Method and apparatus to assist in orthognathic surgery

Abstract

This invention is a method and an apparatus to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery. An indicator member when independently inserted into the slot of the teeth indexing member assists in designing and making osteotomies relative to the reference planes.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery comprising: 
 (a) a teeth indexing member; and    (b) an indicator member having a light projector, the indicator member is coupled to the teeth indexing member so that when the teeth indexing member is in position on the patient's teeth, the light projector can indicate or make an osteotomy on the jaw of the patient.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the teeth indexing member comprises: 
 (a) a plate with a horizontal slot having a top surface; and  
 (b) a tooth indexable top surface.  
 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1  in which the indicator member comprises: 
 (a) a handle having a coupling blade that is engaged with the teeth indexing member; and  
 (b) a pointer that is slidably supported in a perpendicular manner by the handle, the light projector is coupled to the pointer.  
 
     
     
         4 . A method to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery comprising: 
 (a) deciding a design for an osteotomy relative to a reference plane;    (b) recording the reference plane on a teeth indexing member;    (c) positioning the teeth indexing member on a patient's teeth; and    (d) indicating an osteotomy on a patient's jaw relative to the reference plane with a light projector.    
     
     
         5 . A method to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery comprising: 
 (a) deciding a design for an osteotomy relative to a reference plane;    (b) recording the reference plane on a teeth indexing member;    (c) positioning the teeth indexing member on a patient's teeth; and    (d) making an osteotomy on a patient's jaw relative to the reference plane.    
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 5  wherein the osteotomy is made with a light projector.  
     
     
         7 . A method to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery comprising: 
 (a) positioning the teeth indexing member on a patient's teeth; and    (b) indicating an osteotomy on a patient's jaw relative to the teeth indexing member.    
     
     
         8  A method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the osteotomy is indicated with a light projector.  
     
     
         9 . A method to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws of a patient during orthognathic surgery comprising: 
 (a) positioning the teeth indexing member on a patient's teeth; and    (b) making an osteotomy on a patient's jaw relative to the teeth indexing member.    
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9  wherein the osteotomy is made with a light projector.