Patent Publication Number: US-2020288959-A1

Title: Intraoral scanner and tip assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/816,515, filed Mar. 11, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments relate to intraoral scanners, and more particularly to tip assemblies for intraoral scanners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Intraoral scanners are commonly used to scan and record anatomical geometry within a patient&#39;s mouth, and include an optical element disposed at a tip of the intra-oral scanner. 
     In one aspect, embodiments provide a tip assembly for an intraoral scanner, the tip assembly including a tip support body having a first end, a second, opposite end, and an outer surface located between the first end and the second end. The outer surface defines at least one protrusion or recess. The tip assembly further includes a disposable, flexible mirror strip having a first end, a second, opposite end, and a mirror fixed to the second end. The flexible mirror strip may define at least one protrusion or recess that engages the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip to the tip support body. The tip assembly further includes a tip sleeve having a first end and a second, opposite end. The tip sleeve is sized and shaped to slide over at least a portion of both the tip support body and the flexible mirror strip. Because the flexible mirror strip is disposable, mirror quality is not compromised by cleaning methods, for example, autoclaving, that are used for existing, permanently-attached mirrors. Instead, a new disposable mirror may be attached after use, helping to ensure consistent and high mirror quality for each use of the intraoral scanner. 
     In another aspect, embodiments provide an intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner includes a tip assembly, an electrical current source, and an electronic processor configured to determine a tip type of the tip assembly. 
     Other features and aspects of will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tip assembly according to one embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating a tip support body, a flexible mirror strip, and a tip sleeve. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the tip assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the flexible mirror strip. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a set of multiple tip support bodies, multiple flexible mirror strips, and multiple tip sleeves. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a set of fully assembled tip assemblies. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are perspective views of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are perspective views of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIGS. 12-15  are perspective view of a tip assembly according to another embodiment for an intraoral scanner, illustrating an assembly process. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an intraoral scanning system according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example of an electrical contact being used to identify a tip type according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that they are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Other embodiments are possible and embodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A tip assembly  10  for an intraoral scanner is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The tip assembly  10  includes a tip support body  14 , a flexible mirror strip  18 , and a tip sleeve  22 . The tip assembly  10  may be used in combination with an intraoral scanner. The tip support body  14  includes a first end  26 , a second, opposite end  30 , and at least one outer surface  34  extending between the first end  26  and the second end  30 . In the illustrated embodiment the tip support body  14  may be autoclaved and/or sterilized for repeated use. For example, the tip support body  14  may be subjected to UV light, or liquid disinfectant, to sterilize the tip support body  14 . In other embodiments the tip support body  14  may be disposable. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tip support body  14  may be generally rectangular in shape along a substantial portion of the tip support body  14 , although in other embodiments the tip support body  14  may have a cylindrical shape or other shape not illustrated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first end  26  may include an outer (e.g., cylindrical) flange  38  and a series of ribs or protrusions  42  extending from the flange  38  that may be used to releasably couple and lock (e.g., via a bayonet connection) the tip support body  14  to another element  46  (e.g., adapter, housing, or other main body or structure of the intraoral scanner). Other embodiments include other shapes or sizes for the flange  38  and protrusions  42 , and/or include other structures for releasably coupling the tip support body  14  to the element  46  or otherwise to the intraoral scanner. While not illustrated, the intraoral scanner may include a device (e.g., a 2D camera or 3D scanner) that receives images from the tip assembly  10  and uses those images to record topographic characteristics of a patient&#39;s set of teeth. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the illustrated embodiment a cavity  50  extends axially through a length of the tip support body  14  from the first end  26  to the second end  30  along an axis  54 , such that the tip support body  14  is hollow on the inside, and such that light may pass through the interior of the tip support body  14  generally along the cavity  50  and the axis  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity  50  is generally rectangular in cross-section, although in other embodiments the cavity  50  may be circular in cross-section, or have other shapes than that illustrated. 
     The second end  30  of the tip support body  14  may be angled or tapered relative to the axis  54  (e.g., at a 45 degree angle or other angle). For example, the second end  30  may include two tapered arms separated by a gap. A cutout region or regions  58  may be provided along one or more sides of the tip support body  14  at the tapered second end  30  to allow light within a patient&#39;s mouth to enter the tip support body  14  at a defined angle, where the light is then redirected and passed through the cavity  50  to the remainder of the intraoral scanner (e.g., to a camera). The light may be redirected by a reflective surface which may be, for example, a mirror as described below. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tip assembly  10  also includes a heating system to heat an optical element in the tip assembly  10  and prevent condensation build-up. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the tip support body  14  includes a set of first electrical contacts  62  that extend partially through the flange  38  and are generally positioned along and exposed alongside one of the outer surfaces  34 . As described further herein, the first electrical contacts  62  provide electrical current to a resistor to heat a mirror inside the tip assembly  10  and remove condensation build-up on the mirror. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the tip support body  14  is releasably coupled to the flexible mirror strip  18 . For example, the outer surface(s)  34  of the tip support body  14  defines at least one protrusion (e.g., raised area, projection, protruding ledge, sliding stop, knob, bump, rib, tab, rail, etc.) or recess (e.g., aperture, indentation, groove, channel, etc.) that is used to releasably and mechanically couple the tip support body  14  to the flexible mirror strip  18  via a frictional engagement (e.g., snap-on), bayonet connection, and/or other mechanical connection. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tip support body  14  may include one or more recesses  66  in the form of elongate apertures or grooves along upper sides of the tip support body  14 , and/or along the tapered second end  30 , that are sized and shaped to receive portions of the flexible mirror strip  18 .  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a different embodiment, in which the tip support body  14  may include one or more protrusions  70  (e.g., protruding ledges, sliding stops as illustrated in  FIG. 6B ) along upper sides of the tip support body  14  that are sized and shaped to constrain and/or otherwise couple to portions of the flexible mirror strip  18 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate yet a different embodiment, in which the tip support body  14  may include a first protrusion  74  (e.g., bump or knob) generally at or adjacent the first end  26  of the tip support body  14 , and a second protrusion  78  (e.g., bump or knob) generally at or adjacent the second end  30  of the tip support body  14 . Other embodiments include various other types, sizes, shapes, and arrangements of protrusions and/or recesses than that illustrated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , in the illustrated embodiment the flexible mirror strip  18  includes an elongate, flexible body having a first end  82 , a second, opposite end  86 , and a mirror  90  fixed (e.g., with adhesive  94  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example, thermally conductive adhesive) to the second end  86 . In other embodiments the mirror  90  is fixed, for example, with tape or another element. In the illustrated embodiment the flexible mirror strip  18  is an elongate, disposable, single-use strip. Thus, the mirror  90  is disposed of with the rest of the flexible mirror strip  18  with each use of the tip assembly  10 . The flexible mirror strip  18  may be laminated for example with polyimide, although other embodiments include different materials. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the flexible mirror strip  18  may be bent at a bend or crease  98  adjacent the second end  86 , such that the second end  86  is angled relative to the first end  82 . In other embodiments the flexible mirror strip  18  may be straight, without a bend or crease  98 . In some embodiments, the flexible mirror strip  18  is an elongate strip having a length as measured between the first and second ends  82 ,  86 , and a width extending perpendicular to the length, where the width is smaller than the length, and where the width can be constant along the length of the flexible mirror strip. 
     With references to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and as noted above, the tip assembly  10  includes a heating system that is used to remove condensation from the mirror  90 . For example, the first end  82  of the flexible mirror strip  18  includes second electrical contacts  102  that physically engage the first electrical contacts  62  on the tip support body  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the flexible mirror strip  18  may include electrical connectors  106  (e.g., conductive wires or strips), and a resistor  110  (e.g., printed resistor) disposed beneath the mirror  90 . The electrical connectors  106  extend from the second electrical contacts  102  to the resistor  110  to deliver current to the resistor  110  and heat the mirror  90 . Thus, the resistor  110  is electrically coupled to the second electrical contacts  102 . The flexible mirror strip  18  may further include a nonconductive element  114  that extends over the electrical connectors  106  between the first and second ends  82 ,  86  of the flexible mirror strip  18 . Other methods for heating the mirror  90 , for example, using a channel in the tip assembly  10  to provide heat from the tip support body  14 , may be used. 
     Similar to the tip support body  14 , the flexible mirror strip  18  may include at least one protrusion or recess which engages the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body  14  to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip  18  to the hollow tip support body  14 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 and 6C , the flexible mirror strip  18  may include multiple protrusions  118  (e.g., ribs or tabs) on the nonconductive element  114 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , in other embodiments the flexible mirror strip  18  may include a first recess  122  (e.g., aperture) generally at or adjacent the first end  82  of the flexible mirror strip  18 , and a second recess  126  (e.g., aperture) generally at or adjacent the second end  86  of the flexible mirror strip  18 . Other embodiments include various other types, sizes, shapes, and arrangements of protrusions and/or recesses than that illustrated. In some embodiments, the flexible mirror strip  18  does not include any protrusions or recesses for engagement with the tip support body  14 . Rather, the flexible mirror strip  18  includes for example an elongate, solid strip of material. The flexible mirror strip  18  may be pressed down, and may snap underneath a protrusion or into a recess of the tip support body  14  or the tip sleeve  22 . In yet other embodiments, the flexible mirror strip  18  may simply lie on top of the tip support body  14 , and may be held in place on top of the tip support body  14  for example by friction when tip sleeve  22  slides over the combined flexible mirror strip  18  and tip support body  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the tip sleeve  22  is sized and shaped to slide over at least a portion of both the tip support body  14  and the flexible mirror strip  18 . The tip sleeve  22  may be disinfected and/or sterilized for repeated use, or may be a single use device. For example, in some embodiments the tip sleeve  22  may be subjected to e.g. autoclave, UV light, or liquid disinfectant, to sterilize the tip sleeve  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tip sleeve  22  has a first end  130  and a second, opposite end  134 , and defines a hollow interior  138 . In some embodiments, the tip sleeve  22  includes one or more internal features  142  (e.g., ribs, guides, channels, etc.) that facilitate and/or guide connection (e.g., snapping) of the tip sleeve  22  over the tip support body  14 , and/or support the mirror  90  and the second end  86  of the flexible mirror strip  18 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the tip sleeve  22  further includes at least one aperture  146  at the second end  134  that aligns with the mirror  90 . The aperture  146  is sized and shaped to receive light and allow the light to enter the tip assembly  10  and reach the mirror  90 , where the light is reflected down the cavity  50 . In the illustrated embodiment both the mirror  90  and the aperture  146  are rectangular, although in other embodiments the mirror  90  and aperture  146  may have different sizes and shapes than that illustrated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments a process for assembling the tip assembly  10  may include first aligning the flexible mirror strip  18  relative to the tip support body  14  such that the mirror  90  is aligned with the second end  30  of the tip support body  14  and the first electrical contacts  62  are aligned with the second electrical contacts  102 . The flexible mirror strip  18  may then be pressed down onto the tip support body  14  until the protrusions  118  engage (e.g., snap) into the recesses  66 . The tip sleeve  22  may then be slid over the combined tip support body  14  and flexible mirror strip  18 , with the flange  38  and protrusions  42  still being disposed outside of the tip sleeve  22 . In some embodiments, the flexible mirror strip  18  may be pressed first into the tip sleeve  22 , and the combined tip sleeve  22  and flexible mirror strip  18  may then be slid over the tip support body  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in some embodiments an array of tip support bodies  14 , flexible mirror strips  18 , and tip sleeves  22  may be provided prior to use (e.g., in a kit), ready for assembly. In yet other embodiments multiple tip assemblies  10  may be fully assembled prior to use. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in yet other embodiments an assembly process may include aligning one side, or end, of the flexible mirror strip  18  such that one or more of the protrusions  118  (or the side or end itself of the flexible mirror strip  18 ) extends and slides underneath a protrusion  70  (e.g., protruding ledge as seen in  FIG. 7B ) on the tip support body  14 . The flexible mirror strip  18  may then be pivoted down and, for example, snapped or otherwise held into place (e.g., frictionally). 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , in yet other embodiments an assembly process may include pressing the flexible mirror strip  18  down vertically at first onto the tip support body  14  along a first direction, and then sliding the flexible mirror strip  18  in a second direction (e.g., perpendicularly) until protrusions  118  on the flexible mirror strip  18  extend under protrusions  70  on the tip support body  14 , in a bayonet-like connection. In some embodiments, the flexible mirror strip  18  may not include any protrusions  118 , but may still be pressed down for example and then slid under protrusions  70  on the tip support body  14  to lock the flexible mirror strip  18  in place. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in some embodiments an assembly process may include removing a film or other protective cover layer  150  that extends over the mirror  90 . Once the cover layer  150  is removed, the flexible mirror strip  18  may then be placed over the tip support body  14  such that the first recess  122  (e.g., aperture) snaps or otherwise extends over the first protrusion  74  (e.g., knob). The second recess  126  (e.g., aperture) may then be snapped or otherwise extended over the second protrusion  78  (e.g., knob). In yet other embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the cover layer  150  may be removed after one or both of the first recess  122  and the second recess  126  have snapped over the first protrusion  74  and the second protrusion  78 , respectively. As described above, in some embodiments the flexible mirror strip  18  may not include any recesses or protrusions. Thus, the flexible mirror strip  18  may be pressed down onto the tip support body  14  (for example snapped onto the tip support body  14  or sandwiched between the tip support body  14  and the tip sleeve  22  and held in place frictionally). The protective cover layer  150  may be removed before or after the flexible mirror strip  18  is snapped onto or otherwise positioned on top of the support body  14 . In some embodiments, the protective cover layer  150  may be removed after the tip sleeve  22  has been slid over the combined flexible mirror strip  18  and tip support body  14 . For example, once the tip sleeve  22  is slid over the combined flexible mirror strip and tip support body  14 , the protective cover layer  150  may then be pulled out through the aperture  146  on the tip sleeve  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the second end  86  of the flexible mirror strip  18 , which includes the mirror  90 , may be bent and flex down over the tapered, second end  30  of the tip support body  14 . In some embodiments, and as described above, the second end  30  may include a guide element (e.g., groove, rail, etc.) that helps to retain the bent second end  86 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , once the flexible mirror strip  18  has been coupled to the tip support body  14 , the tip sleeve  22  may then slide over the assembled combination. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12-15 , in some embodiments the tip support body  14  may include a protrusion (e.g., knob)  154  along an upper surface. The flexible mirror strip  18  includes a corresponding recess (e.g., aperture)  158  that fits over the protrusion  154 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the recess  158  has regions of different size (e.g., diameter), such that when the recess  158  is placed over the protrusion  154  the flexible mirror strip  18  may be pushed or slid until the protrusion  154  is moved (e.g., snapped) into a different area of the recess  158  (e.g., having a smaller size), and the flexible mirror strip  18  is thus prevented or inhibited from being removed from the tip support body  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , when the tip sleeve  22  is coupled over the tip support body  14  and the flexible mirror strip  18 , the protrusion  154  is concealed. 
     Once any of the tip assemblies described above have been assembled, the tip assembly may then be coupled (e.g., via a bayonet connection or other connection) to the rest of the intraoral scanner. For example, and as described above, in some embodiments the first end  26  of the tip support body  14  may include an outer (e.g., cylindrical) flange  38  and a series of ribs or protrusions  42  extending from the flange  38  that may be used to releasably couple and lock (e.g., via a bayonet connection) the tip support body  14  to the rest of the intraoral scanner. During use, the mirror  90  reflects light down the cavity  50  (e.g., to a camera in the intraoral scanner), and the mirror  90  is heated via the resistor  110  to prevent or inhibit build-up of condensation. 
     Once the tip assembly  10  has been used, the tip assembly  10  may be removed from the rest of the intraoral scanner, and the tip sleeve  22  may be pulled off and either discarded or autoclaved and/or sterilized. The flexible mirror strip  18  may then be removed (e.g., unsnapped) from the tip support body  14 , and discarded. The tip support body  14  may then be autoclaved and/or sterilized, and prepared for re-use. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an intraoral scanning system  200  according to one embodiment. The intraoral scanning system  200  includes an intraoral scanner  205  (illustrated in a block diagram format) that includes the tip assembly  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The intraoral scanner  205  is electrically connected to an electrical current source  210  and an electronic processor  215 . For example, the first electrical contacts  62  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are connected to the electrical current source  210  and to the electronic processor  215  by electrical wiring  220  extending through the flange  38  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and out of the intraoral scanner  205 . The electrical current source  210  provides an electrical current to the first electrical contacts  62 , which in turn provides the electrical current to the resistor  110  via the second electrical contacts  102  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
     The electronic processor  215  is electrically connected to the electrical current source  210  and the intraoral scanner  205 . The electronic processor  215  is configured, in some embodiments, to control the electrical current source  210  to provide the current to the resistor  110 . 
     Although  FIG. 16  illustrates a system  200  in which the electrical current source  210 , the electronic processor  215 , a non-transitory, computer-readable memory  225 , and input-output interface  230  are separate from the intraoral scanner  205 , it should be understood that the components of the system  200  may all be wholly contained within the intraoral scanner  205 . For example, the intraoral scanner  205  may be a handheld tool that contains the components of the system  200  within a handle of the handheld tool. In this example, the electrical current source  210  is, for example, a battery. 
     The electronic processor  215  is also configured to identify a tip assembly type of the tip assembly  10 . In one embodiment, the tip assembly  10  is identified based upon a resistance of the resistor  110 . For example, the resistor  110  may include a contact (for example, the second electrical contacts  102 ) that connects the resistor  110 , via the first electrical contacts  62 , to the electrical wiring  220  and the electronic processor  215 . The electronic processor  215  determines the resistance of the resistor  110  and, based upon the determined resistance, identifies the tip assembly  10 . The resistance may be compared to a look-up table stored in the memory  225  to identify the tip assembly  10 . Based upon the comparison to the look-up table, the electronic processor  215  determines a type of the tip assembly  10 . It is to be understood that other methods of determining the type of tip assembly  10  using the determined resistance of the resistor  110  may be used. For example, an analog-to-digital convertor may be used to determine the resistance of the resistor  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the type of the tip assembly  10  is identified via a tag  235  stored, for example, in the flexible mirror strip  18 . The tag  235  can also be stored in the tip support body  14  or the tip sleeve  22 . The tag  235  includes an identifier of the tip assembly  10  and may be, for example, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag or some other form of electronic identification tag. If the tag is stored in the flexible mirror strip  18 , the tag  235  may be electrically connected via the first electrical contacts  62  to the electronic processor  215  and the electronic processor  215  is configured to detect the tip type of the tip assembly from the identification on the stored tag  235  via the electrical connection. If the tag  235  is, for example, an RFID tag, the electronic processor  215  may communicatively connect to the tag  235  via input-output interface  230 , which may include a wireless transceiver used to wirelessly identify the RFID tag. The wireless transceiver detects the identification on the stored tag  235  by receiving returned identification data from the tag  235  in response to transmitting radio waves to the tag  235 . The wireless transceiver then sends the detected identification to the electronic processor  215  to identify the tip assembly  10 . It is to be understood that other methods of wirelessly detecting an identification that do not include using RFID may be used to identify the tip type. 
     While both the resistor  110  and the tip type tag  235  are illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, only one of the two elements is used to determine the tip type. For example, if the tip type tag  235  is included in the tip assembly  10 , the electronic processor  215  is not configured to measure the resistance of the resistor  110  to determine the tip type. In contrast, if the resistance of the resistor  110  is used to determine the tip type, the tip type tag  235  is not included in the tip assembly  10 . 
     In other embodiments, the type of the tip assembly  10  is determined using one or more electrical contacts.  FIG. 17  illustrates an example of a connector having two electrical contacts. In one embodiment, the flexible mirror strip  18  includes a number of studs or pins that, when the flexible mirror strip  18  is releasably coupled to the tip support body  14 , connect with an electrical connection  300  located on the tip support body  14  via one or more connection points  301 - 302 . Based upon the position and number of studs or tips contacting one or more of the connection points  301 - 302 , the tip type is identified. This may be accomplished by transmitting a number of electrical signals to the electronic processor  215  via the electrical connection  300 . The electronic processor  215  uses the electrical signals to determine the tip type. While the electrical connection  300  and the connection points  301 - 302  are illustrated as being circular, it is to be understand that the electrical connection  300  and the connection points  301 - 302  may be other shapes or sizes. In addition, the studs or pins may be located at various points on the flexible mirror strip  18  and not solely at the location described. Additionally, the studs or pins may not contain electrical leads, but may instead push or otherwise physically interact with the connection points  301 - 302 , which in turn would identify the tip assembly  10  by electrically detecting which of the connection points  301 - 302  were physically interacted with by the different studs or pins. In one example, the connection points  301 - 302  are not located on the tip support body  14 , but instead on the tip sleeve  22 . 
     The tip type may indicate, for example, a shape and/or size of the mirror  90 . In some embodiments, the tip type is used to control the intraoral scanner  205 . In one example, the electronic processor  215  may alter operation of the intraoral scanner based upon the identified tip type, for example, by adjusting image processing to account for different sizes and types or mirror and to control the electrical current source  210  to adjust the amount of current delivered to the resistor  110  in order to heat the mirror  90 . 
     The following examples illustrate example systems and methods described herein. Example 1: a tip assembly for an intraoral scanner, the tip assembly comprising a tip support body having a first end, a second, opposite end, and an outer surface located between the first end and the second end; a disposable, flexible mirror strip having a first end, a second, opposite end, and a mirror fixed to the second end; and a tip sleeve having a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the tip sleeve is sized and shaped to slide over at least a portion of both the tip support body and the flexible mirror strip. 
     Example 2: the tip assembly of example 1, wherein the first end of the tip support body includes a first electrical contact along the outer surface, and wherein the first end of the flexible mirror strip includes a second electrical contact configured to physically engage the first electrical contact. 
     Example 3: the tip assembly of example 2, wherein the flexible mirror strip includes a resistor at the second end of the flexible mirror strip, and wherein the resistor is electrically coupled to the second electrical contact. 
     Example 4: the tip assembly of example 3, wherein the resistor is disposed at least partially beneath the mirror, and is configured to heat the mirror to remove condensation from the mirror. 
     Example 5: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-4, wherein the flexible mirror strip includes a nonconductive element disposed between the first end and the second end of the flexible mirror strip. 
     Example 6: the tip assembly of any of claims  1 - 5 , wherein the outer surface of the tip support body defines at least one protrusion or recess, and wherein the flexible mirror strip defines at least one protrusion or recess configured to engage the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip assembly to the tip support body, wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body includes a plurality of recesses along the outer surface of the tip support body, and wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the flexible mirror strip includes a plurality of protrusions configured to snap into the plurality of recesses to couple the flexible mirror strip onto the tip support body via frictional engagement. 
     Example 7: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-5, wherein the outer surface of the tip support body defines at least one protrusion or recess, and wherein the flexible mirror strip defines at least one protrusion or recess configured to engage the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip assembly to the tip support body, wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body includes a plurality of recesses along the outer surface of the tip support body, and wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the flexible mirror strip includes a plurality of protrusions having shapes smaller than that of the recesses, such that the plurality of protrusions are configured to first pass through the recesses along a first direction, and the flexible mirror strip is then configured to slide in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction until the protrusions are disposed underneath the outer surface of the tip support body. 
     Example 8: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-5, wherein the outer surface of the tip support body defines at least one protrusion or recess, and wherein the flexible mirror strip defines at least one protrusion or recess configured to engage the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip assembly to the tip support body, wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body includes a protruding ledge, and wherein the first end of the flexible mirror strip is configured to slide under the protruding ledge to couple the flexible mirror strip to the tip support body. 
     Example 9: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-5, wherein the outer surface of the tip support body defines at least one protrusion or recess, and wherein the flexible mirror strip defines at least one protrusion or recess configured to engage the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body to releasably couple the flexible mirror strip assembly to the tip support body, wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the tip support body includes a first protrusion adjacent the first end of the tip support body and a second protrusion adjacent the second end of the tip support body, wherein the at least one protrusion or recess of the flexible mirror strip includes a first recess adjacent the first end of the flexible mirror strip and a second recess adjacent the second end of the flexible mirror strip, wherein the first protrusion is configured to extend through the first recess and the second protrusion is configured to extend through the second recess. 
     Example 10: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-9, wherein the second end of the tip support body is tapered, and wherein the second end of the flexible mirror strip is configured to flex and bend over the tapered second end of the tip support body. 
     Example 11: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-10, wherein the first end of the tip support body includes a flange and a plurality of protrusions extending from the flange. 
     Example 12: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-9 and 11, wherein the second end of the tip support body includes two tapered arms separated by a gap. 
     Example 13: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-12, wherein the flexible mirror strip is an elongate strip having a length as measured between the first and second ends of the flexible mirror strip, and a width extending perpendicular to the length, wherein the width is smaller than the length, and wherein the width is constant along the length of the flexible mirror strip. 
     Example 14: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-13, wherein the flexible mirror strip is laminated with polyimide, and includes a printed resistor. 
     Example 15: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-14, wherein the first end of the tip sleeve is circular in cross-section. 
     Example 16: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-15, wherein the tip sleeve includes a plurality of internal features configured to guide the tip sleeve over the tip support body. 
     Example 17: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-16, wherein the second end of the tip sleeve includes an aperture sized and shaped to receive light when the tip sleeve is coupled to the tip support body and the flexible mirror strip. 
     Example 18: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-17, wherein the tip sleeve and the tip support body are both autoclavable. 
     Example 19: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-18, wherein the flexible mirror strip is coupled to the outer surface of the tip support body, and the tip sleeve is disposed over the flexible mirror strip. 
     Example 20: the tip assembly of any of examples 1-19, wherein the first end of the tip support body includes a flange and a plurality of protrusions extending from the flange, wherein the flange and protrusions are disposed outside of the tip sleeve. 
     Example 21: a disposable, flexible mirror strip for an intraoral scanner, the disposable, flexible mirror strip comprising an elongate, flexible body having a first end and a second, opposite end; and a mirror fixed to the second end. 
     Example 22: the disposable, flexible mirror strip of example 21, further comprising an electrical contact at the first end. 
     Example 23: the disposable, flexible mirror strip of example 22, further comprising a resistor disposed at least partially under the mirror, and an electrical connector extending from the electrical contact to the resistor, wherein the resistor is configured to heat the mirror, and wherein the electrical connector is configured to indicate a type of tip assembly being used. 
     Example 24: the disposable, flexible mirror strip of any of examples 21-23, further comprising a removable protective cover layer disposed over the mirror. 
     Example 25: a tip assembly for an intraoral scanner, the tip assembly comprising the disposable, flexible mirror strip of any of examples 21-24. 
     Example 26: an intraoral scanner comprising a tip assembly, an electrical current source, and an electronic processor configured to determine a tip type of the tip assembly. 
     Example 27: the intraoral scanner of example 26, wherein the tip assembly includes a flexible mirror strip, the flexible mirror strip comprising a resistor configured to heat the mirror. 
     Example 28: the intraoral scanner of example 27, wherein the electronic processor is further configured to control the electrical current source to provide current to the resistor to heat the mirror. 
     Example 29: the intraoral scanner of any of examples 27-28, wherein the electronic processor determines the tip type of the tip assembly by determining a resistance of the resistor. 
     Example 30: the intraoral scanner of any of examples 26-28, wherein the tip assembly includes a tip type tag, and wherein the electronic processor determines the tip type of the tip assembly based upon data received from the tip type tag. 
     Example 31: the intraoral scanner of example 30, wherein the electronic processor is electrically connected to the tip type tag. 
     Example 32: the intraoral scanner of example 30, wherein the electronic processor is wirelessly connected to the tip type tag. 
     Example 33: the intraoral scanner of any of examples 26-27 or 30-31, wherein the tip assembly includes a number of pins, and wherein the electronic processor determines the tip type of the tip assembly based on the number of pins. 
     Example 34: the intraoral scanner of any of examples 26-33, wherein the electronic processor is configured to alter a provided current to the intraoral scanner based upon the tip type. 
     Example 35: the intraoral scanner of any of examples 26-34, wherein the electronic processor is configured to alter operation of the intraoral scanner based upon the tip type. 
     Various features, aspects, and embodiments are set forth in the following claims.