Patents by Inventor David W. Kuhns
David W. Kuhns 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: 10213280Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sung Kim, David W. Kuhns, Leonard A. Liptak
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Publication number: 20190033826Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising: obtaining a set of clinical options for the dental device from a health care provider; creating a first data set from the set of clinical options; communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software; preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software; communicating the digital design to an automated milling apparatus; and automatedly milling a block of polymer to obtain the dental device. Also disclosed are dental devices manufactured by the above method. Further disclosed are methods of treating or ameliorating apnea jaw-related disorder in a patient, the method comprising obtaining a dental device manufactured by the above method and positioning the dental device over the dentition prior to sleep, whereby the mandible is advanced forward relative to the maxilla, thereby ameliorating the symptoms of sleep apnea or the jaw-related disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK
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Publication number: 20190015246Abstract: Disclosed herein are splints for a mandibular advancement device, each splint comprising one or more guided fins, wherein each guided fin is located at a distance D from back of the splint; a back post; at least one threaded rod connecting the back post to the guided fin, wherein the distance between the guided fin and the back post is changed when the threaded rod is turned either clockwise or counterclockwise; and a guiding mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK
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Publication number: 20180296386Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK, Laura SHEPPARD
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Publication number: 20180193183Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK, Laura SHEPPARD
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Patent number: 9949868Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Sung Kim, David W. Kuhns, Leonard A. Liptak, Laura Sheppard
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Publication number: 20180036104Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK
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Publication number: 20180024530Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising: obtaining a set of clinical options for the dental device from a health care provider; creating a first data set from the set of clinical options; communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software; preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software; communicating the digital design to an automated milling apparatus; and automatedly milling a block of polymer to obtain the dental device. Also disclosed are dental devices manufactured by the above method. Further disclosed are methods of treating or ameliorating apnea jaw-related disorder in a patient, the method comprising obtaining a dental device manufactured by the above method and positioning the dental device over the dentition prior to sleep, whereby the mandible is advanced forward relative to the maxilla, thereby ameliorating the symptoms of sleep apnea or the jaw-related disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK
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Patent number: 9820882Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Leonard A. Liptak, David W. Kuhns, Sung Kim, Laura Sheppard
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Patent number: 9808327Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: PROSOMNUS SLEEP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Sung Kim, David W. Kuhns, Leonard A. Liptak
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Publication number: 20170143537Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Sung KIM, David W. KUHNS, Leonard A. LIPTAK, Laura Sheppard
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Patent number: 9503282Abstract: The positions of orthodontic appliances such as brackets and buccal tubes on a patient's teeth are determined using digital data that represents the shapes of the patient's teeth. Certain landmarks of the teeth such as the marginal ridges are determined using software, and the software adjusts positions of the virtual appliances on the teeth as needed in order to bring the marginal ridges into proper alignment at the conclusion of treatment. The resulting positions are optionally used to determine the location of the appliances in an indirect bonding apparatus such as a transfer tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert S. Kody, David W. Kuhns, Richard E. Raby
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Publication number: 20160184129Abstract: Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Leonard A. LIPTAK, David W. KUHNS, Sung KIM, Laura SHEPPARD
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Patent number: 8968629Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Jeremy K. Larsen, Michael Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
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Patent number: 8740599Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M. Benton Free, David W. Kuhns, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter
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Patent number: 8738165Abstract: A virtual model of a dental patient's dentition is provided by obtaining a digital data file of the patient's teeth and orthodontic appliances connected to the teeth, and then combining data from the data file with other data that represents surfaces of the teeth underlying the appliances. The virtual model is useful in preparing a physical model of the patient's current dentition that can be used, for example, to make a dental retainer. Advantageously, the retainer can be fabricated before the orthodontic appliances are disconnected from the patient's teeth and ready for use as soon as the patient's teeth have reached their desired positions in the oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., David W. Kuhns, Oliver L. Puttler
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Publication number: 20110306003Abstract: A multiple-function peripheral device includes a packet-switched network interface and an autonomous application programming interface. The application programming interface requests image information from a remote server via the packet-switched network interface in a first mode of operation. The application programming interface sends image information to a remote device via the packet-switched network interface in a second mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Robert S. Kody, David W. Kuhns, Richard E. Raby
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Patent number: 7948380Abstract: A remote sensing device includes a plurality of components arranged to form a resonant electrical circuit. The plurality of components includes at least one sensing component having sensing elements distributed among regions of an area of interest. The sensing elements are arranged so that a resonant characteristic of the resonant circuit is modifiable by an external event affecting an element associated with a region. The sensing component may be a capacitor having spatially distributed capacitive elements or an inductor having spatially distributed inductive elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David W. Kuhns, M. Benton Free
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Publication number: 20110004331Abstract: A virtual model of a dental patient's dentition is provided by obtaining a digital data file of the patient's teeth and orthodontic appliances connected to the teeth, and then combining data from the data file with other data that represents surfaces of the teeth underlying the appliances. The virtual model is useful in preparing a physical model of the patient's current dentition that can be used, for example, to make a dental retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., David W. Kuhns, Oliver L. Puttler
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Publication number: 20100285231Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W.S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Oiester Benson, JR., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M.Benton Free, David W. Kuhns