Intraoral Sensor Position Detection for Dental Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraoral x-ray systems often fail to automatically adjust exposure parameters based on the specific teeth or anatomy being imaged, leading to suboptimal image quality and excessive radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses receptor holders and magnetic field sensors to identify the type of image being acquired, adjusting exposure parameters such as voltage, current, and exposure time to match the specific anatomy, thereby minimizing radiation exposure while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exposure parameters are manually set by operator, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but image quality consistency and radiation dose optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies teeth anatomy and selects optimal exposure parameters without operator intervention. The intraoral sensor and processing unit self-determine the imaging requirements and configure the x-ray system accordingly, eliminating manual adjustment while ensuring consistent image quality and optimized radiation dose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes exposure parameters (kVp, mA, exposure time) based on automatic detection of teeth anatomy. Different parameter sets are selected according to the detected tooth type and imaging requirements, allowing optimal parameters to be applied automatically without manual operator input.
2Adaptability or versatility
If exposure parameters are manually adjusted, then adaptation to specific anatomy is possible, but radiation exposure minimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from automatic teeth identification to adjust exposure parameters. The intraoral sensor detects anatomical features, the processing unit analyzes this data to determine the optimal exposure settings, and the system applies these settings automatically, ensuring minimal radiation dose while maintaining image quality for each specific anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously determines the appropriate radiation dose by automatically identifying the teeth anatomy and selecting pre-programmed exposure parameters optimized for each tooth type, eliminating the need for manual radiation dose assessment and ensuring consistent minimization of harmful radiation exposure.
3Reliability
If automated parameter adjustment is implemented, then image quality consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intraoral sensor serves multiple functions: capturing x-ray images and simultaneously detecting teeth anatomy for automatic parameter selection. The processing unit performs both image processing and anatomical analysis, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and managing system complexity through multi-functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-programmed exposure parameter sets that represent optimal settings for different tooth types. Instead of calculating parameters in real-time, the system copies from a library of pre-determined parameter configurations based on automatic teeth identification, simplifying the automation process while maintaining consistent image quality.
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
The system ensures consistent and high-quality x-ray images by automatically adjusting exposure parameters based on the specific anatomy, reducing radiation exposure and improving image clarity across a full-mouth series of images.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field sensor disposed in or on the housing and configured to sense one or more magnetic fields and output magnetic field data based on the one or more magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for determining characteristics of an intraoral dental imaging sensor. A method includes providing an intraoral dental imaging sensor having a housing and a magnetic field sensor disposed in or on the housing, placing the intraoral dental imaging sensor in a holder, positioning the intraoral dental imaging sensor and at least part of the holder in a mouth of a patient, attaching a reference magnet to the patient, receiving, by an electronic processor, magnetic field data from the magnetic field sensor, determining, by the electronic processor, information including a position of the intraoral dental imaging sensor in the mouth of the patient based at least in part on the magnetic field data, and detecting x-rays by the intraoral dental imaging sensor to produce image data.