# US 10,499,862 B2 · Panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,862 B2 - Document ID: US10499862B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/519,144 - Filed: 2015-10-13 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-13 - Assignees: VATECH Co., Ltd.; VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd. - Applicants: VATECH Co., Ltd.; VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Chang-Joon Ro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499862B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/51: for dentistry - A61B 6/027: {characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral} - A61B 6/40: Arrangements for generating radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis - A61B 6/4007: {characterised by using a plurality of source units} - A61B 6/4021: {involving movement of the focal spot} - A61B 6/4435: {the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure} - A61B 6/4476: {related to motor-assisted motion of the source unit} - H01J 35/065: {Field emission, photo emission or secondary emission cathodes} - H01J 35/116: {Transmissive anodes (acting as a window H01J35/186)} - H01J 2235/068: Multi-cathode assembly - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus capable of obtaining more accurate panoramic X-ray images while minimizing the rotation of a rotation arm, the panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus includes at least one X-ray source configured to irradiate X-rays and an X-ray sensor configured to receive the X-rays, a rotating arm configured to position the X-ray sensor and the X-ray source to face each other, a driver configured to rotate the rotating arm about a rotating shaft, a guide configured to provide directions for moving the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source, and wherein the at least one X-ray source is of an electric field emission type adopting an emitter of a nanostructure material and the X-ray source or the X-ray sensor is relatively movable along the guide in conjunction with a movement of the rotating arm. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: at least one X-ray source configured to irradiate X-rays to an object; an X-ray sensor configured to receive the X-rays having passed the object; a rotating arm configured to position the X-ray sensor and the X-ray source to face each other; a driver configured to rotate the rotating arm about a rotating shaft; a guide configured to provide directions for moving the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source; and wherein the at least one X-ray source is of an electric field emission type, and wherein the at least one X-ray source is provided two or more in number along left and right directions of a dental arch, and wherein the X-ray source or the X-ray sensor is relatively movable along the guide in conjunction with a movement of the rotating arm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide is configured to direct the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source in association with the dental arch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray sensor with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a source mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray source with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the X-ray source includes: a cathode electrode provided at a first side of a vacuum housing, with the emitter provided on a surface thereof; and an anode electrode provided at a second side of the housing, and configured to provide a target facing the cathode electrode, with the emitter disposed therebetween. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a gate electrode provided between the emitter and the target, and configured to control electric field emission of the emitter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a focusing electrode provided between the gate electrode and the target, and configured to focus the electric field on the target. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source moves while the rotating arm moves. ### Claim 9 A panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of X-ray sources configured to irradiate X-rays to an object; an X-ray sensor configured to receive the X-rays having passed the object; a rotating arm configured to position the X-ray sensor and the X-ray source to face each other; a driver configured to rotate the rotating arm about a rotating shaft; a guide configured to provide directions for moving the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source; and wherein the at least one X-ray source is of an electric field emission type, and wherein the plurality of X-ray sources are sequentially driven along with a movement of the X-ray sensor along the guide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a sensor mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray sensor with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a source mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray source with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source moves while the rotating arm moves. ### Claim 13 A panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of X-ray sources configured to irradiate X-rays to an object; an X-ray sensor configured to receive the X-rays having passed the object; a rotating arm configured to position the X-ray sensor and the X-ray source to face each other; a driver configured to rotate the rotating arm about a rotating shaft; a guide configured to provide directions for moving the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source; and wherein the at least one X-ray source is of an electric field emission type, and wherein the plurality of X-ray sources are sequentially driven at positions of the rotating arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a sensor mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray sensor with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a source mover including a linear motor and configured to move the X-ray source with respect to the rotating arm by the linear motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The panoramic X-ray imaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein the X-ray sensor or the X-ray source moves while the rotating arm moves.