Modular bite block and sensor holder apparatus for dental x-ray procedures

Abstract

A dental bite block ( 20 ) and sensor holder ( 21 ) assembly ( 11 ) has a bite block ( 20 ) configured ( 31 ) to detachably affix to a sensor holder ( 21 ). Affixing surfaces ( 30, 31 ) are provided between the bite block ( 20 ) and the sensor holder ( 21 ) such that the sensor holder ( 21 ) is removably affixed to the bite block ( 20 ).

We claim:  
     
         1 . A dental x-ray positioning device comprising: 
 a bite block and sensor holder assembly, and means to removably affix said sensor holder to said bite block.    
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said sensor holder has means to removably affix a dental x-ray sensor thereto.  
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein said has means to removably affix a dental x-ray sensor includes means to affix a dental x-ray film.  
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein said has means to removably affix a dental x-ray sensor includes means to affix a digital x-ray sensor.  
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said means to removably affix said sensor holder to said bite block comprises a complex profile tab carried by said one of said bite block or said sensor holder, and an at least partially corresponding slot carried by the other of said bite block or said sensor holder.  
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 5 , wherein said sensor holder carries two of said complex profile tabs, each of which has a different configuration from the other; and, said bite block carries two slots, each of which at least partially corresponds in shape to one of said two complex profile tabs carried by said sensor holder; such that said slots each can receive one of said complex profile tabs, thereby removably affixing said sensor holder to said bite block.  
     
     
         7 . A dental positioning device kit comprising: 
 a bite block and at least two sensor holders, each of which is separately and removably affixable to said bite, block;    each of said sensor holders having means to removably affix a dental x-ray sensor thereto, and each said means to removably affix a dental x-ray sensor of each said sensor holder being of a different configuration from that of the other said sensor holder.    
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling a bite block and sensor holder assembly for the taking of a dental x-ray comprising the steps of: inserting a complex profile tab carried by said sensor holder into a receiving slot carried by said bite block, and either before or after that step positioning a dental x-ray sensor into said sensor holder.  
     
     
         9 . A dental x-ray aiming device of the type having an aiming ring, a set of steps on said aiming ring to register a dental x-ray collimator, a bite block and dental x-ray sensor, said aiming ring and said bite block being held in an opposing relation by a support arm, the improvement comprising: 
 providing said aiming ring with at least two sets of said steps, such that at least two different sizes of collimators may be registered by the same aiming ring.    
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein said sets of steps are concentrically arranged.  
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the outer diameter of said aiming ring is provided with aiming grooves.