Patents Examined by Matthew Seward
  • Patent number: 8944816
    Abstract: A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: T. Tait Robb, Stephen M. Herrington, Miguel Montero, Ralph E. Goodman, Dan P. Rogers, John J. Bellanca, Zachary B. Suttin
  • Patent number: 8944818
    Abstract: A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slideably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: T. Tait Robb, Stephen M. Herrington, Miguel Montero, Ralph E. Goodman, Dan P. Rogers, John J. Bellanca, Zachary B. Suttin
  • Patent number: 8936629
    Abstract: Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8905758
    Abstract: A system and a method for manufacturing a dental implant surgical guide are disclosed. The dentist may obtain a cast model of the patient's jaw and a plurality of CT images of the jawbone and teeth by CT scanning. The system includes a cast model navigation device, a controlling module, and a computer system. The navigation device includes an articulated arm capable of holding a tool and a plurality of braking elements. The articulated arm is operated to measure the positions of markers on the cast model to provide the position registration between the cast model and the plurality of CT images. Once registered, the articulated arm is operated to simulate the target implant position under the guidance of the CT images. The arm can then be locked via the plurality of braking elements controlled by the controlling module for manufacturing of the surgical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Saturn Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Been-Der Yang
  • Patent number: 8899983
    Abstract: A dental impression tray assembly includes an upper tray and a lower tray operable with the upper tray, and the lower tray includes a first piece configured to measure jaw relations of a patient's mouth and a pair of second pieces detachably attachable to the first piece. The first piece of the lower tray is inserted into the patient's mouth independently of the pair of second pieces of the lower tray to measure the jaw relations and to obtain a bite registration. After the first piece is connected to the pair of second pieces, the assembly allows a final gum impression of the patient's lower gum to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dentca, Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8899984
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a dental surgical guide and a methodology of operating same, the dental surgical guide having a body with a set of walls, a top portion, and a bottom portion and at least one open-sided channel, the open-sided channel continuously connects an opening of the one of the set of walls to the top portion and the bottom portion; and at least one master grommet, the master grommet having a hollow grommet interior that continuously connects a side opening, a top aperture and a bottom aperture; wherein the open-sided master grommet is placed within a respective open-sided channel to allow a dental tooling head to be placed into the master grommet through the master grommet's side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel R. Llop, Brad J. Hawley
  • Patent number: 8801763
    Abstract: The appliance includes a brushhead having conductive fiber bristles by which a potential is applied to electrochemically activate a teeth whitening substance, such as peroxide, in the vicinity of the teeth. An impedance appliance system (62) or an optical appliance system (27) provides information concerning whether the conductive fiber bristles are adjacent a tooth surface or gum region. The impedance system uses an electrical signal through the fiber to determine the impedance of a circuit which includes the tooth or gum surface, the impedance being different, depending on whether a tooth or gum surface is in the circuit. The optical system generates a light beam which is directed to the mouth surface through a conductive fiber, the color of the returning light indicating whether the surface is a tooth or gum region. If a tooth is determined, the teeth whitening substance is activated at that bristle, while if gum tissue is determined, the teeth whitening substance is not activated at that bristle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: David Andrew Fish, Nigel David Young, Jay Patel, Estelle Julie Dorothee Bernhard-Fichet, Peter Douglas Fairley
  • Patent number: 8777616
    Abstract: A cordless dental handpiece, a system including a cordless dental handpiece, and a method of connecting a cordless dental handpiece are disclosed. The cordless dental handpiece includes a first module and a second module. The second module is configured to detachably engage the first module. The second module includes a battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chronister, Jeremy Kile, Eugene J. Novak
  • Patent number: 8770970
    Abstract: A device (1) for placing a dental splint (2) which is intended to be fixed at the level of the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces of at least two adjacent teeth (10) to immobilize the teeth. The placing device (1) has at least one flexible and elongated guiding support (3) carrying the splint (2), at least one positioning element (4, 4?), mounted so as to slide on the guiding support (3) behind the splint (2), and arranged for being positioned substantially in front of an interproximal gap (9) between the at least two adjacent teeth (10). A pressing mechanism (5, 5?) coupled to the positioning element (4, 4?) and arranged to bring the positioning element (4, 4?) close to the at least two adjacent teeth (10) to be interlocked, when pressed, to bring the splint (2) in contact and conform with the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dynadent Sarl
    Inventors: Youssef Haikel, Abd-Al-Qadir Maadi, Karim Maadi, Mahfoud Maadi
  • Patent number: 8714978
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for the endodontic treatment of a root canal. The system includes an endodontic instrument; an endodontic handpiece having a drive motor for rotating the endodontic instrument releasably attached to the handpiece; and a control unit for controlling the rotation of the endodontic instrument according to one or more predetermined rotational sequences. The rotational sequences include reciprocating the endodontic instrument by continuously sequentially rotating the endodontic instrument in a first direction followed by reversing the direction of rotation so that 0.5×???<? and 3??/??20, where ? represents a rotational angle in a direction in which the rotating endodontic instrument removes debris from the root canal, ? represents a rotational angle in the opposite direction, and ? represents the elastic angle of the endodontic instrument at which plastic deformation occurs in the direction of ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Borgschulte
  • Patent number: 8708698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligating device (1) for arch wires or orthodontic wires, having a bondable base (2), for coupling to a tooth, and a main body (3), where the main body (3) has a slot (4), suitable for receiving a metal arch wire (5). The slot (4) has its entrance on one of its gingival or occlusal sides. The invention relates also to a method for the application of an arch wire or an orthodontic wire (5), by insertion of the arch wire or orthodontic wire (5) in a plurality of ligating devices (1) for arch wires or orthodontic wires, along a gingival-occlusal, or occlusal-gingival direction of insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Orthodontic Manufacturer SIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Antignano
  • Patent number: 8700176
    Abstract: Skin treating devices and systems for delivering RF electromagnetic energy to the skin. The devices include one or more electromagnetic RF generating units, multiple RF electrode groups and a controller for controllably applying RF energy to the skin through any selected RF electrode group or any selected RF electrode group combination selected from the multiple groups. The electrodes may be stationary and/or movable electrodes. Different RF frequencies and/or frequency bands may be used. The alternation of energy application through different electrode groups at different times, and/or the changing of the inter-electrode distance and configuration by using movable RF electrodes may reduce or prevent electrode overheating, control RF energy distribution within the skin and enable use of the devices and/or for different skin treating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pollogen Ltd.
    Inventors: Zion Azar, Pinchas Shalev
  • Patent number: 8647118
    Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet 3I, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Ross W. Towse, Robert W. Towse
  • Patent number: 8573970
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis for bovine animals with fully or partially worn down teeth. For bovine animals with partially worn down teeth, the prosthesis is a laminar plate of a rigid material, bent forwards, with an upward fold having a sawn edge along its front curve connected to a lower laminate of the same shape and size, from which a tongue projects downwards into the central front zone, at the end of which two small laminates are folded, and in the rear, a tongue projects behind, and divides into two, thereby creating a fold towards the front and encompassing two wires in the transverse direction, the ends of which are housed in the front laminates. For bovine animals with fully worn down teeth, the laminar plates have a downwardly inclined fold along the entire front curve thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Osvaldo Rodolfo Errobidart
  • Patent number: 8568139
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket which can be selectively active or passive, and can be active or passive on one tooth and can be independently active or passive on adjacent or any other tooth. The bracket includes a body having a groove for receiving an archwire, a slide for moving from an open position to a closed position to thereby capture the archwire, and a spring slidably engageable in the slide in either a passive or an active position. When in the active position the spring bears on the archwire. A method of using this orthodontic bracket includes acts or steps which are made up of mounting the body to a patient's tooth with the slide in the open position, inserting an archwire into the groove in the body and closing the slide to secure the archwire in the groove. The spring can be in the passive or in the active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald M Roncone
  • Patent number: 8512387
    Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for an esophageal cooling system suitable for use during surgical procedures associated with the left atrium of the heart and most particularly ablation procedures associated with atrial fibrillation. The esophageal cooling system is suitable for use irrespective of whether the ablation procedure is intraoperative or catheter based. The system includes an esophageal catheter constructed and arranged to fit within the patients esophagus. Suitably located along the esophageal catheter is a phoximal balloon for occluding an upper portion of the esophagus. The phoximal balloon includes a coolant lumen for transferring temperature controlled liquid to the area where the esophagus may be in contact with the atrium of the heart. The liquid is expelled through a nozzle which directs the liquid to the inner surface of the esophagus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Robert S. Fishel
  • Patent number: 8506295
    Abstract: A file for working on the interproximal space in orthodontics as well as in conservative treatments and prophylaxis of teeth comprises a tool-holding structure and an abrasive plate, wherein the tool-holding structure is shaped in an arc and provided at the ends with two tubular portions and wherein the abrasive plate is stably fixed at both of its ends to the tubular portions of the tool-holding structure, wherein the tool-holding structure is symmetrical and overmolded on said abrasive plate. A relative device able to be connected to an oscillating handpiece comprises such a file and a shank for the connection to the handpiece, wherein the shank is removably fixed to the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SDC Switzerland SA
    Inventor: Peter Rek
  • Patent number: 8496477
    Abstract: A system for removing dental prosthetics and restorations effectively and efficiently without damaging the dental prosthetic or restoration and with minimal discomfort to a patient is disclosed. The system features central holder designed for receiving and securely supporting a single or plurality of support arms in a spaced apart arrangement, whereby each support arm is capable of supporting an adjustable and pivoting attachment designed to adhesively engage and remove a dental prosthetic and restoration with the application of force. The system also features a plurality of independent attachments that can be used to adhesively engage and effectively remove a dental prosthetic and restoration with the application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Kermit Joseph Mallette
  • Patent number: 8444415
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring mandibular position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first slide operable to adjustably couple to a second slide, such that the second slide is operable to travel in a direction substantially parallel to a long axis of the first slide, and an indicator configured to indicate a location of the second slide relative to the first slide in the direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the first slide. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first slide and the second slide, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the distance between the first slide and the second slide in a direction substantially orthogonal to the long axis of the first slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8430667
    Abstract: A gingival tissue retractor for retracting gingival tissue away from tooth and bone during a surgical procedure having an alveolar bone grip having an open frame structure positionable over at least one tooth and along a predetermined segment of an alveolar bone and providing an inward resilient force about opposite sides of the alveolar bone for maintaining position of the gingival retractor; a first gingival reflector having a solid plate structure and attached to a lower section of one side of the alveolar bone grip for providing a primarily downward force to gingival tissue on one side of the alveolar bone; and a second gingival reflector having a solid plate structure and attached to a lower section of another side of the alveolar bone grip for providing a primarily downward force to gingival tissue on another side of the alveolar bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan J. Drapeau, Kelly Brook Emerton, Daniel Andrew Shimko