Patents by Inventor Eric E. Kuo

Eric E. Kuo 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: 11864969
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, systems, and devices for prioritization of three dimensional dental elements. One method for prioritizing three dimensional dental elements includes receiving a virtual initial dental data set (IDDS) of teeth having spatial information regarding the positions of a number of teeth in the virtual IDDS with respect to each other for presentation of the teeth in a virtual three dimensional space to be viewed on a user interface, setting prioritization values of a number of elements of one or more of the number of teeth, and prioritizing the number of elements to be selected by a user based upon their prioritization values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Kuo, Igor Kvasov, Anna Egorova, Sergey Gagarin
  • Publication number: 20240000546
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Eric E. KUO
  • Publication number: 20230293265
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for using an individualized orthodontic treatment index. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial virtual dental model from a first scan of a patient's dentition, modifying the initial virtual dental model to create a target virtual dental model according to a treatment goal, assigning a number of dental references to the target virtual dental model, receiving a treatment outcome virtual dental model from a second scan of the patient's dentition, mapping the number of dental references from the target virtual dental model to a treatment outcome virtual dental model, and calculating an individualized treatment index score for the treatment outcome virtual dental model according to one or more differences between the target virtual dental model and the treatment outcome virtual dental model based on the number of dental references.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Eric E. KUO, Vadim MATOV, Larry LAI, Fuming WU, Jihua CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230263599
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient’s jaw, providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the parent, and adjusting the position of the repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell to comply with a number of constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken WU, Eric E. KUO, Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Crystal TJHIA, Eric YAU, Allen R. BORONKAY, Chunhua LI, Gleb KRIVOVYAZ
  • Publication number: 20230240810
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include moving at least one tooth with a dental appliance having a first shell configured to receive a plurality of teeth of a patient's upper dentition and separating an upper dentition of a patient from a lower dentition of the patient utilizing the dental appliance. The dental appliance may interface a first surface of a first repositioning jaw element of the first shell with a second surface of a second repositioning jaw element of a second shell of the dental appliance. The dental appliance separates occlusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth of the patient's upper dentition from occlusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth of the patient's lower dentition as the patient moves to a fully engaged sagittal jaw position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken WU, Eric E. KUO, Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Crystal TJHIA, Eric YAU, Allen R. BORONKAY, Chunhua LI
  • Publication number: 20230190422
    Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and series of appliances are provided for dental implant positioning. One method for positioning an implant with dental treatment includes determining an implant location based on a virtual model of an optimized dental occlusion, moving one or more teeth using a first number of a series of dental appliances, from a first orientation to a second orientation, the second orientation exposing the implant location, placing an implant at the exposed implant location using a landmark included in at least one of the series of dental appliances, repositioning one or more teeth using a second number of the series of dental appliances, from the second orientation to a successive orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Eric E. KUO
  • Patent number: 11678956
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 11660167
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient's jaw, and providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the patient. The virtual model of the dental appliance including repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell configured to move a position of the misaligned jaw of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken Wu, Eric E. Kuo, Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Eric Yau, Allen R. Boronkay, Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 11633261
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient's jaw, providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the patient, and adjusting the position of the repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell to comply with a number of constraints. The virtual model of the dental appliance including repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell configured to move a position of the misaligned jaw of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken Wu, Eric E. Kuo, Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Eric Yau, Allen R. Boronkay, Chunhua Li, Gleb Krivovyaz
  • Publication number: 20230113449
    Abstract: Orthodontic assessment system for treatment planning. Orthodontic assessment may include categorizing a patient's dentition based on predetermined types of malocclusions in a number of orthodontic dimensions. The data is organized in matrices with addresses that characterize aspects of the patient's dentition and that may be used to query the database. In some examples, the one or more treatment goals may be incorporated with data regarding the patient's dentition to generate combined addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Robert ARNONE, Eric E. KUO, Douglas BUKATY
  • Patent number: 11612454
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for using an individualized orthodontic treatment index. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial virtual dental model from a first scan of a patient's dentition, modifying the initial virtual dental model to create a target virtual dental model according to a treatment goal, assigning a number of dental references to the target virtual dental model, receiving a treatment outcome virtual dental model from a second scan of the patient's dentition, mapping the number of dental references from the target virtual dental model to a treatment outcome virtual dental model, and calculating an individualized treatment index score for the treatment outcome virtual dental model according to one or more differences between the target virtual dental model and the treatment outcome virtual dental model based on the number of dental references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Kuo, Vadim Matov, Larry Lai, Fuming Wu, Jihua Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230083024
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michelle STONE-COLLONGE, Eric E. KUO, Rick M. MATTY, Fabio PETTINATI, Thomas MAURER, Dzmitry SANKO
  • Publication number: 20230043928
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michelle STONE-COLLONGE, Eric E. KUO, Rick M. MATTY, Fabio PETTINATI, Thomas MAURER, Dzmitry SANKO
  • Patent number: 11553994
    Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and series of appliances are provided for dental implant positioning. One method for positioning an implant with dental treatment includes determining an implant location based on a virtual model of an optimized dental occlusion, moving one or more teeth using a first number of a series of dental appliances, from a first orientation to a second orientation, the second orientation exposing the implant location, placing an implant at the exposed implant location using a landmark included in at least one of the series of dental appliances, repositioning one or more teeth using a second number of the series of dental appliances, from the second orientation to a successive orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20230000597
    Abstract: Methods of forming dental positioning appliances, such as removable mesh dental appliances. Methods may include forming one or more dies based on a digital three-dimensional model of one or more teeth. Methods may include applying a mesh material onto one or more dies having a three-dimensional shape corresponding to one or more teeth and shaping the mesh material via interaction with the one or more dies to conform to one or more surfaces of one or more teeth. The mesh material may be shaped to conform to an inside, an outside, and/or a biting surface of one or more teeth. The methods may include encapsulating the shaped mesh material into a polymer shell to form a dental positioning appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventor: Eric E. KUO
  • Publication number: 20220405241
    Abstract: Personal data file embodiments and methods for creating the same are provided. One personal data file embodiment includes personal information about a subject of the personal data file, provided by a user that controls the personal data file, in at least one of a number of personal information data fields, and an image of the subject including a privacy region, where the privacy region hides a first area of the image and leaves a second area of the image visible. The hidden first area is accessible by a pass code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Eric E. KUO
  • Patent number: 11471252
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for utilizing metallic portions in dental positioning appliances. One embodiment includes a removable dental positioning appliance having a shell having one or more cavities shaped to receive and reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation and where at least a portion of the shell is formed from a mesh material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 11436191
    Abstract: Personal data file embodiments and methods for creating the same are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include obtaining an original patient data file including patient medical information comprising one or more patient images; receiving first instructions to designate only a portion of the one or more patient images in the original patient data file as private; providing a privacy region over the at least a portion of the one or more patient images; creating one or more anonymized patient images; displaying the one or more anonymized patient images alongside at least a part of the patient personal information in a display; receiving a first input for a first modification to the one or more anonymized patient images related to implementation of the treatment plan; associating the first modification with the patient personal; and displaying the first modification as a first layer on the one or more anonymized patient images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20220257342
    Abstract: Method and system including receiving one or more parameters associated with an orthodontic condition, receiving a treatment goal information associated with the orthodontic condition, and providing a predefined template associated with the received treatment goal information, wherein the predefined template includes at least one orthodontic condition related information, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 11417432
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Stone-Collonge, Eric E. Kuo, Rick M. Matty, Fabio Pettinati, Thomas Maurer, Dzmitry Sanko