Patents Examined by Eric Rosen
  • Guide block for a dental implant procedure and guide block assembly, and implant procedural technique using same
    Patent number: 8491301
    Abstract: A guide block for a dental implant procedure, a guide block assembly, and a dental implant procedural technique using the guide block, which enable a dental implant procedure to be accurately performed by allowing one or more surgical holes to be quickly and accurately bored during a boring process in which the one or more surgical holes are bored in an alveolar bone in a dental implant procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: EBI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Choon Cho
  • Deposition of discrete nanoparticles on an implant surface
    Patent number: 8486483
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanocrystalline surface on an implant. The method includes the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to form a roughened surface. The method further includes the act of, without forming an alkoxide on the roughened surface, depositing nanocrystals on the roughened surface. The nanocrystals include a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Ross W. Towse, Robert L. Mayfield
  • System and method for improved dental geometry representation
    Patent number: 8478435
    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: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Kuo, Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
  • Activatable dental appliance
    Patent number: 8469706
    Abstract: An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kuo
  • Liquid droplet interproximal cleaning apparatus with gas stream protection
    Patent number: 8454360
    Abstract: The interproximal cleaning apparatus includes a gas reservoir (12) containing a compressed gas, such as CO2, in both liquid and gaseous states. A siphon tube (20) extends down into the liquid region of the gas reservoir when the apparatus is in an upright position. The siphon tube connects the reservoir to a metering valve (18) which has a metered volume to accommodate an amount of liquid compressed gas which is sufficient for good liquid droplet cleaning when it decompresses and forms a gaseous stream, without damage to the dental regions of the user. If the apparatus is severely tilted or turned upside down, gaseous CO2 or a combination of gaseous and liquid CO2 will enter the siphon tube and then the metering valve. The size of the metering valve will limit the volume of the gaseous CO2 to a safe amount, both when liquid CO2 or gaseous CO2 are applied to the metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Koninkliijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jozef Johannes Maria Janssen, Bart Gottenbos
  • Method and system for optimizing dental aligner geometry
    Patent number: 8439672
    Abstract: Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Matov, John Y. Morton, Eric Kuo, Heng Cao
  • System and method for incrementally moving teeth
    Patent number: 8419430
    Abstract: A dental model kit includes a set of dowel pins for successive use with at least one tooth die that is part of the dental model kit. Each dowel pin includes an upstanding tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die; and a main body section having a top surface from which the tooth anchor section extends. The main body section is for reception within a base of the dental model kit. According to the present invention, a location of the tooth anchor section relative to the top surface changes from an initial position associated with an initial pin that is part of the set to a final position associated with a final pin that is part. Successive movement of the tooth anchor section is translated into successive movement of the tooth die both in a desired direction and a desired distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Yan Pogorelsky
  • Surgical access device having removable and replaceable components
    Patent number: 8419635
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to improve access to a surgical site during surgical procedures. In one exemplary embodiment a surgical access device is provided having a cannula, a cannula base, and a retractor. The cannula base is configured to couple both to the retractor and the cannula to provide access to a surgical site. The cannula can be removably and replaceably coupled to the cannula base. Optionally, the cannula base can be removably and replaceably coupled to the retractor. As desired, the cannula can be decoupled from the cannula base, which can allow for an object to be removed from the surgical site and/or for the cannula, or another cannula to be attached to the cannula base that remains in place to maintain access to the surgical site. Exemplary methods for accessing a surgical site are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Non-contact apparatus and method for stability assessment of dental implant
    Patent number: 8414295
    Abstract: A non-contact apparatus for a stability assessment of a dental implant is provided. The non-contact apparatus includes a triggering device and a dental implant containing a root body and an impact generating device, wherein the root body has a cavity, the impact generating device is located in the cavity, and the triggering device provides a non-contact impetus for triggering the impact generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Wu, Keng-Liang Ou, Kuo-Cheng Huang
  • Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement
    Patent number: 8414296
    Abstract: A surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin
  • Coupling for a multi-part dental implant system
    Patent number: 8408904
    Abstract: The invention relates to an abutment for use in a dental implant system, wherein the abutment is provided with a guiding and lock element for associating the abutment to a dental implant, the guiding and lock element including: a first conically tapered section; a second substantially non-tapered section arranged apically adjacent to the first section, the second section being provided with an anti-rotational element; and a third substantially circular cylindrical section arranged apically adjacent to the second section, such that to provide axial guiding to the abutment upon the insertion thereof into a dental implant. Further, the invention relates to a dental implant formed in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Straumann Holding AG
    Inventors: Johnny Purga, Ulrich Mundwiler, Andreas Utz
  • Self-ligating orthodontic bracket
    Patent number: 8393896
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plae between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Todd I. Oda
  • Low profile implant locking plates
    Patent number: 8388664
    Abstract: An implant locking plate system and a method of using such a system are provided. The implant locking plate system generally includes at least one “T”-headed bone anchor, such as a screw or bolt that can be inserted into a vertebral body adjacent to the artificial disc to be stabilized, and a stabilizing plate attached to the bone anchor designed to overlap at least a portion of the artificial disk or graft when the bone anchor is inserted into the vertebral body adjacent to the artificial disk or graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Walt Pazanowski, Laurence M. McKinley, Timothy Allen Peppers
  • Drill jig for positioning dental implants
    Patent number: 8388342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a template for placing at least one dental implant (7) in a jaw (1) having at least one bore (3) for guiding this implant (7) when it is fixed in the jaw (1), whereby a recess (4) is provided that opens at least partly in said bore (3) in order to enable verifying the position of a implant guide with the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dental Vision BVBA
    Inventor: René De Clerck
  • Method and apparatus for organizing orthodontic spacers
    Patent number: 8388341
    Abstract: Orthodontic spacer and floss set-ups are organized on a set-up holder which is a thin square or rectangular piece of plastic that has a plurality of complementary notches formed across opposite sides. The spacer is positioned more or less in between the notches on the set-up holder and one length of floss is disposed in one notch while the other length of floss is disposed in the complementary notch on the opposite side of the holder. In a supply of two or more spacer set-ups, the set-ups are separated from each other in this manner so that a particular one does not have to be untangled from a jumble of other set-ups. Kits provide pre-made set-ups already organized on a piece of notched plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Regina L. Keltgen
  • Apparatus and method for removing enamel from a person's tooth
    Patent number: 8382479
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Carlos F. Navarro
  • Self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member
    Patent number: 8376739
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Dupray, Nam Trinh, Jeffrey Allen Smith
  • Mouthpiece that adjusts to user arch sizes and seals from oxygen exposure and methods for effecting an oral treatment
    Patent number: 8371853
    Abstract: A mouthpiece that adjusts manually in the mouth and seals the treatment area. It includes light emitters and heat generators. Textured bands guide and direct light to diffuse evenly. A seal bead seals the gum above the teeth. For whitening, a whitening gel is first applied to the user's teeth, the mouthpiece is then positioned in the user's mouth, and the seal bead seals against the user's gums. Then, the light emitter(s) and heat generator(s) are activated to effect the whitening while causing an increase in the temperature enabling the user to mold the mouthpiece to their mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: JBL Radical Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Levine
  • Dental implant system
    Patent number: 8353702
    Abstract: A dental implant system is described which includes a root form for attaching to a patient's jaw bone and an abutment. The root form has a cavity. Furthermore, the abutment has an attachment portion, an insertion portion and an aperture. The insertion portion may be receivable within the cavity and form a taper lock therein. Finally, the aperture may pass through the abutment from the attachment portion to the insertion portion. In a preferred embodiment, the aperture is configured to receive a predetermined amount of hydraulic pressure to eject the abutment from the cavity, whereby the predetermined amount of hydraulic pressure overcomes the taper lock between the insertion portion of the abutment and the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptall Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Nike
  • Activatable dental appliance
    Patent number: 8348665
    Abstract: An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kuo