Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical scanning, including an optical probe capable of motion for optical scanning with respect to both the interior and the exterior of a scanned object, the optical probe also including light conducting apparatus disposed so as to conduct scan illumination from a source of scan illumination through the probe; light reflecting apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination radially away from a longitudinal axis of the probe with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; optical line forming apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination as a line of scan illumination with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; and a lens disposed so as to conduct, through the probe to an optical sensor, scan illumination reflected from the scanned object.

Abstract: A composite particulate material useful in analytical separations processes includes a carbon coating deposited through chemical vapor deposition on a substantially metal-free inorganic oxide particle. The resultant laminate material may be tuned for desired sorption rates and selectivities with respect to analytes of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for administering a sleep disorder are provided. Embodiments include receiving, in a sleep administration module through one or more sensors of an earpiece worn within an ear of a sleeping patient, information regarding the sleep of the patient; deriving, by the sleep administration module from the information regarding the sleep of the patient, one or more biometric values capable of indicating the existence of a sleep disorder; and determining, by the sleep administration module, whether the one or more biometric values indicate that the sleeping patient is presently experiencing a sleep disorder.

Abstract: Method, systems, and products are provided for sleep study. Embodiments include receiving, by a sleep study module, one or more biometric values capable of indicating the existence of a sleep disorder, the biometric values derived from information regarding the sleep of a patient sensed by one or more sensors of an earpiece worn within an ear of a sleeping patient; and recording, by the sleep study module, the plurality of biometric values for evaluation of the patient's sleep.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for determining sleep disorder appliance compliance. Embodiments include receiving, in a sleep disorder compliance module through one or more sensors of an earpiece worn within an ear of a sleeping patient, information regarding the sleep of the patient; deriving, by the sleep disorder compliance module from the information regarding the sleep of the patient, one or more biometric values capable of indicating whether the patient is using a sleep disorder appliance; and determining, by the sleep disorder compliance module, whether the one or more biometric values indicate that the sleeping patient is presently using the sleep disorder appliance.

Abstract: Profiling a manufactured part during its service life, including capturing by an optical scanner images of the part, the part characterized by an expected service life and by attributes with specifications of design values, including capturing the images at more than one time during an actual service life of the part; measuring by a data processor operatively coupled to the scanner, based upon the captured images, actual values of one or more of the attributes when the images are captured; storing, in a database by the data processor operatively coupled to the scanner, the measurements of the actual values of the attributes; and making a determination, from the stored actual values by a data processor operatively coupled to the database, whether the part continues to comply with its specification during the actual service life of the part.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical scanning, including an optical probe capable of motion for optical scanning with respect to both the interior and the exterior of a scanned object, the optical probe also including light conducting apparatus disposed so as to conduct scan illumination from a source of scan illumination through the probe; light reflecting apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination radially away from a longitudinal axis of the probe with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; optical line forming apparatus disposed so as to project scan illumination as a line of scan illumination with at least some of the scan illumination projected onto the scanned object; and a lens disposed so as to conduct, through the probe to an optical sensor, scan illumination reflected from the scanned object.

Abstract: Identifying a damaged tool, including capturing, by an optical scanner, images of a manufactured part machined by the damaged tool; determining, from the captured images by a data processor operatively coupled to the scanner, measurements of the part; and determining, by the data processor based upon the measurements, that the tool is damaged.

Abstract: An in-ear device with one or more proprioceptive features for providing an indication to a subject to help manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. In some embodiments, the one or more proprioceptive features are active and/or passive indicators. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear device.

Abstract: An in-ear device with one or more proprioceptive features for providing an indication to a subject to help manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear device. In some embodiments, the in-ear device is customized based on the configuration of the subject's ear canal when the subject's jaw is in the therapeutic or optimal position.

Abstract: An in-ear device configured to help a subject manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear device. Also disclosed is a method of helping manage at least one symptom associated with TMD by providing an in-ear device for wear while the subject is awake and providing a bite guard for wear at night while the subject is sleeping.

Abstract: An in-ear device with at least one sensor configured to generate a signal to help a subject manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear device.

Abstract: An in-ear orthotic with one or more features to help manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear orthotic to help manage one or more symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder.

Abstract: An in-ear device configured to help a subject manage or reduce pain, discomfort, or other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Also disclosed are methods of using optical scanning to create a three dimensional replication of the ear canal that is used to design a customized in-ear device. Also disclosed is a method of helping manage at least one symptom associated with TMD by customizing a series of in-ear device and modifying the devices over time, where each device in the series is customized to the subject.

Abstract: An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the ear probe comprising a wide-angle lens optically coupled to the image sensor, laser light source, a laser optical element, and a source of non-laser video illumination; the plurality of tracking illumination sensors disposed upon the otoscanner body so as to sense reflections of tracking illumination emitted from the tracking illumination emitter and reflected from tracking targets installed at positions that are fixed relative to the scanned ear; the image sensor coupled for data communications to a data processor, with the data processor configured so that it functions by constructing a 3D image of the interior of the scanned ear.

Abstract: An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the image sensor coupled for data communications to a data processor, with the data processor configured to function by inferring, from a tracked position of the ear probe, previously recorded statistics describing typical ear sizes according to human demographics, and currently recorded demographic information regarding a person whose ear is scanned, the actual present position of the ear probe in relation to at least one part of the scanned ear; and providing a warning when the probe moves within a predefined distance from the part of the scanned ear.

Abstract: A device for scanning a body orifice or surface including a light source and a wide angle lens. The light from the light source is projected in a pattern distal or adjacent to the wide angle lens. Preferably, the pattern is within a focal surface of the wide angle lens. The pattern intersects a surface of the body orifice, such as an ear canal, and defines a partial lateral portion of the pattern extending along the surface. A processor is configured to receive an image of the lateral portion from the wide angle lens and determine a position of the lateral portion in a coordinate system using a known focal surface of the wide angle lens. Multiple lateral portions are reconstructed by the processor to build a three-dimensional shape. This three-dimensional shape may be used for purposes such as diagnostic, navigation, or custom-fitting of medical devices, such as hearing aids.

Abstract: An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the ear probe comprising a wide-angle lens optically coupled to the image sensor, laser light source, a laser optical element, and a source of non-laser video illumination; the plurality of tracking illumination sensors disposed upon the otoscanner body so as to sense reflections of tracking illumination emitted from the tracking illumination emitter and reflected from tracking targets installed at positions that are fixed relative to the scanned ear; the image sensor coupled for data communications to a data processor, with the data processor configured so that it functions by constructing a 3D image of the interior of the scanned ear.

Abstract: An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; the ear probe comprising a wide-angle lens optically coupled to the image sensor, laser light source, a laser optical element, and a source of non-laser video illumination; the display screen coupled for data communications to the image sensor, the display screen displaying images of the scanned ear, the display screen positioned on the otoscanner body in relation to the ear probe so that when the ear probe is positioned for scanning, both the display screen and the ear probe are visible to a operator operating the otoscanner; and a data processor configured to construct a 3D image of the interior of the scanned ear.

Abstract: An otoscanner including an otoscanner body, the body comprising a hand grip, the body having mounted upon it an ear probe, a tracking illumination emitter, a plurality of tracking illumination sensors, and a display screen, the otoscanner body having mounted within it an image sensor; wherein the image sensor operates at a video frame rate that is twice a standard video frame rate; a laser light source is strobed during capture by the image sensor of alternate video frames; video frames are captured by the image sensor when only the non-laser video illumination illuminates the scanned ear; and images for constructing 3D images are captured by the image sensor only when the strobed laser light illuminates the scanned ear.