Dental Panoramic X-Ray Positioning Using Scout Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The correct positioning of patients in dental X-ray imaging, particularly panoramic imaging, is time-consuming and often results in non-optimized image quality due to unknown patient anatomical shapes and suboptimal alignment of pre-defined imaging layers, leading to additional X-ray exposure.
Innovation Solution
A dental X-ray imaging system with a control system that acquires scout images using a larger active area of the X-ray detector, detects anatomical structures, determines dental arch data, and corrects patient positioning errors using machine learning models and atlas data to enhance panoramic image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional supporting methods (chin rest, static bite stick, head support) are used to position the patient, then the patient positioning can be maintained, but the positioning process is time-consuming and does not account for individual anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring scout images before the main panoramic imaging to detect anatomical structures and determine optimal imaging parameters. This allows the system to prepare positioning corrections and imaging layer alignments in advance, reducing the time needed during the actual imaging process while maintaining high positioning accuracy through individual anatomical adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting anatomical structures from scout images and using this information to adjust imaging parameters and positioning corrections. The control system continuously refines the imaging layer alignment based on detected anatomical data, ensuring optimal positioning accuracy without requiring manual adjustment time.
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-defined imaging layers are used for panoramic imaging, then the imaging process can be standardized, but the image quality is non-optimized when patient anatomical shapes deviate from the average
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by detecting specific anatomical structures (teeth, dental arch, mandible, maxilla) and adjusting imaging parameters locally for each detected structure. This allows the standardized imaging process to adapt to individual patient anatomical variations, optimizing image quality for each patient's specific anatomy while maintaining overall process standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes imaging parameters based on detected anatomical structures. The control system modifies imaging layer alignment, exposure parameters, and positioning corrections according to the specific anatomical features detected in scout images. This enables the standardized imaging process to adapt to individual anatomical variations and produce optimized images for each patient.
3Measurement precision
If multiple scout images are taken to improve positioning accuracy, then the image quality can be optimized, but the X-ray exposure to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging process into two functional parts: scout image acquisition for anatomical detection and main panoramic imaging for detailed imaging. By using a dedicated scout imaging phase with optimized parameters, the system achieves accurate anatomical detection while minimizing total X-ray exposure compared to taking multiple full panoramic images for positioning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy or representation of the anatomical structures through scout images. These scout images serve as a template or reference that guides the main panoramic imaging process, eliminating the need for multiple full imaging sequences and reducing cumulative X-ray exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy.
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 imaging layer with the patient's anatomy, reducing the need for multiple scout images and minimizing X-ray exposure.
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
AI summary
A dental X-ray imaging system (100) comprises: a dental X-ray imaging unit (102) having an X-ray source part (114), an X-ray imaging detector part (116) with an X-ray detector, and a gantry part (112) for the X-ray source part (114) and the X-ray imaging detector part (116); and a control system (106). The control system (106) controls 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, larger part of an active area of the X-ray detector, and to acquire panoramic dental X-ray image data of the patient (300) by using a second, smaller part of the active area of the X-ray detector being respective to the panoramic imaging. 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 are also disclosed.