Panoramic Dental X-Ray Direction Selection for Tooth Overlap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Panoramic x-ray images often include regions where neighboring teeth overlap, complicating or preventing successful diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented x-ray imaging method that identifies overlapping neighboring teeth and determines optimal radiographic directions to reduce overlap, using AI algorithms for identification and determination, and reconstructs panoramic images accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional panoramic imaging is used to capture all teeth in the jaw, then complete coverage is achieved, but overlapping of neighboring teeth occurs which complicates diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panoramic image into multiple local regions, each corresponding to a specific radiographic direction. By identifying overlapping tooth regions and determining optimal radiographic directions for each segment, the system eliminates overlaps while maintaining complete coverage of all teeth through the combination of segmented regions.
2Loss of information
If radiographic directions are optimized to reduce tooth overlap in specific regions, then diagnostic clarity is improved, but the complexity of image reconstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of overlapping tooth regions and determination of optimal radiographic directions before final image reconstruction. By pre-processing the data to identify problem areas and calculate optimal directions, the system simplifies the subsequent reconstruction process compared to optimizing all regions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different radiographic directions to different local regions based on their specific characteristics. Instead of using a uniform approach for the entire jaw, the system determines optimal directions locally for each region with overlapping teeth, thereby improving diagnostic clarity in those specific areas while maintaining overall image quality.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple 2D x-ray images are acquired at different radiographic directions, then complete panoramic coverage is achieved, but the time required for image acquisition and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acquires 2D x-ray images at multiple radiographic directions (excessive action) to ensure complete panoramic coverage, but then selectively processes only the identified overlapping regions to determine optimal directions. This partial processing approach reduces the overall time required compared to optimizing every region, while still achieving complete coverage.
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 diagnostic accuracy by reducing tooth overlap in panoramic images, enabling clearer visualization and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source for emitting x-ray towards a patient; an x-ray detector for detecting the x-rays transmitted through the jaw of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a panoramic image with reduced overlapping of neighboring teeth, including: acquiring 2D x-ray images respectively at a different radiographic directions by a rotating an x-ray source and an x-ray detector around the jaw of a patient. It includes a step of identifying one or more regions each including at least one pair of overlapping neighboring teeth in the 2D x-ray images and/or in temporary panoramic images reconstructed from the 2D x-ray images for which an optimal radiographic directions are determined, among the corresponding radiographic directions, which reduces the overlap in the panoramic image to be reconstructed. It includes determining one or more optimal radiographic directions respectively among the corresponding radiographic directions of the 2D x-ray images for which one or more regions each including at least one pair of overlapping neighboring teeth has been identified, to reduce the overlaps in the panoramic image to be reconstructed.