Abstract: This invention relates to any operating pointer or arm apparatus whose position can be detected and read out on a computer and associated graphics display, and where the pointer can be changed from its pointer function to a "3D mouse" so as to alternately by use control the functionality of the computer as in calibration and display features. Specific embodiments of the invention are given, and one of them is a neurosurgical operating arm which has electronic readout for coupling to a computergraphic display which shows the position of the arm relative to patient anatomy. In one embodiment, the arm has five angular degrees of freedom to achieve a pointer position anywhere in space, at any angle. Electronic readout from the arm positions and joint angles are assimilated into a computegraphic display system. The display system displays anatomical image data taken from the patient with modern imaging techniques.

Abstract: A device for measuring the remaining portion of an alveolar bone is presented. The device comprises two elongated straight portions having each a leg portion. The elongate portions are connected to each other in slidable fashion similar to a caliper. The leg portions have width measuring probes which extend towards each other perpendicular to the leg portions. The widths measuring probes are arranged to penetrate the gum and contact opposite sides of the alveolar bone where by the the distance between the ends of the probes can be measured. The device also has a level measuring probe which extends from one of the elongate portions between the leg portions down towards the width measuring probes. The length measuring probe also penetrates the gum and measures how far down from the top of the alveolar bone, the width measuring probes are measuring.

Abstract: An oral hygiene system includes a probe for use as a clinical measuring instrument or gauge. The probe is adapted for assessing the degree of inflamation of various animal tissues. One embodiment of the probe is useful for examination of periodontal tissues, particularly the determination of pocket depths and the degree of gingivitis. The probe has a needle member affixed orthogonally to one end of its head, and the other end of the head mounts in a handle. Between the two ends of the head there are thin resilient members adapted for transmitting an appropriate force to the tip of the needle during measurement of the depth of the pocket. Another needle member has upper and lower ends. At the lower end, there is a hemispherical tip having an angular bevel facing toward the upper end of the needle so as to form an equatorial rim about the tip. There are calibration marks extending from the tip of the needle.

Abstract: A dental surface tracer includes a probe with a tip that can be moved to trace a given dental surface, including a mounting device for mounting the tracer to a stable reference location and defining a base plane; a first plurality of links which are substantially coplanar and define a plane of movement; the links being pivotably attached to the mounting device so that the plane of movement makes a variable angle with the base plane; a distal one of the first plurality of links being movable in two dimensions within the plane of movement; circuitry for generating electrical signals representative of movements of the probe tip, as a function exclusively of movements of the first plurality of links; a dental handpiece supporting the probe; and a second plurality of links which hold the handpiece and are attached to the first plurality of links; the second plurality of links holding the probe tip at all times at a fixed location in the plane of movement with respect to the distal link of the first plurality of li

Abstract: Apparatus for digitizing the contour of a three-dimensional surface of an object includes a handle, a probe carried by the handle and movable along three independent axes to contact sample points on the three-dimensional surface, and a positional sensor for sensing the position of the handle along the three axes and for outputting positional values. The probe includes an arm deflectable during the movement of the probe, which deflections are sensed by a sensor. A digital processor processes the positional values only when one of the deflection sensors senses a deflection in its respective arm above a predetermined threshold value, and modifies the positional values by the deflection values.

Abstract: Two small portable measuring instruments, particularly useful as dental implements, comprises a housing, a stem displaceable within a bore in the housing, a fingerpiece coupled to one end of the stem and engageable by the user for displacing the stem, the opposite end of the stem being displaceable through an opening in the housing, an electrical measuring circuit for measuring the displacement of the stem, and a display for displaying the displacement of the stem. One embodiment, is described wherein the instrument is used as a dental probe for measuring the depth of a dental pocket, and a second embodiment is described wherein the instrument is used to measure the mobility of a tooth.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring torque in a rectangular or square orthodontic arch wire wherein the orthodontic arch wire is held relative to the torque indicator scale in such a manner that the presence and amount of torque in the orthodontic arch wire can be determined directly from the torque indicator scale.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for measuring the height and width of a dental surface and for placement of a bracket at an exact position with respect to the dental surface. A first pair of opposing jaws are movable for measuring the long axis of the tooth. A second pair of opposing jaws are provided for measuring the mesio-distal width of the tooth. A pair of arms are confrontingly biased and can be spread apart to grasp opposing sides of the bracket for retaining the bracket prior to placement and for subsequent release of the bracket after placement. The instrument can be included within a servo mechanism for automatic control of the placement of the bracket at a calculated position. By integrating the system with a computer, the computer can provide an image of the tooth whereby the bracket placement can be predicted on the computer and then through the servo mechanism the instrument can be instructed for proper bracket placement.

Abstract: A dual purpose instrument having parts to measure the width of the nose and parts to measure the vertical distance from the underside of the chin to the underside of the nose, for use in making dentures.

Abstract: A dental measuring apparatus is provided for accurately measuring dentures, models, bite blocks and the like, and comprises a table, a support and a probe. On the table is marked a datum point and a scale indicating distances from the datum point. The probe is movable relative to the support axially of itself towards and away from the datum point. A scale is marked on the support to indicate the height of the probe above the datum point.

Abstract: A periodontal probe and recording apparatus for measuring the depth of a pocket formed by the gum (gingival tissue) surrounding a tooth. The periodontal probe and recording apparatus are comprised of a probe tip with a simplified spring tension device electrically connected via a transducer to the recording apparatus. The probe tip reciprocates via a movable arm in a short, easy to clean, sleeve fixed to a probe handle, wherein the probe tip acts against a constant spring tension. With the probe tip resting on the bottom of the pocket, the periodontal probe handle is pressed toward the pocket until the sleeve touches the margin of the gum forming the pocket. The exposed length of the probe tip represents the depth of the pocket. There is a locking mechanism for locking the tip at the measured depth for visual measurement.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracing the inner periphery of an eyeglass frame lens opening and for producing a set of coordinates each of which coordinate set describes a sensed position along the traced path. The eyeglass frame is positioned on an overhead bridge and a stylus held by a stylus holding fixture engages the eyewire groove of the lens opening and is used as a guide to move the fixture along the traced path. Encoding arms are coupled to the fixture and drive respective associated rotary encoders whose outputs represent the distance each arm has moved from a first to a second sensed location along the path. A computer operates in accordance with an instruction set to generate coordinates for each of the sensed points along the traced path whereby the set of coordinates characterizes the size and shape of the lens opening.

Abstract: Vertical dimension of occlusion, i.e. the vertical dimension of the face with the posterior teeth fitting tightly together, is readily determined by a method comprising first measuring the distance between the external auditory meatus and the lateral corner of the occular orbit, making an adjustment in the first measurement to arrive at the factored distance and then positioning the mandible so that the distance between the nasal spine and the anterior part of the undersurface of the mandible corresponds to the factored distance. Gauging devices are disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the distance between two points in a patient undergoing dental diagnosis or treatment which includes a housing having an end which is placeable adjacent a first of said points. A distance measurement apparatus is coupled to the housing and provides an output signal representative of the distance between the two points. An analyzer responsive to the output signal determines the distance. The distance measurement apparatus may include an elongate probe slidably mounted in the housing so as to be extendable from one point to the other when the end of the housing is placed adjacent one said point. A probe actuator causes the probe to slide in the housing. A motion detector is responsive to motion of the probe with respect to the housing and provides an output which is useful for determining the position of the probe with respect to the housing. The probe actuator may be manually activated.

Abstract: Planar electric measuring device that determines the site at which a stylus rests on it and apparatus for multidimensional measuring of jaw or tempero-mandibular movement. This is a simple means of obtaining precise measurements. An electrically conductive surface is positioned below and in contact with the stylus, has connection electrodes applied to it more or less in the form of points, and has perforations in the vicinity of the electrodes.