Support device for oral end radiology equipment

Abstract

Support device (1) for an oral end radiology device, comprising:-a sleeve element (10) having a main axis (X) and a distal end portion (20); -an annular member (12) coaxially mounted to the distal end portion (20) of the sleeve element (10) and having a support (16) for the exposure plate, the support (16) being connected to a vise device (13) with compression means, the vise device (13) being adapted to clamp an adjustment lever (15) carrying the support (16). The annular member (12) comprises an expandable device (300) having a ring (30) with racks (31), the ring (30) being provided with rods (32) equidistant and parallel to the main axis (X). The rods (32) rest on the surface of the fins (34), the fins (34) being rotatable on the cage frame (35), the rods (32) having respective axes parallel to the main axis (X) of the sleeve element (10). The fins (34) are expandable and are locked in rotation against the inner surface of the distal end portion (20) of the sleeve element (10) when the ring (30) rotates (34) the fins (34) by the racks (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for an intraoral radiology device. Background Art

[0002] As is well known in the dental field, before carrying out a specific treatment on one or more teeth, it is necessary to check their state, especially in vivo, by exposure to X-ray films or by means of optical sensors connected to computers, these systems also allowing viewing the inside of the tooth in order to determine the most appropriate intervention.

[0003] For this purpose, dentistry is equipped with an X-ray device which mainly consists of an X-ray tube, at the end of which a positioning device for exposing X-ray materials is applied.

[0004] This X-ray material is placed near the tooth to be analyzed and, after the X-ray material to be exposed is appropriately positioned near the tooth, it is performed with the patient's mouth open or closed, depending on the device used.

[0005] Whatever the device associated with the X-ray tube, the X-ray material must be held by a support at right angles to the common longitudinal axis of the device and the X-ray tube, automatically ensuring perfect alignment.

[0006] According to Italian Patent No. 1379546 from 2007, an X-ray material positioning device is described.

[0007] In said device, the hollow cylindrical end of the X-ray tube is associated with an annular member coaxially mounted on the X-ray tube and the annular member is rotatable about a distal end position.

[0008] The annular member has a vise mechanism including clamping means such as for enclosing and holding an attachment of X-ray material to be exposed.

[0009] Using this vise mechanism, the attachment supporting the X-ray material can be adjusted in distance and position as required and always remain coaxial with the axis of the X-ray tube.

[0010] Another Italian patent No. 102016000034998, filed in 2016 and granted in 2018, mainly relates to a sleeve applied to the end of an X-ray tube, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the main axis of the X-ray tube, wherein the sleeve is provided with an expansion device in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve itself.

[0011] The expansion device allows the annular member to be coupled to X-ray tubes of slightly different diameters.

[0012] It is also possible to use a bushing of appropriate diameter and thickness around the free end of the proximal portion of the sleeve so that there is a significant difference in diameter between the proximal portion of the sleeve and the X-ray tube.

[0013] While effectively meeting the above needs, the briefly mentioned patents may be applied to X-ray tube diameters that vary by only a few millimeters. Summary of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a support device for attaching an intraoral X-ray device to the end of an X-ray tube, which has a basically simple structure and can be connected to the X-ray tube diameter spanning the entire X-ray tube while keeping the axes of the X-ray tube and the support device always coincident with each other.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a support device having reduced overall dimensions, while still being adjustable to different diameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other objects will be better emphasized in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting indication, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] - Figure 1 The support device of the present invention is shown connected as an integral unit to the end of an X-ray tube;

[0018] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the supporting device;

[0019] - Figure 3 is an exploded view of the components constituting the support device of the present invention;

[0020] - Figure 4 shows the annular member of the support device of the present invention before being coupled to the end of an X-ray tube;

[0021] - Figure 5 The support device of the present invention is shown coupled to an X-ray tube;

[0022] - Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a support device according to the present invention;

[0023] - Figure 7 showing a cross-sectional view of the support device in a first operational arrangement;

[0024] - Figure 8 Shown with Figure 7 the same view with the support means arranged in a second operating arrangement;

[0025] - Fig. 9 Shown with Figure 7 and Figure 8 the same view with the support means arranged in a third operating arrangement; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 It should be noted that the support device for an oral radiology device of the present invention (generally indicated by 1) includes an annular member (generally indicated by 12) adapted to support at least one adjustment rod 15 to which a support for an X-ray material (indicated by 16) is connected, the support 16 being connected to the adjustment rod. Figure 3 The main axis X of the support device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is fully aligned.

[0027] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , there are three adjustment levers 15 .

[0028] On the opposite side of the adjustment rod 15 of the annular member 12, there is an expandable device 300, which is intended to be firmly connected to the sleeve element 10, or more precisely, to the distal part 20 of the sleeve element 10, which is the end part of the X-ray device that emits rays, and the supporting device 1 of the X-ray device will be connected to this distal part.

[0029] More specifically, the annular member 12 has a vise device 13, in which a shell 131 is arranged, through which the adjustment rod 15 passes and is suitable for accommodating the adjustment rod 15; when at least one adjustment rod 15 holding a support 16 for the X-ray material to be exposed is inserted into the shell 131 or some of the shell 131, these adjustment rods 15 are lockable by means of compression devices (such as screws 14).

[0030] In the case considered, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In each of the embodiments, there are three adjustment rods 15 which, as described above, hold supports 16 intended to receive the exposable material.

[0031] exist Figure 3 , the components and functions of the expandable device, generally indicated at 300, are clearly visible.

[0032] More specifically, the expandable device 300 includes a ring 30 having a rack 31 in a portion of its circumference. Figure 5 The worm screw 310 contained in the housing 36 visible in the figure moves.

[0033] In addition to the rack 31 , the ring 30 also comprises a rod 32 arranged parallel to the main axis X.

[0034] In this non-limiting embodiment of the invention, there are three rods 32, which are arranged at an angular interval of, for example, 120°.

[0035] The rack 31 of the ring 30 of the annular member 12 is engaged to a worm 310 arranged in a box 36 fixed to a base 37 of a frame 35 .

[0036] The worm 310 can be rotated, for example, by means of an Allen key which can be inserted into a recess 311 in the worm.

[0037] The base 37 of the frame 35 has a ring 38 having a diameter such that it fits into the inner diameter 12 a of the annular member 12 .

[0038] The ring 38 is locked in the mounted position by means of screw elements 120 .

[0039] When the worm 310 rotates, the rack 31 also rotates, and the rod 32 integral therewith also rotates.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the frame 35 houses the fins 34 rotating around pins, which are not shown for simplicity of illustration and which are housed in holes 341 of the frame 35 .

[0041] Such fins 34 may, for example, but not limited to, have a curved outer geometry.

[0042] Figure 7 The section in shows the retracted fins 34 , which have a minimal footprint because they are not pushed outwards by the action of the rods 32 belonging to the ring 30 .

[0043] In this case, there is no coupling to the distal portion 20 of the supporting device 1 .

[0044] When the ring 30 is rotated by the action of the rack 31, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in the section in , the rods 32 belonging to the ring 30 are also rotated and come into abutment with the geometry of the fins 34 , so that they protrude outwards and come into abutment with the distal portion 20 .

[0045] The opening of the fins 34 continues until the fins 34 meet the inner surface of the distal portion 20 of the sleeve element 10, i.e. until the maximum possible insertion of the rod 32 under the respective fin 34, which corresponds precisely to the maximum expansion of the fins 34, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 as shown in .

[0046] Last but not least, we point out that the hole of the annular member 12 through which the radiation impinges on the support 16 for the X-ray material is reduced by the screen 17 having holes 171, so that the emitted radiation affects only a limited part of the dental examination.

[0047] The material of such a screen 17 is suitable for absorbing radiation and will therefore be made of a component made of a radiation shielding material, such as bismuth oxide or barium sulfate.

[0048] As can be clearly seen from the description so far, the fins 34 have the ability to expand significantly outwards, so that, using this support device 1, various sleeves belonging to the most well-known brands of X-ray equipment on the market can be surrounded and clamped.

[0049] Thus, the object of creating a support device for an intraoral radiology device is achieved, which device can surround various inner diameters of a sleeve element of an X-ray tube.

[0050] This object is achieved by a very simple and inexpensive construction which is also very convenient and straightforward to use.

[0051] It is also important to point out that the ease of handling of the device according to the invention decisively simplifies the dentist's work, since he / she can position the exposable plate supported by the device with the patient's mouth open, and thus position it at the most suitable viewing angle to avoid distortion of the X-rays.

[0052] It is also emphasized that the patient's cooperation is no longer necessary (as is the case with closed-mouth X-rays).

[0053] This is particularly important in cases involving patients with disabilities.

[0054] Another advantage of the invention is that, using this device, it is no longer necessary to remove from the oral cavity the so-called "dam" that is usually placed around the tooth to be isolated.

[0055] In fact, you can get excellent X-rays simply by moving the bow of the rubber dam.

Claims

1. A support device (1) for an oral radiology device, comprising: - a sleeve element (10) having a main axis (X) and a distal end portion (20), an annular member (12) coaxially mounted to the distal end portion (20) of the sleeve element (10) and having a support (16) for an exposable plate, the support (16) being connected to a vise device (13) having compression means, the vise device (13) being suitable for clamping at least one adjusting rod (15) carrying the support (16), Characterized in that the annular member (12) comprises an expandable device (300), and the expandable device (300) has: - a ring (30) having at least one toothed rack (31), said ring (30) being provided with rods (32) equidistant and parallel to said main axis (X), - rods (32) resting on the surface of fins (34) rotatable on a substantially cage-like frame (35), said rods (32) having respective axes parallel to said main axis (X) of said sleeve element (10), - a fin (34) which is expandable and which is locked in rotation against the inner surface of the distal portion (20) of the sleeve element (10) when the ring (30) rotates the fin (34) via the rack (31), - the toothed rack (31) of the ring (30) of the annular member (12) is connected to a worm (310) arranged in a housing (36) fixed to a base (37) of the frame (35), the main axis (X) of the sleeve element (10) coinciding with the axis of the X-ray tube, the support device (1) being connected to the X-ray tube, the support device (1) being configured to be adapted to X-ray tubes of different diameters by means of the expandable fins (34).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The base (37) of the frame (35) has a ring (38) having a diameter adapted to fit into the inner diameter (12a) of the annular member (12) which is locked in place by means of screw elements (120).

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that The annular member (12) has a screen (17) with a reduced aperture (171) suitable for a radiation path suitable for exposing X-ray material present on the support (16).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The material used to make the screen (17) is a radiation protection material.

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