Patents by Inventor Bruce Willard Hultgren

Bruce Willard Hultgren 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: 20180110597
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a tooth at a restoration site in a dentition of a patient is disclosed. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch include the restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interface apparatus, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20180098827
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a plurality of teeth in a dentition of a patient is described. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch includes a restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interference model generation system, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Patent number: 9861458
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a tooth at a restoration site in a dentition of a patient is disclosed. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch include the restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interface apparatus, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Steven Mark Rzepecki
  • Patent number: 9848964
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a plurality of teeth in a dentition of a patient is described. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch includes a restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interference model generation system, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Steven Mark Rzepecki
  • Publication number: 20170319224
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20170273613
    Abstract: A wearable dental apparatus for capturing dental properties of a patient includes a support structure. The support structure is configured to be worn on the dentition of the patient. The wearable dental apparatus includes at least one sensor. The sensor is coupled to the support structure. The sensor is configured to capture a series of measurement of a dental property of the patient. The measurements are associated with one or more locations on the dentition of the patient. A dental map is generated based on at least some of the measurements and is displayed. The dentition of a patient is restored by selecting a restoration material based on the measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Patent number: 9757141
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Publication number: 20170165042
    Abstract: Apparatuses, components, devices, methods, and systems for determining jaw movement are provided. An example patient assembly for capturing motion data of a patient includes a clutch configured to be worn by the patient on a dentition of the patient. The clutch includes a dentition coupling device configured to couple to the dentition of the patient and includes an extension member configured to protrude through the patient's mouth. The clutch also includes a position indicating system rigidly connected to the dentition coupling device. An example position indicating system emits a plurality of light beams. Some examples also include an imaging system and a motion determining device. An example imaging system captures a plurality of image sets that each include at least one of a plurality of screens upon which the light beams project. An example motion determining device processes the captured image sets to determine the motion of the patient's dentition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Hillukka, Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall, Andre Castillo
  • Patent number: 9636129
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 9622699
    Abstract: A wearable dental apparatus for capturing dental properties of a patient includes a support structure. The support structure is configured to be worn on the dentition of the patient. The wearable dental apparatus includes at least one sensor. The sensor is coupled to the support structure. The sensor is configured to capture a series of measurement of a dental property of the patient. The measurements are associated with one or more locations on the dentition of the patient. A dental map is generated based on at least some of the measurements and is displayed. The dentition of a patient is restored by selecting a restoration material based on the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20160262783
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Publication number: 20160175076
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a plurality of teeth in a dentition of a patient is described. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch includes a restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interference model generation system, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Steven Mark Rzepecki
  • Publication number: 20150305839
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a dental restoration to restore a tooth at a restoration site in a dentition of a patient is disclosed. The dentition includes a restoration dental arch and an opposing dental arch. The restoration dental arch include the restoration site and the opposing dental arch is opposite the restoration dental arch. The system includes an impression apparatus, a motion capture apparatus, an interface apparatus, and a restoration design system. The impression apparatus is configured to capture an impression of the dentition of the patient. The motion capture apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of location data points that represent the locations of the opposing dental arch relative to the restoration dental arch. The interference model generation system is configured to generate an interference model for the restoration site. The restoration design system is for designing a restoration using the interference model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Steven Mark Rzepecki
  • Publication number: 20150305669
    Abstract: A wearable dental apparatus for capturing dental properties of a patient includes a support structure. The support structure is configured to be worn on the dentition of the patient. The wearable dental apparatus includes at least one sensor. The sensor is coupled to the support structure. The sensor is configured to capture a series of measurement of a dental property of the patient. The measurements are associated with one or more locations on the dentition of the patient. A dental map is generated based on at least some of the measurements and is displayed. The dentition of a patient is restored by selecting a restoration material based on the measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20140342305
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Publication number: 20140287376
    Abstract: Bracket guide features and use of such features to guide placement of orthodontic brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 8821158
    Abstract: The system creates digital images of teeth topography using a dental impression tray that provides registration information for integration of a digital three-dimensional model with a digital three-dimensional cranio-facial CAT scan record. The impression tray is held in the patient's mouth during a CAT scan. The tray includes fiduciary markers that can be accurately located by the CAT scan. The tray also includes a dental impression material which, subsequent to the CAT scan, is removed from the patient's mouth and placed on a table of an X-Y-Z scanning machine for scanning the impression. In this manner, a set of electronic data related to the patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissues is generated. The fiduciary markers, which may be constructed of titanium, are included in both sets of electronic data for the patient's teeth. The markers are then used as common reference points in the spatial matching of the two scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GeoDigm Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Patent number: 8725465
    Abstract: A method for simulating tooth movement utilizes electronic modeling to represent the teeth. Instant centers of rotation are determined and projected paths of movement are plotted. The electronic model provides improved precision and provides a method for simulating movement in three dimensions. The movement from growth and/or correction is shown with the electronic model. The simulation provides for improved correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 8721329
    Abstract: A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: RE44465
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GeoDigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Robert J. Isaacson