Offset Bite Block for CBCT Imaging Third Molars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental CT and CBCT imaging systems face challenges in accurately imaging regions of interest, such as third molars and condyles, due to limitations in gantry displacement and sensor size, leading to costly and complex apparatus designs.
Innovation Solution
A dental imaging apparatus with a movable mount and a bite block that offsets the antero-posterior plane, allowing for precise positioning of the patient relative to the imaging area, enabling the x-ray beam to impinge the sensor effectively even when imaging regions away from the vertical axis of the rotary axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the gantry is fixed with a single rotary axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the imaging capability for regions away from the vertical axis (such as third molars and condyles) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of adjustment by allowing the bite block to be offset from the vertical axis. This offset positioning enables regions of interest (third molars, condyles) that are laterally displaced to be imaged, effectively adding a lateral dimension to the imaging capability without complicating the gantry structure
Solution Approach 2:
The bite block serves as an intermediary element between the patient's jaw and the imaging system. By offsetting the bite block laterally, it mediates the positioning of the region of interest relative to the fixed rotary axis, enabling imaging of lateral structures without requiring gantry displacement
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor size is limited, then the device cost is reduced, but the ability to image regions remote from the rotary axis is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the sensor in lateral dimensions, the patent uses lateral offset of the bite block to reposition the region of interest within the existing sensor coverage area, achieving extended imaging capability without increasing sensor size or cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If the x-ray beam center is highly offset from the rotary axis to image remote regions, then the imaging of third molars and condyles is enabled, but the beam does not impinge the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The offset bite block acts as a mediator that repositions the patient's jaw relative to the fixed beam-sensor geometry. This allows the beam to remain centered on the rotary axis while the region of interest (third molar or condyle) is laterally displaced through bite block offset, ensuring proper beam-sensor alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent decouples the positioning of the region of interest from the beam direction by introducing lateral offset of the bite block. This allows independent control of beam orientation (fixed by rotary axis) and region of interest position (adjusted by bite block offset), maintaining reliable beam-sensor alignment while imaging remote regions
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 solution enables accurate and cost-effective imaging of dental structures by allowing the x-ray beam to focus on the active area of the sensor, improving the ability to image previously inaccessible areas like third molars and condyles, while reducing the complexity and expense of the imaging system.
Implementation Method 1
the x-ray source emits the x-ray beam
Data Source
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AI summary
An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus can obtain a radiographic image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary dental apparatus and/or method embodiments can position a subject for dental radiographic imaging by providing a bitable dental arch mounting apparatus to offset the antero-posterior plane of the dental imaging apparatus and the plane of symmetry of the dental arch mounting apparatus. In one embodiment, the offset can be provided by a tilted dental arch mounting apparatus (e.g., relative to the horizontal).