Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bitewing holder, to a film holder intended for dental x-ray applications, and to a kit comprising a bitewing holder and a film holder.

Technical Background

There are different known types of bitewing holders and related systems. For instance, in US2003152196 there is disclosed a dental x-ray examination system comprising an image receptor, and a holder removably bonded to the image receptor by an adhesive coating. Moreover, in US2018028131 there is described a dental x-ray sensor holder with a sheath for affixing a sensor to a backing plate of the holder. The system includes a sensor holder with a backing plate, with one or more spring arms, and affixed to or formed contiguously with a proximal end of a bite block of the holder. It also includes a sensor sheath adapted to secure a sensor to the backing plate for X-ray acquisition.

The present invention provides a novel bitewing holder which provides great simplicity for a dentist when using the system. This is both in terms of the practical use as such, and also when ensuring that the system is positioned at the right place for the intended picture of certain teeth. In addition, the system also provides a comfort improvement for the patient when compared with products used today. It may also be mentioned that the system according to the present invention is simple to produce in large series. Summary of the invention

The advantages mentioned above are achieved by a bitewing holder comprising a longitudinal portion, which longitudinal portion extends in a magnet holder portion, said bitewing holder also comprising a magnet fixedly arranged to the magnet holder portion, and wherein the magnet holder portion comprises a cavity which matches the magnet to be fixedly arranged into the cavity. As may be seen in the figures, the concept according to the present invention may be embodied in different alternatives. One first main alternative is in which the longitudinal portion or part functions as a shaft. This alternative is intended to be used on teeth which may reached in a more or less easy way. One embodiment of this alternative is shown in fig. 1 . A second main alternative is intended for apical x-rays, generally when imagining roots or surrounding structures. In this case, the longitudinal portion is more of a shorter part suitable for such applications. One embodiment of this is shown in fig. 3. Common for all versions are the integration of a magnet in the magnet holder portion.

The magnet holder portion with the cavity and integrated magnet is a key feature according to the present invention. Moreover, this is not found in the known solutions in the prior art or used today.

For instance, in KR20190109849 there is shown an X-ray imaging system comprising an intraoral sensor and magnetic bodies, however with a different solution for the holding of the magnet. In this regard it should again be noted that the magnet holder portion with the cavity and integrated magnet therein is a key feature of the present invention, which ensures a user friendly solution with high stability for magnet and attachable film holder. There are also other solutions with a possible magnet solution, e.g. such as shown in US2016128655 and US2012148030, however none of these shows or hint a solution such as taught by the present invention. Again, the present invention provides a very user-friendly, stable and safe solution.

Specific embodiments of the invention

Below there is disclosed some embodiments of the present invention.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, the magnet holder portion comprises a cavity which matches the magnet to be fixedly arranged into the cavity. This cavity may have many different types of shapes, and may e.g. also be seen as a form of facing-in or the like. One example of the cavity is shown in fig. 1 . A similar one may be understood to be arranged in fig. 3, however in this case the magnet is placed inside of the cavity.

According to another embodiment, the magnet holder portion extends substantially perpendicular, preferably perpendicular, from the longitudinal portion, and in the same geometrical plane as the longitudinal portion. Alternatives thereof may be seen in both fig. 1 and 3. To continue with this alternative, according to one specific embodiment intended for this application, the magnet holder portion extends a total length in the range of 3 - 7 cm, preferably in the range of 4 - 6 cm, from the longitudinal portion. Again, for a device according to the present invention, this length is suitable for enabling to take suitable bitewing pictures.

Moreover, according to yet another embodiment, the longitudinal portion comprises a handle portion, preferably wherein the handle portion provides a widening of the longitudinal portion, more preferably wherein the handle portion provides a widening of the longitudinal portion at a distance from the magnet holder portion and from an end of the longitudinal portion. One example of such a handle portion is shown in figs. 1 and 2.

Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the longitudinal portion has a total length in the range of from 10 - 20 cm. Again, this alternative is intended for a bitewing holder where the longitudinal portion suitably functions as a shaft.

Moreover, according to yet one further embodiment, the longitudinal portion comprises a bite portion, preferably extending substantially perpendicular from the longitudinal portion, in the same geometrical plane as the longitudinal portion, preferably parallel to the magnet holder portion. According to one embodiment, the bite portion is perforated. The bite portion provides a better grip when the patient bites on it, and the perforation increases this effect. The perforation actually has two purposes, one being to stabilize the bitewing holder and film when the patient bites on it, another one being to provide a further possibility for occlusion. This in turn provides an increased anatomy possible to interpret in a picture taken. Moreover, it should be noted that the number of holes and size thereof may vary.

According to yet a further embodiment, the bite portion is arranged at a distance of at least 1 cm from the magnet holder portion along the longitudinal portion, preferably wherein the bite portion has a length in the range of 3 - 5 cm and a width in the range of 1 - 2 cm.

According to one specific embodiment, the longitudinal portion comprises an adjustment portion intended to enable adjustment of an x-ray device, such as an x-ray tube or the like, said adjustment portion extending perpendicular from the longitudinal portion and in the same geometrical plane as the longitudinal portion, preferably parallel to the magnet holder portion, more preferably at a distance from the magnet holder portion and outside of the bite portion, most preferably wherein the length of the adjustment portion is in the range of 2 - 3 cm. An example of such an adjustment portion is shown in figs. 1 -2.

When disclosing embodiments intended for apical x-rays, the length of the longitudinal portion is not shaft-like. This is because the bitewing holder should be placeable for apical x-rays, generally when imaging roots or surrounding structures. In line with this, according to one embodiment, the bitewing holder is intended for apical x-rays or the like and wherein the longitudinal portion has a length in the range of 2 - 4 cm and wherein the magnet holder portion has a length in the range of 2 - 4 cm, preferably wherein there is a film holder groove arranged in the longitudinal portion before extending into the magnet holder portion which extends perpendicular from the longitudinal portion. As seen in fig. 3, one example is shown. In this case there is arranged a film holder groove intended to hold the x-ray film. Moreover, in this case the longitudinal portion also is provided with cavities to provide a better positioning capability. These cavities facilitate for the dentist to take a picture at the intended site as the entire unit is kept in its intended position. Such cavities may be seen as the perforation discussed above, and it is provided to increase stability and occlusion.

This type of bitewing holder may be seen as an apical holder. Possible and suitable features, as partly disclosed above, relate to providing the longitudinal portion as a bite portion as such, preferably where the longitudinal portion is provided with a perforation or at least cavities to enable a better positioning capability, as mentioned above, more preferably wherein the longitudinal portion has a certain thickness, e.g. above 5 mm, to avoid distractions in the pictures, e.g. bending of the x-ray film, when imaging apical x-rays.

The present invention also provides a kit comprising a bitewing holder according to the present invention and a film holder, said film holder comprising a metal part to enable connection to the magnet of the bitewing holder. The metal part is suitable provided as a flat disc or plate. The shapes may vary, but as an example it may be rectangular to fit into a cavity or infacing of the film holder.

According to one embodiment, the film holder is made of a flexible rubber or plastic material.

According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the film holder has the shape of a flat plate, preferably wherein the flat plate has two sides, each side having a cavity framework, wherein a first cavity framework is shaped to hold an x-ray film or the like and a second cavity framework is shaped to hold a metal part, more preferably provided with a lid holding an x-ray film in place.

As may be understood from above, the film holder according to the present invention is suitably assembled and provided to the dentist with the metal part arranged into the film holder.

Moreover, the film holder is suitably made of a flexible rubber or plastic material. As mentioned, according to one specific embodiment, the film holder has the shape of a flat plate, preferably wherein the flat plate has two sides, each side having a cavity framework, wherein a first cavity framework is shaped to hold an x-ray film and a second cavity framework is shaped to hold a metal part. One example thereof is shown in figs 4a, 4b and 5, which is further described below. In this regard it should also be noted that the film holder may also comprise a lid enclosing the x-ray film, provided to ensure that it is held in place. Otherwise it is hold in place by gravity. Therefore, according to one specific embodiment, there is provided a kit in which the film holder is provided with a lid holding an x-ray film in place.

Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the film holder comprises two parts being connectable to each other to hold the x-ray film and metal part in place. One example thereof is shown in figs. 6a and 6b. Description of the drawings

In figs. 1 and 2 there are shown one embodiment of a bitewing holder 1 according to the present invention. The bitewing holder 1 comprises a longitudinal portion 2, which longitudinal portion 2 extends in a magnet holder portion 3. The bitewing holder 1 also comprises a magnet 4 (see fig. 2) which is fixedly arranged to the magnet holder portion 3. Furthermore, in this case the magnet holder portion 3 comprises a cavity 5 which matches the magnet 4 to be fixedly arranged into the cavity 5. According to this specific embodiment there is also provided a handle portion 6 on the longitudinal portion 2. As mentioned the handle portion 6 preferably provides a widening of the longitudinal portion 2, more preferably provides a widening of the longitudinal portion 2 at a distance from the magnet holder portion 3 and from an end 7 of the longitudinal portion 2. Moreover, in this case the longitudinal portion 2 comprises a bite portion 8, in this certain case extending substantially perpendicular from the longitudinal portion 2, in the same geometrical plane as the longitudinal portion 2, parallel to the magnet holder portion 3. Furthermore, the bite portion 8 is perforated. In this embodiment, the bitewing holder 1 also comprises an adjustment portion 9 intended to enable adjustment of an x-ray device, such as an x-ray tube or x-ray camera or the like, said adjustment portion 9 extending perpendicular from the longitudinal portion 2 and in the same geometrical plane as the longitudinal portion 2, also parallel to the magnet holder portion 3 and at a distance from the magnet holder portion 3 and outside of the bite portion 8.

In fig. 3 there is shown another type of bitewing holder embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment may be seen as an apical holder, that is a bitewing holder intended for apical x-rays. As seen, the magnet 4 is arranged on the magnet holder portion, and also in this case in a cavity (not shown). The longitudinal portion 2 is in this case much shorter, however provided with some thickness and also a type of perforation I cavities. The thickness avoids distractions in the pictures, e.g. bending of the x-ray film, and the perforation I cavities provides for improved positioning capabilities, i.e. provides increased accuracy for the dentist in terms of taking pictures on the intended site of the teeth of a patient. Moreover, there is also provided a film holder groove 20 arranged in the longitudinal portion 2 before extending into the magnet holder portion 3. As should be understood, an x- ray film or in fact holder therefore may be pushed down into the film holder groove 20. It is still the magnet that holds a film holder with a metal part in place. The film holder grove 20 is provided to ensure that the film holder 10 and film is arranged at the right height. In addition to this the film holder groove 20 may also provide further positioning stability for the film holder 10. As notable, the magnet holder portion 3 extends perpendicular from the longitudinal portion 2 also in this case.

In figs. 4a, 4b and 5 there are shown a film holder 10 intended for dental x-ray applications according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the film holder 10 comprises a metal part 11 to enable connection to a magnet 4 of a bitewing holder 1 . The film holder 10 is suitably made of a flexible rubber or plastic material. Furthermore, in this case, the film holder 10 has the shape of a flat plate with two sides, each side having a cavity framework 12, 13, and where a first cavity framework 12 is shaped to hold an x-ray film and a second cavity framework 13 is shaped to hold a metal part 11 . As seen in fig. 5, a metal part 11 may be arranged into the cavity framework 13.

It may further be said that the film holder 10 may also comprise a lid arranged on top of an x-ray film which is inserted into the first cavity framework 12. Such a lid is not shown in the drawings relating to this embodiment.

Furthermore, as seen in fig. 4b, the film holder 10 may be arranged into a groove of an apical holder, such as the bitewing holder shown in fig. 3. Moreover, the film holder 10 may also be arranged into the space provided between the magnet holder portion 3 and bite portion 8 and fixated to the magnet 4.

Moreover, in fig. 6a and 6b there are shown another embodiment of a film holder according to the present invention. In fig. 6b there is seen an alternative of a film holder 10 which comprises two parts being connectable to each other to hold the x-ray film and metal part 11 in place. The two parts are put together to protect the film or sensor. One of the parts comprises the metal part to enable to be attracted to the magnet of the bitewing holder 1 . This may be understood from fig. 6a. Furthermore, the magnet holder 10 may also comprise a piece or portion possible for a user to hold when separating the two connectable parts. This may be of interest to ensure not to contaminate the film or sensor by the user during different steps of usage.