Patrick B Dufour

US Patent:

20020048741, Apr 25, 2002

Filed:

Nov 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/012873

Inventors:

Russell Jordan - Rancho Cucamonga CA, US
James Hansen - Pasadena CA, US
Joseph Caruso - Aguadulce CA, US
Patrick Dufour - Austin TX, US
Baruch Nissenbaum - Ramat Gan, IL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61C019/04
A61C011/00

US Classification:

433/073000, 433/213000

Abstract:

A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.

US Patent:

20080057466, Mar 6, 2008

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/931514

Inventors:

Russell Jordan - Rancho Cucamonga CA, US
James Hansen - Pasadena CA, US
Joseph Caruso - Aguadulce CA, US
Patrick Dufour - Austin TX, US
Baruch Nissenbaum - Ramat Gan, IL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61C 19/045

US Classification:

433069000, 433215000

Abstract:

A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.

US Patent:

63223597, Nov 27, 2001

Filed:

Nov 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/705540

Inventors:

Russell A. Jordan - Rancho Cucamonga CA
James D. Hansen - Pasadena CA
Joseph M. Caruso - Aguadulce CA
Patrick B. Dufour - Austin TX
Baruch Nissenbaum - Ramat Gan, IL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61C 1904

US Classification:

433 73

Abstract:

A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed. Further, a wobbling technique may be used to determine an occlusal position of the lower and upper dental arches.

US Patent:

61527319, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Sep 22, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/935238

Inventors:

Russell A. Jordan - Rancho Cucamonga CA
James D. Hansen - Pasadena CA
Joseph M. Caruso - Aguadulce CA
Patrick B. Dufour - Austin TX
Baruch Nissenbaum - Ramat Gan, IL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61C 1100
A61C 19045

US Classification:

433 69

Abstract:

A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed. Further, a wobbling technique may be used to determine an occlusal position of the lower and upper dental arches.