Computer-implemented system and method for automated and highly accurate plaque analysis, reporting, and visualization
First Claim
1. A method for automatically evaluating the efficacy of plaque removal and whitening capabilities for different toothbrushes and toothpastes on a tooth-by-tooth basis in real-time, comprising:
- determining a central portion of each tooth with a watershed segmentation algorithm using a center of each tooth as a seed point;
applying a reverse watershed segmentation algorithm using an external boundary surrounding each tooth and an internal portion of each tooth as two seed regions, wherein the point at which the two seed regions intersect correspond to the actual tooth boundary;
applying a line-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid on each segmented tooth; and
classifying plaque regions of each tooth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented system and method of intra-oral analysis for measuring plaque removal is disclosed. The system includes hardware for real-time image acquisition and software to store the acquired images on a patient-by-patient basis. The system implements algorithms to segment teeth of interest from surrounding gum, and uses a real-time image-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid onto each segmented tooth. Pattern recognition methods are used to classify plaque from surrounding gum and enamel, while ignoring glare effects due to the reflection of camera light and ambient light from enamel regions. The system integrates these components into a single software suite with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to do an end-to-end run of a patient record, including tooth segmentation of all teeth, grid morphing of each segmented tooth, and plaque classification of each tooth image.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for automatically evaluating the efficacy of plaque removal and whitening capabilities for different toothbrushes and toothpastes on a tooth-by-tooth basis in real-time, comprising:
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determining a central portion of each tooth with a watershed segmentation algorithm using a center of each tooth as a seed point; applying a reverse watershed segmentation algorithm using an external boundary surrounding each tooth and an internal portion of each tooth as two seed regions, wherein the point at which the two seed regions intersect correspond to the actual tooth boundary; applying a line-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid on each segmented tooth; and classifying plaque regions of each tooth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-implemented method for automatically evaluating the efficacy of plaque removal and whitening capabilities for different toothbrushes and toothpastes on a tooth-by-tooth basis in real-time, comprising:
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determining a central portion of each tooth with a watershed segmentation algorithm using a center of each tooth as a seed point; applying a reverse watershed segmentation algorithm using an external boundary surrounding each tooth and an internal portion of each tooth as two seed regions, wherein the point at which the two seed regions intersect correspond to the actual tooth boundary; applying a line-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid on each segmented tooth; and classifying plaque regions of each tooth. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for automatically evaluating the efficacy of plaque removal and whitening capabilities for different toothbrushes and toothpastes on a tooth-by-tooth basis in real-time, comprising:
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a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being for; determining a central portion of each tooth with a watershed segmentation algorithm using a center of each tooth as a seed point, applying a reverse watershed segmentation algorithm using an external boundary surrounding each tooth and an internal portion of each tooth as two seed regions, wherein the point at which the two seed regions intersect correspond to the actual tooth boundary, applying a line-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid on each segmented tooth, and classifying plaque regions of each tooth. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer readable medium stores instructions executable by at least one processor to perform a method for automatically evaluating the efficacy of plaque removal and whitening capabilities for different toothbrushes and toothpastes on a tooth-by-tooth basis in real-time, comprising:
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instructions for determining a central portion of each tooth with a watershed segmentation algorithm using a center of each tooth as a seed point; instructions for applying a reverse watershed segmentation algorithm using an external boundary surrounding each tooth and an internal portion of each tooth as two seed regions, wherein the point at which the two seed regions intersect correspond to the actual tooth boundary; instructions for applying a line-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid on each segmented tooth; and instructions for classifying plaque regions of each tooth. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification