Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a support base adjustable in at least one dimension and a cephalometric module coupled to the support base and configured to position a cephalometric imaging sensor about an imaging area formed with an x-ray source, where x-rays from the x-ray source impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the imaging area. A patient positioning unit is positioned operatively near the imaging area, and a retractable Frankfort plane positioning indicator and methods for using the same are provided.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalometric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric support mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric patient positioning unit mounted to the cephalometric support can be positioned between an x-ray source of the x-rays and the cephalometric sensor. A cephalometric alignment sight can be mounted to patient positioning unit to provide a visual indication of alignment between the x-ray source and the mounted alignment sight/cephalometric sensors. Exemplary methods are provided that can use such exemplary cephalometric alignment sights and/or install cephalometric functionality to imaging systems using the same.

Abstract: A hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be coupled to the cephalometric mount between the collimator and the cephalometric sensor. The hand positioner device is attached and detached from the cephalometric mount without using tools. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can have an adjustable level of attachment. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be repeatedly mounted in a plane parallel to an imaging plane of the cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalometric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric support mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric collimator can be mounted to a patient positioning unit to provide secondary collimation of the x-ray beam for the cephalometric sensor. Exemplary apparatus and/or method embodiments of the application relates to providing a measurable indication of alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor or the extra-oral imaging apparatus, which can provide a repeatable and/or accurate alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An integral collimator for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a lead plate surrounding an elongated fixed slot aperture and includes a unitary body in substantially continuous contact with an outer surface of the elongated lead plate. The unitary body can include a lower portion surrounding the elongated lead plate and an upper portion, where the upper portion includes a protrusion configured to engage a transport mechanism for translation in a direction orthogonal to a path of the x-ray.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a support base adjustable in at least one dimension and a cephalometric module coupled to the support base and configured to position a cephalometric imaging sensor about an imaging area formed with an x-ray source, where x-rays from the x-ray source impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the imaging area. A patient positioning unit is positioned operatively near the imaging area, and a retractable Frankfort plane positioning indicator and methods for using the same are provided.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalometric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric support mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric collimator can be mounted to a patient positioning unit to provide secondary collimation of the x-ray beam for the cephalometric sensor. Exemplary apparatus and/or method embodiments of the application relates to providing a measurable indication of alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor or the extra-oral imaging apparatus, which can provide a repeatable and/or accurate alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: A patient positioning unit for an extra-oral imaging system can include a pair of elongated arm extending parallel to a first direction, each elongated arm including an engaging surface along a medial side between a first end and a second end, first and second temporal holding members, each operatively coupled to a second end of one elongated arm, and a sliding member having an engaged surface along at least two contacting sides, the sliding member mounted between the engaging surfaces near the first end of each elongated arm, where each of the engaged surfaces contacts one of the engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be coupled to the cephalometric mount between the collimator and the cephalometric sensor. The hand positioner device is attached and detached from the cephalometric mount without using tools. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can have an adjustable level of attachment. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be repeatedly mounted in a plane parallel to an imaging plane of the cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalmetric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric sup port mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric patient positioning unit mounted to the cephalometric support can be positioned between an x-ray source of the x-rays and the cephalometric sensor. A cephalometric alignment sight can be mounted to patient positioning unit to provide a visual indication of alignment between the x-ray source and the mounted alignment sight/cephaolmetric sensors. Exemplary methods are provided that can use such exemplary cephalometric alignment sights and/or install cephalometric functionality to imaging systems using the same.

Abstract: An integral collimator for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a lead plate surrounding an elongated fixed slot aperture and includes a unitary body in substantially continuous contact with an outer surface of the elongated lead plate.