Patent ID: 7286954
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: A61B,A61C,G01B,G16H,G16Z

Abstract:
1. Method for scanning an intraoral cavity, comprising (a) identifying target parts of the intraoral cavity that it is desired to have scanned; (b) identifying spatial relationships between a scanning device and said target parts of the intraoral cavity suitable for enabling said target parts to be scanned by said scanning device; (c) displaying said relationships; and (d) using said displayed relationships as a guide for scanning the intraoral cavity wherein said scanning provides 3D data of said target parts for use in a predetermined procedure wherein step (a) includes identifying ancillary parts in said intraoral cavity associated with said target parts, wherein 3D data of said ancillary parts is also required for use in said predetermined dental procedure wherein said step (b) comprises, for each said target part and each said ancillary part, determining for said scanning device a series of spatial parameters, each comprising a scanning station data sufficient for enabling said scanner to fully scan said corresponding target part or ancillary part wherein step (c) comprises displaying a nominal image comprising an image of at least a portion of an nominal intraoral cavity, comprising corresponding said target parts and said ancillary parts, and an image of a nominal scanner in a spatial relationship with respect to one another corresponding to the spatial relationship as determined in step (b) for at least one parameter of said series of parameters wherein a series of said nominal images are provided, each image in said series corresponding to a different one of said parameters of said series of parameters; and wherein said nominal image may comprise said nominal intraoral cavity at any desired orientation with respect to a predetermined coordinate system.