Patents by Inventor Arto Virta

Arto Virta has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8882500
    Abstract: An integrated dental care apparatus includes a patient chair and a dental care unit. The dental care unit is mounted on a floor while the dental care unit and the patient chair are structurally connected by a structure which supports the patient chair. Both the dental care unit and the patient chair have means for enabling them to be turned in relation to a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Jan Fröjdman, Arto Virta, Timo Müller, Arto Huotari
  • Patent number: 8848866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 8693623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical radiography, in which individual images of an object are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. The object to be imaged is arranged locked in an object positioning means and during the imaging process, the x-ray source is continuously moved with respect to location of the object. During the continuous movement of the x-ray source there are irradiation periods and non-irradiation periods and during an irradiation period, the object positioning means is moved as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source so as to follow the movement of the x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Publication number: 20140003574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: PLANMED OY
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 8532253
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 8292618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental unit and a method for feeding water to instruments and/or to other water outlet points of a dental unit. The object of the invention is to enable keeping pressure of the water lines of a dental unit essentially stable, especially also when the relatively stable pressure typical for public water systems cannot be taken advantage of because of potential backflow of water contaminated at the point of use to the public water system. According to the invention there is arranged a pressure chamber (12) to the feed water line (10) of a dental unit, the said pressure chamber (12) being arranged in functional connection with pressure control means (14, 15), and upstream of the said pressure chamber (12) a pump (13), which is arranged to be able to pump water to the said pressure chamber (12) also when it is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Arto Huotari, Arto Virta
  • Publication number: 20110228902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical 3D radiography, such as mammography, in which individual images of an object are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, the object to be imaged is arranged locked in a object positioning means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the object and the object is irradiated at a number of different positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the object positioning means (16, 17) is moved as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the object positioning means (16, 17) is moved in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: PLANMED OY
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Publication number: 20110222653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D mammography, in which individual images of a breast are taken at different projection angles and a 3D image subsequently synthesized from this image information. According to the invention, a breast to be imaged is arranged locked in a locking means (16, 17) and during the imaging process, the x-ray source (13) is continuously moved with respect to location of the breast and the breast is irradiated at a number of angular positions of the x-ray source (13). During an irradiation period of the imaging process, the locking means (16, 17) is turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13). The imaging process preferably further includes such non-irradiation periods during which the locking means (16, 17) is turned in a direction opposite to that when turned as synchronized with the movement of the x-ray source (13) during an irradiation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: PLANMED OY
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Publication number: 20100112513
    Abstract: The invention concerns an integrated dental care apparatus which comprises a patient chair and a dental care unit, which according to the invention are arranged to comprise means for mounting the dental care unit on a floor while the dental care unit and the patient chair are structurally connected by means which support the patient chair, and wherein both the dental care unit and the patient chair are arranged to comprise means for enabling them to be turned in relation to a vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Jan Fröjdman, Arto Virta, Timo Müller, Arto Huotari
  • Patent number: 7590217
    Abstract: A digital imaging apparatus and method which includes a radiation source and a sensor arrangement for detecting radiation. The sensor arrangement contains one or more sensors formed of one or more preferably elongated sensor modules, which sensor module contains one or more pixel columns which receive image data. The digital imaging apparatus includes means for positioning the object to be Imaged which is situated within the area between the radiation source and the sensor arrangement, and means for limiting the beam from the radiation source essentially according to the active sensor surface of the said sensor arrangement. Also included is means to move the beam across the object being positioned to be imaged and means to move the at least one sensor belonging to the sensor arrangement in synch with the scanning movement of the beam in order to keep the active sensor surface essentially at right angles to the beam on the plane formed by the scanning movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Strömmer, Timo Sulin-Saaristo, Arto Virta
  • Publication number: 20070111157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental unit and a method for feeding water to instruments and/or to other water outlet points of a dental unit. The object of the invention is to enable keeping pressure of the water lines of a dental unit essentially stable, especially also when the relatively stable pressure typical for public water systems cannot be taken advantage of because of potential backflow of water contaminated at the point of use to the public water system. According to the invention there is arranged a pressure chamber (12) to the feed water line (10) of a dental unit, the said pressure chamber (12) being arranged in functional connection with pressure control means (14, 15), and upstream of the said pressure chamber (12) a pump (13), which is arranged to be able to pump water to the said pressure chamber (12) also when it is pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Arto Huotari, Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 7085346
    Abstract: The imaging apparatus used in mammography generally having a cassette tunnel (17) or a similar space for the placement of an image data receiving device (14?) in the imaging area of the apparatus. In such a space or in its immediate vicinity, device (19) for moving the cassette in the space can be provided, thus making the imaging process in many ways faster and easier to carry out. Such device for moving the cassette can also be utilized in various ways to achieve a more versatile and more accurate use of the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Pekka Strömmer, Timo Sulin-Saaristo
  • Publication number: 20060050843
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to imaging of an object by electromagnetic radiation, especially to digital mammography performed by scanning technique. According to the invention, movement of a digital sensor of a mammography apparatus, synchronized with scanning movement of the beam, is performed by keeping the active surface of the sensor essentially at right angles to the beam, on a plane formed by scanning movement of the beam, while at the same time distance from the sensor to the radiation source is continuously adjusted so that its path in the direction of scanning movement of the beam becomes essentially linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Pekka Strommer, Timo Sulin-Saaristo, Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 6647089
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and apparatuses used in tissue imaging, in particular for positioning the tissue to be imaged in the imaging area. For example, in mammography the tissue has generally been, among other things, compressed with compression plates and/or even physically pulled into the imaging area. In accordance with the invention, a tissue stretching solution is presented, whereby a tissue stretching means, which comprises a layer of flexible material that is translucent to the energy form, containing image information, used in imaging, is simply, quickly and effortlessly feedable and attachable to the tissue stretching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Jan Fröjdman, Timo Sulin-Saaristo, Jorma Jänkävaara
  • Patent number: 6466641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cranial radiography apparatus, particularly intended for dental panoramic radiography, said apparatus comprising a first body part to which is connected a second body part (13) having thereto connected a third body part (14) to which is connected a fourth body part (15). To the opposite ends of said fourth body part (15) are connected an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The body parts are connected to each other by means of pivot shafts aligned essentially parallel to each other. The pivot shafts are rotated by means of active actuators and their rotational movement is programmably controlled by means of a computer, thus permitting the x-ray source and the x-ray detector to be moved over any predetermined orbit. The apparatus further includes means for radiography using a cephalostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Liina Nyholm, Timo Müller
  • Patent number: 5349627
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for marking a radiographic film in a dark room with patient data and/or similar information. The marks to be produced are made latent onto the film (F) in a form turning visible during the development of the film (F). The film (F) to be marked is transferred linearly in the marking apparatus, while the film (F) is simultaneously subjected to exposing marking radiation. The marking characters to be formed are sequentially composed from vertically adjacently placed elements (C.sub.1 . . . C.sub.N) using the above-mentioned linear motion of the film (F) as the shift in the direction of the marking character row. In conjunction with the entry of patient data, the identification information for the film cassette to be marked is entered from a keyboard such as a cassette number which is marked on the cassette in a form visible in the dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Pekka Strommer, Juha Sormunen
  • Patent number: 5267293
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for narrow-beam tomography in which a narrow x-ray beam (X) emitted from an x-ray source (12) is aimed to pass through the object area to be radiographed onto a transferrable x-ray film (F). The object area to be imaged in the patient (P) is kept stationary in a certain preset position, while the x-ray source (12) is rotated about a virtual axis of rotation (R.sub.0) and the film cassette (14) is simultaneously transferred. In the first imaging mode for the panoramic radiography of the dental arch (L), the patient (P) is supported by patient positioning means (20 . . . 30) so that the sharply imaging plane is located between the virtual axis of rotation and the film plane. In addition to said first imaging mode, the panoramic x-ray apparatus is adjustable for a specific mandibular joint imaging mode in which the patient is supported in the panoramic x-ray apparatus using said patient positioning means (20 . . . 30). The speeds (v.sub.R, v.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventor: Arto Virta
  • Patent number: 5224140
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for narrow-beam tomography in which x-ray radiation is aimed to pass through the object to be radiographed onto a movable (v.sub.1) x-ray film (F). The object (P) is kept stationary in a certain position, while the x-ray source and the film cassette (14) are rotated about a vertical virtual axis of rotation (A-A). In the first operating mode for the panoramic radiography of the dental arch the patient (P) is supported by positioning means so that the sharply imaging plane (P-P) is located between the virtual axis of rotation (A-A) of the x-ray beam (X) and the film plane. In the second operating mode for the radiography of transversal projections of the dental arch (L) the patient (P) is supported in such a stationary position that the virtual axis of rotation (A-A) of the x-ray beam (X) is located in the area between the sharply imaging tissue layer (P-P) and the film plane (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Pekka Strommer, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: 5212719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for radiographic techniques using an x-ray source (13). The radiographed object (M) is subjected to a beam (X) of radiation which is employed for forming a radiographic image of the object (M) onto a film (25). Between the radiographed object (M) and the film (25) is utilized a grid assembly (20) that prevents the disturbing effect of backscattered radiation or secondary radiation generated in the radiographed object on the radiographed image. The grid assembly (20) comprises a grid plate (22) having several equidistantly spaced lamellas opaque to x-rays. The x-rays can pass in the direction of the beam axis between the spaces (24) of said lamellas to the film (25). The grid plate is reciprocatingly oscillated at a varying amplitude so that the stops and changes of travel direction (K.sub.1 . . . K.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: D331110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Kari Malmen