Bringing dental x-ray technology into the fast lane

Dental patients and practitioners could soon benefit from a faster and more user-friendly dental x-ray solution, thanks to Adelaide-based radiographer Don Chorley.

Mr Chorley, a medical imaging technologist specialising in imaging of the craniofacial region, will be working with the Medical Device Partnering Program at Flinders University to address some of the limitations he has found with current dental imaging techniques.

Under the South Australian Government's Medical Technologies Program (MTP), Mr Chorley has been granted up to 250 hours of research and development assistance to advance his product idea.

"Present day techniques in dental radiography are, based on protocols and equipment developed prior to the Second World War, resulting in low quality images that take significant time to create, and potentially deliver higher radiation dose than is necessary" Mr Chorley said.

"It is really all about creating a better solution for patients and practitioners alike."

Mr Chorley will work with the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP), to develop a new dental x-ray device integrating separate imaging components into one small device to improve the patient outcome while also providing a more targeted and faster x-ray process for specialised and general dentistry.

As well as dental imaging skills, Mr Chorley has 35 years' experience working in general radiography, CT, MRI scanning and teaching.

Professor Karen Reynolds, Director of the MDPP, said the project demonstrates the cross-disciplinary nature of medical device development.

"This project aims to deliver a faster, more accurate imaging solution with reduced radiation dose," Professor Reynolds said.

"The MDPP is able to assist Mr Chorley by bringing electronic and mechanical engineering expertise, together with industrial design capability, to create an end-user driven solution."