Patents by Inventor Patrick B. Dufour

Patrick B. Dufour 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: 9084653
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: CADENT, LTD., 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen, Joseph M. Caruso, Patrick B. Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum
  • Patent number: 7347690
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventors: Russell A Jordan, James D Hansen, Joseph M Caruso, Patrick B Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum
  • Publication number: 20020048741
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen, Joseph M. Caruso, Patrick B. Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum
  • Patent number: 6322359
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen, Joseph M. Caruso, Patrick B. Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum
  • Patent number: 6152731
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen, Joseph M. Caruso, Patrick B. Dufour, Baruch Nissenbaum