Patents Assigned to OraMetrix, Inc.
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Patent number: 7013191Abstract: Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Friedrich Riemeier, Rohit Sachdeva, Peer Sporbert
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Patent number: 7004754Abstract: A method is provided for automatically separating tooth crowns and gingival tissue in a virtual three-dimensional model of teeth and associated anatomical structures. The method orients the model with reference to a plane and automatically determines local maxima of the model and areas bounded by the local maxima. The method automatically determines saddle points between the local maxima in the model, the saddle points corresponding to boundaries between teeth. The method further positions the saddle points along a dental arch form. For each tooth, the method automatically identifies a line or path along the surface of the model linking the saddle points to each other, the path marking a transition between teeth and gingival tissue and between adjacent teeth in the model. The areas bounded by the lines correspond to the tooth crowns; the remainder of the model constitutes the gingival tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Markus Kaufmann, Peer Sporbert, Phillip Getto
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Patent number: 7003472Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a patient treatment plan includes processing that begins by providing a list of health care services to a patient and/or care provider. The processing continues by prompting for input of digital information regarding the patient when health care services applicable to addressing the patient's treatment needs have been concurrently selected. The processing continues by determining whether a sufficient amount of digital information has been received. If so, the processing continues by simulating treatment of a patient based on the digital information, a treatment objective, and normalized patient data. The processing then continues by generating the patient treatment plan in accordance with the simulating of the treatment when the simulated treatment results have been acknowledged.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventor: Rohit C. L. Sachdeva
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Patent number: 6971873Abstract: An orthodontic workstation stores a library of virtual three-dimensional brackets in a memory. Each of the virtual brackets has a unique three-dimensional configuration and prescription. Typically, the library of bracket comprises a library of commercially available, off-the-shelf brackets. The workstation further includes an interactive treatment planning program that permits a user to move teeth from a virtual model of the dentition to a proposed set-up. In one possible embodiment, the treatment planning program provides the ability to display a virtual bracket placed on a virtual tooth and change the prescription or configuration of the virtual bracket. The treatment program automatically compares the modified prescription with the prescription information of the virtual brackets in the library and selects a bracket from the library that most closely matches the virtual bracket displayed on the tooth. Thus, the user does not have to use customized brackets.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 6918761Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a orthodontic template that assists in the placement of an orthodontic apparatus includes processing that begins by obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient. The processing continues by obtaining a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus. The processing then continues by obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure. The processing then continues by retrieving a digital image of a tooth mounting apparatus (e.g., a bracket, a band, a headgear tube, etc.) of the selected apparatus for a given tooth.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Rudger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Friedrich Riemeirer, Michael Placke, Mathew Johnson
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Patent number: 6905337Abstract: Templates are disclosed that permit an orthodontist to accurately place appliances such as bracket shims or brackets on a tooth or teeth at a desired position. The templates can be used for accurately locating the position of other dental or orthodontic procedures, such as varnishing, tooth etching and root canals. The templates are made from a flexible sheet of material adapted to be adhered directly to the surface of the tooth or teeth. The sheet of material is formed with the outline of the tooth or teeth or in the shape of the tooth to allow the template to be posited in a proper, reference position. The sheet of material is also formed with one or more marks indicating the location of the bracket on the tooth, for example one mark indicting the bracket base location and other marks indicating the orientation of the base and bracket slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventor: Rohit Sachdeva
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Patent number: 6860132Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Werner Butscher, Friedrich Riemeier, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva
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Patent number: 6854973Abstract: A method is provided for scanning the surface of an object in which moisture such as saliva or water is present on the surface. The method includes the step of applying a saliva and water-resistant composition to the surface, wherein the composition is characterized in that it does not readily wash off the surface after application of the composition to the surface in the presence of saliva or water. The composition forms an opaque film on the surface. The method further includes the step of scanning the surface having the film with a scanner. Several formulations for the composition are disclosed. One includes a liquid alcohol base, such as dehydrated ethyl alcohol, a reflective pigment, and a binder for promoting good adhesion of the formulation to the surface of the object being scanned. A suitable binder for scanning teeth and other oral structures is a denture adhesive such as an off-the-shelf denture adhesive, in powder form, that is mixed with the pigment and the alcohol base.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Nancy Butcher, Friedrich Riemeier, Gregg Cohen
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Patent number: 6851949Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional digital model of a desired orthodontic structure include processing that begins by obtaining a three-dimensional model of an actual orthodontic structure, wherein the three-dimensional digital model is defined in x, y, z space. The processing then continues by generating an interim three-dimensional model of the desired orthodontic structure less teeth. The interim three-dimensional model is designed in x, y, z space and includes the desired placement of an occlusal plane, an upper-arch form, a lower-arch form, an upper-arch midline, and a lower-arch midline. The processing then continues by positioning the upper and lower teeth with respect to the interim digital model and the defined x, y, z space to obtain a first pass three-dimensional digital model of the desired orthodontic structure. The processing continues by determining whether achieving the first pass three-dimensional model is feasible.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Rüdger Rubbert
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Publication number: 20040197727Abstract: A method and workstation for evaluation of an orthodontic treatment plan for a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools by which the user can create a proposed treatment plan (proposed position of the teeth at the end of treatment) in three dimensions. The workstation also provides tools for evaluation of the proposed treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Peer Sporbert, Stephan Maetzel, Hans Imgrund, Phillip Getto, Doke Evan Roberts
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Patent number: 6771809Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point along the view axis. The use of the feature is used to perform multiframe reference independent scanning.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Peer Sporbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 6755064Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Werner Butscher, Friedrich Riemeier, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva
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Patent number: 6744914Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point along the view axis. The use of the feature is used to perform multiframe reference independent scanning.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Peer Sporbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 6744932Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point along the view axis. The use of the feature is used to perform multiframe reference independent scanning.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Peer Sporbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 6738508Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point along the view axis. The feature is used to perform multiframe reference independent scanning.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Peer Sporbert, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 6736638Abstract: A method and apparatus for arch wire receptacle (e.g., brackets, bands, headgear tubes, etc.) optimization includes processing that begins by obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient. The processing then continues by retrieving a digital model of an initial arch wire receptacle that was selected from a plurality of digital models of arch wire receptacles. The processing then continues by digitally placing the digital model of the initial arch wire receptacle on a given tooth of the digital model of the orthodontic structure to provide a digital arch wire receptacle placement. The process then proceeds by retrieving a digital model of an arch wire. For the given tooth, the processing continues by digitally modeling a force system on the tooth based on the digital model of the initial arch wire receptacle, the digital arch wire receptacle placement, and the digital model of the arch wire.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Rudger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Friedrich Riemeirer
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Patent number: 6732558Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Werner Butscher, Friedrich Riemeier, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva
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Patent number: 6728423Abstract: In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, an image is projected upon a surface. The image can include a pattern having a plurality of individual shapes used to measure and map the surface. The plurality of individual shapes include features that are detectable in a direction parallel to the plane formed by a projection axis of the projected shapes and a point associated with a view axis. The image further comprises a feature containing an encoding information for identifying the plurality of shapes individually. The feature containing encoding information can be a separate feature from each of the plurality of individual shapes, or may be a feature integral to the plurality of individual shapes. The feature containing encoding information is oriented such that the encoding information is retrieved along a line perpendicular to a plane formed by the projection axis and the point along the view axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Peer Sporbert, Thomas Weise
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Publication number: 20040073417Abstract: An interactive, software-based treatment planning method to correct a malocclusion is described. The method can be performed on an orthodontic workstation in a clinic or at a remote location such as a lab or precision appliance manufacturing center. The workstation stores a virtual three-dimensional model of the dentition of a patient and patient records. The virtual model is manipulated by the user to define a target situation for the patient, including a target archform and individual tooth positions in the archform. Parameters for an orthodontic appliance, such as the location of orthodontic brackets and resulting shape of an orthodontic archwire, are obtained from the simulation of tooth movement to the target situation and the placement position of virtual brackets. The treatment planning can also be executed remotely by a precision appliance service center having access to the virtual model of the dentition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rudger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva, Hans Imgrund, Peer Sporbert, Mario Leichner, Jens Troeger, Dimitrij Kouzian, Stephan Maetzel
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Publication number: 20040029068Abstract: A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Peer Sporbert, Stephan Maetzel, Hans Imgrund, Claudia Strauss, Phillip Getto, Sanjeev Taneja, Matthew Johnson, John Penman, Justyna Badura, Danesh De Silva