US6334853B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for obtaining a dental occlusion map
Assignee: Align Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-14
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Granted: 2002-01-01
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Expires: 2018-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for obtaining a dental occlusion map of a three-dimensional virtual computer model of teeth of upper and lower jaws of a mouth. The occlusion map indicates the distances between opposite regions on facing surfaces of opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth. The method includes the steps of determining the distances between opposite regions on opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth, and setting up a correspondence between the determined distances and regions on a mapping surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Avi Kopelman
- 👤 Baruch Nissenbaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61C19/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for obtaining a dental occlusion map of a three-dimensional virtual computer model of teeth of upper and lower jaws of a mouth, said occlusion map indicative of distances between opposite regions on facing surfaces of opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth, said method comprising the steps of: (i) determining said distances between opposite regions on opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth; and (ii) setting up a correspondence between said determined distances and regions on a mapping surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for obtaining a dental occlusion map of a three-dimensional virtual computer model of teeth of upper and lower jaws of a mouth, said occlusion map indicative of distances between opposite regions on facing surfaces of opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth, said method comprising the steps of: (i) determining said distances between opposite regions on opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth; and (ii) setting up a correspondence between said determined distances and regions on a mapping surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said mapping surface is a plane, whereby said dental occlusion map is a two-dimensional map of the distances between said opposite regions on said opposite teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said mapping surface is a facing surface of said facing surfaces of opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said facing surface belongs to the teeth of said upper jaw, and said lower teeth and lower jaw are transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said facing surface belongs to the teeth of said upper jaw, and said lower teeth and lower jaw are not present.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said facing surface belongs to the teeth of said lower jaw, and said upper teeth and upper jaw are transparent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said facing surface belongs to the teeth of said lower jaw, and said upper teeth and upper jaw are not present.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said opposite regions on said facing surfaces of opposite teeth are shaded in accordance with a grey scale and wherein each shade corresponds to a given distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said opposite regions on said facing surfaces of opposite teeth are colored in accordance with a given color scale and wherein each color corresponds to a given distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said opposite regions on said facing surfaces of opposite teeth are points.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said regions on said mapping surface comprise at least one pixel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said occlusion map only shows those distances that are less than one tenth of a millimeter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for obtaining a dental occlusion map in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said occlusion map only shows those distances that are zero in value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-31 | 2005-07-02 | 2006-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-31 | 2013-07-02 | 2014-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |