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US 5,631,943 AGranted
Portable X-ray device
OwnerDale A. Milesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable and preferably hand-held X-ray generator for use in intraoral and other X-ray applications, and a new process of dental image acquisition which utilizes a novel receptor holder physically linked to the lightweight, portable generator, and a unique, articulating arm and cradle which allows one generator to be used in multiple operatories. The system's generator has a reduced X-ray output and much smaller focal spot area than conventional dental X-ray generators, which reduces the X-ray output and the overall patient X-ray burden. The smaller focal spot also allows for improved resolution in the final image.
Claims17
A portable X-ray device, comprising:
- a handle configured to be held by a single hand;
- an X-ray tube mounted within the handle;
- a collimated tube mounted to the handle and positioned such that X-rays will be emitted into the collimated tube when the X-ray tube is activated;
- wiring extending between an interior of the handle and an exterior of the handle and operative to couple an external power supply to the X-ray tube;
- an enable switch mounted to the handle;
- and
- an exposure switch mounted to the handle;
- wherein the X-ray tube will only emit X-rays when the enable switch and the exposure switch are both depressed.
5 more elements
A portable X-ray device, comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an X-ray tube mounted within the enclosure;
- a collimated tube mounted to the enclosure and positioned such that X-rays will be emitted into the collimated tube when the X-ray tube is activated;
- wiring extending between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure and operative to couple an external power supply to the X-ray tube;
- power supply circuitry operative to generate a voltage to drive the X-ray tube, wherein the power supply circuitry is not contained within the enclosure and is coupled to the enclosure by the wiring;
- whereby a weight of the enclosure is significantly reduced;
- control circuitry operative to control an exposure time of the X-ray tube, wherein the control circuitry is not contained within the enclosure and is coupled to the enclosure by the wiring;
- a remote control receiver coupled to the power supply and control circuitry;
- and
- a remote control transmitter operable for wireless transmission of an enable signal and an exposure signal to the remote control receiver;
- wherein the control circuitry causes a warm-up current to be applied to the X-ray tube when the enable signal is received by the remote control receiver.
8 more elements
A method for generating an X-ray image, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a portable X-ray device, comprising:
- a handle configured to be held by a single hand;
- an X-ray tube mounted within the handle;
- a collimated tube mounted to the handle and positioned such that X-rays will be emitted into the collimated tube when the X-ray tube is activated;
- wiring extending between an interior of the handle and an exterior of the handle and operative to couple an external power supply to the X-ray tube;
- an enable switch mounted to the handle;
- and
- an exposure switch mounted to the handle;
- wherein the X-ray tube will only emit X-rays when the enable switch and the exposure switch are both depressed.
- (b) grasping the handle with a single hand;
- (c) depressing the enable switch with a first finger of the hand;
- (d) aiming the collimated tube at an X-ray image receptor, wherein a structure to be imaged is positioned between the collimated tube and the receptor;
- and
- (e) depressing the exposure switch with a second finger of the hand while holding the enable switch in a depressed position.
11 more elements
A method for generating an X-ray image, comprising the step of:
- (a) providing a portable X-ray device, comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an X-ray tube mounted within the enclosure;
- a collimated tube mounted to the enclosure and positioned such that X-rays will be emitted into the collimated tube when the X-ray tube is activated;
- wiring extending between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure and operative to couple an external power supply to the X-ray tube;
- and
- power supply circuitry operative to generate a voltage to drive the X-ray tube, wherein the power supply circuitry is not contained within the enclosure and is coupled to the enclosure by the wiring;
- whereby a weight of the enclosure is significantly reduced;
- (b) providing an articulating arm having a cradle thereon, wherein the cradle is adapted to hold the X-ray device when placed therein;
- (c) aiming the collimated tube at an X-ray image receptor, wherein a structure to be imaged is positioned between the collimated tube and the receptor;
- (d) moving the articulated arm such that the cradle will hold the X-ray device;
- (e) depressing an enable switch;
- and
- (f) depressing an exposure switch, wherein the X-ray device will not emit X-rays unless both the enable switch and the exposure switch are depressed.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.