Abstract: Disclosed is an intraoral scanner, including: a main body having a light projector, a camera lens, and an intake fan disposed therein; a probe tip mount disposed at the front end of the main body, and formed with a light gate; and a probe tip having the probe tip mount inserted into the rear end portion thereof, and having a reflective member for reflecting the light irradiated from the light projector through the light gate into an oral cavity and reflecting the light reflected from the interior of the oral cavity to the camera lens through the light gate disposed on the front end portion thereof. The probe tip mount is further formed with a guide hole for guiding the air flowing into the main body by the intake fan to the reflective member.

Abstract: Described is a vibrating device for delivering energy to at least a portion of a dental appliance. The vibrating device may be inserted into a biting element or attached to a biting element to apply vibrations to the dental appliance to aid in aligning a user's teeth.

Abstract: A method of determining a condition of bone structure in a living organism includes impacting a bone to induce vibration in multiple modes having a resonance frequency in a range of about 400 Hz to about 1000 Hz, detecting at least one modal vibration response of the bone for the at least one mode of vibration, and analyzing the at least one modal vibration response to determine a modal vibration characteristic of the bone. A system for determining a condition of bone structure in a living organism includes a force input device configured to impact a bone to induce vibration having a resonance frequency of about 400 Hz to about 1000 Hz, at least one sensor configured to sense at least one modal vibration response, and a computer configured to collect modal vibration response data and analyze the modal vibration response data to determine a vibration characteristic of the bone.

Abstract: Ventilation information may be presented. Output signals may be received that convey information related to one or more breathing parameters of a subject receiving assisted or controlled mechanical ventilation. Based at least in part on the received output signals, volumetric components of a tidal volume of the subject may be determined. The volumetric components may include an alveolar dead space, an effective alveolar tidal volume, and/or other volumetric components. The alveolar dead space is the volume of inspired gas that occupies alveoli but does not take part in oxygen exchange in the lungs of the subject. The effective alveolar tidal volume is the volume of inspired gas that takes part in oxygen exchange in the lungs of the subject. A visual representation that textually or graphically represents the tidal volume, and/or textually or graphically represents the volumetric components separately from each other may be presented via a user interface.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device including a tissue clamping member defining an area in a Z plane, wherein the tissue clamping member is configured to hold tissue parallel to the Z plane. Methods of use of the tissue stretching device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods of treatment making use of the same.

Abstract: The subject invention provides single use periodontal probes. In preferred embodiments as described herein the probes of the subject invention can be used with a recording apparatus for simultaneously measuring and recording the depth of the periodontal pocket (gingival sulcus) and more particularly, to a unit employing a periodontal depth probe operably connected to a recording device, capable of producing a permanent visual record of the measured pocket depth. In further embodiments, the probes of the subject invention can be used to deliver and/or collect materials for prevention, treatment and/or diagnosis of periodontal conditions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method for measuring skin elasticity that comprises: a probe, wherein the probe comprises one or more holes, a vacuum source, a pressure sensor, and one or more proximity sensors aligned about the one or more holes; and a processor for recording the deformation of the skin using a control unit comprising a microcontroller connected to the proximity and the pressure sensors, wherein the proximity sensor and the processor is adapted to automatically initiate a test when the sensor is positioned at a pre-determined distance from the skin, wherein a vacuum in the probe is capable of pulling skin into the one or more holes and the proximity sensor is capable of measuring an amount of skin drawn into the one or more holes to determine an elasticity of the skin.

Abstract: A method of assessing the quality of periodontal tissue using a dental device having a flat laminar body with a visual indicator thereon. The visual indicator includes a color zone having a color. The method includes positioning the flat laminar body of the dental device under the periodontal tissue in a gap existing between a tooth and a portion of the periodontal tissue covering a neck portion of the tooth; observing the periodontal tissue underneath which the body has been positioned; and determining to what the degree the color of the color zone is apparent through the periodontal tissue.

Abstract: An insert for an oral hygiene handle having a cavity is described. The insert has a load member capable of pivoting with respect to the housing and an output source disposed in electromagnetic communication with the load member, a power source in electrical communication with the output source having first and second contact areas, and an indication element forming an outer facing surface. When the load member pivots a predetermined amount, a first contact arm makes contact with a first contact area and/or a second contact arm makes contact with the second contact area thereby causing the power source to deliver power to the output source, wherein the output source provides electromagnetic energy to the load member, wherein the load member transmits the electromagnetic energy from the output source to the indication element, and wherein load member, the indication element, and the engagement section are integral with one another.

Abstract: An oral function and dysfunction quantification method that automatically records the amount of time required for a laboratory animal to gnaw through multiple obstructions in a tube includes a confinement tube and spring-loaded polymer dowels that actuate timers to precisely record the time required for a rodent to complete a discrete gnawing task. The investigation of human orofacial pain requires an animal test that objectively measures impairment secondary to pain during an oral function (gnawing) that is analogous to behavior that elicits pain in human patients (chewing). The method can also evaluate behavioral change secondary to complex disorders such as anxiety and depression and facilitate evaluation of molecular mechanisms and pharmacologic therapies relevant to chronic orofacial pain and behavioral disorders.

Abstract: The proposed invention is a method and system for the segmentation of dual-axis accelerometry signals for the purposed of identifying problematic swallowing events. The method and system employ a sensor, a data collection means including an algorithm for the analysis of the data. The proposed invention considers the stochastic properties of swallowing signals in both directions, A-P and S-I to extract events associated with swallowing. A segmentation algorithm may be applied to the signals to establish the time duration of swallows and swallows may be classified with respect to gender, body mass index, age or types of swallow.

Abstract: An apparatus for material characterization including a probe for applying a force to a defined section of biologic tissue. The apparatus also includes a sensor to record the force applied onto the biologic tissue by the probe. And, the apparatus includes a data transmission interface to transmit the recorded force to a data processor.

Abstract: An oral device for use with a person in which at least one non-toxic gas pulse is delivered to a predetermined location in the mouth via a device conduit. The oral device may be provided as a kit with at least one device for measuring the subject's responses and representing them as feedback to the subject/clinician. A method of creating a gas bolus pulse train, delivering it to a predetermined mouth area, and monitoring the subject's responses to it, is also shown. The oral device and method may be used as a diagnostic tool, or a therapeutic tool, in swallowing or speech rehabilitation of children and adults who have swallowing, speech, salivary, and/or oral sensorimotor impairments.

Abstract: A system for detecting non-verbal acoustic energy generated by a subject is provided. The system includes a sensor mountable on or in a body region of the subject, the sensor being capable of sensing the non-verbal acoustic energy; and a processing unit being capable of processing the non-verbal acoustic energy sensed by the sensor and deriving an activity related signature therefrom, thereby enabling identification of a specific activity associated with the non-verbal acoustic energy.

Abstract: A method for providing data useful in procedures associated with the oral cavity, in which at least one numerical entity representative of the three-dimensional surface geometry and color of at least part of the intra-oral cavity is provided and then manipulated to provide desired data therefrom.

Abstract: A method for determining a mobility of foot comprising: measuring at least a portion of a shape of the foot under a first weight load; measuring the at least the portion of the shape of the foot under a second weight load; and comparing the measurement under the first weight load to the measurement under the second weight load, thereby determining a mobility of at least the portion of the foot.

Abstract: The discovery of a new coefficient named “Radicular Spectral Attenuation Coefficient-RSAC”, applicable in electronic foramen locators is described. The novelty is the use of the spectral attenuation of a multifrequency electrical current signal, applied through the endodontic file into the tooth canal (TC), to determine the root length and the foramen position. FIG. (2): (2.1), (2.4), (2.8) and (2.2), (2.5), (2.9) are the amplitude and frequency axes, respectively; (2.3) is the electrical current frequency spectrum applied into the TC; (2.6) shows the spectrum exponential decay (2.7) of the signal measured over the TC. In (2.10) the axes (2.4) and (2.5) were logaritmized to linearize the exponential decay. The RSAC is the average inclination of the line (2.11), which is proportional to the distance between the tip of the endodontic file and the apical foramen. The RSAC changes as the tip of the file gets near the foramen.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for measuring the penetration depth of a dental instrument into a root canal of a tooth. The assembly has a base element configured to be clampingly braced onto a tooth to be treated; an electrically conductive guiding member affixable to the base element and disposed, when assembled, above the tooth, thereby, in use, a portion of the dental instrument makes electrical contact with it. The guiding member further includes an electrical terminal connectable to an apex location measuring device. Methods for continuously measuring penetration depths of a dental instrument into a root canal of a tooth are also provided.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a gingival pocket using ultra-sound signals transmitted transgingivally. Transgingival (through the gum) transmission of the ultra-sonic signal permits a completely non-invasion determination of the dental health of an individual. In addition to determining the depth of a gingival pocket the health or disease of the pocket could be determined. The current invention allows for mapping of the underlying dental features of an individual for later comparison to future ultra-sound scans and to assist in fabrication of dental restorations.

Abstract: An endodontic file having an electrically conductive stem with a bottom-cutting portion and a top head for electrically connecting to an instrument to measure the internal cavity of the tooth. A handle is mounted to the head. The middle stem portion of the stem has a surrounding insulating medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe (10) for measuring the depth of detachment between a tooth (30) and the tooth's supporting tissue includes a probe head (12) having an ultrasonic transducer (35). An incident acoustic wave pulse (50) is transmitted through a coupling medium at a critical angle of incidence for refraction at the interface between the coupling medium and the tooth surface (29, 31) to effect modal conversion to a surface acoustic wave pulse along the surface of the tooth (30). The critical angle of incidence is established by means of an angular setting of the ultrasonic transducer (35) in the probe head (12), a combination of the aforementioned angular setting with the ability to rock the probe head (12) to find the critical angle of incidence, and/or a phased array implementation. The disclosure also includes an algorithm for determining the depth of detachment based on the time lapse between transmission and detection of the reflection of the acoustic wave pulses.

Abstract: A hand-held microwave system for intra-oral dentistry utilizes microwave energy to cure polymer materials intra-orally so as to produce dental composites having improved physical characteristics, and also utilizes microwave energy to detect the presence of and to preferentially heat caries or cavities, thereby disinfecting and therapeutically treating the caries in a potentially non-invasive manner. The intra-oral polymerization process can be accomplished with less overall energy and with composite-matrices that maximally absorb the microwave energy so as to reduce heating of adjacent tissue. The antenna of a hand-held version of the intra-oral microwave system is also advantageously designed to detect the presence of and to preferentially heat caries or cavities, thereby disinfecting and therapeutically treating the caries in a potentially non-invasive manner. A method and product by process for the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring quantitatively the energy damping capacity of a specimen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tip of the polymer sleeve of the handpiece of the system is placed directly against the specimen to be tested. The alignment of the handpiece is aided by the polymer tip which maintained the handpiece approximately orthogonal to the specimen surface and a level indicator for aiding the user to keep the handpiece approximately horizontal. Upon the pressing of a finger switch on the handpiece, a magnetic coil within the handpiece propels a tapping rod strikes the specimen multiple times per cycle creating stress waves that traveled through the tapping rod. Vibrations are attenuated by the polymer sleeve so as to not disturb the sensitive measurements. An accelerometer within the handpiece coupled with the tapping rod measures signals corresponding to the resulting stress waves.

Abstract: The periodontal pocket measurement apparatus of the present invention comprises a main handpiece unit provided with a cover member for covering the front end portion thereof, an operation member mounted at the front end of the cover member and being slidable in the longitudinal direction of the cover member, a flexible sleeve attached to the operation member and projecting from the front end of the cover member, and a probe attached to the cover member, passing through the sleeve and being exposable at its tip from the tip of the sleeve, being characterized in that the main handpiece unit is provided with energizing means for pushing a movable portion including the operation member and the sleeve toward the front end.

Abstract: A method of detecting periodontal disease involves attaching a vibration detector to the tooth, causing the tooth to vibrate by means of striking the tooth with a hammer, and then picking up signals corresponding to of the vibration of the tooth for processing by a dynamic signal analyzer and a microprocessor using Fourier analysis. The location of the natural frequency of the tooth is determined based on the lowest point in the image mode and the point of contraflexure in the real mode.

Abstract: A probe for measuring a depth of a periodontal pocket includes an emitting device for emitting, from a position at a distance from the periodontal pocket, a light beam toward the periodontal pocket, a receiving device for receiving, at a position at another distance from the periodontal pocket, the light beam after being reflected on a bottom of the periodontal pocket, and an analyzing device for displaying the depth of the periodontal pocket after a calculation thereof on the basis of an analysis of the light beam received at the receiving device.