Patents Assigned to Align Technology
  • Patent number: 10368960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes receiving a tracking model, performing a matching step between individual teeth in a plan model and the tracking model, comparing the tracking model with the plan model, and detecting one or more positional differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
  • Patent number: 10363118
    Abstract: Systems for generating in-focus color images are provided. Related methods and devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yosi Moalem
  • Patent number: 10363116
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for improved orthodontic treatment of a patient's teeth are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Boronkay
  • Patent number: 10350107
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status are provided herein. In one aspect, a system for monitoring and treating sleep apnea in a patient comprises one or more sensors configured to monitor the patient for symptoms associated with sleep apnea; an intraoral appliance worn by the patient, one or more processors, and memory comprising instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to: receive a set of sensor data from the one or more sensors, detect, using a machine learning algorithm, onset of a sleep apnea event based on the set of sensor data, and transmit a control signal to the intraoral appliance to cause the intraoral appliance to displace a lower jaw of the patient from a first position to a second position in order to treat the sleep apnea event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Avi Kopelman
  • Patent number: 10342638
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Lou Shuman
  • Patent number: 10335252
    Abstract: Method and system for managing multiple impressions of a patient's jaw for an orthodontic treatment is provided. The method includes scanning at least a first impression and a second impression of same jaw for the orthodontic treatment; determining if the first jaw impression and the second jaw impression have distortion in different areas; selecting the first jaw impression or the second jaw impression as a base impression; and replacing a distorted tooth data from the base impression with data for the same tooth from a non-base impression. The method also includes scanning at least a first jaw impression for the orthodontic treatment; scanning a bite impression for the orthodontic treatment; matching the scanned first jaw impression with the scanned bite impression; comparing bite information with a tooth occlusal surface; and determining if reconstruction is to be performed on the tooth occlusal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kaza, Bob Grove
  • Patent number: 10336102
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
  • Patent number: 10327872
    Abstract: A computing device comprises a processor that uses a field curvature model that is calibrated to a confocal imaging apparatus. The processor receives intensity measurements generated by pixels of a detector of the confocal imaging apparatus. The processor determines, for each pixel, a focusing setting of the confocal imaging apparatus that provides a maximum measured intensity. The processor determines, for each pixel, a depth of a point of a 3D object associated with the pixel that corresponds to the determined focusing setting. The processor adjusts the depth of at least one point of the 3D object based on applying the determined focusing setting for the pixel associated with the at least one point to the field curvature model to compensate for a non-flat focal surface of the confocal imaging apparatus. The processor determines a shape of the 3D object based at least in part on the adjusted depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
  • Patent number: 10327878
    Abstract: Feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity is provided. First, a 3D numerical model of the target zone in the intra oral cavity is provided, and this is manipulated so as to extract particular data that may be useful in a particular procedure, for example data relating to the finish line or to the shape and size of a preparation. The relationship between this data and the procedure is then determined, for example the clearance between the preparation and the intended crown. Feedback data, indicative of this relationship, is then generated, for example whether the preparation geometry is adequate for the particular type of prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Eldad Taub
  • Patent number: 10332164
    Abstract: A virtual health-care electronic commerce community includes a network to communicate information relating to the community; one or more patients coupled to the network; one or more treating professionals coupled to the network; and a server coupled to the network, the server storing data for each patient and performing patient data visualization in response to a user request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Ikechukwu Chibuzo Udechuku, Phillips Alexander Benton, Beth Ann Cooney, Keith Wolf
  • Publication number: 20190171618
    Abstract: Personal data file embodiments and methods for creating the same are provided. One personal data file embodiment includes personal information about a subject of the personal data file, provided by a user that controls the personal data file, in at least one of a number of personal information data fields, and an image of the subject including a privacy region, where the privacy region hides a first area of the image and leaves a second area of the image visible. The hidden first area is accessible by a pass code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 10307222
    Abstract: Orthodontic systems and related methods are disclosed for designing and providing improved or more effective tooth moving systems for eliciting a desired tooth movement and/or repositioning teeth into a desired arrangement. Methods and orthodontic systems of the invention include tooth attachments having improved or optimized parameters selected or modified for more optimal and/or effective application of forces for a desired/selected orthodontic movement. Attachments of the present invention can be customized to a particular patient (e.g., patient-customized), a particular movement, and/or a sub-group or sub-set of patients, and configured to engage an orthodontic tooth positioning appliance worn by a patient, where engagement between the attachment and orthodontic appliance results in application of a repositioning force or series/system of forces to the tooth having the attachment and will generally elicit a tooth movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Morton, Vadim Matov, Heng Cao, Ryan Kimura, Jihua Cheng, Bastien Pesenti
  • Publication number: 20190160590
    Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser generating component, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a control mechanism for adjusting at least one of the laser generating component, the optical component, and the fixture such that a ratio of a laser energy applied to the part and a part material thickness is maintained within a predetermined acceptable range at each point along a cut path to cut through the part while maintaining the integrity of the support. Other systems and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Culp
  • Patent number: 10299894
    Abstract: A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. A first bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the first shell, extending from the first shell and designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw. A second bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the second shell, extending from the second shell and designed to interface with teeth of the second jaw. The first and the second bite adjustment structures can have respective shapes and locations specific to respective stages of the treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Tanugula, John Morton, Chunhua Li, Bastien Pesenti, Jihua Cheng, Jeeyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 10299899
    Abstract: A dental model and related systems and methods, including a first component representing a portion of a patient's jaw and a second component that is demountably attachable to the first component, and a second component representing a dental structure of interest, such as the remaining portion of a tooth or a dental implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Boronkay, Avi Kopelman, Srinivas Kaza
  • Patent number: 10288875
    Abstract: A scanner includes a lens assembly comprising a lens having a lens axis and a positioning system to adjust a focal plane of the lens assembly. The positioning system includes an outer element, an inner element that houses the lens assembly, and a linear-motion bearing that couples the inner element to the outer element. The linear-motion bearing includes a first element coupling and a second element coupling. The linear-motion bearing provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element along the lens axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rami Boltanski
  • Patent number: 10281266
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Erez Lampert, Adi Levin, Tal Verker
  • Patent number: 10271923
    Abstract: Orthodontic positioning devices, and related methods and systems, are disclosed for use with one or more orthodontic elastic members. The disclosed devices are configured to couple with an orthodontic elastic member so as to react a force from the elastic member into the appliance to, for example, generate traction forces on the patient's teeth to produce a desired occlusion. A positioning device includes a patient removable tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hook configured to interface with an orthodontic elastic member. The hook can be configured to be offset from a surface of a tooth when the appliance is coupled with the patient's teeth and no elastic member is coupled with the tooth. The hook can be curved so that the hook is more retentive on the aligner. The hook can be reinforced so that the reinforcement resists deformation when the elastic is in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Kuo, Artem Borovinskih, Shiva Sambu
  • Patent number: 10275862
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for motion compensation in a three dimensional scan. Motion compensation can include receiving three-dimensional (3D) scans of a dentition, estimating a motion trajectory from one scan to another, and calculating a corrected scan by compensating for the motion trajectory. Estimating the motion trajectory can include one or more of: registering a scan to another scan and determining whether an amount of movement between the scans is within a registration threshold; determining an optical flow based on local motion between consecutive two-dimensional (2D) images taken during the scan, estimating and improving a motion trajectory of a point in the scan using the optical flow; and estimating an amount of motion of a 3D scanner during the scan as a rigid body transformation based on input from a position tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Adi Levin
  • Patent number: 10265141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to orthodontic positioning appliances that represent teeth in desired positions and related systems and methods. An appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. An appliance can include an outer component having a surface representing teeth in desired positions. An outer component can be integral with an appliance. An outer component can be separate and configured to couple with an appliance main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mason, Eric Kuo