Automated process for intermediate orthodontic digital setup reuse due to treatment plan modifications

US12419723B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Solventum Intellectual Properties Company · US

Inventors

• Alexandra R. Cunliffe · Okabena, US
• Guruprasad Somasundaram · Minneapolis, US
• Benjamin D. Zimmer · Hudson, US
• Nitsan Ben-Gal Nguyen · Apple Valley, US
• Vera Shuman · Okabena, US
• Nancy M. Amato · Champaign, US
• Shawna L. Thomas · College Station, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 23, 2025
• Expiry date: Feb 2, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/30036
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for generating and reusing digital setups for an orthodontic treatment path. The method receives a digital 3D model of teeth, optionally performs interproximal reduction on the model, and generates an initial treatment path with stages including an initial, final, and intermediate setups. The method divides the initial treatment path into initial steps of feasible motion of the teeth resulting in a final treatment path with setups corresponding with the initial steps. For a treatment redesign, the method computes new steps of feasible motion for only a portion of the initial treatment path and based upon the initial steps, and generates the final path with new setups corresponding with the new steps. The setups can be used to make orthodontic appliances, such as clear tray aligners.