SCANBODY

Abstract

Embodiments include a scanbody that includes a base that fits in an anti-rotation geometry of a dental implant, and a body that is set to be scanner. The body includes a lateral surface with geometrical elements that allow the identification of information regarding a position, direction and rotation of the scanbody. The body lateral surface does not include any flat portion and includes a first opposing trunconical element, base-to-base, a secondary trunconic element and concave surfaces disposed at the side, including a hole (5) that receives a fixing screw.

Claims

1. A scanbody comprising: a base with a coupling geometry configured to fit a geometry of a dental implant coupling, and a body with a lateral surface configured to be scanned, wherein the body lateral surface does not comprise any flat areas, and, wherein the body lateral surface comprises one or more geometrical elements that allow identification of information of a position, a direction and a rotation of the scanbody, an opposing primary trunconic element, and a secondary trunconic element coupled to the opposing primary trunconic element base-to-base.

2. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the body lateral surface further comprises a concave surface.

3. The scanbody according to claim 1, further comprising a hole set in the scanbody configured to receive a fixing screw inserted therein.

4. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the coupling geometry of the base comprises a Morse taper geometry that includes a prism with three concave sides lodged by three concave sides.

5. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the coupling geometry of the base comprises a universal geometry that includes fastening clamps to secure the scanbody.

6. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the coupling geometry of the base comprises a Morse taper geometry that includes a hexagonal prism).

7. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the coupling geometry of the base comprises a straight trunconic geometry.

8. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the scanbody is a biocompatible material.

9. The scanbody according to claim 1, wherein the scanbody is a PEEK-Classix material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of at least one embodiment of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0027] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate main features of a scanbody and a cross-sectional view of the scanbody;

[0028] FIG. 2A and 2B illustrate the scanbody with a hole access to fix a screw;

[0029] FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the scanbody provided with different coupling elements;

[0030] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the effect achieved by the surfaces of the scanbody during a scanning procedure; and

[0031] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a typical prior art technique issue during a scanning procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out at least one embodiment of the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

[0033] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the main features of the scanbody device and a cross-section view of the scanbody device, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. At least one embodiment includes a scanning device (10) that includes a body (12) and a base (16) interconnected by a middle part to maintain a body and base set height constant when different types of anti-rotation elements are used.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the base (16), as a lower part of the scanning device (10), may fit on a dental implant anti-rotation geometry, whether located in a fixing installed in a mouth of a user or analog attached to a plaster model. It is noted wherein FIGS. 2A, 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate the related elements as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, as different base geometries (16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66) that may be used, relating to a type of abutment coupling geometry used in one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0035] In at least one embodiment, the body (12) may include, or may be formed by, a dual-taper geometry, specifically may include or may be formed by two truncated cones joined or coupled base-to-base, referred to herein as primary and secondary trunconical elements. In one or more embodiments, the main feature of the body (12) may include a dual-trunconical assembly without any flat surface.

[0036] At least one embodiment may include rounded surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, that may be irradiated by a source of light (1) and may include at least one light reflection point that carries part of the light waves reflected (3) towards a receiver (2). In one or more embodiments, the time range between light wave emission and detection may be used to measure the distance traveled and, consequently, the geometry of the workpiece being scanned.

[0037] Typically, when a workpiece includes flat surfaces, as shown in prior art FIGS. 8A and 8B, at some points no wave (3) irradiated by a source of light (1) reaches the receiver (2), resulting in a measurement fault. Generally, the measurement fault results in geometry estimation errors when seen as irregular spots on the surface of the scanned part when displayed on a computer. In extreme cases, typically, such reading errors are enough to mask the exact geometry leading to a manufacturing failed prosthetic element that needs to be corrected after manufacture.

[0038] Generally, a prior art technique corrects such errors with post processing steps using the computer, which requires more sophisticated computer programs and longer processing time. One or more embodiments of the invention resolve such a measurement fault and errors by changing the geometry of the scanbody.

[0039] By way of at least one embodiment, the body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62) of the scanbody may be arranged such that the scanner reading always display an opposing primary trunconical element (121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621) coupled base-to-base to a secondary trunconical element (122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622).

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the dual-trunconical geometry may increase the reading area, such that the implant position may be determined, particularly when installing the implant in the mouth of the user. In at least one embodiment, the greater reading area may increase implant position transfer during scanning to minimize settlement failure problems of the final prosthesis.

[0041] One or more embodiments of the invention, for example, may include bridges, which are prostheses supported on multiple implants in which the body, with two trunconical elements, may be enough to detect implant position and direction information. In at least one embodiment, the scanbody may include multiple supporting points, such that the prosthetic element does not depend on the anti-rotation geometry found in the head of the implant to ensure its alignment within the mouth in order to detect the implant position and the direction information. FIG. 6 illustrates the scan component that may be used, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, for example used during a single tooth replacement, the rotating location of the anti-rotation element may be determined, in addition to the position and direction, such that the prosthetic component is placed in the same position to be aligned with the rest of the dental arch. One or more embodiments, such as the lateral surface of the body, may include concave surfaces (123, 223, 323, 423, 523) arranged in the side of the body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52), such that the rotational information may be measured without the use of flat surfaces.

[0043] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a scanbody according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least one embodiment of the invention may include a hole (5) and a channel that fits a fixing screw. By way of one or more embodiments, the fixing screws may ease the scanbody attachment to the implant, either in the user's mouth or in the model, and thus displacements during scanning are avoided.

[0044] FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the scanbody with different coupling elements in its base, according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, at least one embodiment of the invention may include anti-rotation coupling geometries. As shown in FIG. 6, one or more embodiments of the invention may include rotating coupling geometry. In at least one embodiment, the anti-rotation coupling geometries may be used with the prosthesis supported on multiple implants when the position of the anti-rotation implant element is not relevant.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates the scanbody (30) with Morse taper (361) anti-rotation geometry on its base (36), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in at least one embodiment, the Morse taper (361) anti-rotation geometry may include or may be coupled to a prism (362) with three concave sides (3621) lodged within three convex sides (3622).

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates the scanbody (40) with Universal type (461) anti-rotation geometry at the base (46), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In at least one embodiment, the scanbody may be coupled to different types of anti-rotation geometries that include scanbody fastening clamps (462) used during the scanning procedure.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a scanbody (50) with Morse taper (561) type anti-rotation geometry on the base (56), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the Morse taper (561) type anti-rotation geometry may include or may be coupled with a hexagonal prism (562). FIG. 6 illustrates the scanbody (60) with straight trunconical (661) rotation coupling geometry at the base (66), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in at least one embodiment, the straight trunconical (661) rotation coupling geometry may be used when multiple implants are used to support, for example, a prosthetic bridge, as previously mentioned, wherein rotating orientation information may not be relevant.

[0048] According to one or more embodiments, the scanbodies may be or may include different opaque materials, or the different opaque materials may be used to produce the scanbodies, using the geometry as discussed herein. In at least one embodiment, the opaque materials may be biocompatible and may be autoclaved to disinfect and to minimize the occurrence of problems when the scanbodies are used in an intraoral environment.

[0049] One or more embodiments of the invention may be applied to PEEKClassix white resin, developed by Invibio, and life science grade by-products such as Ketron PEEK LSG plastic, whose opacity characteristics are higher than those of natural PEEK. By way of at least one embodiment, to improve the scanbody opacity characteristics for the present invention, the scanbody may be machined instead of injection molded. According to one or more embodiments, the micro surface resulting from the machining process may lower reflectivity (greater opacity) of the work piece.

[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teaching. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention.