Panoramic dental x-ray machine
US4125774A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 1977 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B6/51
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dental X-ray machine for providing both continuous and discontinuous radiographic images of a patient's dental arch area. Continuous images are obtained when an X-ray source-camera assembly orbits a patient in one direction while the patient is transported in a substantially semicircular pattern in the opposite direction. The pattern is achieved through improved X-Y drive mechanism which rotates a crank assembly having a pair of depending roller guides, one of which roller guides engages guideway means affixed to a plate which is capable of traveling in an X-direction only, and the other roller guide engaging similar guideway means affixed to another plate which is capable of traveling in a Y direction only. The combined motion of the plates, upon rotation of the crank assembly produces an X-Y pattern resembling a semicircle. Discontinuous images are obtained when another plate, which plate also guides the aforementioned plate capable of moving in the X direction only, is shifted in the Y direction by a cam-drive rod mechanism when the patient's spinal cord becomes aligned with the X-ray source-camera assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.