Backscatter Dental Imaging Using Implanted Micro-Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging techniques, such as X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, and ultrasound, are expensive, require large equipment footprints, and often use ionizing radiation, which can be dangerous and lead to overexposure issues, limiting their frequency of use and safety in medical and construction applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of negligibly-sized micro-sensors implanted in materials of interest, which use backscatter technology with radio waves for non-invasive, contactless monitoring of structural integrity and state changes, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation and reducing equipment size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging is used to image hard structures in biologic samples, then imaging capability is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to ionizing radiation overexposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ionizing radiation-based imaging systems (X-ray, CT) with a mechanical sensing system consisting of implanted micro-sensors that directly measure structural integrity, stress, and physical state of materials and tissues. This substitution eliminates ionizing radiation exposure while providing continuous monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional imaging equipment is used, then imaging function is achieved, but equipment footprint and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into distributed micro-sensor nodes implanted throughout the material or tissue. Each micro-sensor is a tiny independent unit that collectively provides comprehensive monitoring, replacing the need for large centralized imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces bulky optical and electromagnetic imaging equipment with miniature mechanical and electrical micro-sensors that can be implanted directly in the material or tissue, dramatically reducing the external equipment footprint required.
3Reliability
If frequent imaging is performed to detect issues early, then detection probability is improved, but radiation exposure and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring through implanted micro-sensors that operate continuously or at frequent intervals without the harmful effects of repeated radiation exposure. The sensors provide uninterrupted data on structural integrity, stress, and physical state, enabling early detection of issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes radiation-based periodic imaging with continuous mechanical and electrical sensing, allowing frequent or continuous measurement of material and tissue states without accumulating radiation exposure.
4Measurement precision
If invasive procedures are used for monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from external invasive procedures and places miniaturized sensors directly inside the material or tissue being monitored. This internal placement of negligibly-sized micro-sensors provides accurate measurements while being minimally invasive and comfortable for patients.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables frequent, safe, and cost-effective monitoring of materials like dental fillings and orthodontic elements, reducing the risk of overexposure and equipment costs while providing real-time state information without invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
backscatter technology with radio waves for non-invasive, contactless monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide devices (tags), systems, and methods to determine structural integrity and other states of orthodontic-elements, such as orthodontic-brackets, orthodontic-archwires, orthodontic-expanders, orthodontic-elastic-bands, and orthodontic-power-chains, to name a few, in a non-invasive and contactless way, with respect to monitoring; and using comparatively safe and/or low energy electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves. Negligible-sized backscatter-tags with sensors are implanted in or attached to such orthodontic-elements. Such arrangements may permit monitoring of forces acting on teeth by various orthodontic-elements. Using backscatter imaging technology, the structural integrity and other states of the orthodontic-elements may be monitored; which may allow non-invasive and contactless detection of problems such as cracking, bending, excessive pressure, improper temperature, and/or the like. Additionally, initially unknown locations of the implanted negligible-sized backscatter-tags with sensors may be readily determined upon a given scanning (reading) session; and thus mapped to provide an effective image of the orthodontic-elements.