US5513240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intraoral radiograph alignment device
Assignee: Research Foundation of the State University of New York
•
Filing: 1993-05-18
•
Granted: 1996-04-30
•
Expires: 2013-05-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an apparatus for use in serial radiography which provides replicable projection geometry between an energy source, an intraoral target area, and an image receptor. The device uses a stent and an alignment arm which terminates in an alignment ring. The alignment ring is received by a sensor ring affixed to an x-ray source to provide proper projection geometry. Sensors in communication with electronic means may be disposed about the sensor ring to indicate proper alignment.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest Hausmann
- 👤 Darold Wobschall
- 👤 Lance Ortman
- 👤 Evren Kutlubay
- 👤 Kristin Allen
- 👤 David Odrobina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/51; A61B6/512; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B2090/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for providing a replicable projection geometry between an energy source, an intraoral target area, and an image receptor, comprising: a rigid alignment arm, supporting at one end an alignment ring, and supporting at its opposite end an image receptor, the plane of said alignment ring being perpendicular to said alignment arm and said alignment ring having a planar face; a biting surface, supported by said alignment arm in a fixed relationship to said image receptor and bearing impressions of a patient's tooth surfaces; and, a sensor ring, mountable about an energy beam source and having a planar surface for engaging the planar face of said alignment ring, whereby flat contact between the planar surfaces of said alignment ring and sensor ring produces a replicable projection geometry between said energy beam source, target area, and image receptor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for providing a replicable projection geometry between an energy source, an intraoral target area, and an image receptor, comprising: a rigid alignment arm, supporting at one end an alignment ring, and supporting at its opposite end an image receptor, the plane of said alignment ring being perpendicular to said alignment arm and said alignment ring having a planar face; a biting surface, supported by said alignment arm in a fixed relationship to said image receptor and bearing impressions of a patient's tooth surfaces; and, a sensor ring, mountable about an energy beam source and having a planar surface for engaging the planar face of said alignment ring, whereby flat contact between the planar surfaces of said alignment ring and sensor ring produces a replicable projection geometry between said energy beam source, target area, and image receptor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of sensors disposed about the planar surface of said alignment ring, for sensing contact with said alignment ring; and, electronic means in communication with said sensors, for determining from the output of said sensors the attainment of an acceptable projection geometry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: display means in communication with said electronic means, for indicating to a user the attainment of an acceptable projection geometry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alignment arm includes an offset adjacent to said bite block for circumventing a patient's cheek.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said image receptor comprises a film packet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biting surface is an acrylic stent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said biting surface is removably mountable to a replicable fixed position on said alignment arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said sensors are resistive force sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electronic means include comparators in communication with each of said sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said display means comprises a plurality of LEDs, each of said LEDs corresponding to one of said plurality of sensors, said LEDs being oriented in a manner corresponding to the relative position of their respective force sensors on said sensor ring, each of said LEDs being lit when sufficient force is detected by said LED's respective sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an LED for indicating the achievement of acceptable alignment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet on the face of said sensor ring for facilitating contact between said alignment ring and said sensor ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said image receptor is adjustable in height with respect to said biting surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3745344A
Cited
US4012638A
Cited
US4223228A
Cited
US4554676A
Cited
US4949370A
Cited
US5090047A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-10-30 | 2000-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | 2004-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-30 | 2007-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |