Abstract: A veterinary procedure table includes a vertically extending frame and an animal support assembly upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. An equipment support is secured to the animal support assembly or the vertically extending frame. The equipment support adjustably supports a device or surgical tool used during veterinary procedures performed on an animal placed on the animal support assembly. In one embodiment, a video display is associated with the vertically extending frame for viewing of a particular region on the animal.

Abstract: An examination table including an integrated scale with automatic taring, weight capture in the presence of patient motion, and automatic table height adjustment. The examination table includes a controller that periodically tares the integrated scale when a patient is not on the table so that the scale is ready to measure the weight of a patient without manual taring by the table operator. When a patient is on the table, the controller detects the presence of patient motion based on signals from load sensors, and captures weights for patients experiencing uncontrolled motion or tremors by averaging and comparing sampled weight values over predetermined periods of time. To insure that the patient is fully supported by the examination table before weighing the patient, the controller automatically adjusts the height of the examination table support surface so that the patient's feet are not touching the floor prior to weighing the patient.

Abstract: A light is provided having a base unit, an arm extending from the base unit, and a lamp head coupled to the arm. The lamp head includes an LED configured to provide light based on an input drive current, an optical mixing element configured to collect the light produced by the LED and a zoom lens configured to adjust an output size of a spot generated by the light collected in the mixing element. A controller receives DC power from the base unit through the arm. The controller is configured to set the input drive current for the LED to control an output light density of the spot in response to an operator selected input and configured to adjust the output light density of the spot in response to a change in the size of the spot.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating images, such as x-ray image, to provide feedback that can be used for subsequent image acquisition. The feedback may be used to adjust the positioning of a patient with respect to an image capture device, or a setting of the image capture device. The image capture device may be part of a dental x-ray imaging system that generates an x-ray image of the patent and provides the image to a collector service. The image is evaluated by the collector service for positioning errors and other operator correctable issues that may have had an impact on the image quality. A report that includes feedback regarding the operator correctable issues, as well as suggested corrective action, is generated and provided to the imaging system operator.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to devices and methods for increasing the ease of data gathering and efficiency of information flow in a clinical setting. The devices of the present invention comprise medical examination tables, dental examination chairs and vital signs monitors, all of which further comprise integrated hardware and software that allow these devices to effectively collect and communicate data in a manner that allows for greater ease of use of these devices and subsequent increased efficiency in the clinical space on the part of the clinician. The medical examination tables and dental examination chairs of the present invention preferably include at least one load sensor for measuring a subject's weight when the subject is seated thereon. The methods of the present invention are directed at using the aforementioned devices to increase ease of data collection and efficiency of care delivery within a space in which the devices are used.

Abstract: A patient procedures chair is provided with a system that permits ready interchangeability of patient headrests with ease of positioning and locking in position while at the same time guarding against inadvertent axial removal.

Abstract: An examination table including an integrated scale with automatic taring, weight capture in the presence of patient motion, and automatic table height adjustment. The examination table includes a controller that periodically tares the integrated scale when a patient is not on the table so that the scale is ready to measure the weight of a patient without manual taring by the table operator. When a patient is on the table, the controller detects the presence of patient motion based on signals from load sensors, and captures weights for patients experiencing uncontrolled motion or tremors by averaging and comparing sampled weight values over predetermined periods of time. To insure that the patient is fully supported by the examination table before weighing the patient, the controller automatically adjusts the height of the examination table support surface so that the patient's feet are not touching the floor prior to weighing the patient.

Abstract: A motion system for use in a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including apparatus for rotating an overhead arm with respect to a support column, apparatus for rotating a C-arm with respect to the overhead arm, and apparatus for moving the C-arm axially with respect to the overhead arm. The overhead arm is rotatably mounted to the support column at a rotation point. The apparatus for rotating the overhead arm is a linear actuator, one end of which is connected to the support column at a first point spaced apart from the rotation point, while the other end is connected to the overhead arm at a second point spaced apart from the rotation point and from the first point. The C-arm rotating apparatus includes a C-arm rotation motor driving a wheel, which is engaged with the C-arm in such a way that the rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the C-arm.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including an upright support, and a patient positioning arm with chin rest mounted thereto. Wands are each rotatably connected to the patient positioning arm and connected together so as to move at identical angles of rotation, but in the opposite direction. Lasers, including a mid-sagittal, a Frankfort Plane, two cuspid, and one toe laser, each providing a line of visible laser light directed at a respective area of a patient's face, or at the floor, assist a technician in properly positioning the patient. A mirror is mounted to the upright support by a mechanism that permits the mirror to be pivoted outward from the support, in either of two directions, so as to enable the technician to see the lasers on the patient's face from the technician's position on either side of the positioning arm.

Abstract: A veterinary procedure table includes an animal support upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. A sink associated with the animal support is adapted to receive fluid material that may be generated during the performance of the veterinary procedure and to direct the fluid material away from the animal support. The veterinary procedure table further includes at least one sensor for sensing a load disposed on the animal support, and a display communicating with the sensor to indicate a weight associated with the sensed load.

Abstract: A light is provided having a base unit, an arm extending from the base unit, and a lamp head coupled to the arm. The lamp head includes an LED configured to provide light based on an input drive current, an optical mixing element configured to collect the light produced by the LED and a zoom lens configured to adjust an output size of a spot generated by the light collected in the mixing element. A controller receives DC power from the base unit through the arm. The controller is configured to set the input drive current for the LED to control an output light density of the spot in response to an operator selected input and configured to adjust the output light density of the spot in response to a change in the size of the spot.

Abstract: A networked interface appliance for use in the medical arena that simplifies the connectivity of medical diagnostic devices to the portable computers in electronic medical record systems (EMR's). The appliance utilizes location support hardware and software to locate and map various tagged assets within the existing environment. The appliance automatically determines the proximity of nearby portable assets and computing devices, and creates network connection to each. Data obtained from a diagnostic device connected to the appliance is buffered and transmitted to portable computing devices connected to the appliance. Using specific IP addressing, support teams can connect to the appliance to diagnose and correct problems remotely using a local area network, wide area network or the Internet. A video port for remotely controlled video display and for local data acquisition is included. Location data from the appliance can be utilized in improving billing algorithms and workflow analysis.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating images, such as x-ray image, to provide feedback that can be used for subsequent image acquisition. The feedback may be used to adjust the positioning of a patient with respect to an image capture device, or a setting of the image capture device. The image capture device may be part of a dental x-ray imaging system that generates an x-ray image of the patent and provides the image to a collector service. The image is evaluated by the collector service for positioning errors and other operator correctable issues that may have had an impact on the image quality. A report that includes feedback regarding the operator correctable issues, as well as suggested corrective action, is generated and provided to the imaging system operator.

Abstract: An examination table includes a support surface movable with respect to a base. The support surface includes a seat portion and a backrest portion. A first motor drives the support surface with respect to the base, and a second motor drives the backrest portion pivotally with respect to the seat portion. A control system includes a control panel and first and second Hall-effect sensors for detecting rotations of the respective first and second motors to determine the current positions of the support surface and the backrest portion. The control system executes a movement algorithm for moving the support surface and the backrest portion to a desired position from the current position. The control system also executes a calibration algorithm for calibrating position tracking of the support surface and the backrest portion.

Abstract: A removable radiation sensor for connecting to a panoramic dental radiation imaging system. The sensor includes a radiation sensor unit mounted in a housing. Connector bearings are positioned within the housing so as to engage with a pair of connector pins provided as part of the upright support of the imaging system. A lock pin within the housing is selectively slidable between Locked and Unlocked, and biased toward Locked. The lock includes a locking pin with a groove, and when the groove is aligned with the respective connector pin, the lock is unlocked, and that connector pin is slidable axially within the bearings. When the groove is not aligned with the connector pin, the lock is locked, the locking pin engaging with a groove formed for that purpose in the connector pin. The sensor has a field-replaceable electrical connector, to reduce maintenance cost.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: An articulating joint for supporting a medical or dental light having a first mounting post rotatably couples the light to a support structure having a second mounting post. The articulating joint includes a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing and a first brake are located proximate the first end for receiving and frictionally engaging the first mounting post. The joint body may further include a second bearing and a second brake proximate the second end for receiving and frictionally engaging the second mounting post. The articulating joint further includes a cover that is removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake.