Dental Prosthetic In Vivo Characterization via Non-Line-of-Sight Motion Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing the in vivo operation of dental prosthetics, such as dentures, face challenges due to the intrusive nature of measurement techniques and the creation of inertial artifacts, making it difficult to accurately measure support, stability, and retention, especially during typical use like chewing or talking.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing non-line-of-sight motion capture systems with three or more subject position sensors and prosthetic tracking sensors to capture and transform data into a reference three-dimensional coordinate system, allowing for the comparison of dental prosthetic position data and subject position data to characterize the operation of dental prosthetics effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If external rigging and intrusive measurement techniques are used, then measurement capability is provided, but inertial artifacts are created and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-line-of-sight motion capture sensors as an intermediary measurement tool that can detect prosthetic movement without requiring direct line-of-sight or physical attachment to the prosthetic. This mediator approach allows measurement of intraoral operations without the intrusive rigging that causes inertial artifacts, thereby maintaining measurement capability while improving measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems (external rigging, direct attachment sensors) with a non-line-of-sight motion capture system that uses electromagnetic or optical fields to detect position. This substitution eliminates the mechanical inertial artifacts while preserving the ability to characterize prosthetic operations during typical use
2Loss of information
If traditional measurement techniques are used, then some measurement data is obtained, but the data is insufficient to characterize dentures during typical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into two independent components: subject position sensors attached to the patient's head and prosthetic tracking sensors attached to the denture. This segmentation allows simultaneous tracking of both the subject's movements and the prosthetic's movements, providing sufficient data to characterize relative motion and prosthetic performance during typical use without the limitations of traditional single-point measurement
3Manufacturing precision
If expert care is taken to form dentures to match oral cavity, then support and retention are improved, but periods of reduced stability still occur during typical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously measuring the actual position and movement of the denture relative to the oral cavity during typical use activities. This objective measurement data provides feedback on when and how stability is lost, enabling researchers to analyze the relationship between denture design, oral cavity topography, and actual performance, thereby improving future denture fabrication to maintain stability during chewing and talking
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 provides accurate and objective data on the in vivo operation of dental prosthetics, enabling the evaluation of denture adhesive efficacy and improving the design and development of dental appliances by isolating relative motion and reducing inertial artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
The three or more prosthetic tracking sensors are non-line-of-sight sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for characterizing in vivo operation of a dental prosthetic that includes providing subject position data and prosthetic position data. The method further includes transforming the subject position data into a reference three-dimensional coordinate system. The reference three-dimensional coordinate system is ordered according to a coordinate index. The coordinate index is based at least in part upon a subject position index of the subject position data. The method further includes comparing, automatically with one or more processors, the prosthetic position data and the reference three-dimensional coordinate system according to a comparison order to characterize the dental prosthetic. The comparison order is based at least in part upon a prosthetic position index of the prosthetic position data and the coordinate index.