Dentistry Patents (Class 434/263)
  • Patent number: 11865653
    Abstract: A dental overlay for preparing a tooth is prepared. Movements a cutting tool follows in preparing the tooth are simulated based on data acquired from a dentition and define tooth structure to be removed by the tool from the tooth. The overlay is produced with an inner surface corresponding to and configured for contacting a contact region on and extending between respective top and bottom portions of and partially around the tooth or a neighboring tooth of the tooth. The respective bottom portion or portions are configured to be adjacent to a gingiva. The inner surface thereby remains releasably fixed to the contact region and in a same position relative to the tooth upon pressure to the overlay by the tool during the defined tooth structure removal. A groove of the overlay is configured for contacting the tool to limit its movements to predetermined movements corresponding to the simulated movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Viax Dental Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Evelyne Jacquemyns
  • Patent number: 11779447
    Abstract: [Object] To provide, for a composite resin (CR) having a wide range of applicable colors (shades) (wide-ranging color applicable CR), such as a CR having light diffusion properties and a CR that produces color by means of a structural color, a technology with which an excellent effect, specifically, an increased breadth (number) of applicable shades in comparison to an existing CR other than a wide-ranging color applicable CR, can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tokuyama Dental Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morisaki, Naoto Shiohira
  • Patent number: 11776426
    Abstract: A dentistry training apparatus includes a suction assembly that includes a collection portion having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a central aperture in fluid communication with a liquid suction device. A support tray is positioned atop the collection portion and includes a plurality of legs configured to displace the support tray above the bottom wall, the support tray including a lower wall and a support tray sidewall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the lower wall. The lower wall of the support tray defines a hole having a circular configuration for selectively receiving an endodontic cup. An apex locator lead is electrically connected to a power source and positioned atop the bottom wall of the suction assembly, the apex locator lead being registered with the hole so as to engage the endodontic cup when received in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Clayton Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11756278
    Abstract: A method for establishing a denture dentition model includes: obtaining face information and teeth alignment information of a use, to establish a three-dimensional mouth-opening face model and an original teeth model, and superimposing the original teeth model to the three-dimensional mouth-opening face model; establishing a reference line corresponding to each of the teeth of the original teeth model; generating a plurality of grids on the three-dimensional mouth-opening face model according to the reference lines, and adjusting each of the grids to correspond to the edge of each tooth, to obtain an actual size of each of the teeth; providing an upper edge curve and a lower edge curve on the three-dimensional mouth-opening face model as a smile curve; aligning each grid with the smile curve, and placing a denture model in each grid; and adjusting a denture contour of each denture model, to generate the denture dentition model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Wei-Po Lin
  • Patent number: 11717389
    Abstract: Oral hygiene monitoring system is disclosed to track motion and orientation of an oral hygiene device. The control system may process data output from a motion sensor to determine position and orientation of an oral hygiene device with respect to a user's mouth. In some examples, the system may use machine learning techniques to identify position and orientation, brush stroke type, and other specific actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: KOLIBREE SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Serval, Yann Nicolas, LĂ©onie Williamson
  • Patent number: 11699358
    Abstract: Dental hygiene and periodontal hand instrumentation requires alignment of the cutting surface of the instrument at a specific angle and adaptation to the tooth surface. A dental hygiene and periodontal hand instrumentation tutor provides an objective, consistent and accurate way to measure and display the actual angulation and adaptation angles of a periodontal hand instrument and assess instrument use continuously. The method includes detecting the position, orientation, motion path, pressure, angulation angle, adaptation angle, and centerline angle of a periodontal hand instrument and comparing them to ideal positions, orientations, and motion paths; and provides various forms of user feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Angela Monson
  • Patent number: 11657732
    Abstract: An animal dentistry training and assessment apparatus comprising a sectioned artificial tooth, comprising a crown portion and a furcate root portion, the furcate root portion comprising a plurality of roots; and a base comprising a receiving portion configured to receive and releasably retain each root of the furcate root portion. The sectioned artificial tooth is sectioned into a plurality of sections comprising one or more but not all of said roots of the furcate root portion and part of the crown portion, the plurality of sections being contiguous when the sectioned artificial tooth is received in the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventor: Marie-Louise Amanda Bennett
  • Patent number: 11423804
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a 3D model for dental simulation, comprising reading a file describing the surface of a 3D object having a volume; generating a voxel grid encompassing the 3D object, wherein the voxel grid contains a plurality of voxels; identifying a subset of voxels of the plurality of voxels which are located within the volume of the 3D object; generating a triangulated surface, wherein the triangulated surface encompasses the subset of voxels and defines the outer surface of the 3D model; assigning a density value to each voxel in the subset of voxels, wherein the subset of voxels defines the solid volume of the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Nissin Dental Products Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Van Den Braber, Mark De Greef
  • Patent number: 11386808
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a 3D model for dental simulation, comprising reading a file describing the surface of a 3D object having a volume; generating a voxel grid encompassing the 3D object, wherein the voxel grid contains a plurality of voxels; identifying a subset of voxels of the plurality of voxels which are located within the volume of the 3D object; generating a triangulated surface, wherein the triangulated surface encompasses the subset of voxels and defines the outer surface of the 3D model; assigning a density value to each voxel in the subset of voxels, wherein the subset of voxels defines the solid volume of the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nissin Dental Products Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Van Den Braber, Mark De Greef
  • Patent number: 11344390
    Abstract: A positioning feedback tool for a dental appliance takes the form of a flexible appearance strip for simulating the appearance of an installed dental appliance on a patient wearer. Dental appliances, such as dentures, rest on the gums of a wearer as functional replacements of teeth. The flexible appearance strip has visual images of dental elements (teeth) for replacing the natural teeth, and depict the size, spacing and color of the dental elements in the finished appliance. Dental elements are affixed onto a foundation mold for resembling a natural row of teeth. The foundation mold receives an imprint of the gums of the wearer, and also receives the dental elements to define the placement of the dental elements. Prior to tooth placement in the foundation mold, the flexible appearance strip is disposed against the installed foundation mold so that the patient may visualize the appearance of the finished appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Gail Lucas
  • Patent number: 11302320
    Abstract: A hotel room internet-of-things (IOT) controller includes: a housing configured for table-top mounting; a system controller operable by a hotel guest to wirelessly control environmental parameters in the hotel room using voice commands; a touch interactive screen extending above the housing; a voice capture circuit; and a switch disposed proximate an outside surface of the housing and manually operable between: i) a first position in which the voice capture circuit is connected to the system controller; ii) a second position in which the voice capture circuit is disconnected from the system controller; and iii) an additional step and secondary method to confirm through a double opt-in or opt-out through a user interface on the device or mobile device connected to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Yani Deros
  • Patent number: 11297933
    Abstract: An oral care system that includes an oral care implement and a tracking attachment. The oral care implement may include a handle and a head. The tracking attachment is detachably coupled to the oral care implement. The tracking attachment may include a first component comprising a first housing having an inner surface that defines a first cavity and a second component comprising a second housing having an inner surface that defines a second cavity. When the tracking attachment is coupled to the oral care implement, a first portion of the handle is positioned within the first cavity and a second portion of the handle is positioned within the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John Gatzemeyer, Takahide Okai
  • Patent number: 11176846
    Abstract: A dental simulation machine including a support having a support surface for engagement by a finger of a user to support a hand of the user, the support surface being moveable between a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Nissin Dental Products Inc.
    Inventor: Dyon Bode
  • Patent number: 11116309
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a system for determining toothbrush effectiveness, the system comprising a data capture subsystem comprising at least one sensor and configured to generate brushing data during a participant brushing session directed entirely by the participant. A brushing simulation subsystem includes a robotic arm configured to hold a toothbrush, and receive from at least one processor instructions for a motion to be carried out by the robotic arm. The motion of the robotic arm causes the toothbrush to carry out an automated brushing session upon the artificial teeth, the motion of the robotic arm being based on the brushing data captured during the participant brushing session. The at least one processor is further configured to determine an effectiveness of the toothbrush based on the substance determined to be removed from artificial teeth during an automated brushing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Al Aquanza Sprosta, William Craelius, Colin Kosinski, Shiv Patel, Bianca Pineda
  • Patent number: 11096477
    Abstract: A method (400) for determining a user's compliance with a guided cleaning session during use of an oral cleaning device (10) includes the steps of: (i) providing (410) an oral cleaning device including a sensor (28), a guidance generator (46), and a controller (30); (ii) providing (420), by the guidance generator, a guided cleaning session to the user; (iii) generating (430), at a first location during the guided cleaning session, sensor data from the sensor indicating a position or motion of the oral cleaning device; (iv) comparing (440) the generated sensor data to expected sensor data for the first location; and (v) generating (450), based on the comparison, an estimate of the user's compliance with the guided cleaning session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Felipe Maia Masculo, Gerben Kooijman, Toon Hardeman, Vincent Jeanne
  • Patent number: 11065083
    Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including a body forming an open surgical space, the body further having a bottom contoured to reversibly affix to exposed bone of a dental surgical site and a top contoured to match a bottom side of a dental implant surgical guide; at least one anchoring strut that removably attaches to the body with an apex of the anchoring strut further denoting one or more indentations for matching up with and receiving one or more portions of one alveolar ridge that opposes another alveolar ridge supporting the dental surgical site; alternatively to the anchoring struts and a tissue spacing gasket, the dental implant surgical guide that removably connects to the body; and alternatively to the anchoring struts or the dental implant surgical guide, the tissue spacing gasket that removably connects to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL DENTEX, LLC
    Inventors: Armand C. Jusuf, Daniel R. Llop
  • Patent number: 10952528
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing a user's efficiency while operating an oral hygiene device (10) is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, motion information of an oral hygiene device is received from one or more accelerometers (32) located within the oral hygiene device. The received motion information is compared to a targeted motion of the oral hygiene device. The user operating the oral hygiene device is then provided with feedback in response to determining that the received motion information is within a predefined range of the targeted motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jeanne, Toon Hardeman, Arjen Den Hamer, Martin John Edwards, Jan Wojciech Obrebski, Alex Merck
  • Patent number: 10930400
    Abstract: Techniques for generating and providing a checklist, and for providing updates to a checklist based on event data. In some aspects, a checklist is provided to a terminal device by receiving a notification of a trigger event, which is used, at least in part, to obtain a checklist template and to generate a checklist from the checklist template, which is then provided to the terminal device. In some aspects, a server device provides a checklist to a terminal device, the checklist comprising a sequence of prompts, each prompt indicating one or more actions, and the server device provides an update to the checklist based on received event data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: LiveData, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robbins, Gabriel N. Schaffer, Brett J. Cohen, Arvind Goyal
  • Patent number: 10779924
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush may include a driving module configured to oscillate a brush unit; an acceleration sensor configured to generate an output signal; a signal extraction module configured to extract from the output signal (a) a first signal having a frequency at a first threshold or higher and (b) a second signal having a frequency at a second threshold or lower; a brushing site estimation module configured to estimate a brushing site of the brush unit based on the output signal of the acceleration sensor; and a correction module configured to correct the brushing site estimated by the brushing site estimation module based on an amplitude of the first signal and an amplitude of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignees: Colgate-Palmolive Company, Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Yoshida, Mamoru Katano
  • Patent number: 10672297
    Abstract: Simulators for practicing trans-oral surgery and methods of use thereof, are described. The simulator may include a simulated soft palate musculature adjacent to the simulated hard palate, and a simulated mucosal layer covering at least a portion of the simulated hard palate and at least a portion of the simulated soft palate musculature, wherein the simulated mucosal layer is configured to conform to and follow the contours of surface features of the covered portions of the simulated hard palate and simulated soft palate musculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: The Hospital for Sick Children
    Inventors: Dale J. Podolsky, David M. Fisher, Karen W. Wong, James M. Drake, Christopher R. Forrest
  • Patent number: 10653494
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handle device for a surgical light, which comprises a handle element, prepared for attachment to a receiving body of the surgical light and forming a handle surface in an exterior region. A voice control module that has at least one acoustic sensor is detachably connected to the handle element. The invention further relates to a surgical light having said handle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Strölin
  • Patent number: 10656721
    Abstract: An interactive 3D display apparatus and method are provided. The interactive 3D display apparatus includes a hand sensing module configured to acquire a hand image by detecting a hand of a user and a user interaction module configured to generate a virtual object adjustment parameter by analyzing user-intended information about the hand based on the hand image acquired by the hand sensing module and comparing an analysis result with predefined user scenarios, an image rendering module configured to set a scene according to the generated virtual object adjustment parameter, generate image data by rendering the set scene, and convert the generated image data into display data, and a 3D display configured to display a 3D image including a virtual object in which a change intended by the user has been reflected according to the display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hoon Song, Yuntae Kim, Juwon Seo, Hongseok Lee, Chilsung Choi
  • Patent number: 10631952
    Abstract: A physical model of a set of teeth, wherein the physical model includes a gingival part in which a cavity comprising a cavity wall is formed; and a removable component having a part shaped as a tooth, where the removable component is configured for fitting into the cavity with a gap at an interface between the removable component and the cavity wall. The removable component or the cavity wall includes one or more supporting elements extending across the gap to establish contact between the removable component and the cavity wall to support and position the removable component in the cavity, and where contact between the removable component and the cavity wall at the interface only is provided by the supporting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Rune Fisker, Brieuc Gilles, David Fischer, Steen Frost Tofthøj, Sven Nonboe, Morten Markussen Lang
  • Patent number: 10540910
    Abstract: Existing haptic-based simulation systems struggle to replicate a realistic experience for dental and dental hygiene students and clinicians. A realistic haptic-based simulator to train periodontal procedures. Realism is accomplished through three distinguished features: (1) a custom grip to attach dental instruments to the haptic device, which enhances the grip experience since learners feel the tactile properties of the instruments (rather than the haptic device stylus), (2) two haptic devices are utilized to simulate haptic feedback with both the dental instrument (dominant hand) and the mirror instrument (non-dominant hand), and (3) a finger support mechanism using parallel manipulation is used for the intraoral fulcrum during probing. The Haptic dental simulator system comprises software and hardware subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignees: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY IN ABU DHABI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohamad Eid, Peter Loomer, Dianne Sefo, Georgios Korres, Georgios Karafotias
  • Patent number: 10426254
    Abstract: An oral hygiene device (100) including at least one sensor (104) to improve a user's operation of the oral hygiene device is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the oral hygiene device includes a longitudinal shaft (102), an attachment assembly (112), a handle portion (110), a suspension system (106), at least two sensors (104a, 104b), and at least one processor (132). The at least one processor is operable to receive an amount of force applied to the attachment assembly, which is detected by the at least two sensors. An angle that the attachment assembly is applied is also determined, the angle being based on the detected amount of force. In one embodiment, the angle and the amount of force are displayed within a user interface to the user to help the user improve their oral hygiene technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Toon Hardeman, Vincent Jeanne, Hubert Jean Joseph Amaury Vroomen, Arjen Den Hamer, Martin John Edwards, Jan Wojciech Obrebski, Alex Merck
  • Patent number: 10380917
    Abstract: A dental model is provided including at least one artificial flexible jaw including an arch-shaped base portion having outer and inner walls extending between first and second ends, the base portion holding a plurality of teeth. The base portion is flexible and extendable so that its first and second ends can move in three dimensions with respect to each other. Thus, the base portion can move to various configurations in which the first and second ends can be positioned in any manner with respect to each other, e.g., at different distances from each other and/or in different planes. The dental model can include one or both of hard palate and soft palate with or without uvula configured to deform when the base portion is deformed. The one or more jaws can be mounted on a holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Sue S. Lee
  • Patent number: 10354557
    Abstract: An orthodontic practice appliance (1) in the present invention includes an orthodontic tooth row (23) for orthodontic practice, an orthodontic gingival part (22) that holds the orthodontic tooth row (23) and is softened by the application of heat, and a metal member (24) that is placed inside the orthodontic gingival part (22) and has an exposure portion exposed to the outside. According to the present invention, when the orthodontic practice appliance (1) is immersed in hot water, the exposed metal member (24) is heated. The metal member (24) extends inside the orthodontic gingival part (22). Therefore, the orthodontic gingival part (22) is heated not only from the surface thereof in direct contact with the hot water but also from inside thereof by heat transmitted through the heated metal plate (24). Accordingly, heat is transmitted to the orthodontic gingival part (22) uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NISSIN DENTAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Youichi Maruyama, Teruyuki Iwasaki, Koushirou Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10271933
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an electric toothbrush including a trajectory detecting module configured to detect a trajectory of movement of a brush, the trajectory including a plurality of positions; an attitude detecting module configured to detect an attitude of the brush; a site estimating module configured to estimate a brushing site for each of the plurality of positions of the trajectory, each estimated brushing site being based on the trajectory detected by the trajectory detecting module; and a back most tooth detecting module configured to detect a back most tooth based on a change of the attitude detected by the attitude detecting module; wherein the site estimating module is further configured to correct the estimated brushing site for each of the plurality of positions of the trajectory based on the estimated site of the detected back most tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Hideaki Yoshida, Mamoru Katano
  • Patent number: 10264076
    Abstract: The invention concerns the field of communicating objects intended to promote a smart environment. The invention more particularly concerns a communication system comprising: —a recipient 1 for a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product or a wine or a spirit as the communicating object and —at least two mobile telecommunication devices 110, 120. The invention also concerns an associated communication method. The recipient is incorporated into the communication system in such way as to adapt at least to the presence of the first mobile telecommunication device in the coverage area of the communication means of same. The recipient is therefore advantageously an actor of the communication system. The recipient promotes the smart environment defined by the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Qualipac
    Inventor: GĂ©rald Martines
  • Patent number: 10104950
    Abstract: Stands for safety shaving razors are disclosed. The stands include a body defining a cavity configured to receive a handle of the razor and a base from which the body extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SHAVELOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Provost, Robert A. Wilson, William E. Tucker, John W. Griffin
  • Patent number: 10109220
    Abstract: Technology is described for a system to provide skill training in various fields, including professional fields involving hand-held instruments. The system senses a user's manipulation of an instrument or tool using various sensors, e.g., for a dental tool, an array of pressure sensors in the tool's tip, grip sensors, and sensors to track the position and movement of the tool. The system includes lessons to train users in the proper methods to manipulate the tool and provides guidance and feedback based on the user's performance to build the user's skills, prevent injury, and document competency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: DH Cubed, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Francisco Washburn, Deborah McGlynn Chiu
  • Patent number: 10096267
    Abstract: The dental education model is a realistic model of a human jaw with removable teeth, including a base plate and a substantially U-shaped member simulating a human gingiva. The substantially U-shaped member has upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being mounted on the base plate. The upper surface has a plurality of recesses defined therein. A plurality of first magnetic connectors are embedded in the substantially U-shaped member adjacent to closed ends of the plurality of recesses. A plurality of simulated teeth have coronal and root portions. The root portions of the plurality of teeth are removably received within the plurality of recesses formed in the substantially U-shaped member. A plurality of second magnetic connectors are embedded in the root portions of the plurality of the teeth, such that the first and second magnetic connectors are releasably magnetically attachable to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lama Ahmed Al-Kahlan
  • Patent number: 10080522
    Abstract: A system for providing a connected dental device is disclosed. In particular, the system may include integrating a network chip or transceiver into a dental device, such as a toothbrush, so as to enable the dental device to communicate with a user device and one or more accessory devices. Once the user device and one or more accessory devices are paired with the user device, the system may track information associated with the dental device and the user using the dental device. Based on the tracked information, the system may determine an action to be performed by the user using the dental device. Using the dental device, the system may transmit a notification to the user device to alert the user of the action that needs to be performed. The system may also transmit notifications providing status information for the dental device and the one or more accessory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Krishnapraveen Suri, Perla Hizon
  • Patent number: 9694539
    Abstract: A device for endodontic treatment simulation is described including: at least one physical tooth model including pulp chamber and root canals, manufactured by way of layered manufacturing or rapid prototyping techniques and corresponding to a real-life endodontic case. Methods and systems for designing and manufacturing the device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: MAILLEFER INSTRUMENTS HOLDING SARL, DENTSPLY IMPLANTS NV
    Inventors: Carl Van Lierde, Veerle Pattijn, Paul-Henri Valloton
  • Patent number: 9693845
    Abstract: A system and method for real-time measurement of curing energy delivered to a simulated dental restoration from a source of curing energy. The system comprises a detector and a display. The detector measures at a location within the simulated dental restoration the amount of curing energy delivered by the curing energy source. The display displays the measured amount of curing energy in real-time. The system also comprises a temperature detector to measure temperature changes in the oral tissues during curing (teeth and gums). The system also comprises a video camera to record the operator's curing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BlueLight Analytics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Bengt Price
  • Patent number: 9501954
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dental model capable of strongly fixing model teeth to a model main body and capable of configuring model teeth with a desired length. This dental model is provided with a model main body, model teeth which have a dental crown and a dental root and which are attached to the model main body, and screws which have a shaft and a head and which detachably connect the model teeth to the model main body. The model main body is provided with a base, dental root arrangement units which are provided on one surface of the base and in which the dental roots are arranged, holes which are formed in the dental root arrangement units and through which the shafts are inserted, and support pieces which protrude from the one surface of the base and which support the lateral surface of the dental roots arranged in the dental root arrangement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NISSIN DENTAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Akihiro Higashimura, Toshimitsu Kokubo
  • Patent number: 9427078
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an oral-care system is provided. The oral-care system includes an electric toothbrush having a motor, a power source in electrical communication with the motor, and a bristle holder operatively connected to the motor. A display is in data communication with the electric toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Edward Farrell, Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Marc Philip Ortins, Vadim Denishenko, Jose Tadeo Vergara de Castro, Hans Rolf Trawinski, Alexander Hilscher, Bert Schrempel, Martin Stratmann, Paul Albert Sagel, Phillip Maurice Braun
  • Patent number: 9408681
    Abstract: The invention provides a system suitable for monitoring the usage of a toothbrush, the system comprising: (a) a toothbrush; (b) a sound sensor which is located in or on the toothbrush; (c) a programmable data logger which is located in or on the toothbrush, the data logger incorporating a motion sensor and a data store for the logging of data; (d) switching means for triggering the operation of the sound sensor in response to initial signals of toothbrush motion generated by the motion sensor, and (e) a data analysis device which is adapted to analyze data transmitted or acquired from the system to provide information about tooth brushing behavior; in which the duration of data logging is controllable in response to the combined signals received from the sound sensor and the motion sensor respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Bates, Vasile Cosmin Lazar, Derek Guy Savill
  • Patent number: 9277979
    Abstract: The dental position tracking system includes a toothbrush (30) which has a system (20) for determining the orientation of the toothbrush in the mouth of a user relative to the earth, based on measured stored information. Information is stored in the toothbrush concerning target ranges of expected measured toothbrush orientations for each of a plurality of dental zones (22). A processor (24) compares the measured toothbrush orientation information with the target orientation ranges, following conversion of both the target orientation information and the measured toothbrush orientation information to the same coordinate system. The processor then determines which if any of the target ranges matches, within a selected tolerance thereof, with the toothbrush orientation information. Any difference between the target range and the measured toothbrush orientation information is then used to partially adjust the target information range, in order to compensate for a change of position of the user's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Teunis Jan Ikkink, Hans Marc Bert Boeve
  • Patent number: 9204947
    Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle (12), a brushhead (14) and a drive assembly (20) which includes a processor (22) for driving the brushhead at a selected frequency and amplitude. A miniature gyroscope (MEMS) (26) and an accelerometer (28) are mounted on the brushhead or on a portion of the drive assembly within the handle for detecting rotational velocity of the brushhead and orientation of the brushhead in the mouth during operation. Information from the gyroscope (rotational) and the accelerometer are then provided to the processor for determining amplitude of brushhead movement. The amplitude information is provided to the user, or can be further processed and fed back (30) to the drive assembly for control of brushhead movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Darrin Bovenkamp, Scott E Hall, Jeffrey Michael Alexander
  • Patent number: 9105197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrushing monitoring device (18). In order to obtain an efficient monitoring device, the monitoring device comprises: an input device (21), an acceleration sensor, a signal conditioner, a memory, a comparator which compares the numbers of brushing cycles registered by each teeth surface specific counter during brushing with corresponding reference values maintained in said memory, and an output device (27) which indicates that the brushing of the teeth region (L-U) in question is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BRUSHGATE OY
    Inventors: Ulf Meriheinae, Ossi Kauppinen, Teijo Viljanen, Juha-Pekka Puurunen
  • Patent number: 9064427
    Abstract: A medical training apparatus comprising an instrument holder with a medical instrument, a model patient body simulating a patient subject to medical treatment or examination, and an examination table on which the model patient body is placed. The medical training apparatus comprises a posture detection means for detecting the posture of the examination table, a medical instrument status detection means for detecting the working status of the medical instrument, an examination receiving status detection means for detecting the situation of the model patient body in medical treatment or examination, and a model patient body driving means housed in the model patient body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: THE NIPPON DENTAL UNIVERSITY, J. MORITA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, KOKORO COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naotake Shibui, Satoshi Uzuka, Kiminari Nakamura, Kazuo Nishikawa, Mikinori Nishimura, Teruji Nakai, Tatsuo Matsuzaki, Takeshi Kira, Tadashi Shimaya
  • Patent number: 9044083
    Abstract: A toothbrush with a handle having a base and a head and defining a cavity positioned between the base and the head. The toothbrush also includes a plurality of bristles attached to the head of the handle, a green light configured to flash for a first period of time, a yellow light configured to flash for a second period of time, and a red light configured to flash for a third period of time. The toothbrush also includes a switch coupled to the handle for activating the green light, and a circuit for automatically activating the yellow light after expiration of the first period of time and for automatically activating the red light after expiration of the second period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Children Oral Care, LLC
    Inventor: Puneet Nanda
  • Patent number: 8972882
    Abstract: Computer interfaces are provided for exploring dental anatomy, for accessing information related to dental conditions, for learning oral hygiene and for cataloguing events. Some of the learning interfaces provide interactive elements for practicing the flossing and brushing of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Orca Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew M. Berry
  • Publication number: 20140356835
    Abstract: A dental simulator includes a base and a platform connected to the base. The base has a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end toward the second end. The platform has at least a first portion which is movably connected to the base. The first portion of the base also includes at least one actuator. The simulator further includes a torso support movably connected to the base and at least a first instrument holder movably connected to the base. At least the first portion of the platform, the torso support, and the first instrument holder are configured to move in unison with respect to the base along the longitudinal axis thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory MONTALBANO, Christopher MONTALBANO, Andrew MARTIN, Richard PETRILLO
  • Patent number: 8875398
    Abstract: A system including a method and associated structures creates efficiencies in the manufacture of prosthetic tooth support frameworks. Pre-manufactured teeth with matching internal keys are used in the setup of a patient prototype. Each key includes a shaft, a cervical platform, a retention knob and preferably at least one channel for the expulsion of excess adhesive fluid. The cervical platforms are shaped to provide intimate contact with a base of their respective tooth. The same tooth/key pairs are then used to make a framework pattern from the setup positioning. The pattern can be cast or scanned for direct machining to produce the finished framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Balshi, Stephen F. Balshi
  • Publication number: 20140287394
    Abstract: Brushing systems include a base configured to assist in keeping the system in an upright position. The base is coupled to a stand being sized, shaped, and positioned so as to couple the base and a support structure. The support structure is configured to provide support for a audio/video device positioned thereon, the audio/video device being configured to provide an audio/visual presentation to a child while brushing his or her teeth, the audio/visual presentation including information on proper oral hygiene habits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: My Pet Flag, LLC
    Inventor: Linette Bond
  • Publication number: 20140272868
    Abstract: A model head including a jaw insert having layers of varying materials replicating the anatomical features of a human jaw. The jaw may include a mock nerve system that provides a signal to indicate the condition of the nerve. The jaw also may include a circulatory system including vessels that simulate the bleeding that occurs when a vessel in a human has been damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ZIMMER DENTAL, INC.
    Inventor: Fred A. Bell
  • Patent number: 8801437
    Abstract: A pedagogical device for incisions and stitches for practicing different incision and stitching techniques in human or animal surgery includes a bar having an upper portion having a surface with a convex shape representing an anatomic element such as a bone, an upper maxillary or a mandible, and a sheet covering the bar, the sheet being made of a material having a texture simulating a biological tissue. The device can be directly used in the field of teaching surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Thierry Mousques
  • Publication number: 20140220528
    Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a model and/or related kit for practicing surgical protocols in the maxillary and/or mandibular arch. The model and related kit comprises a base in the shape of at least a portion of a maxillary dental arch or mandibular dental arch including a defect on the surface of the base. The model and related kit also comprises a multi-layer tissue model configured to overlay at least a portion of the base in a covering relationship with the defect and surrounding tissue. The multi-layer tissue model includes an adhesive gingival simulating layer attached to an adhesive connective tissue simulating layer. The adhesive connective tissue simulating layer is configured to adhere the multi-layer tissue model to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent C. Francavilla