Method for producing tomosynthesis exposures employing a reference object formed by a region of the examination subject

• US 5,878,104 A
• Filed: 05/16/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH (Sirona Dental Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH & Co. KG.
• Inventors: Ploetz, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bruce, David Vernon
• Application Number:
  US08/857,947
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 378/21, 378/22, 378/23, 378/24, 378/25, 378/26, 378/27, 378/205
• US Class Current: 378/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/08 Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/51 for dentistry

Abstract

In a method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure a reference object is used which is formed by a region of the examination subject. It is thus possible to determine the distance of the beam transmitter to the beam receiver and to the examination subject, the irradiation angle, and the direction of irradiation, on the basis of the signals that can be derived from the beam receiver during the transillumination of the reference object, without the reference object causing any disturbance in the region of the subject of examination.

Claims

1. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

forming a reference object from a tooth filling of a tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

2. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus for dental tomosynthesis comprising:

a radiation emitter which emits an X-ray beam and means for emitting said X-ray beam toward a tooth from a plurality of different angles;

a reference object and a cap fittable over said tooth for attaching said reference object directly to said tooth;

a radiation receiver which is struck by said X-ray beam from said plurality of different angles, attenuated by said reference object and said tooth, and which emits electrical signals corresponding to X-rays incident thereon; and

means for generating a tomosynthesis image of said tooth from said electrical signals.

3. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

forming a reference object from a crown on a tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

4. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

forming a reference object from a dental implant on a tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

5. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

forming a reference object from a metal part attached to a tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

6. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

temporarily attaching a reference object to a tooth by adhesive;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

7. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

attaching a reference object to a tooth by a mount fitted on said tooth formed by a cap covering a portion of said tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

8. A method for producing a tomosynthesis exposure of a tooth comprising the steps of:

attaching a reference object to a tooth by a mount fitted on said tooth formed by a ring surrounding said tooth;

irradiating said tooth including said reference object with X-rays from a plurality of different directions;

detecting X-rays attenuated by said tooth and by said reference object from each of said different directions and thereby producing a set of detection signals; and

generating a tomosynthesis exposure of said tooth from said set of detection signals.

9. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus for dental tomosynthesis comprising:

a radiation emitter which emits an X-ray beam and means for emitting said X-ray beam toward a tooth from a plurality of different angles;

a reference object and a ring surrounding said tooth for attaching said reference object directly to said tooth;

a radiation receiver which is struck by said X-ray beam from said plurality of different angles, attenuated by said reference object and said tooth, and which emits electrical signals corresponding to X-rays incident thereon; and

means for generating a tomosynthesis image of said tooth from said electrical signals.

10. An X-ray diagnostic apparatus for dental tomosynthesis comprising:

a radiation emitter which emits an X-ray beam and means for emitting said X-ray beam toward a tooth from a plurality of different angles;

a metallic reference object adhesively attached to said tooth;

a radiation receiver which is struck by said X-ray beam from said plurality of different angles, attenuated by said reference object and said tooth, and which emits electrical signals corresponding to X-rays incident thereon; and

means for generating a tomosynthesis image of said tooth from said electrical signals.