Patent Publication Number: US-2010128840-A1

Title: Photographing apparatus of composition-image for dental diagnosis

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis, and more particularly, to a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis, wherein a dental diagnosis for teeth/periodontal diseases and orthodontics can be simply done even with an imaging apparatus, and a patient&#39;s head portion can be automatically rotated according to image taking directions so as to simplify radiography, save radiography time, and minimize X-ray exposure. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the dentistry, an imaging apparatus is generally provided to diagnose the conditions of the alveolar bone including the teeth for the cure of the teeth/periodontal disease and the orthodontics. 
     The main objective of the X-ray imaging apparatus is for the dentist to consider any existing diseased factors in the patient&#39;s jawbone and information affecting the medical treatment together with the recognition of the size/shape of the jawbone and the anatomical changes of the skull along with the vertical and horizontal axis, and those image information are very important to the most suitable dental treatment and every procedures for increasing the long-term success after the treatment. 
     Related imaging methods generally emit an X-ray beam, and available examples thereof include a panoramic X-ray image system, which is a two-dimensional flat image of the jawbone including the teeth; a computerized tomography image (CT) system, which is a comparatively more accurate three-dimensional image; and a cephalometric imaging system, in which the images of the patient&#39;s head can be taken from front to back, from back to front, from the left, or right side. 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view illustrating the structure of a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus of the prior art. The conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus  900  is provided with a panoramic imaging system  901  and a cephalometric image detector portion  950 . The panoramic imaging system  901  includes a base  910  standing on the floor of the building, a main body including a support column  911  supported by the base  910  and an elevating portion  920  mounted to the support column  911  so as to be movable upward and downward along the support column  911 , provided with a top frame  930  installed horizontally on an upper end of the elevating portion  920 , a rotary arm  940  installed rotatably on one end of the top frame  930 , an X-ray generator  942  formed on one side of the rotary arm  940 , and a panoramic image detector  944  formed on the other side of the rotary arm  920 , for detecting a generated X-ray by. The cephalometric image detector portion  950  includes a support arm  951  installed on the elevating portion  920 , a support frame  953  supported by the support arm  951 , and a cephalometric detector  954 . 
     Further, since the panoramic image detector  944  is removably coupled to the rotary arm  940 , in the case where cephalometric images are intended to be taken, the panoramic image detector  944  is separated from the imaging apparatus, so that X-ray beams emitted from the X-ray generator  942  can be detected on the cephalometric image detector  954 . 
     Since the cephalometric image detector  954  installed on the panoramic image apparatus  901  requires that the X-ray beams for taking the image of the head be emitted at a little further location than for the panoramic image, a support arm  951  having a proper length can be formed with a regular interval from the X-ray generator  942 . For that reason, the indoor space occupied by the imaging system  900  needs to be expanded despite the imaging system  900  is not being used and the reliability of the image quality can be lowered because of the rough shaking when mechanical and/or electrical vibration in the cephalometric image-taking process is transferred to the cephalometric image detector  954  via the support arm  951 . 
     Since radiographies including the teeth, the alveolar bone and the skull&#39;s jawbone of an object (patient) are being processed only by the simple rotation of the rotary arm  940  in the leftward and rightward direction while the patient is positioned on the base  910 , there can be some problems such as an inefficient image-taking process, for example, in which the patient has to change his/her pose according to the body portion, the image of which is being taken, and resultant time delay. 
     In addition, the cephalometric image detector  950  is not rotatable as mentioned above and is installed apart from the X-ray generator  942  with a certain interval, and there has been a cumbersome job of removing the panoramic image detector  944  for the cephalometric image taking process. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been made to solve the above mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and therefore, the present invention is directed to a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis, wherein respective detectors for a CT image, a panoramic image and a cephalometric image are coupled to proper positions of a single rotary arm, so that radiographies for various kinds of dental diagnosis can be simply and efficiently implemented. 
     The present invention is also directed to a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis, wherein an object-moving device, which can rotate by 360 degrees and also move in downward and upward directions and frontward and backward directions, is additionally provided on the base, where an object (patient) is located for the radiography, to rotate and move in opposite directions with respect to the rotary arm, so as to reduce X-ray imaging time and thus minimize X-ray exposure, thereby maximizing the efficiency of a dental treatment. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis. The composite imaging apparatus includes a rotary arm horizontally rotating in left and right directions in order to take an X-ray image of teeth, jawbone and alveolar bone of a patient; a support frame vertically moving with a proper range according to a height of the patient, supporting and enabling the rotary arm to be fixed and horizontally rotate; and an object moving device formed on the base so as to move up and down a for certain range, reciprocate in forward and backward directions, horizontally rotate in forward and reverse directions while the patient is sitting thereon, and through systematic operation with the rotary arm, facilitate radiography. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     As clearly understood in the above explanation, the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention has the cephalometric image detector, which is provided as a unitary part on the rotary arm, laterally spaced apart from and positioned lower than the CT and panoramic image detector on the rotary arm. This structure can resolve the cumbersome of equipment usage of the prior art, in which the cephalometric image detector was installed due to its nature on the elevating frame, separate from the rotary arm, and thereby maximize cost saving and the efficiency of equipment usage for radiography. 
     Further, the position of the patient&#39;s head can be automatically changed by moving the object moving device, so that various kinds of radiography can be easily done without taking some annoying actions, such as the patient needs to change his/her pose according to an instruction from a nurse or a surgeon while standing on the base of the conventional X-ray imaging apparatus. The object moving device can be elevated up and down, moved forward and backward, or rotated for 360 degrees in a direction opposite the movement of the rotary arm, so that the radiography time can be dramatically reduced and the X-ray exposure harmful to the human body can be minimized at the same time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view illustrating the structure of a conventional dental X-ray imaging apparatus of the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is an overall perspective view showing the structure of a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the base portion of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention, taken from the side thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view showing the structure of a rotary arm as an important part of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded diagram illustrating the structure of an object moving device in the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  are exemplary diagrams illustrating the operations of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MAJOR REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SYMBOLS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A: imaging apparatus  1 : rotary arm 
       1   a:  head positioning space  2 : support frame 
       3 : object moving device  11 : X-ray source 
       12 : CT and panoramic image detector 
       13 : cephalometric image detector 
       21 : elevating frame  22 : support column 
       23 : base housing  23   a:  fitting space 
       31 : moving means  32 : treatment chair 
       311 : turntable  312 : support shaft 
       312   a:  ball bearing  313 : bevel gear 
       314 : driving motor  315 : reciprocating bed 
       315 - 1 : moving plate  315 - 2 : fixed plate 
       316 : horizontal shock absorber 
       317 : vertical shock absorber 
       321 : chin rest 
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily implemented by those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 2  is an overall perspective view showing the structure of a composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the base portion of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention, taken from the side thereof,  FIG. 5  is a front elevational view showing the structure of a rotary arm as an important part of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 6  is an exploded diagram illustrating the structure of an object moving device in the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention, and  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  are exemplary diagrams illustrating the operations of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis A in accordance with the present invention includes a rotary arm  1 , a support frame  2  and an object moving device  3 . The rotary arm  1  horizontally rotates in left and right directions for the purpose of dental diagnosis such as radiography. The support frame  2  moves vertically with the proper range according to the patient&#39;s height while supporting and enabling the rotary arm  1  to be fixed and horizontally rotate. The object moving device  3  is formed on the base; and can move up and down a for certain range, reciprocate in forward and backward directions, horizontally rotate in forward and reverse directions while the patient is sitting thereon; and through systematic operation with the rotary arm  1 , facilitate the radiography. 
     The rotary arm  1  is to take the X-ray images of the alveolar bone and the jawbone of the skull, including the teeth, from various directions. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the rotary arm  1  is coupled at the upper center thereof with the support frame  2  by the hinge so as to rotate 360 degrees in left and right directions, and is provided with an overturned U-shaped (∩-shaped) structure with a head positioning space  1   a  covering the patient&#39;s head. An X-ray source  11  is provided in one end of the rotary arm  1 , with a collimator for emitting X-ray beams, and a CT and panoramic detector  12  is formed in the other end of the rotary arm  1  so as to be used for the two or three dimensional radiography of the teeth and/or the alveolar bone for the purpose of the dental diagnosis of the teeth and/or the alveolar bone. For the radiography of the skull&#39;s jawbone which needs the dental diagnosis for the orthodontics, a cephalometric image detector  13  is additionally installed in an outer end, which is further elongated than the other end of the rotary arm  1 . 
     Since the cephalometric image detector  13  is needed for the extended emitting range due to its nature, the cephalometric image detector  13  is installed more or less farther than the CT and panoramic image detector  12  and, at the same time, is preferable to be located comparatively lower than the CT and panoramic image detector  12  so that the X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray source  11  is not disturbed by the CT and panoramic image detector  12 . 
     A support frame  2  is coupled with the rotary arm  1  by the hinge allowing the rotary arm  1  to move and rotate for 360 degrees, and is designed to move vertically with the proper range according to the patient&#39;s height. The support frame  2  is constructed with an elevating frame  21  capable of vertically moving up and down in a proper range, with a fixed frame  211  formed on one side thereof for the fixing and rotation of the rotary arm  1 ; a support column  22  supporting and enabling the fixed frame  21  to vertically move; and a base housing  23  coupled with the bottom of the support column  22  as one body, the base housing  23  having an inner holding space  23   a  for the object moving device  3  to be housed therein. 
     The object moving device  3  is to save the radiography time by moving reversely to the rotation of the rotary arm  1 , which acts to take CT images, panoramic images and cephalometric images. As shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6 , the object moving device  3  includes a moving means  31 , which is installed in the holding space  23   a  of the base housing  23 , for automatically causing the patient&#39;s body to rotate in forward, backward, leftward and rightward rotations or move in upward and downward directions; and a treatment chair  32  designed for the patient to sit conveniently so as to prevent the patient&#39;s body from shaking due to the movement of the moving means  31 . 
     The moving means  31  is designed to rotate the patient&#39;s body reversely from the rotary arm  1 , which acts to take the X-ray images of the patient&#39;s head by rotating around the patient&#39;s head. The moving means  31  includes a turntable  311 , a bevel gear  313 , a driving motor  314 , a reciprocating bed  315 , a horizontal shock absorber  316  and a plurality of vertical shock absorbers  317 . The turntable  311  can feely change the direction of the patient&#39;s body sitting on the treatment chair  32 . The support shaft  312  is vertically coupled with the turntable  311  at the central bottom to rigidly fix the turntable  311  and guide the movement of the turntable  311 . The bevel gear  313  controls the leftward/rightward rotation of the turntable  311  for 360 degrees. The driving motor  314  enables the bevel gear  313  to rotate by gear engagement. The reciprocating bed  315  is composed of a moving plate  315 - 1  and a fixed plate  315 - 2  coupled to the moving plate  315 - 1 . The moving plate  315 - 1  slides to guide the forward/backward movement of the turntable  311 , with the support shaft  312  and the driving motor  314  coupled to the upper surface thereof. The horizontal shock absorber  316  is coupled to the upper portion of the fixed plate  315 - 2  in order to horizontally move the moving plate  315 - 1  in the frontward and backward directions by a cylinder rod. The vertical shock absorbers  317  are coupled to underside edges of the fixed plate  315 - 2 , allowing the turntable  311  to move in upward and downward directions by vertically moving the reciprocating bed  315  through the upward/downward movement of the cylinder rod. 
     Meanwhile, on the upper part of the support part  312 , a ball bearing  312   a  is coupled to help the turntable  311  smoothly move for horizontal 360 degrees through the bevel gear  313 . 
     Further, a chin rest  32  is provided with a separate frame, extending from the back of the treatment chair  32  to the patient&#39;s chin area, for the patient to place his/her chin so as not to move the head. 
     Below, a detailed description will be given of the operations of the composite imaging apparatus for dental diagnosis formed with the above mentioned construction in accordance with the present invention. 
     First, referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a patient is seated on the treatment chair  32  of the object moving device  3  of the X-ray imaging apparatus of the invention, which is designed for the dental diagnosis of the alveolar bone and jawbone including teeth in order to treat teeth/periodontal diseases and orthodontics using X-ray. 
     Next, a dental diagnosis is performed by placing the chin of the patient, seated in the treatment chair  32 , to the chin rest  321 , which is formed in consideration of the patient&#39;s body structure, and by stopping the movement of the patient body according to an instruction from a nurse or a surgeon in the dental clinic. 
     After that, a panoramic imaging is generally taken to diagnose the conditions of the teeth and the alveolar bone of the patient who needs a nerve therapy due to a tooth disease such as a decayed tooth or a periodontal disease such as inflamed gums, and a CT imaging, which can take more detailed three-dimensional images than the panoramic imaging, is used when the implant surgery is needed. 
     For the CT and panoramic imaging, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the X-ray images will be taken for the related area from the various directions when the X-ray beam (electromagnetic wave) from the X-ray source  11  reaches the CT and panoramic image detector  12  after having penetrated the head, as soon as the rotary arm  1  rotates 360 degrees in the left/right direction at the outside of the patient&#39;s head area 
     At this time, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the CT and panoramic image taking can be implemented fast and efficiently by rotating the turntable  11  in the reverse direction against the turning direction of the rotary arm  1  while the bevel gear  313  is moving by engaging with the driving motor  314  of the moving means  31 . 
     On the other hand, when the orthodontics is needed to cure for the imbalanced jaw structure like a jutting chin (referred to as mandibular prognathism), a cephalometric image taking process, in which the whole skull can be examined, is implemented to diagnose the situation of the patient&#39;s jawbone. 
     For the cephalometric image taking process as described above, an X-ray image can be taken for the related area when the X-ray beam from the X-ray source  11  reaches the cephalometric image detector  13  after having penetrated the head in the sate where the rotary arm  1  around the patient&#39;s head has stopped moving. 
     In the mean time, as shown in  FIG. 5 , since the whole structure of the patient&#39;s skull and jawbone needs to be taken for the cephalometric image taking process, the emitting distance from the X-ray source  11  in the cephalometric image taking process should be longer than in the CT and panoramic image taking as mentioned above. The cephalometric image detector  13  is located more or less farther and comparatively lower than the CT and panoramic image detector  12  so that images can be efficiently taken without being disturbed. 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the cephalometric image taking process can be efficiently implemented to take the X-ray images for the whole structures of the head and jawbone by moving the moving plate  315 - 1  of the reciprocating bed  315  in the forward and backward directions with the actuation of the horizontal shock absorber  316  or by moving the turntable  311  in the forward and backward directions or the upward and downward directions with the actuation of the vertical shock absorber  317 , while the patient can stay sitting on the treatment chair  32  without any cumbersome actions such as moving his/her head or changing the direction by moving his/her body. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited thereto. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments can be suitably modified and altered, and such applications fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention that shall be defined by the appended claims.