Sensor Care

Your XDR sensor is a sensitive electronic device, but is engineered to be reasonably sturdy. With proper care, it should provide quality radiographs for several years. Here are some precautions we recommend.

Physical Protection:

1)   Avoid shock to the sensor, such as dropping the sensor on hard surfaces. Instruct patients not to bite on the sensor plate. Avoid sensor positioning that invites such biting. 

2)   Instruct patients not to bite on the sensor cord. Avoid sensor positioning that invites such biting.

3)    Avoid kinking or over-bending the sensor cord; the cord should not be bent more tightly than the curvature of a nickel. Precautions include exercising care whenever uncoiling the cord, using more than one hook (if hanging the cord on a wall or door), and (if storing the cord in a drawer) making sure the cord is entirely inside before closing the drawer.

4)   Avoid pulling hard on the sensor cord where it attaches to the sensor, and avoid use of rubber barriers. If hanging the sensor and cord on a hook, avoid supporting them by the sensor plate, since this invites accidental tugging of the cord from the sensor plate.

Electrical Protection

5)     Watch for static discharge. Static electricity strong enough to shock people is a danger to the
sensor.

Chemical Protection

6)     “Never expose the sensor’s USB connector to any liquids.

Temperature Protection

7)     Never place the sensor in a heat sterilizer.

Infection Control

Since heat sterilization will damage the intra-oral sensor unit, alternate methods of contamination control should be employed.

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have established guidelines regarding barrier technique for infection control. The ADA has specifically recommended the use of protective coverings for x-ray equipment and films. Therefore we recommend that you encase the sensor (and the portion of the cable contacting the patient) in a clean disposable plastic cover, separately with each patient use. The same barrier technique should be practiced for the computer keyboard, mouse or any object that might come in contact with the patient and the operator. As a further precaution, the sensor should be disinfected according to ADA’s and CDC’s recommendations on heat sensitive equipment. E2V recommends wiping or swabbing with a non-abrasive lint-free cloth or wipe (or immersion) using 2% glutaraldehyde in water.

The sensor holder (e.g. Rinn, Snap-a-Ray, Eezee Grip, TrollByte) should be sterilized between patients according to the ADA’s and CDC’s currently recommended heat or cold sterilization procedures.