Merging Volumetric and Surface Dental Data via Radio-Opaque Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing and manufacturing prosthodontic components like drill guides and implants require multiple visits and scans, including the need for a scan stent and two CT scans, which are inefficient and inconvenient for patients and clinicians.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the temporary attachment of radio-opaque markers to a patient's dentition for merging volumetric and surface data sets using computer software, eliminating the need for a scan stent and reducing the number of clinical visits by allowing a single diagnostic CT scan to serve as both diagnostic and case-planning data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scan stent and multiple CT scans are used to obtain volumetric and surface data, then the accuracy and completeness of dental imaging data is improved, but the complexity of the procedure and the number of patient visits increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines volumetric CT scan data and surface optical scan data into a single merged three-dimensional model. By integrating these two data sets that capture different aspects of dental anatomy, the system achieves comprehensive imaging accuracy without requiring separate procedural steps for each data type, thus reducing overall procedure complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The merged three-dimensional model serves multiple functions: it provides both volumetric information from the CT scan and surface topology information from the optical scan. This multi-functional data structure eliminates the need for separate scan stents and multiple specialized scanning procedures, reducing device complexity while preserving the accuracy benefits of both imaging modalities.
2Measurement precision
If a scan stent and multiple CT scans are used to obtain volumetric and surface data, then the accuracy and completeness of dental imaging data is improved, but the number of patient visits and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges volumetric and surface data acquisition into a unified process that can be completed in a single patient visit. By combining the data sets computationally rather than requiring separate physical scanning sessions, the system maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with multiple visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data processing and merging of volumetric and surface data during the initial patient visit. By completing the integration of both data types upfront rather than requiring follow-up visits for additional scanning, the patent reduces the number of patient visits while preserving the accuracy benefits of comprehensive imaging.
3Loss of information
If physical models and scan stents are used to obtain surface data, then the completeness of surface information is improved, but the ease of manufacture and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical scanning to create a digital copy of the patient's dentition surface, replacing the need for physical impressions and model-making. This digital surface model captures complete surface information while being directly usable for computer-aided design and manufacturing, eliminating the complex physical model fabrication process and improving ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of taking physical impressions and creating scan stents with a non-contact optical scanning system. This substitution eliminates the need for manual model-making and physical artifact fabrication, reducing device complexity and improving ease of manufacture while maintaining complete surface information capture.
4Loss of information
If multiple separate scanning procedures are used to obtain volumetric and surface data, then the completeness of imaging data is improved, but the device complexity and procedure steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of volumetric CT scanning and surface optical scanning into a single integrated workflow. By computationally combining the data sets rather than requiring separate physical scanning procedures, the system maintains complete imaging data while reducing the number of discrete scanning steps and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The merged data processing system performs multiple functions: it handles both volumetric CT data and surface optical data, integrates them into a unified three-dimensional model, and prepares the combined data for manufacturing. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized scanning procedures while maintaining data completeness.
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 approach streamlines the process by merging volumetric and surface data sets directly, reducing patient visits and scan requirements, while enabling accurate design and manufacturing of prosthodontic components without the need for a physical model or additional CT scans.
Implementation Method 1
ob obaining an anatomical, volumetric image data set of the patient's dentition including the markers via a volumetric scan
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining and merging volumetric data and surface data of a patient's dentition for use in designing and/or manufacturing a prosthodontic component, such as a drill guide, an implant, or other prosthodontic appliance, for example. A plurality of radio-opaque markers are temporarily secured directly to a patient's dentition. Surface data is then obtained, such as by scanning the patient's dentition with the markers or alternatively, by taking an impression of the patient's dentition with the markers, forming a physical model that includes analogs of the markers, and scanning the physical model. Either before or after the surface data is obtained, an anatomical, volumetric image data set of the patient's dentition is obtained via a volumetric scan of the patient's dentition with the markers appearing in the image data set. The markers appearing in both the volumetric data set and the surface data set are used by suitable computer software to merge the volumetric and surface data sets to form a merged image data set and to generate a combined model of the patient's dentition from which a surgical drill guide or other prosthodontic appliance may be designed and manufactured.