Patents Examined by Matthew Nelson
  • Patent number: 8562341
    Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Gold Standard Instruments, LLC
    Inventor: Neill Hamilton Luebke
  • Patent number: 8556624
    Abstract: The present invention provides an orthodontic appliance having a load applying mechanism. To correct malocclusion, the load applying mechanism may include a projection fixed to the specified tooth in the teeth so as to project from the specified tooth in the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Teruko Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kamioka, Taiji Adachi, Shogo Fukushima, Takumi Sakimura
  • Patent number: 8523567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable dental implant bar system. There is provided a dental implant bar which can be adjusted and which may have articulated and telescopic arms and which can be further secured to implant heads already installed in the patient's mouth or alternatively on a manufactured model made with computerized surgical simulation software or using a conventional dental printing system with transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Allaire
  • Patent number: 8517731
    Abstract: A supply pipe for connecting an instrument for dental or surgical use to a control and supply unit contains fluid conduits and electric lines and includes at a front end a universal coupling for connecting different types of the instrument in a removable manner to part or all of the conduits and lines. The universal coupling includes fluid connectors coupled to conduits and electric connectors coupled to lines, wherein each of the connectors occupies a place on a front face of the universal coupling. The supply pipe contains at least one additional electric line including an additional conductor which is not coupled to one of the electric connectors, but to one of the fluid connectors of the universal coupling, wherein the dual function connector is arranged to provide a choice between a fluid connection, an electric connection or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bien-Air Holding SA
    Inventor: Vincent Mosimann
  • Patent number: 8491300
    Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Zila, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Ziemba
  • Patent number: 8485816
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Each of the side channels has an archwire retaining ridge extending gingivally-occlusally along the adjacent side of the bracket base between the two retaining regions of the channel. For each channel, its retaining ridge exerts a force on a portion of an archwire facing away from the archwire portion residing in the recesses of the retaining regions of the channel. The force on the archwire is directed toward the interiors of the recesses of the retaining regions for assisting in seating the archwire in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventor: Aldo Macchi
  • Patent number: 8475166
    Abstract: An upper denture release apparatus and method of use. A denture puller has a chin rest, arm attached to the chin rest, and a hook attached to an end of the arm opposite the chin rest. An upper denture has a notch sized and located to admit the hook when a wearer's chin rests on the chin rest. The method includes the steps of resting a wearer's chin on the chin rest, inserting the hook into the upper denture notch, and opening the wearer's mouth, thus pulling the upper denture off the wearer's upper gum. Arm length adjustment is shown, whereby the denture puller may be adjusted to fit differently-sized upper denture wearers. Preferred hook declination, hook toe, arm and notch floor angles are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Maurice LaMee
  • Patent number: 8439679
    Abstract: The invention is an extractor for roots of broken teeth. This extractor has a square head spiral. That square head spiral has a spiral anchor and a square head with optional depressions in the sides of that square head. In that square head opposite the spiral anchor is a threaded hole. Included is a generally cubical square head socket with a lower square opening. There is a centrally located passage through the top of that generally cubical square head socket. The invention also has a thumb screw device with a rotator knob part and a threaded section. In operation the square head spiral anchor is screwed into the patient's broken tooth and the cubical square head socket is placed over the square head. The rotator knob part is threaded into the square head threaded hole. The extractor for roots of broken teeth is ready to remove the root of the broken tooth. The square head socket may have an extension. The invention includes a process for removing roots of broken teeth using the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Theodore John Hoke, III, Niles A. Syska
  • Patent number: 8435031
    Abstract: A new and useful orthodontic clasp that is more resistant to breakage, and when in use is unlikely to separate from its associated orthodontic appliance should breakage occur, comprising two metal wires crossed at an angle and held together with a weld/solder joint, said weld/solder joint having four wire segments extending from said two metal wires crossed at the weld/solder joint, two of said wire segments adjacent and longer in length and two of said wire segments adjacent and shorter in length, said four wire segments each having a clasp wire bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: William M. Hang
  • Patent number: 8398396
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a drill template, comprising: a base body made by casting or rapid prototyping; at least one reinforced portion made by casting or rapid prototyping; and at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion made by drilling or milling. furthermore, the present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a drill template, comprising the steps of: forming a base body by casting or rapid prototyping; forming at least one reinforced portion by casting or rapid prototyping; and forming at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion by drilling or milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Straumann Holding AG
    Inventor: Matteo Taormina
  • Patent number: 8371850
    Abstract: A device for forming a bone bed for dental implants having a head composed of crystal of partially stabilized zirconium dioxide with a nanostructure having a crystallographic axis that coincides with the axis of the bone bed forming device. The head has cutting elements formed as a rotatable plate. The plate has two broad facets formed by circular arcs that are convex relative to the axis of bone bed forming device. Transition from one of the convex circular arc to another convex circular arc is smoothed by circular arcs that are concave relative to the axis of bone bed forming device. Grooves form first and second cutting members with narrow facets of the plate. The head has an end part shaped as a truncated sphere possessing a recess formed by two planes arranged at an angle of 90° relative to each other and passing through the truncated sphere center and two points belonging to two diagonally arranged plate ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mikhail A. Borik, Vladimir P. Voitsitskiy, Maria A. Vishniakova, Elena E. Lomonova, Viacheslav V. Osiko, Lev V. Chilikin
  • Patent number: 8333587
    Abstract: A template for drilling channels in a dental alveolar ridge to receive dental implants wherein interchangeable drilling guides are precisely located in a manner that each channel is formed with successive drills that are guided in the same predetermined location, axial inclination and penetration depth in the alveolar ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Mark K. Jamison
  • Patent number: 8282395
    Abstract: An abutment clip for use in a dental implant system for orienting an abutment relative to features on a patient's teeth and jawbone so that a prosthesis, which is attachable to the abutment, will be correctly oriented. The abutment clip comprises a housing that includes a chamber sized to receive the abutment therein. The housing has at least one position indicator provided at one end thereof. The dentist engages the abutment clip over the abutment when it is still attached to a manufacturer's plaster model. He notes the position of the indicator on the housing in reference to features on the model and then detaches the abutment clip, abutment and abutment screw as a unit from the model. The combined abutment clip, abutment and screw are then positioned on an implant post in the patient's jaw bone and the position indicator is used to verify the orientation of the abutment before it is secured to the implant post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Pure Dental Logic Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Schaffran, Andy Doug-Lun Wong, Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 8272868
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8257083
    Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb, Alexis C. Goolik
  • Patent number: 8246347
    Abstract: Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Todd I. Oda
  • Patent number: 8206153
    Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary B. Suttin, Bruce Berckmans, III, T. Tait Robb
  • Patent number: 8186999
    Abstract: A system comprises a computer appliance designed to receive, and to present on screen, first information transmitted from identification equipment and based on detection of a jaw bone structure. Modification information which can be introduced into the computer appliance shows a visual dental bridge structure applied on the jaw bone structure with associated teeth and dentine. Orientations for implants are also shown. The computer appliance produces a CAD file which is based on the first information and the modification information. The file is received in a stereolithography machine which issues second information which can be processed in the equipment for production of the physical template which includes through-bores for sleeves which define implant orientation. A working model is produced with the aid of the physical template. The invention also relates to an arrangement of a template produced by stereolithography and by means of information from the computer appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG
    Inventors: Matts Andersson, Izidor Brajnovic, Andreas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 8177556
    Abstract: A healing abutment includes a main body portion and a coupling portion. The main body portion has an inclined section that is inclined such that at least a part of a gum contact portion that contacts a gum when coupled to a fixture that is implanted into an alveolar bone has an outer diameter that decreases from a lower end toward an upper end. The coupling portion is coupled to the main body portion to detachably couple the main body portion to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Megagen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Bum Park, Cheol-Woong Jeong
  • Patent number: 8156602
    Abstract: A device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The device may be a toothbrush that generates chemical agents in a user's mouth by applying an electrical potential to an electrolyte such as saliva and/or a dentifrice located therein. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The toothbrush may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The toothbrush may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo J. Jimenez, Robert Dickson, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Heng Cai, Sharon Kennedy, Thomas Mintel, Bruce M. Russell