Patents Examined by Matthew Nelson
  • Patent number: 10064707
    Abstract: A bone implant includes a head and a core body extending from the head to a tip. An osteotomy blade extends outwardly from at least a portion of the core body to form a spiral thread. Channels form bone cutting edges of the implant. The implant, and particularly the osteotomy blade, is configured to self-osteotomize and direct cut bone into the channels to facilitate bone growth and grafting and integration of the implant to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Parsa T. Zadeh
  • Patent number: 10058401
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for the re-positioning of a tooth, such that separate walls forming the archwire slot are designed to enable different extents of flexing and movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Kok Liang Tan
  • Patent number: 10052174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Patent number: 10039621
    Abstract: A fluted osteotome is rotated in one direction to enlarge an osteotomy by burnishing, and by cutting/drilling when turned in an opposite direction. A conic-ally tapered body has an apical end with lips. The lips are set to grind bone when rotated in the burnishing direction and cut bone when toned in the cutting/drilling direction. Helical flutes and interposed lands are disposed about the body. The flutes each have a working edge that burnishes bone when rotated in the burnishing direction and cuts bone when turned in the cutting/drilling direction. The lips and lands generate an opposing axial reaction force that improves surgical control. The osteotome auto-grafts bone by reapplying ground particles in a compacted manner along the entire depth of the osteotomy, particularly at the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Huwais IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Salah Huwais
  • Patent number: 10022203
    Abstract: Handpiece (1) for endodontic treatment, characterized in that it comprises an irrigation device for conveying an irrigation solution from a reservoir (10) to a head (5) for the purpose of ejecting the solution into a root canal, and in that it comprises an agitator device for setting in motion an endpiece (2) intended to penetrate inside a root canal in order to promote the action of the irrigation solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ITENA CLINICAL
    Inventor: Stéphane Simon
  • Patent number: 10022206
    Abstract: A method, system, and dental prosthesis are provided to facilitate simulation of the natural appearance of teeth. The prosthesis can be formed to include a component to which an aesthetic coating, such as a coloring or tint, can be applied. Further, the prosthesis can include a porcelain coating disposed on the outer surface thereof, and on top of the aesthetic coating, such that the aesthetic coating can be visible through the porcelain coating of the prosthesis. During production, the crown can be coated with a metal and/or ceramic powder by means of a powder printer that can be controlled by computer equipment. A practical and rapid application function can be obtained to produce an extremely natural-looking result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG
    Inventors: Per-Olof Karlsson, Urban Nilsson
  • Patent number: 10022204
    Abstract: System and methods for positioning 3D virtual brackets on teeth for the precise positioning of conventional brackets and wire. Various reference features may be calculated for the teeth and used to calculate a position for the virtual bracket. Reference features that are calculated include curve of Spee, Andrew's plane, and a facial axis of the clinical crown for the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ka Man Cheang
  • Patent number: 9955929
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bite tray having fiducial markers for head scan registration and method of use. The bite tray is held by a patient in his teeth while the scan of his head and the fiducial markers is made by x-ray, CT, or MRI and the scan is entered into a computer to register the scan to the fiducial markers. Instrument optical markers are placed on a dental instrument and it is observed by a camera and the observation is entered into the computer to register the instrument optical markers to the dental instrument. Patient optical markers are placed on the patient and it is observed by the camera and the observation is entered into the computer to register the patient optical markers to the patient. The tip of the dental instrument is then touched to one of the fiducial markers making the location of the tip and the fiducial marker the same. The computer then registers the scan to the instrument and the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jerry T. Huang, Ta-Ko Huang
  • Patent number: 9943380
    Abstract: A bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal and facial and/or lingual maxillary and mandibular teeth is coupled to an extraoral housing containing a rechargeable battery coupled to a vibrator coupled to a processor coupled to data and charging port or ports. The housing is at least water resistant, and a hatch allows access to the data and charging port or ports only. The device is fitted with a very smooth and quiet vibrator, with minimal variance on operating specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Lowe
  • Patent number: 9943382
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Huafeng Wen
  • Patent number: 9925024
    Abstract: A dental restoration system is disclosed including an implant for attachment to a jaw bone of a patient. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutment includes an interior bore formed through the stem and the post and an interface section interfacing with the abutment interface of the dental implant. An abutment removal insert has a cylindrical end insertable into a groove formed in the interior bore of the abutment. An abutment removal tool screw is insertable within the abutment removal insert. The abutment removal tool screw includes a grip and an opposite end. The opposite end causes the abutment removal insert to contact the abutment. The grip is rotatable to cause the opposite end to create force against the implant to cause the abutment to be detached from the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet 3I, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Bellanca, Dan P. Rogers, Stephen M. Herrington, Ross W. Towse, Ralph E. Goodman, Zachary B. Suttin, Isabel Scalise, Michael Bobby
  • Patent number: 9907627
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an orthodontic system and a method of using the same to perform orthodontics. In one example, an orthodontic system is presented. The orthodontic system includes a tube having at least one sidewall and two opening ends, and a luting agent. The luting agent is disposed on at least a portion of one or more of the at least one sidewall of the tube and a portion of a surface of a tooth onto which the tube is directly attached or adhered. The two opening ends of the tube remain substantially open so that a wire can move along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Joaquin T. Ariza
  • Patent number: 9901423
    Abstract: A bracket body 3 is fixed to a base part 2, and a clip 4 is mounted on the bracket body 3 so as to move. An archwire slot 5 is provided on an upper face of the bracket body 3. A guide groove 9 for guiding a lower extended part 42 of the clip 4 is formed on a lower face of the bracket body 3, and provided at a position below the archwire slot 5. In a state where the slot is closed, an end 45 of the lower extended part 42 does not pass through the bracket body 3 up to a side face at an opposite side to a curved part of the bracket body 3. It is possible to provide an orthodontic bracket which has a lower height and has less possibility that a clip may be detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOMY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Orikasa, Shingo Katayose, Kosei Endo
  • Patent number: 9888985
    Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Biomet 3I, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary B Suttin, Bruce Berckmans, III, T. Tait Robb
  • Patent number: 9877802
    Abstract: A dental matrix band includes a band having a first end and a second end. The band is folded over with the first end and second end generally aligned. A portion of the band adjacent the first and second ends form opposed facing band portions in contact with one another, and another portion of the band forming a looped band forming a circumference. A first or stationary toggle is secured to the band at the first and second ends with the first toggle stationary with respect to the band. A second or movable toggle is formed over the band and is capable of sliding over the opposed facing band portions in contact with one another, whereby sliding of the movable toggle away from the first and second ends causes the circumference of the looped band to reduce in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Dentsply Sirona Inc.
    Inventor: Simon P. McDonald
  • Patent number: 9877573
    Abstract: A dental dispensing tip includes a body having a first body end, a second body end, and a fluid passageway extending between the first and second body ends. A brush cup is provided at the second body end and has a brush barrel defined therein. A brush applicator is secured within the brush barrel and includes a plurality of bristles, wherein a first end of the brush applicator is received within the brush barrel and a second end of the brush applicator extends out of the brush barrel. A delivery cannula is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and has a bent end entering the plurality of bristles at an intermediate location between the first and second ends to deliver the dental solution to the plurality of bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Young Microbrush, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Korup
  • Patent number: 9872741
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Other aspects are directed to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket; embodiments that include an orthodontic appliance and method of producing and using the same, and preferably employed in a lingual orthodontic system, that includes friction reducing features between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire placed within the archwire slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe Gualano
  • Patent number: 9867678
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Each of the side channels has an archwire retaining ridge extending gingivally-occlusally along the adjacent side of the bracket base between the two retaining regions of the channel. For each channel, its retaining ridge exerts a force on a portion of an archwire facing away from the archwire portion residing in the recesses of the retaining regions of the channel. The force on the archwire is directed toward the interiors of the recesses of the retaining regions for assisting in seating the archwire in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventor: Aldo Macchi
  • Patent number: 9844422
    Abstract: A dental bracket has a base and an engaging unit. The base has two engaged protrusions and two limiting protrusions. The engaging unit is mounted on the base and forms a space between the base and the engaging unit. The engaging unit has a plate, two engaging arms, and a blocking protrusion. The plate has a first surface and a second surface being flat and opposite the first surface. The two engaging arms are formed on the first surface of the plate and respectively engaged with the two engaged protrusions of the base. The blocking protrusion is formed on the first surface of the plate, is arranged between the two limiting protrusions of the base, and divides the space into two channels for inserting an archwire. The second surface of the engaging unit is flat and is able to decrease the foreign body sensation in the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Chuan-Chung Wu
  • Patent number: 9844424
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient's jaw, and providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the patient. The virtual model of the dental appliance including repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell configured to move a position of the misaligned jaw of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Wu, Eric E. Kuo, Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Eric Yau, Allen R. Boronkay, Chunhua Li