Mandibular Cortical Bone Thickness Measurement via Panoramic Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for osteoporotic diagnosis using dental panoramic images face challenges such as insufficient measurement accuracy, complex measuring processes, and limitations in using images from different apparatus, which affect the reliability and accuracy of osteoporotic diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

An osteoporosis diagnostic support apparatus that includes a contour extraction unit to extract the mandibular contour, a line segment extraction unit to extract line segments, and a cortical bone condition calculation unit to calculate the condition of the cortical bone, enabling accurate measurement of cortical bone thickness and coarseness, and identification of morphological indices for osteoporotic diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement methods are used for cortical bone thickness, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the measuring process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecortical bone thickness measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic measurement of cortical bone thickness by having the computer automatically calculate thickness values from panoramic images without requiring manual intervention. The measurement process is self-executing, using algorithms to identify bone boundaries and compute thickness automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with automated image processing and computer-based calculation systems. The mechanical process of manual measurement is substituted by digital image analysis algorithms that automatically determine cortical bone thickness from panoramic radiographs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automatic measurement methods are used for cortical bone thickness, then the measuring process is simplified, but measurement accuracy becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasuring process simplicityVSAvoidcortical bone thickness measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that enhances the automatic measurement process. A emphasis line is drawn perpendicular to the mandibular contour at a specified distance, and the cortical bone thickness is measured as the distance from this emphasis line to the inner edge of the cortical bone. This intermediary geometric construction improves measurement accuracy while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying and marking key anatomical landmarks (such as the mandibular contour and cortical bone boundaries) before conducting the actual thickness measurement. This preliminary processing ensures accurate measurement without requiring manual intervention during the measurement phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If images from different apparatus are used for osteoporotic diagnosis, then diagnostic versatility is improved, but measurement consistency and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different imaging apparatusVSAvoiddiagnostic measurement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal measurement system that can process panoramic images from different imaging apparatus. By defining standardized measurement procedures (such as measuring distance from a specified emphasis line to the inner cortical bone edge), the system achieves multi-apparatus compatibility while maintaining measurement consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system standardizes measurement parameters across different apparatus by defining fixed geometric relationships (e.g., drawing the emphasis line at a specific perpendicular distance from the mandibular contour). This parameter standardization ensures that measurements remain consistent regardless of which imaging apparatus was used to capture the panoramic image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12336838B2Osteoporosis diagnostic support apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 MEDEIA

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus for measuring the thickness, roughness, and morphology index of the mandibular cortical bone using a dental panorama image to assist in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, wherein the thickness, roughness, and morphological index of the cortical bone is measured more accurately and the diagnosis of osteoporosis can be supported more accurately. An osteoporosis diagnostic support apparatus, wherein the apparatus has a contour extraction unit adapted to extract a mandibular contour from an image of a mandibular cortical bone photographed by a photographic apparatus adapted to photograph the mandibular cortical bone and surroundings thereof, a line segment extraction unit adapted to extract line segments from the image of the mandibular cortical bone photographed by the photographic apparatus; and a cortical bone thickness calculation unit adapted to calculate a thickness of the cortical bone based on the extracted mandibular contour and line segments.