Patents by Inventor Duane C. Keller

Duane C. Keller 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: 6966773
    Abstract: A tray fitted to at least some teeth of a patient's upper or lower arch is provided for the application of medications to the teeth and to adjacent gum tissue for treatment of periodontal disease. The tray is constructed from resilient material molded to conform to the teeth and gum tissue. The tray includes at least one recess formed to conform to the teeth. A seal surrounds the recess at a location corresponding to the patient's gum line for applying pressure at the patient's gum line when the patient's teeth are disposed in the recess. The recess contains a quantity of a medication. Upon installation of the tray on the patient's teeth, the medication is forced onto the surface of the teeth and subgingivally by the seal into any pockets in the patient's gums proximate the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Publication number: 20030232311
    Abstract: A tray fitted to at least some teeth of a patient's upper or lower arch is provided for the application of medications to the teeth and to adjacent gum tissue for treatment of periodontal disease. The tray is constructed from resilient material molded to conform to the teeth and gum tissue. The tray includes at least one recess formed to conform to the teeth. A seal surrounds the recess at a location corresponding to the patient's gum line for applying pressure at the patient's gum line when the patient's teeth are disposed in the recess. The recess contains a quantity of a medication. Upon installation of the tray on the patient's teeth, the medication is forced onto the surface of the teeth and subgingivally by the seal into any pockets in the patient's gums proximate the teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5738517
    Abstract: A patient evaluation reference determining apparatus of the present invention comprises a face bow which extends generally from one of the patient's ears forwardly along the patient's temples or across the patient's face, and back along the other side of the patient's head from the patient's temple to the patient's other ear. The face bow has a pair of ear pieces which are connected to the face bow and each piece is adapted to be inserted in one of the patient's ear openings or potions. The apparatus further includes a nose piece carried by the front portion of the face bow with the nose piece engaging the patient's nasion. Adjustable locking connection are provided at the interconnection of the ear pieces and the face bow and at the nose piece and the face bow. A bubble level is carried by the face bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5330357
    Abstract: A method of and system for the treatment of periodontal diseases is disclosed wherein a patient, using a delivery device, applies a medicament directly to the infected site. The delivery device may comprise a piece of tufted dental floss, an interdental brush, a syringe, or a night time application tray for forcibly applying medicament to the infected site. The delivery device carries a supply of an antimicrobial or antibiotic medicament, preferably a tetracycline, dichloride or hydrogen peroxide solution or gel. By flossing, brushing, injecting, or by forcibly disbursing the medicament with the delivery device, the patient can apply the medicament directly on or in close proximity to the infected site (i.e., bony support structure of the teeth). The medicament (tetracycline) bonds with the bony structure to promote bone regeneration, decrease osteoclastic activity and to allow osteoblastic activity to continue with a consequent decrease in bone loss rate while promoting bone growth (regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5318441
    Abstract: A method for cephalometric evaluation includes steps of generating radiographic, X-ray or other image of a patient's individual orthodontic structure, positioning this image in alignment with a graphical depiction of a norm value orthodontic structure, and comparing the individual's structure to the norm value structure to analyze development and to determine a course of orthodontic or other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5129824
    Abstract: A method of and system for the treatment of periodontal diseases is disclosed wherein a patient, using a delivery device, applies a medicament directly to the infected site. The delivery device may comprise a piece of tufted dental floss, an interdental brush, a syringe, or a night time application tray for forcibly applying medicament to the infected site. The delivery device carries a supply of an antimicrobial or antibiotic medicament, preferably a tetracycline, dichloride or hydrogen peroxide solution or gel. By flossing, brushing, injecting, or by forcibly disbursing the medicament with the delivery device, the patient can apply the medicament directly on or in close proximity to the infected site (i.e., bony support structure of the teeth). The medicament (tetracycline) bonds with the bony structure to promote bone regeneration, decrease osteoclastic activity and to allow osteoblastic activity to continue with a consequent decrease in bone loss rate while promoting bone growth (regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 4815968
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is disclosed for expanding (i.e., moving in either inward or outward direction) any desired tooth or teeth of the upper arch, including substantially the entire upper arch relative to a pair of substantially transversely opposed teeth of the upper arch, preferably molars, without reaction forces or moments on this pair of teeth causing unintended movement of these teeth. A band is secured to each tooth of this pair of teeth for mounting a palatal arch bar extending substantially transversely between this pair of teeth. Extension wires extend from the bands for applying corrective forces to any one or more of the teeth of the upper arch spaced from the stated pair of teeth. The arch bar applies a force to a pair of teeth for substantially cancelling out any forces transmitted to the pair of teeth by the expansion wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 4723910
    Abstract: Method of orthopedic and/or orthodontic treatment comprising the steps of securing bands or the like to selected teeth (e.g., selected molars) of one jaw (e.g., the upper or lower jaw) of a patient with these bands being adapted to hold an archwire. Then, the proper relationship of the mandible to the maxilla is temporarily established, such as through the use of temporary splints, allowing ligaments and muscles to function normally and maintaining the patient's proper mandibular and temporomandibular joint positions. A body of pliable, hardenable material carried by the archwire is placed in the patient's mouth with the patient's mouth open and with the archwire held in place by the bands, the body of pliable, hardenable material is in register with selected teeth (e.g., the incisors) of the patient's other arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller
  • Patent number: 4468196
    Abstract: Method of orthopedic and/or orthodontic treatment comprising the steps of securing bands or the like to selected teeth (e.g., selected molars) of one jaw (e.g., the upper or lower jaw) of a patient with these bands being adapted to hold an archwire. Then, the proper relationship of the mandible to the maxilla is temporarily established, such as through the use of temporary splints, allowing ligaments and muscles to function normally and maintaining the patient's proper mandibular and temporomandibular joint positions. A body of pliable, hardenable material carried by the archwire is placed in the patient's mouth with the patient's mouth open and with the archwire held in place by the bands, the body of pliable, hardenable material is in register with selected teeth (e.g., the incisors) of the patient's other arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventor: Duane C. Keller