Other

Thomas J Arendt

Leo J Malin

Patrick C Bell

Alan Edward Wright

John C May

Tod O Rousseau

Roger D Vickery

Example dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws of a patient involve taking multiple radiographic scans of the jaws, and/or models thereof, and then applying digital image analytics to shift the image of one scan to match that of another. The resulting properly scaled and shifted image serves as a virtual 3D jaw model that can be manipulated and analyzed to aid in various orthodontic and other dental treatments.

Computer assisted dental methods for analyzing jaws

Example dental methods involve using a marker transfer jig that captures the location of one or more fiducial markers on a patient's jaw and then helps position an alternate marker, tool, fixture or some other chosen device on a cast model of the patient's jaw. The cast model with the attached alternate marker, tool, fixture or other chosen device is radiographically scanned and analyzed to aid in various orthodontic and other dental treatments.

Dental methods with fiducial marker transfer jigs

Example fiducial markers include features that make them particularly useful in dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws of a patient, wherein the dental scanning methods involve taking multiple scans of the jaws, and/or models thereof, and then shifting the image of one scan to match that of another. Prior to scanning, the fiducial markers are attached to the patient's jaws to accurately identify and track the relative position of the jaws.

Fiducial markers for analyzing human jaws

Example radiographic dental jigs include a generally vertical post traversed by a generally horizontal beam to create a cross that can be used for marking a dental patient's midline (vertical line centered between the eyes), incisal edge plane, and forward lip position. The jig is radiographically scanned along with multiple fiducial markers on the patient's jaw to generate a first scan result. In some examples, physical models of the patient's jaws are also scanned to generate upper and lower jaw images. The upper and lower jaw images are shifted to coincide with the first scan result. Portions of the first scan result, including an image of the dental jig, are superimposed onto the properly shifted upper and lower jaw images to create a composite image. The composite image shows the dental jig in proper relation to the patient's upper and lower jaws, thereby rendering a conventional stick bite virtually obsolete.

Radiographic dental jigs and associated methods

Example dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws of a patient involve taking multiple scans of the jaws, and/or models thereof, and then shifting the image of one scan to match that of another. In some examples, fiducial markers are attached to the patient's jaws beforehand to accurately identify and track the relative position of the jaws. The methods provide a way for creating a precise image of an upper jaw and a lower jaw in their proper bite registration, even though the resulting image may show an insufficient number of teeth to readily do so. The final, properly shifted image serves as a virtual 3D jaw model that can be manipulated and analyzed to aid in various orthodontic and other dental treatments.

Dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws

An implant carrier device for removable engagement with a dental implant includes a linear body member having first and second faceted exterior ends and an axial bore there through. A screw member having a head end and a threaded end is rotationally captured within the axial bore, with the threaded end extending exterior the second end of the carrier device. The threaded end of the screw member is adapted for rotational engagement of a threaded well within a dental implant. A dental implant engaged with both the faceted exterior second end of the linear body member and the threaded end of the captured screw member is partially driven into an osteotomy by way of the implant carrier device, followed by disengagement of the implant carrier device from the partially driven implant by rotation of the screw member captured within the axial bore of the implant carrier.

Dental implant carrier device and implant carrier device assembly

A dispenser container assembly for storing and dispensing a medical/dental device comprises a support section, including first and second opposed clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge. Each clamshell half has a contact edge mating with a like contact edge of an opposed half to form a contained space therein. Each contact edge also has a feature mating with a like feature of an opposed contact edge to produce a mounting aperture for supporting a medical/dental device within the contained space. A cap section has a closed end and an open end that engages the support section to maintain the first and second opposed clamshell halves in a closed condition and to enclose an exterior portion of the medical/dental device supported in the mounting aperture of the support section.

Dispenser package for medical/dental devices

An auto body decrimping tool assembly for decrimping a panel from a vehicle frame. The decrimping tool assembly includes a hollow housing body member with a first aperture at one end and a second aperture. A decrimping head member is pivotally mounted near an end thereof on a drive shaft member rotatably secured in the body member's second aperture. The decrimping head member includes a base portion having a protruding contact section and an opposed, protruding blade section having a concave, helical surface facing the contact section. The blade section includes a tapered edge at a side of the concave, helical surface opposite the base portion. The decrimping head member is mounted to the drive shaft member at the contact section. The decrimping head member is positioned at an edge of a panel crimped to the frame with the contact section on an edge of the crimped panel and the tapered edge of the blade section between the crimped panel and the frame. A power source, positioned at the body member's first aperture and operably connected to the drive shaft member, imparts reciprocal rotary motion to the drive shaft. The drive shaft causes the blade section and tapered edge of the decrimping head member to reciprocally pivot relative to the contact section, thereby incrementally decrimping the panel from the frame as the crimped panel and frame move between the blade section and the contact section of the decrimping head member.

Auto body decrimping tool assembly

Flag depository container

A fish bite alert device includes a 3-position adjustable gripper that provides a positive line gripping action in a set mode yet completely releases the line, entirely free of the fish bite alert device, in a release position. The gripper is illuminated for night fishing. The fish bite alert device also includes a 3-mode selector switch to choose light-only operation, light and buzzer operation, and an off position. The light assists the hearing impaired, while the buzzer is beneficial to the sight impaired.

Growing community of inventors

Norwalk, WI, United States of America

Thomas J Arendt