Patents by Inventor James D. Cleary

James D. Cleary 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: 11471255
    Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 11065089
    Abstract: An aesthetic, stain resistant ligature with material properties suited for prolonged maintenance of sliding mechanics. The orthodontic ligatures of the present disclosure offer a practitioner the ability to tailor the level of tension applied by the ligature without fear of disengagement or deterioration over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 10722329
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intraoral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches, particular those in a Class III relation. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Publication number: 20190350682
    Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, JR., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 10398532
    Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: 3M iNNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
  • Publication number: 20190069976
    Abstract: An aesthetic, stain resistant ligature with material properties suited for prolonged maintenance of sliding mechanics. The orthodontic ligatures of the present disclosure offer a practitioner the ability to tailor the level of tension applied by the ligature without fear of disengagement or deterioration over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 10219876
    Abstract: A method of making a customized orthodontic bracket includes steps of providing a pre-manufactured physical bracket body, providing a physical bracket base having a tooth facing side shaped according to of at least part of a patient's tooth, and joining the bracket body and at least a portion of the bracket base. The bracket base is provided using a material build-up process. The invention helps facilitating manufacturing of customized orthodontic brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Arno Hohmann, Ralf Paehl
  • Patent number: 10105195
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intra-oral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Publication number: 20180280119
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intraoral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches, particular those in a Class III relation. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 9925019
    Abstract: An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Oliver L. Puttler
  • Publication number: 20170319297
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intra-oral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: James D. CLEARY
  • Publication number: 20170100216
    Abstract: An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, JR., Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Oliver L. Puttler
  • Publication number: 20170049534
    Abstract: A method of making a customized orthodontic bracket includes steps of providing a pre-manufactured physical bracket body, providing a physical bracket base having a tooth facing side shaped according to of at least part of a patient's tooth, and joining the bracket body and at least a portion of the bracket base. The bracket base is provided using a material build-up process. The invention helps facilitating manufacturing of customized orthodontic brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Arno Hohmann, Ralf Paehl
  • Publication number: 20170007369
    Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, JR., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 9532854
    Abstract: An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Oliver L. Puttler
  • Patent number: 9498304
    Abstract: A module for attaching an orthodontic bite corrector to an orthodontic buccal tube appliance includes two segments, and each segment includes a rotation stop for limiting undesired rotational movement of bite corrector during movement of the patient's jaws. The segments are movable relative to each other during installation of the attachment module for facilitating placement of the rotation stops in regions next to the buccal tube appliance that might otherwise be difficult to access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Patent number: 9480540
    Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Ma Thazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
  • Publication number: 20160175074
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides intra-oral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: James D. CLEARY
  • Publication number: 20160135928
    Abstract: A force module is interconnected between upper and lower dental arches of an orthodontic patient in order to move the positions of the arches relative to each other. The force module includes at least two sliding members that move relative to each other along with a link for connecting one of the sliding members to one of the dental arches. The link is pivotally movable about two spaced apart, parallel reference axes that are generally perpendicular to the axis of sliding movement of the members. The link enables the force module to be readily shifted in a lingual direction as the patient's jaws are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Publication number: 20140356799
    Abstract: An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Philip P. Soo, James D. Cleary, Oliver L. Puttler