Method for forming and distributing a composite file including a dental image and associated diagnosis

• US 7,756,326 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Bruce Jr. Howerton
• Original Assignee: William Bruce Jr. Howerton
• Inventors: Howerton, William Bruce Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed; Samir A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Li; Ruiping
• Application Number:
  US11/465,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20070258638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 382/154, 382/155, 382/156, 433/24
• US Class Current: 382/154
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/51 for dentistry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method of providing dental-related imaging data of a patient to a dental practitioner is provided, the dental-related imaging data being obtained by a third party imaging provider at a third-party imaging provider site using a three-dimensional digital imaging device. Three-dimensional image data of the maxillofacial complex of the patient is obtained with the imaging device and analyzed to form a diagnosis. A two-dimensional image associated with the diagnosis is formed from the three-dimensional image data, and the two-dimensional image and diagnosis are combined into a composite file as part of the dental-related imaging data. The dental-related imaging data is stored in encrypted read-only format executable by a standard multi-media player and made available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement. The composite file is thereby selectively viewable by the dental provider for determining an appropriate treatment for the patient. Associated methods and apparatuses are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of providing dental-related imaging data of a patient to a dental practitioner, the dental-related imaging data being obtained by a third party imaging provider at a third-party imaging provider site using a three-dimensional digital imaging device, said method comprising:

obtaining three-dimensional image data of at least a portion of a maxillofacial complex of the patient with the imaging device;

analyzing the three-dimensional image data so as to form a diagnosis;

forming a two-dimensional image from the three-dimensional image data, the two-dimensional image being associated with the diagnosis;

combining the two-dimensional image and the diagnosis to form a composite file, the dental-related imaging data of the patient including the composite file;

storing the dental-related imaging data at the third-party imaging provider site, in read-only format executable by a standard commercially-available multi-media player;

making the dental-related imaging data, in encrypted read-only format, available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement, the composite file of the dental-related imaging data thereby being selectively viewable by the dental provider via the multi-media player so as to allow the dental provider to determine an appropriate treatment for the patient, the multimedia presentation comprising a diagnosis display for displaying the diagnosis to the dental provider and an image display for selectively displaying the two-dimensional image associated with the diagnosis to the dental provider;

allowing the dental provider to selectively measure a feature displayed in the two-dimensional image by selecting a first point in the two-dimensional image and drawing a line to a second point in the two-dimensional image, the feature being defined at least in part by the line extending from the first point to the second point in the two-dimensional image;

displaying a graduated scale in the two dimensional image;

allowing the dental provider to selectively establish a known distance in the two-dimensional image by selecting a first calibration point on the graduated scale and drawing a line to a second calibration point on the graduated scale, the known distance being defined at least in part by the line extending from the first calibration point to the second calibration point on the graduated scale; and

allowing the dental provider to define the known distance by providing at least one input display configured to receive a user-defined numerical value corresponding to the known distance.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein making the dental-related imaging data available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement further comprises making the dental-related imaging data available to the dental provider by publishing the dental-related imaging data on the Internet in encrypted secure read-only format so as to be selectively executable on-line by the dental provider with the standard commercially-available multi-media player.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein making the dental-related imaging data available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement further comprises making the dental-related imaging data available to the dental provider by saving the dental-related imaging data in encrypted secure read-only format on a portable media element and delivering the portable media element to the dental provider for selective execution of the dental-related imaging data by the dental provider on a local dental provider computer device with the standard commercially-available multi-media player.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising allowing the dental provider to selectively display the two-dimensional image associated with the diagnosis on the image display by selecting at least one executable link from the diagnosis display, the two-dimensional image being associated with the at least one executable link such that the two-dimensional image is accessible to the dental provider from the diagnosis display.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein making the dental-related imaging data available to the dental provider in a secure arrangement further comprises displaying the composite file to the dental provider in a multimedia presentation, the multimedia presentation comprising a tutorial display for directing the dental provider to the diagnosis and the two-dimensional image associated therewith.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein allowing the dental provider to selectively measure a feature displayed in the two-dimensional image further comprises:

allowing the dental provider to selectively display a numerical indication of a distance defined between the first point and the second point in the two-dimensional image; and

allowing the dental provider to selectively display the line extending from the first point to the second point in the two-dimensional image.