Intraoral x-ray sensor with embedded standard computer interface

• US 9,259,197 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2012
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Golay, Doug, Zeller, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III, William H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Krystal
• Application Number:
  US13/611,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20130000944A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/187 Strain relief means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4488 Means for cooling A61B6/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/512 Intraoral means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/30 for generating image signals from X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/32 Transforming X-rays cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from X-rays H04N23/30; circuitry of SSIS for transforming X-rays into image signals H04N25/30

Abstract

An intraoral x-ray sensor with embedded standard computer interface. The sensor includes a data transfer cable. In one embodiment, the cable is quad-twisted USB cable and includes two data lines, a ground line, and fillers twisted within a metallic sheath. The cable is symmetrically organized about a centerline. The symmetric cable has an improved life due to the ability to withstand mechanical stress (e.g., rotational stress). The sensor includes a processor and a housing with an inner metallization layer. The sheath is coupled to the inner metallization layer to transfer heat generated by the processor from the inner metallization layer to the sheath.

Claims

1. An intraoral x-ray sensor comprising:

a sensor housing having an opening; and

a twisted-quad universal serial bus (USB) data cable including

an outer sheath, and

a first data line, a second data line, a ground line, a power line, and at least two independent fillers positioned within the outer sheath and twisted together to form a single bundle,

wherein the opening is configured to receive the data cable.

2. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the first data line, the second data line, the ground line, the power line, and the independent fillers are symmetrically organized about a centerline of the data cable.

3. The intraoral sensor of claim 2, wherein the first data line abuts the second data line at a center of the cross-section of the data cable.

4. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the independent fillers comprise a plastic, electrically insulating material.

5. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the independent fillers include a first filler, a second filler, a third filler, and a fourth filler, and wherein

the first filler abuts the ground line and the first data line,

the second filler abuts the ground line and the second data line,

the third filler abuts the power line and the first data line, and

the fourth filler abuts the power line and the second data line.

6. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath further comprises a braided shield, a jacket layer outside of the braided shield and a tape layer inside of the braided shield.

7. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the data cable has a diameter of less than 3.0 millimeters.

8. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein one end of the data cable is coupled to an x-ray sensor.

9. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the cable further comprises a stress relief portion.

10. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a dome and the dome is configured to receive the cable.

11. The intraoral sensor of claim 10, wherein the cable further comprises a stress relief portion.

12. The intraoral sensor of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a dome and the dome is configured to receive the cable, and the cable further comprises a stress relief portion and the stress relief portion is secured to the dome.