Patents by Inventor Ian Kitching
Ian Kitching 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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Publication number: 20260114960Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance based on a 2D image of a patient's teeth. A 3D model of the patient's teeth corresponding to the patient's teeth at a first time may be accessed. The 2D image based on a camera picture acquired at a second time may be accessed, where second time may occur after the first time. The method may include iteratively comparing a distance between corresponding points on teeth of the 3D model and of the 2D image, and generating an adjusted 3D model in which the teeth of the 3D model are moved to reduce the distance. Iteratively comparing and generating may include iterating until a final adjusted 3D model is generated. Deviations between the teeth of the 3D model and the 2D image may be below a threshold. The orthodontic appliance may be fabricated based on the final adjusted 3D model.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2025Publication date: April 30, 2026Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Ka M. CHEANG
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Patent number: 12558192Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a corrective stage in orthodontic treatment. Methods may include presenting a menu for a user to enter a pre-determined tolerance or a maximum number of iterations for performing a surface matching algorithm. Methods may include matching one or more teeth of a previously segmented teeth model to one or more corresponding teeth of a current teeth image. The matching may include executing the surface matching algorithm. The methods may include iteratively finding closes sample points, determining whether distances between closest sample points exceed a predetermined tolerance, and adjusting the distances. A current teeth model may be generated based on the adjusted previously segmented teeth model. A current teeth model using the corrective stage may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
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Patent number: 12491048Abstract: Systems and methods for moving teeth of a patient from a first tooth arrangement toward a second tooth arrangement are provided, including: a first dental appliance corresponding to a first stage of an orthodontic treatment plan and corresponding to the first tooth arrangement; a second dental appliance corresponding to a second stage of the orthodontic treatment plan and corresponding to the second tooth arrangement; and a plurality of intermediate dental appliances corresponding to a plurality of intermediate stages between the first stage and the second stage of the orthodontic treatment plan. The intermediate dental appliances include a first intermediate dental appliance having first tooth receiving cavities shaped for moving the patient's teeth as prescribed for the respective intermediate stage by the orthodontic treatment plan, and a duplicate intermediate dental appliance having duplicate tooth receiving cavities with the same geometries as the first tooth receiving cavities.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2022Date of Patent: December 9, 2025Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Lou Shuman
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Publication number: 20250049537Abstract: Systems and methods for orthodontic treatment progress tracking. A tracking schedule for tracking progress of an orthodontic treatment may be set. The tracking schedule may include a series of progress checkpoints. For one or more of the progress checkpoints, a previous three-dimensional (3D) segmented model of a patient's teeth may be accessed. Teeth from the previous 3D segmented model may be matched with teeth of the current 2D image of the patient's teeth. A deviation between a current position of a tooth of the current 2D image and an intended position of the tooth may be detected. A report indicating the deviation may be generated and output to an output device associated with displaying the report to a treating professional.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Rene STERENTAL, Eric KUO, Maia SINGER
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Patent number: 12150830Abstract: Systems and methods for orthodontic treatment progress tracking. Information based on an orthodontic treatment plan prescribed for a patient undergoing orthodontic treatment may be received. The orthodontic treatment plan specifies planned tooth movements according to a series of treatment stages. An orthodontic progress tracking schedule for the patient based on one or more particular tooth movements of the planned tooth movements may be generated. The orthodontic progress tracking schedule may prescribe a timing schedule for acquiring images of the patient's teeth to track progress of the orthodontic treatment. Images of teeth arrangements of the patient according to the orthodontic progress tracking schedule may be received. Results based on the tracked orthodontic treatment progress may be provided, for example, on a display.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
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Patent number: 11950977Abstract: Methods for detecting and avoiding collisions of teeth during orthodontic treatment may include determining a schedule of movement for dental objects during treatment stages, calculating a respective route from an initial position toward a final position for each of the dental objects during the treatment stage, and modifying the schedule of movement with a first modification to avoid a collision or obstruction between two of the dental objects on their respective routes. The modification may include moving a first of the dental objects away from the respective route of a second of the dental objects, and moving the first dental object toward its respective final position after the second dental object has sufficiently traversed its respective route to avoid the collision.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
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Publication number: 20240024077Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Alexander DMITRIEV, Alexey VISHNEVSKIY
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Publication number: 20240024073Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Rene STERENTAL, Eric KUO, Maia SINGER
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Patent number: 11819377Abstract: Methods for obtaining an adjusted 3D model of patient's teeth based on a 2D image of the patient's teeth. In some examples, the method includes: obtaining a 3D digital model based on a scan of the patient's teeth; obtaining a 2D image based on a camera picture; iteratively comparing a distance between corresponding points on one or more teeth of the 3D digital model and of the 2D image, and generating an adjusted 3D model in which the one or more teeth of the 3D digital model are moved to reduce said distance, wherein iteratively comparing and generating comprises iterating until one or more deviations between the teeth of the 3D digital model and the 2D image are below a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
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Patent number: 11766311Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
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Patent number: 11717381Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
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Publication number: 20230181285Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Rene STERENTAL, Eric KUO, Maia SINGER
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Publication number: 20230157789Abstract: Method and system for detecting and correcting deviation during an orthodontic treatment plan is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an un-segmented current teeth image representing a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun and before the plan ends for the patient; matching a previously segmented teeth model with the current teeth image; and generating at least one corrective stage to define an intermediate tooth arrangement, wherein the at least one corrective stage repositions a digital teeth image so that a prescribed tooth arrangement of the previously segmented teeth model can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Ka M. CHEANG
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Patent number: 11571276Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
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Publication number: 20230000593Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Lou Shuman
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Patent number: 11478333Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Lou Shuman
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Patent number: 11429080Abstract: A system for adjusting a cutting tool includes a cutting system having a cutting tool configured to cut material thermoformed to a dental model. The cutting system is configured to determine, based on a cut line generated for the cutting tool to cut a dental aligner from the material thermoformed onto the dental model, that the cutting tool is incapable of following the cut line. The cutting system is configured to adjust a position of the cutting tool with respect to the cut line so the cutting tool is capable of following the cut line.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: SDC U.S. SmilePay SPVInventors: Tuan Do, Ian Kitching
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Publication number: 20220218439Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ian KITCHING, Alexander DMITRIEV, Alexey VISHNEVSKIY
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Patent number: 11369456Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
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Patent number: 11045281Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for digital orthodontic setup using a prescribed ideal arch form. The invention may include an imaging system, an orthodontic device production system, and an orthodontic treatment system interconnected by way of a network. The orthodontic treatment system may facilitate manipulating one or more reference teeth into a position by the dental practitioner. The orthodontic treatment system may further facilitate selection of an ideal unit-less arch form and scaling of the ideal unit-less arch form into a scaled ideal arch form to fit the reference teeth. After the selected ideal unit-less arch form is scaled to fit the reference teeth, the remaining teeth are positioned with respect to the scaled ideal arch form, either manually by a dental practitioner or automatically by an alignment algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ormco CorporationInventors: Evan Yifeng Tsai, Ian Kitching