Patent US7155373B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7155373B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Selection of orthodontic brackets
Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Co
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Filing: 2002-02-22
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Granted: 2006-12-26
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Expires: 2022-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Selection of orthodontic brackets from predefined and existing orthodontic brackets is provided by a user viewing a patient's teeth and using, for example, a user interface, to define a three-dimensional tooth/arch model from three-dimensional model data. Likewise, a prescription is selected. With such information, the teeth of the defined tooth/arch model can be positioned in prescribed positions. Once modifications to the prescription or for that matter the patient's tooth/arch model, if any, are made, predefined and existing orthodontic brackets can be selected, e.g., such selection can be based on selection criteria used to search a database including parameters defining such predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell A. Jordan
- 👤 Ming-Lai Lai
- 👤 James D. Cleary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A computer-implemented method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data; defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth/arch model data as a function of patient information; presenting a user interface to receive from a user prescription data representative of user-specified desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the user-specified desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; and displaying the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer-implemented method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data; defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth/arch model data as a function of patient information; presenting a user interface to receive from a user prescription data representative of user-specified desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the user-specified desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; and displaying the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises displaying the repositioned one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model with the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises receiving input from the user modifying the selection of the one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on the comparison.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: providing archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires; and selecting at least one of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires for use in moving the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and archwire data representative of the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises displaying the repositioned one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model with the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets interacting with the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises modifying at least the selection of the one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on the comparison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises: repeatedly providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned based on the bracket data representative of multiple modified selections of one or more orthodontic brackets for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and modifying, after each comparison, at least the selection of the one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein defining the three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the model data as a function of patient information comprises providing a user input interface to a user to allow input of one or more characteristics associated with a patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprise at least one of gender, age, race, tooth size, arch size, impression information, and arch shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model comprise individual separated three-dimensional models of teeth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient; providing one or more patient images representative of the patient's actual teeth for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; and modifying the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the comparison.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more patient images comprise at least one of two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images of one or more portions of the patient's teeth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient; and providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises changing patient information or prescription data resulting in a modification to the representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model or the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient in desired final positions represented by the prescription data, wherein providing the representation comprises: providing a global coordinate system on a surface of at least one archwire of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model, the archwire corresponding to an arch form of the patient; defining a local coordinate system at a facial axis point of each tooth of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each tooth relative to the global coordinate system to a position in the three-dimensional tooth/arch model based at least in part on the prescription data; and attaching each tooth to the corresponding placed local coordinate system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, wherein the repositioning of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on at least bracket data comprises changing the placement of the local coordinate system relative to the global coordinate system for each tooth and attaching each tooth to the new placement of the local coordinate system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
162 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, wherein the repositioning of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on at least bracket data comprises: providing a global coordinate system on a surface of at least one archwire of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model, the archwire corresponding to an arch form of the patient; defining a local coordinate system at a facial axis point of each tooth of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each tooth relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by at least the bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined orthodontic brackets; and attaching each tooth to the corresponding placed local coordinate system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
256 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the local coordinate system for each tooth initially coincides with the global coordinate system (xyz), where x is in the direction of the archwire, y is in the occlusal direction, and z is in the lingual direction, wherein placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each tooth to a position defined at least in part by at least the prescription data comprises: translating the local coordinate system of each tooth, relative to the global coordinate system, along the archwire based on tooth type to provide a first local coordinate system, the first local coordinate system comprising x 1 y 1 z 1 ; rotating the first local coordinate system of each tooth such that z 1 is perpendicular to an inner surface of the archwire to provide a second local coordinate system x 2 y 2 z 2 ; translating the second local coordinate system in the lingual direction by a distance along z 2 corresponding to the in/out of the prescription data to provide a third local coordinate system x 3 y 3 z 3 ; rotating the third local coordinate system by an angle with respect to z 3 corresponding to angulation of the prescription data to provide a fourth local coordinate system x 4 y 4 z 4 ; and rotating the fourth local coordinate system by an angle with respect to x 4 corresponding to a torque of the prescription data to provide a fifth local coordinate system x 5 y 5 z 5 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
111 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises: providing archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires; selecting at least one of the plurality of predefined and existing archwires for use in moving the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions; and repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and archwire data representative of the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, wherein the repositioning of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on at least bracket data comprises providing a representation of at least teeth of the selected three-dimensional tooth/arch model in positions defined by the selected prescription along with the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein providing the representation of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises: providing a global coordinate system on a surface of an archwire of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; defining a local coordinate system having an origin located on a bottom surface of a base relative to an archwire slot center of each selected predefined and existing orthodontic bracket; placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by the bracket data; and attaching each bracket to the corresponding placed local coordinate system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets based on at least the prescription data comprises providing a user input interface to a user allowing the user to provide or modify one or more prescription bracket selection criteria, wherein the one or more prescription bracket selection criteria comprise at least one of torque, angulation, and in/out value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets based on at least the prescription data comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets based on at least the prescription data and also based on an adjustment to at least one of torque or angulation due to the interaction of an archwire with slots of selected brackets.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from a database using one or mare prescription bracket selection criteria, wherein the one or more prescription bracket selection criteria comprise at least one of torque, angulation, and in/out value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
255 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for use in selection of orthodontic appliances, wherein the computer readable medium comprises: means for recognizing tooth/arch model data for use in defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; user interface means for allowing a user to define a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information; user interface means for allowing a user to define prescription data representative of desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; means for recognizing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; means for causing the display of a representation of the desired final toot positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the prescription data; means for executing a computer-implemented bracket selection process to select of one or more of a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the user-defined desired final positions represented by the prescription data; means for causing the display of the selection of the one or more of the plurality of orthodontic brackets; and means for causing the display of a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data representative of the selected one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
255 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for use in selection of orthodontic appliances, wherein the computer readable medium comprises: means for recognizing tooth/arch model data for use in defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; user interface means for allowing a user to define a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information; user interface means for allowing a user to define prescription data representative of desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; means for recognizing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; means for causing the display of a representation of the desired final toot positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the prescription data; means for executing a computer-implemented bracket selection process to select of one or more of a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the user-defined desired final positions represented by the prescription data; means for causing the display of the selection of the one or more of the plurality of orthodontic brackets; and means for causing the display of a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data representative of the selected one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium of claim 29 , wherein the patient information comprises at least one of gender, age, race, tooth size, arch size, impression information, and arch shape.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
120 words
The medium of claim 29 , wherein the means for causing the display of a representation of the desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the prescription data comprises: means for providing a global coordinate system on a surface of an archwire of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; means for defining a local coordinate system at a facial axis point of each tooth of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; means for placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each tooth relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by the prescription data; and means for attaching each tooth to the corresponding moved local coordinate system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
The medium of claim 29 , wherein the computer readable medium further comprises: means for causing display of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient; and means for causing the display of one or more patient images representative of the patient's actual teeth for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model comprise individual separated three-dimensional models of teeth.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
159 words
The medium of claim 29 , wherein the computer readable medium further comprises means for causing the display of the representation of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, wherein the means for causing the display of the representation of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises: means for providing a global coordinate system on a surface of an archwire of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model; means for defining a local coordinate system having an origin located on a bottom surface of a base at a point relative to an archwire slot center of each selected predefined and existing orthodontic bracket; means for placing the local coordinate system corresponding to each of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by the bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; and means for attaching each bracket to the corresponding moved local coordinate system.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
262 words
A method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data for use in defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing a user interface for allowing a user to define a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information; providing a user interface for allowing a user to define prescription data representative of desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from a database for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; displaying a representation of the desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the prescription data; displaying a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; overlaying the representation of the desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model and the representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data; and modifying the selection of one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from a database based on the overlaid representations.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
262 words
A method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data for use in defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing a user interface for allowing a user to define a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information; providing a user interface for allowing a user to define prescription data representative of desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from a database for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; displaying a representation of the desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the prescription data; displaying a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; overlaying the representation of the desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model and the representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on bracket data; and modifying the selection of one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from a database based on the overlaid representations.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises allowing the user to modify at least one of the displayed representations by selecting and dragging one of a bracket or tooth to a position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises providing sound representative of contact between teeth, between one or more teeth and one or more brackets, and/or between brackets.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises providing a representation of selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets with the representation of the one or more teeth in positions based on bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein selecting the three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information comprises providing a user input interface to the user allowing the user to input one or more characteristics associated with a patient.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprises at least one of gender, age, race, tooth size, arch size, impression information, and arch shape.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises: providing one or more patient images representative of the actual teeth of the patient for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; and modifying the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the comparison.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein the one or more patient images comprise at least one of two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images of one or more portions of the patient's teeth.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and changing patient information or prescription data resulting in a modification to the representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model or the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data representative of at least one or more teeth; defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth/arch model data as a function of patient information; providing prescription data representative of user-specified desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires; selecting at least one of the plurality of predefined and existing archwires for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; and displaying the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of orthodontic appliance selection, the method comprising: providing tooth/arch model data representative of at least one or more teeth; defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth/arch model data as a function of patient information; providing prescription data representative of user-specified desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires; selecting at least one of the plurality of predefined and existing archwires for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions; providing bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets; executing bracket selection software to select one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data; and displaying the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and wherein the method further comprises repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and archwire data representative of the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwires.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the method further comprises displaying the repositioned one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets interacting with the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwires.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned based on at least the bracket data and the archwire data for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the method further comprises modifying at least the selection of the one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on the comparison.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the model data as a function of patient information comprises providing a user input interface to a user allowing the user to input one or more characteristics associated with a patient.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 49 , wherein the one or more characteristics comprises at least one of gender, age, race, tooth size, arch size, impression information, and arch shape.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model comprise individual separated three-dimensional models of teeth.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets based on at least the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model and the defined prescription data comprises providing a user input interface to a user allowing the user to provide or modify one or more prescription bracket selection criteria, wherein the one or more prescription bracket selection criteria comprise at least one of torque, angulation, and in/out value.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets based on at least the prescription data and also based on an adjustment to at least one of torque or angulation due to the interaction of an archwire with slots of selected brackets.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises selecting one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets from the database using one or more prescription bracket selection criteria, wherein the one or more prescription bracket selection criteria comprise at least one of torque, angulation, and in/out value.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets comprises a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets precoated with a precoat adhesive material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient; providing one or more patient images representative of actual teeth of the patient for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; and modifying the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model based on the comparison.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 56 , wherein the one or more patient images comprise at least one of two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images of one or more portions of the patient's teeth.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the method further comprises: providing a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model; providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data; and changing patient information or prescription data resulting in a modification to the representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model or the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
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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) | 2009-12-25 | 2010-06-26 | 2010-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-25 | 2014-06-26 | 2014-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-25 | 2018-06-26 | 2018-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |