Rounded Dental X-Ray Sensor Housing for Patient Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital dental x-ray sensors with rectangular shapes cause discomfort due to edges and corners, leading to pain and gag reflexes in patients, particularly those with smaller mouths, as they do not conform well to individual mouth sizes.
Innovation Solution
A digital dental x-ray sensor device featuring a rounded housing without edges or corners, designed to fit comfortably in the mouth, which includes a semi-spherical or ellipsoidal shape and an attachment feature for optimal positioning with a handle, allowing for various orientations and accommodating different mouth sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular housing is used for the digital x-ray sensor, then the sensor can accommodate standard sensor sizes and maintain structural simplicity, but the edges and corners cause discomfort and pain to patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the traditional rectangular housing with a rounded housing that has no sharp edges or corners. The external surface of the housing is continuously curved, which eliminates the harmful effect of edge discomfort while maintaining the functional integrity of the sensor device.
2Area of stationary object
If a large rectangular sensor is used, then the sensor can capture comprehensive dental images, but it cannot accommodate patients with smaller mouths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustability through a mechanism that allows the sensor to be repositioned along the long axis of the housing. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the sensor to be moved forward or backward, allowing the same sensor to accommodate different mouth sizes and patient anatomies while maintaining comprehensive image capture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is made smaller to fit patients with smaller mouths, then comfort is improved, but the sensor area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the sensor position adjustable along the long axis of the housing. The sensor can be repositioned to maximize its effective area within the rounded housing, ensuring that even when the housing is sized for smaller mouths, the sensor maintains sufficient imaging area through dynamic adjustment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is rounded to eliminate edges and corners, then patient comfort is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to create a rounded housing that eliminates uncomfortable edges and corners. The continuous curved surface improves patient comfort while the design maintains manufacturing feasibility through standard molding techniques for curved geometries.
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 rounded housing reduces discomfort and gag reflexes, providing a more comfortable experience for patients by eliminating harsh edges and corners, while the adjustable attachment feature ensures optimal positioning for clear dental images.
Implementation Method 1
digital x-ray sensors use conventional image sensor technology, such a complementary metallic oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, in combination with a scintillator that produces visible light in the presence of x-rays
Data Source
AI summary
A digital dental x-ray sensor device includes a rounded, three-dimensional housing that lacks corners, edges, or other relatively sharp features that are known to cause discomfort when used in a patient's mouth. The rounded housing can be spherical, ellipsoid, or any similar regular or irregular rounded shape, and can be formed by ensuring that all curves of the surface of the rounded housing have a minimum radius that is sufficient to prevent features that can dig into the soft tissue of the inside of a patient's mouth.