Single Sensor Dental X-Ray Imaging System Reducing Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging systems are costly and complex, requiring multiple sensors and a ceph arm to produce high-quality panoramic, transverse, and 3D images, while also failing to deliver optimal results for cephalometric projections.
Innovation Solution
A single, inexpensive, linear x-ray imaging device with a high frame rate, mounted on a mechanical system allowing selective translation and rotation, is used to produce multiple image frames during exposure, enabling the creation of panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images without additional arms, utilizing a CdTe-CMOS sensor with a long dimension to short dimension ratio greater than 1.5 for improved angular viewing range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and a ceph arm are used to produce high-quality panoramic, transverse, and 3D images, then image quality and functionality are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single sensor that can perform multiple imaging functions (panoramic, transverse, cephalometric, and 3D reconstruction) by changing the movement trajectory and exposure profile, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and a ceph arm while maintaining comprehensive imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic movement trajectories and exposure profiles that can be adjusted to produce different image types. The sensor moves along different paths (panoramic arc, transverse linear, cephalometric linear) and the system dynamically switches between these profiles to achieve various imaging modalities with a single sensor
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and a ceph arm are used to produce high-quality panoramic, transverse, and 3D images, then image quality and functionality are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single sensor that can perform multiple imaging functions (panoramic, transverse, cephalometric, and 3D reconstruction) by changing the movement trajectory and exposure profile, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and a ceph arm while maintaining comprehensive imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the ceph arm component from the system by using a single sensor capable of performing cephalometric imaging through specific movement profiles, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining the functionality
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but image quality and resolution may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic movement trajectories and exposure profiles that can be adjusted to produce different image types. The sensor moves along different paths (panoramic arc, transverse linear, cephalometric linear) and the system dynamically switches between these profiles to achieve various imaging modalities with a single sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as movement speed, trajectory shape, and exposure timing to optimize image quality for different imaging modes. By adjusting these parameters, the single sensor achieves high resolution images across all imaging types despite the simplified system architecture
4Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but depth resolution and angular viewing range may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic movement trajectories and exposure profiles that can be adjusted to produce different image types. The sensor moves along different paths (panoramic arc, transverse linear, cephalometric linear) and the system dynamically switches between these profiles to achieve various imaging modalities with a single sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the temporal dimension by capturing multiple images at different positions and times, then uses computational methods to reconstruct 3D images and improve depth resolution. This transforms 2D images from a single sensor into 3D information, effectively compensating for the limited angular viewing range of a single sensor
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 allows for the production of high-quality images across various modalities with a single sensor, reducing system complexity and cost, while maintaining excellent image resolution and depth resolution, and enabling compact, multifunctional imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a CdTe-CMOS sensor with a long dimension to short dimension ratio greater than 1.5 for improved angular viewing range
Implementation Method 2
an x-ray source exposing x-rays to an object to be imaged
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
A multi-functional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging system includes a conventional x-ray source and manipulator to control the movement of the x-ray source by translating and rotating, a real time multiple frame producing x-ray imaging device and at least two different exposure profile programs, whereas one of such profiles produces a standard panoramic image and a second of such profiles produces an angled or transverse slice to a the panoramic image. A third exposure profile program produces a substantially linear projection of the human skull by combining two linear projections, one for the right and one for the left part of the head. The sensor is a linear direct conversion operating preferably in the frame mode and producing more than l00fps.