Abstract: An approach is disclosed that involves creating an implant-supported prosthesis that is dynamically guided into position using an image-guided navigation system into position in a patient’s mouth without the use of a surgical guide.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that involves creating an implant-supported prosthesis that is dynamically guided into position using an image-guided navigation system into position in a patient's mouth without the use of a surgical guide.

Abstract: A method for referencing a tracking system's coordinate frame to a rigid body's coordinate frame is disclosed. The method involves obtaining a 3D model depicting some of the surfaces of the rigid body. A probe is provided with an affixed tracking reference component. A second tracking reference component is attached to the rigid body. The method involves tracking locations of the probe as it moves along surfaces of the rigid body and then determining a transform that relates the probe locations to the 3D model of the rigid body. In one embodiment the rigid body is a dental mandible or maxilla of a patient and the 3D model is a surface extracted from a computed tomography image of the patient's jaw and teeth.

Abstract: A navigation and monitoring system to track positions of surgical components during surgery of a patient. Some embodiments include a power source to emit a tracking signal during surgery of the patient, a first sensor mounted to a region of the patient to respond to the emitted tracking signal, and a control unit to track a position of the region relative to a fixed region of the patient as the region moves with respect to the fixed region, based on the response of the first sensor. The system can calibrate and register a movable reference point of the patient relative to a fixed reference point, and can maintain that reference point when the movable reference point moves in space during a surgical process.

Abstract: A visual guidance system for use in a surgical procedure. The system includes an image processing unit programmed to receive a three-dimensional image of a surgical area, information on an instrument being used in the procedure, and a surgical plan including a planned trajectory that the instrument should follow. The image processing unit generates a derived representation of the surgical procedure depicting the movement of the instrument on the three-dimensional image. A graphical guidance indicator is disposed on the three-dimensional image with a center point of the graphical guidance indicator centered on the planned trajectory, the graphical guidance indicator being displayed orthogonal to the planned trajectory. The derived image and the graphical guidance indicator depict at least five degrees of freedom of motion of the instrument. The graphical guidance indicator is changed based on the movement of the instrument in accordance with the surgical plan.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located external to a surgical area for capturing images of optically visible patterns. A processing system receives and processes the images to recognize the patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each pattern relative to a camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset to recognize the patterns.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument within the oral cavity. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located within the oral cavity to provide intraoral images of optically visible patterns within oral cavity. A processing system receives and processes the intraoral images to recognize patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset which defines a reference coordinate system based on alignment to a portion of the oral anatomy. The processing system determines the location and orientation of the tracked instrument based on the reference dataset. In an embodiment, the system includes an oral fixture that is removably attachable to teeth in a patient and is configured to hold one of the cameras.

Abstract: A method for referencing a tracking system's coordinate frame to a rigid body's coordinate frame is disclosed. The method involves obtaining a 3D model depicting some of the surfaces of the rigid body. A probe is provided with an affixed tracking reference component. A second tracking reference component is attached to the rigid body. The method involves tracking locations of the probe as it moves along surfaces of the rigid body and then determining a transform that relates the probe locations to the 3D model of the rigid body. In one embodiment the rigid body is a dental mandible or maxilla of a patient and the 3D model is a surface extracted from a computed tomography image of the patient's jaw and teeth.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located external to a surgical area for capturing images of optically visible patterns. A processing system receives and processes the images to recognize the patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each pattern relative to a camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset which defines a reference coordinate system based on alignment to a portion of the oral anatomy. The processing system determines the location and orientation of the tracked instrument based on the reference dataset.

Abstract: An image guidance system for tracking a surgical instrument within the oral cavity. The image guidance system includes a plurality of cameras adapted to be located within the oral cavity to provide intraoral images of optically visible patterns within oral cavity. A processing system receives and processes the intraoral images to recognize patterns and triangulate the locations and orientations of each camera. The processing system uses a reference dataset which defines a reference coordinate system based on alignment to a portion of the oral anatomy. The processing system determines the location and orientation of the tracked instrument based on the reference dataset. In an embodiment, the system includes an oral fixture that is removably attachable to teeth in a patient and is configured to hold one of the cameras.