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).

  • Publication number: 20160206402
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
  • Patent number: 9364297
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Patent number: 9326830
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexy Vishnevskiy
  • Publication number: 20160074138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Publication number: 20150190212
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Patent number: 9017072
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Patent number: 8899978
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Publication number: 20140335466
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Publication number: 20140193765
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Patent number: 8636510
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka Man Cheang
  • Publication number: 20140023980
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Patent number: 8562338
    Abstract: 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 including 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Maia Singer
  • Publication number: 20120225401
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Publication number: 20120035901
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
  • Patent number: 8099268
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes dental appliances, devices, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a method for tooth modeling includes receiving a patient information file for a treatment plan patient and analyzing the patient information file to determine whether the patient is a non-adult patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8075306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Patent number: 8044954
    Abstract: System and method for automatic construction of the tooth's axes in terms of three orthogonal unit vectors are disclosed. Three dimensional data for a tooth is used to automatically construct the tooth's axes. System and methods for automatic construction of the axes for different types of teeth such as incisors, canines, premolars, and molars are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Roman Roschin, Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Alexey Vishnevskiy
  • Patent number: 8038444
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Alexander Dmitriev, Alexey Vishnevskiy
  • Publication number: 20080305451
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka M. Cheang
  • Publication number: 20080306724
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Rene Sterental, Eric Kuo, Lou Shuman, Maia Singer