Intraoral dental radiology positioning device

Abstract

A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprises a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine and a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine. The collimation plate has a rectangular opening in its surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member and a pair of handles extending away from the plate for positioning the device. The collimation plate is constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in., preferably at least 0.100 in., to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening. The device also includes an arm between the collimation plate and the receptor holding member, the arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth to secure the device in the patient's mouth.

1 . A receptor positioning device for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth, which comprises: 
 a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine;    a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface for aligning with an x-ray machine, an opening in the plate surface for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to expose a receptor in the receptor holding member, and a handle extending away from the plate for positioning the device, the collimation plate being constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in. to reduce the passage of radiation from the x-ray machine to the patient except at the plate opening; and    an arm between the collimation plate and the receptor holding member, the arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's teeth to secure the device in the patient's mouth.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the collimation plate has a thickness of at least 0.100 in.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  including a pair of handles extending from the collimation plate.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the handles are opposite each other.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is rectangular.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is positioned substantially in the center of the collimation plate.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is rectangular and is positioned substantially in the center of the collimation plate.  
   
   
       8 . A method for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth comprising: 
 providing a receptor positioning device including a receptor holding member adapted to receive a receptor for exposing x-radiation from the x-ray machine; a collimation plate having a substantially flat surface, an opening in the plate surface, and a handle extending away from the plate, the collimation plate being constructed of metal having a thickness of at least 0.075 in.; and an arm between the collimation plate and the receptor holding member, the arm including a biting surface;    providing a receptor on the receptor holding member;    positioning the receptor holding member in the patient's mouth and the patient's teeth on the biting surface to secure the device in the patient's mouth;    adjusting the position of receptor positioning device by grasping the handle extending from the collimation plate;    aligning an x-ray machine with the substantially flat surface of the collimation plate; and    passing radiation from the x-ray machine through the opening of the collimation plate while substantially blocking passage of radiation through the collimation plate thickness to expose the receptor.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the collimation plate has a thickness of at least 0.100 in.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the device includes a pair of handles extending from the collimation plate, and including grasping the handles to adjust the position of receptor positioning device.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the handles are opposite each other.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is rectangular.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is positioned substantially in the center of the collimation plate.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the opening in the collimation plate is rectangular and is positioned substantially in the center of the collimation plate.