Segmented Dental Model Scanning for High-Resolution Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing dental prostheses are costly due to the need for expensive sensors and reduced resolution scanning, leading to inaccuracies in large-area data measurement and suboptimal matching with dental models.

Innovation Solution

A method where only a segment of the dental structure is scanned with precise orientation to a reference coordinate system, allowing for high-resolution data collection by scanning from different directions, and comparing these data sets to determine accurate positioning and shape, using a scanning device and comparing device for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a leveling device with sensors is used to determine positions and inclinations of a platform, then the mutual positions of dental structures can be determined, but the cost becomes very expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dental model into multiple segments and scans each segment separately with a scanning device. By processing segments individually rather than requiring a complete platform leveling system, the invention eliminates the need for expensive sensors while achieving accurate position determination through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical sensor-based leveling system with a scanning device that captures geometric data optically or mechanically, combined with computational algorithms to determine positions and orientations. This substitution eliminates expensive sensors while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the overall shape of a duplicate is measured to determine relative arrangement of duplicate sections, then the positioning can be established, but the resolution is reduced due to large measurement area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddata resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dental model into multiple segments and scans each segment separately with a scanning device. By processing segments individually rather than requiring a complete platform leveling system, the invention eliminates the need for expensive sensors while achieving accurate position determination through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different measurement approaches to different parts of the model: each segment is scanned with high resolution locally, while the overall positioning is determined computationally by comparing segment data. This allows high measurement precision without sacrificing manufacturing precision, as each local area receives focused high-resolution scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If only part of a segment is scanned with fixed orientation, then high resolution data can be obtained, but complete shape information must be reconstructed from multiple scans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata resolutionVSAvoidscanning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dental model into multiple segments and scans each segment separately with a scanning device. By processing segments individually rather than requiring a complete platform leveling system, the invention eliminates the need for expensive sensors while achieving accurate position determination through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a computational method that compares shape data from multiple scans to determine the correct orientation and position of each segment. The system iteratively adjusts and refines the positioning based on feedback from the scanned data, ensuring accurate reconstruction of complete segment shapes from partial scans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7623693B2Method and apparatus for producing datasets for making dental prostheses

Publication Date: 2009.11.24 WILLYTEC GMBH

AI summary

A method and apparatus for producing data for making dental prostheses, wherein the data can be produced on the basis of a model (2) which comprises individual segments (3a, 3b, 3c, . . . ), such as representing a tooth, a preparation, a gingival area, a tooth gap or a small group of teeth, from different directions in space, and a storing device for storing the shape data obtained thereby, and—second shape data (12) of only the one segment (3a, 3b, 3c, . . . ), only part of the segment (3a, 3b, 3c, . . . ) being scanned, and the segment (3a, 3b, 3c, . . . ) being arranged in a fixed orientation relative to a reference, and b) a comparing device for comparing the first and second shape data (1, 12) to determine the orientation of the first shape data (1) relative to the reference.