JPH0430861B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is a method for full jaw X-ray photography (panoramic X-ray photography) that also serves as head standard X-ray photography (so-called cephalometric photography).
Regarding the device, for more details, please refer to the full-jaw
It relates to a radiation imaging device.

(Prior Art) Recently, X-ray imaging devices that are capable of performing cephalometric imaging and panoramic imaging with a single device have come to be used in fields such as dental treatment. Such an X-ray imaging apparatus generally includes a support column, an arm support fixed to the support, a horizontally rotating arm supported by the support, and an angle switching mechanism and a support shaft at one end of the arm. It consists of an X-ray generator supported so that the angle can be changed, and a head fixation device for head standard imaging, which is spaced apart from the support, and when used for panoramic imaging, it is provided at the other end of the arm. in the film cassette holder, or in the head fixation device for cephalometric photography when used for cephalometric photography.
The angle of the X-ray generator is changed and adjusted each time so that the direction of X-ray irradiation is faced, and in the case of cephalometric imaging, the horizontal rotation arm is rotated and left at an appropriate position.
The panoramic film set holder and head fixation device are set so as not to obstruct the X-ray axis from the X-ray generator.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The procedure for switching between panoramic photography and cephalometric photography in the above-mentioned apparatus will be briefly described with reference to the attached FIG. 11. That is, in order to switch from panoramic photography to cephalometric photography, first operate the arm lock pin _b1 to rotate the horizontal swing arm b relative to the arm support a and set it at the appropriate position for cephalometric photography (see Figure 2). ). Next, unlock the lock pin c ₁ for fixing the X-ray generator c, rotate the X-ray generator c in that state, and when it comes to the locking device suitable for cephalometric imaging, use the lock pin c ₁ again to lock the X-ray generator c. This is done by a process called locking. Conversely, when switching from double-arrow shooting to panoramic shooting,
The lock pin _c1 is released, the X-ray generator c is rotated and re-locked, the angle of the X-ray generator c is changed to an appropriate position for panoramic photography, and the arm lock pin _b1 is unlocked. Such an operation requires many operating steps such as rotating and stopping the horizontal rotating arm b, unlocking, rotating, and relocking the X-ray generator c, and the operational hassle is negligible. Furthermore, there are problems with operability, such as requiring both hands of the operator, and improvements have been desired.

The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and enables the horizontal rotating arm to be rotated and left still at the same time as the angle switching operation of the X-ray generator by one continuous operation. In this case, we would like to provide a new panoramic X-ray imaging device that also performs cephalometric imaging, which is equipped with a specific mechanism that can simultaneously release the lock, rotate and lock the X-ray generator, and rotate and stop the horizontal rotation arm. It is something to do.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The structure of the present invention for achieving the above object will be explained based on the attached embodiment figures. Fig. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, The figure is a plan view of the same device, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view cut away from the line part in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operating state in the same embodiment, and FIG. , FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of yet another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an X
An explanatory view of the operation of one embodiment of the angle switching mechanism of the line generator, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are schematic diagrams showing other embodiments of the angle switching mechanism. That is, the gist of the present invention is
A column 1 and an arm support 1 fixed to the column 1
1, a horizontal rotation arm 3 supported by the support 11, an X-ray generator 5 supported at one end of the arm 3 via an angle switching mechanism 4 and a support shaft 51 so that the irradiation angle can be switched; In a full-jaw X-ray imaging apparatus that also performs head standard X-ray photography, the angle switching mechanism 4 includes a head fixation device 6 for standard head photography that is spaced apart from the support 1; A locking mechanism 7 for maintaining the X-ray generator 5 at an appropriate angle by selectively orienting the X-ray emitting port 42 of the X-ray generator 5 in the full jaw imaging direction and the standard head imaging direction;・
An unlocking actuating means 8, an operating lever 9 rotatably fitted on the support shaft 51 and operating the actuating means 8, and an operating lever 9 interposed between the X-ray generator and the lever and operating the lock. a rotation regulating means 10 for regulating the operation lever 9 to rotate the X-ray generator 5 in the selected direction when the mechanism 7 is unlocked; An arm lock mechanism 2 is provided between the arm support 11 and the arm support 11 to stop the arm 3 at an appropriate angle. An arm lock pin 21 is provided on the horizontal swing arm 3 and is biased by a spring 211 so as to be able to fit into the arm lock pin 21. a cam mechanism, wire mechanism or gear mechanism for fitting and disengaging the pin hole 22;
The arm locking mechanism 2 is in a locked state when the operating lever 9 is operated to set the X-ray generator 5 at an angle appropriate for standard head photography. This is a full jaw X-ray device that also performs standard X-ray photography.

In Figures 1 and 2, the horizontal swing arm 3
A film cassette holder 31 is provided at the other end, and a head fixing device 32 for panoramic photography is disposed between the X-ray generator 5 and the film cassette holder 31. 3
The rotating arm 3 rotates the X-ray generator 5 and the film cassette holder 31 around the patient's head, which is fixed by the
Radiography is being carried out. Reference numeral 30 in the figure is an arm cover.

In addition, the head fixation device 6 for cephalometric photography is attached to the support 1.
A film cassette holder 62 is provided behind the head fixing device 6, which is spaced apart from the head fixing device 6 via a holding rod 61. Cephalometric imaging is possible by irradiating X-rays from the X-ray generator 5 to a patient fixed stationary in the head fixing device 6 and forming an image on a film in a film cassette holder 62.

The specific configuration of the arm lock mechanism 2 and the angle switching mechanism 4 related thereto will be explained in detail in the embodiments described later, but generally speaking, the X-ray generator 5 is controlled by operating the angle switching mechanism 4. When the arm locking mechanism 2 is set at an appropriate angle for standard head photography, the arm locking mechanism 2 is in the locked state, and when the locking mechanism 7 is shifted from the locked state to the unlocked state by the operation of the locking/unlocking actuating means 8. The lever 9 and the X-ray generator 5 are rotated together by the rotation regulating means 10, and the locking mechanism 7 is locked again so that the X-ray generator 5 is placed at an appropriate angle.

(Function) In the X-ray imaging apparatus having the above configuration, the mechanism for rotating and standing still the arm 3 and for changing the angle of the X-ray generator 5 is
This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 10. The position of the X-ray generator 5 shown in Fig. 3 and Figs. 7 to 10 (solid line portion) is an appropriate position for panoramic imaging, and its X-ray irradiation axis L is arranged along the arm 3 at a position opposite to it. It is suitable for the film cassette holder 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). From this state,
To change the angle of the X-ray generator 5 for cephalometric imaging, operate the lock/unlock actuator 8 to unlock the lock mechanism 7, and then turn the operating lever 9 to the left (it is at the right end before operation). Then,
The lever 9 is regulated by the rotation regulating means 10 and
It rotates in cooperation with the line generator 5. When the lever 9 is operated by an angle θ ₂ in this cooperative rotation state, the locking mechanism 7 enters a different lock state, and the X-ray generator 5 changes the angle by an angle θ ₂ (see Figs. 3, 7, and 10). (the position indicated by the one-dot chain line), and it is left stationary at that position. Furthermore, when operating this lever 9, since the X-ray angle conversion mechanism 4, that is, the lever 9, and the arm lock mechanism 2 are linked, the arm lock mechanism 2 shifts from the unlocked state to the locked state, and at the same time, the arm 3 is also rotated. Then (in panoramic shooting mode, arm 3
(in other words, the arm lock mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state), and when the arm 3 reaches the appropriate position for cephalometric imaging, the arm lock mechanism 2 rotates relative to the arm support 11.
(see FIG. 4), and the arm 3 and arm support 11 are in a fixed relationship. The result is
The ray irradiation axis L is oriented in a direction appropriate for cephalometric imaging, that is, so as to correctly irradiate the film cassette holder 62 for cephalometric imaging. In this way, the X-ray generator 5 can be easily unlocked, rotated and relocked, and the arm 3 can be stopped at an appropriate position by simply rotating the operating lever 9 and the arm 3. On the other hand, in order to change the angle from a position suitable for cephalometric photography to a position suitable for panoramic photography, if you operate lever 9 in the opposite direction to the above,
The angle of the X-ray generator 5 is changed to a position appropriate for panoramic imaging, and the arm lock mechanism 2 is brought into an unlocked state, thus completing the conditions necessary for panoramic imaging.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained in further detail with reference to Examples.

Embodiment 1 In FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the lock mechanism 7 of the X-ray generator 5 is always biased toward the support shaft 51 of the X-ray generator 5 by a compression spring 71. A bullet-loaded lock pin 72 and a pair of locks spaced apart at an angle θ ₂ along an arc centered on the support shaft 51 so that the tip of the lock pin 72 is immersed and received on the top surface of the X-ray generator 5. It consists of recesses 73, 73 for use. This angle θ ₂ means an angular difference between positions suitable for cephalometric photography and panoramic photography. Reference numeral 74 in the figure is a plate fixed to the upper surface of the X-ray generator 5 to form the locking recesses 73, 73.

The locking/unlocking actuating means 8 is a lever 9.
It consists of a chevron-shaped cam piece 81 formed at the tip of the lock pin 72, and a cam pin 82 protruding from the circumferential body of the lock pin 72. This cam piece 81 has left and right inclined cam surfaces 8
By operating the lever 9, the cam pin 82 of the lock pin 72 slides against the inclined cam surface 811 or 812 and reaches the top cam surface 813. is the compression spring 71
It becomes an unlocked state against the elasticity of the top cam surface 813, and vice versa
2, and the locking recesses 73, 73
When the tip of the locking pin 72 is inserted into the locking state, the X-ray generator 5 is fixed at a position appropriate for panoramic or cephalometric photography. If the lock pin 72 is cylindrical, it is expected that it will rotate around its axis under the action of the lock/unlock operating means 8, so there should be a suitable space between it and the pin hole. It is desirable to provide anti-rotation means.

The operating lever 9 is rotatably fitted onto the support shaft 51, and has a chevron-shaped cam piece 8 at its tip as described above.
1 is formed. In addition, a pair of protrusions 101, 101 are protruded from the upper surface of the X-ray generator 5, and the lever 9 is positioned between the protrusions 101, 101. It constitutes a rotation regulating means 10. These protrusions 101, 101 are arranged so that the lever 9 comes into contact with one of the protrusions 101, and from this state the lever 9 is operated (angle θ ₁ ) so that the cam pin 82 approaches the top cam surface 813 of the cam piece 81 and locks the lock pin. When the lever 72 is in the unlocked state, the lever 9 is arranged in a positional relationship such that it comes into contact with the other protrusion 101, and when the lever 9 is further operated, it is restricted by the other protrusion 101 that came into contact, and the lever 9 and the The X-ray generator 5 and the X-ray generator 5 rotate together (angle θ ₂ ), and the angle of the X-ray generator 5 is changed as described above.

A compression spring 211 is attached to the horizontal swing arm 3.
The arm support 11 is provided with a lock hole 22 for receiving the upper end of the lock pin 21, and as the upper end of the lock pin 21 protrudes and retracts from the lock hole 22, Arm support 1 of arm 3
1 is locked/unlocked. The arm 3 is provided with an inverted L-shaped operating rod 23 that swings up and down about a fulcrum 231.
The engaging pin 21 is fixed to the side peripheral body of the lock pin 21 in a slot 232 formed at the tip of the lock pin 21.
2 is loosely inserted therein, and furthermore, a roller 233 is pivotally attached to the side of the downward proximal end of the operating rod 23. A cam block 24 having an inclined cam groove 241 is fixed on the upper surface of the operating lever 9, and a roller 233 of the operating rod 23 is housed in the inclined cam groove 241 so as to be able to freely roll along the direction of the groove. There is. These arm lock pins 21, lock holes 22, operating rods 23, and cam blocks 24 constitute the arm lock mechanism 2, and by rotating the operating lever 9, the rollers 233 relatively roll within the inclined cam grooves 241. The cam groove 24 of this roller 233
1, the operating rod 23 swings up and down.Furthermore, due to the vertical movement of the tip of the operating rod 23, the arm lock pin 21 moves up and down due to the regulating action of the slot 232 and the engagement pin 212. As the distal end enters and retracts from the lock hole 22, the locked/unlocked state of the horizontal swing arm 3 with respect to the arm support 11 can be arbitrarily switched. In Fig. 4, when the lever 9 is at the right end (solid line part),
The arm lock pin 21 is in an unlocked state at the appropriate position for panoramic photography. Then, when the lever 9 is turned to the left, the arm lock mechanism 2 acts as described above, and the arm lock pin 21 is activated.
moves upward, and at the same time, when the horizontal rotation arm 3 is rotated to the appropriate position for cephalometric imaging, the tip of the arm lock pin 21 is inserted into the lock hole 22 as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the arm 3 and arm support 11 are moved upward. At the same time that the X-ray generator 5 is locked and fixed, the angle of the X-ray generator 5 is also changed to a position appropriate for cephalometric imaging. Note that the slot 232 at the tip of the operating rod 23
is larger than the engagement pin 222 of the arm lock pin 21;
When the lock pin 21 is pushed up to the highest position and fitted into the lock hole 22, the compression spring 211 causes the lock pin 21 to rise several mm from when it is locked, so that even if the lock pin 21 and the lock hole 22 are slightly misaligned, the lock pin 21 This is because the tip of the connector acts as a guide to facilitate fitting. Further, reference numeral 52 in the figure is an X-ray irradiation port.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 shows the arm lock mechanism 2 and the X-ray generator 5.
This shows another embodiment of the related structure of the angle switching mechanism with the arm lock pin 21 and the operating lever 9, which are always urged upward by the compression spring 211 as in the first embodiment. The wire 25 is connected via pulleys 251 and 252 in between.
The wire 25 and the arm lock pin 21 constitute an arm lock mechanism. That is, when the lever 9 is rotated to a position appropriate for panoramic photography (the state shown by the chain line in the figure), the locking pin 21 is pushed down by the wire 25, resulting in an unlocked state. On the other hand, when the lever 9 is rotated to a position appropriate for cephalometric imaging (the state shown by the solid line in the figure), the wire 25 is loosened and the lock pin 21 is raised by the restoring elasticity of the compression spring 211 to be in the locked state.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 shows how the turning movement of the lever 9 is controlled by the gear mechanism 26.
This changes the vertical movement of the arm lock pin 21, thereby linking the arm lock mechanism 2 and the angle conversion mechanism. Two pillars 261, 261 are erected on the lever 9, and the pillars 261, 2
61 is inserted into the arcuate grooves 331, 331 (the center of curvature is the axis of the support shaft 51) formed in the lower support plate 33 of the horizontal swing arm 3, and these supports 26
1,261 is a vertical rotation shaft 26 coaxial with the support shaft 51
It is connected to 2. Also, this vertical rotation axis 262
A bevel gear 263 is fixed to the upper end, and the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 262 is transmitted to the horizontal rotating shaft 265 via the bevel gear 263 and a bevel gear 264 meshed with the bevel gear 263, and a pinion gear 266 at the tip thereof and an arm lock pin. The lock pin 21 is configured to move up and down by meshing with a lock gear 267 carved on the circumferential body of the lock pin 21. That is, as the lever 9 is rotated, the gear mechanism 26 moves the arm lock pin 21 up and down so that the tip of the arm lock pin 21 enters and retracts from the lock hole 22, and the horizontal swing arm 3 is locked and unlocked with respect to the arm support 11. It is.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the angle switching mechanism 4 of the X-ray generator 5, in which a cam piece 83 opposite to the above is attached to the tip of the lock pin 72 similar to the first embodiment. A cam pin 84 associated with the cam piece 83 is protruded from the tip of the operating lever 9, and the lock pin 72 is locked and unlocked in the same manner as described above by the action of the cam pin 84 and the cam piece 83. Ru. In addition, an engagement pin 102 is protruded from the lower surface of the operating side of the operating lever 9, and an arcuate groove 103 into which the engagement pin 102 can be loosely inserted is formed on the upper surface of the X-ray generator 5, at the center of the curvature of the support shaft 51. It is recessed as a. The arcuate angle of this arcuate groove 103 is approximately equal to the angle θ ₁ , and the arcuate groove 103 and the engagement pin 1
02 constitutes a lever rotation regulating means 10. That is, when the lever 9 is rotated within the angular range of the arcuate groove 103, the lock pin 72
is locked and unlocked, and the arc groove 103
When it comes into contact with the end of the X-ray generator 5 and further operation is performed, a state of cooperative rotation with the X-ray generator 5 is achieved due to the restriction between the arcuate groove 103 and the engaging pin 102, and X-ray generation occurs as described above. The angle of the vessel 5 is transformed. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Embodiment 5 In FIG. 9, locking recesses 73, 7 similar to those described above are shown.
3, a ratchet type lock pin 75 that is swingably supported on the arm 3 about a fulcrum 751,
The tip of the lock pin 75 is connected to the support shaft 5 of the X-ray generator 5.
The locking mechanism 7 is shown consisting of a compression spring 76 which maintains a constant resilient bias in one direction. In addition, a cam pin 82 is fixed to the circumferential body of this lock pin 75, and a lock pin 82 similar to that of the first embodiment is installed.
The unlocking actuating means 8 locks the locking pin 75.
Locking/unlocking is implemented. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Embodiment 6 The embodiment of the angle switching mechanism 4 shown in FIG. The lever 9 is fitted into the lever 9 through a long hole 91 opened along its longitudinal direction.
A lock pin 77 is provided protruding from the tip. On the other hand, the lock pin 7 is located on the lower surface of the horizontal swing arm 3.
Two locking recesses 78, 78 for receiving the locking pin 77 are formed, and the locking mechanism 7 is constituted by the locking recesses 78, 78 and the locking pin 77.
The locking recesses 78, 78 have an angle θ ₂ on a curve whose center of curvature is the center of the support shaft 51 (the angular difference between the positions appropriate for panoramic photography and cephalometric photography as described above).
It is separated by a Additionally, the lever 9 is always elastically biased toward its tip by a spring 85, and the spring 85 and the lever 9 itself constitute the locking/unlocking actuating means 8. Furthermore, another elongated hole 104 is provided in the middle of the lever 9.
is opened along its longitudinal direction, and a pin 105 protruding from the top surface of the X-ray generator 5 is slidably inserted into the elongated hole 104.
The rotation regulating means 10 is constituted by the elongated hole 104 and the elongated hole 104 . In the angle switching mechanism 4 having such a configuration, when the operating lever 9 is pulled backward against the elasticity of the spring 85, the lock pin 7 at the tip of the operating lever 9 is pulled backward.
7 comes out of the locking recess 78 and becomes unlocked. When the lever 9 is further rotated, the lever 9 and the X-ray generator 5 rotate together around the axis of the support shaft 51 under the control of the pin 105 and the elongated hole 104, rotating by an angle θ _2. By the way, when the pulling operation of the lever 9 is stopped, the lock pin 7
7 is fitted into another locking recess 78, and the X-ray generator 5 is brought to a locked and stationary state. As a result, the X-ray irradiation axis L of the X-ray generator 5 is angularly converted to a position appropriate for panoramic and cephalometric photography. Although the illustrated example shows an example in which the spring 85 is loaded between the pin 105 and the lever 9, a case where the spring 85 is loaded between the support shaft 51 and the lever 9 is not excluded.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and for example, in the embodiment, the arm lock pin 21 is moved vertically to the arm support 11 to lock and unlock the arm, but it is not limited to the above embodiment. - The present invention is applicable even when unlocking. In addition, as a means for operating the arm lock mechanism 2 by turning the lever 9, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a mechanical means is used, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the lever 9 and a limit switch etc. It is of course possible to operate it by a motor or various cylinders. It goes without saying that other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

(Effects of the Invention) As mentioned above, in the panoramic photographing device of the present invention that also serves as cephalometric photography,
Since the ray generator is unlocked, rotated, and relocked, and the horizontal rotation arm is rotated and stopped, the X-ray generator and horizontal rotation arm can be easily changed to the appropriate angle for cephalometric photography and panoramic photography. , the cumbersome operations required in the past are eliminated, and the operator can operate it with one hand.
Furthermore, the position of the X-ray generator can be visually determined based on the stop position of the lever, which is extremely convenient. The present invention having such remarkable advantages is extremely useful.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same device, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view cut away along the line in FIG. Explanatory drawings, FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another embodiment, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of one embodiment of the angle switching mechanism of the X-ray generator, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are angle switching A schematic view showing another embodiment of the mechanism, and FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing an example of a conventional device. (Explanation of symbols) 1... Support column, 11... Arm support, 2... Arm lock mechanism, 3... Horizontal swing arm, 4... Angle switching mechanism, 5... X-ray generator, 51...
Support shaft, 6... Head fixing device for head standard photography, 7... Locking mechanism, 8... Locking/unlocking operating means,
9... Operating lever, 10... Rotation regulating means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A column 1, an arm support 11 fixed to the column 1, a horizontal swing arm 3 supported by the support 11, and an angle switching mechanism 4 and an angle switching mechanism 4 at one end of the arm 3. Head standard X-ray photography consisting of an X-ray generator 5 supported via a support shaft 51 so that the irradiation angle can be switched, and a head fixation device 6 for head standard photography that is spaced apart from the support 1. In the full-jaw X-ray imaging apparatus which also serves as A locking mechanism 7 for maintaining the generator 5 at a proper angle, an actuating means 8 for locking and unlocking the locking mechanism 7, and a locking mechanism 7 rotatably fitted to the support shaft 51 and actuating the actuating means 8. A control lever 9 is interposed between the X-ray generator and the lever, and is configured so that the control lever 9 cooperatively rotates the X-ray generator 5 in the selected direction when the lock mechanism 7 is unlocked. rotation regulating means 10 for regulating the rotation of the arm support 11 and the horizontal rotation arm 3;
An arm lock mechanism 2 is provided between the arm support 1 and the arm support 1 to keep the arm 3 stationary at an appropriate angle.
A pin receiving hole 22 provided in the horizontal swing arm 3 and an arm lock pin 21 provided in the horizontal swing arm 3 which is biased by a spring 211 so as to be able to fit into the pin receiving hole 22 cooperate with the X-ray generator 5. It consists of a cam mechanism, a wire mechanism, or a gear mechanism that causes the arm lock pin 21 to fit into and disengage from the pin receiving hole 22 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 9. A full jaw X-ray that also serves as head standard X-ray photography, characterized in that the arm lock mechanism 2 is in a locked state when the X-ray generator 5 is set at an angle appropriate for head standard X-ray photography. Photography equipment.