Single Sensor Dental X-Ray Imaging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging systems are expensive and complex, requiring multiple sensors and a ceph arm to produce high-quality panoramic, transverse, and 3D images, while also failing to provide optimal results for all image types due to sub-optimal exposure profiles.
Innovation Solution
A single x-ray imaging system with a linear sensor of high aspect ratio (m/n ≥ 1.5) and a manipulator for selective translation and rotation, allowing for multiple exposure profiles that include panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric imaging without a ceph arm, utilizing a CdTe-CMOS or CdZnTe-CMOS sensor for high frame rates and excellent resolution.
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 universality by enabling a single panoramic sensor to perform multiple imaging functions (panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric imaging) through different exposure profiles and manipulator movements, eliminating the need for separate sensors and ceph arm while maintaining high image quality across all modes
2Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but image quality and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing multiple exposure profiles that dynamically adjust the manipulator's movement patterns (panoramic profile, transverse profile, cephalometric profile) to enable a single sensor to capture different anatomical views and produce various image types with high quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying exposure parameters (movement trajectories, rotation angles, translation distances) to allow a single sensor to optimize image capture for different imaging modes, achieving high-quality panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images without additional hardware
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional exposure profiles are used for panoramic imaging, then panoramic image quality is maintained, but depth resolution and transverse imaging capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the imaging process into distinct exposure profiles (panoramic, transverse, cephalometric) with optimized manipulator movements for each, allowing the system to achieve high panoramic image quality while separately optimizing depth resolution through transverse exposure profiles
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 produces high-quality panoramic, transverse, and cephalometric images efficiently and cost-effectively with a single sensor, improving depth resolution and reducing system complexity and cost by using a single, compact setup.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray source exposing x-rays to an object to be imaged
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional dental extra-oral x-ray imaging system comprises 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 100 fps.