Other

Ormco Corporation

Sulzer Orthopedics Inc.

Poly Virtual Occlusion, LLC

Douglas G Nuelle

Michael C Alpern

Ralph J Brandon

Mark B Lester

Erroll Sweat

Stuart Weikel

Mark E Milburn

Systems and methods for analyzing dynamic occlusion during replicated excursions of virtual three-dimensional representations of a dental patient's occlusal complex are provided. The method may include scanning a patient's jaws and teeth configuration using a medical imaging system such as CBCT, laser scanners, or traditional dental impressions; creating a virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex; replicating excursions of the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex based at least on virtual inter-condylar angles and distances; determining acceptable occlusal contacts and/or malocclusions within the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex based at least in part on virtual dynamic occlusion during the replicated excursions, and determining at least one virtual dental appliance and/or orthodontic repositioning of one or more teeth based at least in part on the one or more acceptable occlusal contacts and/or malocclusions within the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex.

Systems and methods for analyzing dynamic dental occlusions and making dental appliances

A knee joint balancing instrument. A first body includes a first paddle for engaging a proximal end of a tibial bone. A second body includes a second paddle for engaging a distal end of a femoral bone. A rack is attached to the first body and is moveable relative thereto in a superior-inferior direction. The second body is pivotally mounted to the rack for pivoting about an axis extending in an anterior-posterior direction. A ratchet is connected to the first body and to the rack for selectively restraining movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body. A pinion is connected to the first body and engages the rack to cause movement of the rack in the superior-inferior direction relative to the first body. Tension can be induced in the medial and lateral soft tissues of the knee joint by moving the rack, the tension being evenly distributed between the medial and lateral condyles of the knee joint by the pivot mounting of the second paddle, such that an imbalanced response of the medial and lateral soft tissues to a balanced tensile load is indicated.

Instrument for evaluating balance of knee joint

A dental articulator having an upper support member for supporting a dental cast and a lower support member for supporting a second dental cast. A polycentric hinge joint is provided for simulating the temporomandibular joint of a patient. The polycentric hinge joint comprises a fossae block secured to the upper support member and a condyle member secured to the lower support member which engages a fossae recess in the fossae block. A spring is provided for securing the lower support member to the upper support member and simulating the muscles used for mastication. A pair of wires are provided for simulating the ligaments of a patient. The upper end of each wire passes through an opening in the upper support member. The lower end of each wire is secured to the lower support member. A limiting block is provided on the upper end of each of the wires so as to restrict its movement. Removable adjustment post assemblies are provided at the forward end and rear end of the articulator so that the upper and lower support members may be spaced apart a desired distance.

Dental articulator

A dental articulator having a upper support member for supporting a dental cast and a lower support member for supporting a second dental cast. A polycentric hinge joint is provided for simulating the temporomandibular joint of a patient. The polycentric hinge joint comprises a fossae block secured to the upper support member and a condyle member secured to the lower support member which engages a fossae recess in the fossae block. A spring is provided for securing the lower support member to the upper support member and simulating the muscles used for mastication. A pair of wires are provided for simulating the ligaments of a patient. The upper end of each wire passes through an opening in the upper support member. The lower end of each wire is secured to the lower support member. A limiting block is provided on the upper end of each of the wires so as to restrict its movement. Removable adjustment rods are provided at the forward end and rear end of the articulator so that the upper and lower support members may be spaced apart a desired distance.

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Port Charlotte, FL, United States of America

Douglas G Nuelle