Patents by Inventor Bruce Hultgren

Bruce Hultgren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9390063
    Abstract: An electronic three-dimensional (3D) model of a dental arch is displayed. An ideal arch is superimposed on the dental arch. The shape of the ideal arch is adjusted in response to adjustment input from a user. Furthermore, a tooth width is calculated for teeth in the dental arch. A crowding score is calculated based on a comparison of a length of the ideal arch and a tooth width total, the tooth width total based at least in part on a total of the tooth widths for the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 8585400
    Abstract: An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Publication number: 20110189625
    Abstract: An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Publication number: 20110191075
    Abstract: An electronic three-dimensional (3D) model of a dental arch is displayed. An ideal arch is superimposed on the dental arch. The shape of the ideal arch is adjusted in response to adjustment input from a user. Furthermore, a tooth width is calculated for teeth in the dental arch. A crowding score is calculated based on a comparison of a length of the ideal arch and a tooth width total, the tooth width total based at least in part on a total of the tooth widths for the teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael Craig Marshall
  • Patent number: 7228191
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture is disclosed for providing a dental crowns using electronic models, and more particularly to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for creating dental crowns using a lost-wax manufacturing process from electronic model files corresponding to patient teeth impressions and corresponding electronic models for tooth crowns. The system and method permit the electronic generation and specification of crown, bridge, and implant dental appliances that may be specified in an industry standard file specification. This specification is utilized in a rapid prototyping process to generate a wax impression for the appliance that may then be fabricated using standard lost-wax fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Geodigm Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Hofmeister, James Ledin, Bob Isaacson, Bruce Hultgren, Mike Marshall
  • Publication number: 20060184637
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Geodigm Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Timothy Vadnais, Michael Marshall, Grant Cermak
  • Publication number: 20050010450
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture is disclosed for providing a dental treatment plans using electronic models, and more particularly to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for utilizing electronic models of patient teeth in interdisciplinary dental treatment plans. The system and method permit the electronic generation and specification of electronic models and then dental treatment plans for patients that require interdisciplinary treatment that may include orthodontic treatment, may include the generation of crown, bridge, and implant dental appliances that may be specified in an industry standard file specification. This specification is utilized in a rapid prototyping process to generate a wax impression for the appliance that may then be fabricated using standard lost-wax fabrication techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: GEODIGM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Hultgren, Michael Marshall, Robert Isaacson, Jamie Ledin
  • Publication number: 20040220691
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture is disclosed for providing a dental crowns using electronic models, and more particularly to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for creating dental crowns using a lost-wax manufacturing process from electronic model files corresponding to patient teeth impressions and corresponding electronic models for tooth crowns. The system and method permit the electronic generation and specification of crown, bridge, and implant dental appliances that may be specified in an industry standard file specification. This specification is utilized in a rapid prototyping process to generate a wax impression for the appliance that may then be fabricated using standard lost-wax fabrication techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew Hofmeister, James Ledin, Bob Isaacson, Bruce Hultgren, Mike Marshall