3D Cephalometric Coordinates Using Balance Organ Landmarks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional two-dimensional cephalometric measurements are insufficient for addressing facial asymmetry in craniofacial surgery and orthodontic treatment, and existing three-dimensional systems lack a direct relationship with patient posture, leading to significant coordinate errors.

Innovation Solution

A method for constructing a three-dimensional cephalometric coordinate system using anatomical landmarks of balance organs, specifically the apex of the dens axis (AODA), anterior nasal spine (ANS), helicotrema left (HtL), and sphenoidal rostrum (SR), to determine a horizontal, coronal, and mid-sagittal plane, establishing a stable coordinate system using a trained craniofacial key anatomical point recognition model.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional two-dimensional cephalometric measurements are used, then the measurement process is simple, but it cannot meet clinical needs for facial asymmetry evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to evaluate facial asymmetryVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional cephalometric measurements to three-dimensional measurements by introducing depth information. The method establishes a three-dimensional coordinate system using anatomical landmarks (AODA, ANS, HtL, HtR, SR) and calculates spatial coordinates of facial points, enabling comprehensive evaluation of facial asymmetry that cannot be achieved with traditional 2D methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If CT data is used to provide three-dimensional coordinate system, then three-dimensional measurement is enabled, but there is no direct relationship with patient posture leading to significant coordinate errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional coordinate accuracyVSAvoidcoordinate stability across different postures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a set of stable anatomical landmarks (AODA, ANS, HtL, HtR, SR) as intermediaries to establish a reliable three-dimensional coordinate system. These landmarks serve as reference points that maintain consistent spatial relationships regardless of patient posture, thereby ensuring coordinate accuracy and stability across different imaging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the reference parameters from traditional two-dimensional cephalometric landmarks to three-dimensional anatomical landmarks with known spatial coordinates. By using landmarks with stable anatomical positions (such as helicotrema and sphenoidal rostrum) as reference points, the system maintains coordinate consistency even when patient posture varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional two-dimensional anatomical landmarks are used for three-dimensional measurement, then the measurement process is simpler, but the landmarks are shallow, growing, and blurred boundary landmarks that cannot form a unique horizontal plane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of landmark identificationVSAvoidthree-dimensional coordinate determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects specific anatomical landmarks with distinct local characteristics and clear boundaries (AODA, ANS, HtL, HtR, SR) that are easily identifiable on CT images. These landmarks are chosen for their well-defined anatomical features, such as the helicotrema (central top of cochlea) and sphenoidal rostrum, which provide stable reference points for three-dimensional coordinate determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cephalometric measurement planes are used, then the measurement system is established, but the planes are not directly related to physiological balance and cannot meet clinical needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelationship with physiological balanceVSAvoidcoordinate system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acknowledges and accommodates facial asymmetry by establishing a three-dimensional coordinate system that does not assume symmetry. The method uses asymmetric anatomical landmarks (including left and right helicotrema) to create a coordinate system that adapts to individual anatomical variations and physiological balance, rather than forcing symmetric measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20260108224A1Method for using anatomical landmarks of balance organ to construct three-dimensional cephalometric coordinate system

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 INST OF AUTOMATION CHINESE ACAD OF SCI

AI summary

A method for using anatomical landmarks of a balance organ to construct a three-dimensional cephalometric coordinate system includes acquiring a CT image of a craniofacial region to be measured. The anatomical landmarks of the CT image are determined. On the basis thereof, a horizontal plane, and then a coronal plane and a median sagittal-plane plane are determined. The horizontal plane is a plane formed by certain of the anatomical landmarks. The coronal plane is determined using the horizontal plane and anatomical landmarks, and the median sagittal plane is determined using an anatomical landmark and both the horizontal and coronal. An intersection point of the three planes is used as the origin of a three-dimensional cephalometric coordinate system.