7690 results about "Dentistry" patented technology

A patient interface for communicating fluids to and / or from a patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.

Drug dosage forms, which are housed in oral devices, and methods for controlled drug release are provided. The oral devices are permanently or removably inserted in the oral cavity and refilled or replaced as needed. The controlled drug release may be passive, based on the dosage form, or electronically controlled, for a high-precision, intelligent, drug delivery. Additionally, the controlled release may be any one of the following: release in accordance with a preprogrammed schedule, release at a controlled rate, delayed release, pulsatile release, chronotherapeutic release, closed-loop release, responsive to a sensor's input, release on demand from a personal extracorporeal system, release in accordance with a schedule specified by a personal extracorporeal system, release on demand from a monitoring center, via a personal extracorporeal system, and release in accordance with a schedule specified by a monitoring center, via a personal extracorporeal system. Drug absorption in the oral cavity may be assisted by an electrotransport mechanism. The oral devices require refilling or replacement at relatively long intervals of weeks or months, maintain a desired dosage level in the oral cavity, hence in the gastrointestinal tract, for extended periods, address situations of narrow drug therapeutic indices, and by being automatic, ensure adherence to a prescribed medication regimen.

Systems and related methods treat snoring and other sleep related disorders by stabilizing the position of a tongue in an oral cavity. The systems and methods employ an operative element sized and configured to be fitted to less mobile tissue in the oral cavity. The operative element is further constructed and arranged to interact with a tongue in the airway to stabilize a preferred tissue orientation. The operative element can comprise a suction source sized and configured to draw more mobile tongue tissue toward the suction source. The operative element can comprise a magnetic source sized and configured to magnetically attract material fitted to more mobile tongue tissue in the airway.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for optimizing the manufacture and / or production of patient-specific orthopedic implants. The methods include obtaining image data of a patient, selecting a blank implant to be optimized for the patient, and modifying the blank implant utilizing techniques disclosed herein to alter specific features of the implant to conform to the patient's anatomy.

An injectable and moldable putty comprising biodegradable calcium-based compounds including calcium sulfate, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate is invented. The putty hardens into a solid body when mixed with water, saline, serum, or other neutral aqueous solutions. The hardening time of the putty can be tailored in order to meet the specific requirements of various dental or orthopedic applications. The pH of the putty is neutral during and after mixing. The invented putty may be used as bone graft, bone implant, or implantable drug delivery device.

An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays. A smooth pad is disposed over the occlusal surface of at least one of the trays, guarding the occlusal surface from engagement with the opposed bite pad.

Provided is a device for monitoring the orientation of a hand-held surgical or dental tool. The device includes one or more orientation sensors that generate signals indicative of an orientation of the device. A processor calculates from the signals a current orientation of the device, where the current orientation is specified by a unit vector defined by a first angle formed between the unit vector and a predetermined first fixed axis and a second angle formed by the unit vector and a second predetermined axis. The processor compares a current orientation of the device with a predetermined reference orientation of the device stored in the memory and provides an indication of the deviation between a current orientation of the device and the reference orientation.

A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and an element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.

An oral care implement including a handle and a head with a tongue cleanser. The tongue cleanser has at least one ridge which is at least as wide as it is high. In one preferred construction, the ridges are shaped so as to define a concave surface facing generally toward the handle. The ridges also preferably include aligned segments from front to back that are oriented at different angular positions.

A device useful for oral drug delivery device consisting of: (a) a capsule, tablet or pill designed to disperse in the gastrointestinal system; (b) an RFID tag positioned in the capsule, tablet or pill, the RFID tag comprising an antenna; (c) an object selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a ferromagnetic object, a ferrite object and an electromagnetic shielding object positioned within, over or adjacent the antenna of the RFID tag to alter the antenna characteristics of the RFID tag so that if the RFID tag is interrogated before the capsule, tablet or pill disperses in the gastrointestinal system, the response of the RFID tag is sufficiently altered or attenuated to determine that the capsule, tablet or pill has not dispersed in the gastrointestinal system and so that if the RFID tag is interrogated after the capsule, tablet or pill has dispersed in the gastrointestinal system, the object separates from the RFID tag so that the response of the RFID tag is sufficiently detectable to determine that the capsule, tablet or pill has dispersed in the gastrointestinal system. Alternatively, a switch can be used to signal ingestion of the device, and change the response of the device. In another embodiment, the instant invention is a device useful for oral drug delivery, consisting of: (a) a capsule, tablet or pill designed to disperse in the gastrointestinal system; (b) a first non-anti-collision RFID tag positioned in the capsule; (c) a second non-anti-collision RFID tag positioned in the capsule, so that if the RFID tags are interrogated by an RFID reader before the capsule, tablet or pill disperses in the gastrointestinal system, the response of the RFID tags collide and so that after the dispersible material of the capsule has dispersed in the gastrointestinal system thereby allowing the first and second non-anti-collision tags to separate from each other, then the response of the RFID tags is sufficiently different from each other to determine that the capsule has dispersed in the gastrointestinal system

Method and system, for which can be used in the fields of medicine and dentistry as well as for the most varied types of material working in different areas of application and model working, provides that an exact removal of material or a highly precise, reproducible material working can be realized by acquiring, storing and processing data pertaining to position and / or orientation of an effector and their changes relative to the position of at least one reference body. The effector is controlled and / or regulated with regard to its power and / or parameterization based on a predetermined working volume, material volume removed and remaining material volume. A first marking support with markings is arranged on a handpiece with the effector, where the handpiece is connected to a control unit, and a second marking support with markings is attached to the material object or tissue object.

The present invention encompasses topical oral care compositions comprising the combination of an anti-bacterial agent with an anti-inflammatory agent in an orally acceptable carrier for effective treatment and prevention of bacteria-mediated diseases and conditions in the oral cavity and for modulating host reaction to bacterial pathogens present in the oral cavity and to the toxins, endotoxins, inflammatory cytokines and mediators released by or prompted by these pathogens. The present invention also encompasses methods of use of these compositions comprising topical application to the oral cavity. The benefits of the present compositions and methods extend beyond treating and preventing oral bacterial infections in the oral cavity to promoting whole body or systemic health.

A device and method for the oral transmucosal delivery of active substances to the oral cavity utilizing an unplasticized polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer (PVP) as the primary mucoadhesive. The device is applied and adheres to the mucosa of the oral cavity without causing side effects or leaving an unpleasant taste. Preferably the device is a bilayer tablet having a mucoadhesive layer and an overlying active substance containing layer. The mucoadhesive layer may contain PVP as the only adhesive or may be combined with other hydrophilic polymeric substances. The active layer also contains a hydrophilic polymer carrier. The layers in the device dissolve and release the active substance to the oral cavity and is particularly adapted for the delivery of substances active in the oral cavity such as breath fresheners and substances to combat dry mouth. It is also useful for the delivery of ionic drugs such as peptides.

Stain-removing oral compositions, such as gum compositions are herein provided. The compositions include a chelating agent and a surfactant. The surfactant includes a fatty acid salt and at least one component selected from nonionic and anionic surfactants. The fatty acid salt may have at least one hydroxyl functionality. The oral compositions may optionally include an abrasive agent.

A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws on the basis of digital information. Digital data about the jaws, teeth, soft tissues and artificial teeth is joined in computer space to create aesthetic and functional plans for the removal of teeth, shaping of supporting bone and placement of dental implants. Artificial teeth and pre-manufactured prosthetic devices are made and attached to the dental implants at the time of surgery. The aesthetic and functional position of artificial teeth is determined prior to surgical removal of natural teeth and the ideal position of implants and the proper form of the remaining bone are determined prior to surgery. Surgical guides used to shape bone, record occlusal orientation and position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling or layered manufacturing.

A composition in the form of a chewing gum composition or a confectionery composition containing a stain removing complex of a stain removing agent and a cyclodextrin compound and methods of preparing and using the same to remove stains from dental material including teeth.

An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays. A smooth pad is disposed over the occlusal surface of at least one of the trays, guarding the occlusal surface from engagement with the opposed bite pad.

The present invention is directed to an oral composition containing a gel network phase comprising: (i) one or more fatty amphiphiles, (ii) one or more surfactants, and (iii) one or more solvents; and an oral carrier phase. In certain embodiments, the gel network is used to structure the oral composition. The present invention is also directed to a method of forming an oral composition containing a gel network.

A system and device for providing a beneficial effect to the oral cavity of a mammal, the system including means for directing a fluid effective to provide the beneficial effect onto a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity; and the hand-held device, the hand-held device being suitable for providing the fluid to the directing means, and including means for providing reciprocation of the fluid, means for controlling the reciprocation of the fluids, means for conveying the fluid through the device system, a reservoir for containing the fluid, a power source and a linear motor.

An integrated or combined oral care device having an oral cleaning device including a handle, and one or more cleaning head assemblies and a fluid irrigation assembly attached or attachable to the oral cleaning device.

Devices for collecting a fluid sample from the oral cavity, the device including a mouthpiece that includes a chamber, the chamber including front and rear inner walls; and means for collecting the fluid sample from the oral cavity; and methods of collecting and analyzing samples of fluid from the oral cavity, including the steps of placing the device in the oral cavity, collecting the fluid sample and conducting an analysis of the fluid sample.

This invention relates to oral care compositions comprising a basic amino acid or salt thereof, and a small particle fraction: and to methods of using and of making these compositions.

A method to create a digital model of a patient's teeth includes creating an impression of the patient's teeth; and scanning the impression using an X-ray source to generate the digital model.

An oral care article in the form of a flexible porous dissolvable solid structure, comprising: from about 1% to about 70% surfactant; from about 10% to about 70% water soluble polymer, from about 0% to about 25% plasticizer; and wherein said article comprises an oral care component and has a density of from about 0.03 g / cm3 to about 0.5 g / cm3.

An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.

A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

An oral appliance compliance monitoring system and method comprises an oral appliance suitable for wearing in a patient's oral cavity during sleeping periods, the oral appliance having one or more sensors measuring a variety of conditions such as oxygen saturation levels in the oral cavity mucosa. The data generated by the sensor is continuously transmitted to a local scanner which is in communication with a central computer. The computer interprets the data to determine if the patent is wearing the oral appliance in compliance with a prescribed treatment regimen for breathing-related sleep disorders. Remotely located computers are authorized to receive the streamed data to enable remote monitoring of compliance in real time by a plurality of patients with treatment regimens.

Disclosed are personal care compositions for use on hair, skin, oral cavity, throat and other mucosal surfaces containing a flavor / perfume system comprising one or more coolants, wherein the pleasant cool and refreshing sensation provided by the coolant is enhanced in terms of quicker onset, greater intensity or impact and / or longer duration, thereby improving appeal and acceptability of the compositions to consumers. In one embodiment the invention provides oral care compositions comprising(a) a flavor composition comprising one or more non-menthol coolants and optionally one or more additional flavor ingredients,(b) a calcium ion source and / or a calcium transport agent sufficient to potentiate and / or modulate the cooling and refreshing sensation provided by the coolant(s), and(c) an orally-acceptable carrier.Upon application to the oral cavity, the compositions provide an immediate onset of cooling sensation which lasts longer than about 15 minutes thereby providing long-lasting clean and fresh mouth impression and encouraging user compliance and repeated use of the compositions.