Developed by Radiographers Chen Meng Chi of Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Cheng-Hsueh Chen of NTU Hsinchu Branch and their team, the fully automated intraoral X-ray film covering machine integrates automatic packaging, surface disinfection, and storage functionalities. This innovation significantly enhances the sterile handling of intraoral X-ray films, effectively addressing the infection risks associated with traditional manual packaging methods, thus providing a safer clinical environment for both patients and medical professionals.

Infection Risks in Traditional Manual Film Packaging

According to data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration, between 2016 and 2020, the annual number of intraoral X-ray images reported ranged from 10 to 12 million, with a continuous upward trend. However, the current manual packaging process for intraoral X-ray films relies heavily on human operation, which cannot achieve sterility effectively, exposing patients to infection risks during treatment. Additionally, traditional methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, increasing the possibility of cross-contamination and leading to inefficiencies and inconsistent medical quality.

Six-Step Automation to Revolutionize Clinical Challenges

This intelligent intraoral X-ray film packaging system features three key functions—automatic packaging, surface disinfection, and clean storage—stacking up its value proposition through a fully automated concept. The process includes the following steps:

1. Automatic Film Retrieval and Positioning: The system automatically retrieves an unpackaged X-ray film from the storage area and accurately places it on the packaging platform.
2. Automatic Film Sleeve Opening: The system automatically identifies the direction of the film sleeve opening, using mechanical devices to precisely open it to the appropriate size, ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent steps.
3. Automatic Film Insertion and Sealing: A robotic arm smoothly places the X-ray film into the pre-opened sleeve and then automatically seals it, ensuring complete enclosure of the film.
4. AI Image Recognition for Defect Detection: An integrated AI model uses image recognition technology to inspect the sealed X-ray films for defects or incomplete sealing, ensuring quality assurance.
5. UVC Surface Disinfection: Films that pass AI inspection enter the UVC disinfection module, where they receive sufficient ultraviolet light exposure to effectively eliminate any surface bacteria.
6. Finished Product Storage: The disinfected X-ray films are automatically transferred to the storage area, ready for use.

Distinct Commercial Value, Driving Technology Transfer, and Enhancing Dental Care Quality

Radiographer Chen Meng Chi and his team emphasize that this innovative technology not only reduces infection risks to protect both patients and medical staff but also aims to achieve profitability through product differentiation and a unique business model upon market entry. Currently protected by three patents, the team is actively seeking technology transfer partnerships, hoping to promote this technology globally, thereby revolutionizing the dental industry and improving medical quality.

Resource (mandarin): 牙科Ｘ光片自動化封裝、消毒、存放一次完成，解決感染風險！