Patents by Inventor Qinghui Peter Lu

Qinghui Peter Lu 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: 8155780
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated adjustment of the position of a cutting tool when cutting dental aligner material includes using a computer for generating digital data that define (a) a first cutting angle in a labial cutting area along a dynamic cutting curve, (b) a second cutting angle in a lingual cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve, and (c) a third cutting angle in a back molar cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve. The cutting tool is automatically moved from the labial cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing a cutting tool angle from the first cutting angle to the third cutting angle. The cutting tool is also automatically moved from the lingual cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing the cutting tool angle from the second cutting angle to the third cutting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Publication number: 20100173266
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinskih, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Patent number: 7711447
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Publication number: 20080187887
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhaget, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp