Abstract: A protector for a digital dental x-ray sensor reduces damage to the sensor and pain to a patient associated with the placement of the sensor into a patient's oral cavity. The protector has two flexible, substantially rectangular wall members secured to one another by a perimeter wall member and having a perimeter slot adapted to receive the sensor and to contain the sensor entirely within the wall members.

Abstract: Tools (in the form of apparatus, systems and methods) for hands-free command and control of a dental computer imaging system are provided. A speech recognition unit converts to electronic speech data a voice command received through a microphone to select for viewing, for a selected dental patient, one of a plurality of dental images stored in a computer storage device. A command and control processor causes the selected dental image to be retrieved from the storage device and then displayed on a display monitor.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor, a computing device, and an interface package is provided. The interface package includes a first interface to the X-ray image sensor and a second interface to the computing device. A sensor holder is integrated with the interface package to hold the X-ray image sensor when the sensor is not being used. The interface package may include an electrical cable coupled to the interface for connecting the interface to the sensor or to the computing device. The sensor holder may be integrated with a housing of the interface package. Alternatively, the sensor holder may be integrated with a connector on the electrical cable. In other embodiments, the sensor holder may be attached to the electrical cable. The interface package may include a wireless e to a wireless sensor and/or to the computing device.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor and an image capture controller is provided. The X-ray image sensor includes a sensor array comprising a plurality of CMOS active column sensors. The image capture controller communicates with the X-ray image sensor to read out pixel values from selected ones of the CMOS active column sensor elements. The image capture controller may randomly select reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and compare a signal of the reference pixels to a predetermined level to determine a start of X-ray exposure. The image capture controller also may randomly select second reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and monitor the second reference pixels to determine an end of X-ray exposure. The X-ray imaging system also may include a wireless interface for coupling the X-ray image sensor to the image capture controller. The X-ray imaging system may be used as a dental X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: An X-ray image sensor comprising an array of sensor elements and a sensor characterization storage device is provided. The sensor characterization storage device stores sensor characterization information identifying defects in the array of sensor elements. The X-ray image sensor may have an intergrated interpolator, and the interpolator processes image data from the array of sensor elements by using the sensor characterization information to correct for the defects in the array of sensor elements. An X-ray imaging system comprising the X-ray image sensor and a computer also is provided. The X-ray image sensor provides to the computer a signal corresponding to image data from the array of sensor elements. The X-ray image sensor provides to the computer the sensor characterization information, and the computer processes the image data using the sensor characterization information to correct for the defects in the array of sensor elements.

Abstract: A number of randomly distributed pixels in a solid state X-ray imager are designated reference pixels. The distribution of reference pixels may be either totally random or in a limited number of rows or columns. The reference pixels may include predetermined pixels or pixel like elements located in rows or columns distributed in at least two different locations on the sensor. The reference pixels are well distributed to avoid missed exposures due to shading of the reference pixels by dense objects. To determine commencement of exposure the reference pixels are continuously monitored for signal. If the signal level in a predetermined minimum number of pixels exceeds the predetermined threshold, an image capture sequence starts. Otherwise, the entire image sensor is cleared and the signal monitoring continues. The threshold level is set to prevent accidental triggering by dark current at all operating temperatures of interest.

Abstract: A film transport device for an automatic film processor that sequentially transports film from a dry environment into and out of liquid solutions. The device includes a series of gear driven, opposed roller pairs which are pre-aligned and bearing mounted for easy removability and replacement. Power transmission is provided to the transport module from a motor driven, low torque gear shaft assembly, which is contained within the processor. The side plates of the transport assembly are divided into upper and lower plates to facilitate repair and cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates a method and a device in the technique of using an image sensing member, preferably a CCD cell instead of a film sensitive to X-ray radiation. The method and the device is applicable to a general X-ray arrangement without any necessary direct connection between the image sensing member and the X-ray arrangement. A number of detector points for X-ray radiation are provided at or in the CCD cell. The method and device of the present invention result in minimizing of the radiation dose to exactly that which is needed for exact imaging exposure of an image, and therefore more images may be obtained within the same total normal radiation dose.

Abstract: The present invention is providing a method and a sensor device arrangement for a scanning digital radiographic system offering a multiple sensor arrangement producing continuous image data acquisition along the entire length of the detector device arrangement. By cutting the sensor die short edges along a die cut (46) with a predefined angle in relation to the scanning direction there is no longer a total loss of data at any position along the longitudinal extension of the detector arrangement. Instead some minor loss pixels (40) is encountered over a certain range of the scanning width coinciding with the joint of two adjacent sensor dies, in which range the image can easily be fully reconstructed by means of the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for interconnecting thin-walled vessels. Lip and groove alternatively disposed on the exterior upper edges of contiguous vessels fit together to interlock the vessels. Tensioning brackets provided with tension screw engage the contiguous vessels. Tightening the tension screw causes force to be exerted on the interconnected lip and groove, thereby providing a rigid connection between the vessels.