Dental device having a sensor film holder with tooth clamp

• US 7,517,148 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emily M. Ceisel, Robert J. Ceisel
• Original Assignee: Emily M. Ceisel, Robert J. Ceisel
• Inventors: Ceisel, Emily M., Ceisel, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Allen C.
• Application Number:
  US11/692,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20080241786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 378/168, 378/169, 378/170, 378/191, 378/177, 433/139
• US Class Current: 378/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/80 Dental aids fixed to teeth during treatment, e.g. tooth clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/82 Dams; Holders or clamps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/042 for dental applications radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51; individual packages for X-ray film G03C3/003

Abstract

A dental device includes a housing unit for removably holding sensor film and a tooth clamp disposed on the housing unit. The tooth clamp consists of first and second resilient arcuate bridges. Each of the first and second bridge has a first and second end. The first end of the first bridge and the first end of the second bridge are interconnected to one jaw of a pair of oppositely disposed jaws. The second end of the first bridge and the second end of the second bridge are interconnected to the other jaw of the pair of oppositely disposed jaws. Each of the oppositely disposed jaws includes a gripping plate, an aperture and a tab for engaging a flexible sheet.

Claims

1. A dental device for use during a dental procedure so as to eliminate the need for removal or adjustment of an already placed flexible sheet, comprising in combination:

a housing unit for removably holding sensor film;

a tooth clamp formed of a first resilient arcuate bridge and a second resilient arcuate bridge;

said first resilient arcuate bridge having a first end and a second end;

said second resilient arcuate bridge having a first end and a second end;

oppositely disposed first and second jaws, each of said oppositely disposed first and second jaws having a gripping plate, said gripping plate including an aperture and a tab engagable with a flexible sheet;

said first end of said first resilient arcuate bridge and said first end of said second resilient arcuate bridge being connected to corresponding opposite sides of one of said oppositely disposed first and second jaws;

said second end of said first resilient arcuate bridge and said second end of said second resilient arcuate bridge being connected to corresponding opposite sides of the other one of said oppositely disposed first and second jaws; and

said housing unit being disposed on said tooth clamp.

2. A dental device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing unit is pivotally attached to said tooth clamp.

3. A dental device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising ball and socket means for pivotally attaching said tooth clamp to said housing unit.

4. A dental device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing unit is removably attached to said tooth clamp.

5. A dental device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing unit is of a substantially rectangular shape.

6. A dental device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing unit is made of a radiolucent material.

7. A dental device for use during a dental procedure so as to eliminate the need for removal or adjustment of an already placed flexible sheet comprising in combination:

means for removably holding sensor film;

a tooth clamp formed of a first resilient arcuate bridge and a second resilient arcuate bridge;

said first resilient arcuate bridge having a first end and a second end;

aid second resilient arcuate bridge having a first end and a second end;

a pair of oppositely disposed gripping means for gripping a tooth;

said first end of said first resilient arcuate bridge and said first end of said second resilient arcuate bridge being connected to corresponding opposite sides of one of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means;

said second end of said first resilient arcuate bridge and said second end of said second resilient arcuate bridge being connected to corresponding opposite sides of the other one of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means; and

said means for removably holding sensor film being disposed on said tooth clamp.

8. A dental device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for removably holding sensor film is pivotally attached to said tooth clamp.

9. A dental device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising ball and socket means for pivotally attaching said tooth clamp to said means for removably holding sensor film.

10. A dental device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for removably holding sensor film is removably attached to said tooth clamp.

11. A dental device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for removably holding sensor film is of a substantially rectangular shape.

12. A dental device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means includes a jaw.

13. A dental device as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means includes a tab for engaging a flexible sheet.

14. A dental device for use during a dental procedure comprising:

a pair of oppositely disposed gripping means for gripping a tooth;

bridge means for connecting said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means;

means for removably holding sensor film;

said means for removably holding sensor film being interconnected to said bridge means; and

said means for removably holding sensor film being pivotally attached to said bridge means for connecting said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means.

15. A dental device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a ball and socket means for pivotally attaching said bridge means to said means for removably holding sensor film.

16. A dental device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for removably holding sensor film is removably attached to said bridge means for connecting said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means.

17. A dental device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for removably holding sensor film is of a substantially rectangular shape.

18. A dental device for use during a dental procedure comprising:

a pair of oppositely disposed gripping means for gripping a tooth;

each of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means including a jaw;

bridge means for connecting said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means;

means for removably holding sensor film; and

said means for removably holding sensor film being interconnected to said bridge means.

19. A dental device for use during a dental procedure comprising:

a pair of oppositely disposed gripping means for gripping a tooth;

each of said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means including a tab for engaging a flexible sheet;

bridge means for connecting said pair of oppositely disposed gripping means;

means for removably holding sensor film; and

said means for removably holding sensor film being interconnected to said bridge means.