Wireless digital dental x-ray sensor with positioning apparatus
View Patent ↗A universal integrated wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus includes a digital array sensor, such as CCD or CMOS, attached to a distal end of a bite block portion through a hinge assembly. Attached to an opposite end of the bite block portion is a housing. The housing houses the electrical components which includes the digital imaging processing unit, a wireless transmitting unit, a power source for operating the electronics and a coupling for recharging the power source. An on-board viewer may be in the housing. The electrical components are coupled to the sensor through wires embedded within the bite block portion and extending through the hinge assembly. A target x-ray member is attached to the tubular housing for proper direction of the x-rays onto the sensor.
1. A digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus comprising:
a bite block portion;
a hinge assembly at a distal end of the bite block portion;
a digital array sensor attached to a distal end of a bite block portion through the hinge assembly, wherein the digital array sensor is pivoted to a variety of operative positions relative to the bite block portion;
a housing attached to an opposite end of the bite block portion;
electrical components which are associated with the digital array sensor housed within the housing, the electrical components including a digital imaging processing unit; and
a target x-ray member moveably mounted to the housing and adapted to be aligned with the digital array sensor for proper direction of x-rays onto the digital array sensor.
2. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 1 further including an eccentric offset pivoting connection between the target x-ray member and the housing to allow for aligning the target x-ray member in proper position based upon the position of the digital array sensor.
3. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 1 further including an articulation joint in the bite block portion for angular positioning thereof.
4. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge assembly is a double hinge allowing rotation of the digital away sensor about two orthogonal pivot axes.
5. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least the hinge assembly contains positional sensors to automatically indicate the operative position of the digital array sensor relative to the bite block portion.
6. A wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus comprising:
a bite block portion;
a hinge assembly at a distal end of the bite block portion;
a digital array sensor attached to a distal end of a bite block portion through the hinge assembly, wherein the digital array sensor is pivoted to a variety of operative positions relative to the bite block portion;
a housing attachable to an opposite end of the bite block portion; and
electrical components which are associated with the digital array sensor housed within the housing, the electrical components including a digital imaging processing unit and a wireless transmitting unit.
7. The wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 6 further including a target x-ray member moveably mounted to the housing and adapted to be aligned with the digital away sensor for proper direction of x-rays onto the digital array sensor.
8. The wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electrical components are coupled to the digital array sensor through wires embedded within the bite block portion and extending through the hinge assembly.
9. The wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hinge assembly is a double hinge allowing rotation of the digital array sensor about two orthogonal pivot axes.
10. The wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 6 further including a disposable, flexible sheath covering the digital array sensor and bite block portion in use.
11. The wireless digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least the hinge assembly contains positional sensors to automatically indicate the operative position of the digital array sensor relative to the bite block portion.
12. A digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus comprising:
a bite block portion;
a digital array sensor attached to a distal end of a bite block portion;
a housing attached to an opposite end of the bite block portion;
electrical components which are associated with the digital array sensor housed within the housing, the electrical components including a digital imaging processing unit; and
a target x-ray member mounted on the housing and adapted to be aligned with the digital array sensor for proper direction of x-rays onto the digital array sensor.
13. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the electrical components further include a wireless transmitting unit.
14. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 further including an integral on-board viewer in the housing for at least viewing images from the array.
15. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 14 further including a digital camera lens configured for attachment to the housing for providing intra-oral video images.
16. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the digital array sensor is one of a CCD or a CMOS type sensor, and the sensor and bite block portion is removably attached to the housing.
17. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 further including a sheath covering the digital array sensor and bite block portion.
18. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 further including external wiring extending from the electrical components to an external viewing device.
19. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 further including a hole in the bite block portion to accommodate use of the apparatus in root canal operations.
20. The digital dental x-ray sensor and positioning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the bite block portion is generally planar.