Dental 3D Surface Imaging via Optical-Xray Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional optical imaging methods for dentistry struggle to accurately capture surface details, particularly in areas with concave and convex portions like the boundary surfaces between teeth and gums, leading to incomplete or inaccurate representations in dental prosthesis fabrication.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that register three-dimensional optical images from an optical camera with volume data or rendering images from an X-ray imaging unit, using a turntable and image processing to align and substitute data, ensuring precise representation of complex surface features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional optical image is obtained using an optical camera with laser scan, confocal microscopy, or stereo photogrammetry, then the measurement process can be performed, but the surface image is not smoothly formed and complete due to gaps in concave and convex portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different imaging modalities: optical camera imaging (which captures surface color and texture) and X-ray imaging (which penetrates through the object to capture internal structure and hidden surface details). By merging these complementary data sources, the system obtains complete three-dimensional surface information including areas that are invisible to optical methods alone, such as concave portions and interproximal spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordinate registration system as an intermediary that aligns the optical image data with the X-ray image data. Through coordinate transformation and registration, the two different imaging datasets are integrated into a unified three-dimensional representation, allowing information from both sources to complement each other and fill in missing surface details.
2Device complexity
If conventional optical imaging methods are used, then the imaging process is simple, but boundary surfaces between teeth ridge and tooth or embrasures cannot be accurately measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical imaging (simple, captures external appearance) with X-ray imaging (complex, penetrates to reveal hidden structures). This combination maintains the simplicity of optical imaging for overall surface capture while adding X-ray capability for accurate boundary surface measurement, thereby improving dental prosthesis fabrication accuracy without completely abandoning the simple optical approach.
3Ease of manufacture
If only optical camera imaging is used, then the equipment is straightforward, but light cannot reach bent gaps such as boundary surfaces between teeth ridge and tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces X-ray imaging as an intermediary modality that bypasses the limitation of light propagation. While optical cameras remain simple and straightforward, the added X-ray capability acts as a mediator that can penetrate through and around obstacles to capture images of hidden surfaces, ensuring complete and reliable imaging data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines simple optical imaging equipment with X-ray imaging equipment. The optical system maintains its ease of manufacture and operation for capturing visible surfaces, while the integrated X-ray system compensates for the inability of light to reach hidden areas, together providing reliable and complete imaging.
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 enables the generation of accurate three-dimensional surface images, including detailed representations of boundary surfaces and interproximal spaces, enhancing the precision of dental prosthesis fabrication.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the distance from equipment measuring an external appearance of a target object to a surface of the target object
Implementation Method 2
volume data or a rendering image of the target object obtained by an X-ray imaging unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure is related to a device and method for obtaining a complete and accurate three-dimensional surface image of a target object by registering a three-dimensional optical image with a volume data obtained by X-ray imaging. The device for generating a three-dimensional surface image for dentistry includes a three-dimensional imaging module including an optical camera which obtains a three-dimensional optical image of the target object and an X-ray imaging unit which obtains X-ray images of the target object in multiple directions, a reconstruction unit generating a volume data by reconstructing the X-ray images, and an image processing unit registering the three-dimensional optical image with the volume data and generating a three-dimensional surface image of the target object by substituting a different portion of the three-dimensional optical image with a boundary of the volume data.