Patents by Inventor Nancy Butcher

Nancy Butcher 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).

  • Method of wet-field scanning
    Patent number: 6854973
    Abstract: A method is provided for scanning the surface of an object in which moisture such as saliva or water is present on the surface. The method includes the step of applying a saliva and water-resistant composition to the surface, wherein the composition is characterized in that it does not readily wash off the surface after application of the composition to the surface in the presence of saliva or water. The composition forms an opaque film on the surface. The method further includes the step of scanning the surface having the film with a scanner. Several formulations for the composition are disclosed. One includes a liquid alcohol base, such as dehydrated ethyl alcohol, a reflective pigment, and a binder for promoting good adhesion of the formulation to the surface of the object being scanned. A suitable binder for scanning teeth and other oral structures is a denture adhesive such as an off-the-shelf denture adhesive, in powder form, that is mixed with the pigment and the alcohol base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Butcher, Friedrich Riemeier, Gregg Cohen
  • Method of wet-field scanning
    Publication number: 20030175658
    Abstract: A method is provided for scanning the surface of an object in which moisture such as saliva or water is present on the surface. The method includes the step of applying a saliva and water-resistant composition to the surface, wherein the composition is characterized in that it does not readily wash off the surface after application of the composition to the surface in the presence of saliva or water. The composition forms an opaque film on the surface. The method further includes the step of scanning the surface having the film with a scanner. Several formulations for the composition are disclosed. One includes a liquid alcohol base, such as dehydrated ethyl alcohol, a reflective pigment, and a binder for promoting good adhesion of the formulation to the surface of the object being scanned. A suitable binder for scanning teeth and other oral structures is a denture adhesive such as an off-the-shelf denture adhesive, in powder form, that is mixed with the pigment and the alcohol base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Nancy Butcher, Friedrich Riemeier, Gregg Cohen