Patent ID: 12257097

The reference numbers shown in the drawings denote the elements as listed below and will be referred to in the subsequent description of the exemplary embodiments:10. Measurement and data communication device11. Measurement unit11a. Extension tube identifier11bCollimator identifier11c. Distance measurement means11d. Position and alignment measurement means11e. Second x-ray sensor12. Second communication means13. Insert tube14. Extension tube15. Collimator16. Power supplying means20. X-ray data management unit21. First communication means22. Processing means23. Data storage means30. Intraoral x-ray generation unit31. X-ray source32. Tube head33. Additional extension tube34. Fourth communication means40. Intraoral x-ray acquisition unit41. First x-ray sensor42. Third communication means43. Sensor holder44. Ring100. Intraoral dental radiology system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.3illustrates a block diagram of an intraoral dental radiology system (100) according to a first embodiment. The intraoral dental radiology system (100) has a measurement and data communication device (10), an x-ray data management unit (20), an intraoral x-ray generation unit (30), and an intraoral x-ray acquisition unit (40). The measurement and data communication device (10) has a measurement unit (11) which is arranged between the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) and the intraoral x-ray acquisition unit (40). The intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) has an x-ray source (31) for exposing at least part of a patient jaw with x-rays. The intraoral x-ray acquisition unit (40) has a first x-ray sensor (41) for acquiring x-ray image data of at least part of the patient jaw. The measurement unit (11) is specifically arranged between the x-ray source (31) and the patient. The measurement unit (11) is adapted to measure features related to the x-rays used for exposing at least part of the patient. The x-ray data management unit (20) and the measurement and data communication device (10) have a first communication means (21) and a second communication means (12) respectively for mutual communication. The first communication means (21) and the second communication means (12) are adapted for wireless communication. The second communication means (12) is adapted to transmit x-ray exposure data which includes the measured features, to the x-ray data management unit (20). The first communication means (21) of the x-ray data management unit (20) is adapted to retrieve at least the x-ray exposure data. The x-ray data management unit (20) has a processing means (22) for processing at least the retrieved data such as the x-ray exposure data. The intraoral dental radiology (100) system is at least partly controlled by the processing means (22). The intraoral x-ray acquisition unit (40) has a third communication means (42) for transmitting the x-ray image data from the first x-ray sensor (41) to the x-ray data management unit (20). The first communication means (21) of the x-ray data management unit (20) is further adapted to retrieve the x-ray image data. The x-ray data management unit (20) has a data storage means (23) that is adapted to record, the retrieved x-ray image data, the x-ray exposure data, patient information and/or other information such as dose area products evaluated through the processing means (22) based on the x-ray exposure data. The intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) has a fourth communication means (34). The processing means (22) is further adapted to control the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) based on the x-ray exposure data through the fourth communication means (34). The processing means (22) is further adapted to control the x-ray exposure duration, the x-ray tube voltage and/or x-ray tube current of the x-ray source (31) of the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) based on the exposure data. The processing means (22) is further adapted to inhibit release of the x-ray exposure by the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) if any abnormality through the x-ray exposure data is identified. Potential abnormalities will be explained later.FIG.2is a partial perspective view of the intraoral dental radiology system (100), especially of the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) according to the first embodiment. The intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) is connectable from its upper part to a movable arm (not shown). The intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) has a tube head (32) which includes the x-ray source (31). The measurement and communication device (10) is detachably attachable to the tube head (32), preferably through complete insertion into the tube head (32).FIG.2illustrates the measurement and data communication device (10) after being attached to the tube head (32).FIG.1shows partial perspective views of the first embodiment, and also of an alternative second embodiment of the measurement and communication device (10) respectively arranged along the lower and upper dashed lines, which are both shown in the state detached from the tube head (32). As shown inFIG.1, the measurement and data communication device (10) according to the first embodiment has an insert tube (13) which accommodates the measurement unit (11) and the second communication means (12). As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the insert tube (13) can be detachably attached, specifically inserted into the tube head (32) without extending the length of the tube head (32). The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the presence/absence or also the type of the insert tube (13). As shown inFIG.1, the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) according to the first embodiment has an additional extension tube (33) which is detachably attachable to the tube head (32) to extend the length of the tube head (32). The additional extension tube (33) is detachably attachable to the tube head (32) in the state when the insert tube (13) has been already attached to the tube head (32). Alternatively, the insert tube (13) can be attached to the additional extension tube (33), specifically through complete insertion into the large diameter portion of the additional extension tube (33) in the state when the additional extension tube (33) has been already attached to the tube head (32) through its low diameter portion. As shown inFIG.3, the measurement unit (11) has an extension tube identifier (11a) for identifying presence/absence or also type of the additional extension tube (33). The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the presence/absence or also type of the additional extension tube (33). As shown inFIG.1, the measurement and data communication device (10) according to the first embodiment has a user-exchangeable collimator (15) for limiting the x-ray field to the size of the first x-ray sensor (41). As shown inFIG.3, the measurement unit (11) has a collimator identifier (11b) for identifying presence/absence or also type of the collimator (15). The type of the collimator (15) is indicative of at least its size. The processing means (22) is further adapted to inhibit release of x-ray exposure by the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) if the identified collimator (15) is not suitable for the first x-ray sensor (41). The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the presence/absence or also type of the collimator (15). Thereby, the x-ray exposure data includes the previously mentioned abnormality relating to the collimators (15). As shown inFIG.1, the intraoral x-ray acquisition unit (40) has a sensor holder (43) for holding the first x-ray sensor (41), and a ring (44) for positioning the tube head (32). As shown inFIG.3, the measurement unit (11) has a distance measurement means, (11c) for measuring the distance of the x-ray source (31) to the ring (44) or to the patient. The exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the measured distance. The release of the x-ray exposure can be optionally inhibited if the distance is not suitable for the targeted region of the patient. As shown inFIG.3, the measurement unit (11) comprises a position and alignment measurement means (11d) for determining the position of the x-ray source (31) and the alignment of the central beam of the x-ray field relative to a horizontal plane. The alignment comprises the azimuthal angle and the polar angle. The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the determined position and alignment. The processing means (22) is adapted to inhibit release of x-ray exposure by the intraoral x-ray generation unit (30) if the determined position and alignment is not suitable for the targeted region. Thereby, the x-ray exposure data includes the previously mentioned abnormality relating to the position and alignment. As shown inFIG.3, the measurement and data communication device (10) has a power supplying means (16) which has a motion sensor for activating the supply of power upon sensing any motion. As shown inFIG.3, the measurement unit (11) has a second x-ray sensor (11e) for measuring the duration of the x-ray exposure, intensity of the x-rays, and/or the beam characteristics of the x-rays. The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the duration of the x-ray exposure, the intensity of the x-rays, and/or the beam characteristics of the x-rays. It is also conceivable that the communication between the first communication means (21) and the second communication means (12) for transmitting the x-ray exposure data may also be realized indirectly via the third communication means (42) and/or the fourth communication means (34).

FIG.4illustrates a block diagram of an intraoral dental radiology system (100) according to the second embodiment. The intraoral dental radiology system (100) ofFIG.4differs from that ofFIG.3only in that the measurement and communications device (10) has alternatively an extension tube (14) instead of the insert tube (13). Similar to the first embodiment, the extension tube (14) also accommodates the measurement unit (11) and the second communication means (12). The extension tube (14) can be detachably attached to the tube head (32) to extend the length of the tube head (32). The extension tube (14) may also be detachably attached to the tube head (32) via the additional extension tube (33). The collimators (15) used with the extension tube (14) is preferably rectangular shaped. Alternatively, round shaped collimators (15) may be used. The forward end of the extension tube (14) is rectangular shape. Alternatively, it may have a round shape as the insert tube (13). The x-ray exposure data transmitted to the first communication means (21) includes information on the presence/absence or also the type of the extension tube (14).