Patents Examined by Ralph A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11850116
    Abstract: According to one example, a medical tray for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The medical tray can optionally comprise: a housing; and one or more tray inserts configured to be received within the housing and having a first major surface and one or more support. The one or more tray inserts are configured to receive a plurality of dental surgical instruments via a plurality of receptacles formed therein. The plurality of receptacles having corresponding openings in the first major surface. The one or more tray inserts configured to be at least one of: removable from the housing and configured with the one or more supports so as to be positionable exterior to and independent of the housing, or the plurality of receptacles are angled such that the dental surgical instruments when received therein are positioned at an acute angle relative to the first major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BIOMET 3I, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth A Schlueter, Matthew R Carstens, Joseph DePastino, Jeffrey A Bassett, Dan P Rogers, Alexander Chelminski
  • Patent number: 11850114
    Abstract: A medical implant and a method of implanting a medical implant are described. The medical implant can be elongate and for fixation in a patient, and can include an apical bone anchoring portion for bone apposition, and an unthreaded coronal portion. The coronal portion can have a length (L2) exceeding or equaling a length (L1) of the apical portion. The apical portion can have a maximum outer diameter (D1) that is equal to or larger than a maximum outer diameter (D2) of the coronal portion. In a method of implanting a medical implant, an apical part can be affixed in the zygomatic bone, and a coronal part can be positioned outside the maxilla in the mucous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG
    Inventors: Paulo Malo Carvalho, Lars Jorneus, Henrik Petersson
  • Patent number: 11839524
    Abstract: A dental interphase with a mode for the reversible fitting of a prosthetic structure to a dental implant that includes an expander core (2), an activator screw (3) and a connection element (26), wherein the activator screw (3) incorporates an external thread (31) for being attached to the expander core (2) by screwing onto an internal thread (22) in the area of notches (23) to a specific depth, the connection element being intended for being coupled to the expander core (2) by attaching a coupling area (14) incorporated in a complementary coupling area (24) incorporated in the expander core (2) such that, once the activator screw (3) is inserted into the expander core (2) the attachment of the interphase to the implant (6) may be permanent, or it may be reversible, where it can be taken apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Tomas De Andres Zurbano, Ramon Mandado Diez
  • Patent number: 11839525
    Abstract: Method of customizing and manufacturing tooling for preparing an osteotomy for receiving a dental implant, in particular drills and/or osteotomes. The method comprises the steps of: —receiving scan data modeling a planned position of the osteotomy and surrounding jaw bone area; —generating on the basis of the scan data a virtual implant model of the dental implant; —generating a virtual tooling model of the tooling on basis of the virtual implant model; —computer aided manufacturing of the tooling on the basis of the virtual tooling model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Wismeijer
  • Patent number: 11832999
    Abstract: A root canal sealing instrument includes an elongated member that includes a shaft and a spiraled member. The root canal sealing instrument further includes a housing that encompasses at least a portion of the elongated member, wherein the housing is configured to slidably move with respect to the elongated member. The housing includes a proximal opening and a distal opening at opposing ends of the housing, wherein the proximal opening is closer to a proximal end of the elongated member than a distal end of the elongated member, and the distal opening is closer to the distal end of the elongated member than the proximal end of the elongated member. The housing further includes an interior chamber with a diameter at least as large as a first diameter of the spiraled member and a second diameter of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: William L. Wildey
  • Patent number: 11832861
    Abstract: A medical that is implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SPINEWELDING AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wenger, Jörg Mayer
  • Patent number: 11826223
    Abstract: A dental implant having an anchoring system consisting of foldable fins actuated by an insertion screw; the dental implant is characterised by the following components: an implant body that includes an implant-abutment connection zone, an externally threaded zone, at least one pair of exit openings and an internally threaded zone; an anchoring having at least one pair of foldable fins and a top opening; an insertion screw having a head with an internal hexagonal socket, a stem and a screw thread; when the insertion screw is screwed into the top opening of the anchoring means, the insertion screw pushes the anchoring down into the implant body and causes the foldable fins to extend outwards through the exit openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Keila Lovera Prado
  • Patent number: 11826221
    Abstract: A series of a palatal expanders increasing width can be used to gradually expand a patient's palate. Each palatal expander may have a palatal region flanked by teeth regions. The palatal region can have a plurality of anchor-receiving features (e.g., anchor interfaces) that allow the palatal expander to be attached to temporary anchorage device anchors that have been implanted into the patient's maxilla.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Riley, Eric Kuo, Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 11826220
    Abstract: Described is an orthodontic aligner implement that can ensure the accuracy and efficiency of clear aligner orthodontic therapies as well as increase patient compliance by reducing discomfort and combining functionality into a breath-freshening medium. The implement includes a consumable mass having at least two channels disposed on opposite sides of the mass and traversing the width of the mass. The channels are adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Movemints, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Pechersky
  • Patent number: 11826222
    Abstract: An orthodontic post and pin system for secure attachment of a dental appliance to an alignment wire, which also facilitates quick and easy removal and replacement. The system described herein uses a “twist-lock” dental post that is rotated onto, and counter-rotated off of, an alignment wire. The dental post includes structural elements to facilitate the twist-lock functionality, as well as structures for accepting a fastener to secure the alignment wire in place and inhibit unintentional or undesired dislodging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ortho Solutions, LC
    Inventors: Darren Buddemeyer, Matthew Malabey
  • Patent number: 11819381
    Abstract: The invention provides a dental implant system with a surface gradient microporous structure and a preparation method thereof. The dental implant system includes a non-threaded micro-cone cylindrical dental implant and an abutment, wherein the dental implant includes a microporous layer with a bionic bone trabecular structure and a base with extremely high density and mechanical strength. The dental implant system of the invention has both the precision of the internal structure and the bionic characteristics of the surface structure, which effectively improves the long-term stability after implantation, reduces the complexity of the processing process of the dental implant system, and can realize personalized and batch production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Xiaohui Wang
  • Patent number: 11819377
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining an adjusted 3D model of patient's teeth based on a 2D image of the patient's teeth. In some examples, the method includes: obtaining a 3D digital model based on a scan of the patient's teeth; obtaining a 2D image based on a camera picture; iteratively comparing a distance between corresponding points on one or more teeth of the 3D digital model and of the 2D image, and generating an adjusted 3D model in which the one or more teeth of the 3D digital model are moved to reduce said distance, wherein iteratively comparing and generating comprises iterating until one or more deviations between the teeth of the 3D digital model and the 2D image are below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Patent number: 11806205
    Abstract: An oropharyngeal dam for facilitating a safe and efficient dental treatment is disclosed. The oropharyngeal dam includes a pair of cheek retractors including an upper retractor component, a lower retractor component and a cheek retracting sheet. Further, the upper retractor component, the lower retractor component, the cheek retracting sheet, and a set of lip retractors are collectively configured to retract cheeks of a patient. The oropharyngeal dam includes a tongue protector including an upper protector component, a lower protector component and a tongue protecting sheet. Furthermore, the upper protector component, the lower protector component and the tongue protecting sheet are collectively configured to shield and retract a tongue of the patient. The set of lip retractors are configured to aid lip retraction when pulled outside the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Neha Jain, Shrikanth Sali, Jitendra Kumar
  • Patent number: 11806209
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for installing a multi-tooth dental prosthesis in one session are shown and described. A first tool attaches to the jawbone, and serves as a foundation for subsequently used guides. Existing teeth and dental fixtures are removed, and the bone tissue is removed to accommodate the prosthesis. Subsequently, a drill guide is used to drill implant holes. An abutment guide is then used to place abutments. Copings are then installed. Next, the prosthesis may be installed and cemented to the copings. A resinous filler material may be applied to fill gaps and holes in and between the copings and the prosthesis, and is sanded smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Watson Guide IP LLC
    Inventor: Jason Watson
  • Patent number: 11801128
    Abstract: A device, method, and system are provided for treating the oral cavity. The device includes a mouthpiece suitable for implementing a dental treatment, wherein the mouthpiece includes one or more stock elastomeric dental cover layers suitable for forming and maintaining a treatment cavity having a vacuum fluid seal, wherein the dental cover layers includes a layer over all the surfaces of the upper teeth and surrounding gums and/or a layer over all the surfaces of the lower teeth and surrounding gums, wherein each of the layers includes one or more hardened rigid or semi-rigid sections for enabling selected and/or differential collapsibility of the cover layers when exposed to vacuum pressure; and one or more treatment supply layers, and one or more flow channels in fluid communication with the treatment cavity so that the treatment supply layer can deliver and/or remove one or more treatment fluids from the one or more fluid sealed treatment cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Mavrik Dental Systems, LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Sanders
  • Patent number: 11801123
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, tooth attachment placement (TAP) device or for assisting a user in placing one or more appliances or attachments on one or more teeth is disclosed. The TAP device comprises single tooth jigs connected through splines. The geometry of the device is automatically designed in the treatment planning unified workstation, thereby generating a digital STL file. Then the device is created from a non-flexible biocompatible material by a 3D printer in accordance with the digital STL file. Appliance, for example, may be a bracket or a bracket shim; and the attachment may be an aligner attachment or a pad. Different embodiments of the TAP device are disclosed. Methods for verifying the accuracy of the placements of the brackets on the teeth using the TAP device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.
    Inventors: Frank Witte, Friedrich Riemeier, Rohit Sachdeva, Phillip Getto
  • Patent number: 11801119
    Abstract: There is provided a needle tip for extracting separated endodontic instruments from the root canal of a tooth. The needle tip is fabricated with a thermomechanically treated alloy exhibiting both shape memory and super-elasticity. There is also provided for a needle that includes a handle and a terminal tip, which is fabricated with a thermomechanically treated alloy. The alloy is thermomechanically treated nickel- titanium alloy. The needle is straight at room temperature and takes on a specific shape when inserted in the canal of the tooth from which the endodontic separated instrument is to be extracted. Also provided herein is a method for removal of endodontic separated instruments from the canal of a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH
    Inventor: Saaid Ayesh Al Shehadat
  • Patent number: 11793608
    Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Rohit Tanugula, Yaser Shanjani, Ryan Kimura, Bruce Cam, Eric Yau, Yuxiang Wang, Ken Wu, Peter Webber, Jun Sato, John Y. Morton
  • Patent number: 11786343
    Abstract: A dental implant includes a body and a thread. The body has a central axis, a coronal end, and an apical end. The thread is coupled to the body. The thread has a coronal facing surface, an apical facing surface, and a crest surface positioned between the coronal facing surface and the apical facing surface. The coronal facing surface of the thread has a plurality of steps formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Southern Implants (PTY) Ltd
    Inventor: Graham Alan Blackbeard
  • Patent number: 11786350
    Abstract: An oral care implement for dispensing an oral care agent includes a housing, reservoir therein containing an oral care fluid, and an electrical circuit comprising first and second electrodes connected to an onboard power source. Each electrode is in contact with the oral care fluid in the housing. An actuator, operably coupled to the power source, is configured to both selectively energize the circuit and activate dispensing of the oral care fluid. An electrical charge is applied to the oral care fluid by activating the actuator when dispensing the oral care fluid. When the fluid comprises a peroxide based tooth whitening agent, the dispensed fluid pH is increased by the electrical charge which improves the efficacy of the whitener. In one embodiment, the implement is a modular system including a powered base unit and one or more interchangeable cartridges each having a reservoir containing an oral care fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Erin Speicher, Leighton Davies-Smith