Abstract: Aligning a drill bit for preparing a bore to receive a dental implant. Using a frame to position cartridges, the frame fitting patient anatomy and having a chamber to receive cartridges. Creating an initial cartridge with an opening to receive a guide sleeve. Optionally, mounting at least one measuring device assembly onto the initial assembly so that measuring device assembly takes measurements with a known relationship to the initial linear trajectory. Using the measurements to enhance a model of the surgical site and to select a surgical linear trajectory for a surgical bore to stay within bone found at the surgical site. Placing a surgical cartridge into the chamber; and placing a guide sleeve in the surgical cartridge with the guide sleeve oriented along the surgical linear trajectory to constrain a drilling trajectory of a drill bit along the surgical trajectory. Many variations disclosed.

Abstract: Obtaining information about anatomy relative to a specific linear trajectory into a patient's jawbone using a base unit such as a frame located coronally to a proposed point of entry, the base unit having an open passageway. Placing an instrument guide such as a guide sleeve into the base unit or a cartridge placed in the base unit and precluding rotation of the instrument guide; the instrument guide positioned so that a centerline of the instrument guide is aligned with the specific linear trajectory. Mounting an instrument assembly upon the instrument guide so that the instrument assembly cannot rotate and using the instrument assembly to obtain information about patient's anatomy relative to the specific linear trajectory. Alternatively, the instrument guide may be omitted and an end of the instrument assembly placed directly into an opening in the base unit or a cartridge in the base unit. The instrument assembly may be used to obtain X-ray images.

Abstract: Aligning a drill bit for preparing a bore to receive a dental implant. Using a frame to position cartridges, the frame fitting patient anatomy and having a chamber to receive cartridges. Creating an initial cartridge with an opening to receive a guide sleeve. Optionally, mounting at least one measuring device assembly onto the initial assembly so that measuring device assembly takes measurements with a known relationship to the initial linear trajectory. Using the measurements to enhance a model of the surgical site and to select a surgical linear trajectory for a surgical bore to stay within bone found at the surgical site. Placing a surgical cartridge into the chamber; and placing a guide sleeve in the surgical cartridge with the guide sleeve oriented along the surgical linear trajectory to constrain a drilling trajectory of a drill bit along the surgical trajectory. Many variations disclosed.