Dental x-ray apparatus

Abstract

A dental x-ray apparatus ( 10 ) includes a tube head ( 11 ) formed from a cast zinc material. Structural components of tube head ( 11 ) include such component ( 20 ) formed from a plastic material impregnated with a high molecular weight substance, such as barium sulfite. X-ray apparatus 10 ) has a control panel ( 15 ) in close proximity to the tube head ( 11 ), and is preferably DC powered.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dental x-ray apparatus having an x-ray tube contained within tubehead and supported by tubehead components, the improvement comprising forming said tubehead from cast zinc or zinc alloy.  
     
     
         2 . A dental x-ray apparatus having a tube supported within a tubehead, the improvement comprising forming at least one of said of the tubehead components from a plastic material impregnated with a radiation absorber.  
     
     
         3 . A dental x-ray apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said radiation absorber is a barium compound.  
     
     
         4 . A dental x-ray apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein said barium compound is barium sulfite.  
     
     
         5 . A dental x-ray apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein said tubehead component is an x-ray tube holder.  
     
     
         6 . A dental x-ray apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said plastic material is substantially transparent to x-rays.  
     
     
         7 . A dental x-ray apparatus as in  claim 2 , substantially free of components containing lead.  
     
     
         8 . A dental x-ray apparatus powered by a direct current power supply.