CBCT Motion Compensation via Integrated Optical Inertial Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical or dental imaging systems face challenges in accurately compensating for patient head movement during image acquisition, leading to blurred images.
Innovation Solution
A medical or dental imaging system that includes a frame with a rotation unit, a tracking device with a camera and inertial sensor, and a computer to generate three-dimensional x-ray images, where the tracking device provides sensor data to the computer to compensate for head movement by using optical and inertial data to calculate the precise position and trajectory of tracking markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is mounted on the imaging system to record images of optical marks, then the positional relationship can be determined, but the determination of patient motion becomes less robust and accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tracking technologies (optical camera tracking and inertial sensor tracking) into a single integrated tracking device. The optical camera records images of optical marks while inertial sensors simultaneously measure acceleration and velocity. This merging of multiple independent tracking methods provides redundant measurement pathways, thereby improving both the precision and reliability of patient motion determination during CBCT acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that receives data from both the optical camera and inertial sensors, processes this information, and generates corrected CBCT images. The computer acts as a mediator that integrates the data from different tracking sources, reconciles their measurements, and produces a unified motion compensation solution that leverages the strengths of both tracking methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If motion compensation is implemented using camera images, then blur can be reduced, but the calculation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs motion tracking and compensation calculations during the CBCT acquisition process itself, rather than as a separate post-processing step. The tracking device continuously monitors patient motion throughout the scan, and the computer real-time corrects the CBCT images based on this tracking data. This preliminary action approach reduces the need for extensive post-acquisition processing, thereby maintaining high image quality while reducing overall calculation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motion correction mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of using additional hardware to physically stabilize or correct the imaging system, the invention uses software-based motion compensation that processes tracking data to generate corrected images. This substitution of mechanical systems with computational algorithms reduces hardware complexity and accelerates the overall process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides a robust and accurate determination of patient motion, enabling clearer three-dimensional x-ray images by effectively compensating for head movement, thus improving image quality and reducing calculation time.
Implementation Method 1
The x-ray source is configured for the emission of x-rays towards at least one part of the head of a patient
Implementation Method 2
The tracking device comprises at least one camera which is configured to face and record at least one tracking marker
Data Source
AI summary
A medical or dental imaging system for generating an image of a part of the head, comprising: an x-ray source and an x-ray detector which move around the head to generate x-ray images at different positions, a tracking device which provides sensor data indicative of any movement of the head during the acquisition of the x-ray images and a computer which generates tracking data based on the sensor data and calculates an x-ray image of the head part based on the x-ray images and on the tracking data to compensate for any movement of the head part during the acquisition of the x-ray images, wherein the tracking device comprises at least one camera and an attachment device for detachable attachment of the camera to the patient.