Patents by Inventor John Y. Morton

John Y. Morton 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: 20240108437
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a center of resistance of a tooth may include receiving a 3D digital representation of an initial arrangement and a final arrangement of a patient's teeth and determining a 3D treatment plan. The 3D treatment plan may include a plurality of 3D stages for rearranging the teeth from the initial arrangement toward the final arrangement. The method may also include determining, in accordance with the 3D treatment plan, an intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages and deriving, using a 3D resistance model, an applied force system for achieving the intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages. The method may also include deriving 3D geometries of oral appliances for the stages in response to the applied force system. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Iman SHOJAEI, Reza SHIRAZI AGHJARI, John Y. MORTON, Vadim MATOV, Eric YAU, Fuming WU, Sergei BRODSKY
  • Publication number: 20240099816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing and generating a treatment plan for temporomandibular joint dysfunction where a polymeric shell appliance is utilized to generate one or more activation forces that facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bruce CAM, John Y. MORTON, Vadim MATOV, Jun SATO
  • Publication number: 20240090979
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sriram VENKATASANTHANAM, Ramin HEYDARPOUR, John Y. MORTON, Jun SATO, Michael Christopher COLE, Mehdi MOJDEH, Prashanth VANCHY, Natalia Lysaya POWERS, Sibel NARIN, Jeremy RILEY
  • Patent number: 11864970
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a center of resistance of a tooth may include receiving a 3D digital representation of an initial arrangement and a final arrangement of a patient's teeth and determining a 3D treatment plan. The 3D treatment plan may include a plurality of 3D stages for rearranging the teeth from the initial arrangement toward the final arrangement. The method may also include determining, in accordance with the 3D treatment plan, an intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages and deriving, using a 3D resistance model, an applied force system for achieving the intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages. The method may also include deriving 3D geometries of oral appliances for the stages in response to the applied force system. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Iman Shojaei, Reza Shirazi Aghjari, John Y. Morton, Vadim Matov, Eric Yau, Fuming Wu, Sergei Brodsky
  • Publication number: 20230404714
    Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Fuming WU, Ryan KIMURA, Jeremy RILEY, Yaser SHANJANI, Norman SU, Jun SATO, Bastien PESENTI, John Y. MORTON, Jihua CHENG
  • Patent number: 11839520
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sriram Venkatasanthanam, Ramin Heydarpour, John Y. Morton, Jun Sato, Michael Christopher Cole, Mehdi Mojdeh, Prashanth Vanchy, Natalia Lysaya Powers, Sibel Narin, Jeremy Riley
  • Publication number: 20230363859
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Heng CAO, Vadim MATOV, John Y. MORTON, Jon MOSS, Ryan KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20230346520
    Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Crystal TJHIA, Rohit TANUGULA, Yaser SHANJANI, Ryan KIMURA, Bruce CAM, Eric YAU, Yuxiang WANG, Ken WU, Peter WEBBER, Jun SATO, John Y. MORTON
  • Patent number: 11793608
    Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Rohit Tanugula, Yaser Shanjani, Ryan Kimura, Bruce Cam, Eric Yau, Yuxiang Wang, Ken Wu, Peter Webber, Jun Sato, John Y. Morton
  • Patent number: 11779437
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing and generating a treatment plan for temporomandibular joint dysfunction where a polymeric shell appliance is utilized to generate one or more activation forces that facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Cam, John Y. Morton, Vadim Matov, Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 11737857
    Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitra Derakhshan, Crystal Tjhia, Rohit Tanugula, Yaser Shanjani, Ryan Kimura, Bruce Cam, Eric Yau, Yuxiang Wang, Ken Wu, Peter Webber, Jun Sato, John Y. Morton
  • Publication number: 20230255728
    Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a treatment plan for a patient's dentition and generating an aligner model representing an aligner configured to implement a treatment stage of the treatment plan. The aligner model can include a thickness map having a thickness parameter for each location of the aligner model. The method can include adjusting the thickness map by using the aligner model to evaluate an outcome when the aligner is applied to the patient's dentition, and iteratively reducing the value of each thickness parameter of the thickness map based on the evaluation until a resulting thickness is determined for each thickness parameter. The method can also include providing instructions to manufacture the aligner based on the aligner model with the resulting thickness for each thickness parameter of the thickness map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Yuxiang Wang, Andrew Jang, Bruce Cam, Rohit Tanugula, Chunhua Li, Jun Sato, Luyao Cai, Pavel Pokotilov, Kangning Su, John Y. Morton
  • Publication number: 20230210637
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for customized retainers to prevent relapse. In particular, described herein are customized retainers, and methods and apparatuses for making customized retainers that specifically reenforce and prevent movement of one or more teeth having a higher likelihood of relapse following completion of an orthodontic treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ken WU, Huizhong LI, Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Zhou YU, James NISHIMUTA, Yuxiang WANG, Xi CAI, Rohit TANUGULA, Jeeyoung CHOI, Eric YAU, Jun SATO, John Y. MORTON
  • Publication number: 20230210636
    Abstract: Described herein are attachments for an orthodontic appliance, such as an aligner, that include a base region configured to be rigidly mounted to a tooth surface and an interface surface region that is configured to engage with the orthodontic appliance, in which the base region and the interface surface region are movably connected. These attachments may be configured as force applying attachments and/or as force redirecting attachments. Also described herein are modular attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Avi KOPELMAN, Jun SATO, Jessica SCHILTZ, Tzishing Jesse LIM, John Y. MORTON
  • Publication number: 20230200946
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring the performance of an orthodontic appliance for repositioning a patient's teeth. An orthodontic appliance may include a plurality of teeth receiving cavities shaped to reposition the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement towards a target arrangement, and one or more sensors configured to determine tooth movement (based on position and/or orientation) and/or forces applied to the teeth. The sensor may be distributed between attachments and aligners that mate with the attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Yaser SHANJANI, Bruce CAM, Allen R. BORONKAY, Jun SATO, John Y. MORTON, Chunhua LI, Srinivas KAZA
  • Patent number: 11666415
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxiang Wang, Andrew Jang, Bruce Cam, Rohit Tanugula, Chunhua Li, Jun Sato, Luyao Cai, Pavel Pokotilov, Kangning Su, John Y. Morton
  • Publication number: 20230165662
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing controlled tooth-moving forces are provided. An orthodontic appliance includes one or more occlusal surface features that modify bite forces between opposing teeth during intercuspation to aid in realignment of the teeth. The interception bite forces can be applied between appliance shells on opposing arches, or between an appliance shell and an opposing tooth. These modified bite forces can be used to supply or augment tooth-moving forces, and the tooth moving forces can produce moments to urge rotational movement of a tooth. Also described herein are orthodontic appliances having an occlusal outer surface contours that are distinct from the occlusal inner surface contour within the dental appliance and may be configured to selectively intercuspate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: John Y. MORTON, Bruce CAM
  • Publication number: 20230157791
    Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Fuming WU, Ryan KIMURA, Jeremy RILEY, Yaser SHANJANI, Norman SU, Jun SATO, Bastien PESENTI, John Y. MORTON, Jihua CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230149143
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring either or both the performance of an orthodontic appliance for repositioning a patient's teeth and/or the user compliance in wearing the appliance using a biosensor. The apparatuses described herein may include one or more sensors, including biosensors, electrical sensors, or both, configured to generate sensor data related to user compliance and/or repositioning of the patient's teeth by an orthodontic appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Yaser SHANJANI, Bruce CAM, John Y. MORTON, Jun SATO
  • Patent number: 11628044
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Heng Cao, Vadim Matov, John Y. Morton, Jon Moss, Ryan Kimura