WO2006004528A1

WO2006004528A1 - Digital radiology sensor bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2006004528A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/001073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Nilsson; Lars-Erik Philipsson
Original assignee: UNIDENT AB
Current assignee: UNIDENT AB
Priority date: 2004-07-06
Filing date: 2005-07-01
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2007-01-06
Also published as: SE528307C2; SE0401785D0; SE0401785L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device in a bracket (2) for a digital radiology or X-ray sensor, for realising substantially dental status images within dental technology, the bracket (2) being pivotally connected to a handle (6) via an intermediate piece (5), and the one end of the intermediate piece (5) being pivotally interconnected to the bracket (2) in order to be pivotal about at least a first axis substantially at right angles to the bracket (2), and the free end of the intermediate piece (5) in relation to the bracket (2) being pivotally interconnected to the handle (6) in order to be pivotal about a second axis substantially at right angles to the bracket (2).

Description

Digital radiology sensor bracket

The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble to appended Claim 1.

Prior art brackets for digital X-ray sensors are as a rule specially designed for the image that it is desired to create, for example bitewing or apical. Further, there are brackets for upright and recumbent bitewing and upright and recumbent apical, as well as such brackets with and without alignment means. The major drawback resides in the large number of brackets and parts required with prior brackets of sensors for digital radiology or X-rays of teeth. This drawback entails difficulties in handling the parts for carrying out the digital X-ray of teeth and for positioning the bracket for carrying out the digital X-ray with major risks for incorrect handling. It is naturally also a problem having many different parts that are to be handled both in the execution of the digital X-ray and in particular in the subsequent cleaning in a washing machine or by, for example, retorting etc. Moreover, a large number of necessary parts is a considerable inconvenience at dental surgeries, since they require storage space and make the execution of the work extremely slow and with major risks for error. USPS 5,119,410 discloses a bracket for X-ray films. This bracket is not suitable as a sensor bracket and attempts to use it as a sensor bracket result in substantially the same problems as with other prior art sensor brackets in accordance with the foregoing.

The task forming the basis of the present invention is to realise a device in sensor brackets for eliminating or obviating the above-outlined drawbacks. This task is solved according to the present invention in that the device intimated by way of introduction is given the characterising features as set forth in appended Claim 1.

The present invention realises a digital radiology sensor bracket which is universal and permits all types of images, such as upright and recumbent bitewing as well as upright and recumbent apical. Further, the bracket ■ according to the present invention is in one unit, even though the parts are interconnected with one another, so that they can be handled as a single component both in the execution of the digital images and cleaning in a washing machine and possibly by retorting depending on the selection of materials in the device. Most plastic materials permit cleaning in a washing machine, while only special plastic materials permit retorting. The important feature is that the device according to the present invention makes it possible that all of the parts be interconnected to one another to form a unit which is simple to handle ands simple to adjust or adapt for taking different types of X-ray images. The device according to the present invention further permits handling of both wire connected and wireless X-ray sensors. The formation of the handle according to the present invention further simplifies handling and/or image taking to a high degree, as a result, inter alia, of alignment means integrated in the handle.

The present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is perspective view of a bracket with a device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the parts being separated from one another for reasons of illustration. Fig. 2 shows a view similar to that of Fig. 1 of the device in a different direction and with the parts interconnected to one another to form a unit. Fig. 3 shows a view similar to that of Fig. 2 of the device in another direction. Fig. 4 exemplifies a bitewing image. Fig. 5 exemplifies an apical image. Fig. 6 shows a cross section through parts of the device illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 7 shows a view of a part of the device in Figs. 1 to 3 in one direction. Fig. 8 shows a view of the part of Fig. 7 in another direction. Fig. 9 is a view of a part of the device in Fig. 1 in the opposite direction.

The embodiment of a device according to the present invention shown on the drawings is intended for a digital X-ray sensor 1 which may be wireless or wired and which is accessible on the market under the trade name ^λλ! Schick CDR Wireless", which is marketed by Schick Technologies Inc. The sensor 1 illustrated on the drawings is wireless. The sensor 1 is placed in a bracket 2. The bracket 2 is provided with snap shanks 3 which are connected to one another by means of a web 4 and which extend on either side of the sensor 1. The snap shanks 3 and the web 4 permit displacement of the sensor 1 in the bracket 2 in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 1.

A wired sensor (digital X-ray sensor) 1 has substantially the same design as the wireless digital X-ray sensor shown in Figs. 1 to 3, apart from the fact that there extend a number of wires or a cable to and from it.

The bracket 2 is pivotally interconnected to an intermediate piece 5 in order to be at least rotary in the intermediate piece 5. The intermediate piece 5 is shown in detail in Fig. 8. The end of the intermediate piece 5 facing away from the bracket 2 is at least pivotally interconnected to a handle 6. The end of the intermediate piece 5 facing away from the bracket 2 is pivotally interconnected to the one end of a handle 6 in order to be at least pivotal therein, which implies that the handle 6 is pivotal or rotary on the intermediate piece 5.

The handle 6 has been given such a configuration that it is to be easy to grasp with the hand and easy to position the bracket 2 with the sensor 1 in the mouth of a patient for positioning the sensor 1 in the correct position for realising the desired image.

Fig. 4 exemplifies a bitewing image, which is an image of the side portion where only the crown in the upper and lower jaws are visible. Fig. 5 exemplifies an apical image, which is an image of either the upper or the lower jaw where the complete roots are included.

The handle 6 further displays a friction pattern 7 at the end most proximal the intermediate piece 5. This may also be considered as a knurled or diamond pattern and facilitates and ensures the positioning of the bracket 2 in the mouth of a patient in that the diamond pattern 7 impedes displacement of the bracket 2 once the patient has bitten together on the bracket 6 with the sensor 1 in the desired position. In the diamond pattern 7, there are included a number of alignment means 8 which may be raised, for example ridges, and which facilitate the alignment of the X-ray tube in relation to the centre of the sensor 1. Further, the handle 6 has been given a number of inward bights 9 and 10 and outward bights 11 and 12 which may be considered as forming supports on handling thereof. The handling of the handle or the entire device is further facilitated by a hole 13 as well as a shank 14 which are displaced in parallel from the part of the handle 6 located most proximal the intermediate piece 5 and which may be considered as the opposite free end of the handle β in relation to the end of the intermediate piece 5. The end of the handle 6 interconnected to the intermediate _v piece 5 is divided into two shanks 15 and 16 whose ends are interconnected to one another by means of a ring 17 which extends about legs 18 projecting up from the intermediate piece 5 and which each have a snap catch 19 for engagement with the edge of the inside of the ring 17. The legs 18 are radially pivotal, this pivotability being facilitated by a recess 18A and a wall reduction 18B. The legs 18 are urgable into the illustrated engagement position by means of a cylindrical pin or plug 20 which, in Figs. 7 and 8, is shown in the protracted position and which is projected in between the legs 18 for interconnection of the intermediate piece 5 with the handle 6.

The end of the intermediate piece 5 facing towards the bracket 2 is in principle identical with the above-described end and has legs 21 each with a snap catch 22 for engagement with the edge of a hole 23 in the bracket 2. The legs 21 are radially pivotal which is facilitated by a recess 21A and a wall reduction 21B. The legs 21 are urgable into the illustrated engagement position by means of a cylindrical pin or plug 24 which is projected in between the legs 21 for interconnection of the intermediate piece 5 with the handle 6.

The intermediate piece 5 has projections 25 for cooperation with corresponding recesses 26 in the bracket 2 and the end of the handle 6 and, on cooperation with one another, form predetermined positions of rotation or pivoting, for example 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The requisite axial movement between the parts in order that the projections 25 can depart from the recesses is achieved by a formation of the legs 18, 21, in particular the portion between the legs 18, 21 and the intermediate piece 5, which is divided by means of the recesses 18A and 21A. The formed arcuate portions 27n permit extension of and lengthening of the legs 18, 21 with the snap catches 19, 22 in engagement with each respective edge.

Many modification of the above-described embodiment are naturally possible without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the appended Claims.

Claims

1. A device in a bracket (2) for a digital radiology or X- ray sensor, for realising substantially dental status images within dental technology, the bracket (2) being pivotally connected to a handle (6) via an intermediate piece (5), characterised in that the one end of the intermediate piece

(5) is pivotally interconnected to the bracket (2) in order to be pivotal about at least a first axis substantially at right angles to the bracket (2) ; and that the free end of the intermediate piece (5) in relation to the bracket (2) is pivotally interconnected to the handle (6) in order to be pivotal about a second axis substantially at right angles to the bracket (2) .

2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the first axis is parallel with the second axis.

3. The device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the handle (6) extends substantially at right angles to the bracket (2) and thereby substantially parallel with the first and second axis.

4. The device as claimed in Claim 1 or 3, characterised in that the handle (6) displays alignment means (8) .

5. The device as claimed in Claims 1, 3 or 4 characterised in that the handle (6) is formed with inward and/or outward bights (9, 12) and/or holes (13) for facilitating handling grip.

6. The device as claimed in Claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 characterised in that the opposite end of the handle (6) in relation to the bracket (2) is displaced in parallel from the part of the handle (6) located most proximal the bracket (2) .

7. The device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the pivot and/or pivots are provided with means (25, 26) for positioning of the parts in predetermined positions in relation to one another.

8. The device as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the pivots permit axial movement between the parts on positioning of the parts at predetermined positions.