Patent Description:
Typically, a dental image of a patient is initially requested by a dentist. Often times, such a request is made manually (for example, orally or in writing). An operator then performs the imaging of the patient based on the request. The imaging of the patient is performed manually by the operator, and is mainly based on the know-how of the operator. Such a procedure can lead to mistakes and/or errors in the imaging of the patient.

Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method of automatically determining an imaging protocol. The method includes receiving, via a user-interface, a scan request. The scan request includes a region-of-interest definition. The method further includes determining, via a controller and based on the scan request, at least one selected from the group consisting of an imaging protocol and an imaging parameter; and performing, via an imaging device, a scan of a patient based on the imaging protocol.

In another embodiment the invention provides an imaging system including a user-interface, a controller, and an imaging device. The controller includes a processor and a memory, the controller is configured to receive, from the user-interface, a scan request. The scan request includes a region-of-interest definition. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the scan request, at least one selected from the group consisting of an imaging protocol and an imaging parameter. The imaging device is configured to perform a scan of a patient based on the imaging protocol.

Other aspects of various embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

<CIT> may be considered to disclose a device and method in which a protocol is determined by the type of imaging device.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Other embodiments are possible and the embodiments described are capable being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

<FIG> illustrates an imaging system <NUM> for capturing, processing, and analyzing dental imaging scans. In the example shown, the system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> having an electronic processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> stores instructions executable by the processor <NUM>. In some instances, the controller <NUM> includes, for example, one or more of a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The controller <NUM> is electrically and/or communicatively coupled to an image capture device <NUM>, a first user-interface <NUM>, and a network <NUM>. The image capture device <NUM> may be an x-ray imaging device, a computer tomography (CT) scanner, an optical surface scanner, or any other type of imaging modality scanner or imaging device configured to capture two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images. Images captured by the image capture device <NUM> may be stored in memory <NUM> for, among other things, analysis and manipulation. Depending on the imaging modality, these digital renderings can include two or three dimensional geometrical data as well as other information including, for example, color, shade, and texture.

In the illustrated embodiment, the image capture device <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the controller <NUM> via network <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the image capture device <NUM> may be located remotely from the controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, the user interface <NUM>, controller <NUM>, and imaging capturing device <NUM> are communicatively coupled to one another via network <NUM> or the imaging capturing device <NUM> may be located proximate the controller <NUM> and a communicative connection between the image capture device <NUM> and the controller <NUM> need not be through network <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be embedded within the image capture device <NUM>.

The user-interface <NUM> receives input from a user and/or provides information to the user. The user-interface <NUM> may include one or more of the following: a display (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)); one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other illumination devices; one or more input devices (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, etc.); speakers for audible feedback (e.g., audible sounds, computer-generated voice messages, etc.); tactile feedback devices , for example, vibration devices that cause vibration; or other feedback devices.

The network <NUM> may be a local area network, a wide area network, or a combination of connections provided by such networks. All or part of the network <NUM> may be implemented via the Internet. In some embodiments, a second user-interface <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the controller <NUM> via the network <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the second user-interface <NUM> may be substantially similar to, and configured to perform similar functions as, the first user-interface <NUM>. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the controller <NUM>, image capture device <NUM>, first user-interface <NUM>, and second user-interface <NUM> are communicatively coupled to each other through the network <NUM>. In yet another embodiments, the first user-interface <NUM> or the second user-interface <NUM> may be embedded within the image capture device <NUM>. In some embodiments, additional user-interfaces, beyond the first user-interface <NUM> and the second user-interface <NUM>, may be used.

<FIG> illustrates a process, or operation, <NUM> of the system <NUM> according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the order of the steps disclosed in process <NUM> could vary. Although illustrated as occurring in parallel order, in other embodiments, the steps disclosed may be performed in serial order. Furthermore, additional steps may be added to the process and not all of the steps may be required. A first user (for example, a dentist) initiates a scan, or acquisition, request (block <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary scan request page <NUM> of a graphical user-interface for initiating a scan request by a user. In some embodiments, the user accesses the scan request page <NUM> via user-interface <NUM>. In other embodiments, the user accesses the scan request page <NUM> via a second user-interface through network <NUM>. Scan request <NUM> may include, among other things, a patient identification (for example, a patient name, a patient identification number, photograph, fingerprint, retinal scan, facial recognition, and/or other biometric data, etc.); a modality selection <NUM>; a resolution selection <NUM>; a region selection <NUM>; and a notes section <NUM>. The modality selection <NUM> allows the user to select a modality. Although illustrated as including an intraoral selection, a panoramic selection, a cephalometric selection, a cone-beam three-dimensional (CB3D) dental selection, and a CB3D skull selection, the modality selection <NUM> may include additional selections. The resolution selection <NUM> allows the user to select a resolution of the requested scan. The region selection, or region-of-interest definition, <NUM> allows the user to select one or more regions of the patient to be included in the scan. For example, the region selection <NUM> may include defining an anatomic place (for example, from a head area). The regions may include, but are not limited to, a single tooth, a range of teeth, a jaw, both jaws, and a whole dentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Although illustrated as including an image, in other embodiments, region selection <NUM> may be, or include, a numeral input (for example, a number of a tooth or numbers of teeth), a textural input (for example, a name of a tooth or names of teeth), a voice command, a selection from a list of teeth, or other method of controlling the user-interface. The notes section <NUM> allows the user to include additional notes within the scan request.

Returning to <FIG>, the scan request is stored (block <NUM>). The scan request is stored in memory <NUM>. In other embodiments, the scan request is stored in a memory of a server via network <NUM>. An imaging protocol based on the scan request is then determined (block <NUM>). The imaging protocol is further based on the type of image capturing device used. The imaging protocol includes, among other things, a field-of-view. The imaging protocol includes a field-of-view size and a field-of view position. By automatically determining the imaging protocol, system <NUM> provides a more expedient image capture with higher accuracy over previously-known systems.

<FIG> illustrates a mapping table according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the field-of-view and other various image parameters are determined using the mapping table <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments, mapping table <NUM> includes a plurality of device columns 405a-405e corresponding to a plurality of image capturing devices (for example, image capture device <NUM>). The mapping table <NUM> further includes a selection column <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, selection column <NUM> includes a plurality of modality selection sections 415a-415d corresponding to various modalities. In operation, the controller <NUM> receives a modality selection and a region selection from the scan request. The controller <NUM> then uses the mapping table <NUM> to select a corresponding modality selection section (for example, any one of modality selection sections 415a-415d) based on the modality selection of the scan request. Within the corresponding modality selection section, the controller <NUM> then selects a corresponding region based on the region selection of the scan request. A field-of-view, as well as other image parameters (for example, resolution, image processing parameters, reconstruction algorithm, artifact removal), and/or technique factors (for example, kV, mA, scan time, etc.), may then be determined for a variety of image capturing devices (for example, Device <NUM>, Device <NUM>, etc.) for the selected modality and region. The specific field-of-view, as well as the other image parameters, are then determined based on the type of image capture device used.

<FIG> illustrates a process, or operation, <NUM> for performing the scan of the patient according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the order of the steps disclosed in process <NUM> could vary. Although illustrated as occurring in parallel order, in other embodiments, the steps disclosed may be performed in serial order. Furthermore, additional steps may be added to the process and not all of the steps may be required. Process <NUM> may be performed using the first user-interface <NUM> and/or the second user-interface <NUM>. The process <NUM>, which refers to scanning the patient (for example, taking an image of the patient) is typically performed using one of the user-interfaces. However, the system may include multiple user-interfaces (for example, the first user-interface <NUM> can be in multiple dental operatories or treatment rooms). Additionally, in some embodiments, the first user-interface <NUM> and/or the second user-interface <NUM> may be a user-interface having no memory requirement for performing the operations described herein.

When the patient is ready to be scanned, a second user (for example, a dental assistant) selects the patient from a worklist (block <NUM>). Accordingly, the step of receiving a patient selection is performed via second user interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first user and the second user may be the same and, thus, also the first user-interface <NUM> and the second user-interface <NUM> are the same; while in other embodiments, the first and second users may be different. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first user may be located at a first location, while the second user may be located at a second different location. For example, a dentist located at a first location (for example, a first dentist office) may request a scan to be performed at a second location (for example, a second dentist office or an imaging facility). Additionally, in some embodiments, the first and second locations may be located in different rooms of the same office. In another example, a dentist located at the first location may request a first scan to be performed at the second location and a second scan to be performed at a third location. Additionally, the first user may include more than one users (for example, more than one, or multiple, dentists) using one or more user-interfaces, while the second user may also include more than one users using one or more user-interfaces.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary worklist page <NUM> of a graphical user-interface for selecting a patient from a worklist. In the illustrated embodiment, the second user selects the patient to be scanned from the worklist page <NUM>. The worklist page may include one or more patients as well as patient identifying information (for example, name, identification number, gender, age), and selected modality. In some embodiments, the second user may be able to filter the patients using filters or text searching. In another embodiment, the second user may identify the patient, for example, by scanning an identity card containing a barcode or electronic memory. In yet another embodiment, the patient may be identified based on biometric data (for example, fingerprint, retinal scan, and/or facial recognition).

Returning to <FIG>, once a patient is selected, the imaging protocol is set automatically (block <NUM>). As discussed above, the imaging protocol may be set (for example, using the mapping table <NUM>) based on the scan request, as well as the image capturing device <NUM> being used to scan the patient. In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of the mapping table, other means or algorithms may be used for selecting the scan protocol and/or scan parameters. For example, fuzzy logic, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and/or machine learning algorithms. In some embodiments, the previously-determined imaging protocol overrides any default settings of the image capturing device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second user may make additions and/or changes to the image capture beyond the previously-determined imaging protocol (for example, changes to an exposure value, technique factors, etc.). The second user then positions the patient to the image capturing device <NUM> and/or otherwise prepares the patient to be ready for taking the image or images (block <NUM>). The image is taken by the image capturing device <NUM> (block <NUM>). In some embodiments, before the image is taken, a scout, or preview, image may be displayed to the second user. In such an embodiment, based on the scout image, the user can see if there is a need for any changes to the image parameters or field-of-view. The image is then output (block <NUM>). In some embodiments, the image is output and stored in memory <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method of determining an imaging protocol, the method comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), via a user-interface (<NUM>), a scan request including a region-of-interest definition, wherein the region-of-interest definition includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a single tooth, a range of teeth, a jaw, both jaws, and a whole dentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ);
storing (<NUM>) the scan request in a memory (<NUM>) of a controller (<NUM>), wherein the controller (<NUM>) is communicatively coupled to the user-interface (<NUM>) via a network (<NUM>);
determining (<NUM>), via said controller (<NUM>) and based on the scan request, an imaging protocol, wherein the determining (<NUM>) the imaging protocol includes determining a field-of-view based on the region-of-interest definition, the field-of-view including at least one selected from the group consisting of a field-of-view size and a field-of-view position; and
performing (<NUM>), via an imaging device (<NUM>), a scan of a patient based on the imaging protocol;
wherein the imaging protocol is automatically determined by the controller (<NUM>) based on the type of imaging device (<NUM>) used, the imaging device being one of a plurality of imaging devices.