Abstract:
A holder for a dental x-ray image sensor including a handle having a grooved top portion, and a first end, and a L-shaped member having a grooved top portion and a long end. The first end of the handle connects to the long end of the L-shaped member. The grooved top portion of the handle aligns with the grooved top portion of the L-shaped member. Also, there is a bite member, attached adjacent to the long end of the L-shaped member and perpendicular to the long end of the L-shaped member. Wherein, the holder is made of material that glows in the dark.

Description:
RELATED ART  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a holder for a dental X-ray image sensor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for holding a dental X-ray image detection device for holding Digital Intra Oral Sensors.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Holders for dental X-ray film packets are known in the art. Two examples can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,256,982 and 4,075,494. The holders disclosed in these patents include a handle to assist the technician in correctly placing the film packets in the patient&#39;s mouth. However, for a variety of reasons, such X-ray film holders are cumbersome and uncomfortable for the patient. Bite-wing loops include a bite surface and a rigid paper-like flat loop for accommodating the X-ray packets.  
         [0003]     Despite the longstanding popularity of bite-wing loops, there are many disadvantages with their use. For example, the lack of a handle makes them difficult for the technician to place in the mouth correctly. Further, the rigid connection between the X-ray film packet and the loop makes it difficult to adjust the position of the packet depending upon the patient&#39;s intraoral anatomy. Specifically, the architecture of patients&#39; upper palate and base of the tongue will vary and the inability of the traditional bite-wing or rigid holding devices to accommodate for the variances between the architectures of individuals&#39; upper palate and tongue area adversely affects the quality of the X-rays.  
         [0004]     Further, and more important, the traditional X-ray film packets are being replaced by digital X-ray sensors. Digital X-rays are quickly replacing traditional X-rays in the dental field because less radiation is used and images can be more quickly analyzed and manipulated using a computer.  
         [0005]     However, problems have arisen with the use of digital X-ray sensors because they tend to be large and rigid, like traditional X-ray film packets and, an accommodation must be made for the wire lead connected to the sensor. Still further, the inability of traditional bite-wing or traditional holding devices to accommodate for variations in the individual patient&#39;s intraoral anatomy is especially problematic with the use of digital X-ray sensors because of their size and rigidity.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved holding device for digital X-ray sensors that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0007]     A dental X-ray image digital sensor holder for holding Digital Intra Oral Sensors aids in the positioning in the mouth of these sensors for X-rays. Furthermore, the digital sensor holder is designed to hold the various sizes and brands of sensors on the market today. The advantage of this new holder of the current holders is that it “glows in the dark”. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark.  
         [0008]     As stated above, the DSH  100  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital sensors, aiming and taking the x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  100  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0009]     In one aspect, the digital sensor holder has a handle having a grooved top portion and is connected to the long side of a L-shaped member that also has a grooved top portion. There is a bite area that is attached adjacent and perpendicular to the long side of the L-shaped member. The handle are attached such that the grooves are aligned. The grooves are used to hold the digital intra oral sensors. Furthermore, the holder glows in the dark realizing the advantages stated above.  
         [0010]     In another aspect, the digital sensor holder has a handle having a grooved top portion and is connected to the bottom of a short side of a L-shaped member that also has a grooved top portion. The grooved top portion of the L-shaped member and the grooved top portion of the handle face in the same direction. The grooves are used to hold the digital intra oral sensors. Furthermore, the holder glows in the dark realizing the advantages stated above.  
         [0011]     Additional embodiments and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims when considered with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder, according to the present invention:  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder, according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder, according to the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder, according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder (“DSH”)  100 , according to the present invention. The DSH  100  includes a handle  101 , a L-shaped member  102  having a long end  103  and a short end  104 . The long end  103  of L-shaped member  102  is attached to a end  116  of handle  101 , The DSH  100  also includes a bite member  105  attached adjacent to and perpendicular to the long end  103  of L-shaped member  102 . The DSH  100  glows in the dark and may reduce the need of dentists, hygienists and other dental staff who may place the DSH  100  in a mouth to do so correctly without turning room lights on and off while x-raying the mouth of a patient.  
         [0017]     The handle  101  and the L-shaped member  102  of the DSH  100  include grooves  106  and  107  respectively. The handle  101  and the L-shaped member  102  are attached in such a way that the grooves  106  and  107  align. Handle  101  also has an access end  108  that is open. Likewise, the L-shaped member  102  has an access end  109  that is open.  
         [0018]     As stated above, the DSH  100  also includes a bite member  105  attached to and perpendicular to the long end  103  of L-shaped member  103 . In the present invention, the bite member  105  includes bite members  105   a  and  105   b , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Bite members  105   a  and  105   b  maybe separated by a space  110 . Bite members  105   a  and  105   b  may also include ridges  111 ,  112  on a top side and ridges  113 ,  114  (not shown) respectively on a bottom side to allow the patient to grip the bite members  105   a  and  105   b  better.  
         [0019]     Typically, DSH  100  is made of a one piece. In the present invention, the DSH  100  is made of infused glow in the dark autoclavable plastic. A description of the DSH  100  use is described below.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the DSH  100  that is placed on the left side of a face and in the mouth of a patient so that the bite members  105   a  and  105   b  may be bitten by the patient&#39;s back teeth. The bite members  105   a  are attached to a left side of the L-shaped member  102  as looking from the handle end  108 . A digital intra oral sensor (not shown) is placed within the grooves  106  and  107 . The grooves  106  and  107  are used to hold the digital intra oral sensor in place. In the present embodiment, hooks  115  also facilitate holding the digital intra oral sensor in place. However, typically the hooks  115  are not necessary to hold the digital intra oral sensor in place, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0021]     The digital intra oral sensor can be linked to a computer (not shown).  
         [0022]     With the DSH  100  in place within the mouth a digital x-ray can be taken. Typically, x-rays are taken in a darken room. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark. As stated above, the DSH  100  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital senors, aiming and taking x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  100  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a dental X-ray image digital sensor holder (“DSH”)  200 , according to the present invention. The DSH  200  includes a handle  201 , a L-shaped member  202  having a long end  203  and a short end  204 . The long end  203  of L-shaped member  202  is attached to a end  222  of handle  201 , The DSH  200  also includes a bite member  205  attached adjacent to and perpendicular to the long end  203  of L-shaped member  202 . The DSH  200  glows in the dark. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark. As stated above, the DSH  200  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital sensors, aiming and taking the x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  200  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0024]     The handle  201  and the L-shaped member  202  of the DSH  200  include grooves  206  and  207  respectively. The handle  201  and the L-shaped member  202  are attached in such a way that the grooves  206  and  207  align. Handle  201  also has an access end  208  that is open. Likewise, the L-shaped member  202  has an access end  209  that is open.  
         [0025]     As stated above, the DSH  200  also includes a bite member  205  attached to and perpendicular to the long end  203  of L-shaped member  203 . In the present invention, the bite member  205  includes bite members  205   a  and  205   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Bite members  205   a  and  205   b  are separated by a space  210 . Bite members  205   a  and  205   b  may also include ridges  220  on a top side and ridges  221  (not shown) on a bottom side to allow the patient to grip the bite members  205   a  and  205   b  better.  
         [0026]     Typically, DSH  200  is made of a one piece. In the present invention, the DSH  200  is made of infused glow in the dark autoclavable plastic. A description of the DSH  200  use is described below.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the DSH  200  that is placed on the right side of a face and in the mouth of the patient so that the bite members  205   a  and  205   b  may be bitten by a patient&#39;s back teeth. The bite members  205   a  are attached to a right side of the L-shaped member  202  as looking from the handle end  208 . A digital intra oral sensor (not shown) is placed within the grooves  206  and  207 . The grooves  206  and  207  are used to hold the digital intra oral sensor in place.  
         [0028]     The digital intra oral sensor can be linked to a computer (not shown).  
         [0029]     With the DSH  200  in place within the mouth a digital x-ray can be taken. Typically, x-rays are taken in a darken room. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark. As stated above, the DSH  200  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital senors, aiming and taking the x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  200  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a dental x-ray image dental sensor holder (“DSH”)  300  includes a handle  301  having a end  302  an access end  303 , and a groove  304 , a L-shaped member  305  having a groove  306  on an interior of the L-shaped member  305 , a short portion  307  having end  308 , and a long portion  309  having and end  310 . The end  302  of the handle  301  is connected to an underside  311  of the short portion  307  of the L-shaped member  305 , typically, near the center of the short portion  307 .  
         [0031]     In the present invention, the DSH  300  is made of infused glow in the dark autoclavable plastic, and is typically cast as on piece. A description of the DSH  100  use is described below.  
         [0032]     A digital intra oral sensor (not shown) is placed within groove  306  and bent over  308  and into groove  304  and out of access end  303 . The digital intra oral sensor can be linked to a computer (not shown). Grooves  308  and  304  are designed to accommodate a variety of digital intra oral sensors. However, typical digital intra oral sensors may not require hooks  312 , to hold them within the groove  304  of the handle  301 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0033]     The DSH  300  is place in the front of a mouth and is held secure by having a patient bite down on the short portion  307 . With the DSH  300  in place within the mouth a digital x-ray can be taken. Typically, x-rays are taken in a darken room. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark. As stated above, the DSH  300  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital senors, aiming and taking the x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  300  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a dental x-ray image dental sensor holder (“DSH”)  400  includes a handle  401  having a end  402  an access end  403 , and a groove  404 , a L-shaped member  405  having a groove  406  on an interior of the L-shaped member  405 , a short portion  407  having end  408 , and a long portion  409  having and end  410 . The end  402  of the handle  401  is connected to an underside  411  of the short portion  407  of the L-shaped member  405 , typically, near the center of the short portion  407 .  
         [0035]     In the present invention, the DSH  400  is made of infused glow in the dark autoclavable plastic, and is typically cast as on piece. A description of the DSH  400  use is described below.  
         [0036]     A digital intra oral sensor (not shown) is placed within groove  406  and bent over  408  and into groove  404  and out of access end  403 . The digital intra oral sensor can be linked to a computer (not shown). Grooves  408  and  404  are designed to accommodate a variety of digital intra oral sensors.  
         [0037]     The DSH  400  is place in the front of a mouth and is held secure by having a patient bite down on the short portion  407 . With the DSH  400  in place within the mouth a digital x-ray can be taken. Typically, x-rays are taken in a darken room. Placing digital sensors in the oral cavity can be difficult because the mouth is dark. As stated above, the DSH  400  glows in the dark, which may make placing the digital sensors, aiming and taking the x-ray easier because the target area will be slightly illuminated. Being able to better see the target by using the DSH  400  should eliminate some commons errors produced in normal dental x-rays, such as cone cutting.  
         [0038]     The foregoing detailed description is merely illustrative of several physical embodiments of the invention. Physical variations of the invention, not fully described in the specification, may be encompassed within the purview of the claims. Accordingly, any narrower description of the elements in the specification should be used for general guidance, rather than to unduly restrict any broader descriptions of the elements in the following claims.