Dental diagnosis and dispensing apparatus and a system and a method for providing same

• US 6,582,225 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ortho-Tain Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ortho-Tain Inc.
• Inventors: Bergersen, Earl O.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US09/686,142
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 433/3, 433/2, 433/6, 433/24, 433/213, 433/215, 433/214
• US Class Current: 433/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0006 Impression trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0046 Data acquisition means or methods

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for providing a dental diagnosis and/or a dental appliance to a user by examining a portion of a mouth of the user. To this end, the apparatus, system and method evaluate images whether digital, still, video, digital x-ray or the like, of the portion of the mouth to determine if a medical condition may be cured and/or corrected by a dental appliance stored within a machine and capable of being dispensed from the machine. The apparatus, system and method may evaluate the condition of a user from images of a single tooth. Moreover, evaluation of the images may be performed by the central processing unit of the apparatus or by an outside source, by having the images transmitted via, for example, the internet, electronic mail, telephony, satellite, or other means, to another computer or individual. The user may also take images of his mouth while positioning a ruler or other measuring device adjacent to the mouth. The images may then be transmitted to an individual and/or a central processing unit for diagnosis. In addition, the system may provide a wafer or tray which the user may position in his mouth to make an impression. The wafer or tray, or an image of the wafer or tray, may then be sent to an individual and/or a central processing unit. Also, a user may position a film within his mouth and transmit the film or an image of the film to an individual and/or central processing unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user and dispensing one of a plurality of differently sized dental appliances worn in a mouth of the user wherein a portion of the plurality of differently sized dental appliances are included within each of three orthodontic states, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into one of the three orthodontic states wherein one of the plurality of differently sized dental appliances is dispensed for the orthodontic state of the user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

input means for entering information into the central processing unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image of the portion of the mouth of the user is an image of a single tooth of the user.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is from a midline of a set of teeth of the user to a back portion of an interior of the mouth of the user.

7. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the image obtained by the image capturing device wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is a single tooth of the user.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

input means entering information into the central processing unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the central processing unit is programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

12. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is from a midline of a set of teeth of the user to a back portion of an interior of the mouth of the user, the image capturing device producing a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

input means for entering information into the central processing unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

16. A system for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the system comprising:

an apparatus having an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user wherein the apparatus further has a data transmission device that transmits a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit located remote from the apparatus programmed with statistical data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit communicates with the apparatus and receives the signal from the apparatus and further wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into one of a plurality of orthodontic states.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

input means for entering information into the data transmission device.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

a payment device programmed to receive payment from the user.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the central processing unit is programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the central processing unit is programmed to diagnose the orthodontic state of the user based on the age of the user.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is a single tooth of the user.

22. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing one of a plurality of differently sized dental appliances wherein one of the dental appliances is worn in the mouth of the user;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of the portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into one of three orthodontic states defined by ranges within an orthodontic condition wherein a portion of each of the plurality of differently sized dental appliances are included within each one of the three orthodontic states;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the image of the portion of the mouth is of a single tooth of the user.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the portion of the mouth is from a single tooth of the user to a midline of the user.

26. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the signal transmitted by the image capturing device;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth is a single tooth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the central processing unit is programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

29. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user, the apparatus further having a data transmission device capable of transmitting a signal indicative of the image or a set of data of the user to a central processing unit;

providing a central processing unit located remote from the apparatus programmed with statistical data regarding orthodontic conditions;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into one of a plurality of orthodontic states.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is a single tooth of the user.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is from a midline of a set of teeth of the user to a back portion of an interior of the mouth of the user.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the central processing unit is programmed to diagnose the orthodontic state of the user based on the age of the user.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the central processing unit is programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

34. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth ad of the user wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is from a midline of a set of teeth of the user to a back portion of an interior of the mouth of the user, the image capturing device producing a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the signal transmitted by the image capturing device;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth is a single tooth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the central processing unit is programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

37. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a data input device that receives input as to an age of the user; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit diagnoses the orthodontic state of the user based solely on the age of the user.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

39. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an input device;

inputting an age of the user in the input device;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions and receiving information from the input device; and

providing a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based solely the age of the user.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

41. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device attached to a rod and movable on the rod wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of the portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit receives the signal sent by the image capturing device and classifies the signal into a plurality of orthodontic states.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the central processing unit is located remote from the image capturing device.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the image is of a single tooth of the user.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the image is from a midline of teeth of the user to a back portion of the mouth of the user.

45. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wafer;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the wafer within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the wafer; and

transmitting the image of the wafer to the central processing unit.

46. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a film;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the film within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the film; and

transmitting the image of the film to the central processing unit.

47. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a mouth of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user;

transmitting the image of a portion of the mouth of the user to the central processing unit; and

altering the image to compensate for improper closure of the mouth of the user.

48. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tray;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the tray within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the tray; and

transmitting the image of the tray to the central processing unit.

49. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image;

a focusing mechanism by which the image capturing device is able to focus; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions and further programmed to diagnose the orthodontic state of the user based on a distance between the focusing mechanism and the user.

50. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a focusing mechanism by which the image capturing device is able to focus;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions and further programmed to diagnose the orthodontic state of the user based on a distance between the focusing mechanism and the user;

positioning the focusing mechanism toward the mouth of the user;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit.

51. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wafer;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit located remote from the image capturing device programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the wafer within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the wafer; and

transmitting the image of the wafer to the central processing unit.

52. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tray;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit located remote from the image capturing device programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the tray within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the tray; and

transmitting the image of the tray to the central processing unit.

53. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an impression device capable of obtaining an impression of a tooth of the user;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the impression device within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the impression device; and

transmitting the image of the impression device to the central processing unit.

54. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an impression device capable of obtaining an impression of a tooth of the user;

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit located remote from the image capturing device programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions;

positioning the impression device within a mouth of the user and making an impression of a tooth of the user;

capturing an image of the impression device; and

transmitting the image of the impression device to the central processing unit.

55. An apparatus for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the image obtained by the image capturing device wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is a single tooth of the user and wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

56. A system for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the system comprising:

an apparatus having an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user wherein the apparatus further has a data transmission device that transmits a signal indicative of the image; and

a central processing unit located remote from the apparatus programmed with statistical data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit communicates with the apparatus and receives the signal from the apparatus and wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

57. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user and produces a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the signal transmitted by the image capturing device;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth is a single tooth of the user;

transmitting the image to the central processing unit wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

58. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of a mouth of the user, the apparatus further having a data transmission device capable of transmitting a signal indicative of the image or a set of data of the user to a central processing unit;

providing a central processing unit located remote from the apparatus programmed with statistical data regarding orthodontic conditions;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.

59. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an image capturing device wherein the image capturing device obtains an image of a portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth of the user is from a midline of a set of teeth of the user to a back portion of an interior of the mouth of the user, the image capturing device producing a signal indicative of the image;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit provides a diagnosis to the user of the orthodontic state of the user based on the signal transmitted by the image capturing device;

obtaining the image of the portion of the mouth of the user wherein the portion of the mouth is a single tooth of the user; and

transmitting the image to the central processing unit wherein the central processing unit classifies the signal sent by the image capturing device into a plurality of orthodontic states.