Three dimensional imaging and analysis of a root canal
US6405071B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/922
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A computer-based imaging technique for three dimensional modeling of root canal shape and accurate measuring of root canal length is provided. A direct digital radiology (DDR) system that replaces film by an electronic sensor is used to acquire radiographic images of the root canal. The DDR system allows instant radiographic imaging with significantly less patient exposure than conventional film-based radiography. Additionally, since the images are captured in digital form, a computer is used for processing. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, two digital images of the dentition from two different angles are acquired. The root canal in each image, along with the direction of projection will define a surface in 3-D space. The intersection of two surfaces will represent the root canal in 3-D. Once the 3-D shape of the root canal is reconstructed, the length of the root canal can be obtained by computing the length of the 3-D curve. The measured length will be scaled appropriately to include the pixel size and magnification due to projection. A computer program will carry out the process of detection of the root canal in each image, surface computation, length meas…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.