CA2045588A1 - Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images

Info

Publication number
CA2045588A1
CA2045588A1 CA002045588A CA2045588A CA2045588A1 CA 2045588 A1 CA2045588 A1 CA 2045588A1 CA 002045588 A CA002045588 A CA 002045588A CA 2045588 A CA2045588 A CA 2045588A CA 2045588 A1 CA2045588 A1 CA 2045588A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
head
positions
probe
anatomical landmarks
data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002045588A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marc Stuart Lemchen
Gary Alan Engel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DOLPHIN IMAGING SYSTEMS Inc
Original Assignee
Marc Stuart Lemchen
Gary Alan Engel
Dolphin Imaging Systems Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marc Stuart Lemchen, Gary Alan Engel, Dolphin Imaging Systems Inc. filed Critical Marc Stuart Lemchen
Publication of CA2045588A1 publication Critical patent/CA2045588A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/04—Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
    • A61C7/002—Orthodontic computer assisted systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S128/00—Surgery
    • Y10S128/92—Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Method and Apparatus for generating Cephalometric Images In the generation of a cephalometric images, for example in orthodontic analysis, a probe 13 linked to a computer 1 is used to determine directly the positions of anatomical points of the head 12 of a subject which is held in place by a restrainer 6. The position of the tip of the probe is determined using sonic transmitters 14 and receives 4. The points located by the probe are used to determine the positions of anatomical landmarks for cephalometric tracings including, by means of extrapolation, some that are inaccessible to the probe.
These are then used to produce a cephalometric tracing Which can be superimposed on a video image of the subject's head. The use of x-rays or invasive techniques is avoided.

Description

55--063 a 507 M thod ~nd_~Apara1:o~ f~r 9~ C~ph~me ~m~

~hia invention rsl~e~ ~ improve~nt~a ~n th~ lo~lon o~ anato~ical landmsrks ~o~ u~a s~.g~ in th~ qeF~ tior o~ cepha}om~tri~ m~ye~. SUC11 irnage~ arQ ~ed ~n o~ontl~ ~Aly~

Th~ ~entlor~ t~ p~ic~l~rly, to ~ppa~!Ltu~ ~nd n ~hod ~o~ g~n~ra~ g 6eph~10~e~ a~ln~; by c~put~r by direat ~nea~Ure~ent on '~:ho ~aCe a~d ~ad o~ a ~lbjeot so a:~ to ~l iminate ~he requirement o~ sub~ 1ng She ~u~eol; ~P x-~ay ~aclia~lon-~eral cephalogra~ ~Pull~h~ad x~ r~ys, ~ide llrlew X-r~Ly~i~ ar~ a well~ ;3wn p~l~A~y c~r~hod~lti~: ~n~yE~ia to~ ront~l vi~w ~ ya h~v~ been u~ed to ~ les~Qr ext~nd, in par~ because radia~ion dosago level~ ~e s~:Yeral tlme~ hl~h~r and c~nly ~wen~ey t~ thir~y pere ent sllore in~or~ation ~s ob~ait~ . Tr~ditionall~f~, a t~c~n~
is mad~ h~ l~t~r~l cepha~ onl ~h~ axr:~d ~0 as a "c~phalomstr~c: tra~lng" ~ ~nd speaific ~X~l~tal, d~tal and ~o~ s~u~ mea~ur~n~ents are th~n ~al~uïated ~ro~ t~e traaln~. The ll~;ual proced~r# ~ ~ aB ~oll~w~:

Fi~st, a pie~ o~ standard ~racing pap~r is ~ixecl to th~
x-ray film. Next, outlinQs o~ key anat~ al reatu~
are tra~ed wi~h a ~ead pencil. Then, Va~lOUS lin~s are drawn by connec:tlns~ the anatomicaL l~ndmarks w~h the aid o~ ~ s~craigh~ ed~e, ~he part~aular llnea depe~
UpO~I the part~cul~r an~lysls or ~e~;tmen~ o~ tSle patient wnis::h h~s ~cen selec~ hy ~he or~h~d~n~ls~ @
distanaeE; ~e~ween lar~d~n~rks and angle~ betweer~ pairs o~
1~ ne~ are calcu~ated usln~ a ruler and protra4to~ T~
l~ormatlon, callE!d "cephal4metrics", is used to ' descrlbo the p~tlent~s aon(lltl~m ln an o~j~ct~ mAnh~r wh~ ch c~n b~ cc~m~;~L~ed witll ot:h~r~ an~ uOEed in r~ ch, ~duca~ n or dia~rto~ u~d ror diagno~ , th~ v~lue~ o~ th~;e meEI~uremon~ n b~s the bMs~ o~ determtnation of~ a s~eclfic ~eatm~n~ plan Por a ~atlen~.

~ lo~::a~ion oP ~ortaih t'l~nd~rXsh wi~hin th~ ~c~ul co~plex lr~ the p~ ry ~n~orma'cion rr~m whlch cqph~lo~ an~ly~ he prep~ra'elon o2 tha trocJirlg and iden~ atlon o~ ~ha p~ecslso loo~lol~ o~
the. lan~arX tee~ lnvol~re ~ c~Etal~ ~olmt ~P
e~ atlng and 'tll~ p;ro~e%E; ~ r i~r~ aing ~n ex~ct ~:len~ aomplete a~pha~ ~metri~ analy~ ~ ty~?lo~
r~quire~ ~pproxin~a~ely Oh~ h~ur.

Alt~o~h th~ a~e ~everl~l va~la~e10n~ Or ~ ~en~r~l ca~?h~o~tri~ an~ysl3, r4~8~ ~ely c~ r ~a~c~ o~
Plea~urg~ nt~ Por example, ~:ertain r~Ds~lrl~a~ vslue~
il~di~2 wheth~3r or not ~G U~e l~ d~sar ln tre~men~-.
O~her n~Bure~nen~cg ~uggeat ~ ~'cyle oi~ haad~r to b~
u~ed. Still cth~rs ~ld ~n ela~t~c ~rubl~r b~sld) ~le~tlon. Sp~c~ val~e~ lndi~a~ th~ ~nagnltude and dire~:ioh o~ in~ or or molar ~c~v~n~ ad.

I3t o~t~odon~ic t~ea.~m~nl: o:~ a pa~i~n~ i~ belng ~arrled o~t, ~ nu~be~ of csep~al~ ric x-r~ ax~e 60meti~ne~; tako~
and ~rac~ingS m~o in ord~r ~o m~ r th~ pat~en~s proqsess3 towa~d t~e de ired ~reatment goal. ~dl~lot~al c~p~alo~r~ns 2-r~ kQn at ~che end o~ txæ~ment, and Be~ ~al ~7e~ ter completion o~ tX~attnent~ to dete~ine the le~vel o~ treatmen~ ~4cGe~. In recent ye~r~ ere ha~ h~en reluctano~ to take 5UC~ uRlb~r o~ x-r~y~ a~ ult o~ conc~rn o~re~ rad~ ~lon exposu~e. CDns~uen~,ly, snore r~ ~n ly o~odorlti~s h~v~ not ~ad a~oe~s 'c~ v~lu~ble in~ormat~os~ whlch could ~cilitate ~nd l~hpro~e ~i agtlo~ nd tr2~nen~.

, 2 ~ ' 3 ~ ~

Vlewe~ ~ron~ ~no a~peot t~e in~rent:lç~n prov~d~s a m~th4d ~or de~er~inin~ ~e lo~atlon of a p~ ura~lty ~n~comlc~ lan~ntarXs r~luir~3d ~a,r ~:e in g~ nq ::~phalo~3tric tra~ 0 o~ ~ hun~an ur ~n~mnl he~, compri~;in~ ~h~ ~ep!3 o~ uslng a p~ol~ to id~n~i~y direc:tly the po~;l'c3~n~ of pr~-d~te~lned ~e~'cur~ri on khe h~d, generatlng digltit~zed digitAl dai~s rapr~r3ent~t,iv~
o~ ch po~ no, and ~ ul~t~r~g th~ ati~n o~ th~
re~ qd ~n~t~Jnical ïand~n~r3c6 from ~u~h dlgl~ ed ~3~t:~.
~i~grod ~om anrc~er aopoat the in ~ntl~n provlc~oo a hod c~ de~ ng~ ~b.a po~itlon~ o~ ~ plu~ali~y o~
2~na~ cal lan~ rks of ~ human o~ animz21 head, at 1~3as~
one o~ whi~h landmarks 16 ir~a~ce~ibl~ ~xom outside o~
ths tls~ue ~ ~che P~ad, Compri~ing t~ ~t~p~ o~ ~ett ing a poln~ or plan~3 of re~er~anc~ with re~p~a~ ~ the ~
po~ lonln~ a prob~ ~lp on a plur~llty o~ p~ eterr~ d tu~e~ c~n th~ head, ~en6~ratinSt data lndi~ o~ t~3 re3l~e~ve pos~tion~ of the p~ob4~ ~ip w~h r~p~ct ~o the pQint o~ plan~ o~ r~ferense wh~Jl on ~u~::h ~ UXo8, ancl proc~ sing sucl~ ~a~a o do~orr~in~ ~h~ ~o~itlo~ ot the ~na~oml~ l landma~ , SUOh p~ocE~3slnç7 o~ ~h~ dh~a ln~ludin~ tbi2 use o~ th~ dat~ corr~ps~rldlrlq ~e~ a plurality o~ ~he ~r~be tip Po~i~it?na $n o~d~r to dot~rmlne ~y extrapolation 'ch~ po~ition s~f an ana~omi~a~
l~nd~nark inaa~ible ~o the prob~.
Viewed ~ro~ ~nother asp~c:t the ~ ~nt~ provides appar~tuD ~or g~n~rating a ~eph~l~metrla tracing of a human or a~ 3ad~ cc~n~prising; means ~or determiDi~g a pol~t or p~ eerence w~ resp~ to ~he head:
a pxobe ) ~ing a ~ip to b~ placed ~ a plurali~y of selected p4sf.t~; ons on the h~d ~nd~r in th~ mouth, ~a~d pr~be ha~lng ~eans ~or tr~nEimitting one or ~re ~nals when the tlp is at a ~elected po~:ition; m~An~ ~or recel~ing signalB trAn~mitt~ by th~ pro~; data r ~

prs~ ing means progr~ d ~o p~ocea6 data a~o~lated w~ hqt ~ d w;l~n/~ o ~ to prc:vl~ d~ta repre~3entat~e c~f t~e positlons o~ the pro~ tip wi~h ref~ren~e ~o ~che hs~ad G~rre~pondiny to th~s n~
po~ltlos~; and to d~ in~ t~er~ro~ ~na~miaAl la~d~ ]eB~ B ~or d~:playî3lg ar 17,~ e o~ a1; le~
p~ o the ~ d ~ a ch~ dir~ationi and ~:anfl ~or laying on ~ai~ i~age a cephalo~o~ric~ lng ~ro~ ~
3 BllUa~ a~lon and to t.h~ ~;a~ne ~ala, Porm~ by j~inlng th~ approprla~cs anatomical l~rldTl~a~kA~
q~hu~, lk 1~ pos~lble in ~e~r~an~:~ w~h til~3 p~3s~n~:
inventlon t:o obt~in ~nato~io~l lanflmarlc~ and cep~alomctri~, t~AC:i31g~ wl~hout th~ u~ o~ x-ray~.

In car~yln~ out the invention i~ practic2, typ~cally subjQo~' ~ head 15 ~ixad. w~th re~pes:t to ~ point c~
~e~eren~e ~ he physi~al mea~U~men'c~ t~ b~ ~ ken cllr~&tly ~xo~ ~:he pa'clen~. m~ h~ n~ ns~ ba ~lxed la~e o~ eren~e ls es~ablishqd ~nd dlg~ d~
~y~ t~ aE p~e~;~3le~ted lanâmark~ ol~ t~
pati~nt ' ~ ho~d ;~ h~ qq~ner~ ed in di~tized ~o~m and utilized in a cornpu~c~r pr~ram ~0 ~lc:ulae~ di~no tia ~ata po~t~ x~ r~qulr~d ~r uf~e in a cephaloi~et~ic:
tr~clng~ T~æ CC~mputox tS~ $~ne~es the c~phDlom~tri l:r~lng by ~4nr~e:zt~ng the d~ p~nt~, and, i~ dQ~ire~, adding stra~i~ht liLne~ ~nd calc~la~;ing ~ngle~ ~nd lln~r ~ea~llrsn~en~c~ aE; m~ be re~uired ~r ~h~ partlcular ortho~onSic: ~la~no~ y~;tem to ba us~d.. P.dditionally, at the t~me the di~i~ized da~a is b~ing g~n~rated, an elects~c~ r~cordin~ iB made o~ the patien'c ' s he~ in the ~am~ E: 1 n~s ~n which th~ cep3~alometrlc trae~ng~ ~xe t~, lie, ~nd th~5 ~ecvrdin~ 2bse~uer~cly r~produced ln visible ~orm a~d comb~n~d with th~ cephalome~rlc tr~cing ~ E; an ov~rlay, ona on the o~her, Whil~ it 1~ pD~;~ible to ~enera~e dlgl~zed ~t~ta ~ n 3 ~ ~ ~

eithQr tl~r~e-di~en~ional fs:rm 4~ t,~ro-d~m~naLonal ~orm, in ~h~ pre~err~d en~odlm~nt t~xo4~ ;Lm~ne;iio~ell da~a 1~
g~nerat~d and 14 c~nver~:ed to two-di~ ional d~'ca ~or er~ntatiOn ~ a ~ephalom~1:ric trac~n~ afi, a'c pre~nt, ~h~ee-dl~n6l0n~1 a~ph~lom~t~ic tra~n~ a~e n~'c nor~nll~ u~ed ~ n pr~ctloe .
~hQr~ ~re c~r~ain maln ~t~o~le& ~ ta whl~:zh are u8~c~
in ~o~ ephalom~t:r$c 6y6t:e~nu . q!h~ ~lr:ilt i&l ~ ~ubi f~Ct cl~ icatl~n by ~acial ~ ~b~ct~ wlth s~orl~, wlde ~ae~ ~enerally rQ~pond ~ r~ntly to speci~lo typ~ o~ At~s~nt~ th~n patien'c~ wlth long, narro~r Po~i~ rJal ~A u~llizlng seve~al ~xt~rnsl ana ~c~e~lb~e ~n~e~nal landmarXs a~n ba u~ed to ad~ tely categoriz~ any patlent by ~aial typ~.

Rel~tlor~ æ ~lp~er ~aN ~7naxllla) ~o l~w~r ~W
~ m~ndibl~ ano~ller ~18~arUl ~leniQnt ~o b~ de~er~ine~.
~hl~ ~n~or~nat~s:\n l~ u3e~ by ~}le C~rtngdO~ t~o dE:texm~ ne if st1~ulation or inhlh~ ~on c)f m~nd~.bul~ or x~ y g~o~ 18 ~sq~lr~ t~ achi~v~ h ~alanc~d p~5~ he deqr~q of il~isor pr~ n, anç~le o~
ln~:lln~tlon, ~nd t~e int~rrela'cion~ be~ween upp~r and l~er inciso~s can be ~und u3ing a ~;yet~m wh t ch generates po~:itional d~'ca. ~ 3 ln~ox~tion allow~
o~thodontist t~ po~ition the 'c~e'ch ln harmony W1th bo~ W~ w~h ea~h ot~r, and with th~ so~t ~i~sue pro~lle (nose, lips atld chin).

~r~ ~r~ a numb{~r ~f c:ephaloln~trio an~ly{3iE~ 5~tem5 currently ln t2~e. ~he Dowrls Ah~ly~ d~ril:ed in DDWnB, N.~ r1R ion ~n TreatmQnt ar~d Proqnosi~, 3~ ~m~rlc~n Jou~nal ~ Orthodonti~ 12 8~0 tl9~8), T~e St~lner Analys~s is descri~ed ir~ Steiner, C.~., ~h~~

.
':

:

E~I~D~, 39 A~oric,an ~ournal D~ Orthond~nt1~, 729-~55 tl~s3)- T~3 Rlc~cett~ ~naly~ bo~h ~ror~l and a~Al~ ~8 desc~ d ln ~ k~t~, et al., ~g~
~9,, publl~;h~d by nocky ~o~r.~a~n Ort:~odontics o~ V~3n~r, eolora~ 2~ ~n6~ MaNa7n~rz~
Analy~ de~ori~ed in MeNa~ara9 J.A., ~Q~ ~e~ ~r~u2~t~ , 8~ A~er~l.,an Jou~nal ~
Ort21oAont1c~ ~ 44g~ 19~4) . ~r~e ~ar~-8îm~ x ~naly~5 i~ de~ari~ed ~n l~ nde~r, ~.G., Th~ Væ~ri-@i~~
pui~ hed 1~ on~o cn~cr~clon ~$ al~nd~ra, Cali~orni~ ~n 19h7.

W~ 4 the pari~:ular data point~ u~d vary ~ro~ ~y~e~
sys~e~ y~t~ ~ ba~ d upDn the ~a~;la ~ an~
~oot'n ~ t~e. Con~quently, C:Qrt~in lAn~A~iW U~6~d to gener~t~ ~y Co~put.3r th~ r~c~u~red d~ta ~oln~
par~lculay~ sy~t~ ~e~eat~d ~nr U~38 aannc~t b~ ~æa6urad dixeotly by el nOrl-~,nVA~ ,h~li~Usa. ~,in~::e ~th~ tl~l ~udias ar~ aY~ L wh~ch ;:c~r~sl~to ~ e l~ndm~ s tc~
d~re~:tly D~ea~ura~D~e landlnar~s and d~a point~, ~lgor~t~s q~n be ~enc~a~61d by t2~oE~ e~ ln t~ ~r~
to b~ u~d in ~3~w2lre ~progr~B to en~ble a comput~r ~o g~n~rato ~hg3 c~ph~lo}~tr~.c traoin~, baE~ port ~h~
d~rectl~f mea~ured ~and~ r~. The land~a~X~ pa~:ticularly th~ ~ r~pect in ~h~ pra~ lc~ o~ m~thod the ~?~e:3en~ lnY~n~n wh~c~ a~ ner~ted by~ o o~ ~h~
al~t~ri~h~s ~rom t~e di~ectly ~De~ red d~t~ ~rG! th~ t~oo~s of the t~eth, ~nd t~e ~nci~orq in par~ r, and ~he skele~cal lan~.~tarks ~uc~ ~s t~e ~lla and t~ pv~onlon .

~h~ u ~: o~ a c~ntp~er to ~anerate a cephalome~ri~
tr~cing i8 Xnown in 'che ~rc. ~or example th~ ~ic~se~
et al. public:ati~n re~r~d ~u a~ovo show~3, lrl Flgslre 16S t a computer ~ner~ted la~eral ceph~lom~3tric ~r~in~ .
How~ver, the tr~cl2~ ~hown ~ereln ~a~ ~erlt~e~l ~rom a ~ec~ndary sotlrt::e o~ dlLmerlsion~l dat~ , l . e ., ~n x-r~y .
Consaq~ntly, t~e d~Rn~ior~al in~ ti,t3n 1B ~r~ac:c:ura~2 3~

~or r~a~or~s in~Q~an~ in 'c~e u~e o~ x~ y ~c~duro~3 a~
t}~e ~;ource o~ dlTn~nulon~ ~lata, sU~:h 21~ non~ n~Ar dlstc~rtion, as well a~ re~uiring ~h~ ~he p~ti~).t eubjected ~o x ray ra?3ia~cion in orde~ ob~ n 'che data, ~h~ m~hod 2~nd app~r~tu~i of the pr~f~ent inv~l~'clorl elimina~e the~ sadvan~ageE: ~y de~iving dim~3n~lonal in~orm~tion ~irectly ~r~ ~he ~ub~e4~, rath~r ~han u~in~
a ~cond~x~ E;ours~ ~u~h a~; an x-r~ negatl~ ~.

In ~ prer4~rad e~od~m~n~ ~h~ ini~ p o~ the m~hod cv~np~l~e~ r~xing ~he pa,él~.~s head ~n ~paoe rel~tive to a reEe~enae poln~ to b~3 u~d ~18 ~e dAt~ ba~3e rOr t~o m~ em~n~;. For thls purpo~, comres~ional orthodont~ ~ nead r~tralnt~ may he ~ d . Al~srnati~ely, ~o~ ~xample, ~ ~ensor could ~ ~ixed ~o the pa'Glenk ~ s hn2~d ~o as ~c~ pro~ide z~ r~3~Eer0nae palnt for th~
mea~iure~nents . s~he pa~tien~ ' s llead ~t~uld s20t th~n be ~equ~ r~ad 'co b~ immobili~d. A~ter 1l p~ln~ c:r pl~ne o~
ref~r~nce ~g appropr~t~ly ~stabli~hed with respeu'c tD
thl~l pat~ent45 h~ad, dit~$~ed d~men;i~1 da~a i~
dlre~tly ge~ra'ced rr~ ~h~ pa~ B head by ~uit~bl~
moans. ~arl~u~ method.~ of S~nerating ~6uc:h dig~tlze~
in~orm~ n are pro~n'cly known per se~ Example~ o~
three di~ferlsn~ meth~dE; a~e giver, in R~3~C)W, 1 CQm~u er-~ded D~ n And Manu~as;~urir~ s~
L~~s,tat~ ~ T~C, 5~ The Journal 0~
Orthodon~lc D~t~ ~ry 512-516 ~1987) . ;~ 30rllo ran~ing sya~em m~y J~e u~lizQd. U.S. Pat~nt ~70. 3,821,~
de~;cri~ec~ ~ three-dim~nç;ional ~or~o r~ng~ ng sy~tem~
El~Gtrome~hAni~a~ ~y~tems can b~ used to generate sus~h ~gitl~ed ~n~o~n~tion directly ~nd ot2~r me'chud~ m~y El150 be appli~ablo. ~onsequen~ly, in it~ brro~d~;t aspect ~che m~thod o~ the pr~sent in~er~lon is not limited to ary p~icul~r 3y~t~ ~or ~nex~tln~ th~
diglt1zGd dimen6Lonal d~t~, ~o l~n~ a6 t1~e ~ata i~

~ ~3 ~ o n~r~ted dir0~1y ~rom t~ u~ie~ct~ rath~:r than ~om 4 ~a~nd~ry 3~ur~.
~n ~ p~e;~ntly pr~erre~ embodin!3n~ sonlc ranging ~5y~1'Ce!ll Wlttl A hArl~-held p~ObQ i~; UBed ~ yenerat~3 tl~e ~a~ he d~ gi~izlad dl~en~n~l in~o~mat~on l.s gene~a~ed by mea~Ur~m~n~s o~ pr~s~lect~d lar~ rlc~ on the patlentls hoa~. ~hl~ d~m~nstonal da a i~ utillæed ~o ~alaulate th~ ~oquired ~iaghoB~ic d~a p~in~ ~or ~h~
p~r~lcular ailal~ Oy~Q3n ~ing u~d~ A ~o~npu~r program design~d ~or ~hl3 p~ l4r 6y~cem o~ ~naly~ie 1~ ut~li2ed to p~ce~; th~ digltl~ed d~t~ cal~ulat~
Sh~ d~agnc~tic poin~E; fDr th~ ~:ephalotlletrlc tracing.
Once the da~ point~ are s:Alc~la~l, the cepha~o~e1:rlo traaln~ en~a~ed ~ ~se o~ a ~omput~r ~n~ a g~aph~cal plo~t~2r or o~her ~ype o~ di~play to con~ct ~he da2t:~ pc~in~s BQ 218 to produce ~6~ ~raaln~.

ObvioU~l~, it i~; wl~ ~n the c:ap~sbllity o~ the c~pute~
p;cog~ util~d to in~l~de ~he ~Qneratlon ~nd su1perpo~iti~n o~ ~t~iqht line~ r~Qulred f~r ~h~
~3wentton~1 pis~Q~lal pr~nta~lon o~ ~he analy~
w~ll A~5 mea~ur~m~3nts of the r~ red ang~-s~ ~or th~
cs7lventional prese~tatlon oP th~ complet~d tr~cln~.

tn ~:n~ pre:Earr~s~ e~bodl~en~ veral di~ere~ analysis ~yste~s can be ~o~ t~d.
~ach arlaly~ls ~y3t~m pro~lde~ lor di~er~nt line~, angular ~ ;urern~n~s;, and value prlnt-out~. A master progr~ wh~ch S~en~rates a~ re~ulr~d ln~ormatl~n ~or num~er ~ syst~s, an~ selçcts ~here5~rc~ ~he p~r~icular data requlr~d fo~ t:he dia~nos~cla ei3~6~8m u~e~, ~peci~led ~y th~ p~ctitloner, is presently pre'4r~ed. RDwe~er, obviouely p~gre~m~ y ~e u~illzed whi~h are limited t~
par~,~cular d~aqno~:tic syst~m~. Th~ co~pute~ pro~amr ~rr~spec'c,i~ o~' tha ~ystem l~ d~a~o8i~ ted"

: .

,3 ~ $ ~

~enera~ea~3 di~en~lonal d~a ~or th~ h~d~n lan~ark~ by th~ o~ ~lgor~h~ bZ~6~d upon e~ta~ lc~ t~ ~ tv ~eir location, ~n o~er ~co produce th~ oephalt~m-3trl~
tr~oin~ in lts~ currently convt~ntntonal ~orm.

~n ~h~a pr~ an~1y pre~rr~ embod~l~en~ r~e-dim~nslontll di~ d dat~ ænerat~d. Aman~ kh~ ~dvllntag~ ~f the method and appar~tus 15 tha~ a ~rc~ oephalom~:ric ~I:Ai~;~ng c~an ~e g4nsrated ~ ~a~ity a~ a la'coraL t~in~.
C~onv~ntionally~ ~re~ntal tra~ln~ hava not b~n wld~ly uE;sd, b~c~au~i~ o~ tne greatl~r lnt~rea~d a~oun~ o~
~diation ~e~uired far thelr g~nsra~i3ll as comp~e~ ~o th~ t~on r~ rod ~c~r th~3 lat~r~l x-ray. ~owever,-~r~n~al tracinç~s aro extr~mely u~ ul ln pr~ e o~
~r~ontl~ or oth~nathlc sur~ery in many instance~;, as~d th~lr g~repR~tion is now p~ac:~ical b~ u~ln~ tSe px~af~a~r~d embc~dlm~n~c, which gQnerat~ ~h~ r~uir~l ~h~ dlm~n~ian~ a ~rom ~hic~h thq~ c~mputer p~ogram ~a~ dariV~ ntal tra~ing.
,, . -For ort:hodontic 2~naly~is, i~ is 2~1so u~ul to h~ve apl~tuxe of ~hf~ pa~ aa~ corr~spon~lnçl t~
trac:ln~, ~;o th;~ ne may be overlala 4n th6~ o~he~ for ~omp~æl~ pu~ose~ pr~PeS~re~ me~hoâ And appara~us pr~vide~; gor ~6t genera1:ion o~ suan a pic::~ur~ by mal~lng ~n ~l~c:~r~ni~ re;:ordin~ c~P the ~ub~ qc a'c ~h~ tima o~
~hQ ~enor~Gn o~ ~e dimension~l d~ta~ s vld~o re~ordirlg i~ then r~p~coduced in con~uns::tlon wit~ ~h~
p2~es~an~a~1c3n o~ th~# trac~ng, as elther el~tronically overl~id or print~tl out ~nd manually c~v~rlaid ~ he trac:in~.

~r~ an optio~al ~mbodiment thæ yrD~ can b~ u~;~d ir~ e "data stream" r~d~ and ~ mov~d over th~ h~ad ~o p~o~rld~
a tracin~ ~ the 1profll~ o~ the head whlc:h 1~ di~p~ayed on th~ on~or ~; de~ire~

- ~ .

3 ~

~o Wh~le the ~r~erres~ embodim6!n~ lnltl~lly g~ner~t~
three-ciimen~3io~Al da~a, i~ is wlthtn ~ cope o~ e ln~ention to g~nQrate two-di~ ns~i onAl d~ta ~ni~l~lly, r~ th~n conv~sr~n~ the th~eQ~di~n~n~on~ t~
su~:3e~ tly ~o two-di~n~n ional d~th ln ~he proco~ o~
~ten~Pat~nS~ r~c~lng. By initi~l~y g~n~ting on~y ~wo-dimen~i4nal d~a, th~ y o~ ~ me~hod and app~ra~u~ 'co produce bo~ch la~rAl ~nd ~rors~al ~ein~
~rom ~he ~ 'c u~ digltiseAl in orm~'eion i~ ~o~t.
~ow~vs~r ~h~ compl~x$~y o~ th~ work ~t~ n, ~naluCllng sof~cwarg p~ B and pl~y~icnl oompon~nta, 1~ groa'cly ~pli~ on~ ~wo-di~qen;~iono~ B ~ be acqulr~d. Cono~auen1;1y~ a~; fxon~l t~41ng~ ~re c2ur~ntly ~ldo~ us~d, ~4r many ap~llc~tl~m~ oP th6lt pre~ent m~hod, ob~ailling d.i~ltized tw~-dlmen~lon~l d~ta lnltlally will 8uPPi~O.

BeG~8f~ th~ ~thod i~ non~in~ln~ e ~n~L dae~ no~ in~ re l~r~dlat~on o~ ~ch~ ~ubje~'3 he~d, };~ogxo~ of orthodon~lc t~ea~m~nt c~n b~ r~dily monit~rod an~
recorde~ ~or ~rc:hiv~l pu~po~e~, a~ well a~ ~o~
faeil~tatin~ 'cho de~nin3tion u~ ~e ~ acy o~
t~e~ ent }:eing und~r~aken. ~ho ~ çn~ ~thod and appa~tus pa~mit ~ praot~'cion~r, ig d~:~lr~d, to moni~o~
tho mo~ men~ o~ ~ven a ~n~le tDoth during t~ ent, Arld to m~lc~ ~y app~oJ?rlRte Ad~u~ t~ o~ ~odlilc4~c~0ns in the pr~edl~re~ ~ay be appropriate t~ ansu~ that th~ ~ubj~c~ ~aches ~n ~p i~nu~ u~t, wl~hc~u~
~biec~ing t~e su~e~t to ex~esiYe radla~ion or invasive teahn:Lclus~; .

An ~bodiment ~ th~ inventi~n ~ill now b~ de~erib~d by way o~ example and wi~h r~erence to ~he a~comp~nying dr~ir,ga, in whlt;:h :-~igure 1 is ~ general visw of a cc~mplete sy~m fo~ us~in accorclance Wl~h ~he inven~i~n;

~ ~ .

2 ~ ' cs ~

1~

Fi~l~.XR :2 1I!~ an er~la~gecl ~t~w o~ p~rt 0~ y~e~, ~owin~ lt i~a u~e;

~gura 3 i9 a view o a p~oh~ u~ad on ~h~ ~y~em, wil:h two al~arnat~v~ ~lps; ~

Fig~r~ 4 ls ~ dt a~r~ tl~ vl~w ~howln~ how th~ p~itic~n o~ tlle pro~e ~ id~ntl~l~d:

F~gur~ ~ 1B a ~lew o~ ~ di~play ~howln~ thc he~d o~ a ~ub~ect an whi~tl ~n~to~l~al. l~ndma~ ha ~ bee.
~uperl~npoE~

Fi~ur~ 6 ~ a ~iew ~f ~ ~2phalometrlc trRo~ng obt~lned u~in~ yR~m~ ~Lnd Fl~u~e ~ iæ ~ Yi~A~ of ~ ~he ~rac~ing ~up~3r~ mpooed on tho he~d og ~h~ ea~.

A~ own in Fig~. 1 tr~ 4~ o ~3y~te~ lnGlUd~ d~ta pr9a~e:05~ n~, e~uipmen~ 1 p~vided ~ith ~ vldeo dlsplay ~on~tor, ~ ~;upport r~me a, a v~deo ~ r~ ~ ~lth ~
t~lepho~o len~ ~oun~d orl ~che .~ra~e, an ~rr~y Or sonit:
recal~ers 4 ~ount~d on ~ ~ul~- ~rame 5 ~tt~h~d to ~ch~
~rame, ~d ~ hea~ r~'cra~ner ~ ~ta~l~o~ to 1;~ fr~e, po~it~on~d ov~ar ~ seat 7. The head ~e~r~iner e:G~DpriS6!1~5 dawnwar~ly ~ro~ec1:ing arm ~ the side of the ~m~
remote fr~m the Gam~r~ At ~e lower ~nd o~ the a~rn are tw~ ed pl-~t~ 9 with ~r~ eoti~n~ 10 ~or lcca~ in th~ ears o~ a subi~ct, and A ~urth~r a~m wi~h ~n ad~ustabl~ enc~ po~tion 11 to en~e ~lle rorehoad o~ the ~u3:>~ec:t. Flg. 2 shows ~ ~sbject in pla~e~ Wi~h the arrange~er~t hown ~ th~ h~ad 1~ o~ th~ S~ ec'c 1~ lleld ~l~mly but g~r~ ih p~

~he d2~1:a proce~lng equipmcr~t t~rpical~y ln~ e~ a " , :

2 D ~

micro~ompute~; wlth a aosl~put~r grAphic~ boflr~ r h~ ~h ~p~o~ e ~nhanca~sn~ and ~aAnipulat~ot~; ~ hl~h r~solu~i~n monl~>r wi~h ade~~ plx~l re~olutlon ~ar ~ec:~ra~çe l~ndr~ar3~ loG~tion on ~h~ lay~ optlon~lly a ll~h~ p~n ~r ths~ inte~ctive~ ~nt~ o~ d~a ~r con~allds;
ap~ nEIlly a prlnter ~or h~rd eop~ ou~:pult.5 Clhd 6ultable so~twA:~e~ ~h~ lma~lng ~y~ may u~ e.g. ~ ~5~ grey ~ale 'rhe Yid~o aa~tar~ 3 i~ u~ n provl~ an ~ma~ o~ th~
he~d of the ~ub~ which ~IIS proc~oo~d and t~r~l tAlly.. A ~ al im~gF3 ~ ~ ~h~wn ~n Fi~. 2 ~tld iB
di~pl~yed lr~ a ~xçe~ ~ram~ $`or~.

The ~y~ at s~o colap~i3es a probe l~ whi~ ig link~ tc~
~he datA proc~lng equiplDsn~ by ~ ~lt3~1a ~ble. Th~
p~b~ ~8 n p~ f ~p~aed ~;on~o transs~ltte~Ea 14, A palr of intex¢~ng~ble Px~ensic)n~ 15 ar~d 16, ~nd an açti~r~tirl~ button 17, ~ e~t~nE;io~ 15 il; adapt~d ~or u~ ut3id~ o~ th~ he~d and h~s a ~ lB . :rhe axt~ns ~on 16 ~ ~dapt~ for u6e in~ld~ tha ~ou~h alld ha~ p 19 t tS~e er~d R~ ~ cur~v~3d po~iorl 20. ~ha oxt~n~lon~ c~n be ~rmly loc:ated lsl t~ p2obe and wblC:h~Y~ 16 u~d, the ~lp 1~ o~ 19 Will ~ n ldsn'ci~ po~i~ion r~la~t~re to the r~inde~ o~ th~ prohQ- Al~orrla iY~ly~
int~s~cha~g~aa~le pr~X~es could be provld~3d ~ox th63 dl~ nt pU~po ~n thi6 part~ cul~r e~bodiment tn~ probe ~an be ~a6~1 o~
a ~2~ds~ sP~-3~ Sonl~ ~iq~ti~r, manu~a~tur~d by ~ ne~
Ac~e~E30ries Co~porat~n o~ Southp~rt~ connec:ttc:ut, USA.

The four sonic rec~eiv~xs 4 arc connoc:ted to ~e ~a'c~
proces~ing e~auipm~nt a~d a~e posi~cloned ad~ aGent the ~our ~orn~rs ~ ~he ~ub-~ra~e 5~ Thoy are ad~pt~d ~o recsl~re ~c~nic signals rom the probs, wh~ch AJ:e: pro~uced by t:he t:wc~ spa~ed ~rans~tters 14 wherl t~l~ a~tiva~l~

2 ~ ~ . 3 }~utton ~ ~ prer~ d. ~incc th~:s pOE~ition o~ ~ho tlp 18 19 r~ t~v~ to t~o tr~n~mlt~e~6 ~Is lu~o~n, t~e d~ta pr~s~ins ~ pm~ht can work on ~ ta provid~d ~y th~
rec~iveX~ ~ tc~ e~tal~li6h ~he po~ion ln epaoe o~ ~h~
t~p o~ ths! p~o~e w~en t~e ac~lv~,~ing~ bu~ n i~ ~re~ d, l~ain~ the ti~ aken or e~¢h r~ iver ~cs ~le~t the ~igrlAl, an~ tsiangut~tio~ techni~ue3. ~;lnc:e ~n u~e~ the he~d o~ subie~ will ~ ln a Xnown ~ixa~ p~;1',10n, th~ ~t~va~ln~ butts~r~ it3 pr~#~d w~ th~ ~ ~ p oP ~che pro~ ouch1ng a ~eatur~ on t:h~ h~d, th~ h~ ..
lon ~ ~h~,t ~eEIl~ure rel~ive t~ t-.he h~d c~n c~1~ulatsd And o~ r3~ red.
~u~ 2 ~ows t:h~ prohe with tip l 9 beln~ tlsed ir61de tehe mouth o~ ~ ~3u~ w~h the ~p on a c:hosen p~r~ o~
a ~o~en toot~ he act~ t~r~g bu~on 17 i~ ~r~s~d by tt~-2 uso~, t:hen t~e po~l~lon ~3* 'ch2~t p~xt; will 3~e o~ d R~d ~ ded.

Fl~. 3 6J110~ diagranm~tic~;Lly ~ prob~ wl~h kh2 a~:tiv~lng 4utton pr~ad, trans~ r~ 14 ~ t~tn~
so~lnd w4ve:~ tha~ are plek~d up by thls ~e~s~rs 4.
n us~ onc~ ~he ;3u~ect is in po~lt~on &n~l th~ ~iy~
~orree:~ly ~eé up, tb.~ u~Qr c~n ~lec~t a p;~ ular ~ype o~ ~ephalon)etri~ analy~s r~3ira~. In th1~ emb~dimelllt ~hær~ ~r~ fou~teer~ c~pt~n~, as ~ w Rick~t~ l~t~r~l ~ clc~t~ ~ronta~
Vas~ plex E~ol~ ay ~baDIa JarAb~
~te lner Down~
Bs~r~ons .-` ' `: `~

l.

NcNam~a ~sed ~:xu~on~ ~ro~t~l 8tan~ar~ sr~l ~n~r~ n~l Th~ v~io~i dlf~e~ent an~ly~6~s requi~ dl~rent cc~Rbinat~or~ ~ amat~ical land~n~rX~3 ~o b~ nt~le~-s~me oP ~e6e are w~hin lthe ~ 6U~ ~ thQ he~d and ~anno~ CA~ed wi1:h ~h~ p~be. ~h~ PY~ ganeraé~ a 1~At 0~ ~n~t~ical PQ~ 0 be lden'c~led rc~r th~
cho~en an41y~i~ and whiî~t s~ e o~ wlll ln ~at b~
l~nd~rX~, ~c~mo wll~ no~ 115t ~ play~d ln ~
logi~1 ordex to ~cnnpt ~:he u~er ~o ~ round ~h~ ~Ace in ~ lo~à~l and comrenicnt ~a~hlon, w~ he~ n~d ~o ~hang~ ~h~ probe ~xt~n~on only onc~ sa~in~ eh ln~i~4 ~nd o~sid~ e ~ou~h ~re r~uired. In a ~
~x~rcis*, th8 Qx~r~al poln~: wlll ~ ld~n~1eA, theren po~;~t~: w~ n th~ mou~h wlth th~ ~eeth ~ o~c:lu~iun, al~d then ~ 1te bl~k i~ ln~ert:ed al~d o~h~r poir~t~
~c~ent~ ~ed in the mouth. Usually a~ol-t 1~; 'Go 30 po~n~cs hnve 'co ~7e locat~d. some p~ln~e~ will ~8 re~dlly olase~ ble ~n~ eaey to loca~e: 30m~ y r~ e palE~a~:lon to b~ ~oc:~ed i and ~o~e ~y re~l~ ~ littl~
prae~c~, ~o~ev~r, all can be recognl~q~d e~ren'cual~.y a~d lo~a~d ~ith ~che tip o~ th~ probe. ~ ~y~to~ ~ lay h~hl~h~ the r~ext po~nt to be located during a rou~ne ~ loctl~e points ~r the chos~n analysis. Oho~ th~ u~r h~ 14~atod the appr~priate point, ~he activa~n~ ~u~ton 17 on the probe 1~ press~d ~nd ~he po~it~ on ~f the prob~
tlp, an~ thlls th~ ~natomic~l pc~int, i~ r~cor~ed, ~r~e olnts c:an ~hen ~e d.tspl~yed st~perimpos~3d on the: ~ lae~
ima~e o~ the sub~ e¢t .

~h a pre~rred cystem, ~s shown în Figure 5 ~he d.i~p~ay includes the video ima~e of l~he su~ct~s he~d ~1, on wl~lch a~e marlted poln~s a~ready d~ d ~aeh ;a~; ~2, .
'' ~' ~ ' , , :
.

lS
th~ p~int c~r~ntly }:~ing di~i~.ized 23 ~ and ~he polnt la~t dlS~l~ized 24, Also di~;playe~ i 3 a q:ext box 25 ac~nt~lnlng ~nstrue~ions ~nd ~ àia~ram ~ 3howln~ where ~th~ po~nt~ are tt~ ~e ~ounci. Th~ ~yfi~t~m ~aalllt~e~ the fipott:lng o~ erro~ ancl thei~ ~or~o~ion.

Whl3n al-polnt ha~ been lo~aée~ he~ landmark pc~sl~c~on may ~e Xnown, ~r ~t may rl~ed to be c~1~2ul~t6~d i~ not on~ thal: c~n b6~ l~cated dir~tly.

~y way o~ exa~pl~, ~h~ l~ndraark ~ la" can bQ
c~lcula~ d upon ~I:ho lo~lon~ o~ ~.h~ Poll~wing po~nt~ :-1. ~ po~Lnt on tha cxanium at a 90 d~g~e an~l~ t~Fran~ort ~o~lz~ntal ~hrough orbltal~.

2. A pont a~ ~he ba~k of tho he~d Whicl~ ia ~he exte~nsion ~ the llne ~hrouqh n~si~n an~ pc~rl~n.

3. A pc~int on 'c~e ~op o~ ~h~ h~a~ a~ a 4~ d~r~
angle to F~ank~ort at poric~n.

~uch a "hldd~n" landDI~lc can b~ c~al¢~lat~d ~ the~e p~ntE; by th~3 u8e o~ a sull:able al~xllch~ ba qd upon ~tatt ~;tic~l d~t~ ro~ s~udi~ w~ol~ ~orr~ t~e po~ltions o~ ~Iddl~n l~nd~arlc~ ~ id~n~i~ied u~ing e.~. x-rar tecl~ni~es ~ ~o ~irec~ly mG~a:~urabl~ pc~ t2~.

Th~3 dat:~. rec~ived by th~ ~;yst~3m rala~es tcl ~he t~re~
dimens;lonsal posi~iong o~ ~he l~ndmarks l~lt ~he output t:a ~h~ ~isplay ~hc)ws the ~.anc~Arks prc~j eG~ed in 'cwo tll~ections .

once ~he landmar~ position~ are ~cnown, the~ t~
proc~e~sing equipmen~ ~ax~ produc~ the d~slxed ceph~lo;ne~ri~ tra~in~ ~o be ~i~;pla~ed or~ the mo~ or 0 ~9 $ ~

~6 ~inin~ ~he vari~us landm~.~ks. ~ e~:~r~cl, two di~ren~
~ype~ o~ ~r~ciy~g can be c2lrried c~ut and d~pla~red s,uE~erl~npo~d a~ng B~n~r desired axl.~.

SIUr~ ~ ~h~w6 two cephalc~metr~a t:racing~ 2tS ~A 2rl su~e~l~npo~ed, ~Qch A1:30 ino~LIdihq p~r~ o~ ~he proS11~ o~
~ ~aa~.

A ~eE~halor~tric ~racing ~n he di~plbys~ the ea~er~
~g~ o~ sub~ g ~sho~n in ~ig~r~ 7 wh~re a trac:in~ ~8 i~ SUperimpDs~d on the ~u1~a~'~ h~d 21. Xn this~ ~3artiaul~r C:A~e, ~o pro~ b~n~d l:~y thu pr~e oan be ~3ed to che~k on all~rlm~n~c o~ th~ ~w~ l~age~. ~t c~n be ~m~ Sted lP de~ ir~

~!he imaSJ~ d i~pl ayed e;æn be ~anipulated a~; de~lred, rwd~ , h~e ~ehand dr~win~f~ or ~x~ adcled, and fO~r he ~p~lonal li~h~c pe!n car~ b~ d ~.o p~o~ ny lon~ ~n An in'eer~ re manner on ~h~ dloplay, ~clti~lng n~oving ~nd rot2~ting ~h~ lmage~. ~4x sxample, a ed f40~l p~o~ile oc~uld b~ goner~:ed and th~
aephal~ tric ~re~cing ~ led al~o~ E; aoul~ b~ used to illu~3tra~e the re~ull:s o~ di~ en~ s~rtho~ tlc tr@~a kmen~ .

l~e dat~ }~4~ a par~ cular ~ubje~:t may be ~o~parod wl~h n~ obt~lned by ststistical ~n~lys~ ch may be ad j u~te~ agf3 , ~ace, and Ei~X . On the dlE;play ~gni~ t d~1viati~ns from the nor~ l:ou~l bQ
highlighted i~ d~ired. ~ompar~tive ta~la~ed xe~;ul~s cc~uld be ~ splayed.

~ll d~ta ~r a subj ~ct can be stored on s~ able ~edla ~uc:h a~ ~agr~t;iG or op~lcz~l diE;}cs~ and retri~ve~, updated or modif~ed a~ desir~cl.. In~oml~t~on ~nd ~mage~

'~` ' : '.' ' .

,2 ~ $ $

~7 ~ay bo ~rin~ed out u~lny optlollal ~lnter~:~
~oth ~rontal and l~teral an~l.y~e~ çæm bff~ ~rriad ou'c. A
c~aer~ wi~h a tel~photo l~n~ a~n ~e u~ed, 1~ d~al:~ed, 'co obtain lntra~oral l~qs~.
~t wlll be ~ppx~ci~ed that th~ app~atu~ ~nd m~t~od de~crlbed her~l~ may be ~c~difled. rrh~ r~ ltM obtalrl~d by th~3 met~d and spp~a~ ar~ o~ ln o~h~lon~tc t~e~ment and dlagno~i~ but c~n al~ ~be used ln r~ rch, ~duc~ on and ~ rt~ w~l3rq ~ P~c~.lal andl denta~ pro~ile ar~ d~irQ~.

.. -: ' ' .
: ~ :

Claims (22)

1. A method for determining the location of a plurality of anatomical landmarks required for use in generating a cephalometric tracing of a human or animal head, comprising the steps of using a probe to identify directly the positions of pre-determined features on the head, generating digitized digital data representative of such positions, and calculating the location of the required anatomical landmarks from such digitized data.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of connecting the anatomical landmarks to produce a cephalometric tracing.
3. A method of determining the positions of a plurality of anatomical landmarks of a human or animal head, at least one of which landmarks is inaccessible from outside of the tissue of the head, comprising the steps of setting a point or plane of reference with respect to the head, positioning a probe tip on a plurality of pre-determined features on the head, generating data indicative of the respective positions of the probe tip with respect to the point or plane of reference when on such features, and processing such data to determine the positions of the anatomical landmarks, such processing of the data including the use of the data corresponding to a plurality of the probe tip positions in order to determine by extrapolation the position of an anatomical landmark inaccessible to the probe.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 including the step of providing a visual display of the positions of the predetermined features on a representation of at least part of the head.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 3 including the step of providing a visual display in the form of a cephalometric tracing in which the anatomical landmarks are joined by lines.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the visual display is reproduced on a representation of at least part of the head.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the representation of the head is in the form of a camera image of the head obtained from the same direction as that of the visual display of the anatomical landmarks or cephalometric tracing.
8. A method as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7 in which the cephalometric tracing includes a profile if part of the head obtained by moving the probe tip over the head.
9. A method as claimed in any claims 4 to 8 in which the positions of the anatomical landmarks are determined in three dimensional form.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which * data processing means is used to calculate the distances between selected anatomical landmarks and/or the angles between lines connecting selected anatomical landmarks.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, for use in orthodontic analysis.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least some of the predetermined features on the head are in the mouth.
13. Apparatus for generating a cephalometric tracing of a human or animal head, comprising; means for determining a point or plane of reference with respect to the head; a probe having a tip to be placed at a plurality of selected positions on the head and/or in the mouth, said probe having means for transmitting one or more signals when the tip is at a selected position;
means fro receiving signals transmitted by the probe;
data processing means programmed to process data associated with the received signals so as to provide data representative of the positions of the probe tip with reference to the head corresponding to the selected positions and to determine therefrom anatomical landmarks; means for displaying an image of at least part of the head from a chosen direction; and means for displaying on said image a cephalometric tracing from the same direction and to the same scale, formed by joining the appropriate anatomical landmarks.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for determining the point or plane of reference includes means for fixing the head in position.
15. Apparatus ad claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for determining the point or plane of reference includes means for producing an orientation reference signal, adapted to be attached to the head.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein the probe has interchangeable members carrying tips respectively adapted for the use on the outside of the head or inside the mouth.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14, or 15 wherein interchangeable probes are provided, respectively adapted for use on the outside of the head or inside the mouth.
18. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the signals produced by the probe are sonic.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 18, including a camera to provide the image of the head and means for digitally storing the image.
20. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the data processing means is programmed to use * data corresponding to at least one of the probe tip positions in accordance with predetermined criteria in order to determine the position of an anatomical landmark within the tissue of the head.
21. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 20, including means for providing output advising a user of the apparatus as to the selected positions at which the probe tip should be placed.
22. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 21, adapted to produce a cephalometric tracing for use in orthodontic analysis.
CA002045588A 1989-01-24 1990-01-24 Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images Abandoned CA2045588A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30149989A 1989-01-24 1989-01-24
US301,399 1989-01-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2045588A1 true CA2045588A1 (en) 1990-07-25

Family

ID=23163656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002045588A Abandoned CA2045588A1 (en) 1989-01-24 1990-01-24 Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5278756A (en)
EP (1) EP0455700A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04504510A (en)
AU (1) AU4950290A (en)
CA (1) CA2045588A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1990008505A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (296)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2693096B1 (en) * 1992-07-06 1994-09-23 Deshayes Marie Josephe Process for modeling the cranial and facial morphology from an x-ray of the skull.
JPH0824685B2 (en) * 1992-11-25 1996-03-13 株式会社江川 Implant structure measuring method and measuring apparatus
FR2701382B1 (en) * 1993-02-15 1995-05-19 Planche Pierre Georges Bracket and mandibular tube and method for determining their inclination and angulation.
FR2701383B1 (en) * 1993-02-15 1995-05-19 Planche Pierre Georges Bracket and mandibular tube and method for determining their inclination and angulation.
US5641285A (en) * 1995-04-12 1997-06-24 Trovato; Joseph P. Maxillary model positioning method and apparatus
US5766006A (en) * 1995-06-26 1998-06-16 Murljacic; Maryann Lehmann Tooth shade analyzer system and methods
ES2182089T3 (en) * 1996-05-10 2003-03-01 Gunther Blaseio PROCESS OF HANDLING OF CEPHALOMETRIC IMAGES.
US6296613B1 (en) 1997-08-22 2001-10-02 Synthes (U.S.A.) 3D ultrasound recording device
US5975893A (en) 1997-06-20 1999-11-02 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for incrementally moving teeth
US6450807B1 (en) 1997-06-20 2002-09-17 Align Technology, Inc. System and method for positioning teeth
US8496474B2 (en) 1997-06-20 2013-07-30 Align Technology, Inc. Computer automated development of an orthodontic treatment plan and appliance
US7063532B1 (en) 1997-06-20 2006-06-20 Align Technology, Inc. Subdividing a digital dentition model
US6409504B1 (en) * 1997-06-20 2002-06-25 Align Technology, Inc. Manipulating a digital dentition model to form models of individual dentition components
US6705863B2 (en) * 1997-06-20 2004-03-16 Align Technology, Inc. Attachment devices and methods for a dental appliance
AU744385B2 (en) * 1997-06-20 2002-02-21 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for incrementally moving teeth
US7247021B2 (en) * 1997-06-20 2007-07-24 Align Technology, Inc. Subdividing a digital dentition model
US6152731A (en) 1997-09-22 2000-11-28 3M Innovative Properties Company Methods for use in dental articulation
US5882192A (en) * 1997-10-30 1999-03-16 Ortho-Tain, Inc. Computerized orthodontic diagnosis and appliance dispenser
US5927973A (en) * 1997-12-10 1999-07-27 Hanebaum; Allen Apparatus and method for measuring the position of the occlusal plane of the mouth
US6093019A (en) * 1997-12-23 2000-07-25 Integra Medical Dental imaging system with digital motion video
IL122807A0 (en) 1997-12-30 1998-08-16 Cadent Ltd Virtual orthodontic treatment
US9084653B2 (en) 1998-01-14 2015-07-21 Cadent, Ltd. Methods for use in dental articulation
CA2296274A1 (en) * 1998-05-13 1999-11-18 Acuscape International, Inc. Method and apparatus for generating 3d models from medical images
US6089868A (en) * 1998-05-14 2000-07-18 3M Innovative Properties Company Selection of orthodontic appliances
ES2304794T3 (en) 1998-06-22 2008-10-16 Ao Technology Ag PAREO OF LOCATION THROUGH LOCALIZATION SCREWS.
IL125659A (en) 1998-08-05 2002-09-12 Cadent Ltd Method and apparatus for imaging three-dimensional structure
US6802713B1 (en) 1998-10-08 2004-10-12 Align Technology, Inc. Defining tooth-moving appliances computationally
US11026768B2 (en) * 1998-10-08 2021-06-08 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance reinforcement
US6514074B1 (en) 1999-05-14 2003-02-04 Align Technology, Inc. Digitally modeling the deformation of gingival
JP3641208B2 (en) * 1998-10-08 2005-04-20 アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド Computerized dental treatment planning and instrument development
IL126838A (en) * 1998-11-01 2003-04-10 Cadent Ltd Dental image processing method and system
US20020192617A1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2002-12-19 Align Technology, Inc. Embedded features and methods of a dental appliance
US6572372B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2003-06-03 Align Technology, Inc. Embedded features and methods of a dental appliance
US6406292B1 (en) 1999-05-13 2002-06-18 Align Technology, Inc. System for determining final position of teeth
ES2367348T3 (en) 1998-11-30 2011-11-02 Align Technology, Inc. DEVICES AND FIXING PROCEDURES FOR A DENTAL APPLIANCE.
US7121825B2 (en) * 1998-11-30 2006-10-17 Align Technology, Inc. Tooth positioning appliances and systems
US6488499B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2002-12-03 Align Technology, Inc. Methods for correcting deviations in preplanned tooth rearrangements
US6227851B1 (en) * 1998-12-04 2001-05-08 Align Technology, Inc. Manipulable dental model system for fabrication of a dental appliance
US7108508B2 (en) 1998-12-04 2006-09-19 Align Technology, Inc. Manipulable dental model system for fabrication of a dental appliance
US7357636B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2008-04-15 Align Technology, Inc. Manipulable dental model system for fabrication of a dental appliance
US6299440B1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2001-10-09 Align Technology, Inc System and method for producing tooth movement
AU748703B2 (en) 1999-03-17 2002-06-13 Ao Technology Ag Imaging and planning device for ligament graft placement
JP4636696B2 (en) 1999-04-20 2011-02-23 アーオー テクノロジー アクチエンゲゼルシャフト Device for percutaneous acquisition of 3D coordinates on the surface of a human or animal organ
ES2201700T3 (en) * 1999-05-03 2004-03-16 Synthes Ag Chur DEVICE DETECTION DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH AUXILIARY MEDIA ALLOWING TO DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE GRAVITY VECTOR.
US6318994B1 (en) * 1999-05-13 2001-11-20 Align Technology, Inc Tooth path treatment plan
US6602070B2 (en) * 1999-05-13 2003-08-05 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for dental treatment planning
DE19924291C1 (en) * 1999-05-27 2000-06-08 Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh Method for detecting and representing objects, e.g. teeth; involves moving camera to align search image with previously acquired and merged freeze frame image, then acquiring second image
US7234937B2 (en) * 1999-11-30 2007-06-26 Orametrix, Inc. Unified workstation for virtual craniofacial diagnosis, treatment planning and therapeutics
US6633789B1 (en) * 2000-02-17 2003-10-14 Align Technology, Inc. Effiicient data representation of teeth model
US6463344B1 (en) * 2000-02-17 2002-10-08 Align Technology, Inc. Efficient data representation of teeth model
US7373286B2 (en) * 2000-02-17 2008-05-13 Align Technology, Inc. Efficient data representation of teeth model
US7904307B2 (en) 2000-03-24 2011-03-08 Align Technology, Inc. Health-care e-commerce systems and methods
US20020188478A1 (en) 2000-03-24 2002-12-12 Joe Breeland Health-care systems and methods
WO2001074268A1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2001-10-11 Align Technology, Inc. System and method for separating three-dimensional models
US6842196B1 (en) 2000-04-04 2005-01-11 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Method and system for automatic correction of motion artifacts
US6582229B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2003-06-24 Align Technology, Inc. Methods for modeling bite registration
AU2001255655A1 (en) 2000-04-25 2001-11-07 Align Technology, Inc. Treatment analysis systems and methods
US6454565B2 (en) 2000-04-25 2002-09-24 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for varying elastic modulus appliances
US6947038B1 (en) 2000-04-27 2005-09-20 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for generating an appliance with tie points
US7471821B2 (en) * 2000-04-28 2008-12-30 Orametrix, Inc. Method and apparatus for registering a known digital object to scanned 3-D model
US7027642B2 (en) * 2000-04-28 2006-04-11 Orametrix, Inc. Methods for registration of three-dimensional frames to create three-dimensional virtual models of objects
US7245977B1 (en) 2000-07-20 2007-07-17 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for mass customization
US7383198B1 (en) 2000-07-24 2008-06-03 Align Technology, Inc. Delivery information systems and methods
US7092784B1 (en) 2000-07-28 2006-08-15 Align Technology Systems and methods for forming an object
US7040896B2 (en) * 2000-08-16 2006-05-09 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for removing gingiva from computer tooth models
US6497574B1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-12-24 Align Technology, Inc. Modified tooth positioning appliances and methods and systems for their manufacture
US6607382B1 (en) * 2000-09-21 2003-08-19 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for concurrent tooth repositioning and substance delivery
US6582225B1 (en) * 2000-10-11 2003-06-24 Earl O. Bergersen Dental diagnosis and dispensing apparatus and a system and a method for providing same
US7736147B2 (en) 2000-10-30 2010-06-15 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for bite-setting teeth models
US6783360B2 (en) * 2000-12-13 2004-08-31 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for positioning teeth
US7074038B1 (en) * 2000-12-29 2006-07-11 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for treating teeth
US7580846B2 (en) * 2001-01-09 2009-08-25 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for distributing patient referrals
US7717708B2 (en) * 2001-04-13 2010-05-18 Orametrix, Inc. Method and system for integrated orthodontic treatment planning using unified workstation
GB0109444D0 (en) * 2001-04-17 2001-06-06 Unilever Plc Toothbrush usage monitoring system
US7771195B2 (en) * 2001-10-29 2010-08-10 Align Technology, Inc. Polar attachment devices and method for a dental appliance
JP4328621B2 (en) * 2001-10-31 2009-09-09 イマグノーシス株式会社 Medical simulation equipment
US6767208B2 (en) * 2002-01-10 2004-07-27 Align Technology, Inc. System and method for positioning teeth
US7155373B2 (en) * 2002-02-22 2006-12-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Selection of orthodontic brackets
US6830450B2 (en) 2002-04-18 2004-12-14 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth
US20030207227A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-06 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for treating patients
US7255558B2 (en) 2002-06-18 2007-08-14 Cadent, Ltd. Dental imaging instrument having air stream auxiliary
US6979196B2 (en) * 2002-06-21 2005-12-27 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for automated bite-setting of tooth models
US20040243361A1 (en) * 2002-08-19 2004-12-02 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for providing mass customization
US7077647B2 (en) * 2002-08-22 2006-07-18 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for treatment analysis by teeth matching
US7156661B2 (en) * 2002-08-22 2007-01-02 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for treatment analysis by teeth matching
US20040197728A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-10-07 Amir Abolfathi Architecture for treating teeth
US20040152036A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-08-05 Amir Abolfathi Architecture for treating teeth
EP2465464B1 (en) 2002-10-03 2018-08-22 Align Technology, Inc. A method for preparing a physical model
US7600999B2 (en) * 2003-02-26 2009-10-13 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template
US20040166463A1 (en) * 2003-02-26 2004-08-26 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for combination treatments of dental patients
US7658610B2 (en) * 2003-02-26 2010-02-09 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template with a 3-D object placement
US20040166462A1 (en) 2003-02-26 2004-08-26 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template
WO2004087000A1 (en) 2003-04-03 2004-10-14 Cadent Ltd. Method and system for fabricating a dental coping, and a coping fabricated thereby
US7648360B2 (en) * 2003-07-01 2010-01-19 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance sequence ordering system and method
US7030383B2 (en) 2003-08-04 2006-04-18 Cadent Ltd. Speckle reduction method and apparatus
US7285093B2 (en) * 2003-10-10 2007-10-23 Imadent Ltd. systems for ultrasonic imaging of a jaw, methods of use thereof and coupling cushions suited for use in the mouth
US7361020B2 (en) * 2003-11-19 2008-04-22 Align Technology, Inc. Dental tray containing radiopaque materials
US20050182654A1 (en) * 2004-02-14 2005-08-18 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for providing treatment planning
US7333874B2 (en) 2004-02-24 2008-02-19 Cadent Ltd. Method and system for designing and producing dental prostheses and appliances
US20050186524A1 (en) * 2004-02-24 2005-08-25 Align Technology, Inc. Arch expander
US7904308B2 (en) 2006-04-18 2011-03-08 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for providing indexing and cataloguing of orthodontic related treatment profiles and options
US9492245B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2016-11-15 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles
US11298209B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2022-04-12 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles
US8874452B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2014-10-28 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles
US7241142B2 (en) * 2004-03-19 2007-07-10 Align Technology, Inc. Root-based tooth moving sequencing
DE602005009432D1 (en) 2004-06-17 2008-10-16 Cadent Ltd Method and apparatus for color forming a three-dimensional structure
US8899976B2 (en) 2004-09-24 2014-12-02 Align Technology, Inc. Release agent receptacle
US7309230B2 (en) 2004-12-14 2007-12-18 Align Technology, Inc. Preventing interference between tooth models
US7357634B2 (en) * 2004-11-05 2008-04-15 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for substituting virtual dental appliances
US7862336B2 (en) 2004-11-26 2011-01-04 Cadent Ltd. Method and system for providing feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity
US7236842B2 (en) 2004-12-02 2007-06-26 Cadent Ltd. System and method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis and a dental prosthesis manufactured thereby
WO2006092800A2 (en) 2005-03-03 2006-09-08 Cadent Ltd. System and method for scanning an intraoral cavity
WO2006116488A2 (en) * 2005-04-25 2006-11-02 Xoran Technologies, Inc. Ct system with synthetic view generation
US20060275731A1 (en) 2005-04-29 2006-12-07 Orthoclear Holdings, Inc. Treatment of teeth by aligners
US7555403B2 (en) 2005-07-15 2009-06-30 Cadent Ltd. Method for manipulating a dental virtual model, method for creating physical entities based on a dental virtual model thus manipulated, and dental models thus created
US7613527B2 (en) * 2006-03-16 2009-11-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Orthodontic prescription form, templates, and toolbar for digital orthodontics
US20070274440A1 (en) * 2006-05-11 2007-11-29 David Phillipe Sarment Automatic determination of cephalometric points in a three-dimensional image
CN100506187C (en) * 2006-07-19 2009-07-01 南京航空航天大学 Stereo gecko brain locating method and device
US8038444B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2011-10-18 Align Technology, Inc. Automated treatment staging for teeth
US9326831B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2016-05-03 Align Technology, Inc. System and method for positioning three-dimensional brackets on teeth
DE102006060682A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 Manfred Wiedmann Method for reconstruction of teeth
US7878805B2 (en) 2007-05-25 2011-02-01 Align Technology, Inc. Tabbed dental appliance
US9060829B2 (en) * 2007-06-08 2015-06-23 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and method for management and delivery of orthodontic treatment
US8562338B2 (en) 2007-06-08 2013-10-22 Align Technology, Inc. Treatment progress tracking and recalibration
US20080306724A1 (en) * 2007-06-08 2008-12-11 Align Technology, Inc. Treatment planning and progress tracking systems and methods
US10342638B2 (en) * 2007-06-08 2019-07-09 Align Technology, Inc. Treatment planning and progress tracking systems and methods
US8591225B2 (en) * 2008-12-12 2013-11-26 Align Technology, Inc. Tooth movement measurement by automatic impression matching
US8075306B2 (en) * 2007-06-08 2011-12-13 Align Technology, Inc. System and method for detecting deviations during the course of an orthodontic treatment to gradually reposition teeth
TWI323171B (en) * 2007-06-27 2010-04-11 Univ Nat Cheng Kung Cephalogram image analysis method
AT506257B1 (en) * 2007-09-21 2012-04-15 Weinlaender Michael Dr DEVICE FOR PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDINGS
US8648900B2 (en) * 2007-10-04 2014-02-11 Dupaco, Inc. Video observation of a patient's face during a medical procedure while the patient is in a prone position
US8738394B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2014-05-27 Eric E. Kuo Clinical data file
US7914283B2 (en) 2007-12-06 2011-03-29 Align Technology, Inc. Activatable dental appliance
US8439672B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2013-05-14 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for optimizing dental aligner geometry
US8899977B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2014-12-02 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic repositioning appliances having improved geometry, methods and systems
US8108189B2 (en) 2008-03-25 2012-01-31 Align Technologies, Inc. Reconstruction of non-visible part of tooth
US9119691B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2015-09-01 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic tooth movement device, systems and methods
US9492243B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2016-11-15 Align Technology, Inc. Dental implant positioning
US8092215B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-01-10 Align Technology, Inc. Smile designer
DE112008003982A5 (en) * 2008-06-09 2011-05-12 Orhtotec Oms S.L. Method and device for generating cephalometric drawings and records of joint movement for orthodontic diagnostics using magnetic technology
US8172569B2 (en) 2008-06-12 2012-05-08 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance
KR101706619B1 (en) 2008-07-03 2017-02-14 얼라인 테크널러지, 인크. Method, apparatus and system for use in dental procedures
US8509932B2 (en) 2008-07-17 2013-08-13 Cadent Ltd. Methods, systems and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants
US20100055635A1 (en) 2008-09-02 2010-03-04 Align Technology, Inc. Shape engineered aligner - auto shaping
US8152518B2 (en) 2008-10-08 2012-04-10 Align Technology, Inc. Dental positioning appliance having metallic portion
JP6058889B2 (en) * 2008-11-20 2017-01-11 アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド Orthodontic system and method including parametric attachment
US8936463B2 (en) 2008-11-24 2015-01-20 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance with simulated teeth and method for making
US20100129763A1 (en) * 2008-11-24 2010-05-27 Align Technology, Inc. Sequential sports guard
US8401686B2 (en) 2008-12-18 2013-03-19 Align Technology, Inc. Reduced registration bonding template
US9642678B2 (en) 2008-12-30 2017-05-09 Align Technology, Inc. Method and system for dental visualization
US8382474B2 (en) 2008-12-31 2013-02-26 Cadent Ltd. Dental articulator
US8936464B2 (en) 2009-02-24 2015-01-20 Cadent Ltd. Method, system and model for indirect bonding
US8292617B2 (en) 2009-03-19 2012-10-23 Align Technology, Inc. Dental wire attachment
JP2012524643A (en) 2009-05-08 2012-10-18 ザ ジレット カンパニー Personal care system, product and method
JP5438377B2 (en) * 2009-05-18 2014-03-12 任天堂株式会社 Information processing program and information processing apparatus
US8765031B2 (en) 2009-08-13 2014-07-01 Align Technology, Inc. Method of forming a dental appliance
US8708697B2 (en) 2009-12-08 2014-04-29 Align Technology, Inc. Tactile objects for orthodontics, systems and methods
CN102781335B (en) * 2010-02-02 2016-05-18 普兰梅卡有限公司 Dentistry computed tomography apparatus
US8805048B2 (en) * 2010-04-01 2014-08-12 Mark Batesole Method and system for orthodontic diagnosis
US9241774B2 (en) 2010-04-30 2016-01-26 Align Technology, Inc. Patterned dental positioning appliance
US9211166B2 (en) 2010-04-30 2015-12-15 Align Technology, Inc. Individualized orthodontic treatment index
US20110269092A1 (en) 2010-04-30 2011-11-03 Align Technology, Inc. Reinforced aligner hooks
ES2848157T3 (en) 2010-07-19 2021-08-05 Align Technology Inc Procedures and systems for creating and interacting with three-dimensional virtual models
US8209876B2 (en) * 2010-10-04 2012-07-03 King Saud University Device and method for measuring the skeletal dental relationships
DK2663254T3 (en) 2011-01-13 2020-08-31 Align Technology Inc Methods, systems and accessories that can be used for dental implant procedures
ES2651317T3 (en) 2011-03-01 2018-01-25 Dolphin Imaging Systems, Llc System and method to generate profile change using cephalometric monitoring data
US8650005B2 (en) 2011-04-07 2014-02-11 Dolphin Imaging Systems, Llc System and method for three-dimensional maxillofacial surgical simulation and planning
US8417004B2 (en) 2011-04-07 2013-04-09 Dolphin Imaging Systems, Llc System and method for simulated linearization of curved surface
US9108338B2 (en) 2011-04-13 2015-08-18 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for thermal forming an object
US9125709B2 (en) 2011-07-29 2015-09-08 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for tracking teeth movement during orthodontic treatment
US8771206B2 (en) 2011-08-19 2014-07-08 Accenture Global Services Limited Interactive virtual care
US9403238B2 (en) 2011-09-21 2016-08-02 Align Technology, Inc. Laser cutting
US8641414B2 (en) 2011-10-10 2014-02-04 Align Technology, Inc. Automatic placement of precision cuts
US9375300B2 (en) 2012-02-02 2016-06-28 Align Technology, Inc. Identifying forces on a tooth
US9022781B2 (en) 2012-02-15 2015-05-05 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic appliances that accommodate incremental and continuous tooth movement, systems and methods
US9375298B2 (en) 2012-02-21 2016-06-28 Align Technology, Inc. Dental models and related methods
US9220580B2 (en) 2012-03-01 2015-12-29 Align Technology, Inc. Determining a dental treatment difficulty
US9655691B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2017-05-23 Align Technology, Inc. Multilayer dental appliances and related methods and systems
US9414897B2 (en) 2012-05-22 2016-08-16 Align Technology, Inc. Adjustment of tooth position in a virtual dental model
US20140067334A1 (en) 2012-09-06 2014-03-06 Align Technology Inc. Method and a system usable in creating a subsequent dental appliance
US10098714B2 (en) * 2012-12-19 2018-10-16 Align Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for optically scanning an object in registration with a reference pattern
US10617489B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2020-04-14 Align Technology, Inc. Creating a digital dental model of a patient's teeth using interproximal information
US9668829B2 (en) 2012-12-19 2017-06-06 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for dental procedures
ITPD20130010A1 (en) * 2013-01-23 2014-07-24 Amato Dott Aldo PROCEDURE FOR THE AESTHETIC ANALYSIS OF THE DENTAL INSTRUMENT IN THE SMILE AREA AND FOR THE SUPPORT FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF DENTISTRY AND DENTAL TECHNICAL AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
ITMI20130838A1 (en) * 2013-05-23 2014-11-24 Fabrizio Molinelli APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DENTAL IMAGES.
US9898187B2 (en) * 2013-06-09 2018-02-20 Apple Inc. Managing real-time handwriting recognition
US9393087B2 (en) 2013-08-01 2016-07-19 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and systems for generating color images
US9545296B2 (en) 2013-08-05 2017-01-17 Stephen R Hansen Digital face bow system and method
FR3010629B1 (en) * 2013-09-19 2018-02-16 Dental Monitoring METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE POSITIONING OF TEETH
AU2014357820B2 (en) 2013-12-05 2019-07-11 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Interface sizing tool and method
US10758323B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2020-09-01 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic appliances with elastics
US11497586B2 (en) 2014-03-21 2022-11-15 Align Technology, Inc. Segmented orthodontic appliance with elastics
US10555792B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2020-02-11 Align Technology, Inc. Direct fabrication of orthodontic appliances with elastics
US10537406B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2020-01-21 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements
US9844424B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2017-12-19 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements
US10299894B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2019-05-28 Align Technology, Inc. Treatment plan specific bite adjustment structures
JP6531115B2 (en) * 2014-05-22 2019-06-12 ケアストリーム ヘルス インク Method of 3D cephalometric analysis
US9675305B2 (en) 2014-06-03 2017-06-13 Ortho-Tain System and method for determining an orthodontic diagnostic analysis of a patient
US10016262B2 (en) 2014-06-16 2018-07-10 Align Technology, Inc. Unitary dental model
EP3875053A1 (en) 2014-06-20 2021-09-08 Align Technology, Inc. Aligners with elastic layer
CN106572894A (en) 2014-06-20 2017-04-19 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Elastic-coated orthodontic appliance
US9261358B2 (en) 2014-07-03 2016-02-16 Align Technology, Inc. Chromatic confocal system
US9439568B2 (en) 2014-07-03 2016-09-13 Align Technology, Inc. Apparatus and method for measuring surface topography optically
US9261356B2 (en) 2014-07-03 2016-02-16 Align Technology, Inc. Confocal surface topography measurement with fixed focal positions
US10772506B2 (en) 2014-07-07 2020-09-15 Align Technology, Inc. Apparatus for dental confocal imaging
US9693839B2 (en) 2014-07-17 2017-07-04 Align Technology, Inc. Probe head and apparatus for intraoral confocal imaging using polarization-retarding coatings
US9675430B2 (en) 2014-08-15 2017-06-13 Align Technology, Inc. Confocal imaging apparatus with curved focal surface
US9724177B2 (en) 2014-08-19 2017-08-08 Align Technology, Inc. Viewfinder with real-time tracking for intraoral scanning
US9660418B2 (en) 2014-08-27 2017-05-23 Align Technology, Inc. VCSEL based low coherence emitter for confocal 3D scanner
US9610141B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2017-04-04 Align Technology, Inc. Arch expanding appliance
US10449016B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2019-10-22 Align Technology, Inc. Arch adjustment appliance
FR3027711B1 (en) 2014-10-27 2018-06-15 Dental Monitoring METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DENTITION
FR3027505B1 (en) 2014-10-27 2022-05-06 H 43 METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE POSITIONING OF TEETH
FR3027504B1 (en) 2014-10-27 2022-04-01 H 43 METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE POSITIONING OF TEETH
US11147652B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2021-10-19 Align Technology, Inc. Method for tracking, predicting, and proactively correcting malocclusion and related issues
US9744001B2 (en) 2014-11-13 2017-08-29 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance with cavity for an unerupted or erupting tooth
US9652884B2 (en) * 2014-12-10 2017-05-16 General Electric Company System and method for generating a reference plane of a head
US20160193014A1 (en) 2015-01-05 2016-07-07 Align Technology, Inc. Method to modify aligner by modifying tooth position
US10588776B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2020-03-17 Align Technology, Inc. Systems, methods, and devices for applying distributed forces for mandibular advancement
US10537463B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2020-01-21 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status
US10517701B2 (en) 2015-01-13 2019-12-31 Align Technology, Inc. Mandibular advancement and retraction via bone anchoring devices
US10504386B2 (en) 2015-01-27 2019-12-10 Align Technology, Inc. Training method and system for oral-cavity-imaging-and-modeling equipment
EP4241726A3 (en) 2015-02-23 2023-12-13 Align Technology, Inc. System and method to manufacture aligner by modifying tooth position
EP3261579B1 (en) 2015-02-23 2023-06-07 Align Technology, Inc. Primer aligner stages for lag issue resolution in low-stage clear aligner treatments
US11850111B2 (en) 2015-04-24 2023-12-26 Align Technology, Inc. Comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool
US11045282B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2021-06-29 Align Technology, Inc. Direct fabrication of aligners with interproximal force coupling
US10201409B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2019-02-12 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance having ornamental design
US10492888B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2019-12-03 Align Technology, Inc. Dental materials using thermoset polymers
US10743964B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2020-08-18 Align Technology, Inc. Dual aligner assembly
US11642194B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2023-05-09 Align Technology, Inc. Multi-material aligners
US10363116B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2019-07-30 Align Technology, Inc. Direct fabrication of power arms
US10959810B2 (en) 2015-07-07 2021-03-30 Align Technology, Inc. Direct fabrication of aligners for palate expansion and other applications
US10248883B2 (en) 2015-08-20 2019-04-02 Align Technology, Inc. Photograph-based assessment of dental treatments and procedures
US11931222B2 (en) 2015-11-12 2024-03-19 Align Technology, Inc. Dental attachment formation structures
US11554000B2 (en) 2015-11-12 2023-01-17 Align Technology, Inc. Dental attachment formation structure
US11596502B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2023-03-07 Align Technology, Inc. Dental attachment placement structure
US11103330B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2021-08-31 Align Technology, Inc. Dental attachment placement structure
US10045835B2 (en) 2016-02-17 2018-08-14 Align Technology, Inc. Variable direction tooth attachments
US20170239017A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 eClear International Co., Ltd. Orthodontic treatment method using aesthetic guide line
DK179329B1 (en) 2016-06-12 2018-05-07 Apple Inc Handwriting keyboard for monitors
WO2017218947A1 (en) 2016-06-17 2017-12-21 Align Technology, Inc. Intraoral appliances with sensing
US10383705B2 (en) 2016-06-17 2019-08-20 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic appliance performance monitor
DK3578131T3 (en) 2016-07-27 2020-12-21 Align Technology Inc Intraoral scanner with dental diagnostic features
US10507087B2 (en) 2016-07-27 2019-12-17 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for forming a three-dimensional volumetric model of a subject's teeth
WO2018039383A1 (en) 2016-08-24 2018-03-01 Align Technology, Inc. Method to visualize and manufacture aligner by modifying tooth position
WO2018085718A2 (en) 2016-11-04 2018-05-11 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for dental images
CN110035708B (en) 2016-12-02 2021-11-05 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Palatal expander and method of expanding a palate
WO2018102702A1 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-06-07 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance features for speech enhancement
WO2018102770A1 (en) 2016-12-02 2018-06-07 Align Technology, Inc. Force control, stop mechanism, regulating structure of removable arch adjustment appliance
AU2017366755B2 (en) 2016-12-02 2022-07-28 Align Technology, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for customizing rapid palatal expanders using digital models
US10548700B2 (en) 2016-12-16 2020-02-04 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance etch template
US11166788B2 (en) 2016-12-19 2021-11-09 Align Technology, Inc. Aligners with enhanced gable bends
US11071608B2 (en) 2016-12-20 2021-07-27 Align Technology, Inc. Matching assets in 3D treatment plans
US10456043B2 (en) 2017-01-12 2019-10-29 Align Technology, Inc. Compact confocal dental scanning apparatus
US10779718B2 (en) 2017-02-13 2020-09-22 Align Technology, Inc. Cheek retractor and mobile device holder
US10973611B2 (en) 2017-03-20 2021-04-13 Align Technology, Inc. Generating a virtual depiction of an orthodontic treatment of a patient
US10613515B2 (en) 2017-03-31 2020-04-07 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic appliances including at least partially un-erupted teeth and method of forming them
US11045283B2 (en) 2017-06-09 2021-06-29 Align Technology, Inc. Palatal expander with skeletal anchorage devices
WO2019005808A1 (en) 2017-06-26 2019-01-03 Align Technology, Inc. Biosensor performance indicator for intraoral appliances
WO2019006416A1 (en) 2017-06-30 2019-01-03 Align Technology, Inc. Computer implemented method and system for designing and/or manufacturing orthodontic appliances for treating or preventing temporomandibular joint dysfunction
US11793606B2 (en) 2017-06-30 2023-10-24 Align Technology, Inc. Devices, systems, and methods for dental arch expansion
WO2019008585A1 (en) 2017-07-04 2019-01-10 Dentlytec G.P.L. Ltd Tracked dental measurement device
US10885521B2 (en) 2017-07-17 2021-01-05 Align Technology, Inc. Method and apparatuses for interactive ordering of dental aligners
CN111107806B (en) 2017-07-21 2022-04-19 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Jaw profile anchoring
WO2019023461A1 (en) 2017-07-27 2019-01-31 Align Technology, Inc. Tooth shading, transparency and glazing
EP4278957A3 (en) 2017-07-27 2024-01-24 Align Technology, Inc. System and methods for processing an orthodontic aligner by means of an optical coherence tomography
WO2019035979A1 (en) 2017-08-15 2019-02-21 Align Technology, Inc. Buccal corridor assessment and computation
WO2019036514A1 (en) 2017-08-17 2019-02-21 Align Technology, Inc. Systems, methods, and apparatus for correcting malocclusions of teeth
WO2019036677A1 (en) 2017-08-17 2019-02-21 Align Technology, Inc. Dental appliance compliance monitoring
CN108038877B (en) * 2017-09-01 2022-05-20 深圳市菲森科技有限公司 Visual head shadow measuring method and system and computer processing equipment
US10813720B2 (en) 2017-10-05 2020-10-27 Align Technology, Inc. Interproximal reduction templates
EP3700458B1 (en) 2017-10-27 2023-06-07 Align Technology, Inc. Alternative bite adjustment structures
CN111295153B (en) 2017-10-31 2023-06-16 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Dental appliance with selective bite loading and controlled tip staggering
EP3703607A2 (en) 2017-11-01 2020-09-09 Align Technology, Inc. Automatic treatment planning
US11737857B2 (en) 2017-11-01 2023-08-29 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for correcting malocclusions of teeth
WO2019100022A1 (en) 2017-11-17 2019-05-23 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic retainers
EP3716885B1 (en) 2017-11-30 2023-08-30 Align Technology, Inc. Orthodontic intraoral appliances comprising sensors
WO2019118876A1 (en) 2017-12-15 2019-06-20 Align Technology, Inc. Closed loop adaptive orthodontic treatment methods and apparatuses
US10980613B2 (en) 2017-12-29 2021-04-20 Align Technology, Inc. Augmented reality enhancements for dental practitioners
AU2019212649A1 (en) 2018-01-26 2020-07-02 Align Technology, Inc. Diagnostic intraoral scanning and tracking
US10952816B2 (en) 2018-01-26 2021-03-23 Align Technology, Inc. Visual prosthetic and orthodontic treatment planning
US11937991B2 (en) 2018-03-27 2024-03-26 Align Technology, Inc. Dental attachment placement structure
CN116211501A (en) 2018-04-11 2023-06-06 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Palate expander, palate expander device and system, and method for forming palate expander
JP7437320B2 (en) 2018-05-04 2024-02-22 アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド Curable compositions and methods of producing crosslinked polymers therefrom for use in high temperature lithography-based photopolymerization processes
US11026766B2 (en) 2018-05-21 2021-06-08 Align Technology, Inc. Photo realistic rendering of smile image after treatment
US11553988B2 (en) 2018-06-29 2023-01-17 Align Technology, Inc. Photo of a patient with new simulated smile in an orthodontic treatment review software
WO2020005386A1 (en) 2018-06-29 2020-01-02 Align Technology, Inc. Providing a simulated outcome of dental treatment on a patient
US10835349B2 (en) 2018-07-20 2020-11-17 Align Technology, Inc. Parametric blurring of colors for teeth in generated images
CN116650153A (en) 2019-01-03 2023-08-29 阿莱恩技术有限公司 Automatic appliance design using robust parameter optimization method
US11478334B2 (en) 2019-01-03 2022-10-25 Align Technology, Inc. Systems and methods for nonlinear tooth modeling
US11779243B2 (en) 2019-01-07 2023-10-10 Align Technology, Inc. Customized aligner change indicator
EP4282377A3 (en) 2019-05-14 2024-02-28 Align Technology, Inc. Visual presentation of gingival line generated based on 3d tooth model
US11194467B2 (en) 2019-06-01 2021-12-07 Apple Inc. Keyboard management user interfaces
US11341569B2 (en) * 2019-10-25 2022-05-24 7-Eleven, Inc. System and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on video of a customer's shopping session at a physical store
US11622836B2 (en) 2019-12-31 2023-04-11 Align Technology, Inc. Aligner stage analysis to obtain mechanical interactions of aligners and teeth for treatment planning
CN111475234B (en) * 2020-04-10 2023-01-10 苏州浪潮智能科技有限公司 Character string transmission method and device, computer and readable storage medium

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3708663A (en) * 1971-08-11 1973-01-02 W Biederman Optical cephalostat
US3777305A (en) * 1972-04-10 1973-12-04 Us Navy Ultrasonic angle measurement system
DE2715106C2 (en) * 1977-04-04 1982-05-27 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Device for measuring the location, the position and / or the change in location or position of a rigid body in space
US4182312A (en) * 1977-05-20 1980-01-08 Mushabac David R Dental probe
US4528627A (en) * 1982-11-12 1985-07-09 Coben Eugene S Method for cephalometric quantitation and expression of growth
DE3620404A1 (en) * 1986-06-18 1988-01-07 Dieter Dr Dr Edinger Measuring device for recording and reproducing mandibular movements
DE3717871C3 (en) * 1987-05-27 1995-05-04 Georg Prof Dr Schloendorff Method and device for reproducible visual representation of a surgical intervention
US4836778A (en) * 1987-05-26 1989-06-06 Vexcel Corporation Mandibular motion monitoring system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5278756A (en) 1994-01-11
JPH04504510A (en) 1992-08-13
WO1990008505A1 (en) 1990-08-09
EP0455700A1 (en) 1991-11-13
AU4950290A (en) 1990-08-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2045588A1 (en) Method and apparatus for generating cephalometric images
Toga et al. A 3D digital map of rat brain
EP1090586A3 (en) Methods and apparatus for cardiac imaging with conventional computed tomography
Arridge et al. Three dimensionaldigitization of the face and skull
William McNeill et al. Cranial base morphology in association with intentional cranial vault deformation
US7133042B2 (en) Systems and methods for generating an appliance with tie points
EP0683647B1 (en) Method and arrangement for collecting data for production of artificial support members or replacement parts for the human body
US6296483B1 (en) System for preparing the placing of a dental implant
EP1510185A3 (en) Methods for use in dental articulation
WO1998058593A3 (en) Image guided surgery system
EP0882426A3 (en) Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method for breast cancer diagnosis
Rabey Current principles of morphanalysis and their implications in oral surgical practice
AU759198B2 (en) Respiratory mask and method for its manufacture
Egolf et al. Quantifying ear‐canal geometry with multiple computer‐assisted tomographic scans
Ono et al. Producing a full-scale model from computed tomographic data with the rapid prototyping technique using the binder jet method: a comparison with the laser lithography method using a dry skull
CN116966381A (en) Tracheal intubation robot autonomous navigation method based on self-supervision monocular depth estimation
Rasse et al. Stereophotogrammetry of facial soft tissue
Deacon et al. Evaluation of a CCD-based facial measurement system
Savara et al. Biostereometrics and computergraphics for patients with craniofacial malformations: Diagnosis and treatment planning
Enciso et al. Three-dimensional head anthropometric analysis
FR2732773B1 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SIMULTANEOUS IDENTIFICATION AND CORRECTION OF ERRORS IN MEASUREMENTS OF A MAGNETOMETER
Kepler et al. Method for obtaining accurate geometrical coordinates of nasal airways for computer dosimetry modeling and lesion mapping
Ren et al. A knowledge-based automatic cephalometric analysis method
Lowey The development of a new method of cephalometric and study cast mensuration with a computer controlled, video image capture system: Part I
Martonen et al. Mapping the human lung using Delaunay tessellation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued