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US 7,553,157 B2Granted
Systems and methods for dental appliance compliance indication
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsAmir Abolfathi, Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.
Claims32
An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance, the apparatus comprising:
- an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth;
- and
- a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance by demonstrating a change in at least one characteristic of the indicator, wherein the changed characteristic comprises a release of a colorant within the appliance.
An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance, the apparatus comprising:
- an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth;
- and
- a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance by demonstrating a change in at least one characteristic of the indicator, wherein the changed characteristic comprises a change in at least one optical property due to stretching of a polymer network of the indicator.
An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance, the apparatus comprising:
- an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth;
- and
- a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance by demonstrating a change in at least one characteristic of the indicator, wherein the changed characteristic comprises at least one of color, shape, and size, and wherein the indicator comprises at least one indicator selected from the group including:
- a colored pressure sensitive adhesive with a backing film;
- a time-temperature strip to detect a wearing duration in a predetermined temperature range;
- and
- a plurality of brushes each having a usage indicia that is incrementally exposed during use to indicate compliance.
4 more elements
An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance, the apparatus comprising:
- an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth;
- and
- a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance by demonstrating a change in at least one characteristic of the indicator, wherein the change is affected by a change in permeability of a stretched polymer or stretched membrane of the indicator, and wherein the changed characteristic comprises at least one of color, shape, and size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.