Abstract: An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus can obtain a radiographic image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary dental apparatus and/or method embodiments can position a subject for dental radiographic imaging by providing a bitable dental arch mounting apparatus to offset the antero-posterior plane of the dental imaging apparatus and the plane of symmetry of the dental arch mounting apparatus. In one embodiment, the offset can be provided by a tilted dental arch mounting apparatus (e.g., relative to the horizontal).

Abstract: A hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be coupled to the cephalometric mount between the collimator and the cephalometric sensor. The hand positioner device is attached and detached from the cephalometric mount without using tools. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can have an adjustable level of attachment. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be repeatedly mounted in a plane parallel to an imaging plane of the cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An integral collimator for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a lead plate surrounding an elongated fixed slot aperture and includes a unitary body in substantially continuous contact with an outer surface of the elongated lead plate. The unitary body can include a lower portion surrounding the elongated lead plate and an upper portion, where the upper portion includes a protrusion configured to engage a transport mechanism for translation in a direction orthogonal to a path of the x-ray.

Abstract: An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus can obtain a radiographic image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary dental apparatus and/or method embodiments can position a subject for dental radiographic imaging by providing a bitable dental arch mounting apparatus to offset the antero-posterior plane of the dental imaging apparatus and the plane of symmetry of the dental arch mounting apparatus. In one embodiment, the offset can be provided by a tilted dental arch mounting apparatus (e.g., relative to the horizontal).

Abstract: A patient positioning unit for an extra-oral imaging system can include a pair of elongated arm extending parallel to a first direction, each elongated arm including an engaging surface along a medial side between a first end and a second end, first and second temporal holding members, each operatively coupled to a second end of one elongated arm, and a sliding member having an engaged surface along at least two contacting sides, the sliding member mounted between the engaging surfaces near the first end of each elongated arm, where each of the engaged surfaces contacts one of the engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be coupled to the cephalometric mount between the collimator and the cephalometric sensor. The hand positioner device is attached and detached from the cephalometric mount without using tools. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can have an adjustable level of attachment. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be repeatedly mounted in a plane parallel to an imaging plane of the cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An integral collimator for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a lead plate surrounding an elongated fixed slot aperture and includes a unitary body in substantially continuous contact with an outer surface of the elongated lead plate.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging system having a mount supported on a column that is adjustable in height, wherein the mount supports an x-ray source and at least one imaging sensor that are adjustable in height. A column base section remains stationary during height adjustment. A height sensing apparatus has a contact member that contacts a sensor element to provide a signal that is indicative of the height adjustment.

Abstract: A support apparatus for positioning a patient's head in an imaging apparatus. A main body has opposing first and second sides and supports first and second holding members for positioning against the patient's head. The first holding member has a first reference position along the first side of the main body and is coupled to a first transport apparatus that extends outward from the main body. The second holding member has a second reference position along the second side of the main body and is coupled to a second transport apparatus that extends outward from the main body. An extension locking mechanism within the main body locks the position of the second transport apparatus when the first holding member is moved from the first reference position and locks the position of the first transport apparatus when the second holding member is moved from the second reference position.

Abstract: A method for forming a surgery guide for osteotomy shapes a block of material for conformance to at least a portion of the dental arch of a patient. At least one guide feature is shaped to protrude from a surface of the shaped block material. A drill guide sleeve is seated on the at least one guide feature. The shaft of a drill is guided into the sleeve and a hole drilled through the shaped block material.

Abstract: A blank for forming a radiographic guide is formed from a material substantially translucent to x-rays and has external surfaces. The blank encases portions of one or more radio-opaque features, wherein the one or more radio-opaque features are embedded within the blank and extend at least between the external surfaces of the blank.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging system having a mount supported on a column that is adjustable in height, wherein the mount supports an x-ray source and at least one imaging sensor that are adjustable in height. A column base section remains stationary during height adjustment. A height sensing apparatus has a contact member that contacts a sensor element to provide a signal that is indicative of the height adjustment.

Abstract: A support apparatus for positioning a patient's head in an imaging apparatus. A main body has opposing first and second sides and supports first and second holding members for positioning against the patient's head. The first holding member has a first reference position along the first side of the main body and is coupled to a first transport apparatus that extends outward from the main body. The second holding member has a second reference position along the second side of the main body and is coupled to a second transport apparatus that extends outward from the main body. An extension locking mechanism within the main body locks the position of the second transport apparatus when the first holding member is moved from the first reference position and locks the position of the first transport apparatus when the second holding member is moved from the second reference position.

Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.

Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.

Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector including an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module linked to the sensor for the transmission to the sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of the at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting the at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal. A remote processing and display unit of the at least one digital output signal is linked to the electronic module to ensure the transmission to the unit of the at least one digital output signal.