Color coded dental X-ray positioning device

A positioning device for holding a dental x-ray imaging media during the taking of a dental x-ray includes an aiming ring, a bite block and a positioning arm extending therebetween. The bite block carries a journal or barrel for receiving a portion of the positioning arm therein such that the portion of the positioning arm thus received can rotate or move therein, such that the position between the bite block and the aiming ring can be selected in one of a plurality of positions corresponding to a position for taking one of a plurality of dental x-ray images. In another embodiment, the bite block carries a window through which a color-coded or other indicia portion of the positioning arm is positioned such that the user can view the indicia to determine the x-ray image for which the device is set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices to position dental imaging media are known in the art, such as the XCP devices available from DENTSPLY International of York, Pa. Such devices often have a positioning arm affixed to bite block. The patient bits on the bite block to secure it in the oral cavity. A shelf or other means is often provided to physically engage and position an x-ray imaging media in that position. Such media includes for example, traditional x-ray film, digital sensors, phosphor plates and the like.

Often it is necessary for the dental professional to have multiple positioning devices for the taking of the different views required. In one x-ray session the professional may choose between anterior devices, posterior devices and others.

A need exists therefore for a positioning device capable of easily switching between a plurality of dental x-ray imaging positions. The device should have some indicia (such as color coding, writing, verbiage, phrases or sentences, symbols, pictures, marks, scribes, detents and the like or combinations thereof—all collectively referred to herein as color coding, indicia and the like for the sake of simplicity).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A positioning device for holding a dental x-ray imaging media during the taking of a dental x-ray includes an aiming ring, a bite block and a positioning arm extending therebetween. The bite block carries a journal or barrel for receiving a portion of the positioning arm therein such that the portion of the positioning arm thus received can rotate or move therein, such that the position between the bite block and the aiming ring can be selected in one of a plurality of positions corresponding to a position for taking one of a plurality of dental x-ray images. In another embodiment, the bite block carries a window through which a color-coded or other indicia portion of the positioning arm is positioned such that the user can view the indicia to determine the x-ray image for which the device is set.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A positioning device for holding a dental x-ray imaging media during the taking of a dental x-ray includes an aiming ring, a bite block and a positioning arm extending therebetween. The bite block carries a journal or barrel for receiving a portion of the positioning arm therein such that the portion of the positioning arm thus received can rotate or move therein, such that the position between the bite block and the aiming ring can be selected in one of a plurality of positions corresponding to a position for taking one of a plurality of dental x-ray images. In another embodiment, the bite block carries a window through which a color-coded or other indicia portion of the positioning arm is positioned such that the user can view the indicia to determine the x-ray image for which the device is set.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As shown on the drawings, an aiming device10according to the present invention includes an aiming ring11preferably removably affixed to a support arm12. Support arm12may be configured at one end13to be received within a cup14by a friction fit. Any means of affixing ring11to arm12is within the scope of the invention. Except as may be otherwise described herein, aiming ring11and support arm12operate in a manner conventional and well-known in the dental imaging art, and which need not be further described herein.

At an end20of support arm12, there is provided a means to be preferably removably affixed to a bite block21. This means preferably includes a barrel, journal or bore22within which is received end20of support arm12. More preferably still, end20is received within bore22in a manner such that while end20is held therein such as by a friction fit or the like, end20and hence, all of arm12may be freely rotated therein. Hence, arm12can be said to be journaled within bite block21.

A back support30is also provided which is used to support an image media in a conventional manner. According to the invention, back support30is removably affixed to bite block21in any conventional manner. One preferred such affixation is by using a gripping element31that is sized somewhat smaller than the gripped dimension of back support3030. By fabricating gripping element31from a suitable material that can be resiliently deformed, such as a plastic material, gripping element31can be slightly deformed to receive an edge of back support30and thereby hold it in that position. It will be appreciated that back plate30can be inserted into gripping element31along any of its edges, thereby allowing it to be positioned for the desired dental image. This is shown in phantom lines inFIG. 4and as betweenFIGS. 1 and 2.

According to one aspect of the present invention, bite block21operates as any conventional bite block, but also has therein at least one window40. End20of support arm12is provided with different color codes or other indicia41such that as arm12is rotated within bite block21as was above described, a different indicia41appears in window40. In this manner, by properly selecting an indicia41, the user can quickly view the indicia within window40and ascertain the dental image for which the device10is then set.

Similarly, aiming ring11may also be provided with a window50such that an indicia51appears therein to also signify to an observer the position within which aiming ring11is set. Similar again is a window60that may be provided in backing plate30having indicia61for similar purpose. In a preferred embodiment, a mounting arm70is affixed to bite block20and which is provided with a bearing71upon which is mounted backing plate30in a rotatable manner.

It is to be appreciated that a device10as described is able to provide a single alignment device that can be manually positioned between anterior and posterior positions without disassembly or the addition or removal of other parts, hardware or components. The device according to the present invention does not require tools to position the device between the anterior and posterior positions. As desired, the back support30or plate30of bite-block20can be re-sized to match the rectangular outline size of the image film/sensor (not shown). Such feature minimizes back support30from protruding beyond film/sensors' outline and provides a solid surface for a flexible image film/sensor. Via rotation, lateral translation and otherwise repositioning back support30components relative to one another, back support30outline can be changed to match the image film/sensor's outline.

By properly fabricating the appropriate components of device10from a suitable flexible material, such as a plastic, back support30outline can be changed to match image film/sensors' outline. The extent of back support30resizing may be limited to the number of standard film/sensor sizes it could match. Therefore, a family of product may be needed to accommodate the complete range film/sensors sizes.

Gripping element31of the bite-block20can accept and securely hold image film/sensors of different thicknesses. Securing the image film/sensor is done without harm or damage to the image film/sensor. The means of securing the image film/sensor can be accomplished by compression between a compressible, formable, malleable or otherwise flexing material and a rigid material, any combination thereof or indeed in any conventional manner without limitation.

It will be appreciated that windows40,50and60may be translucent members, opaque members, transparent members or the like. All such variances are within the scope of the term “window” as used herein.

FIG. 3shows an alternative embodiment of an aiming device10ahaving an aiming ring11a, a support arm12aand a bite block21a, all of which operate in a similar manner to the elements corresponding name as described hereinabove. In this embodiment, a backing plate or support30ais provided with gripping ends30b, configured to receive an image media (not shown) of operatively complementary configuration. Bite block21amay also be though of as operating in a manner similar to mounting arm70as described above, and in such role has been tagged with the number70aon the drawings. Backing plate30amay be rotatably affixed to mounting arm70asuch as by spindle80. Backing plate30bis free to rotate to the desired position as determined by the operator.

It will be appreciated that a device10as described herein will carry out the objectives of the invention. The invention has been described herein with reference to the drawing figures for illustrative purposes only, without attempting to show all configurations of the invention. The scope of the invention shall be determined only by the attached claims.