Intraoral Radiographic Sensor Flat Cable Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral radiographic sensors cause patient discomfort due to their rigid design and limited space for proper placement, especially in posterior maxillary and mandibular arches, leading to pain during imaging procedures like bitewing and periapical views.
Innovation Solution
The design of radiological imaging sensors is improved by minimizing dead space on the mesial side and using a flat cable, which reduces stress on the connection and allows for better anatomical conformity, along with local shock absorption to prevent damage and enhance comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid solid-state sensor is used, then imaging quality is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to inability to conform to anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the cable flat and flexible to allow it to conform to the contours of the patient's mouth and anatomy. The flat cable design enables it to bend and adapt to the curved surfaces of oral structures, resolving the contradiction between maintaining rigid sensor quality and achieving flexible patient comfort.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular sensor package is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but patient comfort deteriorates due to non-ergonomic shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by transitioning from a traditional round cable to a flat cable with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape. This asymmetric flat design better conforms to the asymmetric contours of oral anatomy, improving patient comfort while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized production processes.
3Device complexity
If cable exits at traditional location, then device complexity is reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates due to stress on connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by extracting the cable connection point from the traditional end-location and repositioning it to the side of the sensor package. This relocation reduces stress on the cable connection during placement and removal, improving patient comfort while maintaining device simplicity through straightforward connector design.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiological image sensor has an electronic substrate and an imaging chip held within a housing, the imaging chip having electronics that create a dead space, with a cable attached to the housing at a cable button connector, the dead space being at a short distal side of the generally rectangular sensor opposite the short mesial side at which the cable exits the cable button connector. The mesial side of the sensor either does not have a dead space created by electronics of the imaging chip or the dead space found on the mesial side of the sensor is less than approximately 4 mm, and, preferably, approximately 2 mm or less. The cable can be a flat cable with a length of approximately one meter or less that can be connected to a round cable.