Patent US20040142297A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20040142297A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Placing an orthodontic element on a tooth surface
Assignee: Align Technology Inc
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Filing: 2004-01-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2024-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.
Inventors
- 👤 Eldad Taub
- 👤 Baruch Nissenbaum
- 👤 Avi Kopelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/146; A61C9/00; A61C9/004; A61C9/0046; A61C9/0053; A61C7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
1 . A method for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position, the method comprising: (a) monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays said image; (b) displaying information on said screen regarding proper position of said element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
1 . A method for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position, the method comprising: (a) monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays said image; (b) displaying information on said screen regarding proper position of said element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
2 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the information regarding the proper position of the element comprises a virtual image of the tooth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
3 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the virtual image comprises lines tracing boundaries of the tooth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
4 . A method according to claim 2 or 3 , comprising superimposing the victual image with a real image captured by the image acquisition unit displayed on the screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
5 . A method according to claim 4 , wherein said element is an orthodontic bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition unit is mounted on the positioning device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
7 . A method according to claim 6 , wherein the element is held on by said device in a fixed, predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
8 . A method according to claim 7 , wherein the position of the element is such so that the element appears in the center of the image displayed on the screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
9 . A system for positioning of au orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising: an image acquisition At for capturing an image of the tooth or of said element, and an image of both once the tooth and said element are proximal to one another, an image grabber coupled to said image acquisition unit for receiving the image captured by the image acquisition unit and transmitting an image or a representation thereof to a display unit; and a display unit, coupled to the image grabber, for displaying said image or representation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
9 . A system for positioning of au orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising: an image acquisition At for capturing an image of the tooth or of said element, and an image of both once the tooth and said element are proximal to one another, an image grabber coupled to said image acquisition unit for receiving the image captured by the image acquisition unit and transmitting an image or a representation thereof to a display unit; and a display unit, coupled to the image grabber, for displaying said image or representation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
10 . A system according to claim 9 , comprising a module coupled to the display unit, for displaying marking providing guidance information on the tooth's surface superimposed on said image or representation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
11 . A system according to claim 10 , wherein said markings constitute of a virtual image of either at least one tooth, the orthodontic element or both.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
12 . A system according to claim 11 , wherein said virtual image comprises a boundary's representation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
13 . A positioning device for positioning an element on the surface of a tooth, comprising: a gripping member for holding the element and releasing it once it is fixed on the tooth surface; and an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the element held on the gripping member and of its surrounding.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
13 . A positioning device for positioning an element on the surface of a tooth, comprising: a gripping member for holding the element and releasing it once it is fixed on the tooth surface; and an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the element held on the gripping member and of its surrounding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
14 . A device according to claim 13 , wherein the element and the image acquisition unit are mutually fixed such that said element appears in a predetermined spot of the image captured by the image acquisition unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
15 . A marking device for marring a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising: a marking member held on said marking device in a manner allowing to mark said position on a tooth surface; and an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the marking device and of its surrounding.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
15 . A marking device for marring a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising: a marking member held on said marking device in a manner allowing to mark said position on a tooth surface; and an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the marking device and of its surrounding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
16 . A device according to claim 15 , wherein the marking member and the image acquisition unit are mutually fixed such that said member appears in a predetermined spot of the image captured by the image acquisition unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
17 . A method according to claim 3 , comprising superimposing the virtual image with a real image captured by the image acquisition unit displayed on the screen.
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