Patents by Inventor Timo Muller

Timo Muller 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: 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
  • Patent number: 10636179
    Abstract: A patient movement correction method for cone-beam computed tomography wherein a set of X-ray projection images of the patient is acquired using the X-ray imaging means. An initial projection geometry estimate describing the spatial positions and orientation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector during the acquisition of an X-ray projection images is defined. An intermediate CBCT reconstruction using the X-ray projection images and the initial projection geometry estimate is computed. Projection-image-specific corrective geometric transformations are determined for the initial projection geometry estimate and the intermediate CBCT reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventors: Mikko Lilja, Kalle Karhu, Jaakko Lahelma, Kustaa Nyholm, Ari Hietanen, Timo Muller, Sakari Kettunen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180268574
    Abstract: A patient movement correction method for cone-beam computed tomography wherein a set of X-ray projection images of the patient is acquired using the X-ray imaging means. An initial projection geometry estimate describing the spatial positions and orientation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector during the acquisition of an X-ray projection images is defined. An intermediate CBCT reconstruction using the X-ray projection images and the initial projection geometry estimate is computed. Projection-image-specific corrective geometric transformations are determined for the initial projection geometry estimate and the intermediate CBCT reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mikko LILJA, Kalle KARHU, Jaakko LAHELMA, Kustaa NYHOLM, Ari HIETANEN, Timo MULLER, Sakari KETTUNEN
  • Patent number: 7720191
    Abstract: This invention relates to a computer tomography apparatus, especially to a computer tomography apparatus intended for use in connection with odontological diagnostics. In the computer tomography apparatus according to the invention, it is essential that one has arranged thereto, in addition to a computer tomography imaging station, a second imaging station comprising second patient support means 16? at a distance from said computer tomography imaging station. The invention enables more versatile odontological imaging than prior art apparatuses, whereby one does not have to acquire to the clinic, in addition to the computer tomography apparatus, e.g. a separate skull-imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventor: Timo Muller
  • Publication number: 20080311342
    Abstract: Silicon wafers in the entire volume of which crystal lattice vacancies are the prevalent point defect type, have a rotationally symmetric region whose width is at least 80% of the wafer radius, crystal lattice vacancy agglomerates of at least 30 nm in a density ?6·103 cm?3, crystal lattice vacancy agglomerates of from 10 nm to 30 nm in a density of 1·105 cm?3 to 3·107 cm?3, OSF seeds in a density of 0 to 10 cm?2, and an average bulk BMD density of 5·108 cm?3 to 5·109 cm?3, which varies at most by a factor of 10 radially over the entire silicon wafer, and a BMD-free layer on the front side, wherein the first BMD is found at a depth of at least 5 ?m and on average at a depth of at least 8 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Timo Muller, Martin Weber, Gudrun Kissinger
  • Publication number: 20080253137
    Abstract: The invention relates to a skid device (6) for spotlights with skids (7, 8), which extend essentially parallel to the optical axis of the spotlight, and cross members (11, 12), which connect the skids (7, 8) to one another and which serve to hold a bottom section of the spotlight housing (3). The invention provides that at least one skid (7, 8) has a section (73 to 75, 83 to 85) situated at an angle to the center longitudinal axis (M) of the spotlight housing (1, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Timo Muller
  • Publication number: 20080165923
    Abstract: This invention relates to a computer tomography apparatus, especially to a computer tomography apparatus intended for use in connection with odontological diagnostics. In the computer tomography apparatus according to the invention, it is essential that one has arranged thereto, in addition to a computer tomography imaging station, a second imaging station comprising second patient support means 16? at a distance from said computer tomography imaging station. The invention enables more versatile odontological imaging than prior art apparatuses, whereby one does not have to acquire to the clinic, in addition to the computer tomography apparatus, e.g. a separate skull-imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Timo Muller
  • Publication number: 20040076263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling the movements of the functional elements (13-16) of an X-ray apparatus, such as a panoramic X-ray apparatus. In the method, one or more power means (1) provided with a control system (21), a power stage (11) and a rotating power output shaft (2) is/are controlled so as to produce the aforesaid movements of the functional elements. The power output shaft (2) of the power means is caused to rotate by the control system and the power stage so that the power output shaft is in direct contact with the force receiving means (3, 3a) of the functional element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Christian De Godzinsky, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: 5224140
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for narrow-beam tomography in which x-ray radiation is aimed to pass through the object to be radiographed onto a movable (v.sub.1) x-ray film (F). The object (P) is kept stationary in a certain position, while the x-ray source and the film cassette (14) are rotated about a vertical virtual axis of rotation (A-A). In the first operating mode for the panoramic radiography of the dental arch the patient (P) is supported by positioning means so that the sharply imaging plane (P-P) is located between the virtual axis of rotation (A-A) of the x-ray beam (X) and the film plane. In the second operating mode for the radiography of transversal projections of the dental arch (L) the patient (P) is supported in such a stationary position that the virtual axis of rotation (A-A) of the x-ray beam (X) is located in the area between the sharply imaging tissue layer (P-P) and the film plane (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Pekka Strommer, Timo Muller
  • Patent number: 5212719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for radiographic techniques using an x-ray source (13). The radiographed object (M) is subjected to a beam (X) of radiation which is employed for forming a radiographic image of the object (M) onto a film (25). Between the radiographed object (M) and the film (25) is utilized a grid assembly (20) that prevents the disturbing effect of backscattered radiation or secondary radiation generated in the radiographed object on the radiographed image. The grid assembly (20) comprises a grid plate (22) having several equidistantly spaced lamellas opaque to x-rays. The x-rays can pass in the direction of the beam axis between the spaces (24) of said lamellas to the film (25). The grid plate is reciprocatingly oscillated at a varying amplitude so that the stops and changes of travel direction (K.sub.1 . . . K.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Planmed Oy
    Inventors: Arto Virta, Timo Muller