阅读说明：本技术 用于编辑全景射线照相图像的设备和方法 (Apparatus and method for editing panoramic radiographic image ) 是由 S·艾克纳 M·赫尔斯布施 于 2019-11-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于编辑由全景X光机(14)生成的检查对象(12)的全景射线照相图像(24)的设备(16),包括：输入接口(36),用于接收全景射线照相图像以及全景射线照相图像的重建数据,重建数据包括关于全景射线照相图像的投影线(28)在全景X光机的X光源(18)与X光检测器(20)之间的路线的信息以及关于图像表面(30)的信息；评估单元(38),用于评估重建数据并用于确定全景射线照相图像的基于与图像表面具有两个交点(32,34)的投影线中的一条投影线生成的图像部段(46)；图像编辑单元(40),用于基于所确定的图像部段编辑全景射线照相图像；以及,输出单元(42),用于输出编辑后的全景射线照相图像。此外,本发明涉及一种用于编辑由全景X光机(14)生成的检查对象(12)的全景射线照相图像(24)的方法,以及一种用于检查患者的颅颌面区域的诊断系统。(The invention relates to a device (16) for editing a panoramic radiographic image (24) of an examination object (12) generated by a panoramic X-ray machine (14), comprising: an input interface (36) for receiving a panoramic radiographic image and reconstruction data of the panoramic radiographic image, the reconstruction data comprising information about a course of a projection line (28) of the panoramic radiographic image between an X-ray source (18) and an X-ray detector (20) of the panoramic X-ray machine and information about an image surface (30); an evaluation unit (38) for evaluating the reconstruction data and for determining an image section (46) of the panoramic radiographic image which is generated on the basis of one of the projection lines having two intersection points (32, 34) with the image surface; an image editing unit (40) for editing the panoramic radiographic image based on the determined image sections; and an output unit (42) for outputting the edited panoramic radiographic image. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for editing a panoramic radiographic image (24) of an examination object (12) generated by a panoramic X-ray machine (14) and to a diagnostic system for examining a craniomaxillofacial region of a patient.)

1. An apparatus (16) for editing a panoramic radiographic image (24) of an examination object (12) generated by a panoramic X-ray machine (14), the apparatus comprising:

an input interface (36) for receiving the panoramic radiographic image and reconstruction data of the panoramic radiographic image, the reconstruction data comprising information about a course of a projection line (28) of the panoramic radiographic image between an X-ray source (18) and an X-ray detector (20) of the panoramic X-ray machine and information about an image surface (30) of the panoramic radiographic image;

characterized in that the device further comprises:

an evaluation unit (38) for evaluating the reconstruction data and for determining an image section (46) of the panoramic radiographic image that has been generated on the basis of one of the projection lines having two intersection points (32, 34) with the image surface;

an image editing unit (40) for editing the panoramic radiographic image based on the determined image sections; and

an output unit (42) for outputting the edited panoramic radiographic image.

2. The device (16) of claim 1, wherein the input interface (36) is configured to receive the panoramic radiographic image and the reconstruction data from an extraoral panoramic dental X-ray machine.

3. Device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reconstruction data comprise a description of the relative position of the image surface (30) with respect to the projection line (28) and/or the movement of the movable X-ray source (18) with respect to the examination object (12).

4. The device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image editing unit (40) is configured to mark sections and/or points in the panoramic radiographic image (24); and

the indicia preferably comprises a color label and/or a frame.

5. Device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (38) is configured to determine a multipart, in particular two-part, image section (46) which corresponds to all projection lines (28) having two intersection points (32, 34) with the image surface (30).

6. Device (16) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the image editing unit (40) is configured to subtract an image value of a first intersection point (32) of the projection line (28) with the image surface (30) from an image value of a second intersection point (34) of the projection line with the image surface, the first intersection point (32) preferably being close to the X-ray source.

7. The device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input interface (36) is configured to receive a first marker position corresponding to a first intersection point (32) of a first projection line (28) with the image surface (30); and

the evaluation unit (38) is designed to determine an image section (46), wherein the image section (46) corresponds to a second intersection point (34) of the first projection line (28) with the image surface.

8. Device (16) according to claim 7, wherein the device has a user interface (44) for inputting the first marker position (48) by a user of the device, preferably by selecting the position of the panoramic radiographic image (24) on the display by means of a touch screen, a touch pad, a touch pen and/or a computer mouse.

9. The device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output unit (42) is configured to output the edited panoramic radiographic image (24) on a display.

10. A diagnostic system (10) for examining a craniomaxillofacial region of a patient, having:

an extraoral panoramic dental X-ray machine having an X-ray source (18) movable around a patient's head and an X-ray detector (20) fixedly connected to the X-ray source; and

the device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The diagnostic system (10) of claim 10, wherein the panoramic dental X-ray machine is configured to generate the panoramic radiographic image (24) by composition of a plurality of single images generated at different locations of the X-ray source (18) and the X-ray detector (20) relative to the examination subject (12).

12. A method for editing a panoramic radiographic image (24) of an object under examination (12) generated by a panoramic X-ray machine (14), comprising the steps of:

receiving (S10) the panoramic radiographic image and reconstruction data of the panoramic radiographic image, the reconstruction data comprising information about a course of a projection line (28) of the panoramic radiographic image between an X-ray source (18) and the X-ray detector (20) of the panoramic X-ray machine and information about an image surface (30) of the panoramic radiographic image;

characterized in that the method further comprises:

evaluating (S12) the reconstruction data and determining an image section (46) of the panoramic radiographic image that has been generated based on one of the projection lines having two intersection points (32, 34) with the image surface;

editing (S14) the panoramic radiographic image based on the determined image sections; and

outputting (S16) the edited panoramic radiographic image.

13. Computer program product with program code for performing the steps of the method according to claim 12 when the program code is executed on a computer.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device and a method for editing a panoramic radiographic image of an examination object generated by a panoramic X-ray machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a diagnostic system for examining a craniomaxillofacial region of a patient.

Background

X-ray examination has been a standard procedure widely used for many years, particularly in the medical field, but also in industrial and other application fields. The X-rays are absorbed differently in structures having different thicknesses within the examination object, so that images of the internal structure can be generated. In medical diagnostics, the interior of the human body can be examined.

In this respect, a single X-ray image may be generated, several images taken from different angles may be combined into a panoramic image (panoramic X-ray machine), or a three-dimensional model may be reconstructed from spatially different projections (X-ray tomography or X-ray computer tomography). The various methods differ in particular with regard to the radiation level to which the examination object is exposed.

In dentistry, images of individual teeth, groups of teeth, or the entire jaw are particularly common. Since X-ray radiation penetrates the human head during examination, the radiation levels used are highly relevant. Almost all dental procedures have an X-ray machine, but depending on the type of examination, different machines are used or different images are generated.

An extraoral panoramic X-ray machine (i.e., a machine without an X-ray source and/or X-ray receiver in the patient's mouth) travels around the patient's head and jaw. For this purpose, an X-ray source is usually attached to one side of the arm and an X-ray detector is mounted on the other side of the arm. To generate a sharp image within the region of interest of the patient's jaw, a specific machine trajectory is used to travel around the head. The machine trajectory thus defines the image surface of the panoramic radiographic image as the surface within the object that is penetrated by X-ray radiation from multiple angles, which surface is rendered as a sharp image (in focus).

One challenge in the use of panoramic radiographic images is the presence of image artifacts. In particular, when generating a panoramic radiographic image of a human jaw arch, in some areas of the trajectory, the radiation passes through the jaw of interest and through the opposite jaw on the opposite side. This may result in the structures of the opposing jaw being superimposed on the structures of the jaw of interest as artifacts in the image. This makes diagnosis more difficult. Such relative jaw artifacts (e.g., bright shadows or stripes) are visible even if only half-plane images, i.e., images of half of the jaw, are taken. Metallic foreign objects or other objects on the patient may cause other unexpected and possibly disturbing opposing jaw artifacts.

To address this problem, the machine trajectory (which may also be referred to as a trajectory curve) may be adjusted. The so-called artifact-reducing trajectory profile has the effect of shifting the unavoidable relative jaw artifact to other image segments not relevant for diagnosis. However, this solution requires a deviation from the ideal radiographic orientation of the arch of the jaw, which may increase the level of radiation exposure and/or reduce image quality. Another approach is to use a three-dimensional approach. In this respect, DE 102010040096 a1 describes a method for generating images from 3D volumes. A virtual dental image is generated from the 3D volume using the volumetric image data. First, a partial volume of the 3D volume is defined, and then a virtual projection image from a particular radiographic direction is generated for the partial volume by computer-aided calculation of the volume image data in that radiographic direction. Thus, a simulated panoramic radiographic image can be calculated without involving the opposing jaw. However, the radiation exposure level of the 3D image is higher and the resolution is worse.

Disclosure of Invention

On this basis, the invention solves the problem of improving the diagnosis based on panoramic radiographic images. The radiation exposure level should be kept at a minimum. In particular, the possibility of examining the arch of the human jaw should be realized.

To appreciate this problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for editing a panoramic radiographic image of an object under examination generated by a panoramic X-ray machine, comprising:

an input interface for receiving a panoramic radiographic image and reconstruction data of the panoramic radiographic image, the reconstruction data including information on a route of a projection line of the panoramic radiographic image between an X-ray source and an X-ray detector of the panoramic X-ray machine and information on an image surface of the panoramic radiographic image;

an evaluation unit for evaluating the reconstruction data and for determining an image section of the panoramic radiographic image generated on the basis of one of the projection lines having two intersections with the image surface;

an image editing unit for editing the panoramic radiographic image based on the determined image sections; and

an output unit for outputting the edited panoramic radiographic image.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a diagnostic system for examining a craniomaxillofacial region of a patient, comprising:

the external panoramic dental X-ray machine comprises an X-ray source which can move around the head of a patient and an X-ray detector fixedly connected with the X-ray source; and

the apparatus as described above.

Other aspects of the invention relate to a method configured in accordance with the apparatus described above; and a computer program product having a program code which, when executed on a computer, performs the steps of the method; and a storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed on a computer, implements the execution of the methods described herein.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be commented on below can be used not only in the combinations specified but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the method and the computer program product may be configured according to embodiments of the device and the diagnostic system described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention it is proposed to receive a panoramic radiographic image on the one hand and reconstructed data of the panoramic radiographic image on the other hand. The panoramic radiographic image corresponds in particular to the respective image data. The reconstruction data comprise in particular the geometric information of the machine trajectory of the panoramic X-ray machine, as well as the geometric arrangement of the irradiators, screen and detectors and the geometric arrangement of the examination object (radiation geometry), and the resulting focal point and/or image surface which produces a sharp image. Furthermore, the reconstruction data preferably comprises information about the geometry on the basis of which the overall image has been generated from several recorded X-ray images.

Based on the reconstruction data, an image section within the panoramic radiographic image can be determined, which image section may comprise artifacts, in particular relative jaw artifacts. The image segment corresponds to a segment generated based on at least one projection line intersecting the image surface twice. In order to determine the respective image section, the image surface and the course of the projection line relative to the image surface must be known. According to the invention, the determined image section is edited. Thus, a section of the panoramic radiographic image is edited, wherein artifacts may be present. Outputting the panoramic radiographic image with the edited image section via an output unit.

In contrast to known solutions for displaying panoramic radiographic images, according to the invention the image sections are edited before the image is output. Editing may be performed before, during, or after the evaluation. In particular, the editing may be performed prior to the image-based diagnosis. It is not necessary to increase the radiation exposure level. No additional images are generated but the already generated images are edited. The accuracy of the diagnosis is improved. The impairment of the evaluation of panoramic radiographic images caused by artifacts is avoided or mitigated.

In a preferred embodiment, the input interface is configured to receive the panoramic radiographic image and the reconstructed data from an extraoral panoramic dental X-ray machine. Preferably, the device according to the invention is used in the field of dental diagnostics. Relative jaw artifacts and/or corresponding image segments can be identified. The accuracy of diagnosis is improved. Qualified medical personnel can evaluate panoramic radiographic images of a human jaw without undefined relative jaw artifacts causing inaccuracies.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the reconstruction data comprise a description of the relative position of the image surface with respect to the projection lines and/or the movement of the movable X-ray source with respect to the examination object. It is particularly advantageous if the relative position of the image surfaces is described, for example, by means of geometric information and/or by means of a coordinate system description. The corresponding geometrical information can also be used to describe the movement of the X-ray source. Such reconstruction data allows for an efficient evaluation and reliable determination of image sections of the panoramic radiographic image which may comprise artifacts. Preferably, the X-ray source is fixedly connected to the X-ray detector, which is also movable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the image editing unit is configured to mark sections and/or points in the panoramic radiographic image. The indicia preferably comprises a colour label and/or a frame. Advantageously, sections within the panoramic radiographic image that may include artifacts are marked. For this purpose, a corresponding frame (circular, rectangular, etc.) or a color label (e.g. yellow shading, etc.) may be used. By marking the relevant section of the image it is shown that any possible artefacts should be noted when evaluating the image within that section or at that point, respectively. In this regard, the markers help to simplify the assessment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to determine multi-part, in particular two-part, image sections which correspond to all projection lines having two points of intersection with the image surface. In particular, sections that may contain artifacts may be fully marked. Advantageously, the image sections are marked correspondingly twice, i.e. on both sides of the panoramic radiographic image. When the panoramic radiographic image thus edited is evaluated, it is thus defined which sections may have artifacts present.

In an advantageous embodiment, the image editing unit is configured to subtract an image value of a first intersection of the projection line with the image surface, which is preferably close to the X-ray source, from an image value of a second intersection of the projection line with the image surface. The editing may particularly comprise the step of subtracting image values. Subtracting the image values may compensate for the artifacts. For example, weighting may be performed. This further improves the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Advantageously, the input interface is configured to receive a marker position corresponding to a first intersection of the first projection line with the image surface. Furthermore, the evaluation unit is configured to determine an image section, which corresponds to a second intersection of the first projection line with the image surface. The marker position may additionally be received via the input interface. On this basis, the corresponding image section of the opposite side is then determined. By simultaneously observing the marker positions and the determined relative sections, an impression can be obtained about possible structures in the relative sections, which structures represent possible artifact sources. On this basis, improved diagnosis is possible, since it can be immediately checked whether the object in the marker position segment is likely to be traced back to an artifact. The diagnosis is further simplified. The reliability is improved.

In an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a user interface for inputting the position of the marker by a user of the device. Preferably, the marker position may be input by selecting a position on the panoramic radiographic image representation by a touch screen, a touch pad, a touch pen, and/or a computer mouse. It is possible that a user, e.g. a member of qualified medical staff who is evaluating, makes an input and directly shows for the input whether and where there are relative image sections that may generate artifacts. Thus, in case a distinct object is present in the panoramic radiographic image, it can be directly and interactively ascertained whether the distinct object is caused by an artifact on the opposite side.

In one embodiment, the output unit is configured to output the edited panoramic radiographic image on the display. Preferably, computer-based output is possible. This allows interaction with the user. In addition, functions of computer-aided display, such as magnification, etc., may be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the diagnostic system, the panoramic dental X-ray machine is configured to generate a panoramic radiographic image by synthesis of a plurality of individual images. A single image is generated at different positions of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector relative to the examination object. It is particularly advantageous to use data of a panoramic dental X-ray machine in which several individual images have been recorded and combined. The accuracy of the diagnosis can be improved.

Here, the inspection object may be any organic or inorganic object. In particular, a part of the human body may be examined. Preferably, the examination is performed with the jaw region of the human being as an examination object. The panoramic radiographic image may in particular be obtained in the form of digital image data. In the coordinate system of the panoramic X-ray machine, the course of the projection lines can in particular follow geometric specifications. The projection line corresponds to an imaginary line between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. In particular, a projected line is understood here to be a light ray that fans out over distance. The projection fan or projection cone advantageously comprises several projection lines. In particular, the course of the projection line may comprise and/or represent a geometric description of a sector or cone. Correspondingly, points between segments may also have a spatially expanded character here and correspond to the intersection region to a certain extent. Editing of panoramic radiographic images according to the present invention may include editing of individual pixels or image values. The craniomaxillofacial region of a patient describes in particular the jaw and/or arch region (dental region) of the patient.

Drawings

The invention will be described and explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to a number of selected embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figure:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a diagnostic system for examining a craniomaxillofacial region of a patient in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a panoramic X-ray image without a complete representation of the temporomandibular joint image;

fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of an examination object in a diagnostic system according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an image surface;

figure 5 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a panoramic radiographic image according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of another panoramic radiographic image according to the invention; and

fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a diagnostic system 10 for examining a cranio-maxillofacial region of a patient according to the invention. The diagnostic system 10 includes a panoramic X-ray machine 14 and a device 16 for editing panoramic radiographic images generated by the panoramic X-ray machine 14. In particular, a panoramic X-ray machine 14 for dental diagnosis (panoramic dental X-ray machine) is shown.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the head of the patient is examined as the examination subject 12. An X-ray source 18, which is movable around the examination object 12, emits X-ray radiation, which penetrates the examination object 12 and is received by an X-ray detector 20. The X-ray source 18 and the X-ray detector 20 are fixedly connected via respective rotatable arcs 22 (also referred to as arms). Typically, the arc 22 is rotatably or rotatably mounted in a position above the inspection object 12. An X-ray source 18 and an X-ray detector 20 travel around the examination object 12 along a machine trajectory. The trajectory of this machine does not necessarily correspond to a circular trajectory. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the device 16 is integrated in the panoramic X-ray machine 14. The device 16 may also be arranged elsewhere. For example, the device 16 may be fully or partially integrated in a separate evaluation computer. The device 16 may be implemented in whole or in part in software. It is also possible to implement the device as a cloud service.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary panoramic radiographic image of a patient's arch 26 that may be generated by a panoramic X-ray machine. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the panoramic radiographic image 24 corresponds to a composite of a plurality of individual images recorded during movement of the X-ray source and the connected X-ray detector around the examination object.

In fig. 3, the movement of the X-ray detector 20 and the X-ray source 18 around the examination object 12 or the head of the patient, respectively, is shown. This view corresponds to a top view from a bird's eye view. In particular, a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the z-axis is shown (see fig. 1).

As shown, the projection line 28 extends from the X-ray source 18 to the X-ray detector 20. The projected line 28 corresponds to an imaginary line, wherein the projection or ray geometry may also be based on a fan-out and a corresponding projection fan-shape or projection cone-shape. A projected fan or a projected cone, respectively, is here considered to be several projected lines 28.

During generation of the panoramic radiographic image, the movement of the X-ray source 18 and the X-ray detector 20 typically occurs along a predetermined machine trajectory, which in most cases does not correspond to a circular trajectory. In order to generate a sharp image of the arch 26, the image surface 30 must be as close to the arch 26 as possible. Image surface 30 corresponds to a surface determined based on ray geometry, trajectory curves, and reconstruction to generate a sharp image of arch 26.

As schematically shown, there is a section where the projection line 28 intersects the image surface 30 twice, thus comprising a first intersection point 32 near the X-ray source and a second intersection point 34 remote from the X-ray source. The image surface is mainly located at the side of the second intersection point 34 remote from the X-ray source (near the sensor or detector). Due to the fact that the projection line 28 intersects the image surface 30 once at the first intersection point 32 before it reaches the second intersection point 34 or the X-ray detector 20, respectively, there is an overlap in the image section of the panoramic radiographic image corresponding to the second intersection point 34 of the projection line 28. In the field of dental X-ray technology, the resulting artifacts are described as relative jaw artifacts.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the image surface 30 in a spatial representation. In generating the panoramic image, the distance of the image surface 30 from the X-ray source 18 and/or the X-ray detector 20 to produce a sharp panoramic image is typically not constant. In other words, an image point or image surface is defined by the positions of the X-ray source 18 and the X-ray detector 20, respectively. The initial characteristics of the image surface 30 in terms of position, form and course result in particular from the movement of the X-ray source 18 and the X-ray detector 20 around the examination object along the machine trajectory. The image surface 30 thus depends on the geometry of the panoramic dental X-ray machine on the one hand and on the selected ray geometry and the trajectory-specific reconstruction (reconstruction data) on the other hand. For describing the reconstruction, a geometric description of the movement of the X-ray source relative to the examination object and/or a description of the image surface by means of geometric data can be used in particular. In most cases, the machine trajectory of the panoramic dental X-ray machine can be predetermined within certain parameters, thereby influencing and/or defining the characteristics of the image surface. For example, a machine trajectory different from that of an adult may be used for children based on the fixed position of the patient's head relative to the X-ray machine to achieve a cycle of X-ray sources and X-ray detectors that is as personalized as possible.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a device 16 according to the invention. The device comprises an input interface 36, an evaluation unit 38, an image editing unit 40 and an output unit 42. Optionally, the device 16 according to the invention further comprises a user interface 44. The different units may be configured in particular as processors, processor modules or software for the processors. The device 16 according to the invention may be implemented partly or wholly in software and/or in hardware. For example, the device 16 may be integrated in an X-ray machine or may be implemented in the form of software in an evaluation computer.

The panoramic radiographic image and the reconstruction data of the panoramic radiographic image are received via the input interface 36. The input interface 36 may be implemented as a plug connection, for example in hardware. It is also possible that the input interface 36 is configured as a corresponding software interface for receiving data. The panoramic radiographic image itself preferably comprises digital image data (pixel values and/or image values) that have been generated by the respective panoramic X-ray machine. In particular, image data is received after the panoramic radiographic image has been reconstructed on the basis of several individual images. In this regard, the data processing of the device according to the invention and/or the diagnostic system according to the invention is based on X-ray data obtained using a (digital) panoramic sensor.

In addition to the actual image data of the panoramic radiographic image, the input interface 36 is configured to receive reconstruction data. The reconstruction data includes information about the course of the projection lines and information on the image surface. In particular, it is possible to receive reconstruction data having a projection line path and a geometric description of the image surface. The geometric description may be received, for example, in a euclidean or other coordinate system or otherwise.

The received reconstruction data are evaluated in an evaluation unit 38 in order to identify image sections of the panoramic radiographic image that are generated on the basis of projection lines having two intersection points with the image surface. In other words, based on the position of the image plane, it is calculated which image sections of the panoramic radiographic image may be affected by artifacts due to the double intersection of the projection line with the image surface. For this purpose, different mathematical geometric methods can be used. In particular, for more complex geometries of the image surface, approximate considerations may be taken.

In the image editing unit 40, the determined section within the image is edited. In particular, editing is understood to mean adjusting the grey scale and/or the color value of a single pixel. For example, the determined image section may be marked by adding a color to each pixel value. It is also possible to create a frame around the determined section or to edit it in another form.

This is particularly advantageous if the artifacts are fully or partially compensated. To this end, the image value of the second intersection of the projection line and the image surface may be subtracted from the image value of the first intersection of the projection line and the image surface. In other words, the panoramic image may be re-projected onto itself. Thus, artifacts are reduced since at least partial compensation is generated in the image.

The output unit 42 is configured to output the edited panoramic radiographic image. In particular, the output unit 42 may be directly connected to a corresponding display device, for example a (touch screen) display, on which the edited panoramic radiographic image is displayed. For example, a display may be connected during a dental procedure.

Via an optional user interface 44, a user (e.g., a member of a dentist or qualified medical staff) can define a location (mark a location); then, in the evaluation unit, image sections corresponding to the relevant relative and/or second intersection points of the projection lines having the first intersection point with the image surface at the marker position are automatically identified. Thus, for example, an image segment may be marked or clicked through a computer mouse or touch screen and then directly visualize from which segment the corresponding artifact may originate. In this regard, it may be interactively ascertained whether the non-attributable objects in the image may correspond to artifacts.

Fig. 6 and 7 show two examples of already determined and edited image sections 46 or of a panoramic radiographic image 24 edited on the basis of already determined image sections 46, respectively. The determined image section 46 may be a two-part (fig. 7) or a one-part (fig. 6) image section. A multi-part image segment 46 may also be determined.

In fig. 6, a determination of a relatively small part of an image section 46, for example a single image point, is shown. For this purpose, it is possible to interact with qualified medical staff via a user interface. For example, the marker position 48 may be selected by a touch screen or a computer mouse, and then the corresponding relative point on the opposite part of the jaw may be automatically defined as the image section 46. Thus, for a particular structure, a qualified dental worker can directly see which segment the relative jaw artifact may originate from. On this basis, it can be identified whether the currently examined structure may not originate at all from the currently examined portion of the jaw. It should be understood that a segment may also be selected as the marker position 48.

In fig. 7, it is shown that larger two-part image sections 46 can also be determined and edited. In particular, image segments 46 corresponding to all projection lines having two intersections with the image surface may be determined. Two sections of the panoramic radiographic image that may be affected by artifacts are marked. The marking may be performed by coloring or framing. From the markers, any interfering or poorly identifiable objects can be directly considered in the evaluation process as being likely to be caused by artifacts.

Fig. 6 and 7 each show a two-dimensional view of a panoramic radiographic image. It should be understood that the processing and editing of determined image sections according to the present invention may be performed corresponding to a three-dimensional view of a panoramic radiographic image.

Fig. 8 schematically shows a method according to the invention. The method comprises the steps of receiving S10 a panoramic radiographic image, evaluating S12 reconstructed data and determining image sections, editing S14 the panoramic radiographic image, and outputting S16 the edited panoramic radiographic image. The method according to the invention can be implemented, for example, as software of a diagnostic system or as stand-alone software.

In the drawings, the application of the invention in the dental field is specifically mentioned. It will be appreciated that use in other fields, for example in medical or industrial radiography, is also possible.

The invention is fully described and explained by the drawings and the specification. The description and illustrations should be regarded as examples and not as limitations on scope. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments or variations will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a review of the drawings, the specification and the appended claims.

In the patent claims, the words "comprise" and "comprises" do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plurality. A single element or a single unit may perform the functions of several units specified in the patent claims. The elements, units, devices and systems may be partly or wholly implemented in hardware and/or software. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent patent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The computer program may be stored/distributed on a non-volatile data carrier, for example on an optical storage device or a Solid State Drive (SSD). The computer program may be distributed with and/or as part of hardware, for example over the internet or via a wired or wireless communication system. Reference signs in the patent claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.