Virtual Jaw Image Alignment via Natural Movement Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recording and diagnosing temporomandibular joint issues often require unnatural jaw positions, leading to suboptimal image quality and difficulty in accurately determining jaw relationships, especially in tomographic scans where patients are scanned with undefined jaw positions or using generic bite blocks, which can result in deformation and poor data assignment.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating a virtual jaw image by recording movement data to align digital upper and lower jaw images in any desired position, allowing for precise alignment of jaw images based on selected position data records, enabling diagnosis without additional imaging and reducing radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients are scanned with generic bite blocks or chin support to define jaw position, then the scanning process is simplified and can be performed by non-specialists, but the jaw position becomes unnatural or undefined leading to poor image quality and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by recording the patient's natural jaw movement trajectory (condylography) before the tomographic scan. This movement record is stored and used to virtually position the jaw in its natural state during image reconstruction, eliminating the need for physical jaw positioning devices while maintaining anatomical accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical jaw positioning system (bite blocks, chin supports) with a digital/virtual positioning system. The natural jaw movement data recorded beforehand is used to computationally align and position jaw structures in the tomographic images, substituting physical mechanical constraints with information-based virtual positioning.
2Measurement precision
If additional tomographic scans are performed to verify jaw position and anatomy, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure increases and additional imaging resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies feedback by using the recorded natural jaw movement trajectory to continuously guide and adjust the virtual positioning of jaw structures during tomographic image reconstruction. This feedback mechanism ensures that the final images accurately reflect the patient's natural jaw position and relationships without requiring additional verification scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the patient's natural jaw movement trajectory through condylography recording. This digital replica is then used to reconstruct and position jaw anatomy in tomographic images, replacing the need for additional physical scans while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the jaw is held in intercuspation position during scanning, then a defined jaw position is achieved, but unnatural forces deform the jaw and temporomandibular joint leading to poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention records the patient's natural jaw movement patterns before the tomographic scan. This preliminary recording captures the authentic jaw position and relationships without any deforming forces, which is then used to virtually reconstruct the jaw in its natural state during image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical constraint of holding the jaw in intercuspation position with a virtual positioning system. The natural jaw trajectory recorded beforehand is used computationally to position jaw structures in the images, eliminating deforming forces while maintaining precise position definition.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a virtual jaw image includes performing a movement recording method to obtain a movement record which comprises producing at least one position data record over a defined time. A position data record describes a spatial position of a lower jaw to an upper jaw at a specific time. Surface sections of the upper and lower jaw are scanned at the defined time during the movement recording method to obtain a spatial relation of the surface sections during the defined time. Digital upper and lower jaw images are recorded. A position data record of a virtual position of the digital lower jaw image is assigned to the digital upper jaw image. A position data record is selected to obtain a selected position data record. The digital lower and upper jaw images are virtually aligned based on the selected position data record to produce the virtual jaw image.