Protective means for protecting imaging media

A method for using an apparatus for protecting imaging media for intraoral imaging media in dental imaging, said imaging media being readable when inserted in a reader apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus comprising:
• a pouch-like structure configured to contain imaging media in a liquid-tight manner;
• a first opening through the pouch-like structure, the first opening configured to receive the imaging media as the imaging media is inserted into the pouch-like structure;
• a closing structure comprising a foldable flap connected to a pouch-like structure at a folding seam and configured to close the first opening after the imaging media has been inserted into the pouch-like structure;
• and
• at least one tear line in the pouch-like structure from the first opening to the folding seam;
• a fastener configured to fasten the closing structure onto the pouch-like structure to surround the first opening and the at least one tear line so that the apparatus is closed in the liquid-tight manner so as to protect the imaging media from liquids;
• placing the imaging media in the pouch-like structure;
• closing the first opening with the closing structure folded about the folding seam such that the fastener is located on all sides of the first opening so as to protect the imaging media from liquids, the pouch-like structure sized to be inserted into a patient's mouth while containing the imaging media;
• inserting the apparatus in a patient's mouth;
• exposing the imaging media to x-rays;
• removing the apparatus from the patient's mouth;
• opening the apparatus by at least partially removing the closing structure from the pouch-like structure to open a second opening in the pouch-like structure by tearing along the at lest one tear line in a direction of the folding seam;
• removing the imaging media from the apparatus through the second opening.

An intraoral protective apparatus for protecting imaging media during medical imaging, the apparatus comprising:

• a pouch-like structure configured to contain imaging media in a liquid-tight manner, the pouch-like structure sized to be inserted into a patient's mouth while containing the imaging media, the pouch-like structure comprising;
• a foldable flap and a folding seam and configured to be folded about the folding seam to contain the imaging media in a liquid-tight manner within the pouch-like structure;
• a first opening through the pouch-like structure, the first opening spaced apart from the folding seam and configured to receive the imaging media as the imaging media is inserted into the pouch-like structure, the foldable flap configured to fold about the folding seam to close the first opening;
• at least one tear line located interior of any free edge of the pouch-like structure and extending from the first opening to the folding seam;
• and
• a fastener on the pouch-like structure that fastener surrounds the first opening, extends to the folding seam, and surrounds the at least one tear line, the fastener secures the foldable flap to the pouch-like structure across the first opening and the at least one tear line, so that the pouch-like structure is closed in the liquid-tight manner so as to protect the imaging media from liquids;
• wherein the apparatus is configured such that unfastening of the foldable flap from the pouch-like structure opens a second opening along the at least one tear line the second opening comprises the first opening, and wherein the second opening is configured to allow for removal of the imaging media from the pouch-like structure.

A method for manufacturing an intraoral protective apparatus for protecting imaging media during medical imaging, the method comprising:

• forming an apparatus comprising a pouch-like structure configured to contain imaging media in a liquid-tight manner, the pouch-like structure adapted and sized to be inserted into a patient's mouth while containing the imaging media;
• forming a first opening through the pouch-like structure, the first opening configured to receive the imaging media as the imaging media is inserted into the pouch-like structure;
• providing a closing structure connected to the pouch-like structure and configured to be folded about a folding seam, the closing structure configured to close the first opening after the imaging media has been inserted into the pouch-like structure;
• providing a fastener configured to fasten the closing structure onto the pouch-like structure, wherein when the closing structure is folded, the fastener surrounds the first opening and extends to the folding seam so that the apparatus is closed in the liquid-tight manner so as to protect the imaging media from liquids;
• and
• providing at least one tear line in the pouch-like structure, the at least one tear line extends from the first opening in the direction of the folding seam and the at least one tear line is surrounded by the fastener and the closing structure when the closing structure is folded, the at least one tear line configured to tear upon unfastening of at least a first portion of the closing structure from the pouch-like structure to form a second opening extending from the first opening in the pouch-like structure, the second opening larger than the first opening to facilitate removal of the imaging media from the pouch-like structure.