Dental Fluoroscopic Imaging System Flat Panel Detector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental digital radiography technologies are limited to producing either 2D or 3D still images, and medical fluoroscopy systems, particularly those using image intensifiers, are too bulky for dental use and lack ergonomic designs suitable for intraoral or extraoral applications, failing to provide real-time 2D and 3D fluoroscopic imaging.
Innovation Solution
A dental fluoroscopic imaging system utilizing flat panel detectors and emitters in C-arm/U-arm, O-arm configurations, which include semiconductor materials like amorphous selenium for converting X-rays into electrical signals, allowing for real-time 2D and 3D imaging without the need for image intensifiers, and are designed to be compact and ergonomic for dental procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If medical fluoroscopy systems using image intensifiers are used, then real-time fluoroscopic imaging is achieved, but the system becomes too bulky for dental use and lacks ergonomic design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the image intensifier component from the fluoroscopy system, replacing it with a compact flat panel detector. This removal of the bulky image intensifier directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining real-time imaging capability through digital detection while dramatically reducing system size and improving ergonomics for dental applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection technology parameter from image intensifier-based analog detection to flat panel detector-based digital detection. This parameter change enables real-time imaging through high frame rate capability while simultaneously reducing system bulk, as flat panel detectors are inherently more compact than image intensifier assemblies
2Weight of moving object
If flat panel detectors with semiconductor materials are used, then system size is reduced and ergonomics are improved, but radiation exposure must be carefully managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes semiconductor-based direct digital detection for traditional image intensifier detection. This substitution reduces system size while the semiconductor materials (such as amorphous selenium) provide efficient X-ray to electrical signal conversion, enabling low-dose imaging that manages radiation exposure through higher detection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite detector structures combining semiconductor materials (amorphous selenium, amorphous silicon) with thin film transistor arrays and capacitor structures. These composite materials achieve high detection efficiency for low radiation doses while maintaining compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between reduced system size and radiation safety
3Loss of information
If digital radiography technologies are used, then image processing and transfer capabilities are improved, but real-time fluoroscopic imaging is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time fluoroscopic imaging by operating the flat panel detector at high frame rates (e.g., 30 fps or higher). This continuous detection capability maintains the digital image processing and transfer advantages while adding real-time dynamic imaging, resolving the contradiction between information processing capability and real-time performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static digital radiography to dynamic fluoroscopic imaging by enabling the flat panel detector to capture and process images at video frame rates. This dynamic operation preserves all digital image processing capabilities while achieving real-time imaging through high-speed data acquisition and transmission
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 high-resolution, low-noise, real-time 2D and 3D dental fluoroscopy with reduced radiation exposure and system size, improving patient and operator safety while enhancing productivity by eliminating the need for bulky image intensifiers and adhering to DICOM and PACS standards.
Implementation Method 1
which include semiconductor materials like amorphous selenium for converting X-rays into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
The dental fluoroscopic imaging system includes a flat panel detector comprised by a gamma-rays or x-rays converter, a plate, a collector, a processing unit and a transmitter suitable for 2D intraoral/extraoral and 3D extraoral dental fluoroscopy. The x-ray converter contains a material capable of transforming the low dose gamma rays or x-rays beam received from an emitter after going through the dental examination area into electrical signals or a light image consequent with the radiographed image. The plate transmits the electric signals or light image to a collector which amplifies it and sends it to a processing unit and then to transmitter designed to transfer digital images sequentially to a host computer and software which can acquire, process, transform, record, freeze and enhance 2D and 3D images of video frame rates. Two dimensional images are obtained while using a C-arm/U-arm configuration while 3D images are obtained while using the O-arm configuration.