Patents Assigned to Align Technology, Inc.
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Patent number: 11701203Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining hook and or positioning feature placements during dental treatment planning. A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. A target tooth may be identified. Hook and or positioning feature placement may be determined based on satisfying manufacturing and clinical constraints. The hook or positioning features can be input into a dental treatment planning system.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Svetlana Makarenkova, Mikhail Yudashkin, Andrey Cherkas, Kristina Anikina, Viktor Sazhaev
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Patent number: 11690698Abstract: An orthodontic aligner includes a first plastic segment having a first shape that fits over a first portion of a dental arch of a patient, a second plastic segment having a second shape that fits over a second portion of the dental arch of the patient, and a connector that joins the first plastic segment to the second plastic segment. The connector is configured to be disposed along a lingual side of one or more additional teeth of the patient without exerting a clinically significant force on the one or more additional teeth. The connector spans a gap between the first plastic segment and the second plastic segment, the gap corresponding to the one or more additional teeth that are not to receive the clinically significant force. The connector includes a flexible material that will perform at least one of flex, move or change shape responsive to applied forces.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Peter Webber, Jennifer C. Chen, Yan Chen
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Patent number: 11684453Abstract: Methods for fabricating attachment placement appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes directly fabricating an attachment placement appliance body including a support formed in a tooth-receiving cavity configured to receive a tooth. The method can include directly fabricating one or more coupling structures connected to the support, and directly fabricating an aligner attachment connected to the one or more coupling structures. The attachment placement appliance body can be configured to align the aligner attachment to a predetermined location on the tooth. The aligner attachment can be shaped to engage with an attachment well of a shell aligner and exert one or more forces on the tooth when the aligner attachment is coupled to the attachment well. The one or more coupling structures can be configured to release the aligner attachment with removal of the attachment placement appliance body from the tooth.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Patent number: 11678953Abstract: A method includes receiving first intraoral scan data comprising a first depiction of a dental site comprising a preparation tooth; generating a virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of the dental site using the first intraoral scan data; processing at least one of the first intraoral scan data or data from the virtual 3D model to identify a margin line of the preparation tooth, wherein at least a portion of the margin line is unclear; outputting instructions to generate second intraoral scan data of the dental site depicting the portion of the margin line that is unclear; receiving the second intraoral scan data; and updating the virtual 3D model of the dental site using the second intraoral scan data, wherein the portion of the margin line that was unclear in the virtual 3D model is replaced with information from the second intraoral scan data.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Michael Sabina
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Patent number: 11678954Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for adjustment of tooth position in a virtual dental model. Virtual dental modeling can include detecting space and/or collision between posterior teeth of an upper jaw and posterior teeth of a lower jaw in a virtual dental model that has been set in a preliminary target position. An energy function can be defined including the space and/or collision, tooth root movement, and align points. Weights can be assigned for each variable in the energy function. A position of the posterior teeth of the upper jaw and the posterior teeth of the lower jaw can be adjusted in six degrees of freedom to minimize the energy function. The detection, definition, assignment, and adjustment can be repeated until the energy function converges. The weights can be adjusted to reduce the space and/or collision.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Artem Borovinskih, Rene M. Sterental, Pavel Agapov, Anton Spiridonov, Anatoliy Boltunov
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Patent number: 11678956Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
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Patent number: 11672631Abstract: A method comprises obtaining reference data about a 3D calibration object, the reference data comprising known coordinates for a plurality of points on the object, and obtaining measurement data comprising measurements for the plurality of points on the object, the measurement data having been generated based on scanning of the object by an uncalibrated intraoral scanner. The method comprises comparing the measurement data to the reference data to determine differences therebetween and applying the determined differences between the measurement data and the reference data for the plurality of points to a function to generate a compensation model that compensates for one or more inaccuracies of the intraoral scanner. The compensation model is then stored, wherein the compensation model causes the intraoral scanner to be a calibrated intraoral scanner and is usable to correct measurement errors of the intraoral scanner caused by the one or more inaccuracies of the intraoral scanner.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
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Patent number: 11672629Abstract: A method may include: receiving facial image of the patient that depicts the patient's teeth; receiving a 3D model of the patient's teeth; determining color palette of the depiction of the patient's teeth; coding 3D model of the patient's teeth based on attributes of the 3D model; providing the 3D model, the color palette, and the coded 3D model to a neural network; processing the 3D model, the color palette, and the coded 3D model by the neural network to generate a processed image of the patient's teeth; simulating specular highlights on the processed image of the patient's teeth; and inserting the processed image of the patient's teeth into a mouth opening of the facial image.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Yurievich Chekh, Samuel Blanco, Vladislav Andreevich Miryaha, Boris Aleksandrovich Vysokanov, Chad Clayton Brown, Christopher E. Cramer
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Patent number: 11667412Abstract: A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stanley E. Sankaran, Eric Kuo, Kevin M. Conlon, Josh Van Riper
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Patent number: 11666416Abstract: Methods for simulating orthodontic treatment are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes capturing a first representation, the first representation including a depiction of a patient's teeth. The method can include building a parametric model of the patient's teeth based on the first representation, using one or more case-specific parameters for one or more shapes associated with at least one of the patient's teeth. The method can also include simulating an outcome of a dental treatment plan for the patient's teeth to produce a simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan. The method can further include modifying the parametric model to provide a modified model representing the simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yingjie Li, Chao Shi, Zelko Relic, Michael Alan Stocks, Andrey Bushev, Ya Xue, Eric P. Meyer
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Patent number: 11666415Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yuxiang Wang, Andrew Jang, Bruce Cam, Rohit Tanugula, Chunhua Li, Jun Sato, Luyao Cai, Pavel Pokotilov, Kangning Su, John Y. Morton
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Patent number: 11661468Abstract: Provided herein are systems and processes to control multiple temperatures in additive manufacturing. Such temperature control adjusts polymer properties and facilitates processing of materials to form 3D objects. The systems and processes disclosed herein also facilitate the processing of typically difficult-to-process materials and deliver such materials to a photocuring zone configured to photopolymerize materials into 3 dimensional objects with a layer-by-layer process. Such processes can include the steps of heating a resin to a flowable temperature, applying the resin to a carrier, cooling the film to increase viscosity or to solidify the resin, and applying the film containing the resin onto an area being printed, then photocuring the film. Also provided herein are resins and related polymer materials having properties that are tunable with exposure to more than one temperature zone. The formed polymers can include multiple regions of polymer material, each independently having distinct properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger
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Patent number: 11654001Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining if a 3D tooth model requires trimming or removal of incomplete or missing data (e.g., gingiva covering a portion of a tooth such as a molar). A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. Raw dental features, principal component analysis (PCA) features, and/or other features may be extracted and compared to those of other teeth, such as those obtained through automated machine learning systems. A classifier can identify and/or output probability that the 3D tooth model requires trimming. Trimming of the 3D tooth model can be implemented without human intervention.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roman A. Roschin, Evgenii Vladimirovich Karnygin, Sergey Grebenkin, Dmitry Guskov, Dmitrii Ischeykin, Ivan Potapenko, Denis Durdin, Roman Gudchenko, Vasily Paraketsov, Mikhail Gorodilov, Alexey Vladykin, Roman Solovyev, Alexander Beliaev, Elizaveta Ulianenko, Leonid Trofimov, Anzhelika Son, Nikolay Zhirnov, Alexander Vovchenko
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Patent number: 11654003Abstract: A scan model that is a mathematical model to simulate an imaging process performed by an x-ray imaging device that created a two-dimensional x-ray image of at least one tooth is generated. The scan model uses an initial estimate of one or more parameters of the x-ray imaging device. The one or more parameters include a scan angle parameter indicative of a scan angle of the x-ray imaging device. A two-dimensional contour of a three-dimensional model is adjusted to cause a first component of the two-dimensional contour to approximately align with a second component of the two-dimensional x-ray image. The scan model is calibrated based on data obtained from adjusting the two-dimensional contour.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
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Patent number: 11654004Abstract: A method and system are provided for manufacturing a physical dental model. A virtual model is provided representative of at least a portion of the intra-oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representative of each dental implant. The virtual spatial disposition of each such virtual portion is determined with respect to the virtual model, corresponding to a real spatial disposition of the respective implant with respect to the intra oral cavity. A physical model is then manufactured based on the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to each implant at a respective physical spatial disposition with respect to the physical model corresponding to the respective virtual spatial disposition of the respective virtual portion with respect to the first virtual model as already determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 11651494Abstract: Methods and apparatuses (including systems and devices), including computer-implemented methods for segmenting, correcting and/or modifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of a subject's oral cavity to determine individual components such as teeth, gingiva, tongue, palate, etc., that may be selective and/or collectively digitally manipulated. In some implementations, artificial intelligence uses libraries of labeled 2D images and 3D dental models to learn how to segment a 3D dental model of a subject's oral cavity using 2D images, height map and/or other data and projection values that relate the 2D images to the 3D model. As noted herein, the dental classes can include a variety of intra-oral and extra-oral objects and can be represented as binary values, discrete values, a continuum of height map data, etc. In some implementations, several dental classes are predicted concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Chad C. Brown, Yun Gao, Pavel Agniashvili, Avraham Zulti, Jonathan Coslovsky, Christopher E. Cramer, Roman Gudchenko, Ofer Saphier, Adi Levin, Maayan Moshe, Doron Malka
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Patent number: 11648086Abstract: Methods of fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance. The appliance geometry can include a plurality of power arms including a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to a shell, and a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or a tooth. The appliance geometry can also include an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm. The elongate connecting structure and the elongate counter-force connector can be coupled to the first power arm at respective locations separate from the first connection point. The elongate connecting structure can be coupled to the second power arm at a location separate from the second connection point.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Allen Boronkay
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Patent number: 11648087Abstract: Embodiments relate to adding customized cut line information to a shell that is to be formed over mold of a dental arch. In one embodiment, a processing device generates or receives a digital three-dimensional model of a mold for a dental arch of a patient. The processing device determines a cut line for a shell that is to be formed over the mold for the dental arch of the patient. The processing device then supplements the digital three-dimensional model by adding an auxiliary structure to the digital three-dimensional model, wherein the auxiliary structure comprises at least one of an elevation or a depression that extends along the cut line in the digital three-dimensional model, wherein the auxiliary structure will cause the shell formed over the mold to have an impression of the auxiliary structure that identifies the cut line.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 11648090Abstract: Multilayer polymer sheets are provided, as well as related methods, systems, and appliances.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Chunhua Li, Yan Chen, Heinz Pudleiner, Klaus Meyer, Joerg Nickel, Craig Pehlert
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Patent number: RE49541Abstract: A computer-based prosthodontic method is provided, for enabling a dental practitioner to define a finish line of a dental prosthesis of at least one tooth to be fitted over a tooth preparation. The method comprises the following steps: providing a three-dimensional (3D) digital data relating to the patient's dentition, the 3D data includes data representative of the surface topology of the preparation and its surroundings; generating first finish line data representative of at least a portion of the finish line and superimposing an image of the finish line on an image of the dentition; obtaining second finish line data determined on the basis of input received from a dental practitioner; and using the second finish line data to update the first finish line data and superimposing the updated data on the dentition image.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Eldad Taub