Accuracy of electromagnetic navigation systems

#The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for electromagnetic navigation in dentistry, particularly relates to systems and methods for electromagnetic navigation in dental implant surgery, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for improving the accuracy of electromagnetic navigation systems utilized in dental implant placement.

#Accurate dental implant placement is crucial in dental implant surgery to ensure a precise dental restoration. Accurate dental implant placement may prevent intraoperative damages to critical anatomic structures, such as nerves. Image-guided surgical placement of dental implants may be utilized to improve the accuracy of placement of dental implants, which in turn improves the accuracy of dental restoration.

#In an image-guided surgical placement of dental implants, a computed tomography (CT) or a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of an oral cavity of a patient may be uploaded to a navigation software of a surgical navigation system. The surgical navigation system may then be utilized for tracking a tip of a surgical tool during surgery and mapping the tracked tip of the surgical tool on the uploaded CT or CBCT, which may allow a surgeon to visually observe and follow the tip of the surgical tool in real time. A tracking reference component may be attached to a surgical tool that may allow its position and orientation to be tracked. Another tracking reference component may be fixed to a tooth, gum, or jawbone of a patient that may allow determining the position and orientation of a patient's head, i.e., a surgical site.

#The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electromagnetic navigation system for dental implant placement, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an electromagnetic navigation system for dental implant placement, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

#In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings related to the exemplary embodiments. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

#The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be plain to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown but is to be accorded the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

#The present disclosure is directed to exemplary systems and exemplary methods for robust electromagnetic navigation in dental implant surgery. An exemplary electromagnetic navigation system may include a field generator, at least one electromagnetic sensor, and a control unit. An exemplary field generator may be utilized for generating a magnetic field through a tracking volume at a site of surgery. A magnetic field generated by an exemplary field generator may allow for localizing and tracking exemplary electromagnetic sensors mounted on surgical tools and exemplary electromagnetic sensors inside an oral cavity of a patient within the generated magnetic field.