Patents by Inventor Alfred Charles Griffin, III

Alfred Charles Griffin, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240108441
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a body portion for effecting an orthodontic treatment and a base portion affixed to the body portion. The base portion includes a surface defining a plurality of trenches. At least one trench is formed at an acute angle to a gingival surface of the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A. Fafara, Oisin Duggan, Liam McKay, Dylan Winchell
  • Patent number: 11899427
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Patent number: 11890157
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A Fafara
  • Patent number: 11872101
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD bracket structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the bracket with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A. Fafara
  • Patent number: 11774943
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20230195077
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20230018617
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20220378551
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to the methodology of direct manufacture of a customized labial/lingual orthodontic tube by using a ceramic slurry-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. For example, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic tubes by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD tube structure model for a single labial or lingual tube structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD tube structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the tube with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel VanNoy, Dylan Winchell, Kelsey A. Fafara, Oisin Duggan, Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20220378552
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to the methodology of direct manufacture of a customized labial/lingual orthodontic tube by using a ceramic slurry-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. For example, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic tubes by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD tube structure model for a single labial or lingual tube structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD tube structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the tube with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel VanNoy, Dylan Winchell, Kelsey A. Fafara, Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20220378553
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to the methodology of direct manufacture of a customized labial/lingual orthodontic tube by using a ceramic slurry-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. For example, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic tubes by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD tube structure model for a single labial or lingual tube structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD tube structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the tube with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel VanNoy, Dylan Winchell, Kelsey A. Fafara, Oisin Duggan, Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Patent number: 11500354
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Patent number: 11478337
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD bracket structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the bracket with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A. Fafara
  • Publication number: 20220304778
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD bracket structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the bracket with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey Petersen
  • Patent number: 11413117
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A Fafara
  • Publication number: 20220218443
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by additive manufacturing may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a virtual 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure based upon said 3D CAD model, importing data related to the 3D CAD bracket structure model into an additive manufacturing machine, and directly producing the bracket with the additive manufacturing machine by layer manufacturing from an inorganic material including at least one of a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, and a polymer-derived metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A. Fafara
  • Publication number: 20220039917
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide improved techniques for creating custom lingual or labial ceramic orthodontic brackets, and which provides the capability for in-office fabrication of such brackets. For example, a method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by ceramic slurry-based AM may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing data related to the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a ceramic slurry-based AM machine, directly producing the bracket (green part) in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, and processing the brackets in a sintering and debinding oven prior to direct use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Lightforce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan Winchell, Samuel VanNoy, Kelsey Fafara, Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Publication number: 20210077227
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide Bite Opening Devices (BODs) that are quicker and easier to place and provide improved accuracy. For example, a method may comprise using a computer system to perform: receiving data relating to teeth and jaws of a person, identifying a hinge axis of the jaw in three dimensional space using the data relating to teeth and jaws of a person, rotating the jaw to provide a desired clearance of the teeth, placing at least one Bite Opening Device on the teeth so as to provide the desired clearance of the teeth, and generating data defining a bonding tray to fit over the teeth, the bonding tray including a void corresponding to each Bite Opening Device, the generated data defining the bonding tray to be used for manufacturing the bonding tray using additive manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Dylan Winchell, Alexander Yarmarkovich
  • Publication number: 20210077224
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A Fafara
  • Publication number: 20200401104
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc
    Inventor: Alfred Charles Griffin, III
  • Patent number: 10786334
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: LightForce Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Charles Griffin, III, Kelsey A Fafara