Mandibular motion monitoring system

Patent 4836778 Issued on June 6, 1989. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 26, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3375375

3678283

Apparatus for measuring the angular displacement of a body
Patent #: 4111555
Issued on: 09/05/1978
Inventor: Ellis

Arrangement for locating radiaring sources
Patent #: 4193689
Issued on: 03/18/1980
Inventor: Reymond , et al.

Device for the measurement of the location, the position and/or the change of location or of position of a rigid body in space
Patent #: 4303077
Issued on: 12/01/1981
Inventor: Lewin , et al.

Mandibular motion diagnostic device
Patent #: 4447207
Issued on: 05/08/1984
Inventor: Kataoka , et al.

Kinesiograph sensor array alignment system
Patent #: 4459109
Issued on: 07/10/1984
Inventor: Radke

Device for measuring relative jaw positions and movements Patent #: 4673352
Issued on: 06/16/1987
Inventor: Hansen

Inventors

Assignee

Vexcel Corporation

Application

No. 07/053654 filed on 05/26/1987

US Classes:

433/69, Jaw movement356/139.03, Relative attitude indication along 3 axes with photodetection356/141.5With at least 2-dimensional sensitivity

Examiners

Primary: Wilson, John J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Young; James R.

International Classes

A61C 19/045 (20060101)
A61C 19/04 (20060101)
A61B 19/00 (20060101)

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring, storing and displaying movements of a person's mandible in relation to the cranium, comprises a plurality of infrared LED's securely mounted to the cranium and to the jaw, in immovable relation to the mandible. The location of each LED, as determined by photodiodes as the LED's are sequentially turned on and off, is compared against an established three dimensional system frame of reference and through distinct local frames of reference associated with the cranium and the jaw, respectively, within the system frame of reference. A pointer, also provided with LED's is used to locate specific points on the mandible in reference to the movement described by the LED's attached to the lower jaw. The data is collected, calibrated and stored by a computer for subsequent display and analysis, either alone or in conjunction with a video display of the person's actual head and jaw as the data was taken.

Other References

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