Patents Examined by John J. Wilson
  • Air-driven cutting device for medical treatment
    Patent number: 7329123
    Abstract: A dental cutting device has a head portion (10) which accommodates a rotary cylinder (20) for holding a cutting tool (22), and a turbine blade (21) mounted around and secured on the rotary cylinder (20). Air fed from an air-supply port (24) is blown onto the turbine blade to rotate the same, and the air blown onto the turbine blade is exhausted from the exhaust port (25). The head portion has a first chamber (26) which is located at a portion confronting the outer peripheral end portion of the turbine blade and which extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the rotary cylinder, and second chambers (27, 28) which are located adjacent to one or both ends of the turbine blade along the direction of the central axial and which communicate with the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Tanaka, Shozo Nakayama, Hirofumi Jikuhara, Naruo Wada
  • Methods and systems for treating teeth
    Patent number: 7326051
    Abstract: A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances used with braces. 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 appliances may be substituted with braces as appropriate to optimize the treatment of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Miller
  • Method and apparatus for drilling teeth with a pressurized water stream
    Patent number: 7326054
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for boring into teeth to remove decaying tool matter using a high pressure jet of water. A system according to the invention may include a pressurized water source operably connected to an applicator used to target the water stream at the decayed portion of the tooth. The invention contemplates water streams utilizing single or multiple stream orifices, pure water or particle-entrained streams, and constant high pressure or pulsing pressure to accomplish removal of oral material, including enamel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Robert Todd, Scott Hansen
  • Defining tooth-moving appliances computationally
    Patent number: 7320592
    Abstract: Methods and corresponding apparatus for segmenting an orthodontic treatment path into clinically appropriate substeps for repositioning the teeth of a patient include providing a digital finite element model of the shape and material of each of a sequence of appliances to be applied to a patient; providing a digital finite element model of the teeth and related mouth tissue of the patient; computing the actual effect of the appliances on the teeth by analyzing the finite elements models computationally; and evaluating the effect against clinical constraints. The appliances can be braces, polymeric shells, or other forms of orthodontic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Elena Pavlovskaia, Gregory P. Bala, Brian M. Freyburger
  • Light emitting diode light source for curing dental composites
    Patent number: 7320593
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diode Light Sources for Dental Curing are disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention include structures such as Light Emitting Diode Array(s), heat sink, heat dissipation, heat pipe, and control circuitry are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: TIR Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Calvin D. Ostler, Kevin D. Ostler, Bruce R. Walker, Marc C. Cimolino, Miles F. Elledge
  • Provisional dental implant for preparing an alveolus
    Patent number: 7314375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a temporary dental implant intended to prepare the alveola of an extracted tooth so that a selected dental implant can be inserted later. It also involves the use of this temporary dental implant from a functional and/or aesthetic point of view. It has, in addition, as its object kits, methods and tools, notably resin models, that can be used for the application or preparation of the above implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Henkel KGaA
    Inventor: Philippe Gault
  • Interproximal cavitation detection device and method
    Patent number: 7311521
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a device and method for diagnosis of enamel cavitation of an interproximal dental surface. And in particular, the invention is directed to a device and method for diagnosing enamel cavitation of an interproximal tooth surface that is not visible or probe-able by instrumentation in human permanent and deciduous teeth. More specifically, the device has a substrate of generally rectangular shape and of a sufficient thickness such that it may be inserted into the interproximal space of teeth. On the substrate is disposed an impressionable material for contacting the interproximal surface and forming an impression thereof. The impressionable material has visco-elastic properties such that an impression of enamel cavitation on the interproximal surface remains on the impressionable material following removal of the substrate from the interproximal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Daniel W. Boston
  • Carrier and seating instrument for dental devices
    Patent number: 7306461
    Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating a dental device comprises first and second gripping elements rotatably coupled to one another for movement between a gripping configuration in which a first gripping surface of the first gripping element is positioned adjacent a second gripping surface of the second gripping element to grip a dental device there between and a release configuration in which the first and second gripping surfaces are spaced from one another, wherein each of the first and second gripping surfaces includes a device receiving recess shaped to accommodate a gripping portion of a device to be gripped by the apparatus and a locking mechanism for locking the first and second gripping elements in the gripping configuration. The apparatus may further include a seating surface for applying a seating force to a bearing surface of the dental device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: A. Milton Bell
  • Device for the removal of teeth
    Patent number: 7303395
    Abstract: A divice for the removal of teeth and/or tooth roots from a tooth socket or from a jawbone includes an extractor having a fisrt and second lever and a first and second branch pivotably connected to each other by a hinge, the first branch including a receiving part. A rod for mechanically and manually adjusting the first and second levers is provided. An adjusting part for axially moving the rod relative to the second lever against a force needed to extract a tooth is provided. An extracting part including at least one resistance element is provided for anchorinf the tooth or a tooth stump, the extracting part including a first support for coupling with the receiving part of the first branch. A second support is placed against the extractor and has an openning for the extracting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hornig, Thomas Offermann
  • Endodontic file having bi-directional scraping edges
    Patent number: 7300281
    Abstract: An endodontic file having an elongated shank with a proximal end portion, a distal end and a tapered working portion extending from the proximal portion to the distal end, the external surface of the shank working portion being defined in part by a plurality of at least two equally spaced apart continuous helical flutes formed into a central core portion of the shank working portion, the flutes having therebetween an equal number of spiraled spaced apart flanges, each flange having a semi-circular surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, each edge being in or parallel to a plane of the shank longitudinal axis, each leading and trailing edges providing a cutting or scraping edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Giuseppe Cantatore, Arnaldo Castellucci, Elio Vincenzo Giovanni Berutti
  • Organic shaped interface for dental implant devices
    Patent number: 7291013
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an organic implant/abutment interface for dental implants. In one illustrative embodiment, the abutment comprises a body having a distal end which has an organic shape. In another illustrative embodiment, the implant comprises having a spherical coronal end which interfaces with the abutment allowing a formation of a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Ines M. Aravena, Ajay Kumar
  • Functional handpiece having a light emission element at its forward end
    Patent number: 7284981
    Abstract: Functional handpiece 1 having an elongate handpiece body which has at its rearward end a connection element for connection with a flexible supply line, and has at its forward end a light emission element of a light permeable material for the illumination of the treatment site, and has in the light emission element an outlet opening for a medium such as water or air or spray, the light emission element forming a forward region of the functional handpiece and being releasably connected with the remaining region of the functional handpiece, and the light emission element having a plug-in fitting for the light emission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Schmid, Franz Liebhardt, Gerd Löhn, Hubert Mösslang
  • Virtual orthodontic treatment
    Patent number: 7275930
    Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cadent Ltd
    Inventors: Eldad Taub, Avi Kopelman
  • Medical irradiation apparatus
    Patent number: 7275931
    Abstract: A medical irradiation apparatus comprising a main body, a luminous body comprised of a light emitting element provided in a light outlet of the main body, an annular reflective member with a reflective surface provided at the circumference of the luminous body, the reflective surface reflecting the light from the luminous body forward, and a lens member provided so as to cover a forward opening of the reflective member, the lens member refracting and transmitting the direct light from the luminous body and the light reflected from the reflective member. According to the apparatus, all the outgoing light from the lens member is emitted so as to direct into a specified irradiation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Katsuda, Haruo Ogawa, Kazunari Matoba
  • Device and method for vacuum assisted dental impression
    Patent number: 7273370
    Abstract: A device for forming a mold for a dental prosthetic includes a dental tray that provides connection to a vacuum source. Additionally, the device includes a dam that may be used to selectively block suction from the vacuum source. The method for forming a mold for a dental prosthetic includes forming an impression with a dental tray including a dam and then forming a mold within the impression after portions of the dam are selectively removed to allow suction to draw in moldable material to the desired teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Joe Dentist, Inc.
    Inventor: Kambiz Kohani
  • Virtual orthodontic treatment
    Patent number: 7273368
    Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cadent Ltd
    Inventors: Eldad Taub, Avi Kopelman
  • Endodontic ozone therapy
    Patent number: 7270544
    Abstract: A method for treating root canals includes directing an oxidizing gas onto an open root canal through a needle, maintain a presence of the oxidizing gas onto the root canal for a period of time sufficient to kill microorganisms therein, and preventing escape of the oxidizing gas from the root canal. Apparatus for a treatment of root canals includes a source of oxidizing gas, a handpiece, a needle extending from said handpiece and receivable in a tooth root canal. The needle includes an oxidizing gas delivery lumen therethrough, and a cup is attached to the handpiece and surrounding the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Curozone Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Jurgen H. Schemmer, Bernd Libermann
  • Handpiece for caries detection
    Patent number: 7270543
    Abstract: A dental implement is provided including a housing, a light source, a light detecting device, and a translucent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Therametric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George Kenneth Stookey, Kenneth Robert Dunipace, Bryan Ellis Blackwell, Masatoshi Ando
  • Orthodontic anchor
    Patent number: 7258545
    Abstract: An orthodontic anchor is disclosed. The orthodontic anchor has an anchor plate to be embedded between the mandible or maxilla bone and the covering mucous membrane and an engagement plate that remains exposed in the oral cavity. The anchor plate includes a protrusion and tissue openings. The protrusion is to be integrated with a bore prepared in the mandible or maxilla bone and the tissue openings are to be filled in with tissues to provide anchorage. The engagement plate includes engagement openings which are used to engage with a ligament device for correction of malocclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Yasunori Hotta
  • Method and kits for forming pontics in polymeric shell aligners
    Patent number: 7255561
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patient's dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tricca, Eric Kuo, Peter G. Knopp, Choi Woncheol, Craig R. Burns