Dentition CT Developed Imaging for Faster Lesion Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies require significant time and effort to locate and identify biological feature regions in CT scan images of dentition, hindering efficient diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that generates three-dimensional image data of dentition constituent tissue, detects biological feature regions, and superimposes annotation images to facilitate easy recognition of these regions on a display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If CT scan images are displayed to show biological feature regions, then diagnostic information is provided, but it takes time and effort to search for and locate the region of interest

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological feature region informationVSAvoidtime to search for region of interest
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the three-dimensional CT scan data into a two-dimensional developed image that unfolds the dentition constituent tissue in a planar format. This dimensional transformation allows biological feature regions to be displayed in their true spatial relationships without the need for navigating through multiple three-dimensional slices, thereby reducing search time while preserving all diagnostic information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary processing by generating the developed image and pre-locating all biological feature regions before the diagnostic process begins. Annotation images are prepared in advance at their correct positions in the developed image, so when the dentist views the image, no search time is required - all regions of interest are immediately visible and identified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If three-dimensional image data is generated and processed to detect biological feature regions, then accurate detection is achieved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological feature region detection accuracyVSAvoidimage processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex three-dimensional image processing task into distinct functional modules: a development unit that transforms 3D coordinates to 2D developed image coordinates, a detection unit that identifies biological feature regions, and an annotation unit that marks detected regions. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, managing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces annotation images as an intermediary element between the raw three-dimensional image data and the final diagnostic display. These annotation images serve as a bridge that translates complex spatial coordinates and detection results into visually intuitive markers on the developed image, simplifying the interface between the complex processing system and the end user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If annotation images are superimposed on developed images to indicate biological feature regions, then easy recognition is achieved, but the image processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological feature region recognitionVSAvoidimage processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copy representations of biological feature regions in the form of annotation images that are superimposed on the developed image. Instead of processing and displaying the full complexity of the original three-dimensional data, the system generates two-dimensional annotation copies that convey the essential diagnostic information (location, type, and boundaries of features) with minimal processing overhead, thus maintaining high recognition ease while preserving processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4702928A1Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 J MORITA MANUFACTURING CORP
  • EP4702928A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4702928A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4702928A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a processor and a display that displays an observation image. The processor generates three-dimensional image data of the dentition constituent tissue, detects a biological feature region in the dentition constituent tissue, identifies a three-dimensional position at which the biological feature region L is present in a coordinate system of the three-dimensional image data, generates a dentition developed image Ep in which the dentition constituent tissue is developed, identifies a biological feature region corresponding position corresponding to the three-dimensional position in the dentition developed image, displays, on a display, a biological feature region arrangement developed image Eq in which an annotation image Q indicating the biological feature region is superimposed on the dentition developed image such that the annotation image is located at the biological feature region corresponding position, generates a detail observation image D at the three-dimensional position on the basis of the three-dimensional image data, and displays the detail observation image D simultaneously with the biological feature region arrangement developed image Eq on the display.