US5487661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable dental camera and system
Assignee: Gendex Corp
•
Filing: 1993-10-08
•
Granted: 1996-01-30
•
Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a camera system including a handpiece having a lens, and a cable connector connected to opposite ends of a cable and a plurality of power source bases. The cable connector includes a video processor. Each power source base has a base connector and a light source. The cable connector is adapted to be connected to each base connector. The camera system is used by connecting the cable connector one at a time to each of the base connectors. The handpiece is enclosed by a disposable sleeve. The sleeve is held against the handpiece by an autoclavable rigid jacket. The portable dental camera is maintain sterile by enclosing at least the distal end of the handpiece with a first sleeve, and generating an image of first patient with the camera and a first power source base in a first dental operatory room. The first sleeve is then removed from the handpiece and replaced with a second sleeve. An image of a second patient is then generated using the camera and a second power source base in a second dental operatory room. Preferably a sleeve which has a lens and is sterilizable and reusable is used to enclose the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith C. Peithman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/05; A61B1/053; A61B1/00142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible dental camera cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible dental camera cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a lens and a charge coupled device, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said charge coupled device, said cover being positioned over said handpiece to substantially enclose said handpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination comprising a dental camera handpiece and a flexible cover having an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a lens and a charge coupled device, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said charge coupled device, said cover being positioned over said handpiece to substantially enclose said handpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said body wall is rigid and said cover is sterilizable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination comprising a dental handpiece, and a flexible cover, said cover consisting essentially of an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination comprising a dental handpiece, and a flexible cover, said cover consisting essentially of an elongated generally cylindrical body wall and a lens, said lens being supported by said body wall, said dental handpiece having a charge coupled device and a prism, said lens being positioned to refract light onto said prism, said prism being positioned to reflect said refracted light onto said charge coupled device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 4 further comprising a rigid jacket, said jacket being positioned over said cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cover of claim 5 wherein said cover is positioned over said handpiece to substantially enclose said handpiece.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |