X-ray dose management via wireless tag association

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Solution Overview

Problem

In intraoral X-ray imaging, X-ray image information is not associated with imaging conditions and patient information, requiring manual input by dentists to link these elements for dose management.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray dose management system comprising an intraoral X-ray imaging device with an imaging condition setter, an output information creator, and a wireless communicator, an X-ray imaging element with an image information obtainer and wireless tag, and an information terminal that retrieves patient information and associates it with output information for storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual input method is used to associate imaging conditions with patient information, then association can be achieved, but work burden on dentists increases and time is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation accuracyVSAvoidtime for manual input
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual input system with an automatic information transmission system using wireless communication. The imaging device automatically transmits imaging condition information to the terminal device, eliminating the need for manual data entry and association by dentists, thus resolving the contradiction between association accuracy and time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the imaging device to automatically generate and transmit its own imaging condition information without requiring external manual intervention. The terminal device automatically receives and associates this information with patient data, making the entire association process autonomous and eliminating manual workload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual input method is used to associate imaging conditions with patient information, then association can be achieved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex manual operation of data entry and association with an automated wireless communication system. The imaging device automatically transmits imaging conditions, and the terminal device automatically associates them with patient information, dramatically simplifying the operation while maintaining association accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary that automatically bridges the imaging device and the terminal device. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of information transmission and association automatically, reducing the operational burden on users while ensuring accurate data linkage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic wireless transmission is used to transfer imaging information, then work efficiency improves and time is saved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedose management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating wireless communication capabilities into existing imaging devices and terminal devices. These devices perform both their original imaging and information processing functions while also handling wireless data transmission and automatic association, thereby improving productivity without requiring completely new complex systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module serves as a standardized intermediary that connects the imaging device and terminal device through established communication protocols. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of automatic information transmission, allowing the core imaging and processing functions to remain relatively simple while achieving automated dose management

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

Automatically manages and records the exposed dose for each patient by linking imaging conditions, date, and patient information, enhancing dose management efficiency in intraoral X-ray imaging.

Implementation Method 1

an information communicator that sends the output information to an external device by wireless communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a wireless tag that receives the output information from the intraoral X-ray imaging device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4062837B1X-ray dose management system and x-ray dose management method
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 YOSHIDA DENTAL MFG
  • EP4062837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4062837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4062837B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

In an X-ray dose management system (1), a dental radiograph device (10) includes an imaging condition setter (12), an output information creator (13), and an information communicator (14) that sends the output information to a wireless tag. An X-ray imaging element (50) includes an X-ray image information obtainer (52) and a wireless tag (60). An information reading device (70) includes an output information reader (72) and an information communicator (74) that sends the read output information to an information terminal. The information terminal (30) includes a patient information retriever (32) that retrieves patient information from a patient information storage (31), a communicator (33) that receives the output information, and an output information processor (34) that records the output information and the patient information in association with each other in the patient information storage.