X-ray Beam Restriction for Panoramic Radiography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical X-ray apparatuses for panoramic radiography expose patients to unnecessary radiation and take longer than necessary, as they project X-rays on regions not required for diagnosis, leading to increased patient burden and radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A medical X-ray apparatus with a radiation area restricting part that adjusts the X-ray beam's width and position in the height direction to only irradiate the specific area needed for diagnosis, using a slit member and shielding members to control the X-ray beam, and a moving mechanism to align the X-ray generator and detector accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray is projected on the entire dental arch during panoramic radiography, then a complete panoramic X-ray image can be obtained, but unnecessary radiation exposure increases and examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dental arch into multiple regions of interest (ROI) and selectively projects X-rays only on those regions rather than the entire arch. The radiation area restricting part segments the X-ray beam projection based on the selected ROI, thereby reducing unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining image quality for the areas that need to be examined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by restricting X-ray projection to specific local regions of the dental arch based on the selected area of interest. The radiation area restricting part ensures that X-rays are projected only on the selected ROI, making the radiation distribution non-uniform and tailored to the specific diagnostic needs, thereby reducing overall radiation exposure while maintaining necessary image quality.
2Measurement precision
If X-ray is projected on the entire dental arch, then complete image data is obtained, but examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dental arch into multiple selectable regions of interest and allows selective projection of X-rays only on the chosen regions. This segmentation enables the system to obtain complete image data for the areas that matter while skipping unnecessary scanning of other areas, thereby reducing overall examination time without compromising the completeness of relevant image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by projecting X-rays only on the selected region of interest rather than the entire dental arch. This partial projection approach obtains sufficient image data for the areas that need to be examined while avoiding the time-consuming process of scanning the entire arch, thus reducing examination time while maintaining adequate image data completeness for diagnostic purposes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a radiation area restricting part is added to limit X-ray projection, then radiation exposure is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radiation area restricting part multi-functional by enabling it to perform both radiation protection and image quality control functions. The same component that restricts X-ray projection to reduce radiation exposure also ensures that the selected region of interest is properly imaged by controlling the beam geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving radiation reduction goals.
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 solution reduces X-ray exposure to the patient by limiting the radiation area to only what is necessary for diagnosis, thereby minimizing exposure time and radiation burden, while also simplifying the apparatus structure and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray generator for projecting X-ray and an X-ray detector for receiving the X-ray from the X-ray generator, receives the X-ray generated at the X-ray generator and transmitted through an object to be examined, thereby obtaining an X-ray transmitted image based on the transmitted X-ray amount
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1Ba~1Bb
AI summary
A medical X-ray apparatus comprising a supporting part for supporting an X-ray generator and a two-dimensional X-ray detector while interposing an object to be examined therebetween, a radiation area restricting part for restricting a radiation area of X-ray generated from the X-ray generator, and a scan driving part for scanning the object with the X-ray restricted by the radiation area restricting part as X-ray beam and for executing radiography. A direction intersecting with X-ray scan direction is defined as a height direction, the apparatus further comprises a radiation area setting part for setting at least one of both ends of width of the X-ray beam in the height direction at a desired position in accordance with the position of an interested area of the object; and the X-ray beam is irradiated only to the radiation area as set by the radiation area setting part with its beam width in height direction restricted by the radiation area restricting part.