Abstract:
A motion system for use in a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including apparatus for rotating an overhead arm with respect to a support column, apparatus for rotating a C-arm with respect to the overhead arm, and apparatus for moving the C-arm axially with respect to the overhead arm. The overhead arm is rotatably mounted to the support column at a rotation point. The apparatus for rotating the overhead arm is a linear actuator, one end of which is connected to the support column at a first point spaced apart from the rotation point, while the other end is connected to the overhead arm at a second point spaced apart from the rotation point and from the first point. The C-arm rotating apparatus includes a C-arm rotation motor driving a wheel, which is engaged with the C-arm in such a way that the rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the C-arm.
Abstract:
A removable radiation sensor for connecting to a panoramic dental radiation imaging system. The sensor includes a radiation sensor unit mounted in a housing. Connector bearings are positioned within the housing so as to engage with a pair of connector pins provided as part of the upright support of the imaging system. A lock pin within the housing is selectively slidable between Locked and Unlocked, and biased toward Locked. The lock includes a locking pin with a groove, and when the groove is aligned with the respective connector pin, the lock is unlocked, and that connector pin is slidable axially within the bearings. When the groove is not aligned with the connector pin, the lock is locked, the locking pin engaging with a groove formed for that purpose in the connector pin. The sensor has a field-replaceable electrical connector, to reduce maintenance cost.
Abstract:
A dental x-ray apparatus (10) includes a tube head (11) formed from a cast zinc material. Structural components of tube head (11) include such component (20) formed from a plastic material impregnated with a high molecular weight substance, such as barium sulfite. X-ray apparatus 10 has a control panel (15) in close proximity to the tube head (11), and is preferably DC powered.
Abstract:
A modular beam-limiting device for use with an x-ray machine includes a base portion and an attachment portion. The base portion includes at least one magnet. The attachment portion includes at least one magnet. The base portion is adapted to be received on an x-ray tubehead housing. The attachment portion is selectively removably couplable to said base portion. The modular beam-limiting device may further include a magnetic field modulator, which is operable to shape a magnetic field; an insert for configuring a size, a shape, or an orientation of an aperture of the beam-limiting device; or an adapter for increasing an axial length of the beam-limiting device.
Abstract:
A patient positioning system for a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including an upright support, and a patient positioning arm with chin rest mounted thereto. Wands are each rotatably connected to the patient positioning arm and connected together so as to move at identical angles of rotation, but in the opposite direction. Lasers, including a mid-sagittal, a Frankfort Plane, two cuspid, and one toe laser, each providing a line of visible laser light directed at a respective area of a patient's face, or at the floor, assist a technician in properly positioning the patient. A mirror is mounted to the upright support by a mechanism that permits the mirror to be pivoted outward from the support, in either of two directions, so as to enable the technician to see the lasers on the patient's face from the technician's position on either side of the positioning arm.
Abstract:
A device (10) for positioning the location of an emitted x-ray (1 2a) has an optical mirror (20) having at least two leg portions (31, 32) separated by stepped portion (30) formed therewith. Leg portions (31, 32) and stepped portion (30) have substantially uniform x-ray transmisivity. A light emitting assembly (21) for transmitting a locating beam of light (14) onto the stepped portion (30). The device also includes mounting means (13, 22) for mounting the optical mirror (20) proximate to the x-ray emitting device (11) and completely encompassing the emitted x-ray (12a). The locating beam of light (14) is caused to be directed toward the target (15) by the angle of the mirror (20).