nir-vana innovation network

There are two leading technologies for digital medical image processing today: Direct Radiography(DR) and Computed Radiography(CR). The Korean company developed a dental image processing scanner using CR technology and a MPPC sensor in 2016. What makes MPPC different from existing PMT is high resistance and low voltage operation. After acquiring certification of domestic and overseas medical devices, the company has sold the scanner since 2019. To x-ray teeth comfortably on one chair without moving, patients put an image plate called PSP(Photostimulable Phosphor), which is thin and smoothly bent in their oral cavity. After their teeth image is x-rayed on the plate, the plate is inserted into the PSP scanner. Moreover, the scanner has a 4-inch preview touch screen and it allows the primary preview of the scanned image. The X-rayed image is converted from analog(analogue) to digital signals through image processing, so patients can check their teeth on the monitor. The process makes it possible to reduce unnecessary movements and doctors can quickly diagnose and treat their patients, so the system allows patients’ rapid rotation. The scanner has a memory card that can store up to 500 scan images. Scanned images are stored typically on the equipment so that dental clinics can reduce the loss of images, even though the connection between PC and equipment is unstable. Furthermore, the imaging process can be verified through the LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) preview screen without a PC outdoors. For chairside system, the company has built most of the device from hardware to software to implement all these processes in their dental image processing scanner. Patients don’t need to go to the x-ray room for imaging because doctors photograph the image on the plate with a portable x-ray. The scanned image is uploaded on the monitor and dentists can perform treatment. These tasks can be done while patients are just lying on one chair. Since the dental exhibition in New York in 2018, the Korean company has introduced the dental image panel scanner to the PSP market including Dubai, Hong Kong, Morocco, China, Germany, and France. The dental image panel scanner caught attention with its small and light features as well as high resolution output and ease of use. The Korean company have signed contracts with buyers from more than 20 countries. The company is seeking partners to distribute the scanners in Europe under commercial agency and distribution services agreement.