Patent ID: 8382686

Claim:
An apparatus for use in dentistry to obtain positional data related to movement about a maxilla, the apparatus comprising: a support frame; a maxilla member attached to the support frame, the maxilla member to secure the maxilla of the patient in a fixed position; a plurality of electro-mechanical sensor assemblies attached to the support frame, each electro-mechanical sensor assembly including a base fixedly attachable to the support frame, a first gimbal pivotally attached to the base, a second gimbal pivotally attached orthogonally to the first gimbal, a first elongated member attached to the second gimbal, and a second elongated member slidably engageable with the first elongated member; and a mandibular member connected to the second elongated member of each electro-mechanical sensor assembly, the mandibular member positionable proximate the maxilla member, the mandible of the patient securable to the mandibular member, wherein each electro-mechanical sensor detects movement of the mandibular member with three degrees of freedom.