US3743832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing radiographs of curved planes in an object
Assignee: Gendex Corp
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Filing: 1968-11-06
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1988-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An x-ray source and a film cassette are mounted on opposite ends of an arm that swings in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis so that the cassette and source jointly orbit a patient of whom a panoramic dental radiograph is desired. On an overhead base is a first carriage which is on a track that constrains the carriage to move back and forth in a single line along one coordinate axis. A second carriage is carried on the first carriage and is on a track that constrains it to move only at a right angle to the first carriage along the other coordinate axis. The second carriage has a bearing that supports the horizontal arm. A driving arm is engaged with the second carriage and drives both carriages so that their resultant motion is a semi-ellipse that approximates the shape of the dental arch. The vertical rotational axis of the arm is always on the semi-ellipse or other desired curve. Means are provided for translating the cassette and for keeping the arm perpendicular to the curve at all times.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for making a panoramic radiograph of the dental arch of a subject, comprising: a. a mechanism supporting base positionable over a subject''s head, b. an arm adapted to turn in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis of rotation, c. an x-ray source and film carrier mounted on said arm on opposite sides, respectively, of the rotational axis whereby said x-ray source and film carrier may orbit the subject''s head jointly, d. a shaft on said vertical axis of rotation, said shaft being fastened at one end to said arm and having its other end extended through an opening in said base, e. movable means supported on said base and adapted to be moved in a path which simulates the curved shape of the dental arch, f. said shaft being mounted on said movable means for translation therewith and rotation thereon, the axis of the shaft projecting down through the planes of the dental arch, g. a mechanism adapted to generate a curve that simulates the shape of the dental arch, said mechanism being coupled with said movable means to cause said movable means and the vertical shaft axis to execute the same movement, and h. motor driven mechanism carried by said movable means and adapted to turn said shaft synchronously with generation of the curve that simulates the dental arch to maintain said x-ray source and film carrier supporting arm in substantial perpendicularity with said arch as the axis of said shaft moves in a path that is substantially coincident with the dental arch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for making a panoramic radiograph of the dental arch of a subject, comprising: a. a mechanism supporting base positionable over a subject''s head, b. an arm adapted to turn in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis of rotation, c. an x-ray source and film carrier mounted on said arm on opposite sides, respectively, of the rotational axis whereby said x-ray source and film carrier may orbit the subject''s head jointly, d. a shaft on said vertical axis of rotation, said shaft being fastened at one end to said arm and having its other end extended through an opening in said base, e. movable means supported on said base and adapted to be moved in a path which simulates the curved shape of the dental arch, f. said shaft being mounted on said movable means for translation therewith and rotation thereon, the axis of the shaft projecting down through the planes of the dental arch, g. a mechanism adapted to generate a curve that simulates the shape of the dental arch, said mechanism being coupled with said movable means to cause said movable means and the vertical shaft axis to execute the same movement, and h. motor driven mechanism carried by said movable means and adapted to turn said shaft synchronously with generation of the curve that simulates the dental arch to maintain said x-ray source and film carrier supporting arm in substantial perpendicularity with said arch as the axis of said shaft moves in a path that is substantially coincident with the dental arch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for radiographing a curved plane in a subject comprising: a. an overhead support base, b. a first carriage mounted on said base and means constraining said first carriage to bidirectional mOvements along one axis of the curved plane, c. a second carriage mounted on the first carriage and means constraining said second carriage to bidirectional movements along the other axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, said second carriage being translatable with the first carriage, d. a substantially vertical shaft journalled on said second carriage and extending down through said first carriage, e. an arm supported by said vertical shaft and adapted to rotate on the axis of said vertical shaft in a substantially horizontal plane above the subject, f. an x-ray source and a film carrier means mounted on said arm on respectively opposite sides of said vertical axis for jointly orbiting about a space that is to be occupied by the radiographic subject, g. an electric motor and means coupling said motor with said vertical shaft to swing said horizontal arm about its vertical rotational axis, and h. a motor driven mechanism adapted to generate a curve that corresponds substantially with the shape of the curved plane, said mechanism being coupled with at least one of said carriages to cause said one carriage and said vertical shaft axis to follow the curved plane in the subject as the arm rotates to orbit the x-ray source and film carrier means around the subject.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for radiographing a curved plane in a subject comprising: a. an overhead support base, b. a first carriage mounted on said base and means constraining said first carriage to bidirectional mOvements along one axis of the curved plane, c. a second carriage mounted on the first carriage and means constraining said second carriage to bidirectional movements along the other axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, said second carriage being translatable with the first carriage, d. a substantially vertical shaft journalled on said second carriage and extending down through said first carriage, e. an arm supported by said vertical shaft and adapted to rotate on the axis of said vertical shaft in a substantially horizontal plane above the subject, f. an x-ray source and a film carrier means mounted on said arm on respectively opposite sides of said vertical axis for jointly orbiting about a space that is to be occupied by the radiographic subject, g. an electric motor and means coupling said motor with said vertical shaft to swing said horizontal arm about its vertical rotational axis, and h. a motor driven mechanism adapted to generate a curve that corresponds substantially with the shape of the curved plane, said mechanism being coupled with at least one of said carriages to cause said one carriage and said vertical shaft axis to follow the curved plane in the subject as the arm rotates to orbit the x-ray source and film carrier means around the subject.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 further including: a. means that interconnect said vertical shaft and said motor driven mechanism for synchronous operation to maintain said arm in perpendicularity with the curved plane being radiographed as the vertical axis of said shaft follows the curved plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 further including: a. a rotatable film cassette supporting drum means inside said film carrier means, b. a wheel driven by friction and journalled for rotation on said second carriage, c. a fixed planar surface on which said wheel bears and which causes said wheel to be rotated as said carriage follows its curved path, and d. belt means coupling said wheel and said drum means, whereby said drum means is rotated continuously as the axis of said arm follows its curved path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 further including a mechanism for generating a substantially semi-elliptical curve that corresponds substantially with the dental arch of a subject, said mechanism comprising: a. a pair of stationary guide members supported on said base, said guide members being arranged perpendicular to each other, b. an ellipse generating arm, c. a pair of guide member engaging means carried on said arm and each of said means being slidably engaged with a different one of said guide members, whereby movement of said arm will cause a point thereon to trace an elliptical curve, d. a shaft means at one end of said arm to apply rotational force on the arm, e. a force transmitting member fastened to said second carriage and journalled on said shaft means, f. means adapted to rotate said shaft means to cause a point on said arm to move in an elliptical path, said force transmitting member causing said carriage to follow the same elliptical path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention set forth in claim 5 including means for varying the length of the axes of the substantial semi-ellipse, said means comprising: a. means supporting said guide member engaging means adjustably along said ellipse generating arm, b. lead screw means engaged with the supporting means for the guide engaging means, and c. means adapted to turn said lead screw means for changing the location of said guide engaging means on said ellipse generating arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |