Ultrathin Intraoral 3D Camera

描述（由申请人提供）：口腔内三维（3D）成像能力有望彻底改变传统的牙科实践工作流程，允许在椅子上实时获取3D数字模型，而不需要传统的印象，从而促进快速和准确的计算机辅助设计（CAD）和计算机辅助制造（CAM）牙科修复在牙医办公室或非现场实验室。3D成像技术开启了数字牙科的新时代。然而，体积庞大和缺乏灵活性是2D和3D口腔内相机产品的普遍缺点：远端探头和手持装置体积庞大，限制了它们对整个治疗区域的访问；它们的设计通常具有刚性结构，因此无法在狭窄的空间和难以进入的区域使用。该SBIR的主要目标是开发和演示一种新的3D成像方法，该方法基于超薄光纤扫描概念，使口腔内相机能够同时进行2D和3D表面成像。我们在此提出的超薄口腔内3D相机（UT3D）具有几个独特的特点，远远优于任何现有的口腔内相机：超薄（~ 1mm），灵活，高分辨率2D/3D（百万像素），准确和用户友好的口腔内成像。这种新颖的3D技术和产品将使成像能力、可访问性、患者舒适度和CAD/CAM应用的多用途达到一个新的水平。凭借其超薄和灵活的特点，这种新颖的3D相机也可以作为许多牙科器械的“尖端眼”。微小的远端和灵活性使超薄相机能够访问传统光学成像相机无法访问的凹处，浮雕，剪力墙/侧面区域。我们第一阶段的具体目标是：目标1：设计并构建超薄口腔内3D相机的第一阶段原型；目标2：开发、验证和实现超薄口腔内三维相机的三维成像算法；目标3：对假牙和真牙进行3D成像测试，量化UI3D相机的性能；目标4：根据第一阶段的结果确定需要改进的地方，并制定/优化第二阶段的工作计划。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Intraoral three-dimensional (3D) imaging capability promises to revolutionize traditional dental practice workflow by allowing chairside real-time 3D digital model acquisition without taking traditional impressions, thus facilitating speedy and accurate computer-aided-design (CAD) and computer-aided- manufacturing (CAM) of dental restorations at dentist's office or off-site labs. The 3D imaging technology leads to a new era of digital dentistry. However, bulky form factor and lack of flexibility are among general shortcomings for both 2D and 3D intraoral camera products: bulky sizes of distal probe and handheld units limit their access of entire treatment regions; and their designs usually have rigid structure, preventing their uses in confined spaces and difficult to access areas. The primary objective of this SBIR is to develop and demonstrate a novel 3D imaging approach that enables simultaneous 2D and 3D surface imaging capability for intraoral camera based on the ultrathin fiber scanning concept. The ultrathin intraoral 3D camera (UT3D) we propose herein has several unique features that are far-superior to any existing intraoral cameras: ultrathin (~1 mm), flexible, high resolution 2D/3D (megapixels), accurate and user-friendly for intraoral imaging. This novel 3D technology and product would enable a new level of imaging capability, accessibility, patient comfort, and versatile uses for CAD/CAM applications. With its ultrathin and flexible features, this novel 3D camera can also serve as the "Eye-On-The- Tip" for many dental instruments. The tiny distal end and flexibility allow the ultrathin camera to access areas of undercuts, relief, shear walls/sides that are impossible for traditional optical imaging cameras to access. Our Phase I specific aims are: Aim 1: Design and build a Phase 1 prototype of the ultrathin intraoral 3D camera; Aim 2: Develop, validate and implement the 3D imaging algorithms for the ultrathin intraoral 3D camera; Aim 3: Perform 3D imaging tests on phantom and real teeth to quantify UI3D camera's performance; Aim 4: Identify areas of improvement based on Phase 1 results, and develop/optimize Phase 2 work plan.