US 10,863,964 B1Granted

Infrared alignment guide for an X-ray machine

AssigneeKing Saud University

InventorsAhmed Ibrahim Alzahrani, Asma'a Abdurrahman Al-Ekrish, Tariq Alshawi

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Abstract

The infrared alignment guide for an x-ray machine is used to align a target tooth and an x-ray sensor with transmitted x-rays, as well as aligning the transmitted x-rays with a most effective orientation for imaging the target tooth. The guide includes a body having an attached x-ray sensor holder. The x-ray sensor holder may be adjusted in relation to the body for imaging different teeth. The x-ray sensor holder emits infrared light towards the body, which is detected by an infrared camera on the front of the body. The image produced by the infrared camera, which shows the crowns of the teeth, is used to align the transmitted x-rays with the tooth and the x-ray sensor holder.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An infrared alignment guide for an x-ray machine, comprising:

an elongated tubular body having a front end and a back end and defining a circumference, the body having an outer wall having a thickness in which a channel is defined, the channel having a length extending axially from the front end of the body to the back end of the body, the channel extending laterally around at least a portion of the circumference of the tubular body, the tubular body being adapted for mounting on the x-ray machine;
a collimator positioned within the tubular body at the front end of the body;
a support bar extending through the channel, the support bar having a front end and a back end;
an attachment member having a front end and a back end;
an attachment hinge, the back end of the attachment member being pivotally attached to the front end of the support bar by the attachment hinge;
an x-ray sensor holder adapted for holding an x-ray sensor;
a sensor hinge pivotally attaching the x-ray sensor holder to the front end of the attachment member;
an infrared light source mounted on the sensor holder, the infrared light source being configured to emit infrared light towards the collimator;
and
an infrared light sensor attached to the collimator, the infrared light sensor being configured to sense infrared light emitted from the infrared light source.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/889,762Filed 1 Jun 2020
Granted: 15 Dec 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

A61B 6/587
Testing, adjusting or calibrating thereof: alignment of source unit to detector unit
G06T 7/74
Using feature-based methods: involving reference images or patches
A61B 6/0492
Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like: using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning
A61B 6/06
Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment: diaphragms

Family

No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.

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