AI Intraoral Image Processing for Precise Gingivitis Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current AI systems for detecting gingivitis in intraoral images lack consensus on accuracy standards, particularly in sensitivity and specificity, necessitating a high-precision machine learning-based image processing system to reduce diagnostic time for dentists and enhance patient awareness of oral hygiene.

Innovation Solution

A machine learning-based image processing system utilizing an image receiver, object detector, multiple autoencoders with deep neural networks, and an ensemble integrator to analyze and annotate intraoral images, correcting blurriness and ensuring accurate oral structure condition markings, including a user interface and memory unit for training and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional visual assessment by dentists is used, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but diagnostic time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic timeVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses AI-based image processing to create a digital copy of the dentist's diagnostic process. The system processes intraoral images through multiple autoencoders and neural networks to generate markings that replicate expert diagnostic accuracy, thereby maintaining precision while reducing the time dentists must invest in manual assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual assessment process with an automated AI system. The image processing system uses deep learning models to automatically detect and mark gingivitis areas, substituting the dentist's manual evaluation with an automated electronic system that achieves comparable accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If AI systems with current accuracy (0.47 to 0.83) are used, then processing speed increases, but diagnostic precision for clinical use is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing speedVSAvoidgingivitis detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task into multiple stages using multiple autoencoders, each handling different aspects of image analysis. This segmentation allows the system to process images efficiently while maintaining high precision, as each autoencoder contributes specialized detection capabilities that collectively achieve accuracy of 0.90 or above.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the outputs of multiple autoencoders and neural networks to achieve superior diagnostic accuracy. By combining the results from multiple models, the system achieves precision of 0.90 or above for gingivitis detection, overcoming the limitations of single-model approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple autoencoders with deep neural networks are used, then measurement precision for gingivitis prediction reaches 0.90 or above, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegingivitis prediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the image processing system to perform multiple functions through a unified architecture. The multiple autoencoders handle image correction, region identification, segmentation, and condition marking all within a single integrated system, reducing the need for separate tools and managing complexity while achieving high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250299324A1Machine learning-based image processor for intraoral images
Publication Date: 2025.09.25 THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
  • US20250299324A1 patent drawing
  • US20250299324A1 patent drawing
  • US20250299324A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A machine learning (ML) based image processing system for image processing of intraoral images is provided. The system includes an image receiver dedicated to processing frontal view intraoral images, an object detector for filtering and identifying regions within these images, and the segmentation of these regions into pixel blocks. Employing multiple autoencoders with deep neural networks, the system conducts image analysis and annotation, generating markings for oral structure conditions. These markings are then seamlessly integrated into a comprehensive marking through an ensemble integrator.