Intra-oral X-ray Exposure Parameter Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intra-oral x-ray systems often fail to adjust exposure parameters correctly, leading to suboptimal image quality and excessive radiation exposure, as operators manually set parameters without considering the specific teeth or anatomy being imaged.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that identifies the type of teeth or anatomy being imaged using predetermined sequences and receptor holders, adjusting exposure parameters such as voltage, current, and exposure time based on pre-defined settings stored in a controller's memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If exposure parameters are manually set by an operator, then the system is simple to operate, but the image quality is suboptimal and radiation exposure is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies the image type being captured and selects appropriate exposure parameters without operator intervention. The controller monitors the imaging process and autonomously adjusts voltage, current, and exposure time based on the detected anatomy type, eliminating manual parameter setting while optimizing image quality and minimizing radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the imaging process and adjusts exposure parameters based on real-time detection of image type. The system uses information from the imaging process itself to automatically optimize parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that improves image quality while reducing radiation exposure.
2Manufacturing precision
If exposure parameters are adjusted based on specific teeth or anatomy, then image quality improves, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate exposure parameters by detecting the image type being captured. Instead of requiring the operator to manually select parameters based on anatomical knowledge, the system self-identifies the image type and autonomously configures the optimal exposure settings, maintaining high precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple sets of exposure parameters corresponding to different image types (anterior, posterior, bitewing, endodontic). Before each image capture, the system proactively identifies the required image type and pre-selects the appropriate parameter set, eliminating the need for operator decision-making during the imaging process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual parameter adjustment is used, then the device is easy to operate, but radiation exposure to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically optimizes exposure parameters to minimize radiation exposure while ensuring adequate image quality. The controller autonomously selects the lowest necessary exposure settings based on the detected image type, eliminating the need for operator intervention and ensuring consistent radiation minimization across all imaging procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts exposure parameters (voltage, current, exposure time) based on the specific imaging requirements of each anatomy type. By automatically optimizing these parameters, the system reduces radiation exposure to the minimum necessary level while maintaining diagnostic image quality, without requiring increased automation complexity from the operator's perspective.
4Measurement precision
If automated identification of image type is implemented, then exposure parameter accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages exposure parameters, identifies image types, and controls the overall imaging process. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves accurate automated image type identification without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the same controller hardware handles multiple tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for operating x-ray system. One system includes an x-ray source having a plurality of exposure parameters and a controller for the x-ray source. The controller for the x-ray source is configured to receive image characteristic information and automatically adjust the plurality of exposure parameters based on the image characteristic information. The image characteristic information can include an identifier of a predefined sequence of images, an identifier of an image type, a set of values of the plurality of exposure parameters, and a unique identifier of a holder for an x-ray receptor.