Selective Dental CT Sharpening Filter to Prevent Metal Artifacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dental CT imaging is hindered by artifact regions generated when sharpening filters are applied, particularly around metal or tooth boundaries and field of view edges, leading to unclear images and difficulties in analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that extract artifact regions by applying specific filters, inverting gray levels, and adjusting pixel values to identify and isolate these regions, allowing the sharpening filter to be applied only to non-artifact areas, thereby preventing artifact generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sharpening filter is applied to dental CT imaging, then the teeth and structures become clearer, but artifact regions are generated around metal or tooth boundaries and at field of view edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct stages: first extracting artifact regions using specific filters and gray level analysis, then applying the sharpening filter only to non-artifact regions. This segmentation prevents the sharpening filter from creating artifacts in vulnerable areas while maintaining clarity enhancement in safe areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary artifact region extraction and identification before applying the sharpening filter. By using edge detection filters and gray level inversion to pre-identify artifact-prone areas, the system prepares a mask that guides subsequent selective filter application, preventing artifact generation before it occurs.
2Measurement precision
If the sharpening filter is applied more strongly to improve clarity, then the teeth and structures become even clearer, but the artifact regions are generated more strongly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different regions of the image. Non-artifact regions receive strong sharpening filter application for maximum clarity enhancement, while artifact regions are protected from filtering. This local differentiation allows strong filter application where beneficial without generating artifacts where harmful.
3Device complexity
If the sharpening filter is applied to the entire image, then processing is simplified, but artifact regions are generated in boundary areas around metal or tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into artifact and non-artifact segments through automated detection using edge filters and gray level analysis. This segmentation enables selective filter application that prevents black border artifacts around metal and tooth boundaries while maintaining processing automation and reducing manual intervention complexity.
4Device complexity
If the sharpening filter is applied to the entire image, then processing is simplified, but artifact regions are generated at the boundary of field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of field of view boundary regions using edge detection filters and gray level inversion before applying the sharpening filter. This preliminary action identifies white border artifact-prone areas at FOV boundaries, allowing the system to protect these regions while maintaining simplified automated processing throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for applying filters for dental CT imaging, including: acquiring the dental CT imaging using a dental CT apparatus; extracting an artifact region from the acquired image; applying a first filter to a region other than the artifact region in the acquired image; and outputting the dental CT imaging to which the filter is applied. Dental CT imaging is provided without an artifact region to assist in medical treatment. More specifically, the dental CT imaging without the artifact region around the metal or tooth is able to be provided to assist in dental treatment. Further, the dental CT imaging without a white artifact region is able to be provided at a boundary portion of field of view (FOV) to assist in dental treatment.