Patents by Inventor Allen Boronkay
Allen Boronkay 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).
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Patent number: 11944514Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for a dental appliance. The appliance geometry can include a first region representing a shell comprising a plurality of teeth receiving cavities, and a second region representing at least one integrally formed component to be integrally joined to the shell. The method can also include generating instructions including a first digital representation of the shell based on the first region, and a second digital representation of the at least one integrally formed component based on the second region. The method can further include transmitting the instructions to a fabrication system configured to additively manufacture the dental appliance by fabricating the shell based on the first digital representation, concurrently with fabricating the at least one integrally formed component based on the second digital representation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Publication number: 20240008956Abstract: Methods for fabricating dental appliances and associated systems are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes defining a plurality of object cross-sections of a dental appliance, and sequentially polymerizing the plurality of object cross-sections to create the dental appliance. The dental appliance can include an outer shell having a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities, and an inner structure coupled to an inner surface of the outer shell. The outer shell can have a first stiffness, and the inner structure can have a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. The sequential polymerization can include integrally forming the outer shell concurrently with the inner structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Allen Boronkay, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu, Yan Chen, John Morton
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Patent number: 11813136Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances for repositioning a patient's teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a movement path to move one or more teeth from an initial arrangement to a target arrangement, determining a force system to produce movement of the one or more teeth along the movement path, and determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance configured to produce the force system. The orthodontic appliance can include an outer shell comprising a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities and an inner structure positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell. The inner structure can have an elastic modulus different than an elastic modulus of the outer shell. The method can also include generating instructions for directly fabricating the orthodontic appliance using a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing technique.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Allen Boronkay, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu, Yan Chen, John Morton
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Publication number: 20230263596Abstract: Methods of planning dental treatments are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a plurality of stages for incremental repositioning of a patient's teeth. The method can include determining, for at least one stage, a shape of a corresponding dental appliance body, and generating instructions for direct fabrication of the dental appliance body. The dental appliance body can include a support formed in a tooth-receiving cavity, one or more coupling structures formed proximate to the support, and an attachment formed proximate to the one or more coupling structures. The dental appliance body can be configured to align the attachment to a predetermined location on a tooth. The one or more coupling structures can be configured to release the attachment with removal of the dental appliance body from the tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Publication number: 20230225833Abstract: Systems for fabricating dental appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprising one or more processors, and a memory operably coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to determine an appliance geometry for a dental appliance including a shell configured to move the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement. The appliance geometry can include a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to the shell, a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or to a tooth, an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Publication number: 20230218372Abstract: Methods and systems for digitally designing a plurality of aligners are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an intraoral scan of the patient's teeth, and generating 3D dental model of the patient's teeth using the intraoral scan. The method can include identifying a movement path to move the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement through a plurality of intermediate arrangements in accordance with a treatment plan. The method can also include identifying one or more appliance features of at least one aligner, the one or more appliance features including one or more feature regions having one or more feature thicknesses. The method can further include instructing an additive manufacturing machine to directly fabricate the at least one aligner in a layer-by-layer fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Patent number: 11684453Abstract: Methods for fabricating attachment placement appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes directly fabricating an attachment placement appliance body including a support formed in a tooth-receiving cavity configured to receive a tooth. The method can include directly fabricating one or more coupling structures connected to the support, and directly fabricating an aligner attachment connected to the one or more coupling structures. The attachment placement appliance body can be configured to align the aligner attachment to a predetermined location on the tooth. The aligner attachment can be shaped to engage with an attachment well of a shell aligner and exert one or more forces on the tooth when the aligner attachment is coupled to the attachment well. The one or more coupling structures can be configured to release the aligner attachment with removal of the attachment placement appliance body from the tooth.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Publication number: 20230190412Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Avi KOPELMAN, Allen BORONKAY, Ryan KIMURA, Yaser SHANJANI
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Patent number: 11648086Abstract: Methods of fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance. The appliance geometry can include a plurality of power arms including a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to a shell, and a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or a tooth. The appliance geometry can also include an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm. The elongate connecting structure and the elongate counter-force connector can be coupled to the first power arm at respective locations separate from the first connection point. The elongate connecting structure can be coupled to the second power arm at a location separate from the second connection point.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Patent number: 11642194Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may include an outer shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance may also include an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Allen Boronkay, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu, Yan Chen, John Morton
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Publication number: 20230127004Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for a dental appliance. The appliance geometry can include a first region representing a shell comprising a plurality of teeth receiving cavities, and a second region representing at least one integrally formed component to be integrally joined to the shell. The method can also include generating instructions including a first digital representation of the shell based on the first region, and a second digital representation of the at least one integrally formed component based on the second region. The method can further include transmitting the instructions to a fabrication system configured to additively manufacture the dental appliance by fabricating the shell based on the first digital representation, concurrently with fabricating the at least one integrally formed component based on the second digital representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Patent number: 11576750Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Patent number: 11571278Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth are provided herein. A method may include determining a movement path to move one or more teeth from an initial arrangement to a target arrangement, determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance comprising a shell and one or more integrally formed components, wherein the shell comprises a plurality of teeth receiving cavities shaped to move the one or more teeth from the initial arrangement to the target arrangement, and generating instructions for direct fabrication of the orthodontic appliance, wherein the instructions are configured to cause direct fabrication of the shell using a first material and direct fabrication of the one or more integrally formed components using a second, different material.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Publication number: 20220401185Abstract: Tooth attachments are provided comprising one or more convex surfaces for engagement by a surface of an orthodontic appliance. Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities. The polymeric shell appliances may further comprise an engagement portion with a surface configured to engage a convex attachment surface in order to apply a tooth moving force.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Allen BORONKAY, Tzishing Jesse LIM
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Patent number: 11298211Abstract: Tooth attachments are provided comprising one or more convex surfaces for engagement by a surface of an orthodontic appliance. Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities. The polymeric shell appliances may further comprise an engagement portion with a surface configured to engage a convex attachment surface in order to apply a tooth moving force.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Allen Boronkay, Tzishing Jesse Lim
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Publication number: 20220079445Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for 3D imaging to measure the shape of orthodontic aligners, teeth, and other oral structures simultaneously, in-vivo or in-vitro. These methods and apparatuses may be used to determine contact locations of aligners with teeth and/or teeth with other teeth with very high precision, including determining the size of gaps where they are not in contact. These measurements may be used design, modify or replace an aligner and/or to verify aligner fit. 3D models of the whole aligner and teeth may be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Jun SATO, Allen BORONKAY, Yaser SHANJANI, Reza SHIRAZI AGHJARI, Avi KOPELMAN, Andrew JANG, Jihua CHENG, Eric KUO, Vladimir SHELBAKH, Bastien PESENTI
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Publication number: 20210393374Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing orthodontic appliances are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance comprises an outer shell comprising a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance can comprise an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Patent number: 11185233Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for 3D imaging to measure the shape of orthodontic aligners, teeth, and other oral structures simultaneously, in-vivo or in-vitro. These methods and apparatuses may be used to determine contact locations of aligners with teeth and/or teeth with other teeth with very high precision, including determining the size of gaps where they are not in contact. These measurements may be used design, modify or replace an aligner and/or to verify aligner fit. 3D models of the whole aligner and teeth may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jun Sato, Allen Boronkay, Yaser Shanjani, Reza Shirazi Aghjari, Avi Kopelman, Andrew Jang, Jihua Cheng, Eric Kuo, Vladimir Shelbakh, Bastien Pesenti
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Publication number: 20210093420Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing orthodontic appliances are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance comprises an outer shell comprising a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance can comprise an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Publication number: 20210093419Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing orthodontic appliances are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance comprises an outer shell comprising a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance can comprise an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Allen Boronkay, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu, Yan Chen, John Morton