Intraoral X-ray Detector Positioning via RF Signal Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral radiography faces challenges in aligning the radiation source and image detector due to the detector's position being within the patient's mouth, making it invisible to the technician, leading to misalignment issues that result in poor image quality and increased radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a radio-frequency transceiver coupled with four or more antennae to transmit an interrogation signal to an intraoral image detector, which responds with a wireless response signal, allowing a control logic processor to determine the detector's spatial position based on signal strength, providing real-time alignment feedback to the technician.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the detector is placed within the patient's mouth for intraoral radiography, then the detector can obtain images of dental structures, but the detector position becomes invisible to the technician making alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment indicator system that mediates between the invisible intraoral detector and the technician. The indicator, visible to the technician, provides real-time feedback about detector position and orientation through visual cues (e.g., colored zones, symbols), enabling indirect observation and precise alignment without requiring direct visibility of the detector itself.
2Ease of operation
If conventional aim indicators using visible light are used, then the x-ray source position can be guided, but the detector position within the mouth remains unknown and alignment cannot be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the alignment indicator continuously provides information about the relative positions of the x-ray source and detector. The indicator changes its visual display based on the detected geometry, giving real-time feedback to the technician about whether proper alignment is achieved, thus eliminating the information loss about detector position.
3Productivity
If manual alignment estimation is performed without precise positioning feedback, then the imaging process can proceed quickly, but misalignment occurs leading to poor image quality and re-takes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary alignment action by providing the technician with visual guidance indicators before the actual exposure is taken. The technician can adjust the source and detector positions based on the indicator feedback to achieve proper alignment in advance, preventing misalignment-related re-takes and ensuring both speed and precision.
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 rapid and accurate alignment of the radiation source and image detector, reducing the need for re-takes and minimizing patient exposure to x-ray radiation by providing clear adjustment instructions for proper positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a radio-frequency transceiver coupled to the x-ray source and energizable to transmit an interrogation signal
Implementation Method 2
which responds with a wireless response signal, allowing a control logic processor to determine the detector's spatial position based on signal strength
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
An apparatus for obtaining an intraoral x-ray image from a patient, the apparatus has an x-ray source and a radio-frequency transceiver coupled to the x-ray source and energizable to transmit an interrogation signal, wherein the transceiver is in signal communication with four or more antennae. An intraoral image detector forms an image upon exposure to radiation received from the x-ray source. A radio-frequency transponder is coupled to the image detector and is configured to respond to the interrogation signal by transmitting a wireless response signal. A control logic processor is in communication with the transceiver and provides an output signal indicative of the spatial position of the image detector according to response signals received from the transponder at the four or more antennae. An indicator responds to the output signal by indicating the relative position of the image detector.