Patents by Inventor Ryan Kimura
Ryan Kimura 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: 11974897Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of making them. The apparatuses may include a pair of tooth engagement regions connected by a palatal region. A detachment region on at least one of the tooth engagement regions may be defined by one or more first vertical cut-out regions extending from a bottom of a buccal side toward an occlusal side of the tooth engagement region. The buccal side may be more flexible than the occlusal side so that the detachment region flexes when a removal force to release the palatal expander apparatus from the patient's palate is applied to the detachment region.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yaser Shanjani, Jeremy Riley, Ryan Kimura, Jun Sato, Norman Su, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu
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Patent number: 11974898Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. The palatal expanders may include tooth engagement regions connected by a palatal region that is configured to apply force between the tooth engagement regions. At least a portion of the palatal region may be configured to have a clearance from the patient's mid-palatal region when the palatal expander is worn by the patient. The clearance between the palatal region and the patient's palate may decrease from the patient's mid-palatal region laterally toward the tooth engagement regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yaser Shanjani, Jeremy Riley, Ryan Kimura, Jun Sato, Norman Su, Jihua Cheng, Fuming Wu
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Publication number: 20240108440Abstract: Dental appliances and methods for expanding the lower dental arch. The appliances may be removable mandibular expander devices for efficient arch expansion while being comfortable to wear and easy to use. The appliances may include a lingual portion that is shaped and sized to apply an expansion force to lingual surfaces of one or more teeth. The shape and size of the lingual portion may be configured to distribute the forces among posterior and/or anterior teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Jeremy RILEY, Jun SATO, Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Chunhua LI, Ryan KIMURA, Siyi LIU, Damin XIA, Kangning SU, Somesh PERI, Yuxiang WANG
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Patent number: 11944514Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for a dental appliance. The appliance geometry can include a first region representing a shell comprising a plurality of teeth receiving cavities, and a second region representing at least one integrally formed component to be integrally joined to the shell. The method can also include generating instructions including a first digital representation of the shell based on the first region, and a second digital representation of the at least one integrally formed component based on the second region. The method can further include transmitting the instructions to a fabrication system configured to additively manufacture the dental appliance by fabricating the shell based on the first digital representation, concurrently with fabricating the at least one integrally formed component based on the second digital representation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Patent number: 11931223Abstract: Described herein are intraoral appliances with adaptive cellular materials and structures to provide enhanced mechanical properties and orthodontic functionality, and related methods. The described appliances may have higher Young's modulus and elongation rate than appliances made from conventional materials. Further, the described appliances may have desirable non-linear force/strain profiles. Additionally, the control provided by using cellular structures allow for increased customization for individual patients. Thus, the described appliances may be more effective, have longer appliance lifetimes and/or provide less discomfort to patients.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yaser Shanjani, Jun Sato, Ryan Kimura
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Patent number: 11922252Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems, materials, and methods for ore tracking. In particular, the invention relates to metamaterial RFID tags that are chip-free and comprise RF metamaterials to produce unique spectral features when illuminated with microwave radiation. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the metamaterial RFID tags includes one or more tag units that have a particular spectral response representing a one-bit code. As a result, each tag may comprise a specific code that is “assembled” from a plurality of tag units in a modular fashion. One or more embodiments of the present invention further includes a blast-tolerant package for one or more of the metamaterial RFID tags that enables such tags to survive blasting, crushing, and/or other forces inherent in mine operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Hadmack, Ryan Miyamoto, Glen Nakafuji, Vinod Veedu, Donald Harbin, Manabu Kimura
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Publication number: 20230414325Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for adjusting an arch of teeth. An appliance includes a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein, wherein the number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across at least a portion of the arch width of the removable shell, wherein the arch element is designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, wherein the arch element has a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Ryan KIMURA, John MORTON, Richard SHAW, Chunhua LI
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Publication number: 20230404714Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Fuming WU, Ryan KIMURA, Jeremy RILEY, Yaser SHANJANI, Norman SU, Jun SATO, Bastien PESENTI, John Y. MORTON, Jihua CHENG
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Publication number: 20230363859Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Heng CAO, Vadim MATOV, John Y. MORTON, Jon MOSS, Ryan KIMURA
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Publication number: 20230355353Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for adjusting an arch of teeth. An appliance includes a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein, wherein the number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across at least a portion of the arch width of the removable shell, wherein the arch element is designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, wherein the arch element has a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Ryan KIMURA, John MORTON, Richard SHAW, Chunhua LI
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Publication number: 20230346520Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Crystal TJHIA, Rohit TANUGULA, Yaser SHANJANI, Ryan KIMURA, Bruce CAM, Eric YAU, Yuxiang WANG, Ken WU, Peter WEBBER, Jun SATO, John Y. MORTON
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Patent number: 11793608Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Rohit Tanugula, Yaser Shanjani, Ryan Kimura, Bruce Cam, Eric Yau, Yuxiang Wang, Ken Wu, Peter Webber, Jun Sato, John Y. Morton
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Patent number: 11744677Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for adjusting an arch of teeth. An appliance includes a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein, wherein the number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across at least a portion of the arch width of the removable shell, wherein the arch element is designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, wherein the arch element has a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Kimura, John Morton, Richard Shaw, Chunhua Li
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Patent number: 11737857Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Rohit Tanugula, Yaser Shanjani, Ryan Kimura, Bruce Cam, Eric Yau, Yuxiang Wang, Ken Wu, Peter Webber, Jun Sato, John Y. Morton
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Publication number: 20230218372Abstract: Methods and systems for digitally designing a plurality of aligners are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an intraoral scan of the patient's teeth, and generating 3D dental model of the patient's teeth using the intraoral scan. The method can include identifying a movement path to move the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement through a plurality of intermediate arrangements in accordance with a treatment plan. The method can also include identifying one or more appliance features of at least one aligner, the one or more appliance features including one or more feature regions having one or more feature thicknesses. The method can further include instructing an additive manufacturing machine to directly fabricate the at least one aligner in a layer-by-layer fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Allen Boronkay, Peter Webber, Vadim Matov, Srinivas Kaza, Ryan Kimura, Yaser Shanjani
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Publication number: 20230202114Abstract: Dental retainer devices are provided. The dental retainer devices can be customized based on patient specific dental anatomy and dental treatment plans. Methods of making the dental retainer devices are also provided. The methods can included additive manufacturing. Methods are also provided for customization of a dental retainer device based on the patient specific anatomy. The methods for customization can include providing a dentist with different options for anterior teeth coverage, posterior teeth coverage, and palatal configurations for the dental retainer devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Siobhan O'LEARY, Jun SATO, Rohit TANUGULA, Ryan KIMURA, Allen R. BORONKAY, Huizhong LI, Fuming WU, Jihua CHENG, Jeremy RILEY, Paula ALVARADO
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Publication number: 20230200947Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Yaser SHANJANI, Jeremy RILEY, Ryan KIMURA, Jun SATO, Norman SU, Jihua CHENG, Fuming WU
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Publication number: 20230190416Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, devices, and systems having a dental attachment placement structure. One dental attachment placement apparatus includes a body having an attachment placement surface that is to be placed on an attachment affixing surface of a tooth and wherein the attachment placement surface includes a portion that is shaped to allow placement of an attachment at a particular position on the affixing surface of the tooth and a portion of the body having a contour that is shaped to correspond with a contour of an alignment surface of a tooth and when the contour of the body and the corresponding contour is aligned, the attachment is located at the particular position and can be secured to the affixing surface of the tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Peter WEBBER, Ryan KIMURA, Chunhua LI, Srinivas KAZA
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Publication number: 20230190412Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Avi KOPELMAN, Allen BORONKAY, Ryan KIMURA, Yaser SHANJANI
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Publication number: 20230172692Abstract: Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Avi KOPELMAN, Ryan KIMURA, Yaser SHANJANI, Jeremy RILEY, Jun SATO, Bob GROVE, Reza SHIRAZI AGHJARI