Patents by Inventor Loc X. Phan
Loc X. Phan 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).
-
Patent number: 7059850Abstract: The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and/or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Z. Chishti, Ross J. Miller
-
Patent number: 7056115Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined locations on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Peter G. Knopp, Eric Kuo, Amir Abolfathi, Huafeng Wen
-
Patent number: 7037108Abstract: Appliances are made using a dental mold representing a patient's dental configuration. In particular, thermoformable plastic positioning appliances which fit over the patient's teeth may be formed over a three-dimensional mold of the patient's dentition. An apparatus and methods which employ a manipulable or reconfigurable mold to model patient dentition and gingiva at each stage of treatment. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for performing midcourse corrections during orthodontic procedures using a plurality of such appliances in sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Loc X. Phan
-
Patent number: 6964564Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti, Ross J. Miller, H. Robert Vandenberg, Eric Kuo
-
Patent number: 6947038Abstract: Systems and methods are described for integrating anatomical information from a plurality of sources of information.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jae H. Anh, Loc X. Phan, Sheldon Baumrind, Sean Curry, Andrew Beers
-
Publication number: 20040229183Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Peter Knopp, Loc X. Phan
-
Patent number: 6814574Abstract: Pliers for forming and removing bumps for the dental appliance without heating are disclosed. The eraser pliers for erasing a bump on an appliance include a first elongated member having a first jaw portion at one end and a handle portion at the other end, the jaw portion having flat surface mounted at a distal end of the first jaw portion; and a second elongated member joined to the first elongated member, the second elongated member having a second jaw portion at one end and a second handle portion at the other end, the second jaw portion having a second flat surface mounted at a distal end of the second jaw portion, the first and second flat surfaces adapted to engage and flatten the bump.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Brian K. Asselin, Eric Kuo, Loc X. Phan
-
Publication number: 20040209218Abstract: An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Loc X. Phan, Ross J. Miller, Eric Kuo
-
Publication number: 20040170941Abstract: Traditional orthodontic treatment often involves the use of basic repositioning devices, such as braces, and the use of supplementary devices, components or accessories to achieve desired end results. Such components may be mounted on fixed, non-removable devices or they may be part of a removable appliance typically worn prior to the application of the fixed devices. As with traditional treatment, it may be desired to utilize similar components when repositioning teeth with removable elastic repositioning appliances. Due to the nature of elastic appliances, such components may take a variety of forms ranging from readily available traditional accessories to specially created devices. Thus, traditional components may be mounted on or embedded in an elastic appliance, or the appliance may be formed to provide similar components. Likewise, the appliance may be modified to provide additional features for specific orthodontic treatments.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti, Ross J. Miller, H. Robert Van Den Berg, Eric Kuo, Jae Hyun Ahn
-
Publication number: 20040166462Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined locations on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Peter G. Knopp, Eric Kuo, Amir Abolfathi
-
Publication number: 20040086823Abstract: Pliers for forming and removing bumps for the dental appliance without heating are disclosed. The eraser pliers for erasing a bump on an appliance include a first elongated member having a first jaw portion at one end and a handle portion at the other end, the jaw portion having flat surface mounted at a distal end of the first jaw portion; and a second elongated member joined to the first elongated member, the second elongated member having a second jaw portion at one end and a second handle portion at the other end, the second jaw portion having a second flat surface mounted at a distal end of the second jaw portion, the first and second flat surfaces adapted to engage and flatten the bump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Brian K. Asselin, Eric Kuo, Loc X. Phan
-
Patent number: 6705863Abstract: The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and/or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Z. Chishti, Ross J. Miller
-
Patent number: 6705861Abstract: An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Loc X. Phan
-
Publication number: 20040048223Abstract: The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and/or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Z. Chishti, Ross J. Miller
-
Publication number: 20030219691Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of repositioning teeth for use in orthodontic treatment, with particular applicability to removable elastic repositioning appliances. Such appliances may be challenged by traditional tooth movements which intrude the crown of the tooth or present tooth positions which reduce available points of purchase. These challenges may be overcome with a series of tooth movements in which a tooth is translated in a “root-first” position. The movements may take advantage of the inherent characteristics of elastic repositioning appliances in translating a tooth from a first position to a desired position along a gingival plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INCInventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti
-
Publication number: 20030211440Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for orthodontic treatment using elastic repositioning appliances while concurrently providing dental and periodontal therapies. Such therapies are traditionally provided with the use of a variety of accessories and devices which are applied when the repositioning appliance is removed from the patient's mouth. The present invention eliminates the need for such removal and additional devices by incorporating these therapies into the repositioning appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Eric Kuo, Loc X. Phan
-
Publication number: 20030190576Abstract: Traditional orthodontic treatment often involves the use of basic repositioning devices, such as braces, and the use of supplementary devices, components or accessories to achieve desired end results. Such components may be mounted on fixed, non-removable devices or they may be part of a removable appliance typically worn prior to the application of the fixed devices. As with traditional treatment, it may be desired to utilize similar components when repositioning teeth with removable elastic repositioning appliances. Due to the nature of elastic appliances, such components may take a variety of forms ranging from readily available traditional accessories to specially created devices. Thus, traditional components may be mounted on or embedded in an elastic appliance, or the appliance may be formed to provide similar components. Likewise, the appliance may be modified to provide additional features for specific orthodontic treatments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC. A Delaware CorporationInventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti, Ross J. Miller, H. Robert Van Den Berg, Eric Kuo, Jae Hyun Ahn
-
Publication number: 20030186184Abstract: An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Loc X. Phan
-
Patent number: 6607382Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for orthodontic treatment using elastic repositioning appliances while concurrently providing dental and periodontal therapies. Such therapies are traditionally provided with the use of a variety of accessories and devices which are applied when the repositioning appliance is removed from the patient's mouth. The present invention eliminates the need for such removal and additional devices by incorporating these therapies into the repositioning appliance.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Eric Kuo, Loc X. Phan
-
Patent number: 6582227Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of repositioning teeth for use in orthodontic treatment, with particular applicability to removable elastic repositioning appliances. Such appliances may be challenged by traditional tooth movements which intrude the crown of the tooth or present tooth positions which reduce available points of purchase. These challenges may be overcome with a series of tooth movements in which a tooth is translated in a “root-first” position. The movements may take advantage of the inherent characteristics of elastic repositioning appliances in translating a tooth from a first position to a desired position along a gingival plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti