A computer-implemented method generates a computer model of one or more teeth by receiving as input a digital data set of meshes representing the teeth; selecting a curved coordinate system with mappings to and from a 3D space; and generating a function in the curved coordinate system to represent each tooth.

Efficient data representation of teeth model

The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.

Systems and methods for varying elastic modulus appliances

A method and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of a patient's body. The method and apparatus utilize a system (10) for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient, a device for generating ultrasound image data from a treatment region and a device for providing a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the patient organ and a three-dimensional viewing device to superimpose a translucent article image to enable viewing of the article image simultaneously with the patient organ, and a portion of the patient's body.

Real time brachytherapy spatial registration and visualization system

The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and/or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.

Attachment devices and methods for a dental appliance

A method and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of a patient's body. The method and apparatus utilize a system for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient, a device for generating ultrasound image data from a treatment region and a device for providing a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the patient organ and a three dimensional viewing device to superimpose a translucent article image to enable viewing of the article image simultaneously with the patient organ and a portion of the patient's body.

Virtual reality 3D visualization for surgical procedures

A method and an apparatus for allowing the operator of an ultrasound imaging system to switch between two-dimensional slices and three-dimensional projections in such a way that it is easy for the operator to visualize the relationship of the two-dimensional slice to the three-dimensional anatomy. In a "volume rotate" mode, the display screen displays an orientation box along with a three-dimensional projected image generated from a defined data volume. The orientation box provides a visual indication of the shape and orientation of that defined data volume. In a "cut plane" mode, a movable polygon representing a selected two-dimensional slice is displayed inside a stationary orientation box. The polygon provides a visual indication of the orientation and position of the slice relative to the defined data volume. In a "cut plane rotate" mode, a stationary polygon representing a selected two-dimensional slice is displayed inside a rotatable orientation box.

Method and apparatus for displaying 3D ultrasound data using three modes of operation

A method and an apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of a needle-like instrument, such as a biopsy needle, inserted in a human body. The instrument is visualized by transmitting ultrasound beams toward the instrument and then detecting the echo signals using a linear array of transducer elements. The problem of ultrasound being reflected from a biopsy needle in a direction away from the transducer array is solved by steering the transmitted ultrasound beams to increase the angle at which the beams impinge upon the biopsy needle. Ideally the ultrasound beams are perpendicular to the biopsy needle. This increases the system's sensitivity to the needle because the reflections from the needle are directed closer to the transducer array. This can be accomplished using either the B mode or the color flow mode of an ultrasound imaging system. The acquired data for multiple two-dimensional image frames is gathered in memory to form a data volume, which is then processed to form a three-dimensional image (by projection) or a two-dimensional slice taken at an angle through the data volume. In particular, a two-dimensional slice which is coplanar with the inserted biopsy needle can be imaged.

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Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of biopsy needle

A three-dimensional projection image representing a projection of a data volume at a predetermined orientation, three cut plane images representing respective mutually orthogonal planar cuts through the data volume, a graphical representation of the data volume at that orientation and graphical representations of the cut planes are displayed in spaced relationship. Each of the cut planes has a respective positional relationship to the data volume graphic that corresponds to the positional relationship of the respective cut plane to the data volume. The graphical representations are displayed in different colors. Any one of the four images can be active in the sense that images are reconstructed in real-time as a trackball is moved. Which of the four images is active is indicated by displaying the corresponding graphical representation in a color denoting the active state.

Three-dimensional ultrasound data display using multiple cut planes

In performing for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of an object from any angle relative to the plane of acquisition, a human body is scanned to acquire multiple images forming a data volume. The system computer generates a multiplicity of reformatted slices through the data volume and parallel to the imaging plane. For each projected pixel, a ray is cast through the reformatted slices onto the imaging plane. For each pixel along the ray, the accumulated intensity is calculated as a function of the pixel and opacity values for the pixel being processed, the accumulated intensity calculated at the preceding pixel the remaining opacity for the subsequent pixels. The final accumulated intensity for each ray is obtained when the remaining opacity reaches a predetermined minimum. The accumulated intensities for all cast rays form the projected image.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging using surface-enhanced volume rendering

A method and apparatus for calculating the inter-slice spacing in a data volume and registering the slices of that volume using SAD calculations. The resulting transformed data volume is then three-dimensionally reconstructed using a projection technique. If during scanning the probe is translated in the Z direction and at the same time is shifted in the X and/or Y direction, the SAD value will be artificially high. By translating two adjacent images with respect to each other in the X direction and then in the Y direction, and searching for the minimum SAD value, the amount of shift in the X and/or Y direction can be determined and that shift can then be removed. Also by rotating two slices with respect to each other and looking for a minimum SAD value, rotational motion of the probe during scanning can be removed.

Brian Peter Geiser

Papers

Method and apparatus for displaying 3D ultrasound data using three modes of operation

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of biopsy needle

Three-dimensional ultrasound data display using multiple cut planes

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging using surface-enhanced volume rendering

Method and appartus for calculating distance between ultrasound images using sum of absolute differences