Intraoral sensor

• US 6,652,141 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midmark Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cygnus Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Cianciosi, Egidio
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Allen C.
• Application Number:
  US10/056,419
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 378/38, 378/98.8, 378/168, 378/189, 378/191
• 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 intraoral sensor for use in a filmless radiography system is disclosed. The sensor is configured 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. In addition, the configuration of the sensor is designed to allow the sensor to be placed closer to a target area in an oral cavity than prior sensors (i.e. closer to target teeth, gum, etc). Moreover, the sensor is configured so that it can easily be located in a correct position relative to the target area, and when located correctly to properly position its sensing structure for receiving radiant energy. These features are believed to reduce refractive error in the image received by the sensor, thereby improving the image data transmitted by the sensor.

Claims

1. An intraoral sensor comprising a sensor body configured to fit in an oral cavity proximate a target area of the oral cavity, said sensor body housing filmless radiation sensing structure, the sensor body having upper and lower surfaces and an intermediate surface extending between said upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface having a non zero curvature and being configured to curve away from said upper surface, and said intermediate surface including two pairs of opposite sides, each opposite side having a non zero curvature and being configured such that each pair of opposite sides curve away from each other.

2. An intraoral sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate surface has corner portions which extend between the upper surface and respective portions of each pair of opposite sides of the intermediate surface, and between the lower surface and respective portions of each pair of opposite sides of the intermediate portion.

3. An intraoral sensor as defined in claim 2, wherein said sensor body has a thickness of about 5 mm.

4. An intraoral sensor comprising a sensor body configured to fit in an oral cavity proximate a target area of the oral cavity, said sensor body comprising upper and lower sections and sensing structure disposed between said upper and lower sections;

said upper and lower sections having contrasting colors and respective external surfaces with non zero curvatures to enable the sensor to be properly positioned relative to a target area, and said sensing structure being oriented in said sensor body such that when said sensor is properly positioned relative to a target area said sensing structure will receive radiant energy at a predetermined orientation relative to the direction of the radiant energy.