Systems and methods for integrating 3D diagnostic data

• US 6,621,491 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Beers, Andrew, Baumrind, Sheldon, Curry, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sealey, Lance W.
• Application Number:
  US09/560,052
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 378/9, 378/168-171, 433/2, 433/6, 433/24, 345/419
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0046 Data acquisition means or methods

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for integrating anatomical information from a plurality of sources of information. The system receives two or more three dimensional (3D) anatomical maps sharing a common plane specified by three or more marker points common to the two or more maps; and aligns the two or more 3D anatomical maps using the marker points.

Claims

1. A method for integrating anatomical information with coordinated facial movement and jaw movement from a plurality of sources of information, comprising:

receiving two or more three dimensional (3D) anatomical maps sharing a common plane specified by three or more marker points common to the two or more maps including one or more markers embedded in a dental appliance to be worn by a user; and

aligning the two or more 3D anatomical maps using the marker points.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical information is stereo craniofacial data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the anatomical map is an X-ray map.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the X-ray map is generated using correlated points on X-ray pairs and using y-parallax measurements.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the X-ray information is stereo.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising calibrating one or more X-ray sources.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a principal distance from an X-ray source to a film plane.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising characterizing internal dimensions of the one or more X-ray sources by locating an X-ray film relative to an X-ray source.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the anatomical map is a 3D image map.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the anatomical map is a dental map.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein each marker is a tie point.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligning uses discrete anatomical landmark information.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the aligned maps as an integrated 3D anatomical model.

14. A method for visualizing anatomical information with coordinated facial movement and jaw movement from a plurality of sources, comprising:

receiving X-ray information having X-ray marker information including one or more markers embedded in a dental appliance to be worn by a user;

receiving a three-dimensional teeth model having teeth marker information;

aligning the X-ray information 3d anatomical information, and the 3D teeth model using the marker information; and

displaying the aligned X-ray information, 3D anatomical information, and the 3D teeth model.

15. A system comprising:

an X-ray camera receiving X-ray having X-ray marker information including one or more markers embedded in a dental appliance to be worn by a user;

a three-dimensional digital camera receiving three-dimensional anatomical information with anatomical marker information;

a dental scanner to generate a three-dimensional teeth model with teeth marker information; and

a computer to align the X-ray information, 3D anatomical information, and the 3D teeth model using the marker information with coordinated facial movement and jaw movement.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the X-ray information is stereo.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a calibration array to calibrate the X-ray camera.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising an X-ray cassette carrier.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein each marker is a tie point.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer uses discrete anatomical landmark information.