Touch-Sensitive Intraoral Scanner for Continuous 3D Image Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical scanning solutions, such as intraoral scanners, are inefficient as they require users to repeatedly disengage from the patient to interact with a computing device for navigation and manipulation of medical images, lacking the ability to perform these tasks while engaged with the patient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a touch-sensitive scanner with touch sensors that allow users to perform navigation and manipulation of medical images directly on the scanner during the scanning process, enabling hold and swipe gestures to control the user interface and manipulate 3D models without disengaging from the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional intraoral scanner is used without touch sensitivity, then the scanner structure remains simple, but the user must repeatedly disengage from the patient to interact with a computing device for navigation and manipulation of medical images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensor interface directly into the intraoral scanner device, merging the scanning function with the user interface control. This allows the scanner to both capture medical images and receive user input through touch gestures without requiring separate interaction with a computing device, thereby improving ease of operation during the scanning process
Solution Approach 2:
The intraoral scanner is designed with multi-functionality by integrating touch sensor capabilities that enable it to serve both as an imaging device and a user interface controller. The touch sensor can detect various gestures (tap, swipe, hold) to control navigation and manipulation of medical images, allowing one device to perform multiple functions that previously required separate devices
2Productivity
If the user disengages from the patient to interact with a computing device, then the user can manipulate medical images, but the scanning efficiency decreases due to repeated disengagement and reengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor enables continuous interaction with the user interface while the scanner remains engaged with the patient. Users can perform navigation and manipulation tasks during the scanning process without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating the need to disengage and reengage with the patient, thereby improving scanning efficiency and reducing time loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If the intraoral scanner lacks touch sensor capability, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot perform navigation and manipulation of medical images during the scanning session
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor acts as an intermediary between the user and the medical image manipulation functions. By integrating the touch sensor into the scanner, the system enables users to interact with and manipulate medical images directly through the scanner device, providing adaptability and versatility in image navigation and control without requiring separate interaction devices
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning system comprises an intraoral scanner to capture scan data of a dental site and a computing device to generate a 3D rendering of the dental site. The scanner comprises one or more input devices configured to provide manual interaction with the computing device, where: a first activation of the input device(s) causes the scanning system to enter an inspection mode in which a view of the 3D rendering is adjustable based on movements of the intraoral scanner; and a second activation of the one or more input devices causes the scanning system to enter an overlay mode, wherein the computing device is to present a menu visualized on top of the 3D rendering on the display while the scanning system is in the overlay mode, the menu comprising one or more instructions for use of the intraoral scanner to control a user interface of the scanning system.