Patent Document:

as described briefly above , this invention is a dental positioning system for positioning and aligning dental x - ray films or sensors using adhesives . in one embodiment , the invention provides a positioning device which connects to the receptor by way of an adhesive . [ 0034 ] fig1 shows the dental positioning system according to one embodiment of the present invention . an electronic sensor 10 is shown in fig1 . a cable 14 protrudes from the sensor 10 to deliver the image to a processing unit ( not shown ). also shown is a holder 16 on which a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied . the adhesive may be applied either in the manufacturing process or by the user , such as by the dental practitioner or his assistant . the sensor 10 is bonded with the adhesive to the holder 16 in a desired location . it is noted that although the adhesive is applied to the holder in the embodiment shown in fig1 as is the preferred embodiment , the present invention is of course not limited to this embodiment , and various modifications may be imagined . for example , the adhesive could be applied to the sensor . [ 0035 ] fig2 is an illustration of the positioning system after being assembled according to the embodiment shown in fig1 . fig2 shows the receptor 10 , with the holder 16 affixed by way of the adhesive . [ 0036 ] fig3 is a drawing illustrating an application of the positioning system as used on a patient . the positioner used in fig3 is a universal bite tab holder , although of course various other holders could have been chosen as an example . in the application of the positioning system as shown in fig3 the appropriate holder 16 is attached to the receptor 10 by way of the adhesive , and the device is placed into the patient &# 39 ; s mouth . the holder 16 has a flat surface which is designed to stick to the receptor 10 , and has a bite area for the patient to bite down on . the holder 16 is typically disposable as it is not used on different patients , but it may be re - positioned for different images , using the same adhesive , during the same patient examination . in another embodiment ( not shown ), an interlocking device such as a plurality of pins is connected to an alignment arm for assisting in aligning the x - ray source . the receptor may comprise a ccd or aps sensor , x - ray film , or any other dental system directly or indirectly sensitive to incident x - rays . the adhesive itself may be made of tape , epoxy , hot melt , sealant , and the like , so long as it can support intra - oral sensor placement and has regulatory approval for food contact . in one embodiment , the adhesive may comprise a tape applied to the flat surface of the holder . the adhesive could be applied to the sheath by the user , or by the manufacturer , such as by the manufacturer of the holder . in a preferred embodiment , an adhesive may be used that allows the holder to be removed and reapplied to the surface of the receptor ; that is , the holder can be removably attached to the receptor . this might occur when a practitioner is using an electronic sensor and requires another x - ray image on the same patient , or when an alternate sensor position is deemed more comfortable or more useful , among other examples . the holder may be any bitewing , bitetab , anterior , posterior , endodontic tab , aiming ring , or auxiliary positioning device , or another system used to position or align the receptor with an x - ray source . the holder may similarly be made of any biocompatible material capable of regulatory approval . fig4 a - 4 e are illustrations of various holders that may be used with this invention . these types of holders are well known in the art , except that an adhesive is applied to them in accordance with the present invention . of course , the invention is not limited to these types of holders , and many other types of holders may be used . by way of example , fig4 a shows a universal periapical holder ; fig4 b shows a universal anterior holder ; fig4 c shows a universal bitetab holder ; fig4 d shows a universal bitewing holder ; and fig4 e shows a universal endodontic tab holder . in a preferred embodiment , the holder is made out of a material , such as a thermoplastic resin , strong enough to repeatedly bond and release from the receptor . the preferred material may also withstand bite forces and the weight of the holder itself . in another embodiment , the sensor is covered with an anti - residue sheath which acts as a sterile infection barrier . fig5 is an illustration of the positioning system before being assembled and having a sheath . an electronic sensor 10 and an anti - residue sheath 12 fitting snugly over the sensor 10 are shown in fig5 . a cable 14 protrudes from the sensor 10 to deliver the image to a processing unit ( not shown ). also shown is a holder 16 on which a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied . the sensor 10 and sheath 12 are bonded with the adhesive to the holder 16 in a desired location . it is noted that although the adhesive is applied to the holder in the embodiment shown in fig5 as is the preferred embodiment , the present invention is of course not limited to this embodiment , and various modifications may be imagined . for example , the adhesive could be applied to the sheath instead of to the holder . [ 0045 ] fig6 is an illustration of the positioning system after being assembled and having a sheath , according to the embodiment shown in fig5 . fig6 shows the receptor 10 covered snugly in the sheath 12 , with the holder 16 affixed by way of the adhesive . the sheath is made to form a tight fit with the receptor . the sheath may be made of a non - toxic radiolucent substance or barrier material such as paper , cotton , sponge , rubber , plastic , latex , nylon , or any other material permitted by a regulatory body for invasive use . in a preferred embodiment , the sheath is a thermoplastic resin which is transparent , disposable , infection resistant , resilient , bio - compatible , and fda - approved . of course , a sheath may not be required when the dental positioning system is used in conjunction with a disposable receptor such as an x - ray film packet . also , a sheath may not be required if the receptor is sterilized , among other examples . in the case of an electronic sensor , the sheath may encapsulate the entire device and cable , thereby providing a more cost - efficient anti - infection barrier . a sheath with a slimmed profile would prevent the sensor from slipping out . preferably , the sheath should be resistant to any tears that might occur in the sheath when the holder is removed . also , the sheath can not only be used repeatedly in the same patient , but it is also resistant to residue buildup from the chosen adhesive . in a preferred embodiment , an adhesive may be used that allows the holder to be removed and reapplied to the surface of the sheath . the sheath and holder may be pre - assembled as one component held together by an adhesive . with this arrangement , the dental practitioner would not be required to assemble the package prior to clinical application . alternatively , the holders could be dispensed on a strip with adhesive backing . while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention .

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