Photon-Counting Detector for Dental Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT imaging systems face limitations in image quality and exposure levels, requiring additional radiation for differentiation between materials and suffering from equipment positioning and patient comfort issues, especially in dental and ENT applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a photon-counting detector system for extra-oral dental imaging, which uses a radiation source and a first digital imaging sensor to count photons exceeding a certain energy threshold, allowing for reduced exposure levels and improved image accuracy by differentiating between materials based on photon energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT imaging systems use additional radiation exposures to differentiate between materials, then material differentiation capability is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of photon energy threshold dynamically. By adjusting the energy threshold parameter, the detector can differentiate between materials with different atomic numbers based on their photoelectric absorption characteristics at different energy levels, eliminating the need for additional radiation exposures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of taking multiple sequential exposures with different radiation settings with a electronic/photon-counting approach. The detector electronically processes photons at different energy thresholds simultaneously, substituting the need for mechanical re-positioning and additional radiation doses
2Device complexity
If a single large area X-ray detector is used for both CT and panoramic imaging, then device complexity is reduced, but detector cost and performance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single detector that can function for both CT and panoramic imaging by configuring it in different modes. The detector is designed with universal capabilities to handle both imaging types, switching between them based on the examination requirements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the single detector for different imaging functions. The detector can be reconfigured or switched between CT mode and panoramic mode, allowing one detector to adapt to different imaging requirements without requiring separate dedicated detectors for each function
3Productivity
If conventional detectors interpret attenuation of radiation energy at a single exposure, then imaging speed is improved, but image quality and material differentiation capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the energy dimension to the detection process. Instead of merely counting photons or measuring total energy attenuation, the detector measures photon energy distribution across multiple thresholds within the same exposure, providing additional dimensional information for material differentiation while maintaining single-exposure speed
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 approach enables the acquisition of high-quality images with reduced radiation exposure, improved material differentiation, and enhanced patient comfort by utilizing photon-counting technology to address the limitations of conventional CT imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a plurality of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold
Data Source
AI summary
An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining an image from a patient has a radiation source; a first digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a plurality of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold; a mount that supports the radiation source and the first digital imaging sensor on opposite sides of the patient's head; a computer in signal communication with the digital imaging sensor for acquiring a first two-dimensional image from the first digital imaging sensor; and a second digital imaging sensor that is alternately switched into place by the mount and that provides image data according to received radiation.