Patents by Inventor William Harris Groves
William Harris Groves 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).
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Publication number: 20240074831Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: William Harris Groves, JR., Leonid Antoun Bafitos, Jon Robert Quillard, Nathan P. Monty, Charles H. Dresser
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Patent number: 11744671Abstract: This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.Inventors: William Harris Groves, Jr., Charles H. Dresser, Nathan P. Monty, Zhijie Wang, Christopher Ricci, Jon Robert Quillard
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Patent number: 11529214Abstract: This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.Inventors: William Harris Groves, Jr., Charles H. Dresser, Nathan P. Monty, Zhijie Wang, Christopher Ricci, Jon Robert Quillard
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Publication number: 20200205934Abstract: This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: William Harris Groves, JR., Charles H. Dresser, Nathan P. Monty, Zhijie Wang, Christopher Ricci, Jon Robert Quillard
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Patent number: 10470843Abstract: A dental laser treatment system includes a treatment laser beam and a pilot (e.g., aiming/marking) laser beam sharing a collinear beam path, where the beam path is guided by a guidance system through a handpiece/main chamber assembly having a beam exit. A laser beam presence detector is removably affixed to or within the handpiece/main chamber assembly. The laser beam presence detector provides feedback to a computer which can control actuation of the treatment laser beam and the pilot laser beam, and the beam guidance system. The computer performs a search for determining the center location of the beam exit based on the feedback and controls the beam guidance system to guide the beam path approximately to the center of the beam exit, thereby providing automatic alignment of the laser beam with the beam exit or an optional hollow waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Courtin, William Harris Groves, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190117333Abstract: A dental laser system for treatment of hard and/or soft tissue includes a main chamber housing optical and primary fluid supply subsystems, for directing a laser beam and fluid to a treatment area. A hand piece affixable to the main chamber, includes mating optical and secondary fluid supply subsystems. The hand piece can be rotatable or re-orientable about an optical axis within the hand piece. A lock can maintain a selectable angular orientation of the hand piece relative to the main chamber. A coupling can maintain a fluidic communication between the primary and secondary fluid supply subsystems even when the hand piece is rotated or re-oriented. A sensor and controller can sense a selected angular orientation of the hand piece and adjust the main optical subsystem according to the sensed angular orientation, to align the two optical subsystems. The laser may be controlled using a variable speed foot pedal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: William Harris Groves, JR., Leonid Antoun Bafitos, Jon Robert Quillard, Nathan P. Monty, Charles H. Dresser
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Publication number: 20180325622Abstract: This disclosure relates to various systems and methods related to preventative laser-based treatment of a dental tissue; for example, to prevent a patient from forming cavities. In some instances, a laser-based treatment system can generate a laser beam pulse with a fluence profile at a treatment site that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. In some instances, the laser-based treatment system can direct the laser beam to various locations within a treatment site according to a temporal and/or spatial pattern, that results in either an increase in acid resistance of the tissue or removal of carbonate from the tissue, without melting or ablating the tissue. Many other systems and techniques for preventative and other laser-based treatment are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: William Harris Groves, JR., Charles H. Dresser, Nathan P. Monty, Zhijie Wang, Christopher Ricci, Jon Robert Quillard
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Publication number: 20180243049Abstract: A dental laser treatment system includes a treatment laser beam and a pilot (e.g., aiming/marking) laser beam sharing a collinear beam path, where the beam path is guided by a guidance system through a handpiece/main chamber assembly having a beam exit. A laser beam presence detector is removably affixed to or within the handpiece/main chamber assembly. The laser beam presence detector provides feedback to a computer which can control actuation of the treatment laser beam and the pilot laser beam, and the beam guidance system. The computer performs a search for determining the center location of the beam exit based on the feedback and controls the beam guidance system to guide the beam path approximately to the center of the beam exit, thereby providing automatic alignment of the laser beam with the beam exit or an optional hollow waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Christopher B. Courtin, William Harris Groves, JR.
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Patent number: 7839290Abstract: A safety device which emits sounds that guide rescuers to people trapped in collapsed structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Jr., Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
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Publication number: 20080100458Abstract: A safety device which emits sounds that guide rescuers to people trapped in collapsed structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
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Publication number: 20080055097Abstract: A system of interconnected alarm modules for a building which warn of detectable hazards in and around the building as well as hazards such as natural disasters which originate elsewhere. The network includes at least one hazardous condition alarm module, capable of detecting dangerous conditions in and around the building such as carbon monoxide or smoke and which provides an audible warning accordingly and also transmits hazard-specific data through the network to all other alarm modules. For other types of hazard conditions, the network includes a radio receiver alarm module which receives broadcasts such as those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that includes encoded data about hazards according to type of hazard and geographic location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: David Welford Chidakel, William Harris Groves, Paul A. Boduch, Michael Ellsworth Beach
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Patent number: 6593807Abstract: A class D amplifier uses a summation of two or more PWM output stages to achieve an increased dynamic range and improved linearity for any given clock operating speed. The amplifier accepts a digital data stream as its input, such as from a compact disk, or other compatible media, at a data rate, Fa, that could be 44.1 kHz, 96 kHz, or any other rate appropriate for audio data. In the preferred embodiment, the input audio data resolution, N bits, would be split into two data samples, of J and K. Internal switching frequency, Fs, switches the PWM with an over sampling factor M, where Fs=M*Fa. The time resolution of the PWM is determined by a precision oscillator that operates at Fc=Fs*(max(J,K)−log2(M)+1). The J most significant bits would be routed to a power PWM stage operated at a DC voltage of VHI. The K least significant bits are routed to a finesse PWM stage operated at a DC voltage of VLO.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Inventors: William Harris Groves, Jr., Arthur Alan Aaron
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Publication number: 20020135419Abstract: A class D amplifier uses a summation of two or more PWM output stages to achieve an increased dynamic range and improved linearity for any given clock operating speed. The amplifier accepts a digital data stream as its input, such as from a compact disk, or other compatible media, at a data rate, Fa, that could be 44.1 kHz, 96 kHz, or any other rate appropriate for audio data. In the preferred embodiment, the input audio data resolution, N bits, would be split into two data samples, of J and K.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: William Harris Groves, Arthur Alan Aaron