Patents Examined by Cris L. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10028811
    Abstract: The system includes a reservoir for fluid; a droplet generator for creating a stream of fluid droplets from the fluid wherein the velocity of the stream of droplets is within a range of 20 meters per second to 200 meters per second and the size of the droplets is within a range of 5 microns to 200 microns. A nozzle or nozzles direct the stream of droplets to safely clean a selected tooth or teeth surface area. The specific momentum of effective fluid droplets within the stream of fluid droplets is important in safe and effective cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Gottenbos, Jozef Johannes Maria Janssen, Marinus Karel Johannes Jager, Adriaan Willem Cense, Paulus Corenlis Duineveld, Jon W. Hayenga, William E. Bryant, Martijn Jeroen Dekker
  • Patent number: 10010351
    Abstract: An implant to be fastened to a tissue, a tool a kit and a method. The implant has a first end, a second end and an elongated shank made in part from a first polymer material. The implant includes a contact surface for receiving external mechanical energy for deforming the shape of the implant such that the shape of the implant can be deformed and locked in the tissue by the effect of the external mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Inion Oy
    Inventors: Pertti Helevirta, Harri Happonen, Timo Pohjonen, Arvi Kruusing
  • Patent number: 10004573
    Abstract: Guidance element for a tooth for interacting with an orthodontic treatment splint, the guidance element having a tooth connection surface as well as at least one engagement surface for engagement in the treatment splint in order to exert orthodontic torques and/or forces onto the tooth during the engagement, and having at least one slot for reception of an orthodontic treatment arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Friedrich Widu
  • Patent number: 10004574
    Abstract: A method and apparatus with auto-inactivation for the lateral expansion or constriction of posterior teeth, anterior advancement or retraction of the anterior teeth, and distal expansion of the molars, bicuspids and canines is described. This system is for correction of the upper dental arch and jaw bone, nasal cavity constriction, or lower dental arch constriction, which helps to resolve the dental malposition, dental crowding, proper room for tongue position, and expansion of nasal cavity for improvement of airway. The appliance includes loaded springs around the wires connected to molar band with connector tubes and female attachments that are extended to the front tube. The spring creates a distalization force on the first and/or second molars, anterior extending force on front teeth including canines and incisors, and lateral expansion for the posterior teeth including, canines, bicuspids and molars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Yousefian
  • Patent number: 9993312
    Abstract: The present application relates to reference body for intraoral scan procedures adapted to be releasably mountable to a dental implant. The reference body comprises a cylindrical body portion extending along a longitudinal axis from an apical end to a coronal end, the apical end abutting the dental implant in a mounted state of the reference body, a coronal end surface defining the coronal end of the reference body, a first radial protrusion protruding from the body portion in a first radial direction, and a second radial protrusion protruding from the body portion in a second radial direction. The first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion have different cross-sectional shapes in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the reference body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Zfx GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Geier
  • Patent number: 9993321
    Abstract: A gauge system for measuring underbite and overbite in ruminants includes a set of elongated generally S-shaped underbite gauge members and an underbite-overbite gauge member of unitary construction, each having an elongated handle portion configured to be gripped in the hand of a user, a first curved portion formed at one end of the handle portion and a second curved portion formed at the opposed end thereof, extending in vertically opposed relation to one another. The first and second curved portions of the underbite gauges and the first curved portion of the underbite-overbite gauge terminate in an underbite measuring tip of different thicknesses for measuring an underbite condition. The second curved portion of the underbite-overbite gauge has a flat rectangular overbite measuring tip that extends forward a distance from the second curved portion and is provided with a metric scale for measuring an overbite condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Juan Fernando Saiz
  • Patent number: 9987100
    Abstract: An electrically safe treatment system for use in treating a patient includes two or more sections coupled with a joint that permits any one section to rotate relative to another coupled section. At least one of the sections includes an electrical component. An electrical contact associated with the joint is designed to maintain an electrical connection between a pair of sections throughout an angular range of motion of one of the sections relative to the other, coupled section. The electrical contact can also maintain a total resistance of a series connection including the two sections and the contact below a specified threshold. Alternatively, one or more insulator joints may be employed to meet safety requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan P. Monty, William H. Groves, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9987200
    Abstract: A photo-chemically activated micro-bubble based root canal disinfection method for disinfecting a shaped root canal comprises (a) introducing a photoactive solution into the root canal, the photoactive solution containing a photoactive compound (such as methylene blue) dissolved in an alcohol carrier solution (such as polyethylene glycol and/or ethanol); (b) removing excess photoactive solution from the root canal; (c) introducing a micro-bubble solution comprised of an oxygen carrier (such as perfluorocarbon), an oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) and a surfactant (such as a nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactant); (d) sonically or ultrasonically activating the micro-bubble solution in the canal; and (e) introducing light into the canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SyACT, LLP
    Inventor: Anil Kishen
  • Patent number: 9987111
    Abstract: The occlusal canting identifying tool includes a frame having an elongated horizontal portion and a pair of parallel side arms movably attached to the horizontal portion at opposite ends thereof. The tool further includes a vertical arm centrally positioned on the front of the horizontal portion and a measuring assembly positioned on the rear of the horizontal portion. The measuring assembly includes a protractor rotatably attached to the rear of the horizontal portion, the protractor being configured to rotate on a horizontal axis in relation to the horizontal portion, and a bite plate connected to the protractor, the bite plate being adjustable forward and backward in relation to the protractor. The patient is instructed to bite on the bite plate, and if occlusal canting is present, the degree of canting is quantified by rotation of the protractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hessah Abdullah M. Alhuwaish, Khalid Abdulrahman A. Almoammar
  • Patent number: 9974633
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oral care and dental implants. In particular, the present invention is a dental implant with a removable protective film that is used to prevent implant loss and remove unwanted residual cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Salinger, Leslie B Heffez
  • Patent number: 9968421
    Abstract: A tooth positioner is combined with a vibrational source, thus speeding orthodontic remodeling. In more detail, the device includes a tooth positioner shaped to closely fit a patient's dentition and apply a straightening force to at least one of said patient's teeth, the tooth positioner contacting labial, lingual and occlusal surfaces of said patient's dentition, the tooth positioner operably connected to a housing enclosing a power source operably connected to a vibratory source, the vibratory source being able to vibrate, thus vibrating the tooth positioner. Methods of using the positioner-vibrator combination are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Bowman, Michael K. Lowe
  • Patent number: 9962242
    Abstract: A dual arch anterior dental impression tray includes a generally opened C-shaped mouthpiece and an insert. The mouthpiece having a left end, a right end, and a back side having a concave surface extending from the left end to the right end, the concave surface including a generally longitudinally extending curved groove, the left end and right end each include a connector. The insert including a front portion having a curved frame, the curved frame includes a left end and a right end, the curved frame fits snugly into the curved groove, the insert includes a mesh material extending from and within an area defined by the curved frame, the curved frame left end and right end each include a connector to connect with a respective mouthpiece connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Simon P. McDonald, Alejandro Aubone
  • Patent number: 9962239
    Abstract: An elastic mounting ring installation tool for connecting braces to brackets attached to the teeth of a patient has a housing with a barrel section, at the front end of which a magazine holder with a magazine provided with elastic rings for placement onto brackets provided on the teeth is arranged for mounting the braces to the teeth by the elastic mounting rings and a rod with wire fingers is movably supported in the barrel section for scooping up the elastic rings and transferring them to tooth brackets of the patient. The magazine holder is supported so as to be movable away from the wire fingers in a direction normal to the axis of the rod for pulling an elastic ring engaged by the wire fingers in a sideward direction for disconnecting the elastic ring from the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Stieven
  • Patent number: 9962240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant fixture, and more particularly, to a dental implant fixture which rotates about a central axis thereof, and thus is inserted into a bone tissue constituted by a cortical bone and a spongy bone to form an artificial tooth root, wherein the dental implant fixture includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is inserted into the cortical bone and has an outer surface with a first screw thread whereon first vertices and first valleys are alternately arranged. The second portion is disposed beneath the first portion and inserted into the spongy bone, has an outer surface with a second screw thread whereon second vertices and second valleys are alternately arranged. The distance between the adjacent second vertices of the second screw thread is larger than the distance between the adjacent first vertices of the first screw thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: OSSTEMIMPLANT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Oh Park, Byung Kook Kim, Mu Young Park, Tae Gwan Eom, Kyoo Ok Choi
  • Patent number: 9962196
    Abstract: A bone screw extension assembly for use in placing a connecting rod percutaneously into tissue of a patient comprises a multi-axial bone screw and a screw extension releasably coupled to yoke of the bone screw. The screw extension includes coaxially disposed outer sleeve and inner sleeves that are rotatable relative to each other. A screw engaging member projects radially from the distal end of the inner sleeve and is configured to engage an extension coupling surface on the outer sleeve upon relative rotation of the inner and outer sleeves. A securement member including cooperative surfaces is defined adjacent the distal end of the inner and outer sleeves that is operable upon relative rotation of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve to radially secure the sleeves together to thereby maintain the engagement of the screw engaging member and the bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SPINE WAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Scott McLean, Steven Seyer
  • Patent number: 9956003
    Abstract: A bone fastener includes a first member having an inner surface defining an implant cavity and at least one mating element. A second member is disposed with the first member and is configured to penetrate tissue. A part is moveable relative to the second member and configured for disposal of an implant. The at least one mating element is engageable such that the first member is moveable relative to the second member to dispose the implant at a desired orientation relative to the second member. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc
    Inventor: Julien J. Prevost
  • Patent number: 9949807
    Abstract: A drill guide for creating a drilled implant hole for a dental implant, and a method for producing the drill guide. The drill guide includes a base part having at least one access opening and at least one sleeve. A first surface of the base part has an impression of a preparation site, and a second surface of the base part opposite the first surface has a support surface. The access opening expands from the second surface to the first surface of the base part. The access opening and the support surface are shaped in such a way that the sleeve can be inserted at least partially into the access opening, and the sleeve, when inserted, rests on the support surface and is positioned and oriented relative to the base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Sascha Schneider
  • Patent number: 9949727
    Abstract: The present invention features an anti-rotation instrument system which could be used in all health professions including medical, dental, and any other specialties. The system includes an anti-rotation instrument device featuring a main handle, a first removable hand grip and a first instrumental tip. The first removable hand grip is attached to a first female screw cavity located on the main handle. One end of the instrumental tip passes through a channel located within first hand grip with an anti-rotation key located on the instrumental tip securely residing within a dent located on a distal end of the first removable hand grip having threading located on an end of the instrumental tip that is subsequently screwed into a first female screw cavity of the main handle such that the first hand grip is tightly sandwiched between the first instrumental tip and main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Hung M. Thai
  • Patent number: 9949809
    Abstract: Non-customized dental treatment trays used to provide a desired treatment are formed from elastomeric silicone or silicone-like material. They may be molded from a two-part liquid silicone composition or a silicone-like TPE material (e.g., preferably SEBS and/or VERSAFLEX™ thermoplastic elastomer). The dental treatment trays possess high adaptability, flexibility, softness, and elastic elongation while also exhibiting resiliency in order to readily conform to the ridges, depressions and contours of a person's teeth during use. The trays possess a greater ability to adhere to a person's teeth compared to non-elastomeric thermoplastic materials. Due to their high adaptability and conformability, the non-customized dental trays behave like a semi-custom dental tray when placed over conformed to a person's teeth, particularly when used in combination with a sticky, viscous treatment composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Lewis, Scot N. Andersen, Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 9943384
    Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body, a slide member, and a resilient member. The slide member is movable relative to the bracket body between an opened position, a first ligating position, and a second ligating position. In the first ligating position and in the second ligating position, a surface of the slide member bounds the archwire slot on a side generally opposite to the base surface to retain the archwire. The resilient member is configured to engage the other of the slide member and the bracket body and has a deformed state for biasing the slide member toward the base surface in at least one of the first and second ligating positions. In the first and second ligating positions, the base surface of the archwire slot and the surface of the slide member are separated by different distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley S. Huang