Transparent Shield for Dental Imaging Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional extra-oral dental imaging systems face challenges in patient setup, comfort, and cost due to complex stabilization and alignment requirements, limited visibility for technicians, and patient discomfort during imaging sessions.

Innovation Solution

A patient positioning apparatus featuring a transparent shield with adjustable chin and forehead supports, allowing easier setup and improved patient comfort, along with a simpler design using less expensive materials, facilitating better visibility and communication during imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional opaque shields and complex stabilization apparatus are used, then patient positioning stability is improved, but technician visibility and patient comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning stabilityVSAvoidtechnician visibility and patient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is made substantially transparent instead of opaque, allowing technicians to see through it while positioning the patient and allowing patients to see through it during imaging, thereby improving visibility and comfort while maintaining positioning stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shield is divided into separate functional components including a forehead support portion, a chin support portion, and a radiation protection portion, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide stable positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If complex height detection and head alignment sensing devices are used, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent shield with integrated forehead and chin supports allows patients to self-position by looking through the shield and using the built-in supports for alignment, eliminating the need for complex external sensing devices while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single detector is used for both CT and panoramic imaging, then device complexity is reduced, but detector cost and performance compromise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddetector cost and performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a rotatable mount that allows the detector to dynamically switch between two distinct positions: one optimized for CT imaging and another optimized for panoramic imaging, enabling a single detector to perform both functions with high performance by changing its spatial configuration rather than using multiple detectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2734115B1Shield for patient positioning in extra-oral imaging

Publication Date: 2018.06.27 TROPHY SAS

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AI summary

A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.