Haptically enabled dental modeling system

US8359114B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DentsAble, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Bob Steingart · Wellesley, US
• Curt Rawley · Windham, US
• Joe Wisnewski · Pelham, US
• Dave Girard · Chelmsford, US
• Vincent M. Hammer · Colchester, US
• Scott Davidson · Brookline, US
• Brandon D. Itkowitz · San Jose, US
• Brian Cooper · Omaha, US
• Yakov Epelbaum · Woburn, US
• Elaine Chen · Dearborn, US
• Abbe J. Cohen · Somerville, US
• Terry Lindgren · Acton, US
• Mike Tabaczynski · Lexington, US
• David Chen · Somerville, US
• Venkatraghavan Gourishankar · Woburn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 15, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C13/0018
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention provides a digital dentistry system that utilizes a haptic interface and features a computer-based design application configured to allow the intuitive construction of irregular, amorphous three-dimensional structures typically seen in dental restorations, utilizing, where appropriate, the design skills of a user. In certain embodiments, the system provides a comprehensive digital solution for dental labs in the business of creating dental restorations such as partial frameworks, crowns, copings, bridge frameworks, implants and the like, with a sense of touch provided by a haptic interface device.