Integrated Design

EVA® Dental Digital X-Ray Sensor is a filmless, digital dental imaging radiology system, which produces diagnostic quality images of the highest resolution. EVA produces high efficiency, low noise images which are digitized and transmitted to a computer via a standard USB port. It is compatible with laptop or desktop systems.

This easy-to-handle package was conceived by IDS to satisfy ergonomic, aesthetic and functional requirements for an innovative product. A remarkable feature in the overall design is the device housing, including two holster-like clips, which cleverly retains the black x-ray sensor. Extensive material research was conducted to determine the proper plastic for the sensor housing. The highly compact design supported a special patented CMOS image sensor and an extremely robust strain relief.

EVA system includes a portable interface adapter and an x-ray sensor, only a few millimeters thick, which provides dentists with a rugged substitute for film. Its unique CMOS sensor technology yields crisp, clear radiographs with virtually any intraoral x-ray head.

EVA’s simple appearance belies its sophisticated design. Each of its two distinct components, the main interface unit and the sensor, has a unique set of design criteria.

EVA’s simple appearance belies its sophisticated design. Each of its two distinct components, the main interface unit and the sensor, has a unique set of design criteria.

The sensor required a careful balance between minimizing size around a rectangular shaped internal printed circuit board and soft edges for optimizing comfort in the mouth.

IDS developed concepts for the connector module after gaining a comprehensive understanding of the product requirements. CAD assemblies for each portion of the module were detailed to address all the functional and engineering requirements, including molding. The following pictures give an overview of the intricacies of the production design.

SLA models of the module were made directly from CAD files to verify the ergonomic, aesthetic and functional features of the design. The following pictures depict the SLA assembly, which performed precisely as expected.

IDS developed a family of sensors around this unique technology. Each sensor was designed for a specific application with a strain relieved cable, minimal size, optimized comfort and proper materials.

The following concepts illustrate a few of the many ideas explored during early stages of design development.

After numerous concepts were evaluated based on technical parameters, one was selected. Subtle surface undulations were highlighted with special software to verify comfort of  surface contours, as shown in this picture.

Extensive time was invested in optimizing the form, based on ergonomic and technical constraints.

After the client approved the design, a plastic 3D model was created directly from the CAD file using stereolithography.

The enclosure was designed to optimize packing density without adversely affecting comfort in the mouth. Close attention was paid to the strain relief on the back side of the sensor.

After a finalized design was tested and approved, alternative graphics concepts were created to provide AFP with strong product branding. The following pictures illustrate some of the graphics concepts developed and applied to the sensor.

EVA has enabled AFP to position itself as a leader in digital dental x-ray imaging technology. It is distributed by a number of major dealers worldwide and is advertised as one of the most comfortable high resolution dental x-ray scanners on the market today.