USB Spy Equipment for Dynamic X-ray Source Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental radiology systems face challenges in minimizing patient exposure time to X-rays while ensuring image quality, due to inadequate dose settings and lack of direct communication between the X-ray source and sensor, leading to potential under or overexposure.
Innovation Solution
A feedback loop is established between the sensor and X-ray source using spy equipment on the USB link to detect a sufficient radiation dose and transmit a signal to stop the X-ray emission, allowing dynamic control of the source based on real-time sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the exposure time is extended to ensure good image quality, then the image quality is improved, but the patient's radiation exposure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sensor continuously monitors the accumulated radiation dose during exposure and transmits this information via USB to the processing device, which then sends a stop signal back to the X-ray source when the optimal dose is reached, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically adjusts exposure duration
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously determines when sufficient radiation has been accumulated by comparing the detected dose against predetermined thresholds, and triggers the stop signal without requiring continuous practitioner intervention, allowing the system to self-regulate the exposure process
2Ease of operation
If the practitioner manually sets the dose parameters, then the system operation is simple, but the image may be underexposed or overexposed due to imprecise settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the practitioner through the processing device, displaying the accumulated dose and exposure duration, allowing the practitioner to monitor and verify that the predetermined parameters are being achieved, thereby improving dose setting precision while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The practitioner pre-configures the desired dose parameters and exposure time limits before taking the image, and the system automatically enforces these predetermined settings during the exposure process, ensuring precise dose delivery without requiring complex manual adjustments during operation
3Device complexity
If the sensor and X-ray source are independent devices without direct communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coordination between exposure start and sensor integration is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The USB communication interface serves as an intermediary between the independent sensor and X-ray source devices, allowing data transmission and control signal exchange without requiring direct physical coupling or complex integrated circuitry, thus maintaining device independence while improving coordination reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The USB link performs multiple functions including transmitting sensor data to the processing device, conveying exposure timing information, and carrying control signals to stop the X-ray source, allowing a single communication channel to handle multiple coordination tasks without increasing overall system complexity
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
This approach optimizes image quality by stopping the X-ray source when a sufficient dose is received, reducing exposure time and minimizing patient radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor 2 sensitive to X-rays
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical radiology system which includes an external X-ray source (1) and a CMOS image sensor (2) connected by a USB link (4) as a USB peripheral of a digital processing device (3) of image data from the sensor. Spy equipment is placed on the USB link (4) in order to perform continuous reading and decoding of the data transmitted over said link in a manner that is transparent for the device and for the sensor, and to detect in the stream of transmitted data a specific piece of data (XAMC=1) representing a signal of detection by the sensor that a sufficient dose of radiation has been received. Upon detecting this specific piece of data, the spy equipment emits a Stop-X electrical signal towards the radiation source, in order to halt the radiation emission. The system is especially suitable for taking dental radiology images using an intra-oral CMOS sensor.