Through-Transmission Alveolar Ultrasound for Jawbone Cavitation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing TAU apparatuses for detecting jawbone cavitations suffer from user sensitivity, low reproducibility, sensitivity issues, fragile construction, and difficulties in maintaining acoustical conductivity due to air bubbles and anatomical variations, making them difficult to use and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A TAU apparatus with a fixed geometrical position of the ultrasonic transducer and receiver, increased active piezoelectric elements, and improved acoustical conductivity using semi-solid gel, flexible cover, balloon, or tongue solutions to ensure reliable and reproducible measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional pulse-echo ultrasonography is used for jawbone imaging, then soft tissue imaging is improved, but bone imaging is worsened due to complete reflection at the bone/soft tissue interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft tissue imaging qualityVSAvoidjawbone imaging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional ultrasonography approach by using through-transmission mode instead of pulse-echo mode. The transducer and receiver are positioned on opposite sides of the jawbone, allowing ultrasound to pass through the bone rather than reflecting off the surface. This inversion of the measurement geometry enables direct imaging of bone structures and cancellous tissue that were previously invisible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If TAU apparatus uses freehand positioning of transducer and receiver, then operational flexibility is improved, but measurement reproducibility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic positioning system with rigid arms that are rotatable about a pivotal point. This allows the transducer and receiver to be moved to different locations on the jawbone while maintaining a fixed geometric relationship between them. The blocking element ensures proper positioning by preventing the arms from moving beyond a certain point, thus ensuring reproducible measurements while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If TAU apparatus uses fixed geometrical position of transducer and receiver, then measurement reproducibility is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reproducibilityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the positioning system into separate rigid arms that can be independently adjusted and positioned. Each arm carries either the transducer or receiver, and they are connected through a pivotal point. This segmentation allows for precise positioning while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If TAU apparatus uses conventional ultrasonic gel for acoustical conductivity, then ease of use is improved, but measurement reliability is worsened due to air bubbles and anatomical variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustical couplingVSAvoidmeasurement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a semi-solid gel as an intermediary substance between the transducer/receiver and the jawbone. This gel fills irregularities in the anatomical surface and displaces air bubbles that would otherwise cause measurement errors. The gel's semi-solid properties allow it to maintain stable contact while accommodating anatomical variations, thus improving measurement reliability without sacrificing ease of application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus provides safer, easier, and more precise detection of jawbone cavitations with enhanced sensitivity and robust construction, allowing less experienced users to achieve reliable results without the need for intensive training.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic transducer (2) and an ultrasonic receiver (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave generation: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

increased active piezoelectric elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

improved acoustical conductivity using semi-solid gel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustical conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12446851B2Apparatus and method for detecting cavitations using through-transmission alveolar ultrasonography (TAU)

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 LECHNER JOHANN

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for detecting and locating dental cavitations in jawbones using Through-Transmission Alveolar Ultrasonography (TAU). The apparatus comprises a measuring unit comprising an ultrasonic transducer and a round ultrasonic receiver. The apparatus is a handhold and is configured to define the geometric position of the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic receiver with respect to each other so as to achieve a high-resolution ultrasound image of the jawbone with minimal errors and in order to improve diagnosis of dental cavitations.