AU2004222764B2 - Dental X-ray guide rod - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 DIVISIONAL APPLICATION NAME OF APPLICANT: Dentsply International Inc.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: "Dental X-ray guide rod" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P:O PERD H\I 2525240-d.do-20/I 004 -1c) O DENTAL X-RAY GUIDE ROD TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dental x-ray guide rod for use with a bite block configured to use a variety of x-ray sensors having different widths, lengths or heights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dental radiographs are made using x-ray examination units, often including an xray cone or tube positioned proximate the patient and aligned to take x-rays of certain teeth. Dental x-ray sensors, including films, charge coupled devices or the like, often have a generally flat or plate-like configuration and standardized dimensions so that the sensor can be placed into the oral cavity.

The sensor is placed into the patient's mouth and held in place proximate to the tooth or teeth to be examined. The x-ray's are directed through the target teeth and then through the sensor. It has been found, that proper orientation of the sensor is required to eliminate distortions and improper focus.

To ensure proper orientation of the sensor, sensor carriers or "bite blocks" have been developed. These devices often have a plate for holding the sensor and another plate that the patient bites down on to position the device and the carried sensor. A bite block is shown for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,026.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided a dental x-ray guide rod for use with a bite block to position an x-ray sensor relative to a patient and an x-ray source, comprising a main body section, said main body section carrying at least one affixing pin for affixing a dental x-ray bite block in a predetermined position; said at least one affixing pin being anodized such that it has a predetermined color.

P:\OPERDHAI2525240-div doc- 19/I0/04 -2- O A preferred form of the invention is shown by way of example in the O accompanying drawings. An exemplary bite block is described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS SFig. 1 is a rear elevational view of a bite block, showing first and second block sections separated; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the bite block of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the bite block of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the bite block of Fig. 1, showing the second block section received within the first block section; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view as in Fig. 4, showing the second bite block received within the first bite block and showing a sensor secured within said bite block; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the bite block of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the bite block of Fig. 1, shown affixed to an xray positioning guide arm having a collimator ring affixed thereto; Fig. 8 is an exploded side elevational view of the guide arm shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the bite block of Fig. 7, shown with bite block sections disconnected and showing an x-ray sensor; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the bite block of 7; and, Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the first block section of the device of Fig. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A bite block is generally designated by the number 10 on the attached drawings. It includes a first block section 11 and a second block section 12. Bite block 10 can be configured from any material conventionally used to make x-ray positioning devices, and is preferably a plastic material.

P:'OPER\DH\12525240-div.d-20/lOi04 -3- O First block section 10 has an upstanding front wall 13 and an upstanding back wall N, 14 (Figs. 1 and 10). Walls 13 and 14 are preferably arranged in a spaced, parallel arrangement (Fig. such that sides 15 and 16 are positioned therebetween. As shown in Fig. 11, second block section 11 may be configured such that rear wall 14 includes wall sections 14a and 14b. Front wall 13 may also be configured to itself have a front sidel3a and a rear sidel3b (Fig. 11).

SFirst block section 10 also carries a primary clamp face 17, extending from front Swall 13 of first block section 11. Preferably, primary clamp face 17 extends from wall 13 of first block section 11 at a perpendicular or right angle, although any angle is possible.

Further, primary clamp face 17 may include primary clamp face arms 17a and 17b (Fig. 4).

Similarly, second block section 12 preferably has a front upstanding wall 20 and an opposing, rear upstanding wall 21. One preferred configuration of second block section 12 has a slot 22 (Fig. 2) between first and second walls 20 and 21 of second block section 12.

Second block section 12 has a secondary clamp face 23 extending therefrom, preferably in a right angle to upstanding walls 20 and 21 of second block section 12. As shown in Fig. 4, secondary clamp face 23 may be comprised of separate clamp face arms 23a and 23b.

One configuration of secondary clamp face 23 extends contiguously from rear wall 21 of second block section 12 in a web 30, such that web 30 extends between secondary clamp face 23 and rear wall 21 of second block section 12. Preferably, an open or void area 31 is provided between web 30 and secondary clamp face 23. Primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 are each preferably planar, although complex profiles (not shown) are possible.

First and second block sections 11 and 12 are configured to be removably secured to one another in an adjustable position, such that primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 are in a spaced, opposing relationship. The space between primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 is preferably adjustable, and once the desired position is determined and obtained, is preferably securable in that position. In this manner, clamp faces 17 and 23 can be adjusted for clamping a variety of x-ray sensors, such as exemplary sensor shown in the drawings. In Fig. 5, clamp faces 17 and 23 have been adjusted to physically contact or impinge sensor 40 therebetween.

P:NOPER\DH\I 25224-iv.doc-20/10104 -4c, O In order to effect the positioning of clamp faces 17 and 23 with respect to each N, other, it is preferred that one of the first and second block sections 11 and 12 is received within the other. In the example shown in the drawings, second block section 12 is received within first block section 11, it being understood that the opposite arrangement is within the scope of the invention.

The receiving of secondary block section 12 within first block section 11 can be Saccomplished by any means. One exemplary means includes parallel, spaced and opposing C, channels 41 between rear walls 14a and 14b of first block section 11 (Fig. 11). Channels 41 are configured to substantially correspond dimensionally to at least one of and preferably both front and rear walls 20 and 21 of second block section 12. As shown by the directional arrows 42 in Fig. 1-3, second block section 12 is moved toward first block section 11 and received within channels 41 thereof. Preferably, second block section 12 is movable within first block section 11, such that the movement causes the space between primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 to be adjusted accordingly. It will be appreciated that primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 are thereby useful for securing a sensor 40 of varying dimensions.

As stated above, it is also preferable to secure the position of primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 in a desired spaced relation. Any means of accomplishing this is within the scope of the invention, including clamps, pins, screws, springs, adhesives, friction fits, or any other such means. One preferred configuration, shown on the drawings, includes stepped ratchet member 50 carried by first block section 11 and second ratchet member 51 carried by second block section 12. Each of said ratchet members 50, 51 includes a plurality of steps or teeth 52, which are substantially similar in dimension. First stepped ratchet member 50 is positioned on the rear 13b (Fig. 1) of front wall 13, such that teeth 52 extend in a direction toward rear wall 14 of first block section 11. Conversely, second ratchet member 51 is preferably carried by front wall 20 of second block section 12 and extend in a direction away from rear wall 21 of second block section 12.

Teeth 52 each have a rise 53 and a run 54 (Fig. When first and second block section 11 and 12 are brought together as described above, a rise 54 of a tooth 52 of first ratchet member 50, and a rise 54 of a tooth 52 of second ratchet member 51, will each slide by an opposing tooth 52. Bite block 10 is preferably made from a plastic material, chosen P:"OPER HMI 2525240div.dc-20/I0/04 O in part such that at least portions of bite block 10 are substantially resilient, including teeth N 52. Once at least one tooth 52 of first ratchet member 50 has been caused to slide past at least one tooth 52 of second ratchet member 51, then opposing runs 54 of the \"corresponding teeth 52 are caused to physically engage. This engagement substantially prevents reciprocal movement of ratchet members 50 and 51 in an opposite direction, and hence, prevents disengagement of first block section 11 and second block section 12. It is envisioned that due to its resiliency, teeth 52 may be temporarily deformed to allow Sreciprocal movement, but until and unless such deformation occurs, the disengagement of physically contacted opposing runs 53 is prevented. Thus, primary and secondary clamp faces 17 and 23 are locked in that position. Movement of primary clamp faces 17 and 23 towards each other is ultimately limited by physical engagement with sensor 40, thereby clamping sensor 40 therebetween.

It will be appreciated that there is no requirement when using bite block 10 to forcefully engage sensor 40 with a preconfigured cradle. Thus the problems with previous sensor holders of the forceful engagement with a cradle are avoided.

In an alternative example, bite block 10 is provided with a longitudinal through slot coextensive with sides 15 and 16 and extending therebetween. It has been found that when bite block 10 is positioned within a patient's mouth, and the patient bites down on first block section 11, slot 60 increases the flexibility of first block section 11, and thereby cushions the contact between it and the patient's teeth (not shown). Slot 22 in second block section 12 may also serve this purpose.

Bite block 10 is preferably configured to also receive a dental x-ray guide arm 61.

(Figs. 7 and 8) An exemplary guide arm, and its use with a bite block for taking a dental xray is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,026, which is incorporated by reference for its disclosure of a guide arm and bite block. Guide arm 61 may be therefore, conventional as known in the art. As shown in Fig. 7, guide arm 61 may be configured to be received within an x-ray tube collimator positioning ring 70 in a conventional manner. Such a ring is shown for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,026, which is incorporated by reference for its disclosure of such a ring.

Guide arm 61, may include pins 62 (Fig. 8) that engage pre-positioned apertures 63 (Figs. 2 and 5) in bite block 10, in a conventional manner. Pins 62 may be affixed to guide P:\OPERDH I 2525240-div.doc- 1910/04 -6- O arm 61 in any conventional manner, such as inserting pins 62 into apertures 62a in guide arm 61. Pins 62 may be integrally formed with guide arm 61, adhesive, weld or otherwise bonded to guide arm 61, or the like.

It is preferred to configure pins 62 from anodized metal such as aluminum, wherein the anodization process is preselected to provide a specified color. Thereby, the anodizing process results in a pin 62 of a preselected color. Such color selection may be used for identification purposes. Guide arm 61 may be made from a conventional material, such as Sstainless steel, or it too may be manufactured from an anodized, preselected color material.

It is envisioned that the colors will be preselected to match the color of other components involved with the taking of an x-ray, including for example, bite block 10 or ring A still further embodiment of a bite block 10 is shown as block 10a in Figs. 7, 9 and 10. In this embodiment, bite block 10a has a web 30a similar to web 30 of bite block Web 30a extends from a second bite block section 12a proximate to a front wall 20a of second block section 12a. First block section 11 a of bite block 10 Oa has a through slot that functions in a manner similar to slot 60 of first block section 11. Slot 60a is configured to receive pins 62 of guide arm 61, preferably in a friction fit manner.

As shown in Fig. 10, bite block 10a first block section 1 la has a primary clamp face 71 having primary clamp face arms 72. Similarly, second block section 12a has a secondary clamp face 73 having secondary clamp face arms 74.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (2)

1. A dental x-ray guide rod for use with a bite block to position an x-ray sensor relative to a patient and an x-ray source, comprising a main body section, said main body section carrying at least one affixing pin for affixing a dental x-ray bite block in a C predetermined position; said at least one affixing pin being anodized such that it has a predetermined color.

2. A dental x-ray guide rod substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples. DATED this 20th day of OCTOBER 2004 DENTSPLY INTERNATINOAL INC. by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s)