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CustusX

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CustusX — Open Platform for Image-Guided Surgery and Dental Planning Context and Background CustusX is an open-source navigation and visualization platform created for image-guided surgery. It was first used in neurosurgery, but the framework also supports dental and maxillofacial procedures. By combining DICOM data with 3D navigation, it helps surgeons prepare and follow operations more accurately. In dentistry, it is mainly applied in implant planning and jaw reconstruction, especially in acad

  • OS: Windows / Linux / macOS
  • Size: 33 MB
  • Version: 3.0.2
  • Download: 73 stars
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CustusX — Open Platform for Image-Guided Surgery and Dental Planning

Context and Background

CustusX is an open-source navigation and visualization platform created for image-guided surgery. It was first used in neurosurgery, but the framework also supports dental and maxillofacial procedures. By combining DICOM data with 3D navigation, it helps surgeons prepare and follow operations more accurately. In dentistry, it is mainly applied in implant planning and jaw reconstruction, especially in academic and research hospitals that want advanced guidance without commercial software costs.

Core Capabilities

Area Details
Platform Windows, Linux
Functions Navigation, 3D visualization, segmentation, tracking
Dental focus Implant placement, jaw surgery, orthodontic case planning
Deployment Local installation; modular open-source platform
Database Reads DICOM and supports additional 3D data formats
License Open-source (BSD-style)
Audience Hospitals, universities, research labs with surgical units
Security Local use; supports secure data transfer from PACS

Practical Scenarios

– A surgical team uses CustusX for implant placement, combining CBCT data with navigation tools in the operating room.
– Dental students learn about image-guided planning in university labs.
– Research groups extend the system with new modules for maxillofacial simulation.

Workflow Integration

CustusX loads DICOM from scanners and links it with navigation hardware for guided procedures. Models and visualizations can be exported for reports or used with CAD/CAM systems. In dental setups, screenshots and planning data are often attached to EMRs like MedKey Dental or GaiaEHR, keeping surgical guidance connected with patient records.

Strengths and Weak Points

Strengths:

– Open-source and extendable.
– Supports advanced image-guided surgery workflows.
– Good fit for research hospitals and training environments.
– Handles DICOM and 3D formats.

Weak Points:

– Complex setup; requires technical staff.
– Interface is not designed for everyday dental practice.
– Mostly research-driven, limited commercial support.

Why It Matters

CustusX brings image-guided navigation into open-source software. For dentistry, it means better planning and safer execution of implants and reconstructions. While it is more suited to hospitals and universities than small clinics, its availability makes advanced surgical guidance accessible without the high price of commercial systems.

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