Patents by Inventor Bruce W. Hultgren
Bruce W. 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).
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Patent number: 10434007Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. An electronic model of a splint is generated based on the adjusted relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions. A splint is then generated in a physical form from the electronic model of the splint.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Publication number: 20180303657Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. An electronic model of a splint is generated based on the adjusted relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions. A splint is then generated in a physical form from the electronic model of the splint.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Publication number: 20180271485Abstract: Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy are provided. An example system for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy includes an ultrasound probe and a probe interface device. An example ultrasound probe includes a handle, an elongate member coupled to the handle and a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers coupled to the elongate member. The ultrasound transducers emit ultrasound when activated. An example probe interface device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The example probe interface device is configured to activate at least one of the ultrasound transducers and to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves captured by a plurality of the ultrasound transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Herbert A. Asch, Dan Castner, Bruce W. Hultgren, Richard E. Klaassen
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Publication number: 20180147039Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved bite information collection apparatus. In some embodiments, the bite information collection apparatus includes an upper face bow coupled to an upper clutch and a lower face bow coupled to a lower clutch. Additionally the bite information collection apparatus can be configured to a system for digitally retrieving and analyzing a patient's bite. The systems and methods described better simulate motion by using data to replicate bite motion on an improved automated articulator, which can be retrieved by digital or mechanical means.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Gary L. Carlson, Bruce W. Hultgren, Steven M. Rzepecki, Michael C. Marshall, Timothy Hillukka
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Patent number: 9877700Abstract: Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy are provided. An example system for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy includes an ultrasound probe and a probe interface device. An example ultrasound probe includes a handle, an elongate member coupled to the handle and a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers coupled to the elongate member. The ultrasound transducers emit ultrasound when activated. An example probe interface device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The example probe interface device is configured to activate at least one of the ultrasound transducers and to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves captured by a plurality of the ultrasound transducers.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: ASCH-KLAASSEN SONICS, LLCInventors: Herbert A. Asch, Dan Castner, Bruce W. Hultgren, Richard E. Klaassen
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Patent number: 9827138Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. An electronic model of a splint is generated based on the adjusted relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions. A splint is then generated in a physical form from the electronic model of the splint.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Patent number: 9524374Abstract: An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a tip 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Publication number: 20160262849Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. A relative positioning structure is added to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device. A physical model of the patient's corrected dentition is then generated from the three-dimensional digital model. The physical model includes the relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position. The surgical splint is then formed using the physical model. A non-surgical splint is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Patent number: 9308056Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. A relative positioning structure is added to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device. A physical model of the patient's corrected dentition is then generated from the three-dimensional digital model. The physical model includes the relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position. The surgical splint is then formed using the physical model. A non-surgical splint is also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Inventors: Bruce W. Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20150356268Abstract: An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a tip 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Patent number: 9144472Abstract: A system and method for evaluating dental treatment utilizes virtual models created from scanned plaster casts. Patient's teeth are directly scanned with a three dimensional scanner or plaster casts of the patient teeth following treatment are scanned for evaluation. A planned configuration based on a plaster cast prior to treatment is created and the desired position and the two models are compared so that the actual position of the teeth may be compared to the desired position after treatment. Superimposition of the virtual models provides accurate and precise measurement of variances between the two virtual models. Difficulties due to superimposing the models, which are of the entire arch and evaluations based on individual teeth are overcome by applying an iterative closest point algorithm to correct the position and provide a truer measurement for evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Inventors: Robert J. Isaacson, Bruce W. Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20150210014Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. An electronic model of a splint is generated based on the adjusted relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions. A splint is then generated in a physical form from the electronic model of the splint.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventor: Bruce W. Hultgren
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Patent number: 9017071Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Inventors: Bruce W. Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20150072314Abstract: A system and method for capturing movement of the mandible. A top pantograph is fixed to a patient, wherein fixing includes attaching clutches to the top teeth of the patient. A bottom pantograph is fixed to the patient, wherein fixing includes attaching clutches to the bottom teeth of the patient. Movement of the bottom pantograph relative to the top pantograph during the patient's bite cycle is monitored and a hinge axis corresponding to the patient's mandible is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Roger A. Evenson, Bruce W. Hultgren
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Patent number: 8834157Abstract: A system and method for modeling bite function. A top pantograph is fixed to a patient via clutches to the top teeth of the patient, a bottom pantograph is fixed to a patient via clutches to the bottom teeth of the patient and the actual bite of the patient is optically monitored by monitoring the relation of the top pantograph to the bottom pantograph during a bite cycle and storing a hinge axis. Data is stored relating to the actual bite and the top teeth are scanned to create a top teeth model while the bottom teeth are scanned to create a bottom teeth model. A digital representation of the top pantograph is digitally fitted to the top teeth, a digital representation of the bottom pantograph bottom pantograph is digitally fitted to the bottom teeth, and the relationship of the top teeth model and the bottom teeth model to the hinge axis is recorded.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: DentiGrafix LLCInventors: Roger A. Evenson, Bruce W. Hultgren
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Publication number: 20140205964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Bruce W. Hultgren, Robert Isaacson, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20140162233Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. A relative positioning structure is added to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device. A physical model of the patient's corrected dentition is then generated from the three-dimensional digital model. The physical model includes the relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position. The surgical splint is then formed using the physical model. A non-surgical splint is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Bruce W. Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20140106294Abstract: A system and method for modeling bite function. A top pantograph is fixed to a patient via clutches to the top teeth of the patient, a bottom pantograph is fixed to a patient via clutches to the bottom teeth of the patient and the actual bite of the patient is optically monitored by monitoring the relation of the top pantograph to the bottom pantograph during a bite cycle and storing a hinge axis. Data is stored relating to the actual bite and the top teeth are scanned to create a top teeth model while the bottom teeth are scanned to create a bottom teeth model. A digital representation of the top pantograph is digitally fitted to the top teeth, a digital representation of the bottom pantograph bottom pantograph is digitally fitted to the bottom teeth, and the relationship of the top teeth model and the bottom teeth model to the hinge axis is recorded.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Roger A. Evenson, Bruce W. Hultgren
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Publication number: 20130273491Abstract: A system and method for evaluating dental treatment utilizes virtual models created from scanned plaster casts. Patient's teeth are directly scanned with a three dimensional scanner or plaster casts of the patient teeth following treatment are scanned for evaluation. A planned configuration based on a plaster cast prior to treatment is created and the desired position and the two models are compared so that the actual position of the teeth may be compared to the desired position after treatment. Superimposition of the virtual models provides accurate and precise measurement of variances between the two virtual models. Difficulties due to superimposing the models, which are of the entire arch and evaluations based on individual teeth are overcome by applying an iterative closest point algorithm to correct the position and provide a truer measurement for evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Robert J. Isaacson, Bruce W. Hultgren, Michael C. Marshall
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Publication number: 20100169057Abstract: A method for simulating tooth movement utilizes electronic modeling to represent the teeth. Instant centers of rotation are determined and projected paths of movement are plotted. The electronic model provides improved precision and provides a method for simulating movement in three dimensions. The movement from growth and/or correction is shown with the electronic model. The simulation provides for improved correction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Bruce W. HULTGREN, Michael C. Marshall