Having Heater Or Electrode Patents (Class 433/32)
  • Patent number: 11918824
    Abstract: A laser-based system and method for treatment of hard tissue enhances remineralization and fluoride uptake to improve resistance to demineralization. The system can include a laser source, an optic, and a controller for controlling the laser source and/or the optic to deliver radiation to a treatment region with desirable characteristics (e.g., to remove carbonate without damaging the tissue surface). In some cases, the system includes a handpiece having an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam to render the beam non-ablative, prior to the laser beam's delivery to the treatment region. In some embodiments, treatment with the laser can be combined with a fluoride treatment for enhanced therapeutic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Kerbage, Ali Badreddine, Stephen Couitt, Roni Cantor-Balan
  • Patent number: 11844153
    Abstract: An intraoral scanning device comprises housing comprising a head configured for insertion into a patient oral cavity, the head comprising a sloped surface and an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element positioned within the aperture, wherein the transparent element is at an acute angle with respect to the sloped surface, and a defogging unit comprising a heating unit. The intraoral scanning device further comprises a protective sleeve configured to cover at least a part of the head when the protective sleeve is coupled to the housing. The protective sleeve comprises an additional aperture that aligns with the aperture and an additional transparent element in the additional aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Nir Makmel
  • Patent number: 11725330
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum; an induction heater disposed in a position spaced apart from the drum and configured to heat the drum; an input power source; a relay configured to interrupt a current applied to the coil of the induction heater from the input power source; a first processor configured to control the relay; and a safety device connected to a circuit connecting the first processor and the relay. The safety device includes: a first thermostat configured to operate according to a temperature of a first air between the drum and the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the first air is a first safety control temperature; and a thermal fuse configured to operate according to a temperature of a second air outside the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the second air is a second safety control temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Beomjun Kim, Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11684133
    Abstract: A depilatory wax applying device includes: a housing provided with a feed port and a discharge port; a conveying channel provided in the housing, the conveying channel including a guiding tube, a heat insulation tube, and a heating tube that are connected successively, the guiding tube corresponding to the feed port, and the heating tube corresponding to the discharge port; a wax strip pushing device provided between the feed port and the guiding tube and configured to push a wax strip into the guiding tube; and a control device provided in the housing and electrically connected to the heating tube and the wax strip pushing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG DEXIN NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhiyong Fan, Dexian Fan
  • Patent number: 11668733
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes a current measurement device having an input to accept an electrical current for measurement, an output to pass an output current output from the current measurement device, a sense path through which the electrical current is measured, and an active bypass device to pass an amount of current from the input of the current measurement device to the output of the current measurement device without passing through the sense path. The active bypass device may be tuned to allow the current sense device to operate without bypass within a specific range of target current values. Some current measurement devices may include more than one active bypass circuits, each tuned for a different range of input current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Keithley Instruments, LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Zimmerman, Wayne C. Goeke, Martin J. Rice
  • Patent number: 11660448
    Abstract: Bacteria, cancer cells, fungus and other harmful cells located beneath the surface of a mammal body can be effectively destroyed by passing an electrical current through the area to be treated. Electrodes are positioned on either side of the area to be treated, for example, gums, fingers, arms, legs, feet and torso, and an electric current is caused to flow between the electrodes and through the area to be treated. The electric current will destroy the bacteria, cancer cells, fungus or other harmful cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BNR Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Norris
  • Patent number: 11642204
    Abstract: A light device includes an elongated arm comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed at a first end of the elongated arm and configured to be positioned inside an oral cavity and to deliver one of a plurality of types of light treatments to the inside of the oral cavity according to a selected one of a plurality of operating modes. The light device further includes a body coupled to the elongated arm at a second end of the elongated arm. The body includes a battery for providing power to the LEDs. The body further includes a mode module coupled to the battery and the plurality of LEDs and configured to deliver power from the battery to at least one of the plurality of LEDS based on the selected operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LED DENTAL WELLNESS LLC
    Inventor: Judith M. Macias-Harris
  • Patent number: 11622751
    Abstract: Provided are methods for collecting saliva from the oral cavity of a mammal comprising: placing a mouthpiece of a device comprising the mouthpiece in the oral cavity of a mammal, the mouthpiece comprising a chamber defined by front and rear inner walls and a base inner wall of the mouthpiece, each of the front and rear inner walls of the chamber comprising a plurality of openings, and a switch disposed in the mouthpiece; and the device further comprising a saliva collection reservoir, a fluid supply reservoir, a pump, and means for directing fluid through said device; activating the switch disposed in the mouthpiece to pump saliva from the oral cavity to the saliva collection reservoir for collection; deactivating the pumping of saliva to the saliva collection reservoir; and subsequently pumping fluid from the fluid supply reservoir to the mouthpiece for cleaning or treatment of the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Fougere
  • Patent number: 11607289
    Abstract: A noiseless handpiece providing indicator lights. The head portion of the handpiece has one or more internal silencers for baffling the noise that is a byproduct of the generation of the rotational force used to drive the drill component. The indicator lights communicate one or more operational states to the user and reflect the engagement of an electrically connected transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Santa Echevarria
  • Patent number: 11576756
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for extracting a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw from a dental implant. One such system includes an extractor tool having a tubular outer body and a conductor positioned within the tubular outer body, and an applicator that receives and end of the extractor tool and also includes a heating element that converts electrical energy into heat that is conducted to the extractor tool to melt a thermoplastic adhesive in a cavity at the distal end of the extractor tool, such that the melted thermoplastic adhesive can conform to and engage with a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw within a dental implant when the adhesive cools. The extractor tool can then be rotated to unscrew the broken fragment from the dental implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Steve J. Kukunas, Ashley Smoots, Hannah M. Smith, Paul Kukunas, Fanying Sun, Tyler Hughes
  • Patent number: 11572477
    Abstract: Antibacterial coatings and methods of making the antibacterial coatings are described herein. A first branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) layer is formed and a first glyoxal layer is formed on a surface of the BPEI layer. The first BPEI layer and the first glyoxal layer are cured to form a crosslinked BPEI coating. The first BPEI layer can be modified with superhydrophobic moieties, superhydrophilic moieties, or negatively charged moieties to increase the antifouling characteristics of the coating. The first BPEI layer can be modified with contact-killing bactericidal moieties to increase the bactericidal characteristics of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
    Inventors: Amos Cahan, Hariklia Deligianni, Xin Ding, Mareva B. Fevre, James L. Hedrick, Pei-Yun S. Hsueh, Zhen Chang Liang, Nathaniel H. Park, Theodore G. van Kessel, Rudy J. Wojtecki, Yi Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 11560484
    Abstract: Antibacterial coatings and methods of making the antibacterial coatings are described herein. A first branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) layer is formed and a first glyoxal layer is formed on a surface of the BPEI layer. The first BPEI layer and the first glyoxal layer are cured to form a crosslinked BPEI coating. The first BPEI layer can be modified with superhydrophobic moieties, superhydrophilic moieties, or negatively charged moieties to increase the antifouling characteristics of the coating. The first BPEI layer can be modified with contact-killing bactericidal moieties to increase the bactericidal characteristics of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
    Inventors: Amos Cahan, Hariklia Deligianni, Xin Ding, Mareva B. Fevre, James L. Hedrick, Pei-Yun S. Hsueh, Zhen Chang Liang, Nathaniel H. Park, Theodore G. van Kessel, Rudy J. Wojtecki, Yi Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 11478331
    Abstract: Endodontic instruments are described which have at least a section with a center of mass offset from an axis of rotation so that when the instrument is rotated, the section bends away from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Scianamblo
  • Patent number: 11278374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dental carpule with that includes a nozzle for dispensing a dental composition and a burnisher for burnishing the dispensed composition. The carpule allows burnishing a dental composition with the same device used to dispense the dental composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Nicolas R. Pruett
  • Patent number: 11013586
    Abstract: A device for testing a heat sensitivity in teeth, a heated cushion for a dental device for testing a heat sensitivity, and a method for testing a tooth for a heat sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jones
  • Patent number: 10765861
    Abstract: Bacteria, cancer cells, fungus and other harmful cells located beneath the surface of a mammal body can be effectively destroyed by passing an electrical current through the area to be treated. Electrodes are positioned on either side of the area to be treated, for example, gums, fingers, arms, legs, feet and torso, and an electric current is caused to flow between the electrodes and through the area to be treated. The electric current will destroy the bacteria, cancer cells, fungus or other harmful cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BNR Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Norris
  • Patent number: 10588829
    Abstract: The invention relates to the application of photon energy to energize dental materials to enhance their physical handling characteristics, efficacy, ability to be delivered, reactivity, polymerization, and/or post-cure mechanical properties, among other attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Inter-Med, Inc.
    Inventors: John Baeten, Alex Johnson, Brett Arand
  • Patent number: 10014744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct cooling type handpiece, and more particularly, to a direct cooling type handpiece that is configured to allow an outer housing and a core to be spaced apart from each other and thus to allow the core to be fixed to a PCB and a support cap, so that air flows to the space between the outer housing and the core, thus efficiently cooling the high heat generated from the handpiece while the handpiece is being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MICRO-NX Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jong Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 9883931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the application of composites in tooth cavities. The device consists of a spray gun with integrated lighting for light-polymerizable composites, a measuring unit and a control unit. The composites are applied under controlled, precisely dosed exposure to polymerization light. According to the invention, the composite initially runs onto the walls of the cavity or onto previously introduced filling material and then, as a result of the light exposure, is transformed into the gel state. Thus, a large part of the polymerization shrinkage of the composite occurs while the composite is still plastically deformable so that any formation of gaps is compensated by the composite continuing to flow. It is only at this point in time that a sufficiently high dosage of light is applied for complete curing to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Michael Gente, Simone Dudda, Arnd Peschke, Gottfried Rohner, Ulrich Salz, Andreas Facher
  • Patent number: 9611500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of the viable cells in an endodontic sample in or taken from an endodontic cavity in the tooth, such as the root canal, enables the rapid and low cost identification of the presence or absence of bacteria or other viable cell tissue in the endodontic space by first incubating a viable cell indicator with an endodontic sample for a pre-determined period suitable for chair-side test and then measuring and/or detecting a change in a parameter (e.g. fluorescence) associated with the viable cell indicator. Thereby, the required level of root canal treatment can be reached which minimizes the risk of re-infection without the time, cost and potentially harm of over-preparation and over treatment by the dental surgeon or of a re-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
    Inventors: Richard Cook, Garrit Koller, Timothy Watson, Federico Foschi, Francesco Mannocci, Frederic Festy
  • Patent number: 9277875
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting non-cavitated caries lesions, including a measuring electrode having an electrically conductive tip. The tip is dimensionally configured to fit within a fissure and provide electrical contact with a patient's tooth. A reference electrode is also included, the reference electrode being configured for electrical contact with the patient's body. A measuring means is also provided for determining electrical conductance between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the device is further configured to receive a current source for providing electrical current between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Israel Kleinberg, Fred Confessore, Robi Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 9248006
    Abstract: The method and extractor relate to dentistry and are intended for extraction of metal instruments fragments from a root canal of the tooth, as these instruments may be broken and may get stuck here, for example, during endodontic treatment. According to the invention, two insulated metal electrodes assembled as a cylinder are inserted into the root canal until electric contact with the fragment to be extracted. Then electric current impulse is ran through the circuit formed by the first electrode, metal fragment and second electrode; the intensity and duration of the electric impulse shall be sufficient for welding of the fragment to the electrodes by means of heating at the contact points; this time a heating of the surrounding tissues remains at the physiologically acceptable level; afterwards the electrodes are extracted from the root canal together with the fragment. Depending on a clinical situation, electrodes of various size and configuration are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventors: Vladimir Leonidovich Aleksandrovskiy, Alexander Borisovich Tsyganov
  • Patent number: 9119548
    Abstract: A secondary caries detection device includes a current generating device configured to generate a current having the form of a sinusoidally varying signal with a frequency chosen from the range of frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz and a chosen amplitude from the range of 50 mV to 5 V. The secondary caries detection device also includes a plurality of preamplifiers of high sensitivity and linearity with phase-sensitive measuring components sensitive to the chosen frequency and integral multiples of the chosen frequency. The secondary caries detection device further includes a microprocessor control unit connected to the current generating device and the plurality of preamplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Numed SP Z O.O.
    Inventors: Marcin Just, Przemyslaw Los, Michal Tyc
  • Publication number: 20150125808
    Abstract: An apparatus for mineralising a biological material includes an ultrasonic source, operable to generate an ultrasonic signal, an ultrasonic probe and one or more mineralising probes, operable to receive a mineralising agent. The mineralising agent is transferred from at least one mineralising probe to the biological material using the ultrasonic signal. Also disclosed are a mineralisation agent and a method of mineralising a biological material that includes the steps of: providing an ultrasound source, providing a mineralising agent, generating an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasound source, and applying the ultrasonic signal and the mineralising agent to the biological material separately, sequentially or simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Nigel Pitts, Christopher Longbottom, Joseph Crayston
  • Publication number: 20150118639
    Abstract: An iontophoretic dental device that positions electrodes at buccal and lingual gingiva is described herein. The iontophoretic dental device includes an electrode locating member and electrodes that are attached to the electrode locating member. Further described herein is an iontophoretic dental system for simultaneously positioning electrodes at the buccal and lingual gingiva of a tooth on which dental work is performed. The system includes a coupler, lead wires and an iontophoretic dental device that further includes a clamp and electrodes. The electrodes are operatively attached to the clamp. Also described herein is a method of delivering a medicament to teeth or surrounding oral tissues including placing an iontophoretic dental device on buccal and lingual gingiva, the device including a clamp, and applying current to the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Sudit
  • Patent number: 9000332
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating an endodontic instrument by infrared radiation includes a housing defining a chamber. An infrared heating element is positioned within the chamber. The housing includes an aperture and an adjacent holder for holding the endodontic instrument, such as an obturator. The endodontic instrument held by the holder extends through the aperture and into the chamber. The infrared heating element directs infrared radiation toward the endodontic instrument, which heats the endodontic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Erik Brown
  • Publication number: 20150072300
    Abstract: An oral care system for cleaning teeth and gums includes a housing, an oral hygiene unit, and a gooseneck arm attached to the housing and releasably coupling the oral hygiene unit to the housing, the gooseneck arm being adjustable to hold the oral hygiene unit at a defined position and orientation relative to the housing. The oral hygiene unit has a mouthpiece having at least one arcuate channel adapted to receive and surround the teeth. The mouthpiece includes at least two modalities chosen from a group consisting of a mechanical modality, an iontophoretic modality, and a disinfection modality, wherein the mechanical modality brushes the teeth and gums and dislodges food debris, the iontophoretic modality breaks up plaque buildup, and the disinfection modality removes the food debris and plaque. The oral care system includes a control unit which controls transmission of the modalities and tracks utilization of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen H. Wolpo
  • Patent number: 8966696
    Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle (12) and a brushhead (18) having a conductive electrode sensing element (25) therein. The toothbrush includes a driver assembly (14) for the brushhead and a sensor system (28) for measuring the capacitance between the sensing element on/in the brushhead and an electronics ground (27) in the handle of the toothbrush. A microprocessor/controller (26) is programmed to determine whether the measured capacitance is above a threshold value, which indicates that the toothbrush is near or within the mouth of the user. The microprocessor actuates the driver assembly for operation of the toothbrush when the capacitance value is above the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Scott E. Hall
  • Publication number: 20150050614
    Abstract: A plasma generator, a surface treatment method using the same, and a surface treatment method using the same for bio-tissue are provided. The plasma generator comprises a plasma tube, a reaction source tube, a first electrode and a second electrode. The plasma tube has a plasma outlet. The reaction source tube is disposed within the plasma tube, and has a reaction outlet. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the plasma tube, wherein the second electrode is closer to the plasma outlet than the first electrode is. The plasma outlet of the reaction source is not projected beyond a lower portion of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chih-Hung LIU, Muh-Wang LIANG, Shen-Bin WU, Tean-Mu SHEN
  • Patent number: 8956157
    Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles for use in the treatment of periodontal disease has a discharge chamber with a controlled flow of water, the water flowing through a plasma gap formed by electrodes, the electrodes having a pulsed voltage applied to create a plasma discharge, the pulse duration chosen to maximize the generation of nanoparticles from the electrodes which are in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm. The discharge chamber flow rate and pulse duration is controlled to maintain a particular temperature differential across the plasma gap to additionally optimize the nanoparticles population for the desired 10 nm to 20 nm size range having negative surface electric charge. The nanoparticles thereby formed may thereafter be applied to a subject in need thereof as an irrigation treatment, or as a paste applied directly to a region of periodontal disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Philippovich Rutberg, Philipp Grigorevich Rutberg, Viktor Andreevich Kolikov, Galina Boricovna Shtorina, Harry D. Fair
  • Publication number: 20150044628
    Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of teeth, including one or more dental treatment applicators having at least two walls and a floor, the walls and floor defining a well configured to accommodate at least one human dental arcade and an active agent, one or more energy-applying element located on at least one of the walls and wherein the improvement of the apparatus comprises paired dental treatment applicators configured to be applied to both upper and lower dental arcades concurrently and a number of dental treatment accelerating elements and fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Iluminage Beauty LTD
    Inventor: Lion Flyash
  • Patent number: 8954141
    Abstract: An iontophoretic dental device that positions electrodes at buccal and lingual gingiva is described herein. The iontophoretic dental device includes an electrode locating member and electrodes that are attached to the electrode locating member. Further described herein is an iontophoretic dental system for simultaneously positioning electrodes at the buccal and lingual gingiva of a tooth on which dental work is performed. The system includes a coupler, lead wires and an iontophoretic dental device that further includes a clamp and electrodes. The electrodes are operatively attached to the clamp. Also described herein is a method of delivering a medicament to teeth or surrounding oral tissues including placing an iontophoretic dental device on buccal and lingual gingiva, the device including a clamp, and applying current to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Sudit
  • Patent number: 8932055
    Abstract: Methods employing an electric field for disinfection of a root canal preparation during an endodontic procedure. A monopolar electrode probe sized and configured for insertion into a root canal of a tooth is inserted within the root canal preparation. A ground electrode is electrically connected to the patient to complete the circuit with the monopolar electrode probe. An electrical voltage is applied between the probe and ground, resulting in virtually no current flow between the electrodes, but rather the generation of an electric field within the root canal and adjacent dental tissues. The electric field kills microbes within the root canal system of the tooth without significant heating or damage to surrounding dental tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Roberto Armanino
  • Patent number: 8905268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wax dispenser for dental technology comprising: a wax reservoir in the shape of a hollow tube which contains a liquid wax therein; a nozzle which is disposed on the front end of the wax reservoir and which is in fluid communication with the wax reservoir; a heater which heats wax to keep wax contained in the wax reservoir in liquid state; an air-pressure supplier which increases the pressure in the wax reservoir by the introduction of air from the outside in a pressurization mode and decreases the pressure in the wax reservoir by the discharge of air to the outside in a depressurization mode; and a dispenser actuator comprising a wax passage which allows the wax reservoir to be in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a passage open/shut device arranged to open and shut the wax passage to discharge wax contained in the wax reservoir through the nozzle in the pressurization mode and to introduce wax from the outside to the wax reservoir through the nozzle in the depressurization m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hummer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hong-Sub Shin
  • Patent number: 8856997
    Abstract: Embodiments are described wherein a system for brushing the teeth of a person comprises a master input device; a flexible teeth tray configured to at least partially encapsulate one or more of the teeth in a flexible substrate material, the flexible teeth tray comprising one or more vibratory transducers removably coupled to one or more brushing panels; and a controller operatively coupled to the master input device and the one or more vibratory transducers; wherein subject to an input from the master input device, the controller is configured to cause reciprocating brushing motion of the one or more brushing panels against a surface of the one or more encapsulated teeth, to clean the one or more teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Frederic H. Moll
  • Publication number: 20140295370
    Abstract: A device for treating a root canal in a tooth including a fixture piece having a lumen and a distal tip, a first electrode in communication with the lumen, and a sonic or ultrasonic energy source. The first electrode is configured to deliver electrical energy to an irrigating fluid passing through the lumen prior to discharge from the distal tip. Sonic or ultrasonic energy source is provided from the fixture piece for delivery of sonic or ultrasonic energy to the root canal. A fluid supply line or replaceable cartridge can be provided to delivery irrigating fluid to the fixture piece. A method for treatment of a root canal and kit assembly are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Balson, Joseph S. Dovgan
  • Patent number: 8839476
    Abstract: An oral care apparatus includes: a care member; an orientation detection unit; an area estimation unit; a light source that emits light having a predetermined wavelength to which plaque reacts; a photoelectric conversion unit that receives light and converts the received light into an electric signal; an image capture unit that causes the light source to irradiate the care area with light, and that obtains image data, based on the electric signal of light reflected from the care area that is converted by the photoelectric conversion unit; a plaque detection unit for detecting an amount of plaque in the care area, based on the image data obtained by the image capture unit; and a storage unit for storing, in a memory, the care area estimated by the area estimation unit and the amount of plaque in the care area detected by the plaque detection unit in association with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuma Adachi
  • Publication number: 20140255868
    Abstract: A holding device with a base element for a handpiece of an intraoral scanner, which has a head area (3), has a receiving area (5) of the base element (1), in which the head area (3) can be snugly accommodated at least partially. The receiving area (5) has an interior (8) with at least two holding areas (10, 11), which are arranged essentially opposite to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: a.tron3d GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen JESENKO, Franz ISOLA, Horst KOINIG
  • Publication number: 20140234795
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for generating a non-thermal gas species which may be a flow of gas plasma in the form of a gas plasma plume emitted from the device. The device comprises a gas capsule, or pressure vessel for holding a gas or gases under pressure and forming a flow of gas through a reaction generator to an applicator when released from the capsule. Gas released from the gas capsule is energised in the reaction generator to form the gas plasma. The device is designed to be hand held and hand operated so that it may be used for cleaning and whitening teeth as well as other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Bickford HOLBECHE, Cormac John DEVERY, Geoffrey Morgan LLOYD
  • Patent number: 8808002
    Abstract: A root canal filling system is provided that allows for better control of position, temperature delivery, and/or compaction forces of filling material when sealing root canals. The system includes a removable filler material delivery device and a holder. The delivery device has the capacity to provide information related to the position of the filler material, allows for a thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo, and allows for 3-dimensional packing forces to be applied to the filler material simultaneously as conditions are monitored. The system can additionally include a base unit and/or a plugger. The system (1) analyzes the position of the filler material in the canal prior to heating and packing the filler material, (2) heats the filler material such that the filler material is of a substantially uniform temperature, and (3) allows for packing of the filler material simultaneously as the delivery device is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Endodontic Specialist's Advocate, LLC
    Inventor: Wyatt Simons
  • Publication number: 20140227657
    Abstract: A device, method, and system are provided for aiding the whitening of teeth. The device includes a mouthpiece suitable for implementing a dental treatment, wherein the mouthpiece includes one or more stock dental cover layers suitable for forming a treatment cavity having a vacuum, wherein the dental cover layers includes a layer over the upper teeth and/or a layer over the lower teeth; and one or more treatment supply layers wherein the treatment supply layer has one or more flow channel in fluid communication with the treatment cavity so that the treatment supply layer can deliver and/or remove one or more treatment fluids from the treatment cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Sanders
  • Publication number: 20140212831
    Abstract: A medical or dental treatment device for use in an oral or dental procedure, comprises a base part with a power supply unit and an electrical or electronic control device and a set of different parts for use with the base part. The set of different parts comprises at least one delivery part for a first treatment phase and comprising a sound or ultrasound source, a movable piston and a piston operating element operable to deliver a substance from the delivery part to a treatment site, and at least one active part for use in a second treatment phase to act on the treatment site. The active part comprises a sound source, an ultrasound source and/or an electromagnetic radiation source. The delivery part and the active part are selectively connectible to the base part for use in consecutive treatment phases (the first can precede or follow the second).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: W&H DENTALWERK BÜRMOOS GMBH
    Inventors: Hannes Wagner, Walter Schuh
  • Publication number: 20140212829
    Abstract: A heating apparatus (10) for heating materials used in dental treatment is provided. The heating apparatus (10) comprises a heating compartment (33) with a heating element (35) for heating air inside the heating compartment (33), at least one socket for receiving and holding at least a part of the materials used in dental treatment inside the heating compartment (33), and an airflow generator (32, 34) for generating an airflow in the heating compartment (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Adrianus Lambertus Van Den Houdt, Franciscus Maria Verhoeven
  • Publication number: 20140162206
    Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering an active agent into an intraoral structure are disclosed. One embodiment of a method for implementing the subject matter described herein includes generating an electrical signal that includes a first frequency, a second frequency, and a third frequency, and supplying the electrical signal to an embedded circuit contained in an intraoral delivery tray, wherein the embedded circuit includes at least one electrode that includes projections positioned proximally to a surface of an intraoral structure. The method further includes providing the first frequency and the second frequency to the at least one electrode to generate an electrical field that electrically motivates the active agent suspended in a fluid medium contained in the intraoral delivery tray toward the intraoral structure via dielectrophoresis and providing the third frequency to the at least one electrode to increase the uptake of the active agent into intraoral structure via alternating current electroosmosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Chris S. Ivanoff, Timothy L. Hottel, Franklin Garcia-Godoy
  • Publication number: 20140093836
    Abstract: An oral hygiene system for cleaning teeth and gums includes a mouthpiece having at least one arcuate channel adapted to receive and surround the teeth. The mouthpiece includes at least two modalities chosen from a group consisting of a mechanical modality, an iontophoretic modality, and a disinfection modality, wherein the mechanical modality brushes the teeth and gums and dislodges food debris, the iontophoretic modality breaks up plaque and tartar buildup, and the disinfection modality removes the food debris, plaque and tartar buildup. A control system coordinates the transmission of modalities, tracks and records utilization, recording completed and failed treatment cycles, and transmits them to a monitoring system. The monitoring system, which links to electronic medical administrating record (eMAR) technology and patient tracking technology (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen H. Wolpo
  • Patent number: 8626317
    Abstract: A bite block for use during intraoperative monitoring of nerves is provided. The bite block is formed of a resilient material to inhibit injury to one or more teeth or the tongue of the patient. The bite block includes at least one access port angled with the respect to a plane and sized to slidingly receive an electrode. The electrode may be advanced through the access port and into the tongue of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: ProNerve, LLC
    Inventor: James Higgins
  • Patent number: 8624167
    Abstract: A device for making a muffle, with which dental restoration parts can be produced with the aid of an embedding compound, at least one press blank and a pressing device, the device having a muffle base, a tubular sleeve surrounding the muffle base and at least one muffle insert which is arranged on the muffle base and can be separated from it. At least two cylindrical press-channel forming elements (16, 18, 20) extend parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another from a flat-formed portion of the muffle insert (12), which can be burned out at least with respect to the forming elements, which elements are formed in a closed manner, and in particular with thin walls, at least on one free end face opposite from the flat-formed portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Diethard Bertsch
  • Patent number: 8591227
    Abstract: A mouthpiece that adjusts manually to accommodate a broad range of different size sets of upper and lower teeth in the mouth and yet seals the treatment area from oxygen exposure. The mouthpiece includes light emitting diodes and heat generating resistors all arranged in an array. A series of parallel texture bands are provides to guide and direct the light from the LEDs to diffuse generally evenly onto teeth to be treated. The seal arises from an inner surface of the mouthpiece titling inwardly so that a seal bead seals in the vicinity of the gum above the teeth to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Levine
  • Publication number: 20130224679
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides electrochemical dispensing apparatus and methods. According to the principles of the invention, a microelectronic electrochemical dispenser is used to cause the release of one or more selected chemical substance from a stored chemical compound. The release is controlled using a timer or sensor apparatus in a controlling device, preferably an ASIC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne Chen
  • Patent number: 8469708
    Abstract: Kit for diagnosing pulp exposure includes a probe syringe used for pulp exposure probe and a current detector device for obtaining a circuit resistance value or an impedance value from current flowing in an electric closed circuit including the probe syringe. The probe syringe further includes a discharge part formed with a flexible hollow material, a cylinder part continuous to the discharge part and retaining ion conductive paste, a piston inserted to the cylinder, and an electric conductive member connecting inside and outside of the probe syringe, and the current detector device obtains the circuit resistance value or impedance value flowing in the closed circuit through the ion conductive paste and displays the obtained value on a display part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Kazunori Kusano