# US 10,863,964 B1 · Infrared alignment guide for an X-ray machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,964 B1 - Document ID: US10863964B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/889,762 - Filed: 2020-06-01 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-01 - Assignees: King Saud University - Applicants: King Saud University - Inventors: Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani; Asma'a Abdurrahman Al-Ekrish; Tariq Alshawi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863964B1 ## CPC - A61B 6/587: {Alignment of source unit to detector unit} - G06T 7/74: {involving reference images or patches} - A61B 6/0492: {using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning} - A61B 6/06: Diaphragms - A61B 6/08: Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams - A61B 6/461: {Displaying means of special interest} - A61B 6/51: for dentistry - A61B 6/512: {Intraoral means} - G06N 20/00: Machine learning - G06T 7/32: using correlation-based methods - A61B 2562/02: Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements - G06T 2200/24: involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs] - G06T 2207/10048: Infrared image - G06T 2207/10116: X-ray image - G06T 2207/20081: Training; Learning - G06T 2207/30036: Dental; Teeth - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the tubular body defines a plurality of slots connecting with the channel, the slots being spaced apart and extending along the entire length of the channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The infrared alignment guide of claim 2, wherein the slots are dimensioned and configured to receive the support bar for securing the support bar at the locations of the slots. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The infrared alignment guide of claim 2, wherein the plurality of slots consists of a first slot at a first lateral end of the channel, a second slot at an opposing second lateral end of the channel, and a third slot midway between the first and second slots. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the channel extends circumferentially around 180° of the wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein said infrared sensor is configured for transmitting infrared images to an image processor for display to a user of the guide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the attachment hinge and the sensor hinge operate in planes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support bar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the attachment member includes two opposing bends to form a substantially U-shaped member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the collimator is rotatable with respect to the tubular body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the support bar has a length greater than the length of the channel to provide for forward and backward adjustability. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The infrared alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the x-ray sensor holder is adjustable for securing x-ray sensors of different sizes. ### Claim 12 An infrared alignment guide for an x-ray machine, comprising: a body configured for attachment to a position indicator device of the x-ray machine; an x-ray sensor holder adjustably connected to the body, the x-ray sensor holder being adapted for positioning in a patient's mouth for periapical and bitewing dental x-rays of the patient's upper and lower teeth on either side of the mouth; an infrared light source mounted on the sensor holder, the infrared light source being configured to emit infrared light in a direction towards the body of the guide; and an infrared light sensor mounted on the body, the infrared light sensor being configured to sense infrared light emitted by the infrared light source, the infrared light sensor being adapted for connection to a device for displaying infrared images to guide positioning of the x-ray machine. ### Claim 13 A method of aligning an x-ray machine with an x-ray sensor for imaging teeth in a patient's mouth using an infrared alignment guide attached to the x-ray machine, comprising the steps of: inserting an x-ray sensor holder of the infrared guided alignment detector into a patient's mouth; emitting infrared light from the x-ray sensor holder and detecting the emitted infrared light using an infrared light sensor adjacent the x-ray machine; creating an image from infrared light detected by the infrared light sensor; adjusting position of the x-ray machine based on the image to improve alignment for x-ray imaging of the patient's teeth; providing an alarm indicating alignment is proper; and taking an x-ray when proper alignment is achieved. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of aligning an x-ray machine according to claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting the position of the x-ray machine includes the steps of: adjusting the position to center the patient's teeth on an x-ray sensor attached to the x-ray sensor holder; and adjusting the position of the x-ray machine to provide at least one of minimal elongation of the teeth's crowns, minimal overlap between the teeth, and maximal alignment of the buccal and lingual cusps. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of aligning an x-ray machine of claim 13, further comprising the step of using machine learning to determine when alignment is proper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of aligning an x-ray machine of claim 15, wherein a nearest neighbor algorithm is used to determine if alignment is correct by comparing the created images with properly aligned and improperly aligned images.