, but operation convenience deteriorates and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The intraoral scanner automatically identifies whether the attached tip is for maxillary or mandibular scanning through sensors that detect tip characteristics, eliminating the need for manual user input. The system serves itself by autonomously determining scan data type based on physical tip properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of selecting scan data type via user input is replaced by an automated sensing system that detects tip characteristics optically or electrically, substituting human action with an automated detection mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If manual user input is used to identify scan data type, then scan data can be correctly identified, but hygiene deteriorates due to repeated hand contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of scan data type without requiring hand contact from the operator, automatically detecting tip characteristics through integrated sensors to maintain hygiene while ensuring accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual contact-based identification process is replaced by non-contact sensing mechanisms that detect tip properties through optical or electrical fields, eliminating hygiene contamination from hand contact while maintaining identification accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If adult-sized tips are used for scanning, then the scanner can be constructed with standard dimensions, but adaptability to small oral cavities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is divided into separable components: a standard-sized scanner body and interchangeable tips of different sizes. This segmentation allows the scanner to maintain simple construction while adapting to different oral cavity sizes by swapping tips, similar to how a camera body works with different lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner achieves multi-functionality by accepting multiple tip sizes (adult and pediatric), allowing a single scanner device to serve multiple patient populations. The universal scanner body accommodates various specialized tips for different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a communicator configured to transmit or receive information to or from an intraoral scanner, a memory storing one or more instructions, and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to identify an oral image obtainment mode based on tip information about a tip included in the intraoral scanner, and obtain an oral image based on two-dimensional image data received from the intraoral scanner through the communicator and the identified oral image obtainment mode, wherein the tip information may include at least one of tip fastening direction information and tip size information.