Patent · US Expired

Method and system for acquiring three-dimensional teeth image

US6099314A · kind A · utility

624Cited by
4References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 20, 1998
Grant dateAug 8, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 20, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG16H30/00
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of obtaining a dental image, such as a three-dimensional image of teeth, providing a three-dimensional physical teeth model. The three-dimensional physical teeth model can be either: a negative teeth model that includes a matrix with a plurality of cavities or recesses, each corresponding to a tooth; or a positive teeth model, that includes a matrix with a plurality of projections or bulges, each corresponding to a tooth. The method also includes removing a portion of the model in a controlled, step-wise manner, and in each step acquiring an optical image of the model or of its removed portion, digitizing each of the optical images in order to obtain a plurality of digital images, and compiling the plurality of digital images to obtain a three-dimensional digital dental image.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.