X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Specific application – Dental panoramic
Utility Patent
1998-09-29
2001-01-02
Porta, David P. (Department: 2876)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Specific application
Dental panoramic
C378S038000, C378S040000
Utility Patent
active
06169780
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray apparatus and more particularly to dental X-ray apparatus for generating a panoramic tomogram.
2. Description of Related Art
X-ray devices commonly used in medical and dental applications are limited by their ability to accommodate patients and operators while carrying out technical operations. On one hand, the apparatus must be capable of carrying out detailed translations and rotations of the X-ray source and receiver. However, achieving this in a physically confined space can lead to other problems. Components of the apparatus may impede patient access to and from the patient positioning area and may also obscure a necessary view of the patient by an operator of the apparatus. The patient's ability to view components of the apparatus in operation can lead to patient anxiety and distraction. Furthermore, the patient's ability to interact physically with components of the apparatus can endanger both the patient and the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,837 issued to the present applicant on Apr. 2, 1977, discloses a dental X-ray apparatus that includes a first frame, a pivot or revolving shaft extending substantially vertically from the first frame, an X-ray generator, an X-ray receiver and a second frame supported substantially at a central portion thereof on the revolving shaft for supporting the X-ray generator and X-ray receiver with a predetermined space therebetween. The first frame is equipped with an X/Y-transport mechanism which allows the second frame to move in all horizontal directions relative to the first frame.
The X/Y-transport mechanism includes a pair of parallel rails (Y-rails) extending horizontally in a certain direction (Y-direction) and spaced apart from each other, a Y-platform with an opening movably supported on the Y-rails, and a Y-motor with a drive for moving the Y-platform in the Y-direction. Also, the X/Y-transport mechanism has a pair of parallel rails (X-rails) extending in a direction (X-direction) perpendicular to the Y-direction and mounted on the Y-platform, an X-platform movably supported on the X-rails, and an X-motor with a drive for moving the X-platform in the X-direction. The revolving shaft, which is supported at an upper end thereof on the X-platform so that it can rotate about a longitudinal axis thereof, is extended downward through the opening of the Y-platform and then fixedly connected to the second frame at a lower end thereof. The revolving shaft is also connected with a drive to a shaft-motor mounted on the X-platform so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis.
In operation of the X-ray apparatus, the revolving shaft rotates about its longitudinal axis when driven by the corresponding motor. Further, by means of the X-motor and the Y-motor, the revolving shaft along with the second frame supported on the revolving shaft is permitted to move to a required position within a range in which the X-platform and the Y-platform can move. Therefore, for example, a panoramic radiogram of a dentition or dental arch can be executed by rotating the X-ray generator and X-ray receiver. In this operation, an X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray generator toward the X-ray receiver is kept substantially perpendicular to the dentition. Also, a photosensitive film supported in the X-ray receiver is displaced in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the X-ray generator in synchrony with a velocity of the X-ray scanning along the dentition.
As discussed above, operational difficulties can occur during patient interaction with such an apparatus. These problems result from undesirable visual as well as physical contact between the apparatus and the patient or the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved X-ray apparatus having an X/Y-transport mechanism and a shaft rotation mechanism as described above for carrying out detailed motions of an X-ray generator and an X-ray receiver in the generation of a panoramic tomogram.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an X-ray apparatus that allows an operator to suitably position a patient with respect to the apparatus with an aid of the X/Y-transport mechanism.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an X-ray apparatus that allows a patient to readily approach a predetermined positioning station with an aid of the X/Y-transport mechanism.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an X-ray apparatus with a cephalostat which occupies a relatively small space.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an X-ray apparatus suitable for generating in a linear tomogram.
It is a further object of this invention to provide and X-ray apparatus that includes a mechanism that separates a patient from selected mechanical structures (e.g., X/Y-transport mechanism) incorporated into the apparatus.
The above and related objects of the present invention are realized by providing a system that comprises a first frame that includes a support and a patient positioning station spaced apart from the support. The support carries a transport mechanism that includes a first guide extending in a first direction, a first moving member movably supported on the first guide, and a first drive for moving the first moving member along the first guide. The apparatus further has a second frame that includes a second guide fixed on the first moving member and extended in a second direction which crosses the first direction at a certain angle (e.g., 90 degrees), a second moving member movably supported on the second guide, and a second drive for moving the second moving member along the second guide. A revolving shaft is connected with the second moving member at one end thereof and with the second frame at the other end thereof. The second frame includes an X-ray generator having an X-ray source and a X-ray receiver having an X-ray receiving surface that is spaced apart from the X-ray generator. Also, the second frame is connected at a portion thereof located between the X-ray generator and receiver with the other end of the revolving shaft. A revolving mechanism includes a drive source (e.g., motor) that allows the second frame to revolve relative to the first frame about the revolving shaft. Operations of the transport mechanism and the pivot mechanism are controlled by means of digital signals transmitted from a controller.
In another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above mentioned construction, the transport mechanism is designed so that the second frame moves between a first position where the X-ray generator faces the X-ray receiver through the head of a patient positioned in the patient positioning station and a second position where the X-ray generator and the X-ray receiver are displaced so that an operator of the apparatus can diagonally view the face of the patient positioned in the patient positioning station. Then, by setting the second frame in the second position, the operator can guide the patient into the suitable position while facing a front or oblique view of the patient.
In another aspect of the present invention, the transport mechanism is so designed that the second frame can move between a first position where the X-ray generator faces the X-ray receiver through the head of a patient positioned in the patient positioning station and a second position where an area located between the X-ray generator and X-ray receiver is substantially out of the head of patient positioned in the patient positioning station. Then, by setting the second frame in the second position, the patient can approach the patient positioning station without any interference from the second frame. In addition, the operator can suitably position the patient while facing the face of the patient without any interference from the second frame.
In another aspect of the present invention, the first frame includes a first portion extending in a certain direction and a second portion extending from one end of the f
Otsuka Masanori
Yoshida Masanobu
Yoshimura Takahiro
J. Morita Manufacturing Corp.
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Porta David P.
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