Patents by Inventor Lauri Seppala

Lauri Seppala 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: 11684319
    Abstract: A dental or medical CT imaging apparatus including a first longitudinally extending frame part. A support, construction extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinally extending frame part. An X-ray source and an image detector which together form an X-ray imaging assembly are mounted to the support construction. A first driving mechanism is provided to move the X-ray imaging assembly about a virtual or physical rotation axis. A control system having at least one operation mode that simultaneously controls the first driving mechanism and the X-ray imaging assembly is provided. The support construction includes at least one guiding mechanism configured to enable laterally moving at least one of the X-ray source and the image detector in relation to the support construction. A range of the lateral movement of at least one of the X-ray source and the image detector includes a base position and a first and a second extreme position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Lauri Seppala, Timo Muller, Tommi Syrjala
  • Patent number: 11350890
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area and whose connection to the X-ray apparatus is realized such that the support part (171) of the rear rest structure moves, when adjusting its position, on a line or on a plane whose angle with respect to the horizontal plane is between 15-25 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Mikko Jarva, Kari Malmen, Lauri Seppala, Tero Pihlajamaki, Pentti Hyvarinen, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: 11259761
    Abstract: The invention relates to positioning a volume to be imaged for computed tomography imaging. According to the invention, at least two optical cameras (22) are used for taking a photo or for live imaging an anatomy from different directions. A volume positioning indicator (42) is shown in connection with these images, the volume positioning indicator (42) indicating the location of the volume within the area imaged by the cameras (22) to get imaged by the computed tomography imaging apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kustaa Nyholm, Lauri Seppala, Tero Pihlajamaki
  • Patent number: 11253222
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area. The rear rest structure (170) comprises a first elongated supporting structure (172), a first end of which containing said support part (171) and a second end of which extending to different side of the imaging station (18) than where said support part (171) is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Mikko Jarva, Kari Malmen, Lauri Seppala, Tero Pihlajamaki, Pentti Hyvarinen, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: 11096637
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area and a safety mechanism (173) in an area between its mounting point to the X-ray imaging apparatus (10) and said support pan (171). The safety mechanism (173) is arranged to go off when a force greater titan predetermined is acting on said support pan (171) and to release said support part (171) from its patient support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PLANMECA OY
    Inventors: Mikko Jarva, Kari Malmen, Lauri Seppala, Tero Pihlajamaki, Pentti Hyvarinen, Timo Muller
  • Publication number: 20210145374
    Abstract: A dental or medical CT imaging apparatus including a first longitudinally extending frame part. A support, construction extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinally extending frame part. An X-ray source and an image detector which together form an X-ray imaging assembly are mounted to the support construction. A first driving mechanism is provided to move the X-ray imaging assembly about a virtual or physical rotation axis. A control system having at least one operation mode that simultaneously controls the first driving mechanism and the X-ray imaging assembly is provided. The support construction includes at least one guiding mechanism configured to enable laterally moving at least one of the X-ray source and the image detector in relation to the support construction. A range of the lateral movement of at least one of the X-ray source and the image detector includes a base position and a first and a second extreme position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Lauri SEPPALA, Timo MULLER, Tommi SYRJALA
  • Publication number: 20210121141
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area and a safety mechanism (173) in an area between its mounting point to the X-ray imaging apparatus (10) and said support pan (171). The safety mechanism (173) is arranged to go off when a force greater titan predetermined is acting on said support pan (171) and to release said support part (171) from its patient support position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Mikko JARVA, Kari MALMEN, Lauri SEPPALA, Tero PIHLAJAMAKI, Pentti HYVARINEN, Timo MULLER
  • Publication number: 20200129133
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area and whose connection to the X-ray apparatus is realized such that the support part (171) of the rear rest structure moves, when adjusting its position, on a line or on a plane whose angle with respect to the horizontal plane is between 15-25 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: MIKKO JARVA, Kari MALMEN, Lauri SEPPALA, Tero PIHLAJAMAKI, Pentti HYVARINEN, Timo MULLER
  • Publication number: 20200085387
    Abstract: The invention relates to positioning a volume to be imaged for computed tomography imaging. According to the invention, at least two optical cameras (22) are used for taking a photo or for live imaging an anatomy from different directions. A volume positioning indicator (42) is shown in connection with these images, the volume positioning indicator (42) indicating the location of the volume within the area imaged by the cameras (22) to get imaged by the computed tomography imaging apparatus (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kustaa NYHOLM, Lauri SEPPALA, Tero PIHLAJAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20200085403
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray imaging apparatus for imaging a skull or a partial area of the skull, which apparatus comprises between the X-ray source and detector a patient support means (17). The patient support means (17) comprise a rear rest structure (170) containing a support part (171) arranged to get positioned at occipital area. The rear rest structure (170) comprises a first elongated supporting structure (172), a first end of which containing said support part (171) and a second end of which extending to different side of the imaging station (18) than where said support part (171) is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Mikko JARVA, Kari MALMEN, Lauri SEPPALA, Tero PIHLAJAMAKI, Pentti HYVARINEN, Timo MULLER
  • Patent number: 9955928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which is especially designed to enable cranial imaging. The structure of the apparatus includes a gantry (2) comprising imaging means (21, 22) and a positioning support (8) which positioning support (8) is arranged to position the patient's cranium for exposure such that, when exposed, the cranium is scanned by a radiation beam substantially parallel with a plane formed by the facial area of the cranium and substantially only in an area on the facial side of the cranium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PLANMED OY
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka, Lauri Seppala
  • Publication number: 20150289827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical computed tomography imaging apparatus which is especially designed to enable cranial imaging. The structure of the apparatus includes a gantry (2) comprising imaging means (21, 22) and a positioning support (8) which positioning support (8) is arranged to position the patient's cranium for exposure such that, when exposed, the cranium is scanned by a radiation beam substantially parallel with a plane formed by the facial area of the cranium and substantially only in an area on the facial side of the cranium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Tapio Laukkanen, Sami Tohka, Lauri Seppala