Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient. The system includes a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis and guide means for supporting the drive shaft with its axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed. The guide means has a threaded bore for receiving a drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from the bore. The drive shaft can then be engaged with and disengaged from the guide means by radial displacement of the shaft parallel to its axis. A drill is adapted to be releasably coupled to a leading end portion of the drive shaft and may be a self-drilling implant. Means is provided for rotating the drive shaft in a direction to cause the drill to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient. The system includes a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis and a guide for supporting the drive shaft with its axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed. The guide has a threaded bore for receiving a drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from the bore. The drive shaft can then be engaged with and disengaged from the guide by radial displacement of the shaft parallel to its axis. A drill is adapted to be releasably coupled to a leading end portion of the drive shaft and may be a self-drilling implant. Rotating the drive shaft causes the drill to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient. The system includes a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis and guide means for supporting the drive shaft with its axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed. The guide means has a threaded bore for receiving a drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from the bore. The drive shaft can then be engaged with and disengaged from the guide means by radial displacement of the shaft parallel to its axis. A drill is adapted to be releasably coupled to a leading end portion of the drive shaft and may be a self-drilling implant. Means is provided for rotating the drive shaft in a direction to cause the drill to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a dental implant comprises a body portion and a head portion. The body portion includes a tip portion which is remote from the head portion, a lead thread portion adjacent the tip portion, an intermediate thread portion adjacent the lead thread portion and a distal thread portion which is adjacent to the head portion. The dental implant further includes a central bore within the head portion. There is a thread within the bore for receiving a dental prosthesis. The tip portion comprises at least one cutting edge for cutting bone as the implant is rotated. The body portion includes at least one flute. The flute has a first end adjacent to the at least one cutting edge for assisting removal of bone cuttings from the cutting edge. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the implant includes at least two cutting edges and at least two flutes.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus to guide a dental drill to drill a bore into which a dental implant may be inserted at a particular axis. The dentist first takes an impression of a selected patient's dental arch. The cast dental arch is then formed from the impression. A dental professional then determines the desired location of the desired axis. A proxy implant having a proxy axis is placed in the cast dental arch with the proxy axis co-incident with the desired location of the desired axis. A stent is then formed of the tooth crowns from the cast dental arch. The stent has incorporated into it a locating barrel. A drill head with a drill alignment arm is provided to the dentist for fixation to a dental drill hand piece. The kit of parts provided to the dentist includes the stent with its incorporated locating barrel. The drill alignment arm provided to the dentist for attachment to the drill head and a plurality of drills.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a dental implant comprises a body portion and a head portion. The body portion includes a tip portion which is remote from the head portion, a lead thread portion adjacent the tip portion, an intermediate thread portion adjacent the lead thread portion and a distal thread portion which is adjacent to the head portion. The dental implant further includes a central bore within the head portion. There is a thread within the bore for receiving a dental prosthesis. The tip portion comprises at least one cutting edge for cutting bone as the implant is rotated. The body portion includes at least one flute. The flute has a first end adjacent to the at least one cutting edge for assisting removal of bone cuttings from the cutting edge. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the implant includes at least two cutting edges and at least two flutes.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus to guide a dental drill to drill a bore into which a dental implant may be inserted at a particular axis. The dentist first takes an impression of a selected patient's dental arch. The cast dental arch is then formed from the impression. A dental professional then determines the desired location of the desired axis. A proxy implant having a proxy axis is placed in the cast dental arch with the proxy axis co-incident with the desired location of the desired axis. A stent is then formed of the tooth crowns from the cast dental arch. The stent has incorporated into it a locating barrel. A drill head with a drill alignment arm is provided to the dentist for fixation to a dental drill hand piece. The kit of parts provided to the dentist includes the stent with its incorporated locating barrel. The drill alignment arm provided to the dentist for attachment to the drill head and a plurality of drills.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly is provided that includes a tone wheel fixedly connected to a wheel axle so as to rotate with the wheel axle and a wheel bearing cap that is mounted over the end of the wheel axle such that the tone wheel freely rotates within a cavity defined by the wheel bearing cap. The wheel bearing cap further includes a sensor element that is molded to a mounting member that is integral with the wheel bearing cap. When the wheel bearing cap is connected to mating components of the wheel bearing assembly, the sensor element is positioned adjacent data generating sections that are disposed on the tone wheel to detect rotary and angular motions.

Abstract: A kit of assemblable components for implantation into the bone of a mammal for use in distraction osteogenesis. The kit comprises a fixture, a footing and a distracter, the fixture including a longitudinally extending body portion with a proximal end and a distal end, the body portion having an exterior surface adapted for contact and integration with bone tissue, the body portion having a generally longitudinally extending bore extending from a proximal opening adjacent the proximal end to a distal opening adjacent the distal end. The footing includes a proximal surface and a distal surface. The distracter comprises a generally rod-shaped body including a distal end and a proximal end, and the proximal end of the distracter is adapted to bear against the footing. There are first and second engaging means on the fixture and the distracter respectively for adjustably locating the fixture relative to the distracter.