181 results about "Oral tissue" patented technology

The invention provides a method and system for ablation of body structures or tissue in a sphincter, sinus or orifice such as the rectum, colon, esophagus, vagina, penis, larynx or pharynx. In one aspect of the invention, the environment surrounding the targeted ablation region can be isolated or controlled by blocking the flow of gases or liquids using an inflatable balloon positioned immediately adjacent to the tissue that is to be ablated. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable balloon also serves to anchor the catheter in place and prevent the catheter from being expelled from the body. The inflatable balloon also insures that locally administered drug remain in the area where most needed. In a second aspect of the invention, positive pressure is used to inflate the balloon. Inflation of balloon triggers the extension of at least one curvilinear electrode into the targeted tissue. Negative pressure deflates the air sac and helps retract the curvilinear electrodes so as to allow the catheter to be removed from the body without damaging adjacent body structures. In a third aspect of the invention, the electrodes are coupled to sensors that measure properties of the target region such as temperature and impedance. Measurement of these properties permits the use of feedback technique to control delivery of the RF energy and administration of fluids for cooling and hydrating the affected tissues. In a fourth aspect of the invention, the catheter includes an optical path that can be coupled to external viewing apparatus. In this way, the position of the electrodes in the body can be determined by fluoroscopic or fiber optic techniques.

The present invention provides a method of making and aligning digital images from oral tissues, dental implants, healing components, and dental restorations to design and manufacture dental implant retained restorations. Image data about the space available for the planned restoration, orientation of dental implants or abutments and aesthetic contour and occlusion of the prosthesis are all integrated into a virtual three-dimensional model of the prosthesis that can be sent to the clinician or laboratory to validate design intent and to manufacture the prosthesis. The virtual model is used by either a conventional rapid prototyping machine to produce a castable pattern or a number controlled mill to machine the restoration.

The invention discloses a digitalized making method of a dental orthodontic appliance. The digitalized making method comprises the steps of acquiring CT (Computed Tomography) data and carrying out intraoral scanning; reconstructing a three-dimensional oral tissue model to obtain bones and teeth; reconstructing intraoral scanning data to obtain gingivas and accurate teeth; compounding two models to obtain a composite model; calculating key parameters including tooth movement amount, required orthodontic force and moment, and force applying mode and the like, discharging a treated target dentition; accurately calculating a mode of moving each tooth and a movement distance or an angle, calculating a required force and moment; calculating required shape and size parameters of an SMP force applying mechanism, and further designing a force applying unit; generating an immobilizing structure according to the three-dimensional model of each tooth on the basis of the surface; designing accessories according to certain special movements so as to obtain an integral structure of an integrated orthodontic appliance; making an integrated orthodontic appliance by using a three-dimensional printer integrally formed from multiple materials, and providing the integrated orthodontic appliance for being clinically used by a doctor; and during clinical use, heating the integrated orthodontic appliance to a phase change temperature to ensure that the force applying unit becomes soft and is conveniently adhered and fixed on the surface of the tooth. An integrated fixed appliance manufactured by using the method comprises a force applying unit, an immobilizing unit and accessories.

Treatment compositions in the shape of a strip or patch include a substantially solid adhesive layer and a treatment gel. A barrier layer may be included on an outer surface of the adhesive layer to form a treatment strip. The adhesive layer comprises a substantially solid adhesive composition that has increased adhesiveness to oral tissue when moistened with saliva or water. The adhesive layer is formed from an intermediate composition that is heated to drive off the solvent. Using a treatment gel separate from the adhesive layer improves the potency and stability of an active agent that is sensitive to heat, as the treatment gel is typically not heated prior to use like the adhesive layer. The adhesiveness of the treatment composition or strip facilitates placement over a person's teeth. The moistened adhesive composition reliably adheres the treatment composition or strip against a user's teeth during a desired procedure. Because a substantial portion of the adhesive composition remains solid or semi-solid during treatment, the adhesive composition maintains a substantial portion of its adhesive properties and internal cohesive strength compared to, e.g., a treatment gel used by itself.

Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and / or transducer assembly through a dental patch are disclosed herein. The patch assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded intra-orally on a tooth or oral tissue. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

A method and system for fabricating a dental prosthesis are provided. High resolution digital scanned images of a patient's oral structures are acquired. Three dimensional (3D) cone beam X-ray images of hard and soft oral tissues are acquired. The scanned images are integrated with the 3D cone beam X-ray images in a 3D space to obtain combined three dimensional images of the oral structures. The occlusal relationship between upper and lower oral structures are digitally simulated using the combined three dimensional images. The dental prosthesis is digitally modeled for planning intra-oral positioning and structure of the dental prosthesis. The digital dental prosthesis model is refined based on simulated force tests performed for assessing interference and retention of the digital dental prosthesis model. A prospective dental prosthesis model is created based on the refined digital dental prosthesis model. The dental prosthesis is fabricated based on a verified prospective dental prosthesis model.

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient's mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.