Intraoral X-Ray Sensor With Local Exposure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraoral X-ray systems with automatic exposure control (AEC) require complex data transfer and evaluation processes that are performed externally, leading to inefficiencies and potential motion artifacts due to the need for rapid exposure level determination.
Innovation Solution
The intraoral X-ray sensor is equipped with integrated AEC functionality, allowing it to analyze exposure levels locally and communicate this information to the X-ray device, reducing data transfer complexity and enabling faster, more efficient exposure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the evaluation of exposure level is performed externally by an evaluation unit in the X-ray machine, then the system architecture is simpler, but the data transfer complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the evaluation unit directly into the intraoral X-ray sensor, merging the detection and evaluation functions into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate data transfer and external processing, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining system architecture simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary device that not only captures X-ray images but also performs local evaluation of exposure levels. This intermediary function reduces the burden on the external X-ray machine and accelerates the overall processing workflow by pre-processing data at the source.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple exposures are taken and summed to resolve saturation, then the saturation limit is overcome, but motion artifacts increase due to acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit performs preliminary analysis of the scout shot to determine the optimal number of exposures needed before actual imaging begins. This pre-planning allows the system to minimize the number of exposures required, thereby reducing motion artifacts while still achieving the necessary image quality through targeted multiple exposures when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the evaluation unit's analysis of exposure levels to dynamically adjust the number and parameters of subsequent exposures. This feedback mechanism ensures that only the necessary number of exposures are taken to resolve saturation without exceeding the minimum needed, thereby reducing motion artifacts while maintaining image quality.
3Loss of information
If the sensor transmits all raw data to the X-ray machine for evaluation, then complete information is available, but data transfer complexity and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation unit extracts only the essential exposure level information from the scout shot and transmits this extracted data to the X-ray machine, rather than transmitting all raw image data. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for exposure control purposes while dramatically reducing data transfer complexity and bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting the entire raw image dataset, the system creates and transmits a simplified copy or representation of the exposure level information. This copying approach preserves the critical data needed for exposure control while minimizing data transfer complexity and storage 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
This integration speeds up the exposure control process, reduces motion artifacts, and optimizes image quality by allowing real-time adjustments based on sensor-specific properties and user-defined image quality parameters.
Implementation Method 1
digital X-ray image receivers
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to an intraoral X-ray sensor (1) for use with an intraoral X-ray system (3) with an Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) functionality, characterized in that the intraoral X-ray sensor (1) includes an exposure analysis unit (1.2), an imaging X-ray detector (1.3), and a communication interface (1.1), wherein the scout shot or scout video stream received by the imaging X-ray detector (1.3) is analyzed by the exposure analysis unit (1.2) in the intraoral X-ray sensor (1) in order to acquire information on the exposure level of the scout image or video stream and to forward this information via the communication interface (1.1) to a decision unit (2.2) of the intraoral X-ray system (3) arranged externally from the intraoral X-ray sensor (1) for evaluation and decision on further exposures.