Method and system for user interaction in 3-D cephalometric analysis

1. A method for 3-D cephalometric analysis, the method executed at least in part by a computer, comprising:

acquiring reconstructed volume image data from a computed tomographic scan of a patient's head;

simultaneously displaying the acquired volume image data from at least a first 2-D view and a second 2-D view;

for each of a plurality of anatomical features of the head:

(i) accepting an operator instruction that positions a current 3D reference mark corresponding to the anatomical feature without naming the anatomical feature to reduce operator actions on one of the available 2-D views;

(ii) displaying the current 3D reference mark on each of the at least first and second displayed 2-D views for location accuracy assessment in different views and adjusting the position of the current 3D reference mark in any of the at least first and second views, if needed for accuracy;

(iii) subsequently naming the displayed current 3D reference mark representative of a particular anatomical feature using a model or learned data without added operator input;

repeating steps (i) through (iii) to complete automatic naming of a plurality of positioned and displayed 3D reference marks;

automatically segmenting upper and lower teeth;

deriving at least one cephalometric parameter according to the plurality of the positioned and named 3D reference marks and the segmented teeth;

displaying, storing, or transmitting the at least one derived cephalometric parameter;

determining a treatment plan for the patient based on the at least one derived cephalometric parameter; and

performing treatment on the patient according to the determined treatment plan.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

analyzing the 3D reference mark positioning from the operator instructions;

displaying an operator message recommending adjustment of the positioning; and

accessing an operator adjustment instruction for adjusting the position of at least one of the current 3D reference marks according to the analyzing.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a 3-D tooth segmentation algorithm to the reconstructed volume image data.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising displaying one or more reference planes generated according to teeth data segmented from an upper or a lower jaw.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising displaying a jaw curve in one or more of the reference planes.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising displaying, as a shape, a relative tooth mass for one or more teeth that are associated with the upper or lower jaw, wherein the relative tooth mass is indicated by one or more of the relative dimensions of the shape.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising displaying one or more occlusal planes.

8. The method of claim 4 further comprising displaying one or more medial axes for teeth.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein accepting the operator instruction comprises responding to an operator instruction from a mouse or a touch screen entry.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the anatomical feature corresponding to the positioned current 3D reference mark and displaying the name of the identified feature.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the positioned current 3D reference mark on a third 2-D view that differs in perspective from the first and second 2-D views.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an error prompt to the operator that indicates incorrect positioning of the current 3D reference mark.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a listing of one or more reference marks for operator entry.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the second 2-D view is substantially orthogonal to the first 2-D view.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying one or more reference planes generated according to one or more of the positioned and named 3D reference marks.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating and displaying a digital phantom according to the positioned and named 3D reference marks.

17. A method for 3-D cephalometric analysis, the method executed at least in part by a computer and comprising:

acquiring reconstructed 3D volume image data from a computed tomographic scan of a patient's head;

simultaneously displaying the acquired volume image data from at least a first 2-D view and a second 2-D view that is substantially orthogonal to the first 2-D view;

for each of a plurality of anatomical features of the head:

(i) accessing an operator instruction that positions a current 3D reference mark corresponding to the anatomical feature without naming the anatomical feature to reduce operator actions on one of the available views;

(ii) displaying the current 3D reference mark on both of the at least first and second 2-D views for location accuracy assessment in different views;

(iii) subsequently automatically identifying the displayed current 3D reference mark according to its position, and displaying an anatomical feature name that is associated with the current 3D reference mark without added operator input, wherein identifying the displayed current 3D reference mark comprises using a model or learned data;

automatically segmenting upper and lower teeth with one or more segmented teeth being excluded;

computing at least one 3D cephalometric parameter according to the plurality of the positioned and named 3D reference marks and the retained segmented teeth;

displaying, storing, or transmitting the at least one computed 3D cephalometric parameter for pathology diagnosis;

determining a treatment plan for the patient based on the at least one computed 3D cephalometric parameter; and

performing treatment on the patient according to the determined treatment plan.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising responding to an operator instruction by switching between the simultaneous display of the at least first and second 2-D views and a display of a single volume image in perspective.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising accepting an operator entry that changes information related to one 3D reference mark.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising displaying an indicator indicating a landmark that is to be positioned according to an entry by the operator.