Dental Overview Map Compilation Using MR Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance tomography for dental imaging is inefficient due to prolonged data acquisition times, which can lead to image artifacts from patient movement, especially in pediatric patients, and is resource-intensive for treating multiple patients.
Innovation Solution
A method that compiles a dental overview map by analyzing magnetic resonance data from a magnetic resonance measurement, focusing on specific sections of the dentition, using adaptive imaging parameters and intelligent algorithms to quickly identify abnormalities and reduce data acquisition time, allowing for efficient and reproducible imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic resonance tomography is used for dental imaging, then ionizing radiation is avoided and soft-tissue contrast is improved, but data acquisition time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dentition into multiple sections (e.g., quadrants or individual teeth) and acquires magnetic resonance data for each section separately. This allows the overall dental imaging task to be divided into smaller, faster sub-acquisitions, reducing the total measurement time while maintaining diagnostic quality through focused imaging of relevant areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different imaging parameters and optimization strategies to different sections of the dentition based on their specific diagnostic requirements. High-resolution imaging is applied only to areas with abnormalities or high diagnostic priority, while other areas use optimized faster protocols, thereby reducing overall acquisition time without compromising essential diagnostic information.
2Reliability
If magnetic resonance tomography is used for dental imaging, then soft-tissue contrast is improved, but patient movement artifacts increase due to prolonged scanning
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the dental imaging into multiple short-duration section acquisitions rather than one long scan, patient movement between sections is minimized. Each short acquisition captures a frozen moment of the dentition, and the sections are later reconstructed into a complete dental overview map, reducing motion artifacts while preserving soft-tissue contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of abnormal sections before detailed imaging. By first identifying which dental sections require detailed examination and then focusing the magnetic resonance imaging only on those specific areas, the overall scanning time is reduced, thereby minimizing patient movement and associated artifacts during the imaging process.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging of dentition is performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases for treating multiple patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary screening or identification step to detect abnormal sections before conducting comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging. This preliminary action allows the system to focus detailed imaging only on sections that require it, rather than imaging the entire dentition at high resolution for every patient. This significantly reduces the time and resources required per patient while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy for abnormal areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies high-quality comprehensive imaging only to abnormal sections identified during preliminary screening, while using optimized faster protocols for normal sections. This localized quality approach ensures that diagnostic accuracy is maintained for problematic areas while improving overall patient throughput by reducing the time spent on normal, non-critical areas.
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 faster and more efficient imaging of the dentition, reduces the duration and effort required for data evaluation, and provides a structured overview for medical practitioners, facilitating better diagnosis and longitudinal studies.
Implementation Method 1
the examination object is usually positioned in a strong, static and homogeneous basic magnetic field (B0 field) of a magnetic resonance apparatus. The basic magnetic field can have magnetic field strengths of from 0.2 tesla to 7 tesla such that nuclear spins of the examination object align along the basic magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
To trigger so-called nuclear magnetic resonances, radio-frequency excitation pulses are radiated into the examination object. Every radio-frequency excitation pulse causes certain nuclear spins of the examination object to deviate from the basic magnetic field by an amount that is also known as the flip angle.
Implementation Method 3
For spatial encoding of the nuclear magnetic resonances of the examination object, magnetic gradient fields can be superimposed on the basic magnetic field.
Implementation Method 4
A magnetic resonance image is typically reconstructed by means of a multidimensional Fourier transform of the k-space matrix.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for compiling a dental overview map of the dentition of an examination object on the basis of magnetic resonance (MR) data from a MR measurement of the dentition. Performing an MR measurement for acquiring MR data from the dentition. Performing an analysis of sections of the dentition in order to determine an abnormality on the basis of the MR data, wherein a section of the dentition includes a subset of the number of teeth in the dentition, and determining an abnormality in at least one section. Compiling a dental overview map as a function of the MR data and the abnormality of the at least one section of the dentition. Providing the dental overview map.