Patents by Inventor Christopher Yancey

Christopher Yancey 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: 11908572
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intraoral scanning include determining, by an appointment management system, a condition that dental impressions have not been received from a user within a threshold time period where the user was provided with an in-home dental impression kit, generating and communicating a message to the user based on the condition where the message prompts the user to schedule an appointment at an intraoral scanning site, receiving a request to schedule an appointment at the intraoral scanning site where the intraoral scanning site has an intraoral scanner configured to conduct an intraoral scan of a mouth of the user, and conducting the intraoral scan using the intraoral scanner at the intraoral scanning site where the intraoral scan generates three-dimensional data of the mouth of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman, Jessica Cicurel
  • Patent number: 11900538
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a model generation engine, an image of a dental arch of a user, executing, by the model generation engine, a machine learning model that is trained to receive the image and output a representation of the image, where in at least one iteration during training, the machine learning model determines a difference between one or more features extracted from an iteration of the representation of the image and a corresponding one or more features extracted from the image, and the method further includes outputting, by the model generation engine, an output representation of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Christopher Yancey
  • Patent number: 11894131
    Abstract: Systems and methods include determining, by an appointment management system, a condition that an appointment to conduct an intraoral scan at an intraoral scanning site has been missed by a user, automatically generating a message to the user indicating that an at-home dental impression kit can be sent to the user based on determining that the appointment has been missed, and transmitting the automatically generated message to a communications device associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman, Jessica Cicurel
  • Patent number: 11883251
    Abstract: A fixture plate includes a base having a contact face configured to support a dental model having a material formed thereon. The material includes an aligner material portion and an excess material portion. The fixture plate includes one or more channels formed in the contact face. The fixture plate includes a bore extending through the base from a bottom opening to the contact face. A portion of the bore located along the bottom opening is configured to couple with a hose of a vacuum system configured to generate a suction force at the contact face via the one or more channels. The suction force is applied to the dental model and at least part of the excess material portion to retain the dental model and the material formed thereon against the contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Roland Harris, Chris Sorrells
  • Patent number: 11850113
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors coupled to a non-transitory memory, where the one or more processors are configured to generate, using a training set comprising one or more two-dimensional (2D) training images of a dental arch and a three-dimensional (3D) dental arch model, a machine-learning model configured to generate 3D models of dental arches from 2D images of the dental arches, receive one or more 2D images of a dental arch of a user obtained by a user device of the user, and execute the machine-learning model using the one or more 2D images as input to generate a 3D model of the dental arch of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Tim Wucher
  • Publication number: 20230281943
    Abstract: A system includes a model generation system configured to receive one or more dental images corresponding to a dental arch of a user, generate a three-dimensional (3D) model of at least a portion of the dental arch of the user by applying the one or more dental images to a machine learning model to generate the 3D model where the machine learning model is trained based on at least one of one or more training images or one or more three-dimensional (3D) training models, and output the 3D model of the at least the portion of the dental arch to one or more computing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Jordan Katzman, Tim Wucher, John Dargis, Christopher Yancey, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 11694418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a user's dental arch based on two-dimensional (2D) images of dental impressions include a model training system that provides a machine learning model using training image(s) of a dental impression of a respective dental arch and a 3D training model of the respective dental arch. A model generation system receives first image(s) of a first dental impression of a user's dental arch and second image(s), which may be of the first dental impression or a second dental impression of the dental arch. The model generation system generates a first and second 3D model of the dental arch by applying the first image(s) and second image(s) to the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Jordan Katzman, Tim Wucher, John Dargis, Christopher Yancey, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 11564784
    Abstract: A system includes an orientation determination system comprising a camera where the camera is configured to capture an image of an orientation feature of a physical dental model of a dental arch of a customer with material thermoformed thereon. The orientation determination system is configured to identify an offset of the physical dental model with respect to a fixture plate during positioning or before or after the physical dental model is positioned on the fixture plate by determining an actual orientation of the physical dental model based on the orientation feature. The system also includes a laser trimming system configured to cut the material along a trim line based on the identified offset while the fixture plate is moved about at least two axes to produce a dental aligner specific to the customer and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Clete Culp, Jordan Katzman, Steve Cicurel, Christopher Yancey
  • Publication number: 20220327774
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors coupled to a non-transitory memory, where the one or more processors are configured to generate, using a training set comprising one or more two-dimensional (2D) training images of a dental arch and a three-dimensional (3D) dental arch model, a machine-learning model configured to generate 3D models of dental arches from 2D images of the dental arches, receive one or more 2D images of a dental arch of a user obtained by a user device of the user, and execute the machine-learning model using the one or more 2D images as input to generate a 3D model of the dental arch of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Tim Wucher
  • Publication number: 20220262503
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a mid-course correction include receiving user compliance check information including at least one image of the user's teeth submitted by a user regarding an initial treatment plan where at least one of the images is taken by the user with a camera being external to the mouth of the user and having a dental appliance positioned at least partially within the mouth where the dental appliance holds open the user's upper and lower lips, conducting, using an intraoral scanner at an intraoral scanning site, an intraoral scan of a mouth of a user based on determining that one or more teeth of the user are not being repositioned according to the initial treatment plan, generating a corrective treatment plan based on the intraoral scan, producing a plurality of aligners based on the corrective treatment plan, and providing the plurality of aligners to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman, Jessica Cicurel
  • Patent number: 11403813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a user's dental arch based on two-dimensional (2D) images include a model training system that receives data packets of a training set. Each data packet may include data corresponding to training images of a respective dental arch and a 3D training model of the respective dental arch. The model training system identifies, for a data packet, correlation points between the one or more training images and the 3D training model of the respective dental arch. The model training system generates a machine learning model using the correlation points for the data packets of the training set. A model generation system receives one or more images of a dental arch. The model generation system generates a 3D model of the dental arch by applying the images of the dental arch to the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Tim Wucher
  • Patent number: 11382718
    Abstract: Systems and methods of remote orthodontic treatment include receiving a plurality of images from a customer where the plurality of images represent teeth of the customer, receiving a first approval from a staff computing device where the first approval is indicative of a staff user approving the plurality of images for assessment by a dental professional, receiving a second approval from a provider computing device where the second approval is indicative of the provider approving a fitness of the customer for treatment, generating, in response to receiving the second approval, a treatment plan including a series of steps to reposition at least one tooth of the teeth of the customer, and manufacturing one or more aligners based at least in part on the treatment plan where the aligners are specific to the customer and are configured to reposition the at least one tooth of the teeth of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman
  • Publication number: 20220189130
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a user's dental arch based on two-dimensional (2D) images of dental impressions include a model training system that provides a machine learning model using training image(s) of a dental impression of a respective dental arch and a 3D training model of the respective dental arch. A model generation system receives first image(s) of a first dental impression of a user's dental arch and second image(s), which may be of the first dental impression or a second dental impression of the dental arch. The model generation system generates a first and second 3D model of the dental arch by applying the first image(s) and second image(s) to the machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Jordan Katzman, Tim Wucher, John Dargis, Christopher Yancey, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 11358323
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of assemblies each configured to support a dental mold and a material, a heating system configured to heat the material, a forming system configured to form a chamber encompassing the dental mold and at least a portion of the heated material, and to cause the heated material to form over the dental mold, and a conveyor system configured to move the plurality of assemblies from a loading area to the heating system, from the heating system to the forming system, and from the forming system to an unloading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Clete Culp, Christopher Yancey, John Dargis, Mark French, Daniel Pfeffer, Steve Cicurel
  • Publication number: 20220160475
    Abstract: A method includes receiving representations of a first set of dental impressions including a first dental impression of an upper dental arch of a user and a second dental impression of a lower dental arch of the user having been created using contents from an initial dental impression kit sent to the user, identifying a defective dental impression, sending a retake dental impression kit to the user where the retake dental impression kit includes a set of dental trays consisting of dental trays corresponding to the dental arch associated with the defective dental impression, receiving representations of a second set of dental impressions of the dental arch associated with the defective dental impression, and manufacturing, based on the second set of dental impressions, a plurality of dental aligners specific to the user and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman
  • Patent number: 11328814
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting intraoral scans of a mouth of a user include conducting, using an intraoral scanner at an intraoral scanning site, an intraoral scan of a mouth of a user based on determining that one or more teeth of the user are not being repositioned according to an initial treatment plan designed to reposition the one or more teeth of the user using a first plurality of aligners. The intraoral scan generates three-dimensional data of the mouth of the user. A corrective treatment plan is generated by a treatment plan computing system based on the three-dimensional data. A second plurality of aligners are produced at a fabrication site based on the corrective treatment plan. The second plurality of aligners are specific to the user and configured to reposition the teeth of the user according to the corrective treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SMILEPAY SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman, Jessica Cicurel
  • Patent number: 11309077
    Abstract: Systems and methods directed to technological improvements in coordinated and distributed processing of intraoral scan data for fabricating clear aligners for dental realignment include an appointment management system that schedules an appointment at an intraoral scanning site and generates and causes transmission of a message to a computing device of a user. An intraoral scan that generates three-dimensional data of a mouth of the user is conducted at the intraoral scanning site using an intraoral scanner. Clear aligners that are specific to the user for repositioning the user's teeth are fabricated based on a treatment plan generated based on the three-dimensional data by thermoforming material over three-dimensional printed molds. The clear aligners are sent to the user all at once. The user receives orthodontic treatment without ever having physically seen a dentist or an orthodontist that approves the treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SmileDirectClub LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman, Jessica Cicurel
  • Patent number: 11288410
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for marking a dental aligner. A method for marking a dental aligner includes receiving a digital model corresponding to a dental aligner. The digital model includes a dental arch comprising a plurality of teeth. The method further includes determining whether a section of teeth on a right side or a left side of the dental arch includes flatter occlusal surfaces and selecting the section with the flatter occlusal surfaces, identifying surfaces on the teeth of the selected section that are flat relative to other surfaces on the teeth of the selected section, determining a line of best fit between the flat surfaces, and marking the dental aligner with a marking based on the line of best fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Christopher Yancey, Tony Solarek, Clete Culp
  • Patent number: 11270523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a user's dental arch based on two-dimensional (2D) images of dental impressions include a model training system that provides a machine learning model using training image(s) of a dental impression of a respective dental arch and a 3D training model of the respective dental arch. A model generation system receives first image(s) of a first dental impression of a user's dental arch and second image(s), which may be of the first dental impression or a second dental impression of the dental arch. The model generation system generates a first and second 3D model of the dental arch by applying the first image(s) and second image(s) to the machine learning model. A model merging system merges the first 3D model and the second 3D model to generate a merged model of the dental arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Josh Long, Jordan Katzman, Tim Wucher, John Dargis, Christopher Yancey, Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 11246687
    Abstract: A method of administering a dental impression kit includes receiving, from a user, a first set of dental impressions of an upper dental arch and a lower dental arch of the user and identifying, based on the first set of dental impressions, one or more defects in at least one dental impression of the first set of dental impressions. The method includes sending a dental impression kit to the user and receiving a second set of dental impressions, the second set of dental impressions replacing the at least one dental impression having the one or more defects. The method includes manufacturing dental aligners specific to the user and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPV
    Inventors: Jordan Katzman, Alex Fenkell, David Katzman, Christopher Yancey, Josh Chapman