Patents by Inventor Volker Wedler

Volker Wedler 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: 10729517
    Abstract: A method is proposed for ascertaining the spatial positions and orientations of at least two implants anchored in a jaw of a patient, said method having the following steps: 1. An adhesive bond aid is produced that bridges the implants and has negative molds of adhesive caps, wherein the negative molds fit on the adhesive caps if these are affixed to the implants, and wherein the negative molds allow a clearance relative to the adhesive caps. 2. The adhesive caps are affixed to the at least two implants in the jaw of the patient. 3. The adhesive bond aid is positioned over the adhesive caps. 4. The clearance between the adhesive caps and the negative molds is filled with adhesive. 5. The adhesive is cured. 6. The adhesive caps are released from the implants. 7. The obtained adhesion key is removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Schnitzspan, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20170348072
    Abstract: A method is proposed for ascertaining the spatial positions and orientations of at least two implants (120) anchored in a jaw of a patient, said method having the following steps: 1. An adhesive bond aid (100) is produced that bridges the implants and has negative molds (140) of adhesive caps (110), wherein the negative molds fit on the adhesive caps if these are affixed to the implants, and wherein the negative molds allow a clearance relative to the adhesive caps. 2. The adhesive caps are affixed to the at least two implants in the jaw of the patient. 3. The adhesive bond aid is positioned over the adhesive caps. 4. The clearance between the adhesive caps and the negative molds is filled with adhesive. 5. The adhesive is cured. 6. The adhesive caps are released from the implants. 7. The obtained adhesion key is removed from the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul SCHNITZSPAN, Volker WEDLER
  • Patent number: 9462993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reference object (3) and a method for checking a measuring system (1), wherein a plurality of three-dimensional recordings (4, 8) of a reference object are recorded from different recording directions (5) by means of the measuring system (1). The reference object (3) has a closed shape, wherein each of the three-dimensional recordings (4) is registered with at least the preceding recording (4). In the case of a faulty calibration and/or in the case of a faulty registration, the individual recordings (4, 8) are deformed compared to the actual shape of the reference object (3), so that the deformation continues when assembling the individual three-dimensional recordings (4) to form an overall recording (54) and the generated overall recording (54) deviates in its dimensions from the dimensions of the reference object (3) as a result thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Björn Popilka, Volker Wedler, Anders Adamson, Frank Thiel
  • Patent number: 8954181
    Abstract: A dental Computer-aided design (CAD)/Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system forms a custom dental preparation guide for guiding a dental tool that alters a shapes a tooth structure to which a custom prosthetic dental item is to be attached. The system acquires an optical measurement and an x-ray of at least one dental structure. The system correlates the acquired optical measurement and the x-ray to form a model of the at least one dental structure. The system generates a model of a reduced tooth structure based on the model of the at least one dental structure. The system also provides at least one dental preparation guide based on the model of the reduced tooth structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Roddy MacLeod, Daniel Michaeli, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20140365140
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reference object (3) and a method for checking a measuring system (1), wherein a plurality of three-dimensional recordings (4, 8) of a reference object are recorded from different recording directions (5) by means of the measuring system (1). The reference object (3) has a closed shape, wherein each of the three-dimensional recordings (4) is registered with at least the preceding recording (4). In the case of a faulty calibration and/or in the case of a faulty registration, the individual recordings (4, 8) are deformed compared to the actual shape of the reference object (3), so that the deformation continues when assembling the individual three-dimensional recordings (4) to form an overall recording (54) and the generated overall recording (54) deviates in its dimensions from the dimensions of the reference object (3) as a result thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Björn Popilka, Volker Wedler, Anders Adamson, Frank Thiel
  • Patent number: 8897526
    Abstract: A procedure for creating a dental prosthetic includes registering three-dimensional (3D) dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site, and removing image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data. A system for producing a dental prosthetic includes at least one processor operable to register 3D dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site and remove image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Roddy MacLeod, Daniel Michaeli, Volker Wedler
  • Patent number: 8674981
    Abstract: In a method of processing a digitized workpiece (1), especially a three-dimensional model of a dental prosthetic item to be produced therefrom, by altering the surface data of the workpiece by means of a tool which acts on a local zone of action (3) on the surface (2), a change in height of said surface (2) is effected in said zone of action (3) of said tool when the tool is applied to said surface, the said zone of action of said tool covering a modified region (5) showing a substantially constant change in height (t) over the zone of action (3) and also a transition region (4), in which the surface of the modified region (5) merges into the surface surrounding said zone of action (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20120282572
    Abstract: A procedure for creating a dental prosthetic includes registering three-dimensional (3D) dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site, and removing image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data. A system for producing a dental prosthetic includes at least one processor operable to register 3D dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site and remove image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Roddy MacLeod, Daniel Michaeli, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20120143364
    Abstract: A dental CAD/CAM system forms a custom dental preparation guide for guiding a dental tool that alters a shapes a tooth structure to which a custom prosthetic dental item is to be attached. The system acquires an optical measurement and an x-ray of at least one dental structure. The system correlates the acquired optical measurement and the x-ray to form a model of the at least one dental structure. The system generates a model of a reduced tooth structure based on the model of the at least one dental structure. The system also provides at least one dental preparation guide based on the model of the reduced tooth structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Roddy Mcleod, Daniel Michaeli, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20120106833
    Abstract: A method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model. The second model comprises regions matching some regions on the first 3D model and regions differing from other regions of the first 3D model. The non-matching regions contain surface information. At least three pairs of corresponding points are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model and second 3D model. The positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined based on the at least three pairs, and portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface prosthetic item taking into consideration the based on the positional correlation of these models relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Patent number: 8111909
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A?), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideratio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Patent number: 8062034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selecting an area (2; 22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 72; 82) of a dental restoration body (1;71), which is depicted in a 3D representation. At least portions of the area limit are provided in the form of dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8). The aim of the invention is to carry out a dental construction of a restoration body with the aid of a CAD system, whereby certain areas of the restoration body can be selected and construction tools are provided for machining the selected area in a 3D representation. To this end, the area (2; 22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 72; 82), which is to be machined with a construction tool, can be determined by selecting dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8) or dental-specific points (7.1 7.4) or a preparation edge (4). The method is used for assigning area limits to the selected area, said area limits being provided, at least in part, in the form of dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Hanisch, Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20110251831
    Abstract: In a method of processing a digitized workpiece (1), especially a three-dimensional model of a dental prosthetic item to be produced therefrom, by altering the surface data of the workpiece by means of a tool which acts on a local zone of action (3) on the surface (2), a change in height of said surface (2) is effected in said zone of action (3) of said tool when the tool is applied to said surface, the said zone of action of said tool covering a modified region (5) showing a substantially constant change in height (t) over the zone of action (3) and also a transition region (4), in which the surface of the modified region (5) merges into the surface surrounding said zone of action (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: ULRICH ORTH, VOLKER WEDLER
  • Patent number: 7982731
    Abstract: In a method of processing a digitized workpiece (1), especially a three-dimensional model of a dental prosthetic item to be produced therefrom, by altering the surface data of the workpiece by means of a tool which acts on a local zone of action (3) on the surface (2), a change in height of said surface (2) is effected in said zone of action (3) of said tool when the tool is applied to said surface, the said zone of action of said tool covering a modified region (5) showing a substantially constant change in height (t) over the zone of action (3) and also a transition region (4), in which the surface of the modified region (5) merges into the surface surrounding said zone of action (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20110013827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A?), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideratio
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Patent number: 7801632
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing the surface of a dental prosthetic item consisting of three-dimensional data, wherein three-dimensional data of a surface (30) of an electronically stored tooth (11) are used at least as part of the surface of the dental prosthetic item to be fabricated, to which end the surface of the tooth (30) is first of all determined as to size and then placed against an electronically stored prosthetic item or the region of a preparation site (1;21) existing as three-dimensional data. The position of the digital tooth surface (30) over the dental prosthetic item or in the preparation site (1; 21) can be set with regard to at least one spatial axis and/or at least one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler, Ulf Willers
  • Patent number: 7796811
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A?), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideratio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20080124679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a digital dental prosthesis (5) that is provided as a 3D data record and has been created based on a 3D data record of a preparation zone (1) which encompasses the actual preparation point (2) and at least one adjacent tooth (3, 4) thereto. In order to adjust the approximal contact between the dental prosthesis (5) and the adjacent tooth (3), a contact area (8) is defined on the adjacent tooth (3), and the dental prosthesis (5) is automatically adjusted to said contact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20060204078
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A?), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideratio
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler
  • Publication number: 20060155404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selecting an area (2; 22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 72; 82) of a dental restoration body (1;71), which is depicted in a 3D representation. At least portions of the area limit are provided in the form of dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8). The aim of the invention is to carry out a dental construction of a restoration body with the aid of a CAD system, whereby certain areas of the restoration body can be selected and construction tools are provided for machining the selected area in a 3D representation. To this end, the area (2; 22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 72; 82), which is to be machined with a construction tool, can be determined by selecting dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8) or dental-specific points (7.1 7.4) or a preparation edge (4). The method is used for assigning area limits to the selected area, said area limits being provided, at least in part, in the form of dental-specific lines (5, 6, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Heinrich Hanisch, Ulrich Orth, Volker Wedler