JP-2026514394-A - Technology for automated marking of dental instruments

Abstract

This disclosure describes a technique for marking dental instruments. Dental models and dental instruments are placed on a conveyor tray that is transported to a scanning station. Each dental model and conveyor tray contains an identification code. The scanning station includes a camera and a barcode reader for reading the identification codes on the dental models and conveyor tray, and these codes are associated with each other. The conveyor tray then moves to a marking station, where a barcode reader reads the codes on the conveyor tray and then marks the dental instruments with appropriate markings.

Inventors

• ゲレロ，ミゲル

Assignees

• インスティトゥート・シュトラウマン・アクチエンゲゼルシャフト

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20240328

Priority Date

20230331

Claims (20)

1. A method for marking dental instruments, A step of arranging dental models and dental instruments on a conveyor tray, wherein the dental models include a first code corresponding to a part number associated with the dental instruments, and the conveyor tray includes a second code specific to the conveyor tray, A step of moving the conveyor tray to a scan station, wherein the scan station includes a camera for reading the first code and a first barcode reader for reading the second code. The steps include reading the first code using the camera associated with the computing system in order to identify the part number associated with the dental instrument, The steps include: reading the second code using the first barcode reader to identify the conveyor tray; The steps include associating the first code corresponding to the part number with the second code corresponding to the conveyor tray, A step of moving the conveyor tray to a marking station, wherein the marking station includes a laser source and a second barcode reader. The steps include reading the second code using the second barcode reader and identifying the part number based on the association between the first code and the second code, A method comprising the step of marking the dental instrument using the laser source.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dental instrument is a transparent aligner thermoformed on the dental model.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of associating the first code with the second code enables the conveyor tray to be sent to any one of the plurality of laser marking stations.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of moving the conveyor tray to the marking station includes the step of moving the conveyor tray to one of the plurality of laser marking stations.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the marking station is shielded using one or more opaque barriers and one or more transparent laser-shielding panel glass.
6. The dental instrument is placed on the conveyor tray in the placement station, according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the step of moving the conveyor tray includes the step of transporting the conveyor tray along a linear conveyor system or conveyor belt.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step of moving the conveyor tray includes the step of transporting the conveyor tray in two dimensions on the surface of the magnetized table conveyor system.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first code is a serial number printed on a portion of the dental model during the 3D printing process.
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader are capable of reading two-dimensional barcodes or three-dimensional barcodes.
11. This is a system for marking orthodontic aligners. A mounting station comprising a conveyor tray for holding dental models and dental instruments, wherein the dental models include a first code corresponding to a part number associated with the dental instruments, and the conveyor tray includes a second code specific to the conveyor tray, A scan station including a camera for reading the first code and a first barcode reader for reading the second code, A marking station including a laser source and a second barcode reader, A computing system that communicates with the camera, the first barcode reader, the second barcode reader, and the laser source, The first code corresponding to the part number is associated with the second code corresponding to the conveyor tray. Using the information obtained from the second barcode reader, the part number at the marking station is identified. The computing system is configured to instruct the laser source to mark the dental instrument with appropriate markings, A system comprising a conveyor system for moving the conveyor tray between the placement station, the scanning station, and the marking station.
12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a fume extractor for discharging any fumes or debris generated during the laser marking process.
13. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the dental instrument is a transparent aligner thermoformed on the dental model.
14. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the conveyor tray can be sent to any one of the plurality of laser marking stations by associating the first code with the second code.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein moving the conveyor tray to the marking station includes moving the conveyor tray to one of the plurality of laser marking stations.
16. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising one or more opaque barriers and one or more transparent laser shielding panels for shielding the marking station.
17. The conveyor system, according to any one of claims 11 to 16, includes a linear conveyor system or a conveyor belt.
18. The conveyor system includes a magnetized table conveyor system, as described in any one of claims 11 to 17.
19. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader are capable of reading two-dimensional barcodes or three-dimensional barcodes.
20. An automated laser marking system, A mounting station for mounting multiple conveyor trays, each having a 3D printed dental model and dental instrument, wherein the dental model includes a first code corresponding to a part number associated with the dental instrument, the conveyor tray includes a second code unique to the conveyor tray, and the dental instrument is thermoformed onto the dental model, A scan station including a camera for reading the first code and a first barcode reader for reading the second code, Multiple marking stations, each marking station including a laser source, a second barcode reader, and a fume extractor, A conveyor system for moving each of the plurality of conveyor trays between the aforementioned placement station, the aforementioned scanning station, and one of the plurality of marking stations, The system comprises the camera, the first barcode reader, the second barcode reader, and a computing system that communicates with the laser source, wherein the computing system For each of the plurality of conveyor trays in the scan station, the first code corresponding to the part number is associated with the second code corresponding to the conveyor tray. For each conveyor tray located in each of the multiple marking stations, the part number of the marking station is identified using the information obtained from the second barcode reader. A system configured to command the laser source to mark the appropriate marking on the dental instrument for each of the plurality of marking stations.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications This application claims priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/456,072, entitled "Techniques for Automated Markings of Dental Applications," filed on 31 March 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This technology relates to the manufacturing technology of dental instruments. More specifically, this technology relates to the technology for the automated marking of dental instruments. Orthodontic aligners are a series of devices intended to correct the position of individual teeth, aiming for precise alignment. Aligners offer many advantages over traditional brackets/wire braces for orthodontic treatment. For example, aligners are often transparent or translucent, more comfortable than wire braces, and removable for cleaning and eating. The manufacture of aligners traditionally begins with generating a digital model of the patient's teeth by scanning them, or by creating a dental impression and then scanning that impression. Once the digital model of the patient's teeth is obtained, a physical dental model can be fabricated (e.g., using 3D printing technology) to provide a positive model of the teeth. When scanning a patient's teeth using an intraoral scanning device (iOS device), a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) representation can be imported using custom software. This custom software allows an operator, such as a dental technician or dentist, to move individual teeth in specific, individual movements in several stages according to the treatment plan, achieving the final aligned dental arch. A 3D-printed model of the dental arch is created at each stage of the patient's treatment plan. This model can be cleaned and dried. Once dry, a polymer sheet can be thermoformed onto the 3D-printed arch model to form a clear aligner. Next, the thermoformed parts are marked with part identification. The marked and thermoformed parts are then cut using one of several methods, so that the aligner delivered to the customer can be separated from the excess aligner material. Next, the aligners are polished to remove burrs and sharp edges, inspected, then packaged and shipped to the patient's orthodontist or directly to the patient. This technology relates to marking of orthodontic appliances such as transparent or translucent aligners, dental splints, and retainers. These orthodontic appliances can be made from polymer materials and, in some embodiments, can be manufactured using thermoforming or direct manufacturing (3D printing or other additive manufacturing) processes. Some advantages of this disclosure include the ability to automatically mark multiple appliances simultaneously and the ability to expand or scale the automated marking system to include more or fewer laser marking stations. In one embodiment, the technology relates to a method for marking dental instruments. The method includes the steps of positioning a dental model and a dental instrument on a conveyor tray, and moving the conveyor tray to a scanning station. The dental model includes a first code corresponding to a part number associated with the dental instrument, and the conveyor tray includes a second code unique to the conveyor tray. The scanning station includes a camera for reading the first code and a first barcode reader for reading the second code. The method also includes the step of reading the first code using a camera associated with a computing system to identify the part number associated with the dental instrument. The method also includes the step of reading the second code using the first barcode reader to identify the conveyor tray. The method also includes the steps of associating the first code corresponding to the part number with the second code corresponding to the conveyor tray, and moving the conveyor tray to a marking station. The marking station includes a laser source and a second barcode reader. This method also includes the steps of reading a second code using a second barcode reader to identify a part number based on the association between a first code and a second code, and marking a dental instrument using a laser source. In some embodiments, the dental instrument is a transparent aligner thermoformed onto a dental model. In some embodiments, the conveyor tray can be sent to one of several laser marking stations by associating a first code with a second code. In some embodiments, moving the conveyor tray to a marking station includes moving the conveyor tray to one of the laser marking stations. In some embodiments, the marking station is shielded using one or more opaque barriers and one or more transparent laser shielding panels. In some embodiments, the dental instrument is placed on the conveyor tray of the placement station. In some embodiments, moving the conveyor tray includes transporting the conveyor tray along a linear conveyor system or along a conveyor belt. In some embodiments, moving the