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.

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.