Dr. David Gane reports

NEW X-RAY IMAGING PATENT ISSUED TO LED SUBSIDIARY APTERYX, INC.; LED SUBSIDIARY ADDS TO ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PORTFOLIO WITH US PATENT DIRECTED TO X-RAY IMAGE ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEMS

On Feb. 28, 2017, a U.S. patent was issued to LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.'s recently acquired subsidiary, Apteryx Inc., entitled "System and Method for Dentition Specific Image Enhancement" (patent No. 9579073). The patent discloses systems and methods for automatically generating X-ray image acquisition and processing settings that apply specifically to the type of patient and dental structure being examined.

When acquiring high-quality radiographic images of teeth and related anatomy, dental practitioners must decide on a number of settings and parameters that relate not only to the image acquisition but also to postprocessing. Appropriate setting of these parameters is critical in generating a final image upon which sound diagnostic decisions can be made. The optimal settings are affected by the type of structure(s) being imaged -- for example, tooth, restorative material, bone and root canal -- and also by the characteristics of the patient -- for example, gender, weight and age. This new patent claims both systems and methods for automating this process: The claimed systems and methods accept as input at least one characteristic of the dentition and at least one characteristic of the patient and automatically generate both recommended X-ray image acquisition settings as well as corresponding image processing parameters.

"I believe this invention will be a major benefit to oral health care practitioners, providing them with valuable decision support to assist them in acquiring high-quality dental radiographs on a consistent basis, which is essential for optimal diagnosis and clinical decisions for patients," said inventor and Apteryx founder Kevin Crucs.

Dr. Dave Gane, LED chief executive officer, remarked: "It has been estimated that up to 50 per cent of dental radiographs are of a poor standard. Easy-to-use automated systems that provide guidance to clinicians in selecting appropriate image acquisition and processing settings are extremely welcome and could have widespread utility." Dr. Gane continued, "This patent adds to Apteryx's growing and already impressive intellectual property portfolio in the imaging software arena."

With this latest addition to the portfolio, Apteryx now has 23 patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and 41 patents worldwide.

About LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.

LED Medical Diagnostics, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, LED Dental Inc., LED Dental Ltd. and Apteryx, provides dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging products and software, in addition to the award-winning VELscope Vx tissue fluorescence visualization technology.