Thomas J Metzler

Title: Thomas J. Metzler: Inventor in Dental Appliance Manufacturing.

Introduction

Thomas J. Metzler is an inventor associated with Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Solventum Intellectual Properties Company. His patent work concerns a manufacturing method for dental appliances designed to position a patient’s teeth.

Latest Patents

Metzler is credited with 1 patent: “Manufacturing a Dental Appliance with a Surface Having Discrete Structures.” The patent describes printing a hardenable liquid resin onto a polymeric material to create a pattern of discrete regions, then at least partially hardening those regions into an array of structures. It specifies structures with cross-sectional dimensions of about 25 microns to 1 millimeter and spacing of about 100 to 2,000 microns. The method also forms cavities in the polymeric material to create a dental appliance configured to receive and position one or more teeth.

Career Highlights

Metzler’s listed invention focuses on manufacturing techniques that combine patterned surface structures with tooth-receiving cavities. He is associated with Solventum Intellectual Properties Company, which is named in connection with his patent.

Collaborations

The provided information identifies Bhaskar V. Velamakanni and Kevin T. Reddy as Metzler’s coworkers. Their specific roles in the patent or related work are not stated.

Conclusion

Thomas J. Metzler’s patent describes a structured approach to producing dental appliances, bringing together patterned resin features and cavities designed to receive teeth.