A pop-up laser-based cone alignment tool for bisecting-angle periapical radiography: Prototype development and pilot user-experience evaluation
TL;DR
A pop-up laser-based cone-alignment accessory developed and evaluated its initial operator-perceived user experience exclusively in a dental X-ray manikin simulation demonstrated favourable preliminary acceptance under controlled simulation, but neither clinical effectiveness nor patient safety can be inferred.
Abstract
The bisecting-angle technique remains clinically useful when anatomical or receptor-placement constraints limit the paralleling technique, but its dependence on operator judgement can produce projection errors and repeated exposures. This pilot study developed a pop-up laser-based cone-alignment accessory and evaluated its initial operator-perceived user experience exclusively in a dental X-ray manikin simulation. The accessory comprised a three-dimensional-printed polyethylene-terephthalate bracket, a 2-rpm DC geared motor, magnetic proximity sensors, one central red cross-line laser, eight perimeter red point lasers, and timer-controlled actuation. The assembled prototype was reported by the authors to have an estimated mass of approximately 500 g; the generic diode modules operated within a documented red-light range of 635-670 nm at <1 mW, although manufacturer and model identifiers were unavailable. Twelve operators (four dental radiographers, four conservative-dentistry residents, and four clinical dental students) completed standardized manikin procedures and the Indonesian User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Dewi Kartika distributed and collected the questionnaires but left the room during completion; confidentiality arrangements varied, so strict anonymity cannot be claimed for every response. All six UEQ scales were classified as Excellent, with means of 2.854-2.938 and standard deviations of 0.113-0.225. A separate 50-participant language-validation cohort yielded Cronbach's alpha = 0.850; this coefficient was not recalculated for the 12-operator sample because its item-level matrix was not available. The prototype therefore demonstrated favourable preliminary acceptance under controlled simulation, but neither clinical effectiveness nor patient safety can be inferred. Calibrated mass measurement, model-specific laser verification, physical clearance testing, and controlled patient-based comparison are required.