Therapeutic tooth bud ablation
Ablation probe tips ( 108, 148, 320, 360 ) and physical and virtual stents ( 110 ) for use in tooth bud ablation procedures that result in tooth agenesis as well as tooth bud ablation methods are described herein.
1 . A system including an ablation probe tip and a virtual stent, said ablation probe tip configured for use in tooth ablation procedure, said ablation probe tip for use with an ablation probe unit, said system comprising:
(a) said ablation probe tip having a shaft, said shaft having an insertion end for inserting into tissue and a connection end for connecting said ablation probe tip to said ablation probe unit, said ablation probe tip having a center of ablation;
(b) said virtual stent having a display and configured for displaying at least one virtual surgical guide angle marking and at least one virtual stop marking, said ablation probe tip being guidable at a pre-defined angle shown on said display as said at least one virtual surgical guide angle marking, said pre-defined angle being a three-dimensional angle;
(c) said ablation probe tip being depth limited by at least one stop indicator to a pre-defined depth, said at least one stop indicator shown on said display as said at least one virtual stop marking; and
(d) a representation of said ablation probe tip being displayed on said display, said ablation probe tip being guidable at said pre-defined angle by said at least one virtual surgical guide angle marking and to said pre-defined depth by said at least one stop indicator;
wherein said center of ablation is within tissue to be ablated when said ablation probe tip is guided at said pre-defined angle to said pre-defined depth.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said ablation probe tip is a sensored ablation probe tip.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said ablation probe tip is a sensored ablation probe tip having a movement sensor.
4 . The system of claim 1 , said center of ablation positioned between said insertion end and said connection end.
5 . The system of claim 1 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a visual indicator.
6 . The system of claim 1 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by an audible indicator.
7 . The system of claim 1 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a tactile indicator.
8 . The system of claim 1 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a combination of at least two indicators selected from selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a visual indicator;
(b) an audible indicator; and
(c) a tactile indicator.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said ablation procedure is a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis by inserting said insertion end into a tooth bud.
10 . A system including an ablation probe tip and a virtual stent, said ablation probe tip configured for use in tooth ablation procedure, said ablation probe tip for use with an ablation probe unit, said system comprising:
(a) said ablation probe tip having a shaft, said shaft having an insertion end for inserting into tissue and a connection end for connecting said ablation probe tip to said ablation probe unit, said ablation probe tip having a center of ablation;
(b) said virtual stent having a display and configured for displaying at least one virtual surgical guide angle marking, said ablation probe tip being guidable at a pre-defined angle shown on said display as said at least one virtual surgical guide angle marking; and
(c) a representation of said ablation probe tip being displayed on said display, said ablation probe tip being guidable at said pre-defined angle by virtual surgical guide angle markings displayed on said display.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said ablation probe tip is a sensored ablation probe tip.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said ablation probe tip is a sensored ablation probe tip having a movement sensor.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said ablation procedure is a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis by inserting said insertion end into a tooth bud.
14 . The system of claim 10 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a visual indicator shown on said display as said at least one virtual stop marking.
15 . The system of claim 10 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by an audible indicator.
16 . The system of claim 10 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a tactile indicator.
17 . The system of claim 10 , said ablation probe tip being depth limited by stop information to a pre-defined depth, said stop information being provided by a combination of at least two indicators selected from selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a visual indicator;
(b) an audible indicator; and
(c) a tactile indicator.
18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said pre-defined angle is a three-dimensional angle.