Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a panoramic image are provided. One system includes a gantry, an x-ray source, a receptor, and at least one controller. The x-ray source is mounted on the gantry and is configured to alternatively output x-ray radiation at a first energy level and x-ray radiation at a second energy level. The receptor is mounted on the gantry so that x-ray radiation from the x-ray source impinges on the receptor. The receptor is configured to output a plurality of frames of data including a first frame and a second frame sequential to the first frame. The controller is configured to control the x-ray source so that data in the first frame is generated based on x-ray radiation of the first energy level and data in the second frame is based on x-ray radiation of the second energy level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging model. An x-ray detector captures x-ray images that include a structure and an imaging device captures a surface scan of the same structure. An image processor constructs a three-dimensional CT model of the structure from the x-ray images and constructs a three-dimensional surface model of the structure from the surface scan. The image processor is configured to resize and orient the surface model and/or the CT model so that they are the same scale and orientation, overlay the surface model onto the CT model, and detect data points in the combined data set that extend beyond a surface of the structure in the surface model. The detected data points represent artifacts in the CT model and are adjusted by interpolation to produce an artifact-reduced CT model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging model. An x-ray detector captures x-ray images that include a structure and an imaging device captures a surface scan of the same structure. An image processor constructs a three-dimensional CT model of the structure from the x-ray images and constructs a three-dimensional surface model of the structure from the surface scan. The image processor is configured to resize and orient the surface model and/or the CT model so that they are the same scale and orientation, overlay the surface model onto the CT model, and detect data points in the combined data set that extend beyond a surface of the structure in the surface model. The detected data points represent artifacts in the CT model and are adjusted by interpolation to produce an artifact-reduced CT model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging. A first volumetric model and a second volumetric model of the same object are accessed from a computer-readable memory. The orientation and scale of at least one of the two models is repeatedly and automatically adjusted until an optimized orientation and scale is determined that correlates the first volumetric model and the second volumetric model. The second volumetric model is then overlaid onto the first volumetric model. Any data points in the first volumetric model that extend beyond a surface of the second volumetric model are detected and removed to create an artifact-reduced volumetric model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging. A first volumetric model and a second volumetric model of the same object are accessed from a computer-readable memory. The orientation and scale of at least one of the two models is repeatedly and automatically adjusted until an optimized orientation and scale is determined that correlates the first volumetric model and the second volumetric model. The second volumetric model is then overlaid onto the first volumetric model. Any data points in the first volumetric model that extend beyond a surface of the second volumetric model are detected and removed to create an artifact-reduced volumetric model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging model of a patient's teeth. A first volumetric model and a second volumetric model of the patient's teeth are accessed from a computer-readable memory. The orientation and scale of at least one of the two models is repeatedly and automatically adjusted until an optimized orientation and scale is determined that correlates the first volumetric model and the second volumetric model. The second volumetric model is then overlaid onto the first volumetric model. Any data points in the first volumetric model that extend beyond a surface of the patient's teeth in the second volumetric model are detected and removed to create an artifact-reduced volumetric model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a panoramic image. One system includes a gantry, an x-ray source, a receptor, and at least one controller. The x-ray source is mounted on the gantry and is configured to alternatively output x-ray radiation at a first energy level and x-ray radiation at a second energy level. The receptor is mounted on the gantry so that x-ray radiation from the x-ray source impinges the receptor. The receptor is configured to output a plurality of frames of data including a first frame and a second frame sequential to the first frame. The controller is configured to control the x-ray source so that data in the first frame is generated based on x-ray radiation of the first energy level and data in the second frame is based on x-ray radiation of the second energy level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging model of a patient's teeth. A first volumetric model and a second volumetric model of the patient's teeth are accessed from a computer-readable memory. The orientation and scale of at least one of the two models is repeatedly and automatically adjusted until an optimized orientation and scale is determined that correlates the first volumetric model and the second volumetric model. The second volumetric model is then overlaid onto the first volumetric model. Any data points in the first volumetric model that extend beyond a surface of the patient's teeth in the second volumetric model are detected and removed to create an artifact-reduced volumetric model.

Abstract: A system for removing artifacts caused by x-ray reflective materials from an x-ray image of a patient's teeth. The system includes an x-ray source, an x-ray detector that captures several x-ray images, and a surface scanner that captures a surface scan of the patient's teeth. An image processor generates three-dimensional models from the optical surface data and the CT volumetric data. The models are resized and oriented to be of the same scale and orientation and then overlaid to create a combined data set. Data points that extend beyond the surface of the patient's teeth in the surface model are identified and may be removed if it is determined that they are artifacts. An artifact-reduced CT model is then displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dental and facial imaging including a rotatable gantry having an axis of rotation generally in the direction of local gravitational vertical; a source of penetrating radiation mounted on the gantry; an elongated detector for detecting radiation and producing image data, the detector mounted opposite the source on the gantry, and having a length, a long axis, and a short axis The gantry, source, and detector configured to receive the head of a patient between the source and the detector, with the axis of rotation of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector is mounted rotatably to the gantry and movable between a first position where the long axis of the detector is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the gantry and a second position where the long axis of the detector is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gantry.

Abstract: For dental and facial imaging, a source of x-rays (14) or other penetrating radiation and a detector (20) are mounted opposite one another on a rotatable gantry (28), so that the head of the patient can be positioned between the source (14) and the detector (20), with the axis of rotation (36) of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector or the source are mounted so they can translate and/or pivot horizontally or vertically. The gantry is angulated so that the source or the detector may not be at the same height relative to the patient's head. The gantry can telescope, moving the source and the detector closer together or further apart. The collimator changes dynamically with the motion of the gantry and/or the source and detector to scan a smaller portion of the scan field.

Abstract: An apparatus for dental and facial imaging including a rotatable gantry having an axis of rotation generally in the direction of local gravitational vertical; a source of penetrating radiation mounted on the gantry; an elongated detector for detecting radiation and producing image data, the detector mounted opposite the source on the gantry, and having a length, a long axis, and a short axis The gantry, source, and detector configured to receive the head of a patient between the source and the detector, with the axis of rotation of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector is mounted rotatably to the gantry and movable between a first position where the long axis of the detector is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the gantry and a second position where the long axis of the detector is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gantry.

Abstract: For dental and facial imaging, a source of x-rays (14) or other penetrating radiation and a detector (20) are mounted opposite one another on a rotatable gantry (28), so that the head of the patient can be positioned between the source (14) and the detector (20), with the axis of rotation (36) of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector is longer in one direction than in the perpendicular direction, generally rectangular, and is rotatable between a position in which the long axis is transverse to the axis of rotation of the gantry and a position in which the long axis is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gantry. The length of the detector along the long axis is sufficient for fully detailed computed CT when the long axis is transverse, and for full-face CT when the long axis is parallel.

Abstract: A system for removing artifacts caused by x-ray reflective materials from an x-ray image of a patient's teeth. The system includes an x-ray source, an x-ray detector that captures several x-ray images, and a surface scanner that captures a surface scan of the patient's teeth. An image processor generates three-dimensional models from the optical surface data and the CT volumetric data. The models are resized and oriented to be of the same scale and orientation and then overlaid to create a combined data set. Data points that extend beyond the surface of the patient's teeth in the surface model are identified and may be removed if it is determined that they are artifacts. An artifact-reduced CT model is then displayed.

Abstract: For dental and facial imaging, a source of x-rays (14) or other penetrating radiation and a detector (20) are mounted opposite one another on a rotatable gantry (28), so that the head of the patient can be positioned between the source (14) and the detector (20), with the axis of rotation (36) of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector or the source are mounted so they can translate and/or pivot horizontally or vertically. The gantry is angulated so that the source or the detector may not be at the same height relative to the patient's head. The gantry can telescope, moving the source and the detector closer together or further apart. The collimator changes dynamically with the motion of the gantry and/or the source and detector to scan a smaller portion of the scan field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an elongated object in a three dimensional data array are disclosed. A slice of data generally lengthways of the elongated object is selected. Points on the object in the selected slice are identified. Data including the points are transposed parallel to the slice and transversely to the elongated object to align the points in a direction parallel to the slice and transverse to the elongated object. A current slice is selected that is rotated around the length direction of the object relative to the previously selected slice. The identifying and transposing are repeated to align points on the object in a direction parallel to the current slice and transverse to the elongated object.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for locating in a three dimensional data array an arcuate object having an axial extent, slices of data generally transverse to the axial extent of the object are selected. Rays generally radially of the arcuate object are selected within the slices. Crossing points where the rays cross the boundaries of the arcuate object are located. The position of the arcuate object is determined from the positions of the located points.

Abstract: For dental and facial imaging, a source of x-rays (14) or other penetrating radiation and a detector (20) are mounted opposite one another on a rotatable gantry (28), so that the head of the patient can be positioned between the source (14) and the detector (20), with the axis of rotation (36) of the gantry passing through the patient's head. The detector is longer in one direction than in the perpendicular direction, generally rectangular, and is rotatable between a position in which the long axis is transverse to the axis of rotation of the gantry and a position in which the long axis is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gantry. The length of the detector along the long axis is sufficient for fully detailed computed CT when the long axis is transverse, and for full-face CT when the long axis is parallel.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating a view of a jaw, a tomographic dataset of a volume including at least part of the jaw is obtained. Inner and outer surfaces of the jaw are identified in the tomographic dataset. Data for a region with boundaries related to the identified inner and outer surfaces are selected. A panoramic view is generated from the selected data and is displayed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method of and apparatus for correcting for scatter, an object, which may be the jaw of a dental patient, is subjected to x-rays or other penetrating radiation. An intensity distribution of the transmitted radiation is detected. A first array of voxel data representing the absorption of the radiation by the object is reconstructed from the detected intensity. A radiation scatter pattern is calculated by forward projection from the first array using one or more point spread functions. The detected intensity is corrected using the calculated radiation scatter pattern. A second array of voxel data representing the absorption of the radiation by the object is reconstructed from the corrected detected intensity.