RAPID™ is an intraoral scanning device designed for use on cleft palate infants. The design incorporates a host of improvements over current intraoral scanners, enabling faster and safer scanning. RAPID™ is designed to accelerate the integration of cutting edge digital workflows, enhancing surgical outcomes, while reducing the burden of care experienced by the families of cleft infants, and the healthcare practitioners involved in their treatment.
1 in 500 live births globally are affected by a form of orofacial cleft
Mossey, 2009
1-500
Orofacial clefting (OFC), more commonly known as cleft palate, is a congenital birth anomaly affecting approximately 1 in 500 live births. Whilst orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital birth anomalies, the prevalence can vary with geography, ethnicity, and socio-economic status
Example of Bilateral Cleft Palate
There are numerous challenges faced by OFC patients, which often result in detrimental psychological and social development outcomes throughout childhood and adulthood. These issues, both physical and psychological, can result in significantly increased morbidity, and mortality risks. The challenges experienced by OFC infants include:
Speech
Normal hearing and palate function are prerequisites for speech development. OFC patients require careful monitoring by speech pathologists to ensure language development and palate function.
Hearing
Hearing – Impairment of the eustachian tube can result in the need for surgery. If left untreated it can result in hearing damage.
Feeding
Breast feeding can be almost impossible for OFC infants, this can result in the need for a naso-gastric tube to assist with feeding in neonatal infants.
CREATING A DENTAL MODEL
There are a number of pre-surgical therapies available for infants with OFC that can enhance surgical outcomes, resulting in better health outcomes for patients. One of these treatments is the creation of a Presurgical Nasoalveolar Moulding, which aids in the movement of alveolar ridges, and reduces tension on the upper lip post surgery.
Dental models are an essential component in the creation of these therapies. They are created with both conventional impression (CI) techniques, and more recently 3D intraoral scanners (IOS). Dental models are also used to monitor the effects of growth and treatment on the patient.
Intraoral Scanning
The first generation of IOS were developed early in the 1970s, coinciding with the advent of computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing. Intraoral scanning enables the digitisation of workflows, reducing the number of steps required in the creation of dental models. In comparison to conventional techniques, IOS creates a safer clinical experience.
IOS use various non-contact optical technologies to create a 3D map of the intraoral structures. Information is collected using a scanning unit or handheld wand, which is fed back to the workstation and viewed in real time on a monitor. There are numerous advantages in the clinical use of intraoral scanners, these include: improved diagnosis and treatment planning, increased case acceptance, faster record submission to laboratories, reduced chair-time for patients, standardization of office procedures, reduced storage requirements, faster laboratory return, enhanced workflow, lower inventory expense, and reduced treatment times.
Conventional Impression
Conventional impression techniques utilise moulding trays, moulding material, and casting materials to recreate oral structures. An impression tray is filled with alginate (or another moulding material). The tray is then inserted, with the oral structure impressing upon the moulding medium.
Once the medium has set, the tray is removed and taken to a dental lab. Casting materials such as calcium sulphate hemihydrate dental plaster is then used to recreate the dental structure.
There are a number of hazards associated with the application of conventional impression techniques on OFC infants. These include pieces of material remaining when removing the impression material, causing cyanotic episodes, respiratory obstruction, and inflammation. These hazards lead to an increase in anxiety for both clinicians and parents.
RESEARCH
Primary research
Throughout the semester primary research was conducted in the form of expert interviews and contextual observations. The qualitative primary research was gathered over a period of 8 weeks, with the research structured to compliment the secondary research and literature review.
Expert Interviews
Expert interviews were chosen for their ability to provide invaluable insight into the practices employed in the treatment of OFC infants. The interviews were also invaluable in assessing the implicit emotions of health practitioners, and their experiences in dealing with the treatment of infants in demanding clinical settings.
Contextual Observations
Observations were chosen for their ability to gain contextual insight into the treatment of OFC in a clinical setting. The observations were essential in the corroboration of the secondary research, and provided further insight into the way people interact with each other and the various technologies employed when performing impressions.
Throughout the research it became evident that intraoral scanners are superior to conventional impression techniques, however dangerous conventional techniques are still being employed due to physical constraints when using intraoral scanners on cleft infants. Three key areas of focus were established to guide the design of a new intraoral scanning device
Design Implications
Modularity
The modularity of current scanners are lacking, with only two scanning positions being offered. This leaves clinicians with difficulty manoeuvring the mass of the current scanners during use. Further scanning positions must be ideated to ensure a more effective scanning experience.
Ergonomics
Current scanners are too large, bulky, and uncomfortable to use effectively on OFC infants. The ergonomics of a new intraoral scanner must be enhanced, for both the user and the patient.
Technology
Current scanning technology is bulky due to the high detail needed to scan structures such as teeth. A scanning device designed for OFC infants does not require the same level of detail, enabling new technologies to be investigated.
It is evident that current intraoral scanners need to evolve to better handle the demands in the treatment of OFC in infants
Novak, 2022
RAPID INTRAORAL SCANNER
DESIGN PROCESS
The development of the RAPID intraoral scanner involved an intensive iterative design process. This included sketching, model making, user testing, CAD, and the creation of a final high fidelity model.
Sketching
MODEL MAKING
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
HIGH FIDELITY MODEL
PRODUCT FEATURES
INTERNALS
RAPID has two on board PCB’s. PCB2 houses the battery management system, with inductive charging capability, and the LED display. PCB1 houses the main processor, 360 female tip connector, and the pushbutton input. The battery sits below PCB1 on the main internal shuttle.
TIP HARDWARE
The RAPID tip houses the PCB mounted CMOS sensor and infrared projector. These components capture image data that is then turned into a 3D point cloud by the on board processor. The point cloud data is then sent wirelessly to a computer for the final compilations of the 3D scan.
A recyclable bio-shield has been incorporated into the design, enhancing the speed and precision of disinfection after use.
INTERACTIONS
PCB mounted haptics, ergonomic button, and dynamic LED display enable robust and intuitive input, feedback, attention, and status.
Modularity
Rapid is a truly modular device, with the ability to utilise different scanning tips. A 360 degree magnetic positioning terminal enables four unique imaging positions.
ERGONOMICS
The design incorporates a 20 degree sweep, allowing the device to be held comfortably in multiple positions without strain.
Materials
RAPID incorporates robust materials used widely in the healthcare sector for their infection resistance and longevity.
Manufacturing
Multiple manufacturing processes have been investigated with the current choices below reflecting the small batch nature of the device. The parts have also been designed to be manufactured using mass manufacturing methods, future proofing the current RAPID design.
RAPID DOCK
The RAPID dock couples wireless charging functionality and streamlined device storage in a small ergonomic form.
RAPID™ SCANNING EVOLVED
The RAPID intraoral scanner enhances the scanning of cleft palate infants, improving surgical outcomes, while reducing the burden of care for families and healthcare practitioners
Liam Georgeson
Liam has developed an extensive repertoire of world class design skills throughout his three-year immersion in the world of design. His skill set, aptitude for problem solving, and love of technology has led to a passion for advanced manufacturing and medical design. He has become an effective and confident design professional, ready to make a positive impact within the design industry.
