Dental X-ray system with electronic sensor
View Patent ↗A dental X-ray system includes a radiation source used to produce X-rays and disposed in an X-ray head. The system has an electronic sensor used to detect X-rays. The sensor can be detachably connected to a central unit of the X-ray system by a plug-in connection. The electronic control system for the sensor is integrated into a plug connected thereto by an external connection cable and is associated with the sensor, thereby enabling a simple exchange between two sensors. The system can include several sensors that can be operated parallel to each other.
1. A dental X-ray system, comprising:
an X-ray head having a radiation source selectively generating X-ray radiation;
a central unit communicating with said X-ray head to selectively control the generation of X-ray radiation from said X-ray head;
a plug connection connected to said central unit; and
an electronic X-ray radiation detection sensor releasably connected with said central unit through said plug connection, said sensor having:
a plug;
control electronics integrated into said plug, said control electronics regulating control of said X-ray radiation detection sensor and regulating reading out of image information from said X-ray radiation detection sensor; and
an external cable connecting said plug with said sensor.
2. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a mounting having a framework carrying said X-ray head; and
a connection socket for receiving said plug, said connection socket being disposed in one of said X-ray head and said framework in an immediate vicinity of said X-ray head.
3. The dental X-ray system according to claim 2 , further comprising at least one connection line running within said framework from said connection socket to said central unit.
4. The dental X-ray system according to claim 2 , further comprising a repository for removably receiving said sensor thereat, said repository being disposed on at least one of said X-ray head and said framework.
5. The dental X-ray system according to claim 4 , wherein said repository is removable.
6. The dental X-ray system according to claim 4 , wherein said repository is of a sterilizable material.
7. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , wherein said plug connection has a USB connection.
8. The dental X-ray system according to claim 7 , wherein said control electronics integrated into said plug is a USB device.
9. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , wherein said plug connection is a standard PC connection.
10. The dental X-ray system according to claim 9 , wherein said standard PC connection is selected from one of the group consisting of a USB connection, a Firewire connection, and a Bluetooth connection.
11. The dental X-ray system according claim 1 , further comprising a current supply source commonly supplying current to each of said X-ray head, said central unit, said sensor, and said control electronics.
12. The dental X-ray system according claim 1 , wherein detection by said sensor occurs synchronously with activation of said radiation source.
13. The dental X-ray system according to claim 12 , wherein said central unit has a signal unit electrically connected to said sensor and transmitting a start signal to said control electronics upon activation of said radiation source.
14. The dental X-ray system according to claim 13 , wherein said plug connection has a USB connection and said signal unit has a USB hub.
15. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , wherein:
said sensor transmits data; and
a computing device is:
connected to at least one of said sensor and said central unit; and
programmed to evaluate said data transmitted by said sensor.
16. The dental X-ray system according to claim 15 , wherein said sensor transmits said data to said computing device wirelessly.
17. The dental X-ray system according to claim 15 , wherein said sensor transmits said data to said computing device through a data network.
18. The dental X-ray system according to claim 15 , further comprising memory media, said sensor transmitting said data to said computing device through said memory media.
19. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor has a flat housing and a radiation sensitive semiconductor element mounted in said housing.
20. The dental X-ray system according to claim 19 , wherein said radiation sensitive semiconductor element is one of a CCD chip and a CMOS chip.
21. The dental X-ray system according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor is at least two sensors carrying out sensor operations at the same time.
22. The dental X-ray system according to claim 21 , wherein:
said electronic X-ray radiation detection sensors detect signals; and
said central unit has a unit automatically recognizing which of said sensors is in a field of X-ray radiation based upon signals detected by said sensors.
23. The dental X-ray system according to claim 21 , wherein said central unit has a recognition unit automatically recognizing which of said sensors is in a field of X-ray radiation based upon X-ray radiation detected by said sensors.
24. The dental X-ray system according to claim 21 , wherein said at least two sensors are different in size.
25. A dental X-ray system, comprising:
an X-ray head having a radiation source selectively generating X-ray radiation;
a central unit communicating with said X-ray head to selectively control the generation of X-ray radiation from said X-ray head; and
first and second electronic X-ray radiation detection sensors releasably connected with said central unit through at least one plug connection, said sensors operating in parallel to one another, each of said sensors having:
a plug;
control electronics integrated into said plug, said control electronics regulating control of said X-ray radiation detection sensor and regulating reading out of image information from said X-ray radiation detection sensor; and
an external cable connecting said plug with said sensor.
26. The dental X-ray system according to claim 25 , wherein:
said electronic X-ray radiation detection sensors detect signals; and
said central unit has an evaluation unit automatically recognizing which of said sensors is in a field of X-ray radiation based upon signals detected by said sensors.
27. The dental X-ray system according to claim 25 , wherein said central unit has an evaluation unit automatically recognizing which of said sensors is in a field of X-ray radiation based upon X-ray radiation detected by said sensors.