Dental Image Registration Using Reference Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating design images for dental implant surgery using CT and oral scan images face accuracy issues due to integration errors and distortion of tooth curvature, leading to degraded image quality and surgical guide precision.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and device that utilize reference markers attached to the oral cavity to register and correct CT and oral scan images, generating a precise registered image for determining the teeth profile and designing accurate surgical guides and crown shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If CT scan image and oral scan image are integrated without reference markers, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but image registration accuracy is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage integration processVSAvoidimage registration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Reference markers are introduced as intermediary objects that are attached to the oral cavity structure. These markers serve as common reference points that can be detected in both CT scan images and oral scan images, enabling accurate registration between the two different imaging modalities. The markers act as a bridge that connects the coordinate systems of the two images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reference markers are designed with specific radiographic properties that make them visible and distinguishable in both CT scan images (which use X-ray attenuation) and oral scan images (which use optical scanning). The markers appear as distinct features with characteristic appearance in both imaging modalities, allowing for reliable detection and matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If oral scan is performed with structure installed inside oral cavity, then crown design can be performed, but inner side of teeth cannot be scanned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrown design capabilityVSAvoidinner side tooth information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Reference markers are attached to the oral cavity structure before the oral scan is performed. This preliminary action ensures that the markers are present in the scanned images, allowing for accurate registration and reconstruction of the inner side of teeth even when the structure is installed during scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If oral scanner moves along inside of oral cavity, then three-dimensional image can be acquired, but tooth curvature becomes distorted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional image acquisitionVSAvoidtooth curvature accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Reference markers attached to the oral cavity structure serve as stable intermediary reference points that do not move or deform during the scanning process. By using these fixed markers for registration, the actual tooth curvature information can be accurately recovered even though the oral scanner moves during acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3449862B1Image processing device for generating design image on basis of reference marker, and method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 DIO
  • EP3449862B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3449862B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3449862B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and method for processing an image for generating a design image based on a reference marker. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing an image for generating a design image based on a reference marker includes receiving, from at least one external device, a computerized tomography (CT) scan image and a plurality of oral scan images related to a person to be treated who has a plurality of reference markers attached to an inside of an oral cavity, generating a registered image by registering the images on the basis of locations of the plurality of reference markers detected from the images, determining, on the basis of the registered image, a teeth profile related to the inside of the oral cavity of the person to be treated, and generating a design image related to the inside of the oral cavity on the basis of the teeth profile.