I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 11111 11111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US007099732B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Geng
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,099,732 B2
`* Aug. 29, 2006
`
`(54) SANITARY SLEEVE OR TIP FOR
`INTRA-ORAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`CAMERA
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Z. Jason Geng, Rockville, MD (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Genex Technologies, Inc., Kensington,
`MD (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 358 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/654,193
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0117052 Al
`
`Jun. 17, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/408,040, filed on Sep.
`3, 2002.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 19100
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 700/97,
`700/98, 117,118; 353/7, 42, 8,123; 707/104.1;
`433/29, 2, 30; 356/197, 121, 123, 445; 313/113,
`313/501
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,527,261 A *
`Monroe et al.
`............. 600/109
`6/1996
`5,675,407 A *
`Geng
`......................... 356/147
`10/1997
`Shieh
`5,784,434 A
`7/1998
`Rapa et al.
`6,002,424 A
`12/1999
`6,239,868 Bl
`Jung et al.
`5/2001
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Kidest Bahta
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Steven L. Nichols; Rader
`Fishman & Grauer PLLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An intra-oral imaging system includes an optical conduit, a
`light source generating light rays, at least a portion of which
`are transmitted through the optical conduit to illuminate a
`dental surface, a device for converting the light rays into
`radiation illumination with spatially varying wavelengths
`prior to illuminating the dental surface, a reflector that
`directs the light rays from the light source to a selected point;
`and an imager for receiving the light rays when the light rays
`are reflected from the dental surface.
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 700/117; 433/29
`
`29 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`,,----100
`
`,-105
`
`150
`
`130
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of2
`
`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`a
`
`3SHAPE 1024
`
`3ShapevAlign
`
`IPR2021-01383
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of2
`
`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`100aa
`
`40
`
`105
`
`3SHAPE 1024
`
`3ShapevAlign
`
`IPR2021-01383
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`5
`
`1
`SANITARY SLEEVE OR TIP FOR
`INTRA-ORAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`CAMERA
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §
`119( e) from the following previously-filed Provisional
`Patent Applications, U.S. Application No. 60/408,040, filed
`Sep. 3, 2002 by Geng, entitled "Sanitary Sleeve or Tip for
`Intra-Oral Three-Dimensional Camera" which is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated herein by reference in its entirety.
`The present application is related to U.S. application Ser.
`No. 09/616,723 by Geng entitled "Three-Dimensional Den(cid:173)
`tal Imaging Method and Apparatus Having a Reflective
`Member." application Ser. No. 09/616,723 is a Continua(cid:173)
`tion-in-Part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/616,723 by Geng
`entitled, "Three-Dimensional Dental Imaging Method and
`Apparatus." Application Ser. No. 09/616,723 claims priority
`from U.S. Provisional Application. No. 60/144,010, filed
`Jul. 15, 1999. All three of these previous applications are
`hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`The present application is also related to (1) U.S. Provi(cid:173)
`sional Patent Application No. 60/375,934, "Method and
`Apparatus for Generating Structural Pattern Illumination"
`filed Apr. 26, 2002; (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
`No. 60/178,695, "Improvement on the 3D Imaging Methods
`&Apparatus" filed Jan. 28, 2000; (3) U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/770, 124, "3D Surface Profile Imaging Method &
`Apparatus Using Single Spectral Light Condition" filed Jan.
`26, 2001; (4) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/USOl/18644,
`"3D Surface Profile Imaging Method & Apparatus Using
`Single Spectral Light Condition" filed Jun. 11, 2001; and (5)
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/771,531, "Method &
`Apparatus for 3D Imaging Using Light Pattern Having
`Multiple Sub-Patterns" filed Jan. 29, 2001. All of these
`previous applications are hereby incorporated by reference
`in their entireties.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`can produce a posterior crown in less than an hour. However,
`as mentioned this system requires the use of a laser in the
`vicinity of a patient's eyes.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,805 describes a system called CEREC
`(Ceramic Reconstruction). According to this patent, the
`intra-oral scanner incorporates a light emitting diode and
`lens system to illuminate the cavity of the tooth. The light
`rays pass through a set of ruled lines, casting stripe patterns
`on the prepared cavity. A CCD camera is used to record the
`10 stripe pattern in a 12.8 mm3 volume. Due to the limitations
`on the width of the ruled lines, spatial resolution is quite low.
`To increase the spatial resolution, a mechanism was intro(cid:173)
`duced that requires multiple frame images. Using a piezo
`motor, the ruler is moved to four fixed and offset locations,
`15 allowing the CCD camera to take an image at each of the
`four locations. The number of measurements is thus qua(cid:173)
`drupled. In this arrangement, the system loses the capability
`of taking a complete 3 dimensional measurement in a single
`snapshot, and the design of the system becomes fairly
`20 complicated.
`Rekow developed a system known as the Minnesota
`System. The raw image of a tooth is acquired using a
`standard 35 mm camera through a 10 mm diameter single
`rod lens magnifying laryngopharyngoscope. A prism system
`25 at the distal end of the rod lens permits the field of view to
`be 90 degrees. A number of views are used to ensure that
`complete information is obtained and to minimize the like(cid:173)
`lihood of blur caused by patient movement. Fiber optics
`provides the illumination necessary to capture the stereos
`30 images, or slides, that are taken on standard photographic
`film. The slides are then digitized in 4096x4096 resolution.
`Stereo correspondence algorithms are used to produce three
`dimensional measurement data. The aim of this system was
`to produce a low cost high resolution three dimensional
`35 measurement. It does not, however, take advantage of the
`rapid advances in the field of machine vision and analysis.
`While each of the above prior art systems has merit in the
`measurement of dental structure, each have shortcomings of
`one type or another. Most require multiple imaging which in
`40 turn requires that the patient maintain a fixed position for a
`long period of time. In addition, most of the above systems
`lack adequate resolution or expose the patient to undesirable
`radiation such as a laser.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,407 to Geng issued Oct. 7, 1997
`describes a novel three-dimensional surface profile measur(cid:173)
`ing technique that is able to acquire full frame, dynamic 3-D
`images of objects with complex surface geometries at high
`speed. By "full frame 3-D image" is meant that the value of
`each pixel (i.e. picture element) in an acquired digital image
`50 represents the accurate distance from the camera's focal
`point to the corresponding point on the object's surface. The
`(x,y,z) coordinates for all visible points on the object surface
`are supplied by a single 3-D image. By "acquiring dynamic
`3-D images at high speed" is meant, that a camera of the type
`55 described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,407 is able to capture a full
`frame 3-D image in one snapshot, i.e. within one exposure
`time of its imager device (for example, within one millisec(cid:173)
`ond), and can obtain a stream of such 3-D images at a
`sustainable speed of at least 30 frames per second.
`
`The present invention relates to intra-oral imaging of
`dental surfaces and to methods and apparatus for such
`imaging. The present invention also relates to the field of 45
`sanitary measures taken for dental instruments.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The accurate and rapid intra-oral measurement of dental
`surfaces for many purposes including the production of
`prosthodontics or dental parts has been a goal of Dental
`Science for some time.
`A system developed by Francois Duret et al. combines
`holographic moire techniques to produce an array of three
`dimensional points that represent a single-view image of a
`tooth. The hand held optical probe consists primarily of a
`laser diode and a CCD photo sensor in order to capture
`dental images. The spatial resolution of the dental images
`produced with this technique is about 20 µm. Images from 60
`different views are then interactively combined, and a rigid
`theoretical tooth is fitted to the points in order to reconstruct
`the tooth analytically. With this system, a dental practitioner
`can personalize the anatomy of a tooth. Further, this system
`allows design of a custom crown for a particular tooth as 65
`well as subsequent milling for immediate fabrication and
`restoration. The final restoration error is about 80 µm and
`
`SUMMARY
`
`An intra-oral imaging system includes an optical conduit,
`a light source generating light rays, at least a portion of
`which are transmitted through the optical conduit to illumi(cid:173)
`nate a dental surface, a device for converting the light rays
`into radiation illumination with spatially varying wave-
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`3
`lengths prior to illuminating the dental surface, a reflector
`that directs the light rays from the light source to a selected
`point; and an imager for receiving the light rays when the
`light rays are reflected from the dental surface.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present apparatus and method and are a part of
`the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely
`examples of the present apparatus and method and do not
`limit the scope of the disclosure.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the intra-oral
`camera of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the combined
`camera, image processing and CAD/CAM system of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an intra-oral
`camera with a sanitary sleeve according to a first embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an intra-oral
`camera with a sanitary sleeve according to a second embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
`designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`An intra-oral imaging system includes an optical conduit,
`a light source generating light rays, at least a portion of
`which are transmitted through the optical conduit to illumi(cid:173)
`nate a dental surface, a device for converting the light rays
`into radiation illumination with spatially varying wave(cid:173)
`lengths prior to illuminating the dental surface, a reflector
`that directs the light rays from the light source to a selected
`point; and an imager for receiving the light rays when the
`light rays are reflected from the dental surface.
`In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
`numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
`thorough understanding of the present method and appara(cid:173)
`tus. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that
`the present method and apparatus may be practiced without
`these specific details. Reference in the specification to "one
`embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular
`feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection
`with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.
`The appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" in
`various places in the specification are not necessarily all
`referring to the same embodiment.
`
`Improved Intra-Oral Dental Probe and Camera
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an intra-oral imaging system (100) that
`produces both 3-D and color 2-D images of dental structure.
`The intra-oral imaging system (100) generally includes an 55
`intra-oral probe (105) that is surrounded by an appropriately
`shaped housing (110) that encompasses a fiber optic bundle
`(115) and a CCD imaging device (120). A linear variable
`wavelength filter or LVWF (125) is disposed at the outlet of
`fiber optic bundle (115). The purpose, composition and 60
`utility of this device are described in detail in aforemen(cid:173)
`tioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,407 and such description will not
`be repeated herein.
`Light projected from fiber optic bundle (115) passes
`through LVWF (125) and is then reflected from a first mirror 65
`(130) to a second mirror (135) onto the surface of dental
`structure (140) that is to be imaged. Light reflected from the
`
`4
`surface of dental structure (140) is then conducted by
`reflection from a third mirror (145) to the first mirror (130)
`and onto the CCD imagining device (120). Appropriate
`lenses or lens pairs (150, 155) maybe incorporated to obtain
`5 appropriate focus of the image and protection of the interior
`of housing (110). The particular shape or configuration of
`CCD imaging device (120) and housing (110) is not critical
`to the successful practice of the invention; so long as the
`configuration of the housing allows for maintenance of a
`10 substantially fixed relationship between an output end of the
`fiber optic bundle (115) and the receiving end of the CCD
`imaging device (120) during imaging. A configuration in
`which the parts of the probe (105) remain in a substantially
`fixed relationship with respect to one another within the
`15 housing (110) facilitates generation of a three-dimensional
`image. In such a configuration, the projection angle 8,
`described in the '407 patent, remains substantially constant,
`such that it can be readily related to the different spectral
`wavelengths produced by a light source which serves to
`20 define the x,y,z, coordinates of the three-dimensional image.
`A second fiber optic bundle (160) may act as a second
`independent diverging white light source to permit probe
`(105) to be used to obtain intra-oral images with accurate
`color representation for shading, color shadings and shad-
`25 ows. The image is obtained in a similar marmer as the
`three-dimensional image described above. Correct color
`shading may be important to both the patient and the dentist.
`Since different parts of the tooth may have different shading
`and reflection, it is presently an "art" to obtain to obtain a
`30 "natural" effect, requiring subtleties in shading and intensity
`of coloration as well as thickness of materials. Switches
`(165, 170) permit the selective switching between activation
`of the fiber optic bundles (115, 160) facilitates the use of the
`same probe (105) to obtain virtually simultaneously both
`35 3-D and 2-D colored images.
`Housing (110) may be fabricated from any suitable mate(cid:173)
`rial such as a metal or a plastic material, however, for patient
`comfort plastic or polymeric materials such as polyethylene
`or polypropylene are preferred as the material of construc-
`40 tion. Similarly, fiber optic conduit (115) may comprise a
`single monolithic light conductor or a bundle of fiber optic
`fibers. The latter configuration is generally preferred on a
`cost basis. Suffice it to say for the instant purposes, that
`LVWF devices are commercially available and well known
`45 to the skilled optical artisan. Their operation and the effects
`they produce are discussed in detail in the foregoing patent.
`The color ranging principle is not at all restrained by nor
`does it rely on the LVWF to produce the required radiation.
`In fact, any means that can provide registered spatial dis-
`50 tribution of an energy projection ray that can be related to the
`wavelength of the ray may be used in the system. Addition(cid:173)
`ally, although the LVWF (125) is depicted as being at the
`exit of fiber optic bundle (115), it could just as readily be
`incorporated at the light source described hereinafter.
`
`Improved Intra-Oral Imaging and Dental Fixture
`Manufacturing System
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the components external to probe (105)
`in more detail. A light source (200) is connected to fiber
`optic bundle (115). Such a light source as described in the
`'407 patent generates a sheet of white light that passes
`through a cylindrical lens (not shown) to form a "fan beam"
`light source. This fan beam light then passes through an
`LVWF located either ahead of or behind fiber optic bundle
`(115) to illuminate the dental surface 24 to be "photo(cid:173)
`graphed" as described above. The combination of the light
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`5
`
`6
`The sleeve (300) may be made entirely of a transparent
`material that will not interfere with the operation of the
`camera (105). Alternatively a transparent window (310) may
`be provided in the end of the sleeve (300) so as to permit
`imaging of a dental structure (140) in a patient's mouth. The
`sleeve (300) may be made of a rigid or flexible material,
`preferably a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride
`(PVC). The sanitary sleeve (300) provides for a replaceable
`sanitary interface that may be replaced for every separate
`10 patient, thereby eliminating the likelihood of the transmis(cid:173)
`sion of disease from the probe (105)
`
`Replaceable Tip
`
`5
`source (115) with the LVWF (125) or other similar suitable
`device produces a bundle oflight rays with spatially varying
`and related wavelengths that are used in the computation and
`synthesis of the three-dimensional image.
`The CCD imaging device (120) is connected to an appro-
`priate host computer (210) containing software for image
`acquisition, display and processing, three-dimensional com(cid:173)
`putation and data conversion. Such computers and the
`software for accomplishing these transactions, are well
`known in the art and/or described in the '407 patent.
`The host computer (210) is in turn connected to numeri(cid:173)
`cally controlled machine tool (220) such as a rapid proto(cid:173)
`typing, cutting or milling machinery. Well known CAD/
`CAM interfaces and control software that generate STL,
`DXF, SLC and HPP files or other suitable formats and 15
`produces a binary file for driving the control electronics of
`the fabricating equipment are well known in the art. Any
`appropriate numerically controlled equipment capable of
`producing the required dental part may be included as
`fabricating equipment or machinery (220).
`The second fiber optic bundle (115) is coupled to a white
`light source (230) to provide white light for use in two(cid:173)
`dimensional color images. Accordingly, the present system
`is an imaging system capable of capturing both two and
`three dimensional color images with the use of a single 25
`probe.
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment. As shown in FIG.
`4, the end of the probe (105) may be a sanitary tip (400) that
`can be replaced each time a new patient is seen. For
`example, the tip (400) of the probe (105) may be removable
`and attach to the probe (105) at a joint (410). The tip (400)
`20 preferably snaps to the joint ( 410) to make a tight fit that can,
`however, be readily broken to allow installation of a new tip.
`As shown in FIG. 4, the tip (400) of the probe (105) may
`house a lens (150a) and mirrors (130a, 135a, 145a) for
`directing light to, and an image from, the dental work (140)
`being imaged. The operation of the lens and mirrors is
`described above and will not be redundantly repeated here.
`Suitable materials for the tip and housing also have been
`described above.
`After the intra-oral imaging system (100) has been used
`30 with a particular patient, the tip (400) can be removed and
`a new tip installed. Consequently, the spread of disease from
`one patient to another can be avoided. The tip ( 400) can be
`disposable or may be cleansed after each use and then
`re-used.
`The preceding description has been presented only to
`illustrate and describe the present method and apparatus. It
`is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to
`any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and varia(cid:173)
`tions are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
`intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
`following claims.
`
`Operation
`
`In use, a dental part or orthodontic device is produced by
`the dental surface (140)
`intra-orally exposing
`to be
`addressed by exposure thereof to light emitted from probe
`(105) and imaging the light reflected from the surface (105)
`with CCD imaging device (120). The image thus recorded is
`transmitted to host computer (210) for processing, viewing, 35
`archiving, transmission to a distant laboratory, etc. If it is
`desired to produce a dental part, inlay, onlay, crown filling,
`braces, orthodontic devices, invisible aligners or bridges
`etc., data is forwarded to a CAD/CAM file, which in turn
`produces the binary code, required to control machine tool 40
`(220). Machine tool (220) then produces the required dental
`part.
`The system just described has can acquire images in less
`than about 0.1 seconds and preferably in less than about
`0.001 seconds. In addition, it is capable of acquiring video 45
`at a rate of at least 30 frames per second (limited only by the
`capabilities of the CCD device), it is eye safe with its built-in
`light source when used professionally for its intended pur(cid:173)
`pose, it can simultaneously produce a 2-D image, and is
`simple and reliable because it has no mechanical moving 50
`parts. Further, the present system has a spatial definition that
`is theoretically virtually infinite and limited only by the
`spatial and spectral resolution of the CCD imaging technol(cid:173)
`ogy utilized.
`
`Sanitary Sleeve
`
`55
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates an intra-oral imaging system with a
`sanitary sleeve (300) disposed around the end of the probe
`(105) that is used in a patient's mouth. The sleeve (300) slips 60
`over the end of the camera (105).
`The sleeve (300) is held on the end of the probe (105) by
`friction or by the fingers of the camera-operator (not shown).
`Consequently, the present sleeve (300) may be readily
`removed from the camera (105) and a new sleeve can be 65
`placed on the camera (105) each time the camera (105) is
`used on a different patient.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. An intra-oral imaging system comprising:
`an instrument housing;
`an optical conduit running into said housing;
`a light source generating light rays, at least a portion of
`which are transmitted through said optical conduit to
`illuminate a dental surface;
`a device for converting said light rays into radiation
`illumination with spatially varying wavelengths prior
`to illuminating said dental surface;
`a minor that directs the light rays from said light source
`to a selected point;
`an imager for receiving said light rays when said light rays
`are reflected from said dental surface, said reflector
`being substantially fixed relative to said imager; and
`a sanitary sleeve covering a portion of said intra-oral
`system that enters a patient's mouth to image said
`dental surface.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein said optical conduit
`comprises at least one fiber optic cable.
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein said device for con(cid:173)
`verting said light rays comprises an LVWF filter.
`4. The system of claim 1, wherein said sanitary sleeve is
`configured to be selectively removed from said intra-oral
`system.
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`US 7,099,732 B2
`
`5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`7
`5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sanitary
`replaceable intra-oral tip portion coupled to said housing.
`6. The system of claim 5, wherein said reflector is
`disposed within said tip.
`7. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of said light
`rays are projected onto said dental surface without being
`converted to spatially varying wavelengths.
`8. An intra-oral imaging system comprising:
`an instrument housing;
`an optical conduit running into said housing;
`a light source generating light rays at least a portion of
`which are transmitted through said optical conduit to
`illuminate a dental surface;
`a device for converting said light rays into radiation
`illumination with spatially varying wavelengths prior 15
`to illuminating said dental surface;
`a reflector that directs said light rays from said light
`source to a selected point;
`an imager for receiving said light rays when said light rays
`are reflected from said dental surface; and
`a removable tip attached to said housing that is used in a
`patient's mouth to image said dental surface, said tip
`being sanitarily replaced for each patient.
`9. The system of claim 8, wherein said optical conduit
`comprises at least one fiber optic cable.
`10. The system of claim 8, wherein said device for
`converting said light rays comprises an LVWF filter.
`11. The system of claim 8, wherein a portion of said light
`rays are projected onto said dental surface without being
`converted to spatially varying wavelengths.
`12. The system of claim 11, wherein said imager com(cid:173)
`prises a device configured to process two-dimensional and
`three-dimensional images.
`13. The system of claim 12, wherein said imager com(cid:173)
`prises a CCD camera.
`14. A system for manufacturing dental fixtures, compris-
`ing:
`an intra-oral imaging system having
`an optical conduit, a light source generating light rays,
`at least a portion of which are transmitted through said 40
`optical conduit to illuminate a dental surface,
`a device for converting said light rays into radiation
`illumination with spatially varying wavelengths prior
`to illuminating said dental surface,
`a reflector that directs the light rays from said light source 45
`to a selected point, and
`an imager for receiving said light rays when said light rays
`are reflected from said dental surface;
`a processing device wherein resides software for convert(cid:173)
`ing said light rays into image data and manufacturing 50
`software for manufacturing a dental fixture based on
`said image data.
`15. The system of claim 14, wherein said optical conduit
`comprises at least one fiber optic cable.
`16. The system of claim 14, wherein said device for 55
`converting said light rays comprises an LVWF filter.
`17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a housing
`configured to house said system.
`18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a sanitary
`sleeve covering a portion of said intra-oral system that enters 60
`a patient's mouth to image said dental surface.
`
`8
`19. The system of claim 18, wherein said sanitary sleeve
`is configured to be selectively removed from said intra-oral
`system.
`20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a sanitary
`replaceable intra-oral tip portion coupled to said housing.
`21. The system of claim 20, wherein said reflector is
`disposed within said tip.
`22. The system of claim 14, wherein a portion of said light
`rays are projected onto said dental surface without being
`10 converted to spatially varying wavelengths.
`23. The system of claim 14, wherein said manufacturing
`software is configured to manufacture dental parts.
`24. The system of claim 14, wherein said manufacturing
`software is configured to manufacture orthodontic treatment
`devices.
`25. The system of claim 24, wherein said orthodontic
`treatment devices comprise invisible aligners.
`26. A method of doing business comprising:
`selling an intra-oral imaging system comprising;
`an optical conduit,
`a light source generating light rays that are transmitted
`through said optical conduit to illuminate a dental
`surface,
`a device for converting said light rays into radiation
`illumination with spatially varying wavelengths
`prior to illuminating said dental surface,
`a reflector that directs the light rays from said light
`source to a selected point,
`a imager for receiving said light rays when said light
`rays are reflected from said dental surface; and
`separately selling a sanitary sleeve covering a portion of
`said intra-oral system that enters a patient's mouth to
`image said dental surface.
`27. The method of claim 26 wherein said selling a sanitary
`sleeve further comprises selling a plurality of sanitary
`sleeves as a package.
`28. A method of doing business comprising:
`selling an intra-oral imaging system comprising;
`an optical conduit,
`a light source generating light rays that are transmitted
`through said optical conduit to illuminate a dental
`surface,
`a device for converting said light rays into radiation
`illumination with spatially varying wavelengths
`prior to illuminating said dental surface,
`a reflector that directs the light rays from said light
`source to a selected point,
`an imager for receiving said light rays when said light
`rays are reflected from said dental surface; and
`separately selling a sanitary sleeve covering a portion of
`said intra-oral system that enters a patient's mouth to
`image said dental surface.
`29. The method of claim 28, wherein said selling a
`sanitary sleeve further comprises selling a plurality of sani(cid:173)
`tary sleeves as a package.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`* * * * *
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`: 7,099,732 B2
`PATENT NO.
`APPLICATION NO. : 10/654193
`DATED
`: August 29, 2006
`INVENTOR(S)
`: Z. Jason Geng
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Column 6, Line 53, Claim 1 "a minor that directs" change to --a mirror that directs-(cid:173)
`
`Column 7, Line 59, Claim 18 "The system of claim 14 changes to --The system of claim
`17--
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Twenty-third Day of January, 2007
`
`JONW.DUDAS
`Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3SHAPE 1024 3Shape v Align IPR2021-01383
`
`