Semantic Dental Imaging Interfaces for Relevant Image Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental imaging data is underutilized due to the challenge of finding relevant images within large datasets, as existing systems struggle to efficiently leverage semantic information for image retrieval and presentation.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that utilizes semantic information related to anatomical features in dental imaging data to establish links between images, enabling automatic retrieval and adaptive display of relevant data based on metadata comparisons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large amounts of imaging data are stored and archived, then data availability for analysis increases, but difficulty in finding relevant images increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of imaging dataVSAvoiddifficulty in finding relevant images
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging data is segmented into individual images, each associated with metadata containing semantic information about anatomical features. This segmentation allows the system to process and search through large datasets by evaluating individual image characteristics rather than treating the entire dataset as a monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Metadata serving as an intermediary between the raw imaging data and the user's search queries. The metadata contains semantic information that acts as a bridge, enabling the system to translate user needs into actionable search criteria and retrieve relevant images without requiring direct analysis of the entire imaging dataset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual search methods are used to find relevant images, then control over search results is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over search resultsVSAvoidtime to find relevant images
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing metadata and retrieving relevant images without requiring manual intervention. The automated retrieval process uses semantic information from metadata to independently identify and present relevant images, freeing the user from time-consuming manual search operations while maintaining search accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where selected images and their metadata are used to refine subsequent search results. This feedback loop ensures that the system learns from user interactions and improves its retrieval accuracy over time, maintaining high control over search results while reducing the time required for initial searches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If semantic information is added to metadata, then image retrieval accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage retrieval accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Semantic information is extracted and processed in advance during the data acquisition phase, before the actual search operation. By performing this preliminary action, the system pre-processes the imaging data and creates ready-to-use metadata structures that simplify subsequent search operations, reducing the complexity of real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of data representation by transforming raw imaging data into structured metadata with semantic information. This parameter transformation simplifies the search process by working with abstracted, meaning-rich data structures rather than raw pixel data, reducing processing complexity while improving retrieval accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250322934A1Dental user interfaces
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH CORP LEGAL
  • US20250322934A1 patent drawing
  • US20250322934A1 patent drawing
  • US20250322934A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present teachings relate to a method for improving usability of dental imaging data, comprising: providing imaging data comprising a plurality of different images of at least one dental imaging modality of a patient; providing metadata for each of the images; selecting one or some of the images; retrieving in response to the selection at least one another image; wherein the retrieval is performed by comparing metadata of at least one of the selected images and metadata of at least one of the retrieved images. The present teachings also relate to systems, software products and storage media.