SYSTEMS FOR ASCERTAINING PROXIMITY OF AN ORAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT TO A MANDIBULAR CANAL AND METHODS OF PROTECTING A MANDIBULAR CANAL FROM DAMAGE DURING AN ORAL SURGICAL PROCEDURE

摘要

Systems for ascertaining proximity of an oral surgical instrument to a mandibular canal and methods of protecting a mandibular canal from damage during an oral surgical procedure are disclosed. The method includes transmitting (130) acoustic energy into canal (38), collecting (132) data pertaining to the acoustic energy using ultrasonic receiver (108) and stopping progress of drill (70) when collected data reaches a predetermined limit. Stopping may be by issuing (140) a warning. Disclosed systems include ultrasonic transmitter (106), pulser (104), ultrasonic receiver (108), amplifier (110) and indicator (114). System (100) further includes comparator (112) to evaluate received data according to a predetermined rule. Disclosed system (200) further includes analog to digital converter (202) and central processor (CPU) (204).