Dental Care Apparatus with Integrated X-Ray Imaging Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental care apparatuses require patients to leave their chairs for extraoral X-ray imaging, necessitating separate spaces and interrupting treatment sessions, and often lack integrated X-ray imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dental care apparatus with a vertically extending arm system that supports X-ray imaging equipment, allowing it to be positioned above the patient chair without requiring the patient to move, and integrates X-ray resources with dental care units for flexible imaging during treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extraoral X-ray imaging is provided in a separate imaging room, then the X-ray device can be positioned away from the dental treatment space, but the patient must leave the chair for imaging, interrupting treatment sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the X-ray imaging system with the dental care unit by positioning the X-ray source and imaging means within the same physical space. The X-ray source is mounted on a support structure that can be positioned above the patient chair, allowing imaging to be performed while the patient remains in the treatment chair, thus eliminating the need for a separate imaging room and interrupting treatment sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dental care unit is designed to perform multiple functions: dental treatment operations and extraoral X-ray imaging. The support structure for the X-ray source is integrated into the existing dental care unit architecture, allowing the same space and patient chair to serve both treatment and imaging purposes, thereby providing multi-functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a massive extraoral X-ray device is disposed in a separate imaging room, then the X-ray imaging capability is available, but it requires additional space and separate appointments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the X-ray imaging system with the dental care unit, positioning the X-ray source and imaging means within the same physical space as the dental treatment area. This integration eliminates the need for a separate imaging room, thereby reducing the total clinic space requirement while maintaining full imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure for the X-ray source is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing the X-ray source to be positioned at different locations above the patient chair. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to different imaging requirements without requiring a large fixed space, as the X-ray source can be moved into position only when needed for imaging.
3Area of stationary object
If the same X-ray resources are arranged to be utilized in connection with at least two dental care units, then space is saved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the X-ray imaging system to be universal and compatible with multiple dental care units. The support structure and imaging means can be positioned to serve different patient chairs and treatment areas, allowing the same X-ray resources to be shared across multiple dental care units. This universal design enables flexible configuration where the imaging system can be adapted to different spatial arrangements and treatment requirements.
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 seamless integration of extraoral X-ray imaging into dental treatment sessions without interrupting the process, saving space and allowing for various X-ray images to be taken without separate appointments, while simplifying the construction of the imaging system by omitting height adjustment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source (14) and an image information receiver (15) arranged on this arm part (11) at a distance from each other, wherein the arm part (11) is arranged to be positioned or to be positionable substantially above the skull of a patient in a sitting position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dental care apparatus which comprises a dental care unit (4) and a patient chair (5) arranged in the immediate vicinity of each other and to which is structurally connected at least a treatment arm (7) for dental care instruments (9) and/ or an arm for holding some other appliance or device used in a dental environment, such as a display (3), and which additionally comprises at least one arm part (11) arranged in the immediate vicinity of the dental care unit (4) whereon at least either of the imaging means an X- radiation source (14) and an image information receiver (15) is arranged, in which apparatus (2) the mutual position of said arm part (11) and patient chair (12) is arranged such that the arm part (11) is located or is positionable substantially above said patient chair (5), and in which apparatus said arm part (11) carrying at least one imaging means (14, 15) and/or the patient chair is arranged rotatable by an actuator.