AR-Guided Dental Anesthesia Injection for Hidden Landmark Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental procedures face challenges in accurately administering local anesthesia due to the hidden nature of anatomical landmarks like the mental foramen and mandibular foramen, leading to inefficiencies and patient discomfort from redundant injections, and complex planning processes for dental implants.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system that utilizes augmented reality to dynamically overlay anatomical structures and virtual vectors on real-time oral cavity images, allowing dentists to guide injections and implant procedures with enhanced accuracy and simplicity by integrating dental 3D imaging models and machine learning for optimal needle placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual injection methods are used for local anesthesia, then the procedure can be performed without additional equipment, but the precision of needle placement is reduced leading to redundant injections and patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the patient's anatomy through 3D imaging and digital twins, allowing precise visualization of hidden anatomical landmarks like the mental foramen and mandibular foramen. This virtual model is then overlaid onto the real-world view through augmented reality, enabling precise needle placement without repeatedly puncturing the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an augmented reality interface as an intermediary between the dentist and the patient's anatomy. This interface displays virtual anatomical structures and guidance vectors that bridge the gap between the dentist's visual field and the hidden target locations, eliminating the need for trial-and-error injections.
2Reliability
If multiple trial injections are administered to locate anatomical landmarks, then the likelihood of successful anesthesia increases, but patient discomfort and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3D imaging and virtual planning before the actual injection procedure. Anatomical landmarks are identified and marked in the virtual model in advance, allowing the dentist to plan the exact injection path and location before touching the patient, thereby ensuring success on the first attempt and reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the needle's position relative to the virtual anatomical model during the injection procedure. This feedback mechanism allows the dentist to make immediate adjustments to achieve precise placement, ensuring high reliability without requiring multiple trial injections.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex planning processes are used for dental implants, then placement accuracy improves, but the simplicity and speed of the procedure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D imaging and planning to 3D virtual modeling and augmented reality visualization. This dimensional enhancement allows the dentist to view implant sites and injection targets from multiple angles and depths simultaneously, improving precision while the hands-free AR interface maintains procedural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual planning and measurement processes with automated 3D imaging, computer-aided design, and augmented reality guidance systems. This substitution of mechanical and manual methods with digital technologies enhances precision while reducing the operational complexity for the dentist.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method comprising: detecting and/or segmenting a dental-related anatomical structure of a subject from a dental 3D imaging model, wherein the dental-related anatomical structure includes a target for injection of anesthesia by a dental syringe, accessing sequential frames of an oral cavity of a subject captured by an image sensor during a dental session of the subject, presenting within a GUI, at least one fused frame depicting a merger of the sequential frames and the segmentation of the dental-related anatomical structure of the subject registered to the sequential frames, wherein the dental-related anatomical structure is depicted on the sequential frames at a location indicating the target for injection, and dynamically updating the location of the dental-related anatomical structure depicted on the sequential frames according to dynamic adaptation of a pose of the image sensor.