Abstract: A method of obtaining and merging volumetric data and surface data of a patient's dentition for use in designing and/or manufacturing a prosthodontic component, such as a drill guide, an implant, or other prosthodontic appliance, for example. A plurality of radio-opaque markers are temporarily secured directly to a patient's dentition. Surface data is then obtained, such as by scanning the patient's dentition with the markers or alternatively, by taking an impression of the patient's dentition with the markers, forming a physical model that includes analogs of the markers, and scanning the physical model. Either before or after the surface data is obtained, an anatomical, volumetric image data set of the patient's dentition is obtained via a volumetric scan of the patient's dentition with the markers appearing in the image data set.

Abstract: A dental drill guide system, including a handpiece guide which interfaces with a custom surgical guide. The custom surgical guide may be designed based on patient-specific data, such as medical images, for example, and fits conformingly over at least a portion of the patient's dentition at the implant site. The handpiece guide is attachable to an existing dental handpiece, and includes a guide protrusion that interfaces with a guide receptacle of the surgical guide to position and guide the movement of the drill along a desired trajectory. The guide receptacle may have a curved shape to allow for varying the position of the handpiece to aid surgeon access in the drilling procedure.

Abstract: A dental drill guide system, including a handpiece guide which interfaces with a custom surgical guide. The custom surgical guide may be designed based on patient-specific data, such as medical images, for example, and fits conformingly over at least a portion of the patient's dentition at the implant site. The handpiece guide is attachable to an existing dental handpiece, and includes a guide protrusion that interfaces with a guide receptacle of the surgical guide to position and guide the movement of the drill along a desired trajectory. The guide receptacle may have a curved shape to allow for varying the position of the handpiece to aid surgeon access in the drilling procedure.

Abstract: A method of obtaining and merging volumetric data and surface data of a patient's dentition for use in designing and/or manufacturing a prosthodontic component, such as a drill guide, an implant, or other prosthodontic appliance, for example. A plurality of radio-opaque markers are temporarily secured directly to a patient's dentition. Surface data is then obtained, such as by scanning the patient's dentition with the markers or alternatively, by taking an impression of the patient's dentition with the markers, forming a physical model that includes analogs of the markers, and scanning the physical model. Either before or after the surface data is obtained, an anatomical, volumetric image data set of the patient's dentition is obtained via a volumetric scan of the patient's dentition with the markers appearing in the image data set.

Abstract: A medication infusion system may include a controller and a reservoir module including a reservoir containing medication to be delivered to an internal wound site via the controller. The controller may have a peristaltic pump driven by a motor to urge medication to flow toward the internal wound site, through a conduit. When the conduit is not tensioned via engagement with the pump, a valve blocks fluid flow to prevent unrestricted flow of medication. The valve may have a tapered plunger separated from an annular valve seat by a portion of the conduit that elongates under tension to enable withdrawal of the plunger from the valve seat. Alternatively, the valve may have features such as a spherical plunger between two annular valve seats, a rigid tubular member biased with respect to the conduit, or an opening in the conduit that moves axially or radially to enable fluid flow.

Abstract: A medication infusion system may include a controller and a reservoir module including a reservoir containing medication to be delivered to an internal wound site via the controller. The controller may have a peristaltic pump driven by a motor to urge medication to flow toward the internal wound site, through a conduit. When the conduit is not tensioned via engagement with the pump, a valve blocks fluid flow to prevent unrestricted flow of medication. The valve may have a tapered plunger separated from an annular valve seat by a portion of the conduit that elongates under tension to enable withdrawal of the plunger from the valve seat. Alternatively, the valve may have features such as a spherical plunger between two annular valve seats, a rigid tubular member biased with respect to the conduit, or an opening in the conduit that moves axially or radially to enable fluid flow.

Abstract: A medication infusion system may include a controller and a reservoir module including a reservoir containing medication to be delivered to an internal wound site via the controller. The controller may have a peristaltic pump driven by a motor to urge medication to flow toward the internal wound site, through a conduit. A blockage sensor disables the motor and provides an alarm if the tube is blocked. The blockage sensor detects distention of a preferentially distendable portion of the tube, which may be routed about a constraining member. When blockage occurs, the tube distends preferentially along a direction generally parallel to the radius about which the tube bends. The blockage sensor may include a variety of switching elements, such as a pushbutton switch, a metal ring encircling the tube to make contact between conductors, and/or a metal bridge bendable to make contact between conductors.