Dental 3D Model Comparison With Visible Lesion Annotations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for presenting and interacting with digital 3D models of dental conditions lack flexibility and often obscure annotations, making it difficult to track changes in dental conditions over time without relying heavily on user skill, and existing annotations in 2D space are not effectively translated to 3D space.
Innovation Solution
A method for superimposing and aligning digital 3D models to display lesions with interactive windows, using a user-adjustable controller to divide the model into regions, and positioning annotations outside the lesion area to maintain visibility, combined with a neural network for lesion detection and re-training based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital 3D models are rotated or interacted with to inspect different angles, then the user can examine the dental situation from multiple perspectives, but the annotations describing lesions may be hidden or misplaced during interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested interaction by allowing users to drill down from a global 3D view into specific lesion regions. The system maintains hierarchical navigation where annotations and lesion details are organized in nested layers, enabling users to explore at different levels of detail while keeping contextual information accessible through the navigation pane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary navigation pane that acts as a mediator between the 3D model and annotations. This pane serves as a persistent reference that follows the user during rotation and interaction, providing continuous access to lesion information without requiring annotations to be permanently fixed in specific 3D spaces.
2Productivity
If side-by-side or sequential views of digital 3D models are used to compare lesions, then users can view multiple models, but sufficient flexibility is not offered for inspecting changes without relying heavily on user skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coding and visual differentiation to highlight changes in lesions between time points. Different lesion characteristics and temporal changes are represented through distinct colors and visual markers, making it easier for users to identify and track progression without requiring extensive technical skill.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary organization of data by automatically aligning multiple 3D models and pre-positioning annotations in a standardized manner. This preliminary processing reduces the cognitive load on users during comparison, as the system has already established the spatial relationships and contextual framework.
3Loss of information
If annotations are placed within the 3D model space to provide context, then lesion information is available, but the annotations may be hidden or misplaced during interaction with the model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the annotation display from being embedded within the 3D model space to a separate 2D navigation pane interface. This dimensional separation allows annotations to remain consistently visible and accessible independent of the 3D model's rotation and transformation, while still maintaining spatial correspondence through the navigation pane's synchronized positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for evaluating digital 3D models of teeth is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a first digital 3D model (100) representative of the dental situation at a first time and receiving a second digital 3D model (101) representative of the dental situation at a second time. Further, the method comprises generating a superimposed digital 3D model by mutually aligning the first digital 3D model (100) and the second digital 3D model (101) and displaying a part of the superimposed digital 3D model comprising a lesion (106) of a dental condition identified on the first digital 3D model (100) and on the second digital 3d model (101). The displaying comprises arranging a user-adjustable controller (200) to vertically divide the displayed part of the superimposed model into a first region (201) and a second region (202), wherein in the first region (201) only a part of the first digital 3D model (101) of the superimposed digital 3D model is rendered, and wherein in the second region (202) only a part of the second digital 3D model (101) of the superimposed digital 3D model is rendered. The displaying further comprises identifying a first end point (208) of the lesion (106) in the first region (201) and a second end point (209) of the lesion (106) in the second region (202), arranging a first interactive window (203) at any point of a display device with an x coordinate less than, or equal to the x coordinate of the first end point (208) of the lesion (106), the first interactive window (203) comprising a severity value of the lesion (106) identified on the first digital 3D model (100), and arranging a second interactive window (204) at any point of the display device with the x coordinate greater than, or equal to the x coordinate of the second end point (209) of the lesion (106), the second interactive window (204) comprising a severity value of the lesion (106) identified on the second digital 3D model (101).