Patents by Inventor Lee C. Yick
Lee C. Yick 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: 11471255Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
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Patent number: 11337486Abstract: A method of forming an arch member comprising an arch member body and an arch member coupling integral with the body, comprising: providing a substrate comprising a resilient material; and removing a portion of the substrate to form the arch member. The arch member body including a cross-sectional geometry that varies along a length of the body. Also a method of designing an orthodontic appliance comprising: providing a proposed specification of the orthodontic appliance, wherein the orthodontic appliance comprises an arch member comprising an arch member body and an arch member coupling integral with the body, and a set of anchors, providing a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement associated with the orthodontic appliance; deriving a target digital image representing a target dental arrangement; revising the proposed specification of the orthodontic appliance based in part on the target digital image; and forming the orthodontic appliance based on the revised proposed specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Todd I. Oda, Lee C. Yick, David K. Cinader, Jr., Richard E. Raby, Ralf M. Paehl
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Publication number: 20190350682Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: David K. Cinader, JR., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
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Patent number: 10398532Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: 3M iNNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
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Publication number: 20180338564Abstract: A method of forming an arch member comprising an arch member body and an arch member coupling integral with the body, comprising: providing a substrate comprising a resilient material; and removing a portion of the substrate to form the arch member. The arch member body including a cross-sectional geometry that varies along a length of the body. Also a method of designing an orthodontic appliance comprising: providing a proposed specification of the orthodontic appliance, wherein the orthodontic appliance comprises an arch member comprising an arch member body and an arch member coupling integral with the body, and a set of anchors, providing a first digital image representing a first dental arrangement associated with the orthodontic appliance; deriving a target digital image representing a target dental arrangement; revising the proposed specification of the orthodontic appliance based in part on the target digital image; and forming the orthodontic appliance based on the revised proposed specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Todd I. Oda, Lee C. Yick, David K. Cinader, Jr., Richard E. Raby, Ralf M. Paehl
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Patent number: 10123854Abstract: The present disclosure provides self-ligating orthodontic brackets with improved control over access to the archwire slot. Access to the archwire slot is controlled by a latch assembly featuring a door rotatable about an axis relative to the bracket body and a lock positioned near the axis to prevent inadvertent rotation of the door. The lock engages a surface of the door and is capable of preventing undesired rotation between an open state, where an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed state, where access to the slot is prohibited. The self-ligating brackets may also include a biasing spring to provide active ligation and further inhibit undesired rotation of the door.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lee C. Yick, Todd I. Oda
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Patent number: 10064705Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lee C. Yick, Ming-Lai Lai
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Publication number: 20180049847Abstract: Various embodiments of an orthodontic appliance and method for forming such appliance are disclosed. The appliance can include a first anchor and a second anchor each including an anchor coupling and a base adapted to connect the respective anchor to a surface of a first tooth and a second tooth respectively. The appliance can also include an arch member including an arch member body and first and second arch member couplings integral with the body, the arch member body including a cross-sectional geometry that varies along a length of the body. The first arch member coupling can be releasably connectable to the anchor coupling of the first anchor and the second arch member coupling can be releasably connectable to the anchor coupling of the second anchor. The arch member body can include a first nonlinear portion between the first arch member coupling and the second arch member coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Todd I. ODA, Lee C. YICK, David K. CINADER, JR., Richard E. RABY, Ralf M. PAEHL, Michael K. DOMROESE
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Publication number: 20170312054Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Lee C. Yick, Ming-Lai Lai
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Patent number: 9730770Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO.Inventors: Lee C. Yick, Ming-Lai Lai
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Publication number: 20170143454Abstract: The present disclosure provides self-ligating orthodontic brackets with improved control over access to the archwire slot. Access to the archwire slot is controlled by a latch assembly featuring a door rotatable about an axis relative to the bracket body and a lock positioned near the axis to prevent inadvertent rotation of the door. The lock engages a surface of the door and is capable of preventing undesired rotation between an open state, where an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed state, where access to the slot is prohibited. The self-ligating brackets may also include a biasing spring to provide active ligation and further inhibit undesired rotation of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Lee C. Yick, Todd I. Oda
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Publication number: 20170007369Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: David K. Cinader, JR., MaThazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
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Patent number: 9504539Abstract: An aesthetic ceramic material is combined with a resilient metal to obtain an aesthetic self-ligating appliance with an easily operable latch mechanism. The appliance uses a door assembly that includes a ceramic ligating cover coupled to a resilient clip pivotable about a hinge mechanism. The clip functions as a latch to reversibly secure the clip and ligating cover to the appliance and retain an archwire in an archwire slot, and is capable of providing active ligation whereby the clip elastically deflects while directly or indirectly providing a continuous force to the archwire. Advantageously, the clip has a configuration that allows an orthodontic practitioner to pivot open the door assembly with minimal force while preventing the inadvertent opening of the door assembly as a result of normal forces applied by the archwire against the door assembly during the course of treatment.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Inventor: Lee C. Yick
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Patent number: 9480540Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Ma Thazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary
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Publication number: 20150223913Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Lee C. Yick, Ming-Lai Lai
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Publication number: 20150182307Abstract: An aesthetic ceramic material is combined with a resilient metal to obtain an aesthetic self-ligating appliance with an easily operable latch mechanism. The appliance uses a door assembly that includes a ceramic ligating cover coupled to a resilient clip pivotable about a hinge mechanism. The clip functions as a latch to reversibly secure the clip and ligating cover to the appliance and retain an archwire in an archwire slot, and is capable of providing active ligation whereby the clip elastically deflects while directly or indirectly providing a continuous force to the archwire. Advantageously, the clip has a configuration that allows an orthodontic practitioner to pivot open the door assembly with minimal force while preventing the inadvertent opening of the door assembly as a result of normal forces applied by the archwire against the door assembly during the course of treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: Lee C. Yick
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Publication number: 20140272749Abstract: Provided are orthodontic appliances and related methods in which at least one region of at least one sidewall of an archwire slot is tapered relative to an opposing sidewall. This feature can allow the archwire slot to conform to the slight twist that occurs in the archwire when the archwire is placed in asymmetric torque. Advantageously, this feature can distribute the contact stress between the archwire and appliance over a much larger surface area compared with conventional appliances, leading to a dramatic and surprising increase in torque strength and providing other ancillary benefits.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Lee C. Yick, Ming-Lai Lai
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Publication number: 20130280669Abstract: Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David K. Cinader, Ma Thazin Aung, Lee C. Yick, James D. Cleary