Patents by Inventor John C. Voudouris
John C. Voudouris 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: 11890163Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Orthoarm, Inc.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 11547534Abstract: A lip advancer is presented for preventing proclining or tipping forward of the lower incisors that causes relapse and gingival recession in retention with forward intermaxillary elastic traction that extends diagonally from posterior bracket hooks in the lower arch anchored to hooks on upper anchorage appliances. In one embodiment, the lip advancer is comprised of an invisible clear liner type plastic retainer for use with a dental arch, and a bumper extending labially from the retainer for pressing against the patient's lip causing the lip muscles to react pushing back with an opposite force thus preventing the anterior teeth from flaring labially. In another embodiment, for use with a plurality of brackets and an archwire, the lip advancer comprises an auxiliary archwire extending from and in contact with the brackets, and a bumper formed on the auxiliary archwire for applying pressure labially to a corresponding lip.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Spartan Orthodontics Inc.Inventors: John C Voudouris, John Dean Voudouris
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Patent number: 11413118Abstract: An orthodontic molar distalizer having a molar component, a mesial anchor tooth attachment, and an elongate member therebetween. The elongate member features a hook for receiving a traction member for imparting distalizing force. A spring biasing means is positioned between the hook and the molar tube for applying distalizing force on the molar component and reducing canine over eruption. A telescopic distalizer comprised of an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plunger can be adjusted to a patient's anatomy. An arched distalizer having a threaded bolt connection between the elongate member and the molar component is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Spartan Orthodontics, Inc.Inventor: John C Voudouris
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Publication number: 20210401547Abstract: An orthodontic molar distalizer having a molar component, a mesial anchor tooth attachment, and an elongate member therebetween. The elongate member features a hook for receiving a traction member for imparting distalizing force. A spring biasing means is positioned between the hook and the molar tube for applying distalizing force on the molar component and reducing canine over eruption. A telescopic distalizer comprised of an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plunger can be adjusted to a patient's anatomy. An arched distalizer having a threaded bolt connection between the elongate member and the molar component is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2018Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Spartan Orthodontics Inc.Inventor: John C VOUDOURIS
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Publication number: 20200281691Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20200155278Abstract: A low-profile self-ligating orthodontic bracket having a body and a locking shutter. The body may include, a base portion and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings projecting in a generally labial direction from the base portion. At least one of the occlusal tie wings includes a projecting column. The body may further include a shutter guiding portion, a portion of which is located occlusally beyond a projecting column. The body also has an archwire slot for accepting an archwire. The shutter engages with the body for movement between a closed position, in which the shutter covers a sufficient portion of the archwire slot to prevent the archwire from exiting the slot, and an open positon, in which the archwire can exit the slot. The shutter includes a lingual portion that is movably engagable with the shutter guiding portion of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 10603138Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: ORTHOARM INCORPORATEDInventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20190029776Abstract: A lip advancer is presented for preventing proclining or tipping forward of the lower incisors that causes relapse and gingival recession in retention with forward intermaxillary elastic traction that extends diagonally from posterior bracket hooks in the lower arch anchored to hooks on upper anchorage appliances. In one embodiment, the lip advancer is comprised of an invisible clear liner type plastic retainer for use with a dental arch, and a bumper extending labially from the retainer for pressing against the patient's lip causing the lip muscles to react pushing back with an opposite force thus preventing the anterior teeth from flaring labially. In another embodiment, for use with a plurality of brackets and an archwire, the lip advancer comprises an auxiliary archwire extending from and in contact with the brackets, and a bumper formed on the auxiliary archwire for applying pressure labially to a corresponding lip.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: Spartan Orthodontics Inc.Inventors: John C VOUDOURIS, John Dean VOUDOURIS
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Publication number: 20170042641Abstract: A low-profile self-ligating orthodontic bracket having a body and a locking shutter. The body may include a base portion and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings projecting in a generally labial direction from the base portion. At least one of the occlusal tie wings includes a projecting column. The body may further include a shutter guiding portion, a portion of which is located occlusally beyond a projecting column. The body also has an archwire slot for accepting an archwire. The shutter engages with the body for movement between a closed position, in which the shutter covers a sufficient portion of the archwire slot to prevent the archwire from exiting the slot, and an open position, in which the archwire can exit the slot. The shutter includes a lingual portion that is movably engagable with the shutter guiding portion of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20140308622Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 8726510Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a body having an archwire slot and adapted to be secured to a tooth, and a clip coupled to the body and movable between an open position, permitting access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, inhibiting access to the archwire slot. The clip has a base material having recesses formed by laser-ablation, and a coating formed over at least one of the recesses.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 8636507Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20100311004Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20100000069Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprising a body having an archwire slot and adapted to be secured to a tooth, and a clip coupled to the body and movable between an open position, permitting access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, inhibiting access to the archwire slot. The clip comprises a base material having recesses formed by laser-ablation, and a coating formed over at least a portion of the base material and over at least one of the recesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: CERAMIC SCIENCES, INC.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 7214057Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly and method of assembling an orthodontic bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may generally include a base defining an archwire slot and having a lingual surface attachable to a tooth, the base defining a recess extending from the lingual surface, an insert positionable in the recess, a slot being at least partially defined by the insert, and a locking member including a lingual portion receivable in the slot to support the locking member on the base, the lingual portion being movable in the slot between an open position, in which the locking member permits access to the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the locking member inhibits access to the archwire slot.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Ceramic Sciences IncorporatedInventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 6939133Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: OrthoArm, Inc.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20040166459Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: OrthoArm, Inc.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20040072119Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a body (e.g., made of a ceramic material) including a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth and defining an archwire slot, and a clip movable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position inhibiting access to the archwire slot. In one aspect, the clip has a material thickness that is non-uniform. In another aspect, the clip comprises at least two different materials. In yet another aspect, the bracket includes an insert coupled to the body and at least partially defining the archwire slot, and a recess formed in the archwire slot (e.g., to limit movement of a free end of a labial portion of the clip). In still another aspect, the bracket includes a gingival-occlusal insert coupled to the body and at least partially defining a gingival-occlusal opening, and at least a portion of the clip is positioned in the gingival-occlusal opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: OrthoArm, Inc.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Patent number: 6632088Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: OrthoArm, Inc.Inventor: John C. Voudouris
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Publication number: 20030031975Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2001Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventor: John C. Voudouris