US5616899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for managing cases in dental laboratory
Assignee: RECIGNO LABORATORIES Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1997-04-01
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Expires: 2015-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for managing the processing of dental appliances being fabricated in a dental laboratory. The fabrication of such appliances is achieved in a series of iterations, the first of the iterations occurring upon receipt of a prescription from the doctor for fabricating the appliance therefrom. Subsequent iterations occur upon return of the appliance by the doctor to the laboratory for additional processing. The system comprises a digital processing means, a data collection means, and data storage means. The data collection means is arranged to collect process related data associated with each iteration. The data storage means is arranged to store said process related data associated with each iteration while preserving previously stored data associated with prior iterations. Data indicative of the history of the fabrication of the appliance through all of the iterations is available to the operator of the laboratory for analysis and the effective and efficient management of the laboratory.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Recigno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:38
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H10/00; G16H10/40; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for managing the processing of dental appliances being fabricated in a dental laboratory wherein the fabrication of such appliances is achieved in iterations, with the first of said iterations comprising receipt of a prescription from the doctor for fabricating the appliance therefrom, and with subsequent iterations comprising return of the appliance by the doctor to the laboratory for additional processing, said system comprises digital processing means, a data collection means, and data storage means, said data collection means being arranged to collect process related data associated with each iteration, data storage means being arranged to store said process related data associated with each iteration while preserving previously stored data associated with prior iterations, whereupon data indicative of the history of the fabrication of the appliance through all of the iterations is available to the operator of the laboratory for analysis and the effective and efficient management of the laboratory, said data collection means comprising a bar-code scanner and wherein said system additionally comprises a work ticket, a prescription return form and a shipping label, each having at least one bar-code label containing said process related data and readable by said bar-code scanner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A system for managing the processing of dental appliances being fabricated in a dental laboratory wherein the fabrication of such appliances is achieved in iterations, with the first of said iterations comprising receipt of a prescription from the doctor for fabricating the appliance therefrom, and with subsequent iterations comprising return of the appliance by the doctor to the laboratory for additional processing, said system comprises digital processing means, a data collection means, and data storage means, said data collection means being arranged to collect process related data associated with each iteration, data storage means being arranged to store said process related data associated with each iteration while preserving previously stored data associated with prior iterations, whereupon data indicative of the history of the fabrication of the appliance through all of the iterations is available to the operator of the laboratory for analysis and the effective and efficient management of the laboratory, said data collection means comprising a bar-code scanner and wherein said system additionally comprises a work ticket, a prescription return form and a shipping label, each having at least one bar-code label containing said process related data and readable by said bar-code scanner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said bar-code label of said work ticket contains information identifying the workstations at which processing steps are to be performed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said bar-code label of said prescription return form contains doctor identification, case identification, and prescription identification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said bar-code label of said shipping label contains a doctor's identification and shipping address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system additionally comprises a bar code printer and wherein said work ticket, prescription return form and shipping label are printed on said bar-code printer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said bar-code printer is a laser printer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said bar-code printer is a thermal printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the dental laboratory includes a plurality of divisions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said bar-code scanner is hand-holdable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said bar-code scanner is portable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said digital processing means comprises a server workstation and plural client workstations, said client workstations being located within selected departments of the dental laboratory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said data collection means comprises a bar-code scanner capable of serving said plural client work stations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said bar-code scanner is capable of processing data in batch mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said bar-code scanner is capable of processing data in single case mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said bar-code scanner contains a microprocessor and memory for storing said process related data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said system additionally comprises a network, said network comprising a communication channel connecting said server workstation with at least one said client workstation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said client workstation is a microcomputer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said server workstation is a microcomputer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said data storage means comprises a relational database.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-31 | 2000-09-30 | 2001-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-31 | 2004-09-30 | 2005-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-09-30 | 2009-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |