Abstract: A method for guiding the position of a dental drill for implant treatment of a patient, the method acquiring a volume image of patient anatomy; superimposing an image of a planned drill hole on a display of the acquired volume image according to observer instructions to form an implant plan; displaying at least a portion of the implant plan in stereoscopic form on a head-mounted device worn by an observer and tracking patient position so that the displayed portion of the implant plan is registered to the patient anatomy that lies in the observer's field of view; and highlighting the location of the planned drill hole on the head-mounted device display.

Abstract: An apparatus for computed tomography imaging of a patient has a rotatable mount that is actuable to rotate about a rotation axis and that supports, at opposite ends an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, wherein the x-ray source is disposed to direct a radiation beam through the patient and toward the detector. A patient positioning apparatus positions the patient relative to the rotation axis. A control logic processor controls rotation of the rotatable mount and acquires image data for the patient at each of a number of angular positions about the rotation axis. A collimator is disposed in front of the x-ray source and controlled by the control logic processor to center the radiation beam, at each of the plurality of angular positions, on a region of interest that is spaced apart from the rotation axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to manufacture a chip to detect the direct conversion of X-rays. It also relates to a direct conversion detector for X-rays using such a chip and dental radiology equipment using at least one such detector. The method to manufacture the wafer comprises a step for applying pressure (3, 4, 4 a) to a powdered polycrystalline semiconductor material and a step for heating (5-9) during a set time period. It comprises a preliminary step for providing an impurity level of at least 0.2% in the polycrystalline semiconductor material.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalometric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric support mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric patient positioning unit mounted to the cephalometric support can be positioned between an x-ray source of the x-rays and the cephalometric sensor. A cephalometric alignment sight can be mounted to patient positioning unit to provide a visual indication of alignment between the x-ray source and the mounted alignment sight/cephalometric sensors. Exemplary methods are provided that can use such exemplary cephalometric alignment sights and/or install cephalometric functionality to imaging systems using the same.

Abstract: A hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be coupled to the cephalometric mount between the collimator and the cephalometric sensor. The hand positioner device is attached and detached from the cephalometric mount without using tools. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can have an adjustable level of attachment. In one embodiment, a hand positioner device for an extra-oral imaging system can be repeatedly mounted in a plane parallel to an imaging plane of the cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus can obtain a 3D volume image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary dental apparatus and/or method embodiments can provide 3D mesh models of surfaces of the maxillary dental arch and the mandibular dental arch in a 3D volume image obtained from a single extraoral scan of physical casts of the maxillary dental arch and the mandibular dental arch in an occlusal relationship. In one exemplary embodiment, a first 3D mesh model of surfaces of the maxillary dental arch model and a second 3D mesh model of surfaces of the mandibular dental arch model are generated. Then, contact areas where the first 3D mesh model and the second 3D mesh model intersect are removed to separate the first and second mesh models. In another exemplary embodiment, the first 3D mesh model and the second 3D mesh model can be aligned.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging apparatus is intended to obtain a cephalometric image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary apparatus embodiments of cephalometric functionality of such extra-oral imaging apparatus can include a cephalometric support mounted to a base of the imaging system that is configured to position a cephalometric sensor about a cephalometric imaging area so that x-rays impinge the cephalometric sensor after radiating the cephalometric imaging area. A cephalometric collimator can be mounted to a patient positioning unit to provide secondary collimation of the x-ray beam for the cephalometric sensor. Exemplary apparatus and/or method embodiments of the application relates to providing a measurable indication of alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor or the extra-oral imaging apparatus, which can provide a repeatable and/or accurate alignment between a cephalometric collimator and cephalometric sensor.

Abstract: An integral collimator for an extra-oral imaging system that includes a lead plate surrounding an elongated fixed slot aperture and includes a unitary body in substantially continuous contact with an outer surface of the elongated lead plate. The unitary body can include a lower portion surrounding the elongated lead plate and an upper portion, where the upper portion includes a protrusion configured to engage a transport mechanism for translation in a direction orthogonal to a path of the x-ray.

Abstract: A method for forming a surgical guide for a dental patient rotates material about a rotation axis to a first angular position and drills a drill guiding hole using a drilling tool having a drilling tool axis. The drill guiding hole is centered about a guide axis that is orthogonal to the rotation axis. A first planar surface of the guide is formed from the material, wherein the first surface is. oblique to the guide axis. The material is repositioned to orient the first surface orthogonal to the drilling tool. A hole pattern is formed having two or more positioning holes in the first surface, with the pattern corresponding to a pin pattern in a tray that is positionally registered to a dental arch of the patient. A second planar surface of the surgical guide is formed, parallel to the first planar surface.

Abstract: An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus for obtaining an image from a patient has a radiation source and a digital imaging sensor that provides, for each of a number of image pixels, at least a first digital value according to a count of received photons that exceed at least a first energy threshold. A mount supports the radiation source and the digital imaging sensor on opposite sides of the patient's head. There can be a computer in signal communication with the digital imaging sensor for acquiring one or more two-dimensional images.

Abstract: An extra-oral dental imaging apparatus can obtain a radiographic image of a portion of a head of a patient. Exemplary dental apparatus and/or method embodiments can position a subject for dental radiographic imaging by providing a bitable dental arch mounting apparatus to offset the antero-posterior plane of the dental imaging apparatus and the plane of symmetry of the dental arch mounting apparatus. In one embodiment, the offset can be provided by a tilted dental arch mounting apparatus (e.g., relative to the horizontal).

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus for an extra-oral imaging system includes a mount for revolving an x-ray source and an imaging sensor panel about a patient's head and a substantially transparent shield suspended from the mount. The shield has a chin support coupled to the shield and comprises a chin rest and a bite element and a forehead support coupled to the shield and comprises a head rest.

Abstract: A method for generating a mapping of dental occlusion generates a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth (1a, 1b) according to acquired image data. The maxillary and mandibular arches are positioned in opposition in the generated model of the patient's teeth and a meal model (50) generated having characteristics of a foam material. A pressure field distribution for the generated meal model is calculated for one or more pairs of opposed teeth (1a, 1b) from the generated three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth. The calculated pressure field distribution (54) can be displayed.

Abstract: A method for directing image data to a dental treatment site wherein a sensor controller is positioned near a programmed radio-frequency identification device at the dental treatment site. A command entry configures the sensor controller to encode and transmit image data content for delivery to a receiving address, according to information obtained from the radio-frequency identification device. A digital sensor that is associated with the sensor controller is positioned in proximity to a subject. Image data is acquired from the digital sensor and transmitted from the sensor controller to a wireless access point, and from the wireless access point to a host computer at the receiving address. The acquired transmitted image data is stored in a computer-accessible electronic memory.

Abstract: An extra-oral imaging system having a mount supported on a column that is adjustable in height, wherein the mount supports an x-ray source and at least one imaging sensor that are adjustable in height. A column base section remains stationary during height adjustment. A height sensing apparatus has a contact member that contacts a sensor element to provide a signal that is indicative of the height adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an intraoral x-ray image from a patient has an x-ray source and an intraoral image detector comprising one or more detectable elements. One or more sensors are positionally coupled near the x-ray source and are energizable to sense the location of the one or more detectable elements when the intraoral image detector is within the patient's mouth. A control logic processor is in signal communication with the one or more sensors and is responsive to stored instructions for calculating a detector position of the intraoral image detector. A projector is positionally coupled to the x-ray source and is in signal communication with the control logic processor and is energizable to project an image toward the calculated intraoral image detector position in response to signals from the control logic processor.

Abstract: This invention concerns an ultrasonic dental imaging probe (1), typically comprising several transducers (4) arranged to operate as a transmitter and a receiver, and in particular arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves at a frequency of at least 10 MHz, and optionally several transducers (4) arranged to operate as a transmitter and a receiver and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves at a frequency of less than 4 MHz. The transducers are mounted on a flexible support (3), secured to a rigid frame (2) typically in a “U” shape. The invention also concerns a device comprising one such probe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to manufacture a chip to detect the direct conversion of X-rays. It also relates to a direct conversion detector for X-rays using such a chip and dental radiology equipment using at least one such detector. The method to manufacture the wafer comprises a step for applying pressure (3, 4, 4a) to a powdered polycrystalline semiconductor material and a step for heating (5-9) during a set time period. It comprises a preliminary step for providing an impurity level of at least 0.2% in the polycrystalline semiconductor material.

Abstract: A combined imaging apparatus for x-ray imaging of a subject in multiple modes has a supporting structure having an extended rotary arm, wherein the rotary arm has a computed tomography detector and a panoramic imaging detector, both mounted adjacently against a movable platen. A detector positioning apparatus is actuable to translate the position of the movable platen to either of at least first and second positions with respect to an x-ray source. The first position disposes the computed tomography detector in the direct path of an x-ray source and the second position disposes the panoramic imaging detector in the direct path of the x-ray source.

Abstract: A blank for forming a radiographic guide is formed from a material substantially translucent to x-rays and has external surfaces. The blank encases portions of one or more radio-opaque features, wherein the one or more radio-opaque features are embedded within the blank and extend at least between the external surfaces of the blank.