Patent ID: 7860300
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a sharp layer from a sharp panoramic image layer generated by limited angle tomography, the sharp panoramic image layer extending along a clinically relevant curvilinear anatomic structure including a structure of a dentition jaw or jaw bone, the sharp panoramic image layer constructed from projection image data, the method comprising: operating an X-ray imaging device to obtain a plurality of projection images of the anatomic structure; configuring a non-transient storage medium wherein a set of computer executable code is stored; executing the set of computer executable code with a processor to carry out the following steps: identifying a first plurality of control points of a first thickness value of the sharp panoramic image layer; applying a penalty function to the first plurality of control points and the first thickness value; selecting a control point from the first plurality of control points that has a lowest penalty function value; identifying a second plurality of control points of a second thickness value of the sharp panoramic image layer; applying the penalty function to the second plurality of control points and the second thickness value; selecting a control point from the second plurality of control points that has a lowest penalty function value; and selecting a center surface (S) from a plurality of predetermined center surfaces as the sharp layer, the sharp layer being the center surface (S) that best fits the selected control points from the first and second plurality of control points.