WO2015122466A1

WO2015122466A1 - Computer, method executed by computer, computer program, and face bow

Info

Publication number: WO2015122466A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/053851
Authority: WO
Inventors: らら高橋; 高橋　淳
Original assignee: 有限会社メディコム
Priority date: 2014-02-14
Filing date: 2015-02-12
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Also published as: JP6332733B2; JP2015150258A

Abstract

　 [Problem] To provide an inexpensive and easily popularized technique for creating data for a virtual articulator on a computer, the technique not requiring an articulator to be created. [Solution] A diagnostic device is provided with a position data generating unit (224) and a combining unit (226). The position data generating unit (224) generates first position data and second position data using an orientation image of the orientation of a connecting member for connecting an upper bow and a bite fork, an upper image indicating the positional relationship of the bite fork and the maxillary teeth of a patient, and an occlusion image indicating the positional relationship of the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth of the patient. The combining unit (226) aligns a three-dimensional model of the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of the patient generated by a model generating unit (223) using the first position data and the second position data, and generates a virtual articulator.

Description

Computer, computer-implemented method, computer program, and facebow

The present invention relates to a computer used in the dental medical field, and more particularly to a computer used in combination with a face bow.

フェイス Face bows are used in the dental field. For example, a face bow is used when performing dental prosthetic treatment, temporomandibular joint occlusion treatment, and occlusion diagnosis. The most common facebow is, for example, the relative angle between the reference plane of the skull (eg, the Frankfurt plane connecting the lower surface of the right orbit of the skull and the upper edge of the left and right ear canal) and the maxillary dentition or maxilla. It is for measuring and recording the positional relationship including.

The facebow is roughly divided into an upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's face by uniquely determining the relationship to the assumed anatomical reference plane in the patient's skull, and the upper dentition of the patient. The bite fork, upper bow, and bite fork that can be fixed while recording the fixed state are arbitrarily positioned relative to each other, and the position and angle are recorded. And connecting means that can be fixed.

There are several types of face bows. The upper bow of a certain type of face bow has, for example, a glasses shape. The upper bow includes a main body corresponding to a frame if the glasses are positioned in front of the face when in use, and a temple corresponding to the temple if the glasses are attached to both sides of the main body. The distal end of the temple portion is bent inward so that it can be inserted into the patient's ear canal. A maintenance device that can be fixed to an arbitrary nasal root recess of a patient is attached to a side of the main body portion close to the face when the upper bow is used. The position of the tip of the temple portion can be moved, for example, forward, backward, left and right with respect to the reference plane. Moreover, the maintenance device fixed to the above-mentioned nasal root recess can also be moved, for example, back and forth and up and down with respect to the above-mentioned reference plane.

When using the face bow, fix both ends of the temples to the patient's ear canal and the maintenance device to the nasal root recess. In this state, adjustment is made so that the main body of the upper bow is in a predetermined posture (for example, parallel to the reference plane of the skull). The upper bow is uniquely positioned with respect to the facial cranium, more specifically with respect to the anatomical reference plane, by the three portions of the temple tip and the rod tip.

The bite fork is a U-shaped plate corresponding to the dentition occlusal surface, and on the upper surface thereof, for example, a paste for marking which is a curable substance such as a modeling compound or bite wax is applied. Fixed to the lower surface of the maxillary dentition. The relationship between the bite fork and the maxillary dentition can be recorded by the shape of the lower surface of the maxillary dentition marked on the marking paste.

The connecting means is constituted by, for example, a rod-like body connected by a plurality of spherical joints, and can fix the upper bow and the bite fork by arbitrarily positioning relative positions and angles. ing. The spherical joint and the rod-shaped body are provided with a predetermined scale, and the posture of the connecting means taking a certain posture (for example, the position and angle of a certain spherical joint and the rod-shaped body connected thereto) can be recorded. It has become.

The upper bow of the face bow can be uniquely positioned with respect to the reference plane as described above. Since the bite fork connected to one end of the connection means can record the posture of the connection means having the upper bow connected to the other end, it is indirectly relative to the upper bow. As a result, the relative positional relationship with the reference plane can be recorded. The relative position and angle of the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition with respect to the bite fork can be recorded via the marking paste, and the relative positional relationship between the bite fork and the reference surface is as described above. As a result, the position and angle of the reference plane and the patient's maxillary dentition can be recorded.

In this way, the face bow records the relative positional relationship between the reference surface and the maxillary dentition, including the angle, unique to each patient. The recording of the relative positional relationship between the reference plane measured by the face bow and the maxillary dentition is generally used in an articulator. As described below, the articulator combines a model of the patient's maxillary dentition and a model of the mandibular dentition, in order to reproduce the meshing of the maxillary dentition and mandibular dentition in the patient's living body. The above-mentioned record is used. Thus, the operation | work which transfers the biting of a living body patient to an articulator is generally called a face bow transfer.

The articulator has a member corresponding to the upper jaw and a member corresponding to the lower jaw in the skull. The member corresponding to the upper jaw and the member corresponding to the lower jaw in the cranium are configured to be opened and closed in the same manner as the upper jaw and the lower jaw in the living body, and the member corresponding to the upper jaw is more accurately formed by, for example, shaping the patient's teeth. The model of the patient's maxillary dentition reproduced in (1) can be attached to the member corresponding to the mandible.

In this state, the positional relationship between the above-described reference surface measured by the face bow and the lower surface of the maxillary dentition is reproduced on the articulator, so that the relative position between the reference surface and the maxillary dentition on the patient's living body It is possible to reproduce various positional relationships.

Note that the relative positional relationship between the lower surface of the patient's upper dentition and the upper surface of the lower dentition can be reproduced by recording the patient's engagement with a known method using, for example, a mouthpiece or a compound. Using the above-mentioned record against the lower surface of the patient's upper jaw dentition model attached to the member corresponding to the upper jaw of the articulator, the patient's lower jaw dentition model attached to the member corresponding to the lower jaw of the articulator By positioning the upper surface, the relative positional relationship between the upper dentition model and lower dentition model attached to the articulator and the reference plane is determined by the lower surface of the upper dentition and the lower dentition in a living patient. It reflects the relative positional relationship between the upper surface and the reference surface.

As described above, when the articulator is used, the relative positional relationship of the patient's maxillary dentition and mandibular dentition with respect to the reference plane can be accurately reproduced on the articulator. The dentist uses the model of the maxillary dentition and the model of the mandibular dentition attached to the articulator to perform the occlusion diagnosis, or the simulation required prior to performing the dental prosthesis treatment and the temporomandibular joint occlusion treatment ( It is possible to perform a denture meshing test and the like.

As described above, the relative relationship between the lower surface of the maxillary dentition measured with the face bow and the reference surface is generally the relationship between the maxillary dentition attached to the articulator and the reference surface. It was used to make it possible to accurately reproduce the relationship between the reference plane and the maxillary dentition. In other words, the face bow is a device that is subordinate to the articulator to accurately use the articulator, and it has long been common knowledge in the dental industry that the articulator is indispensable for treatment and diagnosis. Met.

However, with recent advances in computer technology, in particular image processing technology, a virtual articulator (in other words, it is a three-dimensional image of the patient's upper and lower dentition, including engagement). Attempts to reproduce have been made. By using a virtual articulator, it is not necessary to create a model of the patient's dentition, so that the speed of diagnosis and treatment can be increased, and the data of the virtual articulator used for the diagnosis and treatment of a patient can be increased. It is convenient because (electronic data) can be held between dentists, for example.

Japanese Patent Application 2014-27052

However, a technique using a virtual articulator on a computer is not so popular. The reason is that there is no suitable technique for creating virtual articulator data on a computer.
For example, the following two methods are known as methods for creating virtual articulator data.
First, in the first method, as in the conventional method, the articulator is created once, and the numerical values measured from the articulator are input to the computer to create the data of the virtual articulator. . The above numerical values are, for example, how much the member corresponding to the upper jaw of the articulator to which the upper dentition model is attached has moved back and forth or up and down from a predetermined reference point, or occlusion of the upper dentition It is a numerical value indicating how much the surface is inclined. Next, as a second method, the articulator is not used in this case. Instead, for example, a 3D image of the patient's head taken by a CT (Computed Tomography) imaging device or the like, and an image of the upper and lower dentitions of the patient taken 3D separately. The data of the virtual articulator is made by synthesizing.

However, there is a reason that the diagnosis and treatment using the data of the virtual articulator is not popular even with the above two methods.

First, in the first method, it is necessary to make a model of each of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition, and it is necessary to make an actual articulator using these models. Cannot be increased. On the contrary, if the articulator is actually made, it is easy to give the dentist the impression that creating the data of the virtual articulator simply increases the effort, so use the data of the virtual articulator to the dentist It is hard to give motivation for.
In the second method, an articulator is not actually made, but instead, a device capable of three-dimensional imaging of the patient's head, such as a CT imaging device, is required. An apparatus capable of performing such three-dimensional imaging is generally very expensive and is not widely used in dental clinics. Therefore, it is difficult to spread the second method based on the existence of an apparatus capable of performing such three-dimensional imaging. Also, three-dimensional imaging of the patient's head is not preferable for the patient because it almost forces the patient to be exposed to radiation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and easy-to-use technique that does not require actual creation of an articulator for creating data on a living body and a virtual articulator on a computer.

Means and effects for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor proposes the following invention.

The present invention applies an upper bow that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which a positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a curable substance. A bite fork that can be fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust the positional relationship including the relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A virtual articulator data generation device capable of generating virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of a face bow that is accurately attached to a patient.

The virtual articulator data generation device of the present invention is a maxillary dentition image data which is data of an upper dentition image which is an image of an upper dentition, and a lower dentition which is data of a lower dentition image which is an image of a lower dentition. Image data, upper image data that is upper image data that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork and the lower surface of the maxillary dentition, and posture image data that is an image showing the attitude of the connecting means Receiving means for receiving occlusal image data, which is data of a meshing image that is an image showing a meshing state of a maxillary dentition and a mandibular dentition, and an upper jaw received from the receiving means Maxillary dentition model data that is data of an upper dentition model that is a three-dimensional model of the upper dentition is generated from the dentition image data, and the lower dentition image data received from the receiving unit From the model generation means, the upper image data received from the reception means, and the posture image data, the lower dentition dentition model data, which is the data of the lower dentition dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition, A relative position of the maxillary dentition including an angle with respect to the reference plane in the patient is obtained, and first position data that is data on the position of the maxillary dentition model with respect to a virtual reference plane that is a virtual reference plane is generated. In addition, the relative position of the lower dentition including the angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusion image data received from the receiving means, and data on the position of the lower dentition model with respect to the upper dentition model The position data generating means for generating the second position data, and the upper dentition model data and the lower dentition model from the model generation means And receiving the first position data and the second position data from the position data generating means, and assuming an assumed positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition with respect to a reference plane in the living body, A connection means for generating the virtual articulator data by reproducing the positional relationship between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane by using the first position data and the second position data. And.

This virtual articulator data generation device is configured to receive upper dentition image data, which is an upper dentition image data that is an image of an upper dentition, and data of a lower dentition image, which is an image of a lower dentition, input from an accepting unit. Virtual articulator data that is data of the virtual articulator is generated using the lower dentition image data. Specifically, the virtual articulator data generation device of the present invention obtains maxillary dentition model data, which is data of the maxillary dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the maxillary dentition, from the maxillary dentition image data received from the receiving means. Model generation means is provided for generating mandibular dentition model data, which is data of a lower dentition dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition from the lower dentition dentition image data received from the reception means. In this virtual articulator data generation device, a maxillary dentition model based on the maxillary dentition model data generated by the model generation means and a mandibular dentition model based on the mandibular dentition model data are generally used in a virtual articulator. Used as a substitute for the upper and lower dentition models in the articulator. Therefore, if this virtual articulator data generation device is used, neither a maxillary dentition model nor a mandibular dentition model is required.

Here, in order to generate virtual articulator data using the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model including the angle. Therefore, the positional relationship including the angle between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition in the patient's living body must be accurately reproduced, in other words, the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model are determined by the patient's maxillary dentition model. It must be aligned to correspond to the dentition and lower dentition.
In this virtual articulator data generation device, the above-described alignment of the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model is an upper image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork and the lower surface of the maxillary dentition. Upper image data, posture image data which is posture image data which is an image showing the posture of the connecting means, and a mesh image which is an image showing the meshing state of the upper dentition and lower dentition This is performed using occlusal image data that is data of the above. In order to make this possible, the accepting means of this virtual articulator data generation device is not only the input of the maxillary dentition image data and the mandibular dentition image data, but also the above-mentioned three types of data used for their alignment. Is also accepted. The processing executed by the virtual articulator data generation device of the present invention generally follows the procedure for performing face bow transfer from the upper bow to the actual articulator. Is not specified in the conventional face bow transfer concept. By this method, the present invention can easily generate virtual articulator data without using excessive labor by a dentist without an expensive apparatus such as a CT imaging apparatus.

In the virtual articulator data generation device of the present invention, the position data generation means generates data used for the above-described alignment. The position data generation means obtains the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference plane in the living body patient from the upper image data and the posture image data, and relative to the virtual reference plane which is a virtual reference plane. First position data, which is data on the position of the maxillary dentition model, is generated. The first data corresponds to information for determining the position of the model of the upper dentition relative to the reference plane in an actual articulator. The position data generating means obtains a relative position of the lower dentition including an angle with respect to the upper dentition from the occlusal image data, and is data on the position of the lower dentition model with respect to the upper dentition model. A certain second position data is generated. The second position data corresponds to information for determining the position of the upper surface of the lower dentition relative to the lower surface of the upper dentition in an actual articulator.

And in the virtual articulator data generating device of the present invention, the connecting means uses the first data and the second data to align the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model, thereby providing virtual articulator data. Is generated.

Since the virtual articulator data generation device of the present invention is as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the virtual articulator data can be generated easily and inexpensively. In other words, according to the virtual articulator data generation device of the present application, it is not necessary to create a maxillary dentition model and a mandibular dentition model as described above in generating the virtual articulator data. The dentist is not forced to introduce an expensive apparatus for performing the three-dimensional imaging, and the patient is not forced to be exposed by the three-dimensional imaging of the head.

Note that the upper dentition image, the lower dentition image, the upper image, the meshing image, and the posture image in the present application may all be three-dimensional images. Similarly, the lower image described below may be a three-dimensional image.
As described above, the meshing image used in the virtual articulator data generation device of the present application is an image showing the meshing state of the patient's maxillary dentition and mandibular dentition. It may be an image that captures the meshing part of the row and the lower dentition, and can be used to mark the shape of the upper and lower dentitions that are occluded between the upper and lower dentitions of the patient It may be an image of a paste for use.
Regardless of which image is used, it is possible to reproducibly record the meshing state of the patient's maxillary and mandibular dentition.

For example, when an image of a paste for marking that can mark the shapes of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition is imaged outside the oral cavity, it is a three-dimensional image using a widely used three-dimensional image imaging device for dental technicians. A meshing image can be taken. For example, the same applies to imaging outside the oral cavity, such as taking a posture image.

The connection means for connecting the bite fork to the upper bow is often composed of a plurality of members. The posture of the connecting means for determining the positional relationship between the bite fork and the upper bow can be determined from the state of the connecting means reflected in the posture image. There may be a plurality of posture images instead of a single image. For example, the posture image may be a plurality of images taken from a plurality of directions, and the posture image data may be for each of the posture images, and may be the same number as the posture images.

When the connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, the members may be appropriately provided with a plurality of marks whose positional relationships change due to changes in relative positional relationships including their angles. . When such a connection means is adopted for the face bow, the position data generation means detects the posture of the connection means from the mark reflected in the posture image obtained from the posture image data. It may be. By doing so, it becomes easy for the position data generating means to detect the attitude of the connecting means from the attitude image.

When the connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, the members may be colored so that the appearance changes depending on the relative positional change including the angles. When such a connection means is adopted for the face bow, the position data generation means detects the attitude of the connection means from the color reflected in the attitude image obtained from the attitude image data. It may be. This also makes it easy for the position data generating means to detect the attitude of the connecting means from the attitude image.

The inventor of the present application also provides the following method capable of obtaining the same effect as the above virtual articulator data generation device.

The method applies an upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with respect to a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a curable material. A bite fork that can be fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust the positional relationship including the relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A virtual articulator data generation device having a computer that can generate virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of a facebow that is accurately attached to a patient. This is a virtual articulator data generation method.

In this method, the computer executes the maxillary dentition image data which is data of the maxillary dentition image which is an image of the maxillary dentition, and the mandibular dentition which is data of the mandibular dentition image which is an image of the mandibular dentition. Image data, upper image data that is upper image data that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork and the lower surface of the maxillary dentition, and posture image data that is an image showing the attitude of the connecting means And receiving the occlusal image data which is the data of the meshing image which is the image indicating the meshing state of the upper dentition and the lower dentition, and the upper dentition received in the reception process Maxillary dentition model data, which is data of an upper dentition model that is a three-dimensional model of the upper dentition, is generated from the image data, and lower dentition image data received in the reception process From the model generation process, the upper image data received in the reception process, and the posture image data, the lower dentition dentition model data that is the data of the lower dentition dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition, A relative position of the maxillary dentition including an angle with respect to the reference plane in the patient is obtained, and first position data that is data on the position of the maxillary dentition model with respect to a virtual reference plane that is a virtual reference plane is generated. In addition, the relative position of the lower dentition including the angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusal image data received in the reception process, and data on the position of the lower dentition model with respect to the upper dentition model Generating position data, the upper dentition model data generated in the model generation process, and the lower dentition model Based on the data, the first position data generated in the position data generation process, and the second position data, an assumed positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition with respect to the reference plane in the living body is determined as a virtual reference plane. And a connection process for generating the virtual articulator data so as to reproduce the positional relationship between the upper dentition model and the lower dentition model with respect to.

The inventor of the present application also provides the following computer program capable of obtaining the same effect as the above virtual articulator data generation device.

The computer program applies an upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state where the positional relationship including the relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely defined, and a curable material. A bite fork that can be fixed to the lower surface of the patient's upper dentition, and a connecting means that can arbitrarily adjust the positional relationship including the relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. The computer functions as a virtual articulator data generation device that can generate virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of a face bow that is accurately attached to a patient. It is a computer program for making it happen.

Then, the computer program causes the computer to perform upper jaw dentition image data that is upper dentition image data that is an image of the upper dentition, and lower dentition image that is lower dentition image data that is an image of the lower dentition. Data, upper image data that is data of an upper image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork and the lower surface of the maxillary dentition, and data of an attitude image that is an image showing the attitude of the connecting means. Receiving means for receiving certain posture image data and occlusal image data which is data of a meshing image which is an image showing a meshing state of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition, and maxillary teeth received from the accepting means Generating maxillary dentition model data that is data of the maxillary dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the maxillary dentition, from the sequence image data, and receiving from the receiving means Model generating means for generating lower jaw dentition model data, which is data of a lower dentition dentition model which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition, from the lower dentition dentition image data, upper image data received from the receiving means, and posture image The data on the position of the maxillary dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane, which is a virtual reference plane, is obtained from the data to determine the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference plane in the living patient. 1 position data is generated, and a relative position of the lower dentition including an angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusal image data received from the receiving means, and the lower dentition model with respect to the upper dentition model Position data generating means for generating second position data, which is data on the position of the position, and the maxillary dentition model data from the model generating means, Receiving the lower jaw dentition model data, receiving the first position data and the second position data from the position data generating means, and assuming the upper dentition and the lower dentition relative to the reference plane in the living body. Using the first position data and the second position data, the virtual articulator data is generated by reproducing the positional relation to the positional relation between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane. It is for functioning as a connecting means.

The inventor of the present application also proposes the following face bow that can be used in combination with the virtual articulator data generation device described above as an aspect of the present invention.

One example is the application of a curable substance and an upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state where the positional relationship including the relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. A bite fork that can be fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust the positional relationship including the relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. It is a face bow. The connecting means of the face bow is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are appropriately provided with a plurality of marks whose positional relationships change due to changes in relative positional relationships including their angles. It is attached.

Other examples include applying an upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state where the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference surface on the patient's skull is uniquely defined, and a curable material. A bite fork that can be fixed to the lower surface of the patient's upper dentition, and a connecting means that can arbitrarily adjust the positional relationship including the relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A face bow. The connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are colored so that the appearance changes due to a change in relative positional relationship including their angles. .

The present inventor also proposes the following mandibular movement recording device.

The mandibular movement recording device can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including the relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely defined and is contacted. An upper bow with a flag having an output means for outputting the data of the contacted part to the outside, and a curable substance. A lower bite fork that can be fixed to a patient's lower jaw dentition, and connected to the lower bite fork while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is a lower jaw movement performed by a patient A mandibular movement recording device used in combination with a mandibular movement detecting device having a lower bow having a stylus moving on the flag.

And this mandibular movement recording device is a recording means that records virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, and the output means of the flag moves with the mandibular movement of the patient. A second receiving means for receiving movement data, which is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the stylus, and an image showing a relative positional relationship including angles of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition. A third receiving means for receiving lower image data, which is data of a certain lower image, and a relative positional relationship including the angles of the lower bite fork and the lower dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means; Second position data generating means for generating third position data as data, movement data received by the second receiving means, and the second position data. On the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data based on the third position data received from the data generation means and the virtual articulator data read from the recording means. Drawing means for writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the data.

The lower jaw moves not only in the rotational movement of the cranium centered on the hinge-like temporomandibular joint, but also in the back and forth, left and right with respect to the cranium. To reproduce the patient's bite more accurately, record the lower jaw movement. It is preferable. From such a point, attempts have been made to record the patient's mandibular movement. As an example, the movement of the mandible with respect to the cranium of the lower jaw is recorded using a flag that is uniquely fixed with respect to the reference plane assumed for the patient's skull and a stylus that is fixed with respect to the lower dentition of the patient. It has been proposed.

However, even if the mandibular movement, which is the movement of the lower jaw with respect to the cranium, is recorded using a flag and a stylus, it is very difficult to reproduce it on an actual articulator. As a tool to reproduce the mandibular movement, in general, the trajectory of the mandibular movement by the left and right temporomandibular joints, the angle from the central position of the left and right mandibular heads to about 12 mm forward direction, and the curve of the trajectory are arbitrary Semi-adjustable articulators set in multiple types of variations are used, but the mandibular movement reproduced by it is hard to say that it is an exact copy of that of the patient. Similarly, there is no appropriate method for reproducing the mandibular movement of a living body even with a virtual articulator on a computer.

The mandibular movement recording device of the present application includes recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about the patient's virtual articulator, and movement data input from the flag via the second receiving means, and recording means Based on the virtual articulator data read out from, a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient is written on the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data. By viewing the generated image on a predetermined display, the dentist can easily and accurately grasp the mandibular movement of the patient. In addition, the mark indicating the mandibular movement uses the third position data generated from the lower image data which is the data of the lower image which is an image showing the relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and the lower dentition. Since the position is corrected, the mark indicating the mandibular movement written in the virtual articulator image is accurate, and the dentist who sees the image can easily perform the complicated mandibular movement of the patient who is a living body, And it can be accurately grasped.

The same effect as this mandibular movement recording device can also be obtained by the following method, for example.

The method is such that a positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's cranium can be fixed to the patient's cranium in a state in which the positional relationship is uniquely determined, and the contacted part And an upper bow having a flag having an output means for outputting the data of the contacted part to the outside, and a curable substance is applied to the patient. A lower bite fork that can be fixed with respect to the upper surface of the lower jaw dentition, and connected to the lower bite fork, while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is a movement of the lower jaw performed by a patient A mandibular movement recording device including a computer, used in combination with a mandibular movement detecting device having a lower bow having a stylus moving on the flag A mandibular movement recording method performed.

In this method, the computer executes a recording process for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, and the mandibular movement of the patient from the output means of the flag. A second receiving process for receiving movement data, which is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the moving stylus, and a relative positional relationship including angles of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition. A third reception process for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image to be displayed, and a relative position including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received in the third reception process A second position data generation process for generating third position data which is data indicating a relationship; and the exercise data received in the second reception process; Based on the third position data received from the second position data generation process and the virtual articulator data read after being recorded in the recording process, the virtual articulator data identified by the virtual articulator data A drawing process for writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the third position data on the three-dimensional image.

The same effect as the above-described mandibular movement recording device can be obtained by, for example, the following computer program.

The computer program is adapted to be fixed to the patient's skull in a state where the positional relationship including a relative angle with respect to a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined and touched. A patient who has a planar detection surface capable of detecting a part and has an upper bow having a flag provided with output means for outputting the data of the contacted part to the outside, and a curable substance. The lower bite fork that can be fixed to the upper surface of the lower jaw dentition, and the lower bite fork that is connected to the lower bite fork and that touches the flag in accordance with the lower jaw movement that is performed by the patient. And a lower bow having a stylus that moves on the flag, and a lower jaw motion recording device used in combination with a lower jaw motion detection device Is a computer program for causing a computer to function with.

Then, the computer program moves the computer from the recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, and the output means of the flag in accordance with the mandibular movement of the patient. Second receiving means for receiving movement data that is data about mandibular movement that is data about a portion that is in contact with the stylus, an image showing a relative positional relationship including angles of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition Third receiving means for receiving lower image data, which is data of a certain lower image, and data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means The second position data generating means for generating the third position data, and the movement data received by the second receiving means On the image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data, based on the third position data received from the second position data generating means and the virtual articulator data read from the recording means, It is made to function as a drawing means for writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the position data.

As another example of a mandibular movement recording device, the present inventor proposes the following invention.

The mandibular movement recording device is configured to be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow having a planar detection surface capable of detecting the detected part and having an output means for outputting the data of the contacted part to the outside, and a curable substance is applied. The lower bite fork that can be fixed to the upper surface of the lower jaw dentition of the patient and the lower bite fork connected to the lower bite fork and the lower jaw for the lower jaw movement performed by the patient, A mandibular movement recording apparatus used in combination with a mandibular movement detection apparatus having a lower bow having a stylus that moves on the flag while in contact with the lower bow

And this mandibular movement recording device is a recording means that records virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, and the output means of the flag moves with the mandibular movement of the patient. A second receiving means for receiving movement data, which is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the stylus, and an image showing a relative positional relationship including angles of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition. A third receiving means for receiving lower image data, which is data of a certain lower image, and a relative positional relationship including the angles of the lower bite fork and the lower dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means; Second position data generating means for generating third position data as data, exercise data received by the second receiving means, and the recording means Based on the read virtual articulator data, the mandible whose position is corrected by the third position data in the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data, and the mandibular movement of the patient are animated. Moving image processing means for moving the mandible so as to reproduce it.

The mandibular movement recording apparatus includes recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a patient's virtual articulator, from the movement data input from the flag through the second receiving means, and the recording means. Based on the read virtual articulator data, the lower jaw on the image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data is moved so as to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient by animation. In this case, the mandibular movement is corrected by the third position data as in the case of the above-described mandibular movement recording apparatus. By looking at the image so generated on a given display, the dentist can easily and accurately represent the patient's mandibular movement as if using a fully adjustable articulator. In this state, the patient's mandibular movement can be grasped.

The method includes a recording process for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, executed by the computer, and the mandibular movement of the patient from the output means of the flag. A second receiving process for receiving movement data, which is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the moving stylus, and a relative positional relationship including angles of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition. A third reception process for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image to be displayed, and a relative position including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received in the third reception process A second position data generation process for generating third position data which is data indicating a relationship; and the exercise data received in the second reception process; Based on the virtual articulator data read after being recorded in the recording process, the position is corrected by the third position data in the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data. Moving image processing for moving the lower jaw to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient by animation.

Then, the computer program moves the computer from the recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient, from the output means of the flag in accordance with the mandibular movement of the patient. An image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and the lower jaw dentition, the second receiving means for receiving the movement data which is the data about the lower jaw movement, which is the data about the portion in contact with the stylus. 3rd receiving means for receiving lower image data as lower image data, and showing a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means The second position data generating means for generating the third position data as data, and the exercise data received by the second receiving means. And the lower jaw whose position is corrected by the third position data in the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data based on the virtual articulator data read from the recording means, To function as a moving image processing means for moving the lower jaw so as to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the face bow by one Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the upper bow contained in the face bow shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of a connection member of the face bow shown in FIG. 1. The perspective view which shows the structure of the underbow used in combination with the upper bow shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the diagnostic apparatus in one Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the main body of the diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the functional block produced | generated inside the main body of the diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, the face bow 100 used in this embodiment will be described.
The face bow 100 is used when creating virtual articulator data that is data of a virtual articulator. The face bow 100 is also used when recording a mandibular movement of a patient using virtual articulator data. The face bow 100 is used in these two cases, but the mode is different in each case.

First, the face bow 100 when used to create virtual articulator data will be described. The face bow 100 in that case is configured as shown in the perspective views of FIGS.
The face bow 100 in this case includes an upper bow 110, a bite fork 120, and a connecting member 130 that connects the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120, similarly to a known face bow used for face bow transfer. The face bow 100 of this embodiment may be basically a known general one, but is known in that the connecting member 130 is marked or colored as described later. Different from the face bow.
The upper bow 110 can be adjusted in position including the angle with respect to the patient's head, and the positional relationship between the patient's head and a predetermined reference plane assumed for the patient's head is uniquely determined. It can be fixed in the state.

Although not limited thereto, the upper bow 110 described in this embodiment has a glasses-like configuration as a whole. The upper bow 110 includes a main body 111 having a frame-like shape of glasses. The main body 111 does not contain a lens, but is not limited to a frame of eyeglasses, but is not limited to this. The left and right two frame portions 111A, a bridge portion 111B that connects both the frame portions 111A, And 111C extending horizontally from the outside of the frame portion 111A.
The bridge portion 111B has a hole (not shown) that is threaded on the inner circumferential surface thereof, and the screw 111B1 can be screwed into the hole.
The wisdom 111C is provided with a long hole 111C1, which is a hole extending over substantially the entire length in the length direction.
In the upper bow 110 of this embodiment, one of the frame portions 111A, but not limited to this, an attachment portion 111D is attached to the lower portion of the left frame portion 111A. A screw 111E penetrating vertically is attached to the attachment portion 111D, and a support block 112 is attached to the lower end of the screw 111E. The support block 112 can be rotated about the screw 111E by rotating the screw 111E. However, this rotation is prevented from occurring unless a certain amount of force is applied.

The support block 112 is for fixing the positioning rod 113 (FIG. 2. Note that the support block 112 and the positioning rod 113 are not shown in FIG. 1). The support block 112 has holes (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction. The support block 112 is also provided with a threaded hole (not shown) on its inner peripheral surface perpendicular to the above-mentioned hole penetrating the support block 112 in the front-rear direction. 112A is screwed together. The positioning rod 113 includes a horizontal portion 113A that is generally horizontal when the face bow 100 is used, and a vertical portion 113B that is generally vertical when the face bow 100 is used. A positioning sphere 113B1 that is pressed against the patient's nose when the face bow 100 is used is attached to the upper end of the vertical portion 113B. The positioning rod 113 is inserted into the above-mentioned hole penetrating the support block 112 through the horizontal portion 113A. The horizontal portion 113A of the positioning rod 113 is configured to be able to move back and forth in the hole and to rotate around the axis with the center as an axis. The horizontal portion 113A comes into contact with the tip of the screw 112A tightened by rotating. When the screw 112A is tightened by rotating, the horizontal portion 113A is sandwiched between the inner surface of the above-described hole penetrating the support block 112 in the front-rear direction and the screw 112A, and the position in any front-rear direction and any axis thereof It can be fixed to the support block 112 while maintaining the surrounding angle. If the screw 112A is loosened, it is naturally released.

Considering that the support block 112 can rotate in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the mounting portion 111D, the vertical portion 113B of the positioning rod 113 can rotate in the horizontal direction around the support block 112, and can also be supported. It can move back and forth relative to the block 112 and can rotate about its axis.
Similar to the temples of general glasses, temples 114 that are put on both ears of the patient when the face bow 100 is used are attached to the wisdom 111C. The temple 114 includes a front temple portion 114A near the end 111C and a rear temple portion 114B attached to the front temple portion 114A.

A hole threaded in the inner peripheral surface (not shown) is formed in the front surface of the front temple portion 114A in the length direction of the temple 114. A long hole 111C1 provided in the end 111C is penetrated by the screw 114A1, and the tip of the screw 114A1 is screwed into the above-described hole formed in the front surface of the front temple portion 114A. When the screw 114A1 is loosened, the screw 114A1 and the front temple portion 114A (in short, the temple 114) can move in a substantially horizontal direction along the long hole 111C1. When the screw 114A1 is rotated and tightened, the wisdom 111C is sandwiched between the rear surface of the head provided on the front side of the screw 114A1 and the front surface of the front temple portion 114A. That is, the temple 114 can move along the length direction of the wisdom 111C and can be fixed to the wisdom 111C at an arbitrary position.

The rear temple portion 114B can move back and forth with respect to the front temple portion 114A, whereby the entire length of the temple 114 can be changed. Any mechanism may be employed for allowing the rear temple portion 114B to be moved back and forth with respect to the front temple portion 114A. In this embodiment, a so-called rack and pinion structure is employed. ing. Although illustration is omitted, the front temple portion 114A has a built-in rack along the length direction of the front temple portion 114A, and the screw 114B1 attached to the rear temple portion 114B is also omitted from illustration. A pinion is installed. By rotating the screw 114B1, the screw 114B1 meshed with the rack moves back and forth relative to the rack, so that the rear temple portion 114B moves back and forth relative to the front temple portion 114A.

The flag 115 is detachably attached to the rear temple portion 114B. The flag 115 includes a planar sensor portion 115A and a frame 115B surrounding the sensor portion 115A. The flag 115 can be detachably fixed to the rear temple portion 114B by being screwed to the rear temple portion 114B via a screw 115C. The sensor unit 115A can detect a part that is in contact with a needle-like part of a stylus, which will be described later, and can output part data about the part in substantially real time. As will be described later, electric power is supplied to the needle-like portion, and the sensor portion 115A detects the portion energized with the needle-like portion as a portion that is in contact with the needle-like portion. Yes. However, the sensor unit 115 </ b> A may be configured to detect a portion in contact with the needle-like part based on other parameters such as pressure applied from the needle-like part. The flag 115 is connected to the cable 115D, and the tip thereof is connected to a computer described later. The site data is sent to the computer via the cable 115D.

The bite fork 120 is fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition when the facebow 100 is used. The bite fork 120 includes a bite fork main body 121 that is fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition, and a connection portion 122 that fixes the lower end of the bite fork main body 121 and the connection member 130. The connecting portion 122 is a plate-like body and has a hole (not shown).
The bite fork body 121 and the lower surface of the upper dentition are fixed by a known method, for example, by applying a modeling compound to the upper surface of the bite fork main body 121 and pressing the bite fork main body 121 against the lower surface of the upper dentition. .
The connection member 130 is for connecting the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120. The connection member 130 includes an upper member 131, a lower member 132, and an intermediate member 133.

The upper member 131 includes an upper mounting portion 131A, an upper connecting rod 131B, and a ball 131C. The upper mounting portion 131 </ b> A is for fixing to the upper bow 110. The upper mounting portion 131A has a hole (not shown). The upper mounting portion 131A is tightened by screwing the tip of the screw 111B1 penetrating the hole of the upper mounting portion 131A into the hole of the bridge portion 111B with the hole corresponding to the hole of the bridge portion 111B described above. , Fixed to the upper bow 110. The upper connecting rod 131B connects the upper mounting portion 131A and the ball 131C. The ball 131C is a metal sphere.
The lower member 132 includes a lower mounting portion 132A, a lower connecting rod 132B, and a ball 132C. The lower attachment portion 132A is for fixing to the bite fork 120. The lower mounting portion 132A has a hole (not shown) threaded on its inner peripheral surface. The lower mounting portion 132 is tightened by screwing the tip of the screw 132B1 penetrating the hole of the connecting portion 122 into the hole of the lower mounting portion 132A with the hole corresponding to the hole of the connecting portion 122 described above. Thus, the bite fork 120 is fixed. The lower connecting rod 132B connects the lower mounting portion 132A and the ball 132C. The ball 132C is a metal sphere.

The intermediate member 133 enters between the upper member 131 and the lower member 132 and couples them together. The intermediate member 133 includes a first member 133A and a second member 133B that are coaxially disposed and are both cylindrical. The first member 133A is provided with an upper receiving portion 133A2 having a receiving hole 133A1 for receiving the ball 131C of the upper member 131. The second member 133B is provided with a lower receiving portion 133B2 having a receiving hole 133B1 for receiving the ball 132C of the lower member 132. The receiving hole 133A1 of the upper receiving portion 133A2 and the ball 131C form a ball joint by their combination, and the receiving hole 133B1 of the lower receiving portion 133B2 and the ball 132C form a ball joint by their combination. The first member 133A and the second member 133B can be rotated around each other about their common axis. A lever 134 is connected to the second member 133B. Due to the rotation of the lever 134, the rotation of the ball 131C with respect to the receiving hole 133A1 of the upper receiving portion 133A2, the rotation of the ball 133C with respect to the receiving hole 133B1 of the lower receiving portion 133B2, and the mutual relationship between the first member 133A and the second member 133B. It is possible to determine whether the rotation is allowed or not. When the lever 134 is loosened, the two ball joints become free and the first member 133A and the second member 133B are allowed to rotate with each other. When the lever 134 is tightened, the two ball joints are locked and the first ball joint is locked. The first member 133A and the second member 133B are also locked with each other and cannot rotate with each other.

The upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120 are connected to each other by the connecting member 130 as described above. Since the connecting member 130 has two ball joints and mutual rotation between the first member 133A and the second member 133B is allowed, the angle between the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120 is The positional relationship including can be freely adjusted, and the positional relationship can be fixed.
The connecting member 130 is marked as described above, or otherwise colored, or both.
The mark or color indicates the posture of the connecting member 130 composed of a plurality of members, in other words, the positional relationship of the ball 131C with respect to the receiving hole 133A1, the positional relationship of the ball 132C with respect to the receiving hole 133B1, and the first member 133A and the second color. This is to make it possible to grasp the mutual positional relationship of the members 133B from a plurality of images in which they are individually reflected or one image in which they are all reflected. .

If these positional relationships are uniquely determined, the positional relationship between the upper mounting portion 131A of the connecting member 130 and the bridge portion 111B of the upper bow 110 is always determined (although these can rotate with respect to the screw 111B1 as an axis). In addition, the relative positions of the connecting member 130 and the connecting portion 122 of the bite fork 120 are always determined (the screws 132B1 are fixed to each other). As a premise, the relative positions of the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120, including the angle of the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120, are also assumed. Determined uniquely. The marks or colors are such that the relative positional relationship between the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120 can be easily grasped from the posture image that is an image of the connection member 130.

Note that the positional relationship between the upper mounting portion 131A of the connecting member 130 and the bridge portion 111B of the upper bow 110 and the positional relationship between the lower mounting portion 132A of the connecting member 130 and the connecting portion 122 of the bite fork 120 are always in a certain position. If not, the posture image needs to be copied so that the positional relationship between them can be grasped.

For example, in the case of using a mark, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of concentric circles M1 (same lines as latitude lines on the earth) centered on the upper connecting rod 131B are formed on the ball 131C of the upper member 131. While writing, write a plurality of radial lines M2 (similar to the longitude line on the earth) centered on the upper connecting rod 131B and change their spacing, change the thickness of these lines, or A symbol (for example, a number or an alphabet) for identifying the lines is written in a portion necessary for distinguishing them from the lines, and the above-mentioned information written on the ball 131C around the receiving hole 133A1 of the upper receiving portion 133A2. An appropriate number of marks M3 for clarifying the relative positional relationship between the line and the upper receiving portion 133A2 may be entered. A similar mark can be written on the ball 132C of the lower member 132 and the lower receiving portion 133B2. Further, in the intermediate member 133, only the angle between the first member 133A and the second member 133B arranged coaxially becomes a problem. Therefore, the memory is provided on one outer surface and the memory reference is provided on the other outer surface. For example, by writing an arrow, the angle formed by, for example, the upper connecting rod 131B and the lower connecting rod 133B can be captured. If the connection member 130 is marked as described above, the posture of the connection member 130 is easily clarified from the posture image. Therefore, the relative position including the angles of the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 130 is also obtained from the posture image. This makes it easy to grasp the specific positional relationship.

In the case of using a color, for example, the ball 131C of the upper member 131 is colored so that the hue continuously changes in the longitude direction and the brightness in the latitude direction, and is received by the upper receiving portion 133A2. For example, an achromatic color whose brightness changes continuously (for example, the color changes continuously from white to black) may be added around the hole 133A1. The ball 132C of the lower member 132 and the lower receiving portion 133B2 can be similarly colored. In addition, in the intermediate member 133, an achromatic color whose brightness continuously changes in the circumferential direction is given to one outer surface of the first member 133A and the second member 133B arranged coaxially, and the others. An arrow similar to that described above is marked on the outer surface of the other side, or is attached to one of the first member 133A and the second member 133B so that it can play the same role as the arrow. Just add the same color. Then, since the posture of the connecting member 130 is easily clarified from the posture image, it is possible to easily grasp the relative positional relationship including the angles of the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120 from the posture image. become.

Next, the face bow used when recording the mandibular movement will be described. In this case, the face bow uses the upper bow 110 of the face bow 100 described above, which is used when generating virtual articulator data, and the underbow 140 described below. Both are not connected to each other. The connecting member 130 and the bite fork 120 in the face bow 100 described above are not used in this face bow.
The front bar 141 is a rod-shaped body.
The connecting member 143 includes a hole (not shown) that allows the front rod 141 to pass therethrough. The connecting member 143 has a threaded hole in its inner peripheral surface, and a screw 143A is screwed into the hole. In a state where the screw 143A is loosened, the connecting member 143 can move along the length direction of the front bar 141 and can rotate around the front bar 141 as an axis. On the other hand, when the screw 143A is tightened, the tip of the screw 143A is fixed to the front bar 141, and the position in the length direction of the front bar 141 and the angle with respect to the front bar 141 are maintained.

The connecting member 143 also includes a tube 143B for allowing the horizontal bar 142 to pass therethrough. The horizontal bar 142 is attached to the connecting member 143 while penetrating the pipe 143B. The connecting member 143 also has a hole (not shown) that is threaded on its inner peripheral surface, and a screw 143C is screwed into the hole. When the screw 143C is loosened, the horizontal bar 142 can move in the length direction of the tube 143 and can rotate about its axis. When the screw 143C is tightened, the horizontal bar 142 is fixed to the tube 143B.
As described above, since the connecting member 143 has a variable position in the length direction of the front bar 141 and an angle with respect to the front bar 141, the length from the connecting member 143 to the rear end of the horizontal bar 142 is variable. In addition, the position of the rear end of the horizontal bar 142 when viewed from the lower bite fork described later can be freely positioned at all the vertical and horizontal heights.
A stylus 144 is attached to the rear end of the horizontal bar 142.
The stylus 144 is in contact with the above-described flag 115 attached to the upper bow 110 to generate the above-described part data. As described above, the position of the rear end of the horizontal bar 142 when viewed from the lower bite fork 145 can be freely positioned in all vertical and horizontal heights. By appropriately positioning the position of the rear end of the horizontal bar 142, the stylus 144 is positioned at an appropriate position (for example, the center of the flag 115) of the sensor portion 115A of the flag 115 when the patient is normally engaged. Position as shown.

The stylus 144 includes a stylus main body 144A and a needle-like portion 144B. A power line is connected to the stylus main body 144A. The acicular portion 144B is supplied with electric power from the stylus main body 144A. Further, the needle-like portion 144B is given an appropriate elastic force toward its tip from an elastic body (not shown) built in the stylus main body 144A. As a result, even if the distance from the stylus main body 144A to the sensor portion 115A of the flag 115 slightly changes, the tip of the needle-like portion 144B is pressed against the sensor portion 115A with an appropriate pressure within a certain range.
The underbow 140 includes a lower bite fork 145. The lower bite fork 145 is fixed to the distal end of a fixed bar 145B whose base end is fixed to a fixed plate 145A fixed to the front bar 141. The lower bite fork 145 has its lower surface fixed to the upper surface of the patient's lower dentition. For example, the resin is polymerized in a state suitable for the lower jaw dentition by placing an immediate polymerization resin or the like so that it is maintained on the lower bite fork 145 and pressing the lower buccal dentition on the buccal side of the lower jaw dent, The lower bite fork 145, which is adapted, is fixed by a general method such as fixing to the buccal side surface of the lower jaw dentition without interfering with the lower jaw movement with an instantaneous adhesive or the like.

Next, the diagnostic device in this embodiment will be described. Although this diagnostic apparatus is also used for treatment, for the sake of simplicity, it will be hereinafter simply referred to as a diagnostic apparatus.
This diagnostic device has the functions of a virtual articulator data generation device and a mandibular movement recording device according to the present invention. Of course, these functions can be realized as separate devices.
The diagnostic apparatus 200 is as shown in FIG. 5 and is substantially constituted by a computer, for example, a general personal computer.
The diagnostic device 200 includes a main body 210 that is a computer, an input device 220, and a display 230.
The input device 220 is a device for a user, such as a dentist, to input to the main body 210. Although not limited to this, the input device 220 in this embodiment includes, for example, a general-purpose keyboard and mouse.
The display 230 may be a general-purpose display, for example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT display.
Next, the configuration of the main body 210 will be described.
The main body 210 includes hardware as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the main body 210 connects a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213, a HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 214, an interface 215, and these. A bus 216 is provided.
The CPU 211 controls the entire main body 210. The CPU 211 executes various processes as described below by executing the program.
The ROM 212 stores a program for operating the CPU 211, data necessary for controlling the main body 210, and the like.
The RAM 213 provides a work area for the CPU 211 to perform data processing.

The HDD 214 also records a program and data for operating the CPU 211. For example, an OS for operating the CPU 211 is recorded in the HDD 214. The program of the present invention is recorded in the ROM 212 or the HDD 214. The program of the present invention may be installed in the main body 210 from the time of shipment of the main body 210, or may be installed in the main body 210 by the user after the main body 210 is shipped, for example. When installed after shipment of the main body 210, the program of the present invention may be recorded on the main body 210 from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be recorded on the main body 210 after downloading from a predetermined network such as the Internet. It may be what was done. The program of the present invention may be one that causes the CPU 211 to execute processing described later alone, or may cause the CPU 211 to execute processing described below in cooperation with the OS or other programs. I do not care.

The interface 215 serves as a window for connecting the CPU 211, ROM 212, RAM 213, and HDD 214 to the outside, and the CPU 211, ROM 212, RAM 213, and HDD 214 can exchange data with the outside via the interface 215 as necessary. It is like that. As described later, the main body 210 needs to be able to accept posture image data and other image data from an external device (for example, a three-dimensional image capturing camera) or a recording medium on which the image data is recorded. The image data may be received by the interface 215 from an external device or the like via a wired or wireless network. In order to make it possible, the interface 215 is connected to, for example, a USB terminal (not shown) provided on the main body 210, and from the 3D image capturing camera to which the USB cable and one end thereof are connected, Image data can be received via a cable and a USB terminal connected to the USB cable and the other end. Alternatively, the interface 215 includes a reader that can read data from a predetermined recording medium such as a DVD or a memory card, and accepts image data from the recording medium that records the image data put in the reader. It has become.

When the CPU 211 executes the program, a functional block as shown in FIG. Note that, as described above, this diagnostic device serves as both the virtual articulator data generation device and the mandibular movement recording device referred to in the present invention. Therefore, the program in this embodiment makes a general-purpose computer function as both a virtual articulator data generation device and a mandibular movement recording device, for example. However, when a computer functions only as a virtual articulator data generation device and another computer functions only as a mandibular movement recording device, the program to be installed on each computer is a function required for the computer. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is sufficient to provide the information to the computer.

In this embodiment, the main body 210 includes a receiving unit 221, a control unit 222, a model generation unit 223, a position data generation unit 224, a face bow data recording unit 225, a coupling unit 226, a virtual articulator data recording unit 227, a display. A control unit 228, a second position data generation unit 229, and a mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 are generated.
When a computer functions only as a virtual articulator data generation device, the computer main body 210 includes a reception unit 221, a control unit 222, a model generation unit 223, a position data generation unit 224, and facebow data recording. The unit 225, the coupling unit 226, the virtual articulator data recording unit 227, and the display control unit 228 are sufficient.
When a computer functions only as a mandibular movement recording device, the computer main body 210 includes a receiving unit 221, a control unit 222, a virtual articulator data recording unit 227, a display control unit 228, a second The position data generation unit 229 and the mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 are sufficient.

The accepting unit 221 accepts data input from the outside via the interface 215. The accepting unit 221 also serves as accepting means, second accepting means, and third accepting means in the present application.
The data received by the receiving unit 221 includes, for example, data described later received from the input device 220, or image data received from an external device or a recording medium. The image data received by the receiving unit 221 includes upper dentition image data that is upper dentition image data that is an image of the patient's upper dentition, and lower dentition image data that is an image of the patient's lower dentition. Upper dentition image data, an upper image that is an image showing the relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork 120 and the lower surface of the upper dentition, taken with the bite fork 120 fixed to the upper dentition of the patient Upper image data, posture image data that is posture image data that is an image showing the posture of the connecting member 130, and data of a mesh image that is an image showing the meshing state of the maxillary and mandibular dentition And occlusal image data, and lower image data, which is lower image data that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the lower bite fork 145 and the lower jaw dentition. These data about the image are used when the diagnostic apparatus 200 functions as a virtual articulator data generation apparatus.

The accepting unit 221 also accepts site data from the flag 115 via the interface 215. The site data is used when the diagnostic apparatus 200 functions as a mandibular movement recording apparatus.
The receiving unit 221 determines which data is the received data and sends it to an appropriate destination.
The receiving unit 221 mainly sends the data received from the input device 220 to the control unit 222, and sends the maxillary dentition image data and the mandibular dentition image data to the model generation unit 223, and receives the upper image data and the posture image data. The occlusal image data is sent to the position data generation unit 224.
The reception unit 221 also sends the lower image data to the second position data generation unit 229 and sends the part data to the lower jaw movement image data generation unit 230.
The control unit 222 controls the entire main body 210.

The model generation unit 223 receives the upper dentition image data and the lower dentition image data from the reception unit 221 as described above. The model generation unit 223 generates maxillary dentition model data that is data of the maxillary dentition model that is a three-dimensional model of the maxillary dentition from the received maxillary dentition image data. This is equivalent to a model of the maxillary dentition if it is an actual articulator. The model generation unit 223 generates mandibular dentition model data that is data of a mandibular dentition model that is a three-dimensional model of the mandibular dentition from the received mandibular dentition image data. This is equivalent to a model of a lower jaw dentition if it is an actual articulator. The model generation unit 223 generates the maxillary dentition model data and the mandibular dentition model data by applying a known image processing technique using, for example, a polygon.

In order for the model generation unit 223 to accurately generate the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model, it is preferable that both the maxillary dentition image and the mandibular dentition image are three-dimensional images. A three-dimensional imaging camera for intraoral imaging that can perform such imaging is also in practical use.
The model generation unit 223 sends the generated maxillary dentition model data and mandibular dentition model data to the coupling unit 226.
As described above, the position data generation unit 224 receives the upper image data, the posture image data, and the occlusion image data from the reception unit 221.
The position data generation unit 224 obtains the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference surface in the living body patient from the received upper image data and posture image data, and is a virtual reference surface that is a virtual reference surface. First position data, which is data about the position of the maxillary dentition relative to the surface, is generated. The position data generation unit 224 also obtains the relative position of the lower dentition including the angle with respect to the upper dentition from the received occlusion image data, and is data on the position of the lower dentition relative to the upper dentition. Second position data is generated.

These first position data and second position data are used when the upper dentition model and the lower dentition model are later aligned in a virtual articulator created on a computer. By using the first position data, the reference plane and the maxillary dentition model can be aligned with each other so as to match the reference plane and the maxillary dentition in a living patient. By using the second position data, it is possible to align the upper dentition model and the lower dentition model so as to match the upper dentition and the lower dentition in a living patient.

The position data generation unit 224 in this embodiment generates the first position data as follows.
As described above, the first position data is generated from the upper image data and the posture image data. As described above, the upper image data is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle between the bite fork 120 and the lower surface of the upper dentition. Although there may be a plurality of images, since the bite fork 120 and the maxillary dentition are shown in the upper image, by applying known image processing to the upper image data, the positional relationship between them can be determined. It is easy to generate data to show. In order to determine such a positional relationship more accurately, the upper image is preferably a three-dimensional image.
In order to obtain the first position data, it is necessary to obtain the attitude of the connecting member 130 from the attitude image data. The posture image data is an image indicating the posture of the connection member 130 as described above. Although there may be a plurality of positions, since the connection member 130 is reflected in the posture image data, it is easy to detect the posture of the connection member 130 by applying a known image processing technique to the posture image. is there.

Although not necessarily limited to this, in this embodiment, the position data generation unit 224 uses data recorded in the facebow data recording unit 225 in order to detect the posture of the connection member 130 from the posture image data. In the face bow data recording unit 225, data regarding the face bow 100 used in combination with the diagnostic device 200 is recorded. When there are a plurality of facebows 100 used in combination with the diagnostic apparatus 200, facebow data that is data for each of the plurality of facebows 100 is recorded in the facebow data recording unit 225. The face bow data is calculated by, for example, calculating the attitude of each face bow connecting member 130 from the dimensions of the parts constituting the connecting member 130 of each face bow, the marks or colors attached to the connecting members 130 of each face bow. Or, information necessary for obtaining a comparison with a data table is included.

The position data generation unit 224 analyzes the posture image based on the posture image data using the face bow data regarding the face bow in which the connection member 130 is reflected in the posture image. As described above, since the connection member 130 shown in the posture image is marked or colored, the connection member 130 is connected based on the information about how the mark or the color appears in the posture image. There is no difficulty in obtaining the posture of the member 130. In order to determine such a positional relationship more accurately, the posture image is preferably a three-dimensional image. If the posture image is a three-dimensional image, it is relatively easy to accurately determine the posture of the connecting member even if the connecting member is not marked or colored. When the connection member 130 is colored, a plurality of predetermined colors are used so that the position data generation unit 224 can correctly grasp the color in the posture image based on the posture image data. The attached color sample is reflected in the posture image, and the position data generation unit 224 executes a process of correcting the color in the posture image based on a plurality of colors attached to the color sample. May be.

As described above, the relative positional relationship between the bite fork 120 and the maxillary dentition and the posture of the connecting member 130 are obtained.

When the posture of the connecting member 130 is obtained, as described above, the relative positional relationship between the upper bow 110 connected to both ends of the connecting member 130 and the bite fork 120 can be grasped. And since the upper bow 110 is uniquely fixed with respect to the reference plane assumed on the patient's head, it is practically possible to grasp the relative positional relationship between the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120. This means that the relative positional relationship between the reference plane and the bite fork 120 can be grasped. As described above, since the relative positional relationship between the bite fork 120 and the maxillary dentition is also grasped, by combining this with the relative positional relationship of the bite fork 120 with respect to the reference plane, The positional relationship of the maxillary dentition can be grasped.
The positional relationship between the patient's reference plane and the maxillary dentition thus obtained is reproduced as the positional relation between the virtual reference plane, which is a virtual reference plane in the virtual articulator formed on the computer, and the maxillary dentition model. Therefore, it is used as the first position data that is data about the mutual positions of the virtual reference plane and the maxillary dentition model.

The position data generation unit 224 in this embodiment generates the second position data as follows.
As described above, the second position data is generated from the occlusal image data. As described above, the occlusal image data is an image showing a state of meshing between the upper dentition and the lower dentition. The occlusal image may show multiple occlusal and mandibular dentitions (which may be part of them) in the occlusion image, or the patient's maxillary and mandibular dentitions. The marking paste that can mark the shape of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition that are occluded between the upper and lower jaws is shown by applying known image processing to the occlusal image data. It is easy to generate the second position data indicating the mutual positional relationship of the dentition.

In order to determine such a positional relationship more accurately, it is preferable that the posture image is a three-dimensional image.
The position data generation unit 224 sends the first position data and the second position data generated as described above to the combining unit 226.
The coupling unit 226 receives the maxillary dentition model data and the mandibular dentition model data from the model generation unit 223. The combining unit 226 also receives the first position data and the second position data from the position data generation unit 224.
The coupling unit 226 uses these to generate virtual articulator data for the virtual articulator. The virtual articulator is a three-dimensional image of an actual articulator. In the virtual articulator, the models of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition in the actual articulator are replaced with the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model.

Then, the alignment of the maxillary dentition with respect to the reference plane in the articulator is executed as the alignment of the maxillary dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane in the virtual articulator. For the alignment, first position data, which is data about the mutual positions of the virtual reference plane and the maxillary dentition model, is used.
Further, the positioning of the lower surface of the upper dentition and the upper surface of the lower dentition in the articulator is performed as the alignment of the lower surface of the upper dentition model and the upper surface of the lower dentition model in the virtual articulator. For the alignment, second position data indicating the mutual positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition is used.
As described above, virtual articulator data for the virtual articulator is generated. For example, the virtual articulator can open and close the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with a virtual temporomandibular joint as an axis. Such image processing is also possible using known techniques.

The coupling unit 226 sends the virtual articulator data to the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 and the display control unit 228.
The virtual articulator data recording unit 227 records virtual articulator data. Virtual articulator data is generally recorded in the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 together with data specifying which patient the virtual articulator belongs to.
The display control unit 228 controls the display 230. Upon receiving the virtual articulator data, the display control unit 228 creates, for example, moving image data for displaying the virtual articulator on the display 230 based on the virtual articulator data, and sends the image data to the display 230 via the interface 215. .

Thereby, the image of the virtual articulator is displayed on the display 230 by, for example, a moving image.
The second position data generation unit 229 receives the lower image data from the reception unit 221 as described above.
The second position data generation unit 229 is similar to the position data generation unit 224 that determines the positional relationship including the angle between the upper dentition and the bite fork 120 from the upper image. A relative positional relationship including an angle is obtained, and third positional data that is data about the positional relationship is generated.
The second position data generation unit 229 sends the third position data to the mandibular movement image data generation unit 230.

The mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 receives the part data from the reception unit 221 as described above. The site data is a signal sent from the flag 115 of the face bow 100 including the underbow 140 used when recording the mandibular movement, and the needle-like portion 144B of the stylus 144 that is in contact with the sensor portion 115A of the flag 115. It is the data which shows the position of.

The flag 115 is fixed to the upper bow 110 fixed to the patient's head. The stylus 144 is fixed to an underbow 140 fixed by a lower bite fork 145 on the upper surface of a lower jaw dentition that is a part of the lower jaw of the patient. The upper bow 110 and the underbow 140 are not connected to each other. When the patient performs a mandibular movement, the entire underbow 140 moves according to the mandibular movement, and the needle-like part 144B of the stylus 144 traces the sensor part 115A of the flag 115 according to the mandibular movement. That is, the above-mentioned part data is data representing mandibular movement.

The mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 receives the part data, receives the third position data from the second position data generation unit 229, and reads out the virtual articulator data from the virtual articulator data recording unit 227. Then, on the image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data, the relative positional relationship between the lower bite fork 145 and the lower dentition based on the third position data (that is, the stylus 144 and the lower dentition). Execute the process of writing the mark indicating the patient's mandibular movement after correcting the relative positional relationship of the upper surface, or reproduce the patient's mandibular movement by animation of the mandible on the virtual articulator image In this way, processing for mandibular movement is executed, and mandibular movement image data, which is data generated as a result of these processes, is generated.

The mandibular movement data generating unit 230 is configured to send the generated mandibular movement image data to the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 and the display control unit 228.
In this embodiment, the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 records mandibular movement image data in addition to the virtual articulator data. In this embodiment, the display control unit 228 displays not only the above-described virtual articulator image but also a virtual articulator image in which a mark indicating the patient's mandibular movement based on the mandibular movement image data is written. An image of a moving image in which the lower jaw on the image of the articulator is moved so as to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient is displayed on the display 230.

Next, a method for diagnosing with the diagnostic apparatus described above will be described.
The diagnostic device can generate virtual articulator data and record mandibular movement. These will be described in order.
In generating virtual articulator data, first, a patient's maxillary dentition image, mandibular dentition image, and occlusion image are taken, and maxillary dentition image data, mandibular dentition image data, and occlusion image Generate data and. This process may be performed any time as long as the face bow 100 is not fixed to the patient.

As described above, the maxillary dentition image reflects the maxillary dentition, for example, a three-dimensional image, which is sufficient to generate the maxillary dentition model later. Is done.
The lower dentition image is, for example, a three-dimensional image in which the lower dentition is reflected, and is sufficient to generate a lower dentition model later, and may be a plurality of images in some cases.
The meshing image is an image that can grasp the relative position of the lower dentition including the angle with respect to the upper dentition, and the second position data on the relative position of the lower dentition with respect to the upper dentition is later described. It is sufficient to generate, and in some cases, a plurality of images. The occlusal image shows the maxillary and mandibular dentitions (possibly part of them), or the maxillary dentition occluded between the patient's maxillary and mandibular dentition And there is a marking paste that can mark the shape of the lower dentition.

Next, the face bow 100 is attached to the patient's head.
The method of attaching the face bow 100 to the patient's head is not different from the case of the general face bow 100.
In this embodiment, the upper bow 110 is positioned so that the two temples 114 are placed on the patient's ears, the bridge part 111B is placed on the patient's nose muscles, and the frame part 111A of the main body part 111 is correctly positioned in front of the patient's eyes. It is assumed that the vertical portion 113B of the rod 113 is correctly positioned on the patient's nose. For this purpose, it is also common to adjust the position of the temple 114 and the positioning rod 113 with respect to the main body 111 and the position of the rear temple portion 114B with respect to the front temple portion 114A of the temple 114 according to the dimensions of the patient's face. The same as the case of the bow 100. By doing so, the upper bow 110 is uniquely positioned in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference plane of the patient's head. At this time, the flag 115 may not be attached to the temple 114.

On the other hand, for example, a modeling compound is applied to the upper surface of the bite fork 120, and the upper surface of the bite fork 120 is fixed to the lower surface of the patient's maxillary dentition.
Then, the upper end and the lower end of the connection member 130 are connected to the upper bow 110 and the bite fork 120, respectively. At this time, the posture of the connection member 130 is appropriately corrected so that such a connection can be made naturally. When such connection is made, the upper attachment portion 131A of the connection member 130 and the bridge portion 111B of the upper bow 110 are set in a predetermined positional relationship, and the lower attachment portion 132A of the connection member 130 and the bite fork 120 are provided. The positional relationship of the connecting portion 122 is set to a predetermined positional relationship.
When the face bow 100 is attached to the patient as described above, the upper image and the posture image are taken, and the upper image data and the posture image data are generated.

The upper image is, for example, a three-dimensional image in which they (at least a part thereof) are reflected so that the relative positional relationship including the angle between the upper dentition and the bite fork 120 can be grasped. It is sufficient to generate the first position data later together with the posture image, and in some cases, it is a plurality of images.
The posture image data is, for example, a three-dimensional image in which the connection unit 130 is reflected so that the posture of the connection unit 130 can be grasped, and the first position data is generated later together with the upper image. In some cases, a plurality of images are used.
Next, a process for generating virtual articulator data is executed in the diagnostic apparatus 200.
First, information such as the patient's name for identifying the patient is input from the input device 220. The information input from the input device 220 is sent from the interface 215 to the control unit 222.
The control unit 222 records the information in the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 as information for specifying a patient for whom virtual articulator data is to be created.
Next, various image data are input to the diagnostic apparatus 200.

Specifically, maxillary dentition image data that is data of the maxillary dentition image, mandibular dentition image data that is data of the mandibular dentition image, occlusion image data that is data of the mesh image, and upper image Upper image data, which is data, and posture image data, which is posture image data, are input. These are input from an external device or via a predetermined recording medium, but in any case, they are received by the reception unit 221 via the interface 215.
It is not always necessary to input these image data at once or continuously. For example, each time such data is generated, the data may be input to the reception unit 221.
The accepting unit 221 sends the maxillary dentition image data and the mandibular dentition image data to the model generation unit 223, and sends the upper image data, the posture image data, and the occlusion image data to the position data generation unit 224.

The model generation unit 223 that has received the maxillary dentition image data and the mandibular dentition image data from the receiving unit 221 has maxillary teeth that are data of the maxillary dentition model that is a three-dimensional model of the maxillary dentition from the maxillary dentition image data. In addition to generating row model data, lower row dentition model data, which is data of the lower row dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower row of dentition, is generated from the lower row dentition image data.
The model generation unit 223 sends the generated upper dentition model data and lower dentition model data to the combining unit 226.
The position data generation unit 224 that has received the upper image data, the posture image data, and the occlusion image data from the reception unit 221 generates first position data from the upper image data and the posture image data, and from the occlusion image data. Second position data is generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the first position data is created, data recorded in the facebow data recording unit 225 is used. When there are a plurality of data about the facebow recorded in the facebow data recording unit 225, the data about the facebow used by the patient is selected from the plurality of data, and then the position data generation unit Read to 224. Information necessary for the selection to identify the face bow used by the patient is sent from the input device 220 operated by the dentist to the control unit 222 via the interface 215, and the position from the control unit 222, for example. This is transmitted to the data generation unit 224. The position data generation unit 224 can select data about the face bow to be read out from a plurality of data based on the information.

The position data generation unit 224 sends the generated first position data and second position data to the combining unit 226.
The combination unit 226 that receives the maxillary dentition model data and the mandibular dentition model data from the model generation unit 223 and receives the first position data and the second position data from the position data generation unit 224, based on them Virtual articulator data for the virtual articulator is generated.
The coupling unit 226 sends the virtual articulator data to the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 and the display control unit 228.
The virtual articulator data recording unit 227 records the virtual articulator data sent from the coupling unit 226. Basically, the virtual articulator data is recorded in the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 together with information for identifying a patient for which the virtual articulator data was previously recorded in the virtual articulator data recording unit 227. To be recorded.

Upon receiving the virtual articulator data from the coupling unit 226, the display control unit 228 creates, for example, moving image data for displaying the virtual articulator on the display 230 based on the virtual articulator data, and sends the image data via the interface 215. Send to display 230.
Thereby, the image of the virtual articulator is displayed on the display 230 as a moving image, for example.
Next, recording of mandibular movement will be described.

When recording mandibular movement, the underbow 140, and more particularly the lower bite fork 145 of the underbow 140, is secured to the patient's lower dentition.
Then, the connection member 143, the horizontal bar 142, and the like are adjusted so that the relative positional relationship of the stylus 144 with respect to the flag 115 becomes a predetermined appropriate relationship. For example, when the patient naturally meshes the upper dentition and the lower dentition, the adjustment described above is performed so that the needle-like portion 144B of the stylus 144 is in contact with the center of the sensor portion 115A of the flag 115 with an appropriate pressure. Do.
Next, the lower image is captured, and lower image data for the lower image is generated. In the lower image, the lower bite fork 145 and at least a part of the lower jaw dentition are reflected, and the relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork 145 and the lower jaw dentition can be grasped from the lower image. To do.
Next, the lower image data is sent to the diagnostic apparatus 200. The lower image data is received by the receiving unit 221 and sent to the second position data generating unit 229.

The second position data generation unit 229 obtains a relative positional relationship including the angle between the lower jaw dentition and the lower bite fork 145, and generates third position data that is data about the positional relationship. The second position data generation unit 229 sends the third position data to the mandibular movement image data generation unit 230.
The mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 receives the part data from the reception unit 221 as described above, and receives the third position data from the second position data generation unit 229.
As described above, the positions of the sensor portion 115A of the flag 115 and the needle-like portion 144B of the stylus 144 are in a predetermined positional relationship. Further, the positional relationship between the needle-like portion 144B and the lower bite fork 145 is also fixed at least while the part data is generated, in other words, while the mandibular movement is recorded. Therefore, as long as the positional relationship between the lower jaw dentition and the lower bite fork 145 can be specified, the positional relationship of the needle-like portion 144B with respect to the lower dentition can be specified. It is the third position data that specifies the positional relationship.

That is, if the third position data is used, the movement of the needle-like portion 144B caused by the movement of the lower bite fork 145 can be converted into the movement of the needle-like portion 144B caused by the movement of the lower jaw dentition.
The mandibular movement image data generation unit 230 corrects the part data with the third position data, and then, on the virtual articulator image specified by the virtual articulator data read from the virtual articulator data recording unit 227, Execute the process of writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement, or execute the process of moving the mandible on the virtual articulator image to reproduce the patient's mandibular movement by animation, and generate the results of those processes Mandibular movement image data that is the generated data is generated.
The mandibular movement data generation unit 230 sends the generated mandibular movement image data to the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 and the display control unit 228.
The virtual articulator data recording unit 227 records mandibular movement image data in addition to the virtual articulator data. Preferably, the virtual articulator data and mandibular movement image data of the same patient are recorded in the virtual articulator data recording unit 227 in association with each other.

Further, the display control unit 228 reproduces the patient's mandibular movement on the virtual articulator image in which a mark indicating the patient's mandibular movement is written or the mandible on the virtual articulator image based on the mandibular movement image data. An image of a moving image that causes the lower jaw to move is displayed on the display 230. Thereby, the dentist can grasp the patient's mandibular movement easily and accurately.

A virtual articulator that produces diagnostics or prosthetics in the dental field provides accurate three-dimensional relative positional relationship between the reference plane and maxillary and mandibular dentition in a living patient, creating a model of the patient's dentition This increases the speed of diagnosis and treatment, and allows sharing of virtual articulator data (electronic data) used for diagnosis and treatment of a patient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Face bow 110 Upper bow 111 Main part 111A Frame part 111B Bridge part 111B1 Screw 111C HI 111C1 Elongate hole 111D Mounting part 111E Screw 112 Support block 112A Screw 113 Positioning rod 113A Horizontal part 113B Vertical part 114 Temple 114A Rear temple part 114B Part 114A1 Screw 115 Flag 115A Sensor part 115B Frame 115C Screw 115D Cable 120 Bite fork 121 Bite fork main body 122 Connection part 130 Connection member 131 Upper member 131A Upper attachment part 131B Upper connection rod 131C Ball 132 Lower member 132A Lower attachment part 132B Lower connection Rod 132B1 Screw 132C Ball 133 Intermediate member 133A First member 133A1 Receiving hole 13 A2 Upper receiving portion 133B Second member 133B1 Receiving hole 133B2 Lower receiving portion 134 Lever 140 Underbow 141 Front rod 142 Horizontal bar 143 Connection member 143A Screw 143B Pipe 143C Screw 144 Stylus 144A Stylus main body 144B Needle-shaped portion 145B Needle-shaped portion 145 Board 200 Diagnostic device 210 Input device 220 Display 211 CPU
212 ROM
213 RAM
214 HDD
215 interface 216 bus 221 reception unit 222 control unit 223 model generation unit 224 position data generation unit 225 face bow data recording unit 226 coupling unit 227 virtual articulator data recording unit 228 display control unit 229 second position data generation unit 230 mandibular movement Image data generator M1 mark M2 mark

Claims

An upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a patient's upper jaw by applying a curable material A face bow comprising a bite fork that can be fixed to a lower surface of a dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust a positional relationship including a relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A virtual articulator data generation device capable of generating virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of what is accurately attached to a patient,
Maxillary dentition image data which is data of maxillary dentition image which is an image of maxillary dentition, Mandibular dentition image data which is data of mandibular dentition image which is image of mandibular dentition, The bite fork and lower surface of maxillary dentition Upper image data that is data of an upper image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle of the image, posture image data that is data of a posture image that is an image showing the posture of the connecting means, and a maxillary dentition Receiving means for receiving occlusal image data that is data of a meshing image that is an image showing a state of meshing of the lower jaw dentition;
Maxillary dentition model data, which is data of an upper dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the upper dentition, is generated from the upper dentition image data received from the reception means, and lower dentition image data received from the reception means Generating a lower dentition model data, which is data of a lower dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition,
From the upper image data and posture image data received from the receiving means, the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference surface in a living patient is obtained, and the virtual reference surface that is a virtual reference surface is obtained. First position data that is data on the position of the upper dentition model is generated, and a relative position of the lower dentition including an angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusal image data received from the receiving unit. Position data generating means for generating second position data which is data on the position of the lower dentition model relative to the upper dentition model;
The maxillary dentition model data and the mandibular dentition model data are received from the model generation means, and the first position data and the second position data are received from the position data generation means, The assumed positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition with respect to the reference plane, and the positional relationship between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane using the first position data and the second position data. And connecting means for generating the virtual articulator data,
A virtual articulator data generation device comprising:
The meshing image is an image obtained by imaging a meshing portion of a patient's upper dentition and lower dentition.
The virtual articulator data generation device according to claim 1.
The meshing image is an image of a paste for marking that can mark the shape of the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition, occluded between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition of the patient.
The virtual articulator data generation device according to claim 1.
The connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are appropriately provided with a plurality of marks whose positional relationships change due to changes in relative positional relationships including their angles,
The position data generating means is adapted to detect the posture of the connecting means from the mark reflected in the posture image obtained from the posture image data.
The virtual articulator data generation device according to claim 1.
The connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are colored so that the appearance changes due to a change in relative positional relationship including their angles,
The position data generating means is adapted to detect the attitude of the connecting means from the color reflected in the attitude image obtained from the attitude image data.
The virtual articulator data generation device according to claim 1.
The posture image is a plurality of images taken from a plurality of directions, and the posture image data is for each of the posture images, and is the same number as the posture images.
The virtual articulator data generation device according to claim 1, 4 or 5.
An upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a patient's upper jaw by applying a curable material A face bow comprising a bite fork that can be fixed to a lower surface of a dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust a positional relationship including a relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A virtual articulator executed by a virtual articulator data generation apparatus having a computer capable of generating virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of what is accurately attached to a patient A data generation method,
The computer executes,
Maxillary dentition image data which is data of maxillary dentition image which is an image of maxillary dentition, Mandibular dentition image data which is data of mandibular dentition image which is image of mandibular dentition, The bite fork and lower surface of maxillary dentition Upper image data that is data of an upper image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle of the image, posture image data that is data of a posture image that is an image showing the posture of the connecting means, and a maxillary dentition Accepting occlusal image data, which is data of a meshing image that is an image showing the state of meshing of the lower jaw dentition,
Maxillary dentition model data, which is data of an upper dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the upper dentition, is generated from the upper dentition image data received in the reception process, and lower dentition image data received in the reception process Generating the lower dentition model data, which is the data of the lower dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition,
From the upper image data and the posture image data received in the reception process, the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference plane in the living patient is obtained, and the virtual reference plane that is a virtual reference plane is obtained. First position data that is data about the position of the upper dentition model is generated, and a relative position of the lower dentition including an angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusal image data received in the reception process. Generating a second position data that is data about the position of the lower dentition model relative to the upper dentition model;
In the living body, the upper dentition model data and the lower dentition model data generated in the model generation process, and the first position data and the second position data generated in the position data generation process. The virtual articulator data is generated by reproducing the assumed positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition with respect to the reference plane into the positional relationship between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane. The connection process;
A virtual articulator data generation method including:
An upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a patient's upper jaw by applying a curable material A face bow comprising a bite fork that can be fixed to a lower surface of a dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust a positional relationship including a relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a virtual articulator data generation device capable of generating virtual articulator data, which is data of a virtual articulator, using an image of what is accurately attached to a patient Because
The computer,
Maxillary dentition image data which is data of maxillary dentition image which is an image of maxillary dentition, Mandibular dentition image data which is data of mandibular dentition image which is image of mandibular dentition, The bite fork and lower surface of maxillary dentition Upper image data that is data of an upper image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including the angle of the image, posture image data that is data of a posture image that is an image showing the posture of the connecting means, and a maxillary dentition Receiving means for receiving occlusal image data that is data of a meshing image that is an image showing a state of meshing of the lower jaw dentition;
Maxillary dentition model data, which is data of an upper dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the upper dentition, is generated from the upper dentition image data received from the reception means, and lower dentition image data received from the reception means Generating a lower dentition model data, which is data of a lower dentition model, which is a three-dimensional model of the lower dentition,
From the upper image data and posture image data received from the receiving means, the relative position of the maxillary dentition including the angle with respect to the reference surface in a living patient is obtained, and the virtual reference surface that is a virtual reference surface is obtained. First position data that is data on the position of the upper dentition model is generated, and a relative position of the lower dentition including an angle with respect to the upper dentition is obtained from the occlusal image data received from the receiving unit. Position data generating means for generating second position data which is data on the position of the lower dentition model relative to the upper dentition model;
The maxillary dentition model data and the mandibular dentition model data are received from the model generation means, and the first position data and the second position data are received from the position data generation means, The assumed positional relationship between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition with respect to the reference plane, and the positional relationship between the maxillary dentition model and the mandibular dentition model with respect to the virtual reference plane using the first position data and the second position data. And connecting means for generating the virtual articulator data,
Computer program to make it function.
An upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a patient's upper jaw by applying a curable material A face bow comprising a bite fork that can be fixed to a lower surface of a dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust a positional relationship including a relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. There,
The connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are appropriately provided with a plurality of marks whose positional relationships change due to changes in relative positional relationships including their angles.
Face bow.
An upper bow that can be fixed to the patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined, and a patient's upper jaw by applying a curable material A face bow comprising a bite fork that can be fixed to a lower surface of a dentition, and a connection means that can arbitrarily adjust a positional relationship including a relative angle of the upper bow and the bite fork. There,
The connecting means is composed of a plurality of members, and the members are colored so that their appearance changes due to a change in relative positional relationship including their angles.
Face bow.
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. A mandibular movement recording device used in combination with a mandibular movement detection device having a lower bow comprising a stylus,
Recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a patient's virtual articulator,
Second receiving means for receiving, from the output means of the flag, movement data that is data about mandibular movement that is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the movement of the lower jaw of the patient;
Third receiving means for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower jaw dentition;
Second position data generating means for generating third position data which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means; ,
Based on the movement data received by the second receiving means, the third position data received from the second position data generating means, and the virtual articulator data read from the recording means, specified by the virtual articulator data A writing means for writing a mark indicating a mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the third position data on a three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator to be operated;
A mandibular movement recording device.
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. Mandibular movement performed on a mandibular movement recording device including a computer, used in combination with a mandibular movement detection device having a lower bow with a stylus A recording method,
The computer executes,
A recording process for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient;
A second receiving process for receiving, from the output means of the flag, movement data that is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the lower jaw movement of the patient;
A third receiving process for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower jaw dentition;
A second position data generation process for generating third position data, which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle between the lower bite fork and the lower dentition from the lower image data received in the third reception process; ,
Based on the movement data received in the second reception process, the third position data received in the second position data generation process, and the virtual articulator data read after being recorded in the recording process, A drawing process for writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the third position data on the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data;
Mandibular movement recording method including
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. A lower bow having a stylus, and a cognition device for causing the computer to function as a mandibular movement recording device used in combination with a mandibular movement detecting device. A computer program,
The computer,
Recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient,
Second receiving means for receiving, from the output means of the flag, motion data that is data about mandibular movement that is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the mandibular movement of the patient;
A third receiving means for receiving lower image data, which is data of a lower image, which is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower dentition;
Second position data generating means for generating third position data which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means;
Based on the movement data received by the second receiving means, the third position data received from the second position data generating means, and the virtual articulator data read from the recording means, specified by the virtual articulator data A writing means for writing a mark indicating the mandibular movement of the patient whose position is corrected by the third position data on the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator to be operated;
Computer program to function as.
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. A mandibular movement recording device used in combination with a mandibular movement detection device having a lower bow comprising a stylus,
Recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a patient's virtual articulator,
Second receiving means for receiving, from the output means of the flag, movement data that is data about mandibular movement that is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the movement of the lower jaw of the patient;
Third receiving means for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower jaw dentition;
Second position data generating means for generating third position data which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means; ,
Based on the movement data received by the second receiving means and the virtual articulator data read out from the recording means, the third position data in the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data Movie processing means for moving the lower jaw whose position is corrected to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient by animation,
A mandibular movement recording device.
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. Mandibular movement performed on a mandibular movement recording device including a computer, used in combination with a mandibular movement detection device having a lower bow with a stylus A recording method,
The computer executes,
A recording process for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient;
A second receiving process for receiving, from the output means of the flag, movement data that is data about mandibular movement, which is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the lower jaw movement of the patient;
A third receiving process for receiving lower image data that is data of a lower image that is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower jaw dentition;
A second position data generation process for generating third position data, which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle between the lower bite fork and the lower dentition from the lower image data received in the third reception process; ,
In the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data based on the motion data received in the second acceptance process and the virtual articulator data read after being recorded in the recording process Moving image processing for moving the lower jaw whose position is corrected by the third position data to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient by animation; and
Mandibular movement recording method including
Detecting a contacted portion that can be fixed to a patient's skull in a state in which the positional relationship including a relative angle with a predetermined reference plane on the patient's skull is uniquely determined. An upper bow with a flag that has a planar detection surface that can output the data of the contacted part to the outside and a curable substance applied to the patient's lower dentition A lower bite fork that can be fixed to the lower bite and connected to the lower bite fork, and moves on the flag while touching the flag in accordance with a lower jaw movement that is performed by a patient. A lower bow having a stylus, and a cognition device for causing the computer to function as a mandibular movement recording device used in combination with a mandibular movement detecting device. A computer program,
The computer,
Recording means for recording virtual articulator data, which is data about a virtual articulator of a patient,
Second receiving means for receiving, from the output means of the flag, motion data that is data about mandibular movement that is data about a portion in contact with the stylus that moves with the mandibular movement of the patient;
A third receiving means for receiving lower image data, which is data of a lower image, which is an image showing a relative positional relationship including an angle between the lower bite fork and the lower dentition;
Second position data generating means for generating third position data which is data indicating a relative positional relationship including the angle of the lower bite fork and lower jaw dentition from the lower image data received by the third receiving means;
Based on the movement data received by the second receiving means and the virtual articulator data read out from the recording means, the third position data in the three-dimensional image of the virtual articulator specified by the virtual articulator data Movie processing means for moving the lower jaw whose position is corrected to reproduce the lower jaw movement of the patient by animation,
Computer program to function as.