Alan Donald Morris

US Patent:

6793489, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024125

Inventors:

Alan C. Morris - Salt Lake City UT
Craig A. Mabrito - Bellaire TX
Matthew R. Roberts - Idaho Falls ID

Assignee:

DenTech, L.L.C. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 500

US Classification:

433 26, 4332031, 356404, 356421, 382165

Abstract:

A method of making a patients dental prosthesis (e. g. , a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patients teeth that contain black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7563095, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Sep 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/946666

Inventors:

Alan C. Morris - Salt Lake City UT, US
Craig A. Mabrito - Bellaire TX, US
Matthew R. Roberts - Idaho Falls ID, US

Assignee:

DenTech, LLC - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 5/00

US Classification:

433 26

Abstract:

A method of making a patient's dental prosthetic (e. g. , prosthetic tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contains black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.

US Patent:

61488143, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Feb 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/613728

Inventors:

Terry P. Clemmer - Salt Lake City UT
Thomas D. East - Salt Lake City UT
Alan H. Morris - Salt Lake City UT
James F. Orme - Park City UT
George E. Thomsen - Salt Lake City UT
C. Jane Wallace - Salt Lake City UT
Lindell K. Weaver - Salt Lake City UT
Mary R. Suchyta - Salt Lake City UT

Assignee:

IHC Health Services, Inc - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820024

Abstract:

A method and system for managing mechanical ventilation of patients with respiratory disorders is described. The main objective of the system is to generate executable instructions for patient care which take into account a large number of parameters of patient condition and ventilation. Data regarding the state of the patient are stored in a database. Patient data are processed according to a set of protocols which contain rules for patient care decisions arranged in a logical sequence to generate detailed, executable instructions for patient care. Instructions are updated when new data are entered into the database. The data can be acquired in an automated fashion, or the clinician can be instructed to collect and enter new data into the clinical database. Likewise, patient care instructions can be carried out automatically or manually, but it is preferred that instructions are carried out manually as a safety check. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a computer system, software for processing patient data, and a display device for presenting patient care instructions to the clinician.

US Patent:

63285673, Dec 11, 2001

Filed:

Jan 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/477777

Inventors:

Alan C. Morris - Salt Lake City UT
Craig A. Mabrito - Belair TX

Assignee:

DenTech, LLC - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 500
A61C 1910
A61C 1308

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

Methods, apparatuses and systems for tooth shade analysis and matching are disclosed. A method embodiment according to the invention includes acquiring at least one image, the image including one or more teeth of a patient and normalization references, normalizing the at least one image in accordance with the normalization references, determining the color of the teeth as composed of colors from one or more selected shade standards, communicating the standardized color information to a dental laboratory, manufacturing a dental prosthesis based on the standardized color information and installing the dental prosthetic. Normalization is performed to correct patient images for variations in lighting conditions and image source. Normalization references include a black reference, a white reference and at least one color reference. The normalized image is standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards.

US Patent:

61901709, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Jan 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/234585

Inventors:

Alan C. Morris - Salt Lake City UT
Craig A. Mabrito - Bellaire TX
Matthew R. Roberts - Idaho Falls ID

Assignee:

Dentech, LLC - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 500

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

A patient's dental prosthesis (e. g. , a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) is made by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contains black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the image. The image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth.

US Patent:

63311135, Dec 18, 2001

Filed:

Nov 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/715273

Inventors:

Alan C. Morris - Salt Lake City UT
Craig A. Mabrito - Bellaire TX
Matthew R. Roberts - Idaho Falls ID

Assignee:

Dentech, L.L.C. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

A61C 500

US Classification:

433215

Abstract:

A patient's dental prosthesis (e. g. , a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) is made by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contains black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.