Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for quickly arriving at a pre-set-up for the orthodontic treatment of a patient based up on the user specified parameters; and thereafter enabling the user in interactively arriving at a final, desired treatment set-up for the patient. Several sub-operations are disclosed for arriving at the orthodontic pre-set-up. These sub-operations can be arranged in a specific sequence for realizing the orthodontic treatment pre-set-up for a patient. According to another aspect of the invention, a global reference system is disclosed that enables consistent treatment planning. The global reference system prevents unintended tooth displacements caused as side effects to the desired tooth displacements.

Abstract: A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement.

Abstract: A method for monitoring tooth wear and a method for monitoring tooth wear and gingival recession and erosion by comparing three-dimensional virtual models at different times are described, as well as occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occluded condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient.

Abstract: An interactive, unified workstation is described that unifies in a single system multitude of functions pertaining to a practitioners practice that would otherwise require disjointed, more expensive, and less efficient individual workstations dedicated to a specific, limited task or a sub-set of tasks. The invention is directed towards benchmarking for a practitioner's business practice, and for clinical aspects of treatment planning; and integrating overall patient care planning functions. The unified workstation further facilitates access to archived database resources and facilitates both knowledge base services to practitioners and also hybrid treatment planning, wherein different types of appliance systems (fixed, such as brackets and wires, or removable, such as aligning shells) may be used during the course of treatment.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing a virtual three-dimensional model of an object using a data processing system, and at least one machine-readable memory accessible to said data processing system. A set of at least two digital three-dimensional frames of portions of the object are obtained from a source, such as a computing system coupled to an optical or laser scanner, CT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Tomography scanner or other source. The at least two frames comprise a set of point coordinates in a three dimensional coordinate system providing differing information of the surface of the object. The frames provide a substantial overlap of the represented portions of the surface of the object, but do not coincide exactly for example due to movement of the scanning device relative to the object between the generation of the frame. Data representing the set of frames are stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for quickly arriving at a pre-set-up for the orthodontic treatment of a patient based up on the user specified parameters; and thereafter enabling the user in interactively arriving at a final, desired treatment set-up for the patient. Several sub-operations are disclosed for arriving at the orthodontic pre-set-up. These sub-operations can be arranged in a specific sequence for realizing the orthodontic treatment pre-set-up for a patient. According to another aspect of the invention, a global reference system is disclosed that enables consistent treatment planning. The global reference system prevents unintended tooth displacements caused as side effects to the desired tooth displacements.

Abstract: A scanning system includes a hand-held scanning device that generates two-dimensional images of a pattern reflected off an object. The system also includes a memory and processing unit. The memory stores a calibration table for the scanner and received scanned bitmap images. The processing unit generates three-dimensional information as to a scanned object. The scanning can be performed without knowledge or even precise control of the position of the object relative to the scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible. Three-dimensional information of the object is obtained from the captured images using a calibration table for the scanner. A method of calibration of the scanner is also described. The illustrated embodiment is in-vivo scanning of human teeth for purposes of orthodontic treatment planning and diagnosis.

Abstract: A single surface representation is created from a cloud of points. Each point in the cloud of points is assigned three-dimensional spatial coordinates. The cloud of points is stored in a memory of a computer. Machine-executable instructions are provided for the computer that operate on the cloud of points. The instructions construct an initial triangle from the cloud of points. The instructions construct a multitude of adjacent triangles forming a single continuous surface representing the object. The triangles comprise planar surfaces having three vertices. The vertices of the adjacent triangles comprise the three points forming the initial triangle and a multitude of other points. Except for the initial two points, the points forming the triangles are each computed as a weighted average of a set of nearby points in the cloud of points that satisfy selection criteria. The resulting vertex also has to satisfy one or more selection criteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating placement and evaluation of virtual appliances on virtual teeth of an orthodontic patient are described. Positioning references comprising bracket height, occlusal plane, or any arbitrary plane are provided to facilitate desired placement of virtual appliances on virtual teeth model. The process can be applied with any dentition state of a patient such as malocclusion, target state from treatment, or intermediate monitored state during the course of a treatment. An unified workstation for treatment planning provides the computer software tools for verification, simulation and evaluation of the virtual appliance placement. The process enables proper planning of treatment for an orthodontic patient suffering from malocclusion involving bonding of virtual brackets to the surface of the patient's virtual teeth with archwires placed in the slots of the brackets, so as to realize the desired results from the treatment in the most desired manner.

Abstract: An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient model or simulations thereof for purposes of manufacture of customized therapeutic devices for any component of the craniofacial structures, e.g., orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A single surface representation is created from a cloud of points. Each point in the cloud of points is assigned three-dimensional spatial coordinates. The cloud of points is stored in a memory of a computer. Machine-executable instructions are provided for the computer that operate on the cloud of points. The instructions construct an initial triangle from the cloud of points. The instructions construct a multitude of adjacent triangles forming a single continuous surface representing the object. The triangles comprise planar surfaces having three vertices. The vertices of the adjacent triangles comprise the three points forming the initial triangle and a multitude of other points. Except for the initial two points, the points forming the triangles are each computed as a weighted average of a set of nearby points in the cloud of points that satisfy selection criteria. The resulting vertex also has to satisfy one or more selection criteria.

Abstract: An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient model or simulations thereof for purposes of manufacture of customized therapeutic devices for any component of the craniofacial structures, e.g., orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A single surface representation is created from a cloud of points. Each point in the cloud of points is assigned three-dimensional spatial coordinates. The cloud of points is stored in a memory of a computer. Machine-executable instructions are provided for the computer that operate on the cloud of points. The instructions construct an initial triangle from the cloud of points. The instructions construct a multitude of adjacent triangles forming a single continuous surface representing the object. The triangles comprise planar surfaces having three vertices. The vertices of the adjacent triangles comprise the three points forming the initial triangle and a multitude of other points. Except for the initial two points, the points forming the triangles are each computed as a weighted average of a set of nearby points in the cloud of points that satisfy selection criteria. The resulting vertex also has to satisfy one or more selection criteria.

Abstract: A method and workstation for evaluation of an orthodontic treatment plan for a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools by which the user can create a proposed treatment plan (proposed position of the teeth at the end of treatment) in three dimensions. The workstation also provides tools for evaluation of the proposed treatment plan.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing a virtual three-dimensional model of an object using a data processing system, and at least one machine-readable memory accessible to said data processing system. A set of at least two digital three-dimensional frames of portions of the object are obtained from a source, such as a computing system coupled to an optical or laser scanner, CT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Tomography scanner or other source. The at least two frames comprise a set of point coordinates in a three dimensional coordinate system providing differing information of the surface of the object. The frames provide a substantial overlap of the represented portions of the surface of the object, but do not coincide exactly for example due to movement of the scanning device relative to the object between the generation of the frame. Data representing the set of frames are stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for quickly arriving at a pre-set-up for the orthodontic treatment of a patient based up on the user specified parameters; and thereafter enabling the user in interactively arriving at a final, desired treatment set-up for the patient. Several sub-operations are disclosed for arriving at the orthodontic pre-set-up. These sub-operations can be arranged in a specific sequence for realizing the orthodontic treatment pre-set-up for a patient. According to another aspect of the invention, a global reference system is disclosed that enables consistent treatment planning. The global reference system prevents unintended tooth displacements caused as side effects to the desired tooth displacements.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for constructing a virtual three-dimensional model of an object using a data processing system, and at least one machine-readable memory accessible to said data processing system. A set of at least two digital three-dimensional frames of portions of the object are obtained from a source, such as a computing system coupled to an optical or laser scanner, CT scanner, Magnetic Resonance Tomography scanner or other source. The at least two frames comprise a set of point coordinates in a three dimensional coordinate system providing differing information of the surface of the object. The frames provide a substantial overlap of the represented portions of the surface of the object, but do not coincide exactly for example due to movement of the scanning device relative to the object between the generation of the frame. Data representing the set of frames are stored in the memory.

Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.

Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.

Abstract: A method and workstation for evaluation of an orthodontic treatment plan for a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools by which the user can create a proposed treatment plan (proposed position of the teeth at the end of treatment) in three dimensions. The workstation also provides tools for evaluation of the proposed treatment plan.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for preventing electrical shorts between sets of stator coil headers and accompanying connections is disclosed in which a reinforced, non-conducting cover is fitted over a pair of stator coil headers, or a stator coil header and an adjacent phase connector. Thereafter, the cavity formed by the fitted cover can be filled with an insulating, solidifying or polymerizing material or resin. Use of such an apparatus insulates the entire header apparatus and prevents any accidental shorting between sets of stator coil ends.