Patents Issued in March 22, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180078297
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of stabilizing bone implants, comprising inserting a self-tapping implant having at least two helical grooves running in opposite directions around the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Thierry Giorno
  • Publication number: 20180078298
    Abstract: A power-driven surgical tool that includes an elongated housing having a fin member aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of such elongated housing. The tool is power-driven and enables the attachment of either a drill bit or a screwdriver bit. The configuration is such as to provide maximum comfort and a visualization of the target area for the surgeon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Gonzalez, Eric Mickelson, Dan Davison, Gregg Prisco
  • Publication number: 20180078299
    Abstract: Intramedullary nails, systems, and methods. The intramedullary nail may include a generally elongate body extending from a first, distal end to a second, proximal end. The distal end may include one or more openings configured to receive one or more bone anchors that extend transversely through the distal end intramedullary nail, and thereby configured to secure the distal end of the nail. The proximal end may also include one or more openings configured to receive one or more bone anchors that extend transversely through the proximal end of the intramedullary nail, and thereby configured to secure the proximal end of the nail. In some embodiments, the proximal end may further include a cross-locking feature, which includes a second bone anchor that interlocks with a first bone anchor, for example, for enhanced bone purchase and bony fixation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Rossney, David J. Rowe, David R. Jansen, David Laird
  • Publication number: 20180078300
    Abstract: An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the electrode catheter. For example, a visual, audio or mechanical output can be provided via the handle set. Additionally or alternatively, the output can be provided to the physician via a navigation system. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Saurav Paul, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Hong Cao, Riki Thao, James A. Hassett
  • Publication number: 20180078301
    Abstract: An illuminated energy device comprising a handle, an illumination element coupled to the handle and disposed continuously and circumferentially about an electrosurgical tip, the electrosurgical tip at a distal end of the handle. The illumination element is preferably adjustably coupled to the handle, and adjustment of the illumination element moves a distal end of the illumination element closer to or further away from a target such as tissue in a surgical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Alex VAYSER
  • Publication number: 20180078302
    Abstract: Electrosurgical system with selective control of active and return electrodes. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising an electrosurgical wand and an electrosurgical controller. The wand comprises a non-conductive outer surface, at least three electrodes disposed on a distal end of the wand, and at least three electrical leads extending from a proximal end of the wand (one electrical lead electrically coupled to each electrode). The controller comprises a voltage generator and a control circuit coupled between the voltage generator and the electrodes of the wand. The control circuit is configured to: selectively electrically couple the active terminal singly and in combination to the electrodes of the wand; and selectively electrically couple the return terminal singly and in combination to electrodes of the wand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Hadar Cadouri, Philip M. Tetzlaff
  • Publication number: 20180078303
    Abstract: Needle deployment and imaging system includes a sheath, an imaging core, and interventional core. The imaging core and interventional core are received in first and second axial passages in the sheath and at least one of said cores will be removable and replaceable within the sheath. The imaging core may be extended from the sheath or be sealed within the first axial passage of the sheath. The interventional core will typically be advanced laterally or axially from a location near the distal end of the sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Jessica GROSSMAN
  • Publication number: 20180078304
    Abstract: A device for evacuating smoke during a surgical procedure may include a tube configured to engage with a surgical instrument; a stopcock extending from the tube; and a suction tubing attached to the stopcock, such that when the surgical instrument is being used and smoke is being produced the smoke can be evacuated through the tube and stopcock. The tube may be a tube with external claspers designed to engage with the surgical instrument or a hollow tube with a diameter sufficient to accommodate the surgical instrument therein, wherein the smoke is evacuated around the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Eesha Rushmie Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20180078305
    Abstract: The present invention is an ablation device having a screen sphere configuration for the ablation of marginal tissue surrounding a tissue cavity. The device includes a probe having a nonconductive elongated shaft including at least one lumen therethrough and a nonconductive distal portion extending from the shaft. The nonconductive distal portion includes a plurality distal ports and a plurality of proximal ports in communication with the at least one lumen of the shaft. The device further includes an electrode array including a plurality of independent conductive wires extending through the lumen and positioned along an external surface of the nonconductive distal portion, each of the plurality of wires passes through at least an associated one of the proximal ports and through at least a corresponding one of the distal ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Robert F. Rioux, Ryan M. Bean
  • Publication number: 20180078306
    Abstract: A magnetically-guided catheter includes a tip positioning magnet in the distal end portion thereof configured to interact with externally applied magnetic fields for magnetically-guided movement. The magnet may be geometrically asymmetric, for example, a C-shape in radial cross-section, so as to allow side-loading of an irrigation fluid lumen and other wire(s) or lines during fabrication. The outer shaft includes a plurality of segments, including a generally soft segment at the distal end thereof for magnetically-guided navigation. The fluid lumen, which extends through the outer shaft, and further extends completely through the magnet for coupling to the ablation electrode irrigation fluid inlet, is constructed so that its mechanical properties (i.e., flexibility) substantially matches that of the outer shaft. The combination of the outer shaft, inner fluid lumen and positioning magnet has interoperability with a broad range of ablation tip assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Todd R. Stangenes, Richard Forrester Duncan
  • Publication number: 20180078307
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for locating and identifying nerves innervating the wall of arteries such as the renal artery. The present invention identifies areas on vessel walls that are innervated with nerves; provides indication on whether energy is delivered accurately to a targeted nerve; and provides immediate post-procedural assessment of the effect of energy delivered to the nerve. The methods includes evaluating a change in physiological parameters after energy is delivered to an arterial wall; and determining the type of nerve that the energy was directed to (sympathetic or parasympathetic or none) based on the evaluated results. The system includes at least a device for delivering energy to the wall of blood vessel; sensors for detecting physiological signals from a subject; and indicators to display results obtained using said method. Also provided are catheters for performing the mapping and ablating functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Jie WANG
  • Publication number: 20180078308
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying microwave energy to tissue for microwave therapy includes an electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator includes a microwave energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of the electrosurgical generator. The surgical instrument, coupled to the electrosurgical generator, includes a microwave antenna for delivering microwave energy from the microwave energy source. The controller of the electrosurgical generator is operable for causing the electrosurgical generator to apply at least two pulses of microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: KYLE R. RICK, JOSEPH A. PAULUS, DARION R. PETERSON, MANI N. PRAKASH, FRANCESCA ROSSETTO
  • Publication number: 20180078309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Warren Van der Weide, Fred T. Lee, Christopher Lee Brace, Richard W. Schefelker, Laura G. King, Mark Thom, Matthew Thiel
  • Publication number: 20180078310
    Abstract: A laser system may include a first laser source configured to output a first laser energy at a first wavelength, a second laser source configured to output a second laser energy at a second wavelength, and a combiner configured to receive the first and second laser energies and output a dual-wavelength laser energy. The first and second wavelengths are different, and first and second laser energies are output simultaneously. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongwei Jason XUAN, Edouard A. KOULLICK, Thomas HASENBERG, Jieun HWANG, Hyejin KIM, Hanjae PYO, Hyun Wook KANG, Jason GONG, Xirong YANG, Honggang YU
  • Publication number: 20180078311
    Abstract: A curved laser probe with single-use optic fiber may include a reusable handle, an optic fiber fixture, and a single-use optic fiber. The single-use optic fiber may include an optic fiber having an optic fiber distal end and an optic fiber proximal end. The optic fiber may be disposed in a first transitory connector having a first transitory connector distal end and a first transitory connector proximal end wherein the optic fiber distal end extends a fixed distance from the transitory connector distal end. The optic fiber may be disposed in a second transitory connector having a second transitory connector distal end and a second transitory connector proximal end wherein the optic fiber proximal end extends a fixed distance from the second transitory connector distal end. The first transitory connector may be inserted in the reusable handle and the second transitory connector may be inserted in the optic fiber fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D. Scheller, Matthew N. Yates, Steven G. Scheller, Daniel J. Wiener
  • Publication number: 20180078312
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium and method can include receiving three-dimensional imaging data of a subject's heart, the subject having an ICD, wherein the ICD causes an imaging artifact in the three-dimensional imaging data that includes regions that are free of the artifact and regions that are affected by the artifact; segmenting the regions that are free of the artifact into a plurality of normal tissue regions and remodeled tissue regions for the subject; extrapolating from the regions that are free of the artifact to provide extrapolated three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the regions that are affected by the artifact; and simulating at least one of electrophysiological or electromechanical activity of the subject's heart using the segmented and extrapolated three-dimensional imaging data, the simulating including providing a preselected alteration of electrophysiological or electromechanical behavior of the subject's heart for a target of said subject-specific cardiac ablation procedure
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Natalia A. Trayanova, Adityo Prakosa, Sohail Zahid
  • Publication number: 20180078313
    Abstract: For liver modeling from medical scan data, multiple modalities of imaging are used. By using multiple modalities of imaging in combination with generative modeling, a more comprehensive and informed assessment may be performed. The generative modeling may allow feedback of effects of proposed therapy on function of the liver. This feedback is used to update the liver function information based on the imaging. Based on the computerized modeling with information from various imaging modes, an output based on more comprehensive information and patient personalized modeling and feedback may be provided to assist the physician.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dorin Comaniciu, Thomas Pheiffer, David Liu, Ankur Kapoor, Tommaso Mansi
  • Publication number: 20180078314
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a customized patient-specific guide block is disclosed. The customized patient-specific guide block includes a first surface, a bone-facing surface, a second surface positioned opposite the first surface and the bone-facing surface, and a guide pin hole extending between the second surface and the bone-facing surface. The first surface has a customized prosthesis-specific negative contour shaped to match a corresponding contour of a prosthetic component, and the customized prosthesis-specific negative contour includes a concave surface shaped to match a convex surface of the corresponding contour of the prosthetic component. A method of performing an orthopedic surgical procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Luke J. Aram, Janelle M. Lubensky, Rebecca L. Chaney
  • Publication number: 20180078315
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for determining an orientation of a surgical tool during ophthalmic surgery are disclosed. An example method includes performing an optical imaging scan in the surgical site, using a scan pattern that intersects the surgical tool and generating a scan image from the optical imaging scan. The example method further comprises analyzing the scan image to determine a location in the scan image corresponding to where the surgical tool intersected the optical imaging scan, and determining an orientation of the surgical tool, based on the determined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Hugang Ren, Lingfeng Yu
  • Publication number: 20180078316
    Abstract: A system using images of a subject to assist in visualization of hidden portions of the subject is disclosed. The system may illustrate the images with a wearable display. The images may be displayed in an augmented or mixed reality manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy J. Schaewe, Yvan Paitel, Neil F. Straka, Bryan Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180078317
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for calibrating a flexible implement that employs fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for shape sensing. In some embodiments, methods and devices are provided for determining the longitudinal location of a FBG within an optical fiber that is employed for shape sensing. In other embodiments, methods and devices are employed for the determination of calibration parameters that relate the measured wavelength shift of a set of FBGs to the curvature at the location within the flexible implement where the set of FBGs resides. Various calibration devices are disclosed that employ guiding features for bending the flexible portion of the flexible implement along known curved profiles. In some embodiments, keyed features are incorporated into the flexible implement and the calibration device, such that the flexible implement is inserted into the device in a known orientation. In some embodiments, the flexible implement may incorporate a strain isolation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: ADRIAN MARIAMPILLAI, PETER SIEGLER, MICHAEL LEUNG, BEAU ANTHONY STANDISH, VICTOR X.D. YANG
  • Publication number: 20180078318
    Abstract: A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving shape information for an elongate flexible portion of a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a reference portion movably coupled to a fixture having a known pose in a surgical reference frame. The fixture includes a constraint structure having a known constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame. The elongate flexible portion is coupled to the reference portion and is sized to pass through the constraint structure. The method further includes receiving reference portion position information in the surgical reference frame; determining an estimated constraint structure location in the surgical reference frame from the reference portion position information and the shape information; determining a correction factor by comparing the estimated constraint structure location to the known constraint structure location; and modifying the shape information based upon the correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180078319
    Abstract: A user system for a robotic surgical system, the user system including a handheld groundless user interface device configured to control the robotic surgical system, and a user console. The user console includes a seat and a first adjustable, ergonomic arm support linkage coupled to the seat, in which the first arm support linkage is movable between a folded storage configuration and at least one unfolded use configuration corresponding to at least one of a user characteristic and a surgical task characteristic. The at least one unfolded use configuration may be pre-stored in a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Brent Michael NOBLES, Joan SAVALL
  • Publication number: 20180078320
    Abstract: A system and method of providing feedback during manual joint positioning includes a computer-assisted medical device. The computer-assisted medical device includes an articulated arm comprising a joint and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. The control unit is configured to provide feedback during manual positioning of the joint by determining a target position for the joint, determining kinematics of the joint relative to the target position, and providing feedback based on the kinematics of the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Paul G. Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20180078321
    Abstract: A controller stores the orientations of a master tool grip and a slave surgical instrument tip upon completion of a master-slave alignment process, and enters following. During following each commanded movement of the slave surgical instrument tip from the master tool grip is processed by the controller to compensate for any alignment error between the master tool grip and the slave surgical instrument tip before following was entered. The result of this processing is that the motion of the slave surgical instrument tip intuitively corresponds to the motion of the master tool grip despite an initial swooping orientation misalignment between the master tool grip and the slave surgical instrument tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Hsien-Hsin Liao
  • Publication number: 20180078322
    Abstract: A joint ring includes a main body part and a pair of protrusion parts protruding from a first surface of the main body part in a direction of a central axis thereof and having spherical surfaces on protruding portions. The main body part includes a pair of engagement holes and a pair of receiving holes. The protrusion parts include engagement parts which are configured to be capable of being inserted into the engagement holes. When the joint rings are arranged in the direction of the central axis and the protrusion parts of a first joint ring enter the receiving holes of a second joint ring, the spherical surfaces come into contact with receiving surfaces inside the receiving holes, and the first joint ring and the second joint ring become rotatable relative to each other with a line segment connecting centers of the respective spherical surfaces as a rotational center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi HARAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180078323
    Abstract: An operating portion which allows a bending treatment instrument to be inserted into an endoscope channel and bendably operated smoothly through intuition. The operating portion is connected with a device wire and bending wires and used to operate the treatment instrument and bend a freely bendable, bending treatment instrument, where the device wire is connected to a treatment instrument provided at a distal end of the bending treatment instrument and is used to operate the treatment instrument and the plurality of bending wires is used to bend the bending treatment instrument, the operating portion including: an operating portion body; a guide unit penetrated by the device wire; a bending wire pulling unit connected with the bending wires and swingably assembled onto the guide unit; and a grip portion connected with the device wire and configured to be reciprocable in an axial direction of the bending wire pulling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicants: Kyushu University, National University Corporation, HOGY MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryu NAKADATE, Hajime KENMOTSU, Makoto HASHIZUME, Hiroyasu FUJITA, Shunsuke NAGAI, Jiro KATO
  • Publication number: 20180078324
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a robotic system includes receiving a signal in response to movement of an input device through an input distance, determining the position of a repositioning control disposed on the input device, and moving the tool of the robotic system in response to movement of the input device the input distance. The input device is coupled to an input shaft of an input arm. The robotic system moving the tool a first distance when the repositioning control is in a deactivated position and moves the tool a second distance when the repositioning control in an activated position. The first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: William Peine
  • Publication number: 20180078325
    Abstract: To keep a clean area separated from an unclean area, a drape unit for separating the manipulator that has a treatment section at a distal end of an elongated section and that has at a proximal end a proximal-end drive unit from the base including, on a substantially horizontal top surface, a drive source to which the proximal-end drive unit is detachably connected, the drape unit includes: a drape main body that has an opening from which the drive source is exposed; and an adaptor that is interposed between the drive source and the proximal-end drive unit, that is disposed with a gap vertically above the opening, and that covers the entire opening, the adaptor includes a force transmission unit for transmitting the driving force from the drive source to the proximal-end drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru YANAGIHARA, Kosuke KISHI
  • Publication number: 20180078326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for receiving and handling specific medical waste products to be stored in a safe container (10; 100), comprising a receiving mechanism (14; 126) arranged with a compartment (48; 131) for receiving a medicament container, which compartment (48; 131) is operably arranged to be moved from a first position wherein a medical waste product may be entered into said compartment to a second position wherein the medical waste product is entered into the safe container (10; 100), at least one first locking element (25; 118) operably arranged to releasably lock said compartment (48; 131) from being moved to said second position, said at least one first locking element (25; 118) being configured such that a medical waste product placed in said compartment (48; 131) constitutes a keying element for unlocking said compartment (48), and a monitoring unit (60; 200) comprising a detection mechanism (64; 150, 170) capable of detecting that said compartment (48; 131) has been moved from
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Säll, Stefan Gylleby
  • Publication number: 20180078327
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating rhinitis are described where the devices are configured to ablate a single nerve branch or multiple nerve branches of the posterior nasal nerves located within the nasal cavity. A surgical probe may be inserted into the sub-mucosal space of a lateral nasal wall and advanced towards a posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle nasal turbinate or an inferior nasal turbinate into a position proximate to the posterior nasal nerve where neuroablation of the posterior nasal nerve may be performed with the surgical probe. The probe device may utilize a visible light beacon that provides trans-illumination of the sub-mucosal tissue or an expandable structure disposed in the vicinity of the distal end of the probe shaft to enable the surgeon to visualize the sub-mucosal position of the distal end of the surgical probe from inside the nasal cavity using, e.g., an endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Bryant Lin, David Moosavi, Mojgan Saadat, Vahid Saadat
  • Publication number: 20180078328
    Abstract: A nodule localization system includes a localization structure. The localization structure is arranged to extend from a nodule to a suture, and the entire coil can be located in the lung such that the suture extends through the pleural space. During normal respiration or other movement, the suture will move to be positioned mostly or entirely in the pleural space such that a surgeon can follow the suture to the coil and resect the nodule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Rosenberg, Sean Lester Moen, Jafar Golzarian
  • Publication number: 20180078329
    Abstract: A system for locating an implanted device including magnetic coils within a subject is provided. The system includes a magnetic sensor array including a plurality of magnetic sensors, the magnetic sensor array configured to measure a magnetic field generated by the implanted device, and a position detection module communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensor array, the position detection module configured to receive the measured magnetic field from the magnetic sensor array, and calculate a position of the implanted device based on the measured magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: John Freddy Hansen, Christopher Eskildsen
  • Publication number: 20180078330
    Abstract: A compliance-based cleaning device includes a receiving area configured to receive a piece of equipment to be cleaned, a cleaning member located in proximity to the receiving area and configured to perform a cleaning process on the piece of equipment, a compliance component configured to monitor the cleaning process performed on the piece of equipment, and a network component configured to transmit compliance data to a compliance database in response to the cleaning member performing the cleaning process on the piece of equipment. The compliance data includes identifying information obtained by the compliance component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Jay Russ
  • Publication number: 20180078331
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a device for a surgical instrument, including at least one sensor, a circuit for controlling and processing signals coming from the at least one sensor, a memory for storing information coming from the circuit, and a radio interface for transmitting this information to an external device, the sensor(s), the circuit, the memory and the radio interface being powered by a power source, the circuit, the memory, the radio interface and the power source being housed in one or several hermetic and heat and pressure resistant case(s), in order to allow an autonomous operation of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick KHALIFE, François HASSANE, Xavier LEROY, Laurent PRUVOST
  • Publication number: 20180078332
    Abstract: A tracking and guidance arrangement for a surgical robot system and related method are provided. The arrangement includes a patient-interacting device including an instrument engaged a distal end of a guide arm and a fiducial marker coupled to maxillofacial anatomy of the patient. A detector is connected to an articulating arm and co-operable therewith to be positioned adjacent to the fiducial marker, with the detector being configured to interact with the fiducial marker. A controller device is configured to receive data from the detector relative to the interaction thereof with the fiducial marker, to determine a spatial relation between the fiducial marker and the detector based on the data, to determine a spatial relation of the instrument relative to the fiducial marker, and to direct the instrument to interact with the maxillofacial anatomy of the patient according to the determined spatial relations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Alon Mozes, Sarvagya Vaish, David Peter Cole, Ryan Anderson, Wuwei He, Juan Salcedo, William Chu-Hyon McMahan
  • Publication number: 20180078333
    Abstract: A dental implant surgical guide device and method for guiding a surgical bur to a center location adjacent to at least one tooth during placement of an implant are presented. The dental implant surgical guide device may include a triangular body portion that may be inserted in a gap between two teeth, and a channel portion formed through the center of the body portion to allow the surgical bur to pass through the channel portion without contacting the body portion. Accordingly, a drill hole, and thus the implant, may be placed at the optimal, center location between the two teeth adjacent to the gap, and a distance between the two teeth may be accurately determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Hector Hugo Velez
  • Publication number: 20180078334
    Abstract: An orthodontic system and method for aligning at least one tooth of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a patient. In the system and method at least one orthodontic appliance can be provided which may include at least one force exerting member for applying a force to move the at least one tooth, a tooth movement sensor for obtaining tooth movement data, and a tooth movement monitor for calculating at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and a current position of the at least one tooth from the tooth movement data. An electronic control console may be operatively connected to the force exerting member and in data communication with the tooth movement monitor, for controlling the operation of the force exerting member using the at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and the current position of the at least one tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Tal Lotan, Shachar Ronen
  • Publication number: 20180078335
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for restoring and/or orthodontically moving teeth. The methods can include determining an orthodontic treatment plan to at least partially correct for a malocclusion of at least one tooth. The methods can include determining an amount of cosmetic restoration of the at least one tooth based on a degree of partial correction of the malocclusion. The methods can include preparing the at least one tooth for the cosmetic restoration by orthodontically moving the tooth from a first position to a second position. The methods can include cosmetically restoring the at least one tooth when the at least one tooth is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: uLab Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael I. FALKEL
  • Publication number: 20180078336
    Abstract: Various features are provided for a custom orthodontic appliance manufacturing or designing system. These include features for inputting of data of patient anatomy and practitioner decisions, features for interactively or automatically manipulating data to arrive at applicant characteristics, and features for affecting design or manufacture of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Craig A. Andreiko
  • Publication number: 20180078337
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing oral discomfort in a mouth of a user using high frequency vibration (HFV) includes placing a proximal end of a mouthpiece intraorally into vibrational contact with a dentition of the user, activating a vibration unit so as to deliver vibration at a frequency higher than about 80 Hz to the dentition of the user, and removing the vibration unit after about 5 minutes, wherein oral discomfort is reduced compared to a time before activating the vibration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Orthodontics and Education Association, LLC
    Inventors: Bryce A. WAY, Richard JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20180078338
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for accelerating tooth movement during dear aligner treatment with vibration. According to various implementations, a vibrational dental device configured to vibrate at a frequency of about 120 Hz may be obtained. Subjects undergoing clear aligner treatment may be treated for less than about twenty minutes daily with the exemplary vibrational dental device. The duration of clear aligner treatment and the rate between changing aligners may be significantly decreased by the vibration, while tracking quality may be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Bryce A. WAY, Richard JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20180078339
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for stimulating cell proliferation. In one implementation, a method for increasing cell proliferation is provided. The method includes providing a vibrational dental device configured to vibrate at a frequency higher than about 80 Hz. The method also includes mechanically stimulating, using the vibrational dental device, cells for less than about 20 minutes daily over a period of time. The number of the cells at the end of the period of time is increased. The cells may include one of human osteoblasts and fibroblasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Orthodontics And Education Association, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Johnson, Bryce A. Way
  • Publication number: 20180078340
    Abstract: Fan screw for the expansion of the upper jaw, comprising two bodies (1, 2) connected by at least one driving screw (4; 7) and placed on opposite sides with respect to a sagittal plane (x-x), the longitudinal axis (v-v; k-k) of said at least one expansion screw (4; 7) being perpendicular to said plane (x-x), each of said bodies (1, 2) having a lingual side (L1, L2) and an opposite upper side and being provided with means for its anchorage to several teeth of a dental arch destined to be expanded. The longitudinal axis (v-v; k-k) of the at least one driving screw (4; 7) is at a predetermined distance (h) from the lingual sides (L1, L2) of bodies (1, 2), said distance (h) being measured along a lingual direction (L) parallel to said plane (x-x), such that the distance between the axis (v-v) of the at least one driving screw (4; 7) and the upper sides of bodies (1, 2) is greater than the distance between the upper and the lower sides of bodies (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriele SCOMMEGNA, Maurizio DOLFI
  • Publication number: 20180078341
    Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth is provided that includes a bracket body and a bracket door including a coplanar spring. The bracket body has a base that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a archwire slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the archwire slot. The coplanar spring includes a spring body and one or more legs that deflect in direction generally coplanar with a plane of motion of the bracket door. The one or more legs interact with one or more depressions in the bracket body to move and retain the bracket door on the bracket body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Payne, Colin Corey
  • Publication number: 20180078342
    Abstract: A dental appliance or set of appliances that incorporate projections, and optionally bite ramps, that can be used to have both an aligning function and a treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction. The projections may extend upwardly from the occlusal surface of the mandibular polymeric shell appliance. The bite ramps may be incorporated into the back of the maxillary polymeric shell of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: William Graham Gardner
  • Publication number: 20180078343
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for reshaping airways concurrently with dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The systems can have a series of two or more oral appliances configured to progressively reposition the maxillary and mandibular teeth in two or more successive steps. Each oral appliance in the series can have one or more maxillary blocks, one or more mandibular blocks, a maxillary oral tray, and a mandibular oral tray. One or more maxillary blocks can be attached to or integrated with the maxillary oral tray. One or more mandibular blocks can be attached to or integrated with the mandibular oral tray. The maxillary and mandibular oral trays can be configured to move one or more teeth from a tooth first position to a tooth second position. The maxillary and mandibular blocks can be configured to interact with one another to treat sleep breathing disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Michael I. FALKEL
  • Publication number: 20180078344
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for concurrently treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and orthodontically moving teeth. The devices can have an orthodontic aligner and a TMD treatment device. The devices can be configured to concurrently reposition a mandible and orthodontically move one or more teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: uLab Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael I. FALKEL
  • Publication number: 20180078345
    Abstract: A dental superstructure and a method of forming a curved channel therein for a fixing element by using a computer-controlled device. A dental superstructure is fixed, preferably through an intermediate piece (interface), to a dental implant integrated in the jaw bone by means of a fixing element (typically a screw) through an outlet provided with a shoulder. To allow the insertion of the fixing element, a channel is formed in the superstructure between an inlet formed in the superstructure at its side facing the oral cavity and the shoulder of the outlet. The outlet having a diameter corresponding to a threaded part of the fixing element is usually formed in a separate working process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Edvin ELSNER
  • Publication number: 20180078346
    Abstract: Provided is a dental membrane which includes: a first support made by accumulating first nanofibers of a biodegradable polymer obtained by electrospinning and having a plurality of pores formed therein; a second support made by accumulating second nanofibers of a biodegradable polymer obtained by electrospinning on the first support, and having a plurality of pores formed therein, in which the second nanofibers have diameters larger than the diameters of the first nanofibers; and a third support made by accumulating third nanofibers of a biodegradable polymer obtained by electrospinning on the second support, and having a plurality of pores formed therein, in which the third nanofibers have diameters smaller than the diameters of the second nanofibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: In Yong SEO, Seung Hoon LEE, Song Hee KOO, Ji Hyun LEE