Radiant energy – Invisible radiation responsive nonelectric signalling – Luminescent device
Patent
1995-04-10
1996-11-19
Hannaher, Constantine
Radiant energy
Invisible radiation responsive nonelectric signalling
Luminescent device
250581, 378169, G03B 4204
Patent
active
055765521
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image plate for intraoral dental radiography which can be closed into a cover through which X-rays can pass and in which the plate is kept during the X-raying, and from which the plate can be removed after the X-raying in order to read the picture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A film in a plastic or a cardboard package or an image plate in a cassette have been used so far in intraoral dental radiography. The image plate has been either free in the openable cassette or fixed by glueing to a rigid cassette equipped with a slide plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,561 describes a solution, in which the image plate is placed into a cover letting through X-rays but not visible light, which comprises a closed protective bag of plastic film. The image plate including the bag-like cover is thinner and thus more pleasant to the patient than a cassette containing the image plate, and compared to a conventional intraoral film, it has the advantage of a lower sensitivity to visible light.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,561 the image plate is placed into the cover as such for the time of the X-raying. In this connection there have been problems caused by scratches on the plastic film on the image surface of the plate when the plate is being handled and scanned, as well as finger prints on the image surface which will be visible on the resulting picture. Besides the image surface, the edges of the plate have been easily damaged and broken. The edges of the plate have in fact been protected with a coated plastic film, however this has proved an unsufficient protection. When the edge is broken, the RIM substance within the plate, such as a poisonous barium compound, will appear, and may be hazardous to the patient or the person who handles the plate. An unprotected RIM substance does not resist sterilization carried out with ethanol for instance, the entire plate being destroyed in that case. The operating life of the image plate may be shortened by these wear and damage problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution which eliminates the above problems related to image plates so far. The image plate of the invention is characterized by its edges being equipped with a protective frame, which projects beyond the plane of the plate surface at least on the image side of the plate.
The frame according to the invention constitutes a shock-resistant cover for the easily damaged edges of the image plate. Moreover, the frame projecting from the image surface provides efficient prevention of abrasive and scratching wear of the surface and consequently prevents a deterioration of the image quality entailed by this. The projecting frame is also easy to grip, so that fewer detrimental finger prints are left on the image surface. Yet, the relatively narrow frame does not increase the outer dimensions of the image plate significantly, nor does it reduce the dimensions of the image surface and the pictures obtained noticeably.
The frame according to the invention advantageously forms a continuous cover frame surrounding the edges of the image plate. Such a cover frame may consist of two opposite frame-shaped portions connected to each other by pressing. The plate edges are then locked inbetween the interconnected frame portions.
The opposite interconnected portions of the cover frame may be identical, which is advantageous for instance in view of a production by means of mould casting. The design of the cover may be the same as in known slide frames, the halves of which are equipped with alternating recesses and matching projections, so that the projections and the recesses coincide and engage when the halves are being pressed against each other. However, snapping or glueing are also possible means for connecting the portions of the cover frame according to the invention.
According to a preferred emboidment of the invention, the frame is provided with a guide at least at one end of the image plate for mutual positioning of the plate and a drive
REFERENCES:
patent: 1631497 (1927-06-01), Marler
patent: 5466561 (1995-11-01), Rantanen
Hannaher Constantine
Orion-yhtyma Oy
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