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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130177864
    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 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 8199988
    Abstract: By matching a first data set including digital, three-dimensional, dental models with a second data set including digital, cranio-facial 3D medical scan records, missing or inaccurate portions of the cranio-facial 3D medical scan record can be improved. Example methods for matching the data sets include automatically positioning the dental model with respect to the 3D medical scan record and automatically eliminating common (i.e., overlapping) portions from one of the data sets. Two-dimensional images can be mapped onto images generated from either of the first and second data sets to enhance accuracy and/or photo-realism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Geodigm Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Craig Marshall, Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20110207074
    Abstract: A dental slurry is used with a digital camera to create a three dimensional model of target teeth. The dental slurry includes granular particles suspended in a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. The slurry is used to cover target teeth with a large number of particles. Overlapping digital images are taken of the target teeth and provided to a computer. An algorithm is used to find a correspondence for each feature in the overlapping digital images by error analysis. Once enough correspondences are found, the algorithm creates a three dimensional electronic model from the plurality of two dimensional images based on a best fit error analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Olaf Andrew Hall-Holt, Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20100169056
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GeoDigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Patent number: 7716024
    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 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GeoDigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Robert J. Isaacson
  • Publication number: 20090316966
    Abstract: By matching a first data set including digital, three-dimensional, dental models with a second data set including digital, cranio-facial 3D medical scan records, missing or inaccurate portions of the cranio-facial 3D medical scan record can be improved. Example methods for matching the data sets include automatically positioning the dental model with respect to the 3D medical scan record and automatically eliminating common (i.e., overlapping) portions from one of the data sets. Two-dimensional images can be mapped onto images generated from either of the first and second data sets to enhance accuracy and/or photo-realism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: GeoDigm Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Craig Marshall, Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20080176182
    Abstract: A system and method for determining condyle displacement during jaw articulation includes a physical model with corresponding reference points. The physical model is positioned and scanned to obtain positional data representing a first and second bite position. This positional data is used to generate a transformation matrix. The position of at least one condyle is determined in reference to positional data scanned from the physical model. The transformation matrix is used to map the position of the condyle with respect to the second bite position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7245750
    Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a system for automatically determining the location of individual teeth within an electronic model image of a patients mouth. The electronic model image allows for manipulation of the electronic model image by end users. Possible horizontal cut lines are determined within a horizontal plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between the teeth. Possible vertical cut lines are then determined within a vertical plane cut through the electronic model image corresponding to possible separation lines between teeth. The system then automatically determines the locations of individual teeth using the possible horizontal cut lines and the possible vertical cut lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Geodigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Patent number: 7200642
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Geodigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Publication number: 20040017369
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a process for generating an electronic model image constructed using polygons to represent the surface of an object. The process scans an object to generate a plurality of surface points in a common coordinate system and generates a initial polygon representation for the object surface by connecting surface points to nearest neighbors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Publication number: 20030231805
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Publication number: 20030220778
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically simulating jaw function 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Robert J. Isaacson
  • Publication number: 20030214501
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Robert J. Isaacson
  • Publication number: 20020188664
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce Willard Hultgren, Timothy W. Vadnais, Michael Craig Marshall, Grant James Cermak
  • Patent number: 6217334
    Abstract: A dental and soft tissue scanning method and system is disclosed which uses fast laser line scanning techniques of negative image impressions, whereby an array of electronic data is generated. In operation the array of negative image scan data is generated by a scanner 60 and provided to a processor 501. The negative image scan data may be saved in a memory device 504 as a permanent record of the baseline condition of the patient's teeth, or temporarily prior to one of several other options. The processor 501 may convert the data to a positive image for display on the video display unit 503 for teaching or educational purposes with the patient. Alternatively, the positive information data may be transmitted to a remote PC 505 for storage, study by a consulting dentist (or physician), or fabrication of a study cast by fabrication device 507. These and other options may be selected by the user of computer 500 via the input device 506.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Iris Development Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Patent number: 6206693
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming dental impressions to record the bite registration of a patient's teeth. In accordance with the present invention, an impression is taken of a predetermined set of teeth on each side of the patient's mouth in the buccal region thereof to record the bite registration of the upper and lower teeth. The impression is preferably formed by a buccal impression apparatus which includes a rigid frame member having first and second arms and a central section interconnected therebetween, with the frame member defining an open area. A mesh material is connected between the first and second arms and the central section within the open area. The mesh material permits a moldable material to adhere to the frame member during the formation of the impression, with the frame member supporting the moldable material and providing a means to support the impression upon a scanning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Iris Development Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Patent number: 6200135
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture or tooling for securely holding an impression tray or study cast on a stage of an X-Y-Z scanning machine to permit accurate scanning of the impression tray, or the study cast, by the scanner of the scanning machine. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a pivoting clamp member that clamps a handle member on the tray or study cast. In a second embodiment, the fixture includes a block slidably disposed thereon for clamping an impression tray or a study cast in a clamping section. A registration fixture utilizing a pair of locking fixtures to simultaneously hold the study casts of the upper and lower sets of teeth to permit registration of the study casts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Iris Development Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • 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