Patents Assigned to Align Technology
  • Patent number: 7871269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dental impression tray and related methods. In one embodiment, a dental impression tray includes a first portion for receiving impression material from a source and a second portion is configured for receiving a patient's upper or lower teeth and will at least partial define a cavity shaped to receive the teeth during use. In use, impression material introduced into the first portion can pass through openings and into the second portion and around a patient's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Wu, Jon Moss, Ryan Kimura, Heng Cao
  • Patent number: 7870280
    Abstract: Embodiments include computing device readable mediums, computing devices, and methods for synchronized viewing of file manipulations. One method embodiment includes creating a synchronized session between computing devices. The method further includes distributing copies of a file from one computing device to another and allowing each computing device to locally manipulate the file. According to the method, manipulating the file on a first computing device initiates a data stream including executable instructions for manipulating the file on a second computing device. The method also includes forwarding the data stream to the second computing device and manipulating the file according to the data stream received. The method further includes restricting manipulation functionality on the second computing device to the file based on the forwarded data stream, where the restriction of the manipulation functionality does not interrupt functionality of each computing device outside the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 7865259
    Abstract: A digital data set representing a pre-scanned tooth geometry, including generic crown data, is merged with data representing a scanned patient tooth crown image, which lacks sufficient data to completely represent a complete tooth crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Kuo, Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
  • Patent number: 7854609
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes method, system, apparatus, and indicator embodiments. For example, one system for monitoring orthodontic treatment includes an appliance for placement over one or more teeth and multiple wear indicators including at least a first wear indicator having a first wear rate and a second wear indicator that has a second wear rate that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Anthony Morefield
  • Patent number: 7841858
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Knopp, Loc X. Phan
  • Patent number: 7844356
    Abstract: System and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects, such as the occlusal plane, arch form, and the local occlusal plane for a patient's teeth are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects comprises receiving three dimensional data for the teeth, setting an initial direction for a normal of the occlusal plane, determining tips for selected teeth, calculating a plane that matches the determined tip, and determining a new normal for the calculated plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Matov, Fuming Wu
  • Patent number: 7844429
    Abstract: A system and method for modeling of complete tooth, including root and crown, of a patient to facilitate orthodontic treatment are provided, wherein a generic tooth modeling is combined with a tooth crown modeling for a patient to yield a complete tooth modeling. A generic tooth three-dimensional model for a particular tooth is morphed with a three-dimensional model of a patient's crown for the corresponding tooth to yield a complete three-dimensional model for that tooth. Modeling techniques can be conducted with computer-based systems, such as systems configured for storing patient data and generic tooth data, morphing such data and/or facilitating additional orthodontic treatment applications, through the use of one or more algorithms. Adjustment of the complete tooth model for the tooth can be provided through additional patient information, such as X-ray imaging, to address variations in root shape between a generic root and an actual root shape for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
  • Patent number: 7837469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method define a fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system of a patient by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system of the patient; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the masticatory system using one or more keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Ziaullah Khan Chishti, Andrew C. Beers
  • Patent number: 7840373
    Abstract: A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Culp, Craig E. Farren, Artem Borovinskih, Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7837904
    Abstract: Fabricating polymeric shell appliances for moving a patient's teeth. A first tooth arrangement model is formed by placing models of individual teeth representing the patient's teeth onto a plurality of platforms of a frame approximating a shape and size of a jaw of the patient, wherein each model tooth comprises a coupling member for coupling the model tooth with a platform of the plurality of platforms. A first polymeric shell appliance is formed over the first tooth arrangement model or a copy thereof. At least a second tooth arrangement model is formed by rearranging at least some of the individual teeth relative to the frame. At least a second polymeric shell appliance is formed over the second tooth arrangement model or a copy thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Hedge, Huafeng Wen, Srinivas Kaza
  • Patent number: 7831322
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing wrinkled dental aligner for a patient's tooth includes developing a digital dental aligner model specifying at least one wrinkled surface on a dental aligner and producing a dental aligner having the wrinkled surface in accordance with digital dental aligner model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Zhenhuan Liu, Huafeng Wen
  • Patent number: 7824180
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu
  • Patent number: 7826646
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method separates gingiva from a model of a tooth by defining a cutting surface along the gingiva; and applying the cutting surface to the tooth to separate the gingiva from the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena Pavlovskaia, Venkata S. Sarva, Carmen Cheang
  • Patent number: 7819659
    Abstract: A system for organizing dental aligners for a subject includes a plurality of dental aligners configured to move the subject's teeth at different steps of an orthodontic treatment and one or more connectors (including frangible connectors) configured to connect a plurality of dental aligners in an order that is consistent with the sequence in which the dental aligners are to be used by the subject in the orthodontic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Huafeng Wen
  • Patent number: 7802987
    Abstract: A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances that are treated with a lubricious composition. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient's teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The system of appliances is usually configured at the outset of treatment so that the patient may progress through treatment without the need to have the treating professional perform each successive step in the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Loc X. Phan
  • Patent number: 7771195
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Knopp, Loc X. Phan
  • Patent number: 7766658
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting or diagnosing diseases by sampling and testing intra-oral fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu, Chunhua Li, Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7748199
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Sankaran, Eric Kuo, Kevin M. Conlon, Josh Van Riper
  • Publication number: 20100167225
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, method, apparatus and system for receiving digital representations of the initial parameters of a dentition; simulating a first orthodontic treatment process on the digital representations of the initial parameters, displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, simulating a second orthodontic treatment process on the output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, and displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the second orthodontic treatment process are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7746339
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic detection of dental features, such as cusps, ridges, and grooves, are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic detection of dental features for an occlusal surface of a patient's tooth comprises receiving three dimensional data for the tooth's occlusal surface, projecting the three dimensional data into a two dimensional plane, forming a height map from the projected three dimensional data, and detecting a set of points from the height map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Matov, Fuming Wu