Patents by Inventor Pekka Ihalainen

Pekka Ihalainen 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: 7104689
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device 5 for aiming an object 1 in an X-ray imaging apparatus 3 provided with a radiographic imaging detector 4, a radiation source 13, and transfer means for moving e.g. the radiation source into different points along a predetermined path P. Said device comprises at least one laser 6 emitting visible light, and e.g. at least two light guides having first ends and second ends, said first ends connected to said laser for receiving said visible light. Each of said second ends 8a, 8b, 8c provides a light beam, and these light beams 7a, 7b, 7c are directed towards said imaging detector with an angle of convergence K. The light beams are adjusted to intersect in a predetermined focus FL point, which is visible and indicates the proper position of the target 2 inside the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Ihalainen
  • Patent number: 7029176
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus for intraoral imaging applications includes a linkage mounted on a support structure, to which is connected an x-ray source for generating x-radiation and directing same to a receiver instrument placed in a patient's mouth. The linkage includes a first arm member, articulated to the support structure and adapted to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, a second arm member, connected to the end of the first arm member spaced from the support structure and adapted to be pivotable around a substantially vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and a third arm member, connected to the opposite end of the second arm member and adapted to be pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis, the unsupported end of the latter having the x-ray source mounted thereon with an articulated joint, which allows pivoting of the x-ray source to various positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventors: Juhani Martti, Pekka Ihalainen
  • Patent number: 6974253
    Abstract: In an arrangement for connecting a dental X-ray imaging sensor to a holder; the sensor (9) is a flat piece (11) having a planar radiation sensitive area, and at least one communication line (12) connected to said radiation sensitive area for data transfer; and the holder (8) is an elongated body having a first end provided with means for detachable connection of said sensor. The sensor has a peg (3) projecting from said flat piece. The peg is provided with a widened outer end and a neck between said outer end and said flat piece. Further, the neck has a configuration with a plurality of alternate larger diameters and smaller diameters. The holder has at its first end a fork (4) with a gap, which is adapted to fit onto said neck at least in two different positions. The interaction between the fork and the larger and smaller diameters of the neck prohibits unintended pivot of said sensor in respect to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventor: Pekka Ihalainen
  • Publication number: 20050226390
    Abstract: In an arrangement for connecting a dental X-ray imaging sensor to a holder; the sensor (9) is a flat piece (11) having a planar radiation sensitive area, and at least one communication line (12) connected to said radiation sensitive area for data transfer; and the holder (8) is an elongated body having a first end provided with means for detachable connection of said sensor. The sensor has a peg (3) projecting from said flat piece. The peg is provided with a widened outer end and a neck between said outer end and said flat piece. Further, the neck has a configuration with a plurality of alternate larger diameters and smaller diameters. The holder has at its first end a fork (4) with a gap, which is adapted to fit onto said neck at least in two different positions. The interaction between the fork and the larger and smaller diameters of the neck prohibits unintended pivot of said sensor in respect to the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Pekka Ihalainen
  • Publication number: 20050058258
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus for intraoral imaging applications includes a linkage mounted on a support structure, to which is connected an x-ray source for generating x-radiation and directing same to a receiver instrument placed in a patient's mouth. The linkage includes a first arm member, articulated to the support structure and adapted to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, a second arm member, connected to the end of the first arm member spaced from the support structure and adapted to be pivotable around a substantially vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and a third arm member, connected to the opposite end of the second arm member and adapted to be pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis, the unsupported end of the latter having the x-ray source mounted thereon with an articulated joint, which allows pivoting of the x-ray source to various positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Juhani Martti, Pekka Ihalainen
  • Publication number: 20040141590
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device 5 for aiming an object 1 in an X-ray imaging apparatus 3 provided with a radiographic imaging detector 4, a radiation source 13, and transfer means for moving e.g. the radiation source into different points along a predetermined path P. Said device comprises at least one laser 6 emitting visible light, and e.g. at least two light guides having first ends and second ends, said first ends connected to said laser for receiving said visible light. Each of said second ends 8a, 8b, 8c provides a light beam, and these light beams 7a, 7b, 7c are directed towards said imaging detector with an angle of convergence K. The light beams are adjusted to intersect in a predetermined focus FL point, which is visible and indicates the proper position of the target 2 inside the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Pekka Ihalainen
  • Patent number: 6732988
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated arm system (20) for attaching different medical imaging devices (11) to support structures (14) in an articulated manner. The articulated arm comprises at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) including a counterbalancing mechanism for holding the articulated arm and the device (11) supported by it in place when the device is located in the desired imaging position. The system further comprises braking and/or locking means (2: 22) which act on at least one strut bar (6, 7) of the said at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) and/or on the at least one additional strut bar (1) in order to prevent mutual linear movement of the strut bars (6, 7) of the parallelogram device, and which braking and/or locking means comprise actuators (3-5; 23; 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventors: Pekka Ihalainen, Jukka Salminen
  • Publication number: 20030001056
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated arm system (20) for attaching different medical imaging devices (11) to support structures (14) in an articulated manner. The articulated arm comprises at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) including a counterbalancing mechanism for holding the articulated arm and the device (11) supported by it in place when the device is located in the desired imaging position. The system further comprises braking and/or locking means (2: 22) which act on at least one strut bar (6, 7) of the said at least one parallelogram device (15a, 15b) and/or on the at least one additional strut bar (1) in order to prevent mutual linear movement of the strut bars (6, 7) of the parallelogram device, and which braking and/or locking means comprise actuators (3-5; 23; 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Pekka Ihalainen, Jukka Salminen