DE9101811U1 - Carrier label, in particular for X-ray films for taking an X-ray picture of teeth in the mouth of a living being - Google Patents

Description

Applicant: 14 February 1991

schäfer-etiketten GmbH & Co. 4801G100 WW/Lö

Nürtinger Strasse 62
7448 Wolfschlugen

Representative:

Witte, Weller & Hilgenfeldt
Patent and Attorneys
Augustenstrasse 7
7000 Stuttgart-1

Carrier label, especially for X-ray films for taking an X-ray picture of teeth in the mouth of a living being

The invention relates to a carrier label, in particular for X-ray films for taking an X-ray image of teeth in the mouth of a living being.

In the field of dentistry, information about the condition of teeth, especially the section of teeth that is captured in the jaw, can be obtained through X-rays. The use of X-ray technology is therefore particularly

suitable because there are major differences in the permeability of X-rays due to the different chemical structure of teeth and the gums or jawbone that support them. This makes it possible to produce sharply contoured X-ray images, especially of tooth root areas that are not visible.

A well-known technique for producing such X-ray images consists in placing an unexposed X-ray film in the form of a section that is approximately the same length and width as a tooth, next to the side of a tooth. When the X-ray image is produced, X-rays are emitted from the opposite side, penetrating the tooth, gums and jawbone, with the rays that have penetrated exposing the X-ray film. X-rays penetrate the gums almost unhindered, i.e. these rays expose the X-ray film most intensively. The bone material of the jaw absorbs the X-rays somewhat more strongly, although this is even more pronounced in the tooth material itself. This means that the proportion of X-rays that penetrate the tooth material is the smallest, so that the X-ray film is exposed the least at this point. This creates the sharply contoured X-ray images mentioned above.

The X-ray film section can be placed on the inner, accessible side of the tooth facing the oral cavity. The X-ray source is brought from the outside as close as possible to the tooth to be examined in order to emit a limited X-ray beam that, if possible, only hits the tooth or teeth to be examined.

It is of course also possible to place the X-ray source inside the mouth and apply the X-ray film sections from the outside, i.e. between the outer tooth flank and the lip.

One problem is to hold the X-ray film section to the side or flank of the tooth in such a way that it does not slip, especially that it is firmly in place during the exposure itself.

To do this, the X-ray film section, which is designed as a relatively stiff, leaf-shaped part, is placed against the gums under strong pressure and, if placed from the inside, is fixed in place using the tongue or additional mechanical holding devices such as holding clips. This process is very unpleasant for the person, very painful and can lead to severe bleeding from the gums. Furthermore, this process is very difficult for the dentist to carry out, since on the one hand the leaf-shaped X-ray film section must be placed in an exact position and on the other hand holding devices such as clamps or the like must be pushed on or attached. In the period between the dentist placing the X-ray film section and the recording being taken, it is now possible that jaw movements and relative movements between the tongue and jaw can move the X-ray film section or even loosen the holding devices. If the position of the X-ray film section changes, it is possible that the X-ray image no longer captures the entire tooth or that the image becomes blurred due to the movement. A new admission is then necessary, which is very unpleasant for the patient and also causes additional costs.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a device by means of which X-ray films or the like can be easily and quickly positioned precisely on a tooth or several teeth and can be held firmly in this position in order to enable perfect images to be taken.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a carrier label, in which a film carrier section extending in a first plane is provided, which is connected to a wing that can be folded away from the first plane and which, in the folded away state, can be held between chewing surfaces of opposing teeth.

The task is therefore completely solved because the carrier label can be firmly grasped using the fold-away wing and the film carrier section, which carries an X-ray film when the image is taken, can be positioned exactly using this. For example, if the film carrier section is to be placed on the inside of a tooth, the mouth must be opened wide enough so that the dentist can insert the carrier label grasped by the wing into the oral cavity. The film carrier section, which is firmly connected to the wing, can then be positioned exactly on the tooth using the wing grasped by hand. This can then be monitored simply by inserting a mirror into the oral cavity with the other hand. However, the manually grasped carrier label can be manipulated from the outside. This means that the dentist no longer has to laboriously reach into the oral cavity with one hand and position or press the film carrier section from the inside. The pressing can be done simply by

This can be done by pulling on the wing so that the film carrier section and the X-ray film are positioned exactly. Care is taken to ensure that the wing is positioned as close as possible to the chewing surface of a tooth. By closing the jaw, the wing is clamped between the chewing surfaces of opposing teeth so that the carrier label is then positioned exactly and held firmly in place. The length of the wing can be chosen so that the dentist can hold the wing at the end until the chewing surfaces are closed and the wing is clamped between them. The position with the jaw closed is not uncomfortable for the patient and can be easily maintained so that the film carrier section lying on the side of the tooth cannot be moved even while the X-ray source is being positioned. After the exposure has been completed, the carrier label can be grasped again by the wing and removed from the oral cavity and subjected to further processing, for example the immediate subsequent development of the film.

The provision of the wing thus facilitates the handling of the carrier label during the entire process, i.e. positioning, fixing, holding, removing, whereby this can be carried out very quickly and easily, is pleasant for the patient and is also easy to carry out by the dentist.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the film carrier section is provided on one side with an adhesive layer, via which it adheres to an adhesive film.

This measure has the advantage that the carrier labels can initially be produced very easily and inexpensively without film. The carrier label is grasped by the wing in preparation for an exposure and peeled off the adhesive film. The term "adhesive film" is used here instead of the usual term "carrier film" in order to maintain a conceptual distinction from the term film carrier section. After the carrier label has been peeled off, the film carrier section is placed on an X-ray film section, whereby an intimate bond is created by the adhesive layer. The carrier label is then placed in the patient's mouth together with the film attached. After the exposure has been completed, the carrier label can be peeled off the film and discarded or left on the film to facilitate further handling, for example during the development process, which is possible thanks to the fold-away wing that can be grasped by hand.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the adhesive film has dimensions such that several carrier labels are adhered to it.

This measure has the advantage that a large number of carrier labels are available for stacking or storage in a space-saving manner, so that several images of a patient's teeth can be taken in quick succession.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the film carrier section extends on both sides of the wing, viewed transversely to a connecting line with the wing.

This measure has the advantage that when the wing is folded away, the carrier label has a T-shaped cross-section,

This means that the film carrier section can be placed on both a tooth in the lower jaw and a tooth in the upper jaw when the jaw is almost closed. If the wing is pulled for positioning, the film carrier sections arranged on either side of the wing are placed firmly on the sides of the teeth without there being any risk of the film carrier section swinging away from the tooth side. Furthermore, the areas extending on either side of the connecting line with the wing enable a particularly close connection to the X-ray film via the adhesive layer, so that even if the wing is pulled hard, the film carrier section does not come loose from the film again.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the wing projects beyond the film carrier section, viewed transversely to the connecting line with the film carrier section, if the wing extends approximately parallel to the first plane.

This measure has the advantage that the wing can be very easily grasped at the protruding section and can be folded away from the first level in which the film carrier section extends. This makes it easier in particular to grasp the carrier label that is stuck to the adhesive film in order to peel it off.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the wing consists of two films that are connected over the surface by an adhesive layer and that extend beyond the connecting line in areas, with the two extended areas being connected over the surface to a carrier film that covers them.

This measure has the advantage that a particularly easy-to-achieve and intimate connection is created between the wing and the film carrier section. By selecting relatively thin and flexible material for the film on the one hand and relatively stiff material for the carrier film on the other, it is possible to create a relatively stiff film carrier section on the one hand, but at the same time a relatively flexible wing. Due to the flexibility, the wing can very easily adapt to the chewing surfaces of the teeth when they are placed together. Furthermore, the wing can be easily pivoted around the imaginary connection line with the film carrier section.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a hinge is provided in the transition area between the wing and the film carrier section.

This measure has the advantage that the pivoting movement or folding away of the wing from the film carrier section level is supported, making this movement easy. This also makes it possible to place the wing in the film carrier section level for storage or transport in a space-saving manner. By providing the hinge, it is then possible to use the same materials for the films that make up the wing and for the carrier film.

In a further embodiment of the invention, one of the two films is provided with a bending perforation along the connecting line, and the wing is folded around the bending perforation in such a way that the area of this film which partially forms the wing has approached the area which is part of the film carrier section.

This measure has the advantage that by providing only one bending perforation along one film, the wing has the tendency to fold over exclusively in the direction in which the two areas of one film approach each other. This movement is reinforced by the rigidity of the material of the other film, which is not provided with any bending perforation, since the rigidity of this material means that this film has a tendency to stretch out in one plane. As a result, if the label, possibly with the film attached, is placed on a table with the wing folded down at a roughly right angle, the wing only folds away in a very specific direction. This also ensures that the carrier labels remain in such an orientation after production, for example while they are being held on the adhesive film, that the wing extends roughly parallel to the film carrier section, so that space-saving storage or stacking is possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the film carrier section carries an X-ray film.

This measure has the advantage that the carrier label also contains the X-ray film integrated, so that an X-ray image can be taken immediately using this assembly.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is described and explained in more detail using a few selected embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of several carrier labels according to the invention, which are adhesively applied to an adhesive film;

Fig. 2 is a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view comparable to the section in Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale, with one wing of the carrier label peeled off the adhesive film folded away and a handling state being shown in which the carrier label is just about to be brought into contact with a film;

Fig. 4 is a highly schematic section along a frontal plane of a human jaw, in which on the left side of the sectional view a first embodiment of a carrier label according to the invention is shown, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and in which on the right side a further embodiment of a carrier label according to the invention is shown, and

Fig. 5 shows a section, comparable to that in Fig. 3, of the further embodiment shown on the right-hand side in Fig. 4.

A first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3 of a carrier label 10 according to the invention has a film carrier section extending in a first plane 37 and a wing 16 connected to it.

The wing 16 is made up of two wing sections 24 or two foils 18 or 20 joined together. The wing sections 24 or 26 of the foils 18 or 20 are connected to one another via an adhesive layer 28. The connection in the illustrated embodiment is made by heat sealing.

Following an imaginary connecting line 22 between wing 16 and film carrier section 14, the films 18 and 20 extend into regions 30 and 32, respectively, with the regions 30, 32 extending on both sides of the connecting line 22 in the plane 37. The regions 30 and 32 are connected to a carrier film 34 via an adhesive layer 36. The size of the carrier film 34 is such that it completely covers the regions 30 and 32 of the film 20 and 22.

The assembly of areas 30 or 32 and carrier film 34 represents the film carrier section 14 of the carrier label 10.

In order to obtain a particularly close connection between the carrier film 34 and the areas 30 and 32 of the films 18 and 20, an adhesion-enhancing layer (not shown here) can be present on the side 38 of the carrier film 34 facing the areas 30, 32.

On the outer side 40 opposite the side 38, the carrier film 34 is provided with a further adhesive layer 42, via which it adheres to an adhesive film 12.

The adhesive film 12 (see in particular Fig. 1), which can also be referred to as a carrier film or carrier tape, consists of a glassine paper to which the carrier label 10 is removably adhered.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, several carrier labels 10, 10', 10'' ... are adhered to the adhesive film 12.

The film 20 is, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 3, provided with a punched bending perforation 44 in the transition area between its wing section 26 and the area 32. The bending perforation 44 forms a hinge around which the wing 16 can be folded away from the plane 37 of the film carrier section 14, as can be seen, for example, from the transition from Fig. 2 to Fig. 3.

By providing the bending perforation 44 only on the film 20, the wing 16 normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 1 or 2, i.e. it extends essentially parallel to the plane 37.

In Fig. 1, the wing 16' of the carrier label 10' is shown in a slightly raised or folded-away state for illustrative purposes only.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 1 and 2, the length of the wing 16 is such that it projects beyond the film carrier section 14 by a projecting area 46.

The films 18 and 20 or the carrier film 34 are made of polypropylene and are connected using a physiologically harmless (according to recommendation BGA 14) permanent acrylic adhesive.

The handling of the carrier label 10 for taking an X-ray of a tooth in the jaw of a human person is carried out as follows.

The carrier label 10 is grasped by the protruding area 46 of the wing 16 and pulled off the adhesive film 12. It can be pulled in the direction of the connecting line 22 or at a slight angle to it.

As previously mentioned, it is ensured that the connection between the carrier film 34 and the areas 30 or 32 of the films 18 or 20 is more intimate than the connection between the carrier film 34 and the adhesive film 12. The peeled-off carrier label 10 is then, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 3, brought into contact with a film 48, in the embodiment shown an unexposed X-ray film encapsulated against the effects of light. The peeled-off carrier label 10 is gripped by the wing 16 folded away by approximately 90° from the plane 37, as indicated by the arrows 51, 53, and is pressed onto the film 48 with the now exposed adhesive layer 42 facing forward, as indicated in Fig. 3 by an arrow 49.

The assembly of carrier label 10 and film 48 is then, as can be seen on the left side of Fig. 4, introduced into the oral cavity of a person and placed on the inner side of opposing teeth 60 and 62. For this purpose, the mouth is open, i.e. upper jaw 56 and lower jaw 78 are moved away from each other. By manipulating the assembly of carrier label 10 and film 48 grasped via the wing 16, it can be brought into the position shown in Fig. 4 on the left side, i.e. the film 48

covers the entire side of the tooth 60 in the upper jaw 56 as well as the tooth in the lower jaw 58. So here an X-ray of the teeth 60 and 62 should be taken at the same time.

Once the assembly of film 48 and carrier label 10 is correctly positioned, the patient is asked to close his mouth.

As a result, the area of the wing 16 lying between the teeth 60 and 62 is then clamped between their chewing surfaces 61 and 63. The assembly of film 48 and carrier label 10 is then held immovably and precisely positioned.

The X-ray image can now be taken, as indicated in Fig. 4 by the X-rays 64, 64'.

As can also be seen from Fig. 4, the outer end of the wing 16 extends beyond the teeth 60, 62, so that this section can protrude from the mouth between the lips, for example when the mouth is closed. However, it is also possible to fold this section over and hold it between the outside of the tooth and the inside of the lip. The protruding area of the wing 16 is sufficient so that it can be safely grasped by hand from the outside.

In the embodiment shown on the left in Fig. 4, support for the fixation by the tongue 82 is not necessary.

After the picture has been taken, the mouth is opened and the assembly of film 48 and carrier label 10 can be grasped again via the wing 16 and removed. After the assembly has been put down, the wing 16 folds back into place due to the perforation 44 (see Fig. 3) so that this assembly can be put down in a space-saving manner. It is now possible to pull the carrier label 10 off the film and discard it or to subject the assembly to a development process.

In the further embodiment of a carrier label 70 according to the invention shown in Fig. 4 on the right side or Fig. 5, the film carrier section 74 and the wing 76 are made from a single film, with a film hinge 78 representing the transition between the film carrier section and the wing 76.

The film carrier section 74 is connected to a film 80, whereby this is done via an adhesive layer 75. The connection is such that the film hinge 78 comes to rest at one end of the film 78.

The assembly of carrier label 70 and film 80 can, as previously described, be grasped using the wing 76, whereby this is pivoted out of the plane 73, as indicated in Fig. 5 by an arrow 77. The positioning process for making an X-ray of a tooth in the lower jaw 58 requires the aid of the tongue 82, which prevents the film 80 from moving towards the inside of the oral cavity if the wing 76 is pulled strongly outwards. Here too, the wing 76 is clamped between the chewing surfaces after the teeth have been clenched and supports the

exact positioning of the film 80 on the inner side of the tooth 72. In the position shown on the right side in Fig. 4, the X-ray image can then be taken, as indicated by X-rays 84.

It is of course possible to produce the carrier labels 70 as previously described in connection with Fig. 1, adhering to an adhesive film. It is also possible to form the assembly shown in Fig. 5 integrally, i.e. to enclose the unexposed film 80 with an opaque plastic film, to which the wing 76 is also formed.

Claims (9)

Protection claims 1. Carrier label, in particular for X-ray films (48, 80) for producing an X-ray image of teeth (60, 62, 72) in the mouth of a living being, characterized in that a film carrier section (14, 74) extending in a first plane (37, 73) is provided, which is connected to a wing (16, 76) which can be folded away from the first plane (37, 73) and, in the folded-away state, can be held between chewing surfaces (61, 63) of opposing teeth (60, 62). 2. Carrier label according to claim 1, characterized in that the film carrier section (14, 74) is provided on one side (40) with an adhesive layer (42, 75) via which it adheres to an adhesive film (12). 3. Carrier label according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive film (12) has such dimensions that several carrier labels (10, 10', 10'') can be adhesively received thereon. 4. Carrier label according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the film carrier section (14) extends transversely to a connecting line (12) with the wing (16), extends on both sides of the wing (14). 5. Carrier label according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wing (16), seen transversely to an imaginary connecting line (22) with the film carrier section (14, 74), if the latter extends approximately parallel to the first plane (37, 73) and rests against the film carrier section (14, 74), projects beyond the latter. 6. Carrier label according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the wing (16) consists of two films (18, 20) which are connected in a planar manner via an adhesive layer (28) and which extend beyond the connecting line (22) in regions (30, 32), the two extended regions (30, 32) being connected in a planar manner to a carrier film (34) covering them. 7. Carrier label according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a hinge (44, 78) is provided in the transition region between the wing (16, 76) and the film carrier section (14, 74). 8. Carrier label according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the two films (20) is provided with a bending perforation (44) along the connection line with the film carrier section (14), and that the wing (16) is bent around the bending perforation (14) in such a way that the area (wing section 26) of this film (20) which partially forms the wing (16) is adjacent to the area (32) of this foil (20), which is part of the film carrier section (14). 9. Carrier label according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the film carrier section (14, 74) carries an X-ray film (48, 80).