Protective Means For Protecting Imaging Media

Abstract

A protective means has a pouch-like structure, comprising an orifice for inserting X-ray imaging media in the protective means. In connection with the protective means there is also a closing means, which is arranged to close the orifice. Also in connection with the protective means there is a fastening means for fastening a closing means to the pouch-like structure of the protective means so that upon fastening the closing means the fastening means is arranged to be located on both sides of the orifice.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. An intraoral protective apparatus for protecting an intraoral imaging medium during medical imaging, comprising: a pouch-like structure configured to contain imaging media in a liquid-tight manner; a first opening through the pouch-like structure for the insertion of the imaging media into the pouch-like structure, the first opening having a width less than a width of the pouch-like structure; a closing structure arranged to close the first opening; at least one tear line in the pouch-like structure; and a fastener configured to fasten the closing structure onto the pouch-like structure around the first opening; wherein upon opening the protective apparatus, the protective apparatus is torn substantially along the at least one tear line to form a second opening through the pouch-like structure for removal of the intraoral imaging medium from the pouch-like structure and wherein at least one corner of the pouch-like structure or the closing structure is rounded.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the fastening structure comprises an adhesive tape or a glue.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the closing structure is separate from the pouch-like structure.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the closing structure is connected to the pouch-like structure and the closing structure is arranged to be folded in such a manner that it closes the first opening through the pouch-like structure.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein a portion of the pouch-like structure extends at least partly into the closing structure and the portion of the pouch-like structure that extends at least partly into the closing structure is arranged to be folded along with the closing structure to close the first opening through the pouch-like structure.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first opening is located through the portion of the pouch-like structure between a folding seam about which the closing structure is folded and a free edge of the closing structure.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first opening is located through the pouch-like structure at a position across a folding seam about which the closing structure is folded opposite the closing structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the at least one tear line extends from a folding seam about which the closing structure is folded towards a free edge of the closing structure.

33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the apparatus is antimicrobial.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the apparatus is transparent.

35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein removal of the intraoral imaging medium from the pouch-like structure through the second opening minimizes the spreading of pathogens from an exterior of the apparatus to the intraoral imaging medium.

36. A method of manufacturing an intraoral protective apparatus for protecting an intraoral imaging medium during medical imaging, said intraoral imaging medium being readable when inserted in a reader apparatus, wherein the method comprises: providing the intraoral protective apparatus comprising a pouch-like structure; providing a first opening through the pouch-like structure for the insertion of the intraoral imaging medium into the pouch-like structure, a width of the first opening being less than a width of the pouch-like structure; providing a closing structure connected to pouch-like structure and configured to close the first opening through the pouch-like structure; providing a fastener configured to fasten the closing structure to the pouch-like structure around the first opening to close the first opening; providing at least one rounded corner to the intraoral protective apparatus at least when the closing structure closes the first opening; and providing at least one tear line in the pouch-like structure, wherein upon opening of the intraoral protective apparatus, the intraoral protective apparatus is torn substantially along the at least one tear line to form a second opening through the pouch-like structure arranged to allow for removal of the intraoral imaging medium from the pouch-like structure so as to minimize the spreading of pathogens.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the fastener comprises an adhesive tape or a glue located on the pouch-like structure about the first opening and the method comprises producing a cut in the fastener at the position of the first opening so that an imaging plate be inserted in the pouch-like structure through the cut in the fastener.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the closing structure is produced at a manufacturing stage so as to be a separate component from the pouch-like structure of the intraoral protective apparatus.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the closing structure is produced at a manufacturing stage so as to be integrally connected to the pouch-like structure and where the closing structure is foldable about a folding seam to close the first opening.

40. The method of claim 39, a portion of the pouch-like structure extends at least partly into the closing structure and wherein the portion of the pouch-like structure the pouch-like structure that extends into the closing structure is configured to be folded about the folding seam with the closing structure to close the first opening.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least one tear line is provided to extend from or near the folding seam towards a free edge of the closing structure.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the tear line is produced by at least one of a pre-cut, a perforation, or a weakening in the pouch-like structure.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the intraoral protective apparatus is liquid tight.

44. An intraoral protective means for protecting an intraoral imaging medium in medical imaging, wherein the protective means is arranged to have a pouch-like structure and the protective means comprises: a first opening through the pouch-like structure for the insertion of the imaging media into the pouch-like structure; a closing means for closing the first opening; and a fastening means for fastening the closing means to the pouch-like structure of the protective means; wherein the width of the first opening is less than the width of the pouch-like structure so that upon fastening the closing means the fastening means is arranged to be located around the first opening to close it and upon opening of the protective means, the protective means is torn substantially along a tearline to form a second opening in the protective means, said second opening being arranged to allow for removal of the intraoral imaging medium from the pouch-like structure so as to minimize the spreading of pathogens, and at least one corner or possible folding corner of the protective means is rounded or arranged to be rounded when the protective means is closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be described below a little more closely, referring to the accompanying drawings in which

[0040] FIGS. 1A-C show as examples a protective means according to the invention,

[0041] FIGS. 2A-C show as examples a second protective means according to the invention,

[0042] FIGS. 3A-C show as examples a third protective means according to the invention,

[0043] FIGS. 4A-C show as examples a fourth protective means according to the invention,

[0044] FIGS. 5A-C show as examples a fifth protective means according to the invention,

[0045] FIG. 6 shows as an example a sixth protective means according to the invention,

[0046] FIGS. 7A-C show as examples a seventh protective means according to the invention, and

[0047] FIG. 8 shows as an example a method according to the invention for manufacturing a protective means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIGS. 1 to 6 show, as examples, some protective means 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 according to the invention comprising a pouch-like structure 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, where the protective means includes an orifice 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604 for inserting in the protective means an imaging medium, such as an imaging plate used in intraoral imaging, for instance. In addition the protective means comprises a closing means 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606 arranged to be folded around a folding seam 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 in such a manner as to close the orifice, and a fastening means 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608. The fastening means is intended for fastening the foldable part of the closing means to the pouch-like structure of the protective means so that when fastening the closing means, the fastening means is located on both sides 108a/108b, 208a/208b, 308a/308b, 408a/408b, 508a/508b of the orifice.

[0049] FIGS. 1A to 1C show, as examples, a first protective means 100 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 1A), closed (FIG. 1B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 1C). In FIGS. 1A to 1C the pouch-like structure 102 of the protective means extends partly 102a onto the closing means 106. The pouch-like structure 102a extending onto the closing means is arranged so as to be folded around the folding seam 110 together with the closing means 106, as shown in FIG. 1B. In the protective means 100 of FIG. 1A the orifice 104 is arranged to be located in the area of the foldable closing means 106, i.e. between the free edge 106a of the closing means and the folding seam 110 formed by the closing means. Thus also the orifice 104 is folded around the folding seam 110 together with the closing means 106, as shown in FIG. 1B. Such a solution provides a better shielded and tighter protective means.

[0050] The protective means 100 also comprises a tear line 112 arranged to extend from the orifice 104 or vicinity thereof towards the folding seam 110 of the closing means (FIG. 1A, for example). When a closed protective means is opened, the closing means will substantially become torn along the tear line 112a so that an imaging plate can easily be removed through an opening 104a thus formed in the protective means without any part of the protective means that has been in contact with secretions of the patient touching the imaging plate. Furthermore, when a distance 116 (FIG. 1C) is left between the tear line and the outer edge of the protective means, it can be further ensured that the protective means will not be torn too close to a surface of the protective means, such as the outer surface, for example, which has been in contact with secretions of the patient.

[0051] When the protective means is opened, a portion 106b of the closing means which remains between the tear lines 112 is in one embodiment torn along the tear lines 112a so that the portion 106b remains fastened to the fastening means 108, as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0052] FIGS. 2A to 2C show, as examples, a second protective means 200 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 2A), closed (FIG. 2B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 2C). In FIGS. 2A to 2C the orifice 204 is arranged to be located on the other side of the folding seam 210 formed by the closing means 206 than the free edge 206a of the closing means 206. Thus the closing means 206 is folded over the orifice 204 when the closing means 206 is fastened to the fastening means 208 (FIG. 2B). In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the fastening means 208 such as adhesive tape or glue, for instance, is arranged so as to extend over the orifice up to the folding seam 210, thus minimizing the formation of any kind of a flow channel in the vicinity of the folding seam. A similar arrangement is depicted in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 but can be implemented also in arrangements according to other embodiments even if not depicted in the Figures.

[0053] The protective means 200 also comprises a tear line 212 arranged to extend from the orifice 204 or vicinity thereof towards the folding seam 210 of the closing means (FIG. 2A, for example). The tear line 212 may be arranged to extend at least over the fastening means 208 e.g. in an embodiment in which the fastening means does not extend up to the folding seam. The tear line 212 and fastening means may both be arranged in one embodiment to extend up to the folding seam, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0054] When a closed protective means 200 is opened it will be torn substantially along the tear line 212a thus forming an opening 204a. Then, in one embodiment, a portion 202b of the pouch-like structure 202 of the protective means which remains between the tear lines 212 (including the fastening means portion which remains between the tear lines) is torn along the tear lines 212a so that the portion 202b (including the fastening means portion) remains fastened to the closing means 206 and is torn together with the closing means when the latter is opened, as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0055] FIGS. 3A to 3C show, as examples, a third protective means 300 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 3A), closed (FIG. 3B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 3C). The protective means 300 is otherwise substantially similar to that 100 shown in FIG. 1, but in the protective means 300 the pouch-like structure 302 extends 302a onto the closing means 306 up to the free edge 306a thereof, so that the closing means 306 in its entirety can be formed of the pouch-like structure 302 of the protective means 300. In some cases this may be a simpler and faster and therefore also more advantageous way to manufacture the protective means than other embodiments.

[0056] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A to 3C the orifice 304 is arranged to be located between the free edge 306a of the closing means and the folding seam 310 formed by the closing means. Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A to 3C the tear lines 312 are arranged to extend from the orifice 304 or vicinity thereof towards the folding seam 310 of the closing means (FIG. 3A), corresponding to the situation depicted in FIG. 1A. This way, a portion 306b which remains between the tear lines 312 is torn along the tear lines 312a so that the portion 306b remains fastened to the fastening means 308 (FIG. 3C), corresponding to the situation depicted in FIG. 1C.

[0057] However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art, having read this description, that the orifice 304 may also be placed elsewhere in the protective means comprising the pouch-like structure, such as at the point shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C or at the point shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. In that case it is advantageous to arrange also the tear lines in a corresponding manner.

[0058] FIGS. 4A to 4C show, as examples, a fourth protective means 400 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 4A), closed (FIG. 4B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 4C). In the protective means 400 the pouch-like structure 402 may extend 402a also onto the closing means 406 up to the free edge 406a thereof, so that the closing means 406 in its entirety can be formed of the pouch-like structure 402 formed by the protective means 400.

[0059] In the protective means depicted in FIGS. 4A to 4C the tear line is arranged to extend from the folding seam 410 towards the free edge 406a of the closing means (FIG. 4A). According to an embodiment, an additional tear line 412a may be arranged between the tear lines 412. In one embodiment, the additional tear line 412b may be located at such a point in the closing means that it will lie directly on top of the orifice 404 when the closing means 406 is fastened.

[0060] A portion 406b of the protective means 400 which remains between the tear lines 412 is torn along the tear lines 412a so that the portion 406b remains fastened to the fastening means 408 (FIG. 4C), corresponding to the situation depicted in FIG. 2C.

[0061] FIGS. 5A to 5C show, as examples, a fifth protective means 500 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 5A), closed (FIG. 5B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 5C). To a great extent, the protective means 500 is similar to those depicted in the preceding embodiments, but in this protective means 500 the tear line 512 is arranged to extend over the folding seam onto both the pouch-like part of the protective means and the pouch-like closing means. Thus when opened the protective means 500 may open as shown in FIG. 5C, for instance, and, furthermore, the user can tear the opened part 506b further along the remaining tear line 512.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows as an example a sixth protective means according to the invention, where the tear line 612 has an arbitrary shape. It should be noted that, for clarity, the tear lines shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are drawn straight, but the invention is by no means limited to straight tear lines but a tear line or at least part thereof may have a shape other than a straight line, such as a curve or an arbitrary shape, for instance.

[0063] FIGS. 7A to 7C show, as examples, a seventh protective means 700 according to the invention before closing (FIG. 7A), closed (FIG. 7B), and opened after having been closed (FIG. 7C). The protective means 700 further comprises a protective means 702 formed by a pouch-like structure with an orifice 704 and a tear line 712 extending from the orifice or immediate vicinity thereof towards the edge 706b of the protective means. In addition, the protective means 700 includes a closing means 706 which in this embodiment is a part which is separate from the protective means 702 having a pouch-like structure.

[0064] The closing means 706 is arranged to be placed over the orifice 704 when the closing means 706 is fastened to the fastening means 708 (FIG. 7B). Even though in FIGS. 7A to 7C the fastening means 708 is arranged to extend over the orifice up to the edge 706b, the invention is not limited to that but the fastening means 708 in another embodiment may comprise a fastening means like the one shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C and 4A to 4C where the fastening means does not extend up to the folding seam. Even though in this embodiment the fastening means 708 is drawn to be located on the protective means 702 having a pouch-like structure, in another embodiment it may also be located on the closing means 706 without departing from the fundamental idea of the invention.

[0065] When a closed protective means 700 is opened it will be torn substantially along the tear line 712a thus forming an opening 704a. Then, in one embodiment, a portion 702b of the pouch-like structure 702 of the protective means which remains between the tear lines 712 is torn along the tear lines 712a so that the portion 702b remains fastened to the closing means 706 and is torn together with the closing means when the latter is opened, as shown in FIG. 7C. In one embodiment the portion 702b and closing means may remain attached to the edge 706b, whereby the protective means, when opened, looks similar to the opened protective means shown in FIG. 2C, for example.

[0066] FIG. 8 shows as an example a method 800 according to the invention for manufacturing a protective means, which method comprises a step 802 for producing an orifice in the protective means having a pouch-like structure, a step 804 for producing a closing means such that the closing means will close the orifice, and step 806 for producing a fastening means for fastening the closing means to the pouch-like structure of the protective means so that upon fastening the closing means, the fastening means is located on both sides of the orifice.

[0067] Step 806 may also include the placement of the fastening means on both sides of the orifice and possibly also the making of the cut in the fastening means at the position of the orifice, when the fastening means comprises adhesive tape or glue.

[0068] In the method 800, the pouch-like structure may be made to extend at least partly onto the closing means and also arranged so as to be folded together with the closing means. In step 802, the orifice may in one embodiment be located in the area between the folding seam and the free edge of the closing means or, alternatively, on the other side of the folding seam than the free edge of the closing means.

[0069] The method may also comprise a step 808 for producing a break line in the protective means, such as one of those described above, using a pre-cut, perforation and/or weakening, for example. Furthermore, the method may also comprise a step 810 for making a cut in conjunction with the folding seams of the protective means depicted in FIGS. 1 to 6 so that when the protective means is closed, the folding corner becomes rounded 114, as shown in FIG. 1B, for instance.

[0070] Only a few embodiments of the solution according to the invention were described above. The principle according to the invention, as regards e.g. implementation details and field of application, may naturally be modified within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Especially it should be noted that in cases depicted in FIGS. 1A to 1C and 3A to 3C, for example, the fastening means, such as adhesive tape or glue, can be located around the orifice 104, 304 in the closing means 106, 306 without changing the general idea of the protective means described here. It should also be noted that the adhesive tape or glue may in other embodiments, too, be located in the flap-like closing means 206, 406, 506 in the manner described in FIG. 6, for instance. Further, it should be noted that the tape or glue may in any embodiment extend up to the folding seam, as shown in the examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6.

[0071] Also it should be noted that the closing means, particularly closing means 706, may in itself comprise a fastening means. According to one embodiment, the closing means, particularly closing means 706, may be entirely comprised of adhesive tape, such as one-sided tape, so that no other fastening means are necessarily needed. When the closing means, such as closing means 706, is entirely comprised of adhesive tape, for example, it is advantageous to leave in the closing means a portion, such as portion 706c, which is substantially made of a non-fastening material and thus will not be fastened to the pouch-like part of the protective means so that, when opening the protective means, the closing means can be torn open at portion 706c. A similar portion 706c may also be included in the closing means depicted in the other Figures even though not shown therein.