Planmeca Oy

Other

Planmed Oy

Timo Muller

Lauri Seppala

Kari Malmén

Mikko Jarva

Pentti Hyvärinen

Tero Pihlajamaki

Arto Virta

Kustaa Nyholm

Pekka Strommer

Tommi Syrjälä

Jaakko Lahelma

Mikko Lilja

Ari Hietanen

Sakari Kettunen

Kalle Karhu

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.

CT imaging apparatus

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 (). The patient support means () comprise a rear rest structure () containing a support part () arranged to get positioned at occipital area and whose connection to the X-ray apparatus is realized such that the support part () 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.

X-ray imaging apparatus and patient support arrangement

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 (). The patient support means () comprise a rear rest structure () containing a support part () arranged to get positioned at occipital area. The rear rest structure () comprises a first elongated supporting structure (), a first end of which containing said support part () and a second end of which extending to different side of the imaging station () than where said support part () is located.

X-ray imaging apparatus and patient support

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 (). The patient support means () comprise a rear rest structure () containing a support part () arranged to get positioned at occipital area and a safety mechanism () in an area between its mounting point to the X-ray imaging apparatus () and said support pan (). The safety mechanism () is arranged to go off when a force greater titan predetermined is acting on said support pan () and to release said support part () from its patient support position.

X-ray imaging apparatus and patient support safety mechanism

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. A final CBCT reconstruction is computed using the X-ray projection images and a corrected estimate of the projection geometry corresponding to the determined corrective geometric transformations wherein the corrective geometric transformations for the initial projection geometry estimate are determined in a projection-image-specific rotating coordinate system corresponding to the spatial positions and orientations of the X-ray source and X-ray detector during the acquisition of the X-ray projection images.

Patient movement correction method for cone-beam computed tomography

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' 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.

Computer tomography apparatus

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). In the second operating mode the film (F) is moved in a direction which is opposite to the film transfer direction in the first operating mode.

Method and apparatus for panoramic radiography

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.5) are appropriately evenly distributed over the interlamellar spaces of the grid plate (22), thereby avoiding the imaging the grid lamellas (23) in a disturbing manner onto the film (25) or other imaging means.

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Helsinki, Finland

Timo Muller