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Thermal defogging system and method

  • US 10,111,581 B2
  • Filed: 02/27/2014
  • Issued: 10/30/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An optical scanning device comprising:

  • an optical element for transmission of optical signals;

    a primary housing that houses the optical element, the primary housing comprising a head configured for insertion into a patient oral cavity, the head of the primary housing defining an aperture for transmission of the optical signals; and

    a defogging element coupled to the primary housing, the defogging element comprising;

    a transparent element positioned within the aperture, at least one side of the transparent element facing an external environment; and

    a transparent conductive layer covering an area on a surface of the transparent element, the area of the transparent conductive layer having a size that at least partially covers an optical footprint of the transparent element for the optical signals to be transmitted through the transparent element; and

    a disposable sleeve coupled to and covering the head of the primary housing, wherein the disposable sleeve protects the optical scanning device from contact with the patient oral cavity, the disposable sleeve comprising;

    an additional aperture that aligns with the aperture; and

    an additional transparent element in the additional aperture, the additional transparent element lacking a conductive layer;

    wherein an air gap separates the additional transparent element from the transparent element, and wherein responsive to application of electrical power to the transparent conductive layer, the transparent conductive layer generates heat that is thermally communicated across the air gap to the additional transparent element to defog the additional transparent element of the disposable sleeve.

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