Abstract: Non-sliding orthodontic appliances may include an archwire having male fasteners for locking in place with brackets in a non-sliding manner and interproximal loops for exerting forces on the brackets. Appropriate forces may be calculated according to vectors between initial and ideal tooth positions. The brackets may be transferred to a patient's teeth using indirect bonding trays which contain slots for holding and aligning each bracket. The trays may include integrated handles for facilitating handling, may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier application, and/or may be labeled for facilitating proper registration. Superposition of a digital placement plan and clinical model after bonding may illustrate the accuracy of bracket placement. The archwire may comprise atraumatic ends to avoid patient discomfort. A color registration system can be used to facilitate the attachment of the archwire to the brackets. The archwire may be locked into place with the brackets using crimpable stops.

Abstract: A system and method that is a web based application for creating and managing 3D models used in orthodontic laboratory prescriptions within a dental clinic or lab. The method includes automatically detecting and removing any appliances contained within the 3D image file. After the appliances have been removed, the system then automatically replaces the removed image data with new mage data that is calculated to approximate the surface of the tooth disposed beneath the deleted appliance in order to create a clean, second 3D image. The method may further automatically refine the second 3D image of the patients teeth or delete any artifacts which remain after creation of the second 3D image. The second 3D image may then be used as the basis on which to change the patients orthodontic or dental prescription.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and method for preconditioning lingual tissue for lingual orthodontic treatment, including the application of lingual braces. Protuberances may be affixed to the lingual surfaces of one or more of a patient's teeth prior to the introduction of an orthodontic appliance to allow time for the tongue to adapt to the presence of foreign structures. The protuberances may promote keratinization of the lingual tissue. The protuberances may be removed prior to the application of the orthopedic appliance. The protuberances can be pre-fabricated or fabricated in situ on the surfaces of the teeth. The protuberances may be any suitable material, including metal, polymer, or ceramic.

Abstract: Non-sliding orthodontic appliances may include an archwire having male fasteners for locking in place with brackets in a non-sliding manner and interproximal loops for exerting forces on the brackets. Appropriate forces may be calculated according to vectors between initial and ideal tooth positions. The brackets may be transferred to a patient's teeth using indirect bonding trays which contain slots for holding and aligning each bracket. The trays may include integrated handles for facilitating handling, may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier application, and/or may be labeled for facilitating proper registration. Superposition of a digital placement plan and clinical model after bonding may illustrate the accuracy of bracket placement. The archwire may comprise atraumatic ends to avoid patient discomfort. A color registration system can be used to facilitate the attachment of the archwire to the brackets. The archwire may be locked into place with the brackets using crimpable stops.

Abstract: Non-sliding orthodontic appliances may include an archwire having male fasteners for locking in place with brackets in a non-sliding manner and interproximal loops for exerting forces on the brackets. Appropriate forces may be calculated according to vectors between initial and ideal tooth positions. The brackets may be transferred to a patient's teeth using indirect bonding trays which contain slots for holding and aligning each bracket. The trays may include integrated handles for facilitating handling, may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier application, and/or may be labeled for facilitating proper registration. Superposition of a digital placement plan and clinical model after bonding may illustrate the accuracy of bracket placement. The archwire may comprise atraumatic ends to avoid patient discomfort. A color registration system can be used to facilitate the attachment of the archwire to the brackets. The archwire may be locked into place with the brackets using crimpable stops.

Abstract: Non-sliding orthodontic appliances may include an archwire having male fasteners for locking in place with brackets in a non-sliding manner and interproximal loops for exerting forces on the brackets. Appropriate forces may be calculated according to vectors between initial and ideal tooth positions. The brackets may be transferred to a patient's teeth using indirect bonding trays which contain slots for holding and aligning each bracket. The trays may include integrated handles for facilitating handling, may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier application, and/or may be labeled for facilitating proper registration. Superposition of a digital placement plan and clinical model after bonding may illustrate the accuracy of bracket placement. The archwire may comprise atraumatic ends to avoid patient discomfort. A color registration system can be used to facilitate the attachment of the archwire to the brackets. The archwire may be locked into place with the brackets using crimpable stops.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating indirect bonding trays are disclosed. Physical models of a patient's teeth can be created with non-functional placeholder brackets, impressions of which can be transferred to indirect bonding trays. This can create wells in which functional brackets can be placed into, reducing errors created from transferring functional brackets from the physical model onto the indirect bonding trays.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the placement of a catheter within the human body, in a lumen or vessel such as the fallopian tubes, and controlling the catheter after placement. The system coordinates the operation of treatment electrodes on the catheter with informative displays and prompts to an operator, based on information derived from electrical parameters of position detection electrodes on the catheter.

Abstract: A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.

Abstract: A catheter includes multiple primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes a resistive element located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the leads such that each lead can individually receive power. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. Energy is applied until the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced to the point where occlusion is achieved. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to place the resistive elements into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure before the application of energy. The inflated balloon impairs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, or medication, to the hollow anatomical structure in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the structure by the catheter.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the placement of a catheter within the human body, in a lumen or vessel such as the fallopian tubes, and controlling the catheter after placement. The system coordinates the operation of treatment electrodes on the catheter with informative displays and prompts to an operator, based on information derived from electrical parameters of position detection electrodes on the catheter.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the placement of a catheter within the human body, in a lumen or vessel such as the fallopian tubes, and controlling the catheter after placement. The system coordinates the operation of treatment electrodes on the catheter with informative displays and prompts to an operator, based on information derived from electrical parameters of position detection electrodes on the catheter.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the placement of a catheter within the human body, in a lumen or vessel such as the fallopian tubes, and controlling the catheter after placement. The system coordinates the operation of treatment electrodes on the catheter with informative displays and prompts to an operator, based on information derived from electrical parameters of position detection electrodes on the catheter.