Patents by Inventor Dirk Wiechmann
Dirk Wiechmann 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: 11813137Abstract: Process for programming an orthodontic component from a shape memory material starting from an initial shape of the orthodontic component into a target shape to be programmed of the orthodontic component, wherein the target shape compared to the initial shape at least sectionally has a severe bending, the process comprising the following steps: a. providing an orthodontic component (1) of a shape memory material in an initial shape, b. creating a target baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), c. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the target baking mold, and d. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the target baking mold in order to program it into the target shape, characterized by the following steps after step a) e. creating at least one intermediate baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), in which intermediate baking mold the orthodontic component (1) has an intermediate shape between the initial shape and the target shape, f.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Inventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20220151738Abstract: Process for programming an orthodontic component from a shape memory material starting from an initial shape of the orthodontic component into a target shape to be programmed of the orthodontic component, wherein the target shape compared to the initial shape at least sectionally has a severe bending, the process comprising the following steps: a. providing an orthodontic component (1) of a shape memory material in an initial shape, b. creating a target baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), c. inserting the orthodontic component (1) into the target baking mold, and d. baking the orthodontic component (1) in the target baking mold in order to program it into the target shape, characterized by the following steps after step a) e. creating at least one intermediate baking mold for the orthodontic component (1), in which intermediate baking mold the orthodontic component (1) has an intermediate shape between the initial shape and the target shape, f.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 10231800Abstract: A process to manufacture a patient-specific replacement bracket includes providing a 3D representation of the supramaxilla or submaxilla of a patient in the target set-up with a reference plane in a computer. A request to manufacture a replacement bracket is received. A sector of the 3D representation is defined and contains at least a section of the tooth for which the replacement bracket is to be manufactured. A marking is generated for the slot plane in the sector. A physical model of the sector with the marking is created. A bracket element containing the slot is provided. The bracket element is aligned to the slot plane. An individualized pad is assigned to the bracket element, whereby the replacement bracket is manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: DW Lingual System GmbHInventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20190015178Abstract: Arrangement includes a bracket having a pad and a bracket body having a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire, as well as, allocated to the bracket, a clip of a shape-memory material for closing and releasing of the slot of the bracket, for holding the orthodontic wire in a closing position in the slot, respectively to release it in an opening position for withdrawal from the slot. A first free end of the clip is a fixation end, which is rigidly connected to the bracket, and a second end of the clip is a free end which in the opening position lies against the bracket, releasing the slot, and in the closing position lies against the bracket, overlapping the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 10136965Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error in tooth positioning. The bracket slot can be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Dirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 9510920Abstract: A method for producing a patient-specific modular bracket having a pad and a bracket body. A bracket body library of bracket bodies includes bodies that are formed from a raw bracket body having a spacer section. A first parameter is established for cutting through the spacer section from a slot of the bracket body to set a height of the bracket body. A second parameter is established for cutting through the spacer section at an angle to a mesio-distal axis of the bracket body to set a torque value of the bracket body. A third parameter is established for cutting through the spacer section at an angle to an occlusal-gingival axis to set a rotation value of the bracket body. The spacer section is cut through according to the first, second and third parameters. Patient specific set-ups are then created by selecting and attaching pads from a raw pad library.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: DW Lingual Systems GmbHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 9474586Abstract: A method for producing at least one patient-specific pad for a modular bracket having a pad and a bracket body includes providing a pad material section. A punch is provided having at least one punching stamp for punching out at least one raw pad from the pad material section. At least one pad is punched out from the pad material section with the punch to produce a raw pad library. A patient-specific set-up is generated. The set-up is made of plaster, and includes the teeth to be treated of an upper jaw and/or of a lower jaw of a patient. A raw pad is selected from the raw pad library for a patient's tooth to be treated. A gap between the raw pad and the corresponding tooth in the set-up is filled using a filling material to produce for the pad a tooth-specific glued surface allowing for a form-fit to the clinical tooth of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: DW Lingual Systems GmbHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20160113737Abstract: A process to manufacture a patient-specific replacement bracket includes providing a 3D representation of the supramaxilla or submaxilla of a patient in the target set-up with a reference plane in a computer. A request to manufacture a replacement bracket is received. A sector of the 3D representation is defined and contains at least a section of the tooth for which the replacement bracket is to be manufactured. A marking is generated for the slot plane in the sector. A physical model of the sector with the marking is created. A bracket element containing the slot is provided. The bracket element is aligned to the slot plane. An individualized pad is assigned to the bracket element, whereby the replacement bracket is manufactured.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 9198739Abstract: Method for producing a patient-specific bracket body (7) for a modular bracket (1) having a pad (3) and a bracket body (7), which comprises the following steps: a) providing a raw bracket body (9) having a spacer section (9d), b) establishing a first parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a distance of a resulting cut surface of the spacer section (9d) from the slot (11), in order to establish a suitable height of the bracket body (7), c) establishing a second parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a cutting angle to a mesio-distal axis, in order to establish a suitable torque value of the bracket body (7), d) establishing a third parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a cutting angle to an occlusal-gingival axis, in order to establish a suitable rotation value of the bracket body (7), e) cutting through the spacer section (9d) according to the three established parameters, whereby a bracket body (7) is produced.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: DW Lingual Systems GmbHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20140363782Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error in tooth positioning. The bracket slot can be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Dirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Wiese
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Publication number: 20130323666Abstract: Method for producing at least one patient-specific modular bracket (1) having a pad (3) and a bracket body (7), which comprises the following steps: a) providing a raw pad library (19) of raw pads (5), b) providing at least one bracket body library (23) of A raw bracket body (9), c) generating a patient-specific set-up, in particular made of plaster, of the teeth to be treated of an upper jaw and/or of a lower jaw of a patient, d) selecting a raw pad (5) from the raw pad library (19) for each of the patient's teeth to be treated, e) forming a patient-specific glued surface (3K) on each raw pad (5) for producing a pad (3), f) selecting a bracket body (7) from the bracket body library (23) for each pad (3) for respective connecting with the pad (3), g) connecting one pad (3) each to the corresponding bracket body (7) thereby producing a bracket (1) for each of the patient's teeth to be treated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: DW LINGUAL SYSTEMS GmbHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20130316296Abstract: A method for producing a patient-specific pad (3) for a modular bracket (1) having a pad (3) and a bracket body (7), which comprises the steps: P1 a) providing a pad material section, which preferably is plane, b) providing a punch having at least one punching stamp for punching out at least one raw pad (5) from the pad material section, c) punching out of at least one raw pad (5) from the pad material section by means of the punch, d) generating a patient-specific set-up, in particular made of plaster, of the teeth to be treated of an upper jaw and/or of a lower jaw of a patient, e) selecting a raw pad (5) from the raw pad library (19) for each of the patient's teeth to be treated, f) filling a gap (27) between the raw pad (5) and the corresponding tooth in the set-up using a filling material, especially of plastic, in order to produce for the pad (3) a tooth-specific glued surface (3K) allow for a form fit to the clinical tooth of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: DW LINGUAL SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20130313131Abstract: Method for producing a patient-specific bracket body (7) for a modular bracket (1) having a pad (3) and a bracket body (7), which comprises the following steps: a) providing a raw bracket body (9) having a spacer section (9d), b) establishing a first parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a distance of a resulting cut surface of the spacer section (9d) from the slot (11), in order to establish a suitable height of the bracket body (7), c) establishing a second parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a cutting angle to a mesio-distal axis, in order to establish a suitable torque value of the bracket body (7), d) establishing a third parameter for cutting through the spacer section (9d), a cutting angle to an occlusal-gingival axis, in order to establish a suitable rotation value of the bracket body (7), e) cutting through the spacer section (9d) according to the three established parameters, whereby a bracket body (7) is produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: DW LINGUAL SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Hoang Viet-Ha Julius Vu, Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 8435032Abstract: Methods of use are provided, relating to a bracket with a pad for affixing it to a tooth of a patient, with a bracket body that has a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire, and with a channel-like wire guide which has wire guide surfaces for guiding the wire and which is assigned a lateral insertion area for insertion of the wire into the wire guide, wherein the insertion area has, in the longitudinal direction of the wire, a curved section through which the wire can be inserted into the wire guide in an elastically deformed state, such that the wire, on forming back to a rectilinear state, locks in the wire guide, and that the wire guide surfaces enclose the wire in a circle shape, such that the wire is held longitudinally displaceably in the wire guide by the wire guide surfaces and is secured against escaping laterally from the wire guide.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 8257080Abstract: A bite corrector for moving the relative positions of the jaws includes a telescoping assembly with an outer member and an inner member received in the outer member. The outer and inner members have matching, curved configurations. Both of the members remain in close proximity to the patient's dentition during opening and closing movement of the jaws and the likelihood of contact of the bite corrector with adjacent tissue in the patient's oral cavity is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20120183917Abstract: Bracket with a pad for affixing it to a tooth of a patient, with a bracket body that has a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire, and with a channel-like wire guide which has wire guide surfaces for guiding the wire and which is assigned a lateral insertion area for insertion of the wire into the wire guide, wherein the insertion area has, in the longitudinal direction of the wire, a curved section through which the wire can be inserted into the wire guide in an elastically deformed state, such that the wire, on forming back to a rectilinear state, locks in the wire guide, and that the wire guide surfaces enclose the wire in a circle shape, such that the wire is held longitudinally displaceably in the wire guide by the wire guide surfaces and is secured against escaping laterally from the wire guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Patent number: 8147243Abstract: Bracket (1) with a pad (3) for affixing it to a tooth of a patient, with a bracket body (5) that has a slot (7) for receiving an orthodontic wire (9), and with a channel-like wire guide (11) which has wire guide surfaces (11F) for guiding the wire (9) and which is assigned a lateral insertion area (13) for insertion of the wire (9) into the wire guide (11), wherein the insertion area (13) has, in the longitudinal direction of the wire (9), a curved section (13A) through which the wire (9) can be inserted into the wire guide (11) in an elastically deformed state, such that the wire (9), on forming back to a rectilinear state, locks in the wire guide (11), and that the wire guide surfaces (11F) enclose the wire (9) in a circle shape, such that the wire (9) is held longitudinally displaceably in the wire guide (11) by the wire guide surfaces (11F) and is secured against escaping laterally from the wire guide (11).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Dirk Wiechmann
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Publication number: 20120015315Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error in tooth positioning. The bracket slot can be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Dirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 8057226Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error when the tooth is in a finished position and substantially parallel to the directly adjacent portion of the tooth surface to reduce bracket thickness. The bracket slot can also be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a dimension of a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Dirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 7850451Abstract: A set of customized orthodontic brackets are provided with slots that are arranged substantially parallel to the tooth surface. The archwire, in an as-manufactured condition, has a portion of substantial arcuate extent, which is canted relative to the occlusal plane. The brackets are designed on a computer as a combination of three-dimensional virtual objects comprising the virtual bracket bonding pad and a separate virtual bracket body retrieved from a library of virtual bracket bodies. The virtual brackets can be represented as a file containing digital shape data and exported to a rapid prototype fabrication device for fabrication of the bracket in wax or other material and casting the wax prototype in a suitable alloy. Other manufacturing techniques are also contemplated, including milling and laser sintering.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Dirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise