Rounded Digital Dental X-Ray Sensor Housing Design
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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, especially 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, with a semi-spherical or elliptical shape that includes a handle attachment feature for optimal positioning and a circular or cross-shaped digital x-ray sensor to maximize image area and reduce discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rectangular digital x-ray sensor is used, then the sensor provides a standard imaging area, but it causes discomfort and pain to patients due to edges and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by replacing the rectangular shape with a rounded housing that has no sharp edges or corners. The housing features a curved, ergonomic design that conforms to the natural contours of the patient's mouth, eliminating the painful contact points caused by rectangular geometries while maintaining the functional imaging area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large rectangular sensor is used for adults, then the imaging area is sufficient, but it becomes difficult to accommodate in smaller mouths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a rounded housing with non-uniform curvature that can be strategically shaped to adapt to different anatomical features of various mouth sizes. The housing maintains adequate sensor area while distributing the contact surface to accommodate both adult and pediatric patients comfortably.
3Ease of operation
If a rounded housing is used to eliminate edges and corners, then patient comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rounded housing into multiple components or sections that can be manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled to form the final ergonomic shape. This modular approach simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the comfort benefits of the rounded design.
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 design alleviates discomfort by eliminating painful edges and corners, allowing for broader angles of view and improved patient experience, while the adjustable handle feature optimizes sensor positioning for better image quality.
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.