US7210929B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of orienting an orthodontic appliance to a tooth
Assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Co
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Filing: 2003-12-12
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Granted: 2007-05-01
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Expires: 2023-12-12
Abstract
Abstract The relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth is selected by providing a first relative orientation between the appliance and the tooth, and defining a first set of hypothetical reference lines or rays between the base of the appliance and the tooth in virtual three-dimensional space. The distance along each ray is then determined. Next, the relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth is changed to a second orientation. A second set of rays is defined between the appliance and the tooth, and the distance along each ray is determined. A mathematical computation is then carried out on the determined distances in order to help determine whether the first orientation or the second orientation provides a better fit between the base of the appliance and the tooth surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Raby
- 👤 Oliver L. Puttler
- 👤 Nicholas A. Stark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/146; A61C7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: providing a first relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a first set of rays extending between a base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a reference axis to a second relative orientation; defining a second set of rays extending between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; quantifying the difference between the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation and the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; and relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about the reference axis in a direction such that the quantified difference is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: providing a first relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a first set of rays extending between a base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a reference axis to a second relative orientation; defining a second set of rays extending between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; quantifying the difference between the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation and the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; and relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about the reference axis in a direction such that the quantified difference is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 wherein the act of quantifying the difference between the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a mean distance between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a mean distance between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 wherein the act of quantifying the difference between the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a root mean square distance between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a root mean square distance between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 wherein the act of quantifying the difference between the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a sum of the distances between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a sum of the distances between the appliance and the tooth on at least one side of the reference axis when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 and wherein the reference axis is generally perpendicular to the rays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 5 wherein the base has a center, and wherein the axis extends from the center.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 6 wherein the axis extends in a generally mesial-distal direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 6 wherein the axis extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 wherein the reference axis is a first axis, and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are both generally perpendicular to the rays, and wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 9 wherein the first axis is a mesial-distal reference axis, and wherein the second axis is an occlusal-gingival reference axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-sagittal reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-lateral reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 1 and including the act of aligning the appliance by use of a pair of intersecting crosshairs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 13 wherein the crosshairs intersect at an angle other than 90 degrees.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: providing a first relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a first set of rays extending between a base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; providing a second relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a second set of rays extending between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; and comparing the distances when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation in order to select the orientation that corresponds to a closer fit between the base of the appliance and the tooth.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: providing a first relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a first set of rays extending between a base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation; providing a second relative orientation of the appliance and the tooth; defining a second set of rays extending between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; determining the distance along each ray between the base and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation; and comparing the distances when the appliance and the tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation in order to select the orientation that corresponds to a closer fit between the base of the appliance and the tooth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 wherein the act of comparing the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a mean distance between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a mean distance between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 wherein the act of comparing the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a root mean square distance between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a root mean square distance between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 wherein the act of comparing the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation to the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the second relative orientation includes the act of calculating a sum of the distances between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a sum of the distances between at least a portion of the base of the appliance and the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth about an axis generally perpendicular to the rays in order to move the appliance in the first orientation to the second orientation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 19 wherein the base has a center, and wherein the axis extends from the center.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 20 wherein the axis extends in a generally mesial-distal direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 20 wherein the axis extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth about a first axis and subsequently relatively moving the appliance and the tooth about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are both generally perpendicular to the rays, and wherein the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 23 wherein the first axis is a mesial-distal reference axis, and wherein the second axis is an occlusal-gingival reference axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-sagittal reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 15 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-lateral reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: defining a set of rays extending between the appliance and a tooth, wherein each ray extends from a point located on the base of the appliance and the point located on the tooth; determining the distance along the rays between each point on the base and each corresponding point on the tooth; and relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a reference axis in a direction such that the sum of the differences between each distance and the mean of the distances is reduced.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth comprising: defining a set of rays extending between the appliance and a tooth, wherein each ray extends from a point located on the base of the appliance and the point located on the tooth; determining the distance along the rays between each point on the base and each corresponding point on the tooth; and relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a reference axis in a direction such that the sum of the differences between each distance and the mean of the distances is reduced.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 wherein the method includes the act of calculating a mean distance of at least some of the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a mean distance of at least some of the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation, and wherein the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth is carried out by relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in a direction that reduces the sum of the mean distances.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
112 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 wherein the method includes the act of calculating a root mean square distance of at least some of the distances determined when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a root mean square distance of at least some of the distances determined when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation, and wherein the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth is carried out by relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in a direction that reduces the sum of the root mean square distances.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 wherein the method includes the act of calculating a first sum of at least some of the distances when the appliance and tooth are in the first relative orientation and a second sum of at least some of the distances when the appliance and the tooth are in the second relative orientation, and wherein the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth is carried out by relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in a direction that reduces the difference between the first and second sums.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth about an axis generally perpendicular to the rays in order to move the appliance in the first relative orientation to the second relative orientation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 31 wherein the base has a center, and wherein the axis extends from the center.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 31 wherein the axis extends in a generally mesial-distal direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 32 wherein the axis extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a second reference axis, and further including the act of determining the distances along the rays between each point on the base and each corresponding point on the tooth when the appliance and the tooth are in a first and second relative orientation with respect to the second reference axis.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 wherein the rays extend in generally parallel directions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-sagittal reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 and including the act of aligning the center of the base of the appliance with a mid-lateral reference plane extending through the tooth.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 and including the act of relatively moving the appliance and the tooth in an arc about a second reference axis in a direction such that the sum of the differences between each distance and the mean of the distances is reduced.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of selecting a relative orientation of an orthodontic appliance and a tooth according to claim 27 wherein the appliance is also moved along the surface of the tooth and/or moved in a rotative direction about its labio-lingual axis to a user-specified orientation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, performs any of the methods of claims 1 – 40 .
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-04-30 | 2010-10-30 | 2011-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-04-30 | 2014-10-30 | 2015-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-04-30 | 2018-10-30 | 2019-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |