Digital Radiography Sensors

• US 20100254518A1
• Filed: 07/28/2008
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Louie Khouri
• Original Assignee: Louie Khouri
• Inventors: Khouri, Louie
• Granted Patent: US 8,320,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/512 Intraoral means

Abstract

A new and improved digital sensor assembly for use in a filmless radiography system is disclosed. The sensor is configured to be universal in that it can be rotated about a cable connection thereby allowing the sensor to be used both vertically and horizontally in the oral cavity. The rotatability of the sensor allows it to fit comfortably and close to a target area in an intraoral cavity. By providing a comfortable relative fit to the target area, the sensor is ergonomically improved, in terms of its comfort and feel to a dental patient. Alternative sensor assembly embodiments disclosed herein relate to quick disconnect-type coupling arrangements between the sensor body and the sensor cable.

Claims

1. A digital radiography sensor assembly, comprising a sensor body including components for generating radiography image data, and a sensor cable leading from the sensor body to either a computer which reads the data generated by the sensor body or an image display unit, whereby said sensor body is rotatable relative to the sensor cable.

2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor body and sensor cable are selectively coupled via a mating male and female connection.

3. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein said male connection is disposed on the sensor body and includes a post and said female connector includes a socket occurring along a terminal end of the cable for receiving the post.

4. The sensor assembly of claim 3, wherein said terminal end of said cable includes a radially extending flange and said sensor body includes a well for receiving said flange.

5. The sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein said well includes a plurality of overhanging tabs for locking said flange thereunder within said well.

6. The sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein said flange includes a plurality of cut-outs which pass over said overhanging tabs whereby upon rotation of said sensor body relative to the cable the flange is secured under the tabs.

7. The sensor assembly of claim 6, wherein said flange includes a recess occurring between the cut-outs, said recess shaped to mate with said tabs upon sufficient rotation of the sensor body relative to said cable.

8. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor body and said sensor cable are magnetically coupled.

9. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the sensor body includes a plurality of spaced apart detents which are engaged by protrusions occurring along a radially extending flange occurring on the terminal end of said cable, said detents and protrusions being of sufficient number to allow for incremental rotation of the sensor body relative to the cable.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein said male and female connection is in the form of a swiveling ball and socket.

11. A digital radiography sensor assembly, comprising a sensor body including components for generating radiography image data, and a sensor cable leading from the sensor body to either a computer which reads the data generated by the sensor body or an image display unit, whereby said sensor body is coupled to the sensor cable via a selectively disengagable male and female connection.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 11, wherein said sensor body is selectively rotatable relative to the sensor cable.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein said male connection is disposed on the sensor body and includes a post and said female connector includes a socket occurring along a terminal end of the cable for receiving the post.

14. The sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein said terminal end of said cable includes a radially extending flange and said sensor body includes a well for receiving said flange.

15. The sensor assembly of claim 14, wherein said well includes a plurality of overhanging tabs for locking said flange thereunder within said well.

16. The sensor assembly of claim 15, wherein said flange includes a plurality of cut-outs which pass over said overhanging tabs whereby upon rotation of said sensor body relative to the cable the flange is secured under the tabs.

17. The sensor assembly of claim 16, wherein said flange includes a recess occurring between the cut-outs, said recess shaped to mate with said tabs upon sufficient rotation of the sensor body relative to said cable.

18. The sensor assembly of claim 11, wherein said sensor body and said sensor cable are magnetically coupled.

19. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein the sensor body includes a plurality of spaced apart detents which are engaged by protrusions occurring along a radially extending flange occurring on the terminal end of said cable, said detents and protrusions being of sufficient number to allow for incremental rotation of the sensor body relative to the cable.

20. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein said male and female connection is in the form of a swiveling ball and socket.