Cone-Beam Tomography Head Clamp Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cone-beam tomography systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently positioning patients, particularly in the dental field, leading to difficulties in obtaining high-quality images due to inaccurate registration of anatomical landmarks and potential distortion of anatomical relationships.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a head clamp with ear tubes and a volume indicator for precise positioning, including a forehead alignment mechanism, to restrict movement and ensure the condyles or soft tissue silhouette are aligned within the image volume, eliminating the need for a chin rest and bite block, thus optimizing image registration and reducing distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning methods (chin rest and bite block) are used, then patient positioning is simplified, but image quality deteriorates due to inaccurate registration of anatomical landmarks and distortion of anatomical relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chin rest and bite block from the positioning system, replacing them with a head clamp that directly secures the patient's head. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the overall device structure while improving positioning accuracy by directly fixing the head in the correct orientation without intermediate elements that could cause distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a head clamp with ear tubes as an intermediary device between the patient's head and the imaging system. The ear tubes engage with the patient's ears to provide stable fixation, acting as a mediator that achieves both simplified positioning and accurate anatomical landmark registration without the distortion caused by traditional chin rest and bite block methods.
2Measurement precision
If multiple exposures are taken to ensure proper positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but x-ray dosage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning using the head clamp with ear tubes and volume indicator before the actual imaging process. The volume indicator provides real-time visual feedback during positioning, allowing the operator to achieve accurate placement in advance. This preliminary action ensures correct positioning on the first exposure, eliminating the need for multiple retakes and thereby reducing overall x-ray dosage.
3Ease of operation
If the patient is allowed movement during scanning, then positioning comfort improves, but image quality deteriorates due to misregistration of anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The head clamp with ear tubes provides counterbalancing support to the patient's head, distributing the positioning constraints across multiple contact points (ears and head support) rather than concentrating pressure on one area. This counterweight approach maintains head stability during scanning while improving patient comfort compared to traditional methods that require rigid fixation with chin rest and bite block.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for positioning a patient within an image volume of a cone-beam tomography system. The device includes a volume indicator adapted to indicate at least a front boundary of the image volume and having a horizontal indicator for horizontal alignment. The device also includes a head clamp adapted to position at least a portion of the head of the patient within the front boundary of the image volume indicated by the volume indicator.