AFP Imaging earns Technology Impact Award

Nov. 19, 2007
Company cited for successful commercialization of research in developing an advanced imaging process for its digital dental sensors.

ELMSFORD, New York--Polytechnic University's Center for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications presented AFP Imaging Corporation with the "Technology Impact Award" for its successful commercialization of CATT research in developing an advanced imaging process for the EVA line of digital dental sensors.

The award was given at CATT's 25th Anniversary and Gala at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn on Nov. 8.

The advanced technology allows EVA and EVA+ digital dental sensors to capture clear images by eliminating extraneous pixels, known as "noisy data," which cloud or blur an image.

"De-noising" data-intensive digital x-rays is complex, so AFP Imaging entered into a collaborative research relationship with Professor Ivan Selesick of CATT in 2004 to improve the process. CATT's mission is to assist New York companies with basic research that companies can apply commercially.

"Before this collaboration, our images were not as crisp as we wanted them to be," explained Donald Rabinovitch, president of AFP Imaging. "Fortunately, Professor Selesick had done considerable research in the area, and our close collaboration allowed us to transfer his basic research and apply it to our products. Clearly, our EVA sensors are now the clearest digital dental sensors on the market."

Jim Johnson, director of engineering at AFP Imaging, says he is delighted that AFP Imaging is one of the first companies to receive the CATT award. "It is wonderful to receive this award in recognition of all the work done by our team and the CATT researchers over several years. They developed the algorithm that is the core of our image processing software."

The challenge AFP Imaging faced was to get a clear image while using the smallest amount of radiation as possible.

"Low radiation produces only a low level of signal per pixel. The rest of what you get is noise," explained Johnson. "It is difficult to differentiate noise from signals, particularly in the mouth. Dr. Selesick and his research team developed an mathematical structure to recognize the geometry and movement of the signals, pick out the relevant signals, and ignore the noise."

EVA digital dental systems expose patients to significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays.

For additional corporate information, visit Web sites at www.afpimaging.com, www.dent-x.com and www.newtomdental.com.