Dental X-Ray Scout Imaging for Panoramic Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in dental X-ray imaging, particularly panoramic imaging, is the correct positioning of patients, which is time-consuming and affects image quality due to unknown anatomical shapes and non-optimized image alignment with pre-defined imaging layers.
Innovation Solution
A dental X-ray imaging system with a control system that uses a larger active area for scout images to detect anatomical structures, applies trained detection models to determine dental arch data, and corrects patient positioning errors using atlas data and image processing techniques to enhance panoramic image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a small dose projection image (scout image) is used for positioning, then the radiation dose to the patient is reduced, but the image quality and detail for detecting anatomical structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the X-ray detector's active area into two distinct parts: a first part for acquiring scout images with larger area for positioning, and a second part for panoramic imaging with optimized geometry. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, enabling high-quality scout images with sufficient detail for anatomical structure detection while maintaining appropriate radiation dose levels.
2Ease of operation
If traditional supporting means (chin rest, bite stick, head support) are used for patient positioning, then the patient can be positioned, but the process is time-consuming and does not account for individual anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the scout image acquired with the first part of the detector to automatically detect anatomical structures and determine the patient's dental arch data. This self-service approach allows the system to automatically adapt to individual patient anatomy without requiring manual adjustment or time-consuming positioning procedures, thereby reducing positioning time while improving accuracy through patient-specific anatomical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system processes the scout image to detect anatomical structures and determines dental arch data, which then feeds back into the positioning and imaging parameters. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust and optimize the panoramic imaging parameters based on the actual patient anatomy detected in the scout image, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If an average shape model is used for all patients, then the imaging layer can be pre-defined, but the image quality is non-optimized due to individual anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the imaging parameters dynamically based on detected anatomical structures. The control system determines dental arch data from the scout image and uses this information to adjust the imaging layer parameters for panoramic acquisition. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to individual patient anatomy variations while maintaining an efficient pre-defined imaging layer framework, thereby optimizing image quality for each patient.
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
Improves the quality of panoramic dental X-ray images by accurately aligning the patient's anatomical features with the imaging layer, reducing errors and enhancing image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source part for emitting an X-ray beam, an X-ray imaging detector part comprising one X-ray detector for receiving the X-ray beam from the X-ray source part
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dental X-ray imaging system (100) for dental X-ray imaging of a patient (300). The system (100) comprises: a dental X-ray imaging unit (102) comprising: an X-ray source part (114), an X-ray imaging detector part (116) comprising one X-ray detector, and a gantry part (112) comprising the X-ray source part (114) and the X-ray imaging detector part (116); and a control system (106). The control system (106) is configured to: control the parts of the dental X-ray imaging unit (102) to acquire an X-ray scout image (302) of the patient (300) by using a first part of an active area of the X-ray detector, and control the parts of the dental X-ray imaging unit (102) to acquire panoramic dental X-ray image data of the patient (300) by using a second part of the active area of the X-ray detector being respective to the panoramic imaging. The first part of the active area is larger than the second part of the active area. The invention relates also to a method for a panoramic dental X-ray imaging of a patient (300), a computer program (714), and a tangible non-volatile computer-readable medium.