Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a dental tool within an oral cavity for taking and/or updating of a dental impression are described. In some embodiments, a marker, optionally a magnetic marker, is coupled to position movements of a rotatable dental tool. In some embodiments, detected movements of the marker are used, optionally in combination with other tracking data, to map contours which a portion of the rotatable dental tool follows during interaction with a dental surface. Optionally, the interaction occurs during grinding, drilling, and/or other procedures; which may be preparatory, for example, to the manufacture and/or fitting of a dental prosthetic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a dental tool within an oral cavity for taking and/or updating of a dental impression are described. In some embodiments, a marker, optionally a magnetic marker, is coupled to position movements of a rotatable dental tool. In some embodiments, detected movements of the marker are used, optionally in combination with other tracking data, to map contours which a portion of the rotatable dental tool follows during interaction with a dental surface. Optionally, the interaction occurs during grinding, drilling, and/or other procedures; which may be preparatory, for example, to the manufacture and/or fitting of a dental prosthetic.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, by use of which an external fiducial element positioned in the mouth serves as a geometrical constraint on oral arch geometry. In some embodiments, the fiducial element is an oral insert which reaches to a plurality of oral arch regions to present surface details which are in well-defined distance and/or angular relationships to one another. These spatial relationships optionally comprise a spatial frame of reference which serves to constrain reconstruction of the geometry of one or both of the oral arches, for example reconstruction from a collection of digitally registered, partially-overlapping scans made along the oral arch.

Abstract: A method for measuring regions of a tooth in a mouth including: measuring at least one surface point on a surface of the tooth with respect to an element mechanically coupled to said surface point; determining a location of at least one visible reference mechanically coupled to said surface point with respect to said element; estimating a location of said surface point with respect to said visible reference. A device used for such measuring may include a main body comprising a final optical element of an imager which defines an optical field of view directed in a first direction; and a measurement element coupled to said main body extending generally in said first direction; where a tip of said measurement element is sized and shaped to be inserted between a tooth and adjacent gingiva; where said optical field of view is sized to image at least part of a tooth.

Abstract: A method for measuring regions of a tooth in a mouth including: measuring at least one surface point on a surface of the tooth with respect to an element mechanically coupled to said surface point; determining a location of at least one visible reference mechanically coupled to said surface point with respect to said element; estimating a location of said surface point with respect to said visible reference. A device used for such measuring may include a main body comprising a final optical element of an imager which defines an optical field of view directed in a first direction; and a measurement element coupled to said main body extending generally in said first direction; where a tip of said measurement element is sized and shaped to be inserted between a tooth and adjacent gingiva; where said optical field of view is sized to image at least part of a tooth.

Abstract: A method for measuring regions of a tooth in a mouth including: measuring at least one surface point on a surface of the tooth with respect to an element mechanically coupled to said surface point; determining a location of at least one visible reference mechanically coupled to said surface point with respect to said element; estimating a location of said surface point with respect to said visible reference. A device used for such measuring may include a main body comprising a final optical element of an imager which defines an optical field of view directed in a first direction; and a measurement element coupled to said main body extending generally in said first direction; where a tip of said measurement element is sized and shaped to be inserted between a tooth and adjacent gingiva; where said optical field of view is sized to image at least part of a tooth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a delivery system for a medical device includes a flexible sheath defining a lumen having a distal end and a flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A retention element and a pushing element, spaced proximally from the retention element, are disposed on the distal portion. The flexible shaft, retention element, and pushing element are disposable within the lumen. The flexible shaft is movable distally through the lumen between a stowed position and a deployed position and is movable proximally through the lumen between the deployed position and a partially deployed position with the retention element proximate to the distal end of the lumen. The retention element is configured to form with the medical device an interference fit with the flexible sheath when the flexible shaft is urged proximally from the retention position to engage the medical device with the flexible sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method of reducing or blocking blood to a selected blood vessel or a selected part of the wall thereof, particularly for treating an aneurysm, an arteriovenous or dural malformation in a blood vessel, or for devascularizing tumors, by deploying in the blood vessel an expandable member having a contracted condition for manipulation within the blood vessel, and expandable to an expanded condition in the blood vessel for reducing or blocking blood flow through the selected part thereof, thereby promoting coagulation of blood therein, and for preventing thrombus material from being swept downstream, and applying a local stimulus to the interior of the malformation effective to initiate or accelerate coagulation of blood therein. In some described embodiments, the expandable member is a permeable mesh-like tube of biocompatible material, and in other described embodiments, the expandable member is an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A method for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: An implantable device for positioning in the vicinity of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA) into the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the external carotid artery (ECA), comprises a deflecting element suitable to deflect the flow of embolic material flowing in the CCS toward the ICA, into the ECA, without filtering.

Abstract: A method for reducing blood flow to an aneurysm proximate to a bifurcation having a source blood vessel a first branch vessel and a second branch vessel, the method comprising: providing a first mesh-like tube of bio-compatible material, the first mesh-like tube exhibiting a porosity index pre-selected to skew blood flow about the bifurcation away from the aneurysm; inserting the first mesh-like tube into the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel; and securing the first mesh-like tube to at least one of the source blood vessel and the first branch vessel, whereby blood flowing from the source blood vessel flows without undue impedance to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel while being skewed away from the aneurysm.

Abstract: An implantable device for positioning about a blood vessel bifurcation zone to control flow of embolic material around said bifurcation. The device comprises an anchoring element extending within said zone of bifurcation to anchor said device therein, and a deflecting element, associated with said anchoring element, said deflecting element comprising a mesh having a mesh size sufficient to allow passage of blood without hindrance whilst occluding passage of embolic material exceeding a predetermined size.

Abstract: A diverting filter for implantation in the bifurcation of the human common carotid artery (CCA) with the external carotid artery (ECA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), comprising: a tubular body expandable from an initial small-diameter state for manipulation through the CCA to an expanded larger-diameter state for implantation in said bifurcation, the tubular body having an at rest state wherein the tubular body exhibits a diameter greater than the expanded larger-diameter state; the tubular body including a proximal region for implantation in the CCA, a distal region for implantation in the ECA, and a middle filtering region for alignment with the orifice of the ICA for diverting relatively-large emboli in the CCA blood flow to the ECA while minimizing interference to blood flow through both the ICA and the ECA; constituted of between 48 and 56 braided filaments exhibiting an average porosity index of at least 80%.

Abstract: An implantable device for positioning about a blood vessel bifurcation zone to control flow of embolic material around said bifurcation. The device comprises an anchoring element extending within said zone of bifurcation to anchor said device therein, and a deflecting element, associated with said anchoring element, said deflecting element comprising a mesh having a mesh size sufficient to allow passage of blood without hindrance while occluding passage of embolic material exceeding a predetermined size.

Abstract: An implantable filtering device for implanting within an artery supplying blood to the brain, the device being made of bio-compatible material and comprising a filtering unit for entrapping plaque debris, and an anchoring member engageable with the walls of the carotid artery for anchoring said filtering unit at a fixed location with the artery. The filtering unit has a tapering shape extending between a wide inlet portion and a narrower outlet portion extending downstream, and a tap element fitted at the outlet portion for entrapping plaque debris.