Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Arthur Lewin

Bernd Nickel

The illustrated embodiment employs a field generator, preferably a magnetic field generator, field flux pick-ups arranged at an interval therefrom, as well as an electronic device for the three-dimensional comprehension and evaluation of electrical signals arising in a field flux or a change of field flux. For displaying random points (P.sub.2 . . . P.sub.n) of the lower jaw (1), means are provided which identify the geometrical attitude of the points with respect to a fixed-body coordinate system (x.sub.o, y.sub.o, Z.sub.o) allocated to the lower jaw whose origin and rotational center is the measuring point (P.sub.1). Further, a coordinate converter is provided which converts the coordinates (x.sub.o, y.sub.o, z.sub.o) related to the lower jaw into the coordinates (.DELTA.x.sub.2, .DELTA.y.sub.22 .DELTA.z.sub.2) of the stationary coordinate system (X, Y, Z). Further, summing amplifiers are provided which add the adjustment magnitudes (.DELTA.x.sub.2, .DELTA.y.sub.2, .DELTA.z.sub.2) of the jaw-related coordinates to the coordinates (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1) of the measuring point (P.sub.1). The device is particularly employed in gnathography.

Device for measuring the location, the attitude and/or a change of

In an exemplary embodiment, a magnetic field generator is arranged directly on the body or at an interval therefrom, and is designed in such manner that it generates a defined irregular field. For determining the field flux, a plurality of magnetic flux pick-ups with magnetic flux-dependent sensor elements are arranged on a carrier at an interval from one another in at least two, preferably in three, planes which stand perpendicular to one another. Moreover, the arrangement is executed in such manner that a free space is formed between the magnetic flux pick-ups corresponding to the intervals therebetween. The device is suited in particular for employment in dental medicine, and, namely, for the determination of lower jaw movements in a patient.

Device for the measurement of the location, the position and/or the

In the illustrated embodiment, a field generator may be arranged on the body or at an interval therefrom, and produces a defined irregular field. For detecting the field flux a first surface with a plurality of sensor elements is provided, at least a part of which is distributed in two lines running parallel to each other and coupled electrically differentially together. At an interval from the first surface there is provided a second surface, parallel thereto, with further, correspondingly arranged sensor lines. The sensor lines of both surfaces run parallel to one another; the differential signals of the line pair of the first surface are electrically differentially linked to the differential signals of the line pair of the second surface. The device is in particular intended for measuring the location, the attitude and/or the change in location or, respectively, attitude of the jaw or of a tooth of a patient. Thus information may be provided with respect to three degrees of freedom of both translational and rotational movement.

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Johannesburg, South Africa

Arthur Lewin