Abstract: A method of determining axial alignment of a lower limb includes determining a three-dimensional volume based on a scan of a lower limb of a patient, identifying a level of hip version by referring to a first axis of symmetry of a femoral neck and a second axis of symmetry of a distal portion of a femur, wherein hip version is defined by an angle between the first axis of symmetry and the second the second axis of symmetry, identifying a level of tibial torsion by referring to a third axis of symmetry of a proximal portion of a tibia and a fourth axis of symmetry of a distal portion of the tibia, wherein tibial torsion is defined by an angle between the third axis of symmetry and the fourth axis of symmetry, and providing the level of hip version and the level of tibial torsion to a user.

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: 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: A method and a system for generating an image by obtaining x-ray image data, segmenting the x-ray image data into a first portion above a vertical threshold and a second portion below the vertical threshold. Further, the method and the system include generating an arch for the second plurality of slices, and generating an image based on the arch.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating a panoramic x-ray image by obtaining volumetric x-ray image data having a first plurality of slices, segmenting the x-ray image data into a first portion above a vertical threshold and a second portion below the vertical threshold, and separating the second portion into a second plurality of slices. Further, the method and the system include generating a plurality of curves for each slice in the second plurality of slices, generating a master arch for the second plurality of slices, and generating a panoramic image based on the master arch.

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: A method of displaying tomographic information. The method comprises defining a compact region within an imaged target and generating an image showing a part of the target encircling the compact region, wherein the compact region represents a bore to be drilled and the generated image shows a perspective view of the wall of the bore from an open end of the bore.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating a panoramic x-ray image by obtaining volumetric x-ray image data having a first plurality of slices, segmenting the x-ray image data into a first portion above a vertical threshold and a second portion below the vertical threshold, and separating the second portion into a second plurality of slices. Further, the method and the system include generating a plurality of curves for each slice in the second plurality of slices, generating a master arch for the second plurality of slices, and generating a panoramic image based on the master arch.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for enhancing an array of values, which may be tomographic data, are disclosed. The values are divided into categories. Values in at least one first category are smoothed by replacing an original individual value with a new individual value determined from a plurality of neighboring values. The values in at least one second category are retained relatively unsmoothed.

Abstract: A method for determining if an object of a scan generated by a movable scanner has moved by comparing images generated at a plurality of orientations of the movable scanner and information related to such images. The object is scanned at a first orientation of the movable scanner, and scanned a second time at the first orientation of the movable scanner. A first brightness quantity is generated based on scanning the object at the first orientation, and a second brightness quantity is generated based on scanning the object the second time at the first orientation. The method also includes determining a motion factor based on the first brightness quantity, the second brightness quantity, and first and second images generated at the first orientations of the movable scanner.

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: 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: A method of and apparatus for displaying tomographic information are disclosed. A compact region within an imaged target is defined. An image is generated showing part of the target encircling the compact region.

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.