JP7479002B2 - Technical item identification system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dental prosthesis identification system, and more specifically, to a technology for identifying which patient a completed dental prosthesis belongs to.

Traditionally, dental prostheses (hereafter simply referred to as prostheses) have almost always been made based on dental models. Typically, an impression of the patient's teeth is taken at a dental clinic, and a dental model is made based on the impression. The dental model is then sent to a dental laboratory (hereafter simply referred to as the laboratory) along with information that can identify the patient. The laboratory builds the prosthesis out of wax on the dental model, and makes a mold by taking an impression of this wax prosthesis. The dental prosthesis is obtained by pouring materials such as metal into this mold.

Sometimes laboratories receive orders to create dental prostheses for different patients at the same time. In such cases, if the prostheses are for the same part of the body and made of the same material, it can be difficult to identify which patient the finished prosthesis belonged to. This is because the patient's name cannot be inscribed on the prosthesis. In such cases, laboratories may identify the finished prosthesis by matching it to a dental model like a puzzle. Since the patient's name can be inscribed on the dental model, the correspondence between the prosthesis and the patient can be confirmed through the dental model.

Recently, a method has been proposed in which dental clinics can order dental prostheses by handing over intraoral scan data without creating dental models (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2017-006651 A JP 2019-511293 A

When creating dental prostheses based on intraoral scan data, it is not necessarily necessary to create a dental model, so there is a possibility that ordering methods that do not use a dental model will increase in order to reduce costs. Even when a dental model is created as in the past, it is not uncommon for the dental model to be damaged during the dental prosthesis production process. In such cases, it is not possible to identify the dental prosthesis by matching it to the dental model like a puzzle. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for identifying the correspondence between a completed dental prosthesis and a patient, even if a dental model does not exist.

The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a dental prosthesis identification system that can easily identify which patient a completed dental prosthesis belongs to.

A technical object identification system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a reference shape data acquisition unit that acquires reference shape data, a technical object shape data acquisition unit that acquires shape data of a technical object to be identified, and a similarity determination unit that compares a first feature based on the reference shape data with a second feature based on the shape data of the technical object to be identified to determine the similarity between the two.
In the technical product identification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reference shape data is any one of intraoral shape data, design data of a technical product, and shape data of a reference technical product.
The dental prosthesis identification system according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a shape data storage unit that stores the reference shape data and a patient identifier in association with each other, and an output unit that extracts and outputs the patient identifier associated with the reference shape data from the shape data storage unit in accordance with the similarity.
In the technical product identification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first feature amount and the second feature amount include information regarding a shape of a margin line.

The present invention provides a dental prosthesis identification system that can easily identify which patient a completed dental prosthesis belongs to.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the dental technical product identification system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the dental technical product identification system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the dental technical product identification system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the oral cavity. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the technical work identification system 100. FIG.

The following describes in detail specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a dental prosthesis identification system 100. The dental prosthesis identification system 100 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a non-volatile memory 14, a bus 10, and an input/output device 60.

The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the entire dental prosthesis identification system 100. The CPU 11 reads the system program stored in the ROM 12 via the bus 10, and controls the entire dental prosthesis identification system 100 in accordance with the system program.

The ROM 12 prestores system programs for executing various processes. The RAM 13 temporarily stores temporary calculation data, display data, data and programs input by the user via the input/output device 60, etc.

The non-volatile memory 14 is backed up by, for example, a battery (not shown), and retains its memory state even if the power to the technical product identification system 100 is cut off. The non-volatile memory 14 stores data, programs, etc. input from the input/output device 60. The programs and data stored in the non-volatile memory 14 may be expanded in the RAM 13 when executed and used.

The input/output device 60 is a data input/output device equipped with a display, a key input interface, etc. The input/output device 60 displays information received from the CPU 11 via the interface 18 on the display. The input/output device 60 passes commands, data, etc. input from the key input interface, etc., to the CPU 11 via the interface 18.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the dental prosthesis identification system 100 is configured as a stand-alone information processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be realized, for example, by cooperation between multiple information processing devices each having the above-mentioned hardware. For example, the dental prosthesis identification system 100 may be configured using cloud computing technology.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the dental prosthesis identification system 100. The dental prosthesis identification system 100 has a reference shape data acquisition unit 101, an identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquisition unit 103, a similarity determination unit 105, and a shape data storage unit 107.

The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 acquires reference shape data. Reference shape data refers to shape data used as a reference when identifying a dental prosthesis whose ownership is no longer known (hereinafter, the dental prosthesis to be identified). The reference shape data includes, for example, shape data inside the patient's oral cavity (hereinafter, intraoral shape data), design data for the dental prosthesis, and shape data for a dental prosthesis whose ownership is known for a patient (hereinafter, the reference dental prosthesis shape data).

The intraoral shape data includes data showing the shape of the upper and lower jaw teeth, the abutment teeth, and the gaps formed between them when the oral cavity is open (hereinafter referred to as upper and lower jaw data), as well as data showing the shape of the dentition when the oral cavity is closed (bite) (hereinafter referred to as upper and lower bite data) (see FIG. 4). The intraoral shape data may be three-dimensional shape data such as STL (Standard Triangulated Language) data that can be acquired by an intraoral scanner, or three-dimensional shape data based on two-dimensional image data acquired by X-ray or CT (Computed Tomography) scan. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 inputs intraoral shape data from an intraoral scanner, an X-ray device, a CT scan device, or any information processing device that processes the data output by these devices. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 also accepts input of a patient identifier corresponding to the intraoral shape data.

The design data is three-dimensional shape data that defines the shape of the dental prosthesis, and is created based on the intraoral shape data. The design data is, for example, STL data, and is used when casting, machining, etc. the dental prosthesis. Typically, a dental laboratory or manufacturer creates the design data based on the intraoral shape data acquired at a dental clinic. More specifically, the design data is completed by modifying an existing template based on the intraoral data. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 acquires the design data from a design device, an instruction issuing device that can store design data, or the like. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 also accepts input of a patient identifier that corresponds to the design data.

The reference dental prosthesis includes, for example, a dental prosthesis in the middle of processing, a dental model made from a mold of the patient's intraoral shape, and the like. The reference dental prosthesis shape data may be, for example, three-dimensional shape data that can be acquired by measuring the reference dental prosthesis using a depth sensor that acquires depth information, or three-dimensional shape data that is constructed based on two-dimensional image data acquired by photographing the reference dental prosthesis with a camera. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 inputs the reference dental prosthesis shape data from a depth sensor, a camera, or any information processing device that processes the data output by these devices. The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 also accepts input of a patient identifier that corresponds to the reference dental prosthesis shape data.

The identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquisition unit 103 acquires data indicating the shape of the identification target dental prosthesis (hereinafter, identification target dental prosthesis shape data). The identification target dental prosthesis is a dental prosthesis whose patient's identity is unknown. The identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquisition unit 103 can acquire the identification target dental prosthesis shape data in the same manner as the reference shape data acquisition unit 101 acquires the reference dental prosthesis shape data.

The shape data storage unit 107 is a storage area that stores intraoral shape data, design data, reference dental prosthesis shape data, and dental prosthesis shape data to be identified. Of these, the intraoral shape data, design data, and reference dental prosthesis shape data are usually stored in association with patient identification information (such as name and identification number). The patient identification information is supplied together with the intraoral shape data, design data, and reference dental prosthesis shape data.

The similarity determination unit 105 inputs the shape data of the technical product to be identified, compares it with the intraoral shape data, design data, or reference technical product shape data stored in the shape data storage unit 107, and calculates the similarity between the two. The similarity determination unit 105 has a feature extraction unit 1051, a comparison unit 1053, and an output unit 1055.

The feature extraction unit 1051 extracts features from the intraoral shape data, the design data or reference dental prosthesis shape data, and the identification target dental prosthesis shape data. In this embodiment, features are numerical values that quantitatively express the shape features of the intraoral cavity, the design data, the reference dental prosthesis, and the identification target dental prosthesis. For example, the coordinate values of characteristic points included in the shape, the normal vectors of characteristic surfaces, etc. may be used as features, but there is no limitation to these and any feature may be used.

The feature quantity preferably includes a feature indicating the shape of the margin line. The margin line is a virtual line indicating the boundary surface between the dental prosthesis and the tooth substance remaining after forming the abutment tooth (the tooth that serves as the base of the dental prosthesis). The margin line is an important feature that characterizes the shape of the dental prosthesis to be identified. The outer shape of the dental prosthesis is roughly determined based on the shape of the abutment tooth included in the upper jaw data or the lower jaw data, and the shape of the cavity that can be obtained from the upper and lower bite data. Typically, it can be determined approximately automatically by selecting the optimal one from several shape patterns prepared in advance. In addition, the shape of the occlusal surface of the dental prosthesis can also be determined approximately automatically by selecting the optimal one from several shape patterns prepared in advance. However, the margin line on the root side of the dental prosthesis varies greatly from patient to patient, and is designed individually by dental technicians for each patient. Although it is possible to automatically design the margin line, the shape also varies from person to person. Therefore, the shape of the margin line can be a feature like a fingerprint, which is unique.

For technical works (e.g., false teeth, crowns, inlays, etc.) for which the margin line can be extracted as a feature, the feature extraction unit 1051 can perform a highly accurate judgment of similarity by extracting a feature indicating the shape of the margin line as described above. For other technical works, feature amounts of elements other than the margin line can be used. For example, the feature extraction unit 1051 can extract feature amounts indicating the outer shape of the technical work (including the retainer), the shape of the gap (the distance between the teeth on both sides of the technical work, etc.), the shape of the oral cavity (the state of the protuberance), the shape of the pits and fissures (grooves on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth) (indicating the position and wear of the grooves, etc.). For example, for partial dentures, feature amounts indicating the outer shape of the technical work including the retainer and the shape of the gap can be extracted; for complete dentures, feature amounts indicating the inner oral cavity shape (the state of the protuberance of the gums of the upper and lower jaws); for implants, feature amounts indicating the shape or positional relationship of the implant base (indicating the distance to the adjacent teeth and other implant bases) can be extracted. Note that even for technical works for which the feature amount of the margin line can be used, the judgment may be performed using feature amounts other than the margin line. Alternatively, the margin line features may be used in combination with other features.

The comparison unit 1053 compares the features of the intraoral shape data, design data, or reference dental prosthesis shape data with the features of the dental prosthesis shape data to be identified, and calculates the degree of similarity. The similarity between the design data or reference dental prosthesis shape data and the dental prosthesis shape data to be identified can be determined by a method of comparing the features of the external shapes of both data. The similarity between the intraoral shape data and the dental prosthesis shape data to be identified can be determined by, for example, a method of comparing the shape of a space in the oral cavity with the shape of the dental prosthesis to be identified, or a method of comparing the intraoral shape (such as the state of protrusions) with the shape of the contact surface between the dental prosthesis and the oral cavity. Various methods for determining the similarity by comparing features are known, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

The output unit 1055 outputs the intraoral shape data or reference technical object shape data that is determined to be similar to the technical object shape data to be identified, and the patient identification information linked to these data. For example, among the intraoral shape data and reference technical object shape data stored in the shape data storage unit 107, several pieces of data with the highest similarity may be displayed in a ranked format.

The above-mentioned processing units may be distributed and implemented in multiple information processing devices that constitute the technical product identification system 100. For example, all processing units may be implemented in a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone, and some or all of the processing units may be configured using virtual information processing resources that utilize cloud computing technology.

The operation of the dental technical product identification system 100 will be described in chronological order with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
S1: Acquisition of Reference Shape Data The reference shape data acquisition unit 101 collects intraoral shape data, design data, and reference dental prosthesis shape data, and stores them in the shape data storage unit 107 in association with a patient identifier. The intraoral shape data can be acquired together with an instruction sheet via an instruction sheet issuing system, for example, when an order for a dental prosthesis is received from a dental clinic. The reference dental prosthesis shape data may be acquired, for example, in a preliminary stage in a situation where dental prostheses of multiple patients are mixed, such as during firing or cleaning, in a dental laboratory.

S2: Acquisition of Shape Data of Technical Object to be Identified When it becomes impossible to identify which patient a technical object belongs to, the identification target technical object shape data acquisition unit 103 is started. The identification target technical object shape data acquisition unit 103 acquires the identification target technical object shape data.

S3: Similarity Determination The similarity determination unit 105 compares the identification target technical object shape data acquired in S2 with the reference technical object shape data accumulated in S1 one by one, and performs similarity determination.

S4: Output The output unit 1055 outputs the result of S3. For example, the patient identifier corresponding to the reference dental prosthesis shape data determined to have the highest similarity is displayed. Alternatively, the patient identifiers corresponding to the reference dental prosthesis shape data may be displayed in a ranking format in descending order of similarity. If necessary, an index indicating the similarity may also be displayed.

According to this embodiment, even in a situation where it is difficult to identify which patient a dental prosthesis belongs to, the patient corresponding to the dental prosthesis can be easily identified by comparing it with previously accumulated reference dental prosthesis shape data. Here, the reference dental prosthesis shape data may be intraoral shape data, design data, or reference dental prosthesis shape data, so identification is possible whether the conventional manufacturing method uses a dental model or an automatic manufacturing method uses an intraoral scanner.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as desired without impairing the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiment mainly discloses a method of comparing one of the intraoral shape data, design data, or reference dental prosthesis shape data with the dental prosthesis shape data to be identified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of data from the intraoral shape data, design data, or reference dental prosthesis shape data may be compared with the dental prosthesis shape data to be identified.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Technical product identification system 101 Reference shape data acquisition unit 103 Identification target technical product shape data acquisition unit 105 Similarity determination unit 1051 Feature extraction unit 1053 Comparison unit 1055 Output unit 107 Shape data storage unit

Claims (8)

A reference shape data acquisition unit that acquires reference shape data of a plurality of patients in a first step before mixing the dental prostheses of the plurality of patients;
In a second step after mixing the dental prostheses of the plurality of patients, an identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquisition unit acquires identification target dental prosthesis shape data;
a similarity determination unit that determines a similarity between a first feature amount based on the reference shape data acquired in the first step and a second feature amount based on the identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquired in the second step . The technical product identification system according to claim 1 , wherein the reference shape data is any one of intraoral shape data, design data of a technical product, and shape data of a reference technical product. The dental prosthesis identification system according to claim 1, further comprising: a shape data storage unit that stores the reference shape data and a patient identifier in association with each other; and an output unit that extracts the patient identifier associated with the reference shape data from the shape data storage unit in accordance with the degree of similarity and outputs the patient identifier. The dental prosthesis identification system according to claim 1, wherein the first feature amount and the second feature amount include information regarding the shape of the margin line. a similarity determination unit that compares a first feature amount based on reference shape data of a patient, which is acquired in a first step before the dental prostheses of a plurality of patients are mixed, with a second feature amount based on shape data of a dental prosthesis to be identified, which is acquired in a second step after the dental prostheses of a plurality of patients are mixed, and determines a similarity between the first feature amount and the second feature amount.
Technical item identification system. In a first step before mixing the dental prostheses of a plurality of patients, a reference shape data acquisition step of acquiring reference shape data of the patients;
In a second step after mixing the dental prostheses of the plurality of patients, an identification target dental prosthesis shape data acquisition step of acquiring identification target dental prosthesis shape data;
a similarity determination step of comparing a first feature amount based on the reference shape data acquired in the first step with a second feature amount based on the identification target technical object shape data acquired in the second step to determine a similarity between the two.
Methods for identifying dental prostheses. The method includes a similarity determination step of comparing a first feature amount based on reference shape data of a patient, which is obtained in a first step before mixing the dental prostheses of a plurality of patients, with a second feature amount based on shape data of a dental prosthesis to be identified, which is obtained in a second step after mixing the dental prostheses of a plurality of patients, to determine a similarity between the first feature amount and the second feature amount.
Methods for identifying dental prostheses. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6 or 7.

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