Abstract: Techniques are described for automating the design and manufacture a dental restoration appliance for restoring the dental anatomy of a patient. For example, a system processes a digital three-dimensional (3D) model of a future (desired) dental anatomy of a patient, the future dental anatomy representing an intended shape of at least one tooth of the patient. The system includes a landmark identifier configured to automatically compute, based on the digital 3D model of the future dental anatomy of the patient, one or more landmarks of the future dental anatomy of the patient. The system also includes a custom feature generator configured to automatically generate, based on the one or more landmarks, one or more custom appliance features for a dental appliance for restoring the at least one tooth of the patient. The system further includes a memory device configured to store a digital model of the dental appliance.

Abstract: A custom tool for forming a dental restoration in a mouth of a patient includes a custom tool for forming a dental restoration in a mouth of a patient comprising: a mold body for a patient-specific, customized fit with the facial side and the lingual side of at least two adjacent teeth of the patient, and a flexible film, wherein the mold body is configured to combine with the flexible film to form a mold cavity encompassing missing tooth structure of at least one tooth to be restored.

Abstract: A custom tool for forming a dental restoration in a mouth of a patient includes a facial mold body for a patient-specific, customized fit with the facial side of at least one tooth of the patient, wherein the facial mold body includes a restorative portion and a first engagement portion extending away from the restorative portion; a lingual mold body for a patient-specific, customized fit with the lingual side of the tooth of the patient, wherein the lingual mold body includes a restorative portion and a first engagement portion extending away from the restorative portion; wherein the first engagement portion of the facial mold body interlocks with the first engagement portion of the lingual mold body; and wherein the facial mold body and lingual mold body are configured to combine with the tooth of the patient to form a mold cavity encompassing missing tooth structure of at least one tooth to be restored.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a breathing tube retainer and a respirator that utilizes the breathing tube retainer are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the breathing tube retainer can include a mask attachment portion configured to connect the retainer to a face mask of a respirator, and a tube attachment portion including an arm that connects the tube attachment portion to the mask attachment portion. The tube attachment portion can further include a tube receiver configured to receive a breathing tube of the respirator.

Abstract: A custom tool for forming a dental restoration in a mouth of a patient. The custom tool includes a facial mold body for a patient-specific, customized fit with the facial side of at least one tooth of the patient, wherein the facial mold body includes a restorative portion, at least one aperture aligned with a portion of a surface of a tooth to be restored and at least one door having an inner surface forming a portion of the mold cavity encompassing missing tooth structure of the tooth to be restored, wherein the door mates with the aperture; a lingual mold body for a patient-specific, customized fit with the lingual side of the tooth of the patient, wherein the lingual mold body includes a restorative portion; wherein the facial mold body and lingual mold body are configured to interlock together; and wherein the facial mold body and lingual mold body are configured to combine with the tooth of the patient to form a mold cavity encompassing missing tooth structure of at least one tooth to be restored.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a breathing tube retainer and a respirator that utilizes the breathing tube retainer are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the breathing tube retainer can include a mask attachment portion configured to connect the retainer to a face mask of a respirator, and a tube attachment portion including an arm that connects the tube attachment portion to the mask attachment portion.

Abstract: Static mixers and fluid systems incorporating one or more of the static mixers. The static mixers include a mixing structure formed within a body, wherein fluid flowing through the mixing structure defines a downstream direction through the mixing structure. The mixing structure includes a series of Y-shaped channels that cross to provide flowpaths that result in efficient mixing.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the thermal processing of samples are disclosed, including sample processing devices featuring an overflow region for retaining excess fluid, as well as portable sealing apparatuses for occluding channels in a sample processing device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the thermal processing of samples are disclosed, including portable, integrated processing assemblies for occluding channels in a fluidic device.

Abstract: Processing devices that include one or more process arrays with thermal transfer structures that can be used alone or in conjunction with gravity/rotation to transport fluids within a microfluidic system. The thermal transport function can be accomplished by changing the temperature of one or more chambers to create a vacuum to draw fluids in selected directions within the process array. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may provide the ability to move fluids in a direction that is against the direction of gravity or any centrifugal forces generated by rotating a processing device using the thermal transfer structures. In other words, fluids may be moved against the direction of gravity or towards the axis of rotation using the thermally-activated vacuum.

Abstract: Static mixers and fluid systems incorporating one or more of the static mixers. The static mixers include a mixing structure formed within a body, wherein fluid flowing through the mixing structure defines a downstream direction through the mixing structure. The mixing structure includes a series of Y-shaped channels that cross to provide flowpaths that result in efficient mixing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a base plate adapted to rotate about a rotation axis. The base plate can include at least one first magnetic element. The system can further include an annular cover, and a sample processing device comprising at least one thermal process chamber. The annular cover can include an inner edge, an outer edge, and at least one second magnetic element. The method can include positioning the sample processing device between the base plate and the annular cover, such that the inner edge of the annular cover is positioned inwardly of the at least one thermal process chamber, and such that the at least one first magnetic element attracts the at least one second magnetic element to force the annular cover in a first direction along the z-axis, urging the sample processing device into contact with the base plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning the process chambers of microfluidic sample processing devices in the proper focal plane of a microplate reader are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be adaptable to position the sample processing devices at different heights as may be necessary for processing in different microplate readers. A positioning device is used in connection with the sample processing device to locate the process chambers within the focal plane of the microplate reader.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for amplifying nucleic acid after isolating nucleic acid from a sample using functionalized support material.

Abstract: Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The assemblies include carriers and sample processing devices with process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. The carriers may be used to apply selective compression to the sample processing devices.

Abstract: Sample processing devices may include compression structures that provide for the transfer of force from a platen to a platform such as a thermal block on which the sample processing device is located during processing. The sample processing devices may include a fill reservoir structure with various features such as arcuate edges, radially aligned exit channels, support structures, and selectively variable heights with a corresponding variable volume distribution.