Intra-oral Sensor Positioning via Directional Electromagnetic Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for capturing intra-oral digital images require manual user interaction to specify which teeth are being imaged, leading to inefficiencies and potential sanitation issues, as well as incorrect sensor positioning.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that establish a spatial frame-of-reference within the patient's mouth, automatically determine the intra-oral digital imaging sensor's location and orientation, and associate this information with the acquired images, allowing for automatic placement and orientation of the images on a tooth chart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual user interaction is used to specify teeth being imaged, then the system can capture intra-oral digital images, but the process is time-consuming and requires repeated disinfection between acquisitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects sensor position and identifies the teeth being imaged using directional sensors and signal processing, eliminating the need for manual user input. The technician simply places the sensor in the patient's mouth, and the system self-determines the spatial location and associates it with the appropriate tooth chart area, enabling continuous operation without repeated disinfection cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical interaction (technician pressing keys or buttons to indicate tooth location) with an automated electromagnetic detection system. Directional sensors detect the spatial position of the sensor holder using electromagnetic fields, and a processor automatically maps this position to the corresponding teeth, substituting manual mechanical input with automated field-based detection.
2Reliability
If manual user interaction is required between each image acquisition, then the system can track which teeth are being imaged, but sanitation cannot be maintained as the user must re-position the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically tracks sensor position through multiple directional sensors that continuously detect the sensor's spatial location. This self-monitoring capability allows the system to maintain accurate tooth identification without requiring the technician to manually re-input data or touch the user interface between acquisitions, thereby maintaining sanitation while preserving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated detection system between the technician and the image acquisition process. The directional sensors and processor act as intermediaries that automatically determine tooth location, eliminating the need for direct manual interaction with the user interface and allowing the technician to maintain sanitation while the system handles positioning tracking.
3Measurement precision
If the user manually positions the sensor, then the user can place it in the mouth, but the sensor may be mis-positioned relative to the intended tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task into multiple independent directional sensors positioned around the patient's head. Each directional sensor independently measures the spatial position of the sensor holder from a specific angle, and the processor integrates these segmented measurements to calculate the precise three-dimensional location and orientation of the sensor, improving positioning accuracy through multi-point detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional sensors as intermediaries between the sensor holder and the image acquisition system. These intermediary sensors detect the spatial position of the holder and provide this information to the processor, which then determines the precise location of the imaging sensor relative to the patient's teeth, enabling accurate positioning detection without direct user intervention.
4Extent of automation
If automatic spatial location tracking is implemented, then manual interaction is eliminated, but the system complexity increases with directional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional directional sensors that serve multiple purposes: they detect the spatial position of the sensor holder, determine the orientation of the sensor, and provide data for associating images with the correct tooth chart areas. This universal detection system eliminates the need for separate manual input devices, position indicators, and orientation tools, reducing overall system complexity despite the automated capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of position detection, orientation detection, and image-to-tooth-chart association into a single integrated automated system. The directional sensors simultaneously provide spatial location data that the processor uses for multiple purposes: determining which teeth are being imaged, orienting the captured image correctly, and mapping it to the appropriate area on the tooth chart, thereby reducing the number of separate system components needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and systems for capturing digital intra-oral images, while automatically determining a location of an intra-oral sensor placed within a mouth of a patient, is disclosed. A spatial frame-of-reference is established with respect to teeth within the mouth of the patient. An intra-oral digital imaging sensor is placed within the mouth of the patient adjacent to at least one tooth within the mouth that is to be imaged using the intra-oral sensor. Spatial location information is automatically generated such that the spatial location information defines how the intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to the spatial frame-of-reference. A digital image of at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image. The associated spatial location information may be used to automatically correlate the acquired image to a tooth or teeth within the mouth and/or to automatically orient the acquired image for display.