SmileDirectClub has been granted a patent for a fixture plate designed to support dental models with aligner material. The plate includes channels for suction force generated by a vacuum system to retain the model in place. A viewing port allows access to identifiers on the model’s surface. GlobalData’s report on SmileDirectClub gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on SmileDirectClub, Digital intra-oral scanning was a key innovation area identified from patents. SmileDirectClub's grant share as of January 2024 was 39%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Fixture plate for dental models with aligner material and suction
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11883251B2) discloses a fixture plate designed for supporting a dental model with aligner material. The fixture plate includes a base with a contact face, channels for suction force, a bore for coupling with a vacuum system, and a viewing port for accessing identifiers on the dental model. The suction force retains the dental model and excess material against the contact face. Additionally, the fixture plate features protrusions for orienting the dental model, an O-ring for sealing, and a rotatable bore for hose coupling while maintaining suction force.
Furthermore, the patent describes a system incorporating the fixture plate to support a dental model with aligner material, a cutting tool for trimming the material to produce a dental aligner, and additional features like protrusions for orientation, O-ring for sealing, and a rotatable bore for hose coupling. The cutting tool is specified as a computer numerical control (CNC) cutting tool, enhancing precision and efficiency in the aligner production process. The system provides a comprehensive solution for aligner manufacturing, ensuring accurate trimming of the material thermoformed to the dental model for optimal aligner creation.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
