Single Sensor Dental X-Ray Imaging System with Dynamic Manipulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental extra-oral x-ray imaging systems are costly and complex, requiring multiple sensors and a ceph arm to produce panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images, with suboptimal quality and high expenses for dental practitioners.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging system using a single linear sensor with a high frame rate, mounted on a mechanical pi structure, capable of producing panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images without a ceph arm, by employing selective translation and rotation of the x-ray source and imaging device along specific exposure profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and a ceph arm are used to produce panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images, then the system can provide complete imaging functionality, but the equipment cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single panoramic sensor to perform multiple imaging tasks (panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric imaging) through different exposure profiles and manipulator movements. The system achieves versatility without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each imaging modality, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining complete imaging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic manipulation of the sensor and x-ray source positions through the manipulator to achieve different imaging modes. By dynamically adjusting the exposure profiles and movement trajectories, the system transforms a single static sensor into a multi-functional imaging device capable of producing various types of dental images.
2Device complexity
If a single panoramic sensor is used, then the system cost is reduced, but the system cannot produce transverse slices or cephalometric images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single panoramic sensor universal by programming it with multiple exposure profiles. The sensor can produce panoramic images, transverse slices, and cephalometric images by executing different manipulator movement patterns and exposure parameters, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated sensors and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the single sensor through different exposure profiles, including varying the manipulator movement trajectories, x-ray source positions, and sensor orientations. These parameter changes enable the same hardware to produce different types of images (panoramic, transverse, cephalometric) without physical modification.
3Device complexity
If conventional panoramic imaging is used, then the system structure is simple, but the depth resolution is insufficient and cannot eliminate features outside the region of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves depth resolution by implementing dynamic manipulator movements with specific exposure profiles. The manipulator moves the sensor and x-ray source along optimized trajectories that enhance the angular range for imaging, allowing better depth discrimination and elimination of features outside the region of interest while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
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 system achieves high-quality images with improved depth resolution, reducing equipment costs and space requirements, while maintaining excellent image quality for panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric projections.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source for exposing an object to x-rays so that the object may be imaged
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
A method for performing a cephalometric projection or linear projection of a human skull in an extra oral dental imaging system, the method comprising first calculating different layers in the object parallel to the imaging device, and then correcting the different layers for the different magnification due to the different distances of each layer from the imaging device. After this, the method comprises summing said corrected layers or part of corrected layers to form an image, and displaying said image. The document discloses also an extra oral dental imaging system for performing said method.