Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are attained by a cleansing member comprised of a flexible substrate having collection layers formed on one or both sides thereof having an adhesive capability of capturing dust, particulate material and the like, along the transport assembly of an image scanning assemblies. In one embodiment, the cleansing member is dimensioned to conform to intraoral image sized plates. In one embodiment the collection layer is tacky and is provided with a protective layer facily removed prior to use. To facilitate handling of the cleansing member, each collection layer is preferably of a length slightly less than the length of the cleansing member.

Abstract: A barrier envelope for reusable photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plates, particularly for digital dental imaging comprised of a plastic transparent film and a plastic opaque film sealed to each other about three sides thereof defining a chamber for an imaging plate and wherein a free side of each film is formed with a flap and one flap is coated with an adhesive medium protected by a peel strip and wherein a “Y” shaped notch is provided on a side of the barrier envelope adjacent to the free side of each film the barrier envelope to facilitate tearing open of the barrier envelope in a removal procedure and transport of an exposed imaging plate to an optical scanning assembly.

Abstract: A photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plate having a non-toxic radio-opaque symbol, pattern or indicia formed on one surface, the so called rear surface, which would become visually apparent in an image if the imaging plate was exposed from the wrong side, thereby eliminating confusion that the image is from the opposing side of the face, and a light-opaque, color contrasting, asymmetric symbol or indicia on the front surface eliminating the confusion of a flipped image, and a correspondingly back to back located color contrasting identical asymmetric symbol on the opposite rear surface of the plate, emulating the raised orientation dot of standard intraoral films.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photo-stimulable imaging film restoration apparatus comprised of a housing defining a chamber for a light source and having an opening for a translucent plate member having a front surface including a member for positioning proximate the plate member imaging film for restoration and facile removal by grasping side portions of an imaging film.

Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: An imaging plate guide formed in different configurations corresponding to the various intraoral dental plate sizes, which in turn correspond to the dental intraoral film sizes commonly referred to as sizes 0 through 4, the imaging plate guides dedicated to intraoral imaging providing for guides for each plate size so that a desired array of feed width guides can be positioned on the scanner for scanning the intraoral plates and which scan extraoral imaging plates as well. The embodiment of the imaging plate guides provides not only for interchangeability with respect to the intraoral plate size, but also allows for the feeding of extraoral imaging plates without the need to remove the intraoral plate guides. The size 4 is not specifically described, but is analogous to the other sizes as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Abstract: A barrier envelope for reusable photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plates, particularly for digital dental imaging comprised of a plastic transparent film and a plastic opaque film sealed to each other about three sides thereof defining a chamber for an imaging plate and wherein a free side of each film is formed with a flap and one flap is coated with an adhesive medium protected by a peel strip and wherein a “Y” shaped notch is provided on a side of the barrier envelope adjacent to the free side of each film the barrier envelope to facilitate tearing open of the barrier envelope in a removal procedure and transport of an exposed imaging plate to an optical scanning assembly.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dental aspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a two stage side channel blower for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the dental aspirator tip and the two stage side channel blower, a solid debris collector and separation chamber for the passage of air and collection of effluent and debris, the air outlet port in the separation chamber having a float valve sealing means, the float valve sealing means having a pivotal lever with a sealing means at one end for engagement with the air outlet port and a float at the opposing lever end for contact with a fluid or foam level within the separation tank, the float depending from the lever end a sufficient distance so as to cause the sealing means to seal the outlet port before any foam can exit the separation tank.

Abstract: A transport container for intraoral imaging plates comprising a base member and a cover member, the base member and the cover member each defining a cavity, each of the cavities being completely filled with partially resilient padding, such that when the base and the cover are brought into foldable contact, the padding comes in contact with the respective opposing padding with slight compression thereby gently holding in place any imaging plates that may have been removed from their barrier envelope and placed on the padding, the closing of the cover and base defining a lightless area for the transport of the intraoral imaging plates, the padding also cooperative with the imaging plates and the user's finger tips to insure that the transported intraoral imaging plates may be removed from the padded surface without engaging the exposed side of the imaging plate, but rather, engaging the edges.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photo-stimulable imaging film restoration apparatus comprised of a housing defining a chamber for a light source and having an opening for a translucent plate member having a front surface including a member for positioning proximate the plate member imaging film for restoration and facile removal by grasping side portions of an imaging film.

Abstract: A barrier envelope for reusable photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plates, particularly for digital dental imaging comprised of a plastic transparent film and a plastic opaque film sealed to each other about three sides thereof defining a chamber for an imaging plate and wherein a free side of each film is formed with a flap and one flap is coated with an adhesive medium protected by a peel strip and wherein a “Y” shaped notch is provided on a side of the barrier envelope adjacent to the free side of each film the barrier envelope to facilitate tearing open of the barrier envelope in a removal procedure and transport of an exposed imaging plate to an optical scanning assembly.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories in which a dental aspirator tip in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a two stage side channel blower for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the dental aspirator tip and the two stage side channel blower, a solid debris collector and separation chamber for the passage of air and collection of effluent and debris, the air outlet port in the separation chamber having a float valve sealing means, the float valve sealing means having a pivotal lever with a sealing means at one end for engagement with the air outlet port and a float at the opposing lever end for contact with a fluid or foam level within the separation tank, the float depending from the lever end a sufficient distance so as to cause the sealing means to seal the outlet port before any foam can exit the separation tank.

Abstract: An imaging plate guide formed in different configurations corresponding to the various intraoral dental plate sizes, which in turn correspond to the dental intraoral film sizes commonly referred to as sizes 0 through 4, the imaging plate guides dedicated to intraoral imaging providing for guides for each plate size so that a desired array of feed width guides can be positioned on the scanner for scanning the intraoral plates and which scan extraoral imaging plates as well. The embodiment of the imaging plate guides provides not only for interchangeability with respect to the intraoral plate size, but also allows for the feeding of extraoral imaging plates without the need to remove the intraoral plate guides. The size 4 is not specifically described, but is analogous to the other sizes as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic X-ray film processor assembly comprised of a gear drive assembly for the film transport unit including continuously operated lower and upper film lifters operating at different rotational speeds for passing film more rapidly through processing units. Additionally, there is provided an improved drying assembly including gear train in driving interrelationship with the gear drive assembly for the film transport as well as a fan unit providing improved aero-thermodynamics for drying film chips and additionally reducing film transit times. Additionally, there is provided a valved water drain system and a closeable door access means to more easily facilitate wash water draining and refilling for improved film processing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved vacuum assembly for forming a vacuum comprising a vacuum pump having water rings wherein a water stream is injected into the water rings of the vacuum pump and wherein the water stream is comprised of a combined fresh water and a recycled waste water stream and wherein the fresh water stream is used as a motivating force for an eductor for inducing the recycled waste water stream to form the water stream injected into the water rings of the vacuum pump.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved liquid-solids-gas separator assembly permitting recovery of a major portion of the liquid stream for recirculation to a vacuum producing assembly wherein the separator assembly includes a gas-liquid and solids separator chamber and a liquids separator chamber for recovery of a recycle water stream and wherein the separator assembly comprises a vessel defining a cylindrically-shaped chamber into which a dental effluent including water, gases and lighter and heavier than water particles and from which a gas is vented through an upper conduit and liquid streams are recovered from a liquid pool wherein one liquid stream includes lighter than water particles and in one aspect is combined with heavier than water particles and a second liquid stream is recovered for recycling purposes.