EP0363092A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Barrrier means for intraoral radiography
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-09-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-09-29
Abstract
Abstract In oral radiography, there is a risk of cross-contamination as a result of inserting and removing dental x-ray packets from a patient's mouth. It is desired that the risk of cross-contamination be reduced. Described herein is an arrangement in which a dental x-ray film packet (28) is inserted into a disposable envelope (10) prior to insertion into the patient's mouth. The envelope (10) comprises a pair of flat, substantially rectangular wall members (12, 13) which are joined together along three adjacent edges by means of a heat seal (14). After the x-ray packet has been inserted into the envelope (10), flaps (18, 20) are sealed by means of an adhesive layer (26) applied to at least one of the flaps (18, 20). Once the x-ray packet has been exposed, it can be removed from the patient's mouth and then from its envelope (10) prior to normal processing and development. The presence of the envelope (10) around the packet (28) during exposure prevents contamination of the packet (28) itself by saliva-borne microorganisms.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary Beth Madeline Eastman Kodak Company Allen
- 👤 George Carroll C/O Eastman Kodak Company Gay
- 👤 Theodore Behn Steinhausen, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C3/00; G03C3/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A disposable envelope for a dental x-ray film packet comprising an x-ray permeable receptacle (10; 40) which is sealable to retain an x-ray film packet (28) and to allow the film packet to be removed after exposure characterized in that a sealable opening (16; 46) is provided for sealing the receptacle (10; 40) to provide a barrier for saliva and microorganisms when the film packet is inside the receptacle (10; 40), the sealable opening being easily opened for removal of the exposed film packet for development with minimum risk of cross-contamination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A disposable envelope for a dental x-ray film packet comprising an x-ray permeable receptacle (10; 40) which is sealable to retain an x-ray film packet (28) and to allow the film packet to be removed after exposure characterized in that a sealable opening (16; 46) is provided for sealing the receptacle (10; 40) to provide a barrier for saliva and microorganisms when the film packet is inside the receptacle (10; 40), the sealable opening being easily opened for removal of the exposed film packet for development with minimum risk of cross-contamination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An envelope according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle (10; 40) comprises a pair of substantially flat rectangular wall members (12, 13; 42, 43) joined together along three adjacent edges, the sealable opening (16; 46) being arranged along the remaining edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An envelope according to claim 2 wherein the sealable opening (16; 46) is defined by a pair of flaps (18, 20; 44, 45) formed in the wall members (12, 13; 42, 43), at least one flap of each pair having a layer of adhesive (26; 50) provided thereon to effect sealing of the receptacle (10; 40).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An envelope according to claim 3 wherein means (30; 48) are provided on the flaps (18, 20; 44, 45) to facilitate opening of the receptacle (10; 40).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An envelope according to claim 4 wherein the means provided on the flaps (18, 20) to facilitate opening of the receptacle (10; 40) comprise facing notches (30) formed in the flaps (18, 20).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An envelope according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein each adhesive layer (26; 50) is covered by a strip of release paper to prevent premature sealing of the sealable opening (16; 46).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An envelope according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the adhesive (26; 50) comprises a rubber-based adhesive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An envelope according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the wall members (12, 13; 42, 43) are made from a thermoplastic heat sealable material, the receptacle (10; 40) being formed by joining the two wall members (12, 13; 42, 43) together using a heat seal (14; 47).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic heat sealable material is polyethylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic heat sealable material is polypropylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic heat sealable material is polycarbonate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic heat sealable material is cellulose propionate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An envelope according to claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic heat sealable material is cellulose acetate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dental package comprising an x-ray film packet (28) sealed within an envelope according to any one of the preceding claims.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for minimizing the probability of cross-contamination as a result of oral radiography characterized by the steps of:- sealing a selected dental x-ray film packet in an envelope of saliva and microorganism impermeable, x-ray transparent material to provide a saliva and microorganism impervious barrier around the packet; inserting the sealed envelope into a patient's mouth and performing intraoral radiography; removing the envelope containing the exposed dental x-ray packet from the patient's mouth; wiping the exterior of the envelope with absorbent means promptly after its removal from the mouth so as to remove excess saliva therefrom; opening the wiped envelope in such manner as to allow the exposed dental x-ray packet to be remoyed therefrom without touching the outside wall of the envelope or the handler; and processing the exposed dental x-ray packet.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for minimizing the probability of cross-contamination as a result of oral radiography characterized by the steps of:- sealing a selected dental x-ray film packet in an envelope of saliva and microorganism impermeable, x-ray transparent material to provide a saliva and microorganism impervious barrier around the packet; inserting the sealed envelope into a patient's mouth and performing intraoral radiography; removing the envelope containing the exposed dental x-ray packet from the patient's mouth; wiping the exterior of the envelope with absorbent means promptly after its removal from the mouth so as to remove excess saliva therefrom; opening the wiped envelope in such manner as to allow the exposed dental x-ray packet to be remoyed therefrom without touching the outside wall of the envelope or the handler; and processing the exposed dental x-ray packet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the x-ray packet is dropped into a clean container upon opening the envelope and is transported to the processing site in said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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