Granted Patent B2

US 12,279,923 · App. 18/464,887 · Granted Apr 22, 2025

Inventor: Huafeng Wen (Redwood Shores, CA)

Assignee: uLab Systems Inc.

A61C7/002A61C7/08A61C13/34

Abstract

Claims (16)

1. A computer-implemented method of forming an oral appliance, comprising:

receiving a digital model of a patient's dentition;

calculating or digitally placing one or more markers along surfaces of teeth and gums on the digital model;

calculating a cutting path between the one or more markers on the digital model for determining a path for trimming a mold replicating the patient's dentition;

applying a drape wall to extend away from the cutting path and away from the teeth on the digital model to reduce a complexity of the digital model; and

exporting a 3D printer model of the mold for fabrication.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising fabricating a physical mold using the 3D printer model.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising thermal forming an oral appliance upon the physical mold.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising securing the physical mold to a platform prior to trimming the physical mold.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising securing the physical mold and platform upon one or more stages.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising rotating the physical mold relative to a cutting instrument.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising rotating the cutting instrument relative to the physical mold.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the drape wall comprises identifying the cutting path and replacing a volume below the cutting path with a base region.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the drape wall comprises a base region having straightened lines.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the drape wall comprises a base region having a tapered surface.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein applying a drape wall comprises limiting a height of the drape wall to avoid stretching an oral appliance formed upon the mold.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (400)