WO2022092759A1

WO2022092759A1 - 3d intraoral scanner for dental caries diagnosis

Info

Publication number: WO2022092759A1
Application number: PCT/KR2021/015092
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이상연; 강신현; 이명학; 이창규; 김태환
Original assignee: 이상연
Priority date: 2020-10-28
Filing date: 2021-10-26
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: KR20220056499A; KR102441761B1

Abstract

A 3D intraoral scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a case which can be introduced into and extracted from the oral cavity, and is formed such that an image of the inside of the oral cavity is projected inside in the form of light through one end; a laser device that is accommodated in the case and projects pattern laser light toward the one end of the case; LED lighting that is accommodated in the case and projects LED light toward the one end of the case; a camera that is accommodated in the case and receives the light incident from the one end of the case, and thereby generates 3D image information; and a reflective member that is accommodated in the case and changes the path of the light, incident from the one end of the case, so as to be incident on the camera.

Description

3D oral scanner for dental caries diagnosis

The present invention relates to a combined dental caries diagnosis 3D oral scanner, and more particularly, to a combined dental caries diagnosis 3D oral scanner using a grid laser.

An intraoral scanner is a type of 3D scanner that acquires a plurality of optical images of a target object through a series of scanning sequences and generates 3D model data of the target object by using them. The intraoral scanner refers to a device configured to acquire a series of optical images of a body part, particularly, structures in the oral cavity, such as teeth and gums, among these three-dimensional scanners.

In general, an oral scanner is inserted into the oral cavity of a dental patient to scan teeth in a non-contact manner to generate a three-dimensional scanning model of the dentition.

In the case of a single camera, as a conventional technique for obtaining 3D information using images measured from multiple viewpoints, continuous shooting is performed by obtaining distance information between an object and a camera using the coordinate system of images from different viewpoints. After matching the obtained image information to find the matching object in each image, the distance information of the object is extracted using projection. Therefore, there is a problem in processing three-dimensional information and there is a problem that the amount of calculation increases, and recently, a stereo vision method using images obtained from two or more cameras is applied to an intraoral scanner.

However, in the case of 3D data measurement using the stereo vision method, at least two cameras are required, and the two cameras must look at the measurement object in the same direction. There is a problem that there is a constraint, and the size of the scanner box increases, so that it is difficult to design and manufacture the instrument.

On the other hand, an intraoral 3D scanner is a structure capable of generating a three-dimensional scanning model of the teeth, but it is not easy to diagnose cavities formed on the surface or inside of the teeth. In particular, cavities on the side of a tooth are difficult to detect because they are hidden by adjacent teeth. Therefore, there is a need to develop a device capable of diagnosing the presence/size/type of dental caries and the presence/size/type of dental caries by inserting 3D scanning into the oral cavity composed of a small volume.

Accordingly, the present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and provides a 3D oral scanner for diagnosing dental caries for insertion into the oral cavity, which can scan the oral cavity using a grid laser and a camera and diagnose dental caries want to

3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to enter and withdraw into the oral cavity, and a case formed so that an image inside the oral cavity is projected to the inside in the form of light through one end, and accommodated in the case, the case A laser device for projecting a pattern laser light toward one end of the case, and an LED light that is accommodated in the case and projects the LED light toward one end of the case, and is accommodated in the case and is incident from one end of the case and a camera for generating 3D image information by receiving the received light, and a reflective member accommodated in the case and provided to change the path of the light incident from one end of the case to be incident on the camera.

The case may include a tip case inserted into the oral cavity, and a body case connected to the tip case by a coupling member and provided to be gripped by the user.

The laser device, the LED light, and the camera may be accommodated in the body case, and the reflective member may be accommodated in the tip case.

A control unit for operating the laser device and the camera and processing 3D image information generated from the camera, and a communication unit for transmitting the 3D image information processed by the control unit to an external PC 3D program device are provided inside the body case can

A battery for supplying power to the laser device and the camera through the control unit may be provided inside the main body case.

3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, provided on the outside of the case, may further include an air compressor provided to supply air toward one end of the case from the inside of the case.

The air compressor may be provided to supply air toward the reflective member through an air hose extending into the inside of the case.

The camera is provided as a pair, and at the end of the coupling member, first to fourth openings are formed, the laser projected from the laser device passes through the first opening, and the second opening is provided from the LED light. The projected LED light passes, and the light incident from one end of the case passes through the third opening toward the pair of cameras, and the air hose may pass through the fourth opening.

The camera is provided as one, and first to fourth openings are formed at an end of the coupling member, the laser projected from the laser device passes through the first opening, and the second opening has one end of the case The light incident from the passes toward the camera, the LED light projected from the LED light passes through the third opening, and the air hose may pass through the fourth opening.

The pattern laser light may be blue light having a wavelength of 400 nm to 450 nm.

The reflective member may be a convex mirror.

The reflective member may be disposed to form an angle of 45° with one end of the case.

The tip case may have a shape that is narrowed toward one end of the case.

A flat mirror may be further provided on the inner wall of the tip case.

A heating pad may be further provided between the inner wall of the tip case and the flat mirror.

The heating pad may be temperature-controlled so as to be synchronized with the body temperature of the human body.

The LED light is provided to project the visible light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 730 nm in stages, and it is possible to diagnose the type of caries of the tooth by identifying the color of the light changed at the wavelength for each stage.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by compactly mounting a laser device, LED lighting, and a camera inside the case, intraoral 3D scanning is possible.

In addition, by continuously supplying air into the case or attaching a heating pad to the case, fogging of the reflective member during scanning may be prevented.

In addition, by employing a convex mirror as a reflective member, a larger area of intraoral 3D scanning is possible.

In addition, by employing LED lighting in the 3D intraoral scanner and placing it close to the teeth, it is possible to smoothly diagnose dental caries in the oral cavity.

In addition, it is possible to diagnose the type of caries such as calculus/cavities/cracks/plaque of teeth by detecting the light changed at a specific wavelength while changing the wavelength of the LED light.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing the appearance of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front view schematically showing the coupling member of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a 3D intraoral scanner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view showing a state of diagnosing tooth decay using a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating a state of diagnosing cavities formed between teeth using a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention may be embodied in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In addition, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration are typically described in one embodiment using the same reference numerals, and only configurations different from the one embodiment will be described in other embodiments.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in size for clarity and convenience in the drawings, and any dimensions are illustrative only and not limiting. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar features to the same structure, element, or part appearing in two or more drawings. When a part is referred to as being “on” or “on” another part, it may be directly on the other part, or the other part may be present in between.

The embodiment of the present invention specifically represents one embodiment of the present invention. As a result, various modifications of the diagram are expected. Accordingly, the embodiment is not limited to a specific shape of the illustrated area, and includes, for example, a shape modification by manufacturing.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a side view schematically showing the appearance of a 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is this view A front view schematically showing the coupling member of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the 3D intraoral scanner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a case 10, a laser device 20, an LED light 30, a camera 40, and and a reflective member 50 .

First, the case 10 is formed to be able to be drawn in and out into the oral cavity, which is the object of 3D scanning, and an image inside the oral cavity through one end of the case 10 is formed to be projected into the interior of the case 10 in the form of light.

The case 10 may be configured to include a tip case 12 , and a body case 14 . The tip case 12 is a part to be inserted into the oral cavity, and the body case 14 is a part that the user can hold by hand. The tip case 12 and the body case 14 may be connected by a coupling member 15 . That is, the tip case 12 and the main body case 14 may be formed to have respective spaces in which the inside is partitioned by the coupling member 15 .

The laser device 20 is accommodated and installed inside the case 10 , and the pattern laser light may be projected toward one end of the case 10 . The pattern laser light may be blue light having a wavelength of about 400 nm to 450 nm. The laser device 20 may be accommodated in the body case 14 .

The LED light 30 is accommodated and installed inside the case 10 , and the LED light can be projected toward one end of the case 10 . The LED light 30 may be accommodated in the body case 14 and may be provided in plurality.

The camera 40 is accommodated and installed inside the case 10 , and may generate 3D image information in the oral cavity by receiving light incident from one end of the case 10 . The camera 40 may be accommodated in the body case 14 and may be provided in plurality.

The laser device 20 , the LED light 30 , and the camera 40 may be arranged side by side in a form facing the coupling member 15 and looking toward the tip case 12 .

The light incident from the oral cavity through one end of the case 10 may be incident on the camera 40 by the reflective member 50 installed at one end of the case 10 . That is, the reflective member 50 may change the path of the light incident from the inside of the oral cavity, and the light may be incident to the camera 40 .

To this end, the reflective member 50 may be disposed in a form to be accommodated in the tip case 12 with one end open and to look toward the open direction. In addition, the reflective member 50 may be formed of a flat mirror or a convex mirror to easily secure a wide angle of view. In addition, the reflective member 50 may be disposed to form an angle of about 45 ° and the horizontal direction of the tip case (12).

Meanwhile, a control unit 60 and a communication unit 70 may be provided inside the main body case 14 . The controller 60 may be connected to the camera 40 and the laser device 20 , and operates the laser device 20 and the camera 40 for 3D scanning driving. Then, the intraoral 3D image information generated from the camera 40 is processed. In addition, the control unit 60 may be connected to the LED light 30 to control whether the LED light is emitted.

To this end, the control unit 60 may be implemented with one or more microprocessors operating by a set program, the set program including a series of instructions for controlling the operation of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention can be done as

The communication unit 70 transmits the 3D image information processed by the control unit 60 to the PC 3D program device 82 outside the case 10 to store and implement 3D scanning data through the program, and to display the scanning information. can

On the other hand, the 3D intraoral scanner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an air compressor 80 provided on the outside of the case (10). The air compressor 80 may supply air toward the reflective member 50 through the air hose 85 extending into the inside of the case 10 . This is to prevent fogging of the reflective member 50 by breathing when the tip case 12 is inserted into the oral cavity, and air may be continuously supplied during 3D scanning operation.

In addition, an air supply switch 18 is provided on the outer surface of the main body case 14, and strong air is discharged from the air hose 85 by pressing the switch 18 when the reflective member 50 has saliva or foreign substances. can be supplied. In addition, the 3D scanning driving switch 16 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body case 14 so that the on/off function of the 3D scanning driving can be performed separately from the air supply switch 18 .

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the coupling member 15 may be provided so that first to

fourth openings

11 , 13 , 17 and 19 are formed at an end thereof. As shown in Figure 4, the 3D intraoral scanner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a pair of cameras 40, in this case, the first opening 11 has a laser device 20 ) can be allowed to pass through the pattern laser projected from it. In addition, the second opening 13 may allow the LED light projected from the LED lighting 30 to pass therethrough. In addition, the third opening 17 may allow light incident from one end of the case 10 to pass toward the pair of cameras 40 , and the fourth opening 19 may allow the air hose 85 to pass therethrough. can do.

On the other hand, the 3D intraoral scanner 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to be provided with one camera 40 and a pair of LED lights 30 . In this case, the pattern laser projected from the laser device 20 may pass through the first opening 11 , and the light incident from one end of the case 10 may pass through the second opening 13 of the camera 40 . ) to pass through. And, the third opening 17 may allow the LED light projected from the pair of LED lights 30 to pass through, and the air hose 85 may pass through the fourth opening 19 .

On the other hand, the tip case 12 may be formed in a shape in which the width is narrowed toward one end of the case 10 . By this shape, it is easy to insert and withdraw the 3D intraoral scanner 100 into the oral cavity.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a flat mirror 52 may be further provided on the inner wall of the tip case 12 of the 3D intraoral scanner 200 . By using the pair of cameras 40 and the flat mirror 52 , four images can be acquired from different angles, so that the resolution capability of the camera 40 can be improved.

A heating pad 54 may be further provided between the inner wall of the tip case 12 and the flat mirror 52 . The heating pad 54 may prevent the generation of fogging on the flat mirror 52 by breathing when the tip case 12 is inserted into the oral cavity by increasing the temperature of the flat mirror 52 . In addition, the heating pad 54 may be disposed on the rear surface of the reflective member 50 made of a convex mirror to prevent fogging from being generated in the reflective member 50 .

The temperature of the heating pad 54 may be adjusted to be synchronized with the body temperature of the human body by the controller 60 . In addition, the temperature may be adjusted to about 37 ℃ to about 40 ℃. In addition, a heating pad switch 18 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body case 14 separately from the 3D scan driving switch 16 to perform an on/off function of heating.

Meanwhile, a battery 75 for supplying power to the laser device 20 and the camera 40 through the control unit 60 may be further provided inside the body case 14 , and the communication unit 70 may include the control unit 60 . ), the processed 3D image information may be transmitted to the external PC 3D program device 82 through wireless communication.

In the case of the 3D scanning device according to Fig. 5, by employing the heating pad 54 and the battery 75, the air compressor 80 and the air hose 85 described with reference to Fig. 4 can be omitted, and the LDE lighting 30 , a power supply line for the laser device 20 and the camera 40 may be omitted, and a communication line with the PC 3D program 82 may be omitted. Accordingly, it is possible to implement a compact and simple 3D scanning device.

Figure 6 is a view showing a state of diagnosing tooth decay using a 3D oral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a 3D oral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention formed between teeth It is a diagram showing the state of diagnosis.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an example of diagnosing a cavity 170 formed in a tooth 150 by using the LED light 250 drawn out of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention as a light source is shown.

The tooth 150 itself may be an optical medium, and when the LED light 250 is illuminated on the tooth, it serves as a self-luminous body. If the distance between the teeth 150 and the LED light 250 is long, it is difficult to achieve sufficient tooth brightness, so the LED light 250 is placed in close contact with the teeth as much as possible to project the LED light toward the teeth 150 . In the case of the 3D intraoral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the LED light is accommodated inside the case 10, the LED light can be drawn out and used to diagnose dental caries.

When the LED light 250 drawn out of the case is in close contact with the tooth 150 to project the LED light, if the tooth 150 has a cavity 170, the LED light passing through the tooth 150 is a cavity 170 The difference in luminescence (light change) occurs in the part where there is, and it appears in the form of black dots. Then, the position of the camera 350 (the camera position of (a) or (b)) is changed and arranged according to the area where the caries of the tooth 150 to be diagnosed is expected to be located, and the dental caries image is obtained by taking a picture of the caries. can be obtained In addition, the position and size of the tooth decay 170 may be diagnosed by acquiring an image of dental caries by using an image camera instead of a camera for photographing.

On the other hand, the cavity 170 formed between the teeth 150 is difficult to confirm with the naked eye and it is difficult to place a camera because of the adjacent normal teeth. method is available. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 , the LED light is projected on the area where the cavity 170 of the tooth 150 is expected to be, and when the cavity 170 is present, the tooth decay shadow 180 is formed on the adjacent normal tooth surface. do. The location and size of the tooth decay 170 can be diagnosed by indirectly and indirectly acquiring a photo and image of the tooth decay shadow 180 through the tooth decay shadow 180 .

On the other hand, when the visible light having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 730 nm is projected on the tooth 150 through the LED light 250, the LED light passing through the tooth 150 is reflected. By observing the reflected LED light through a special film, fluorescence images such as calculus, plaque (plaque), cavities, and cracks (broken teeth) are taken and software corrected to diagnose problematic teeth (150).

Since minerals are lost in areas such as tartar and cavities of the tooth 150, there is no reflected light and it appears in a dark form, and the cracks of the tooth 150 also appear dark because light is blocked from proceeding through the tooth medium. .

On the other hand, plaque is a pre-stage of calculus, and a fluorescence image can be acquired by a special film by porphyrin, which is generated by the metabolism of plaque. Porphyrin absorbs blue visible light of about 405 nm, and the energy level rises to become an excited state, and then falls to the ground state, emitting energy light as much as the energy level falls. The emitted energy light has a longer wavelength and is observed to be red.

By emitting the wavelength of the LED light 250 in steps of about 380 nm to about 730 nm, it is possible to detect whether the light changed at a specific wavelength is calculus/cavities/cracks or plaque. That is, it can be understood that calculus/cavities/cracks exist in the area where the dark image appears, and plaque is present in the area where the red image appears when the LED light is emitted at about 405 nm.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by compactly mounting the laser device, LED lighting, and camera inside the case, intraoral 3D scanning is possible.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it is easily changed by a person skilled in the art from the embodiment of the present invention to equivalent Including all changes to the extent recognized as being

Claims

a case capable of being drawn in and out of the oral cavity, and formed such that an image inside the oral cavity is projected into the interior in the form of light through one end;

a laser device accommodated in the case and projecting a pattern laser light toward one end of the case;

LED lights accommodated in the case, projecting the LED light toward one end of the case;

a camera accommodated in the case and receiving light incident from one end of the case to generate 3D image information; and

3D intraoral scanner including a reflective member accommodated in the case, and provided to be incident on the camera by changing the path of the light incident from one end of the case.
In claim 1,

the case is

tip case inserted into the oral cavity; and

3D intraoral scanner including a body case connected to the tip case by a coupling member and provided so that the user can grip.
In claim 2,

The laser device, the LED light, and the camera are accommodated inside the body case,

The reflective member is a 3D intraoral scanner accommodated inside the tip case.
In claim 3,

Inside the body case,

a control unit that operates the laser device and the camera and processes 3D image information generated from the camera; and

3D intraoral scanner provided with a communication unit for transmitting the 3D image information processed by the control unit to an external PC 3D program device.
In claim 4,

Inside the body case,

3D intraoral scanner provided with a battery for supplying power to the laser device and the camera through the control unit.
In claim 2,

3D intraoral scanner provided on the outside of the case, further comprising an air compressor provided to supply air toward one end of the case from the inside of the case.
In claim 6,

The air compressor is a 3D intraoral scanner provided to supply air toward the reflective member through the air hose extending into the interior of the case.
In claim 7,

The camera is provided as a pair,

At the end of the coupling member, first to fourth openings are formed,

A laser projected from the laser device passes through the first opening,

LED light projected from the LED light passes through the second opening,

In the third opening, the light incident from one end of the case passes toward the pair of cameras,

The fourth opening has a 3D intraoral scanner through which the air hose is passed.
In claim 7,

The camera is provided as one,

At the end of the coupling member, first to fourth openings are formed,

A laser projected from the laser device passes through the first opening,

In the second opening, the light incident from one end of the case passes toward the camera,

LED light projected from the LED light passes through the third opening,

The fourth opening has a 3D intraoral scanner through which the air hose is passed.
In claim 1,

The pattern laser light is a blue light having a wavelength of 400nm to 450nm 3D intraoral scanner.
In claim 1,

The reflective member is a convex mirror 3D intraoral scanner.
In claim 11,

The reflective member is a 3D intraoral scanner disposed to form an angle of 45 ° with one end of the case.
In claim 2,

The tip case is a 3D intraoral scanner having a shape that is narrowed toward one end of the case.
In claim 2,

3D intraoral scanner further provided with a flat mirror on the inner wall of the tip case.
15. In claim 14,

A 3D intraoral scanner that is further provided with a heating pad between the inner wall of the tip case and the flat mirror.
16. In claim 15,

The heating pad is a 3D intraoral scanner temperature-controlled to synchronize with the body temperature of the human body.
In claim 1,

The LED lighting is provided to project visible light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 730 nm in stages,

3D intraoral scanner for diagnosing the type of dental caries by identifying the color of the light changed at the wavelength of each step.