Dental and ortthopedic densitometry modeling system and method

Abstract

A dental and orthopedic densitometry modeling system includes a controller with a microprocessor and a memory device connected to the microprocessor. An input device is also connected to the microprocessor for inputting diagnostic procedure parameters and patient information. X-ray equipment including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector array are connected to a positioning motor for movement relative to a patient's dental or orthopedic structure in response to signals from the microprocessor. The output consists of a tomographical densitometry model. A dental/orthopedic densitometry modeling method involves moving the X-ray equipment across a predetermined scan path, emitting dual-energy X-ray beams, and outputting an image color-coded to correspond to a patient's dental or orthopedic density.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A system for tomographically modeling dental and orthopedic structure densitometry, which includes: 
 a) a controller with a microprocessor and a memory device connected to the microprocessor;    b) an input device connected to the microprocessor;    c) a positioning motor connected to the microprocessor and movable in response to signals from said microprocessor;    d) X-ray equipment including an X-ray source and a detector array;    e) conversion means for converting a signal from said detector array, said conversion means being connected to said detector array and to said microprocessor; and    f) an output device connected to said microprocessor and adapted for receiving a tomographical densitometry model from said microprocessor.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said positioning motor is adapted for positioning said X-ray equipment with respect to three axes of movement.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said conversion means comprises an analog-to-digital convertor connected to said detector array.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein said conversion means includes a merger device connected to said analog-to-digital converter and to said microprocessor.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said X-ray equipment comprises a dual energy level, restricted beam device.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  which includes: 
 a) a preprogrammed scan path for said X-ray equipment, said scan path being programmed into said microprocessor.  
 
     
     
         7 . The system according to claim I wherein said output device includes a color monitor adapted to receive said tomographical densitometry model output color-coded to represent densitometry.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said output device includes a color printer adapted to print images color-coded to correspond to the densitometry of said model.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said controller includes: 
 a) means for storing a pre-existing tomographical dental/orthopedic densitometry model; and  
 b) means for comparing pre-existing and current tomographical densitometry models.  
 
     
     
         10 . A method of tomographically modeling dental and orthopedic densitometry, which includes the steps of: 
 a) providing a controller with a microprocessor and a memory device connected to said microprocessor;    b) providing an input device connected to said microprocessor;    c) inputting patient diagnostic parameters with said input device;    d) storing said diagnostic parameters in memory;    e) providing X-ray equipment with an X-ray source and an X-ray detector array;    f) positioning said X-ray equipment and a patient's dental/orthopedic structure relative to each other with said patient's dental/orthopedic structure between said source and said detector array;    g) emitting an X-ray beam from said source through said dental structure and to said detector array;    h) outputting a signal from said detector array to said microprocessor;    i) forming with said microprocessor a tomographical densitometry model of said dental/orthopedic structure;    j) providing an output device connected to said microprocessor; and    k) outputting said densitometry model to said output device.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional steps of emitting, detecting, digitizing, and storing signals corresponding to first and second energy levels from said X-ray source.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional steps of: 
 a) inputting to said controller a predetermined scan path for said X-ray equipment; and  
 b) traversing said X-ray equipment along said scan path.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  which includes the additional steps of: 
 a) providing a positioning motor connected to said microprocessor and to said X-ray equipment for moving same through three axes of movement along said scan path.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional step of detecting incipient caries with said tomographical densitometry model.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional step of detecting dental fractures with said tomographical densitometry model.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional step of detecting apical abscesses with said tomographical densitometry model.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional step of analyzing the extent of osseointegration of a dental or orthopedic prostheses with respect to a patient's dental or orthopedic structure with said tomographical densitometry model.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional steps of: 
 a) inputting to said microprocessor a pre-existing tomographical densitometry model; and  
 b) comparing said patient's current densitometry model to said pre-existing densitometry model.  
 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 10  which includes the additional steps of: 
 a) providing a color output device connected to said microprocessor; and  
 b) color coding said densitometry model in colors corresponding to the patient's dental or orthopedic structure density and outputting said densitometry model to said output device.  
 
     
     
         20 . A method of tomographically modeling dental and orthopedic densitometry, which includes the steps of: 
 a) providing a controller with a microprocessor and a memory device connected to said microprocessor;    b) providing an input device connected to said microprocessor;    c) inputting with said input device dental or orthopedic patient diagnostic parameters, including a pre-existing densitometry model;    d) storing said diagnostic parameters in said memory device;    e) providing X-ray equipment connected to said microprocessor, said equipment including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector array;    f) positioning said X-ray equipment and a patient's dental or orthopedic structure relative to each other with said patient's dental or orthopedic structure located between said X-ray source and said detector array;    g) emitting an X-ray beam from said source at a first X-ray beam energy level, passing same through said dental or orthopedic structure, and detecting same with said detector array;    h) outputting a signal corresponding to said detected X-ray beam from said detector array;    i) digitizing said detector array output signal;    j) storing said digitized output signal in said memory device,    k) repeating steps f)-j) at a second X-ray beam energy level;    l) merging said stored output signals to form a present tomographical densitometry model of said dental or orthopedic structure;    m) comparing said present densitometry model with said pre-existing densitometry model;    n) adjusting said present densitometry model to account for patient parameters including age and gender;    o) providing an output device connected to said microprocessor;    p) color coding said present tomographical densitometry model with colors corresponding to dental or orthopedic structure density; and    q) outputting said color-coded model to said output device.