Support device for oral radiation equipment

Abstract

A support device (1) for an intraoral radiation apparatus, comprising: - a sleeve element (10) with a main axis (X) and a distal part (20); - an annular member (12) mounted coaxially with the distal part (20) of the sleeve element (10) and having a support (16) for an exposable plate, the support (16) being connected to a vice device (13) having compression means adapted to tighten an adjustment rod (15) supporting the support (16). The annular member (12) comprises an expandable device (300) having a ring (30) with a rack (31), the ring (30) being provided with rods (32) equidistantly and parallel to the main axis (X). The rods (32) rest on the surface of fins (34) rotatable in a cage-like 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 against rotation with respect to the inner surface of the distal part (20) of the sleeve element (10) when the ring (30) rotates the fins (34) via the rack (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for an intraoral radiation device.

Background Art

[0002] As is well known in the dental field, it is necessary to examine the condition of teeth, particularly the inner condition, before proceeding with specific treatment of one or more teeth. The examination is performed by exposing an X-ray film or using an optical sensor connected to a computer or system that also enables observation of the inner side of the teeth in order to determine the most appropriate medical treatment.

[0003] For this purpose, a dental operating room is equipped with an X-ray device essentially consisting of an X-ray tube, and at the end of the X-ray device, a positioning device for the exposed X-ray material is attached.

[0004] This X-ray material is installed near one or more teeth to be analyzed, which, depending on the device used, is performed with the patient's mouth open or closed after properly positioning the exposed X-ray material near the teeth.

[0005] Whenever the device is associated with the X-ray tube, the X-ray material needs to be held perpendicular to the longitudinal axis common to the device and the X-ray tube by a support, ensuring complete alignment automatically.

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

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

[0008] This annular member has, for example, a vice mechanism provided with clamping means that surround an attachment for supporting an exposed X-ray material.

[0009] When using such a vice mechanism, the attachment for supporting the X-ray material can be adjusted in distance and position as needed and always remains coaxial with the X-ray tube axis.

[0010] Another Italian Patent No. 102016000034998, filed in 2016 and granted a patent right in 2018, essentially relates to a sleeve applied to the end of an X-ray tube having a longitudinal axis that coincides with the main axis of the X-ray tube, and the sleeve is provided with expansion means in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve itself.

[0011] The expansion means makes it possible to couple the annular member to X-ray tubes of slightly different diameters.

[0012] Also, a bushing of appropriate diameter and thickness is used around the free end of the proximal portion of the sleeve, and as a result, a significant difference occurs between the diameter of the proximal portion of the sleeve and the diameter of the X-ray tube.

[0013] Although effective in meeting the needs outlined above, the briefly described patent can be applied to X-ray tube diameters that vary by only a few millimeters.

[0014] In the document of International Publication No. WO 2014 / 143162, a system and method for capturing dental images, for example, an aiming and positioning device for capturing dental images of a patient's teeth using a collimator, are described. The system includes an image receiver holding device with an elongated arm adapted to receive an image receiver holder and couple to a sighting structure. The elongated arm extends between the collimator and the image receiver holder, with one end coupled to the rear of the image receiver holder and the other end coupled to the collimator, aligning the image receiver without blocking the opening of the collimator. An occlusal portion or occlusal surface is present on the elongated arm adjacent to the image receiver holder, such that when the image receiver is positioned behind the tooth for which the image is taken, the patient's tooth will bite on the occlusal surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0015]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a support device for an intraoral X-ray apparatus attached to the end of an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube has an essentially simple structure and can be connected to the diameter of the X-ray tube extending over the entire X-ray tube. At the same time, all of them are to maintain a state in which the axis of the X-ray tube and the axis of the support device always coincide with each other.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support device that can adjust different diameters while reducing the overall dimensions.

[0018] These and other objects are more clearly emphasized in the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, provided for non-limiting guidance, and shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a support device (designated as a whole by reference numeral 1) for an intraoral radiation device according to the present invention includes an annular member (designated as a whole by reference numeral 12) adapted to support at least one adjustment rod 15, and a support for an X-ray material (designated by reference numeral 16) is connected to the adjustment rod 15. It should be noted that the support 16 is perfectly aligned with the main axis X of the support device 1 shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are three adjustment rods 15.

[0022] On the opposite side of the adjustment rod 15 of the annular member 12, there is an expandable device 300, and the expandable device 300 is intended to be firmly connected to the sleeve element 10, or more precisely, to the distal portion 20 of the sleeve element 10. The distal portion 20 is the end of the X-ray device that emits radiation, and the support device 1 is connected to the X-ray Equipment is connected.

[0023] More specifically, the annular member 12 has a vice device 13, and the vice device 13 is provided with a housing 131 adapted to pass through and accommodate the adjustment rod 15.

[0024] These adjustment rods 15 can be locked using compression means, such as a screw 14, when at least one adjustment rod 15 that supports the support 16 for the exposed X-ray material is inserted into the housing 131 or a part of the housing 131.

[0025] In the case under consideration, in both FIGS. 1 and 2, there are three adjustment rods 15, and these adjustment rods support the support 16 that is intended to receive the exposable material, as mentioned.

[0026] In FIG. 3, the expandable device (designated as a whole by reference numeral 300) has its components and functions clearly visible.

[0027] More specifically, the expandable device 300 includes a ring 30, and the ring 30 has a rack 31 that moves via a worm screw 310 included in a box 36 visible in FIG. 5 at a part of its circumference.

[0028] In addition to the rack 31, the ring 30 includes a rod 32 arranged parallel to the spindle X.

[0029] In a non-limiting embodiment under consideration of the present invention, there are three rods 32, and these rods are arranged at angular intervals of, for example, 120°.

[0030] The rack 31 of the ring 30 of the annular member 12 engages with a worm screw 310 arranged inside a box 36 fixed to a base 37 of the frame 35.

[0031] The worm screw 310 can be rotated, for example, using an Allen key that can be inserted into a recess 311 of the worm screw.

[0032] The base 37 of the frame 35 has a ring 38 with a diameter adapted to the inner diameter 12a of the annular member 12.

[0033] The ring 38 is locked in the mounting position using a screw element 120.

[0034] When the worm screw 310 rotates, the rack 31 also rotates, and similarly, the rod 32 integrated therewith is rotated.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 35 houses a fin 34 that rotates around a pin housed in a hole 341 of the frame 35, and the pin is not shown for simplicity of explanation.

[0036] Such a fin 34 can have, for example, but not limited to, an outer curved shape.

[0037] The cross-section of FIG. 7 shows that the fins 34 are stored and have a minimum installation area. This is because those fins are not pushed outwards by the action of the rods 32 belonging to the ring 30.

[0038] In this case, it is not coupled to the distal portion 20 of the support device 1.

[0039] As can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 8, when the ring 30 rotates by the action of the rack 31, the rods 32 belonging to the ring 30 also rotate and face the shape of the fins 34. As a result, those rods protrude outwards and face the distal portion 20.

[0040] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the opening of the fins 34 continues until the fins 32 touch the inner surface of the distal portion 20 of the sleeve element 10, that is, until the rods 32 are inserted as far as possible under each fin 34 and reach the maximum state, and continues until it exactly matches the maximum expansion of the fins 34.

[0041] Finally, as an important point, in particular, the aperture of the annular member 12 allows radiation to pass through and reach the support 16 for the X-ray material, and is reduced by the screen 17 having the aperture 171. As a result, it should be pointed out that the emitted radiation only affects limited parts related to dental examinations.

[0042] The material of such a screen 17 is suitable for absorbing radiation, and therefore, components made of radiation protection materials, for example, made of bismuth oxide or barium sulfate, are used.

[0043] From what has been described so far, it is clear that the fins 34 have the ability to expand considerably outwards. As a result, using such a support device 1, it becomes possible to surround and tighten various sleeves belonging to the most famous brands of X-ray equipment in the market.

[0044] Accordingly, the object of creating a support device for an intraoral radiation apparatus that can accommodate a wide range of inner diameters of the sleeve element of an X-ray tube has been achieved.

[0045] That object is achieved with a very simple and inexpensive structure. Also, the structure is easy and simple to use.

[0046] Also, it is important to point out that the easy operability of the device of the present invention clearly simplifies the work of the dentist. This is because the dentist can position the exposable plate supported by the device with the patient's mouth open and thus ensure the most appropriate view for the purpose in order to avoid X-ray distortion.

[0047] Also, it is to be emphasized that no cooperation from the patient is required (similar to the case of X-rays with the mouth closed).

[0048] This is particularly important when dealing with patients with physical disabilities.

[0049] Another advantage of the present invention is that, when using such a device, in many cases, it is no longer necessary to remove from the mouth the so-called "dam" that is placed separately around the teeth.

[0050] In fact, to take excellent X-rays, it is sufficient to move the bow of the dam.

Claims

1. A support device (1) for an intraoral radiation device, comprising: - a sleeve element (10) with a spindle (X) and a distal part (20); - an annular member (12) mounted coaxially with the distal part (20) of the sleeve element (10) and having a support (16) for an exposable plate, the support (16) being connected to a vice device (13) having compression means adapted to clamp at least one adjustment rod (15) supporting the support (16); The annular member (12) comprises an expandable device (300); - having a ring (30) with at least one rack (31), the ring (30) being provided with rods (32) equidistantly and parallel to the spindle (X); - the rod (32) lies on the surface of the fin (34) rotatable essentially on a cage-shaped frame (35), the rod (32) having respective axes parallel to the spindle (X) of the sleeve element (10); - the fin (34) is expandable, and rotation is locked against the inner surface of the distal part (20) of the sleeve element (10) when the ring (30) rotates the fin (34) via the rack (31); - the rack (31) of the ring (30) of the annular member (12) is connected to a worm screw (310) disposed inside a box (36) fixed to the base (37) of the frame (35); The spindle (X) of the sleeve element (10) coincides with the axis of an X-ray tube to which the support device (1) is connected, and the support device (1) is configured to adapt to different diameters of the X-ray tube using the expandable fins (34). Support device (1).

2. The base (37) of the frame (35) has a ring (38) with a diameter adapted to the inner diameter (12a) of the annular member (12), the ring (38) being locked in place using a screw element (120). The device according to claim 1.

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

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

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