Abstract: A laser weld monitoring system capable of assessing a weld quality of welding using a pulsed laser is provided. The system includes at least one sensor capable of capturing a weld characteristic of welding using said pulsed laser. The weld characteristic has multiple attributes. The system also includes data acquisition and processing equipment adapted for storing and analyzing the weld characteristic. A user first performs multiple welds to capture at least one weld characteristic for each weld. The user then determines the weld quality of each weld, and runs at least one of a library of algorithms associated with the attributes on said at least one weld characteristic for each weld to generate a single value output for the associated attribute. The user selects an attribute indicative of the weld quality by correlating the single value outputs of said at least one algorithm with the weld qualities of the welds.

Abstract: A harmonic system for use with metals and alloys such as titanium, steel, copper, gold, aluminum, etc. is disclosed. The harmonic laser system includes an oscillator cavity having a first end mirror and a harmonic separator mirror, an active medium positioned in the oscillator cavity, an electro-optic pump device for optically pumping the active medium to produce a first optical beam at a fundamental wavelength and a non-linear optical crystal positioned in the oscillator cavity to generate a second optical beam at a harmonic wavelength of the first optical beam, wherein the harmonic separator mirror outputs the second optical beam and reflects the first optical beam.

Abstract: An orthodontic buccal tube appliance for use with the molars has a tube with a mesial, open-ended cylindrical passage and a distal rectangular passage aligned with the cylindrical passage. The tube is thus adapted for use with either round or rectangular wire in accordance with the preference of the orthodontist. A funnel-shaped wall connects the cylindrical passage to the rectangular passage in order to guide an end of rectangular wire toward a position within the rectangular passage.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket or similar orthodontic appliance is made of a polycrystalline ceramic having a translucency which minimizes visibility of the appliance when mounted on a tooth. The ceramic is formed by pressing a powder material, such as high purity aluminum oxide, and sintering to yield a single phase appliance having substantially zero porosity and an average grain size preferably in the range of 10 to 30 microns. The substantially color-free ceramic appliance has desirable strength and other mechanical properties combined with a translucency which permits the natural color of the tooth to diffusely show through in a fashion tending to make the appliance blend with and disappear against the tooth.

Abstract: A preformed, elastomeric orthodontic ligature includes a molded protrusion or bumper portion integrally connected to an occlusal region of a ring portion of the ligature. When the ligature is connected to a bracket, the bumper portion extends over occlusal surfaces of the bracket including an occlusal tie wing in order to prevent direct contact of the bracket with an opposing tooth. In preferred embodiments, the bumper portion is connected to the ring portion by a thin web which is configured to enable the ring portion to firmly seat under the tie wing and also enables the bumper portion to conform to the occlusal surfaces of the bracket such that the ring portion does not normally stretch and disengage the tie wings during mastication.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic debonding instrument has jaws that may be opened to place jaw tips over mesial and distal sides of the bracket, and then closed to enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket sides. An actuator is moveable along the length of a handle of the instrument, and cooperates with a lever arm fixed to the moveable jaw to facilitate precise movement of the latter and enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket when the jaws are closed. A slight, quick pivotal movement of the instrument handle by the user presents a torsional force to the bracket base which is particularly advantageous when debonding ceramic orthodontic brackets.

Abstract: Ceramic orthodontic brackets are bonded to teeth with dental adhesive. Each bracket has a silica-containing layer on the tooth facing base of the bracket. A silanation layer is also applied to the base. The silanation layer is deposited from a solution containing a first silane coupling agent reactive with organic resin in the adhesive and a second silane coupling agent having a non-reactive orgainc group. Collectively the silanes occupy all of the silanation sites on the silica-containing substrate. By controlling the ratio of reactive and non-reactive silane coupling agents, the bond strength between the substrate and the adhesive can be controlled. A set of ceramic orthodontic brackets can have uniform force of removal by varying the porportions of silane coupling agents on the brackets.

Abstract: A case for holding and dispensing small components such as orthodontic O-rings. Most of the component is fictionally or otherwise retained within the case, and only a small component portion extends from the case to be accessible to and grasped by the tips of a plier-like extraction tool. The case prevents the tool tips from closing over the entire component which would require component repositioning before placement.

Abstract: A unitary dispenser for elastomeric orthodontic devices such as ligatures and teeth separators has a circular carrier band that carries a series of the devices. A central, flat web is connected to the inner periphery of the band and extends across the middle of the dispenser to provide a centrally disposed gripping section. The web is preferably thinner than the carrier band and thus facilitates one-handed manipulation of the dispenser without visual observation. In use, the dispenser is rotated about a central axis when the web is gripped between a thumb and forefinger in order to bring each of the O-rings into a convenient position for detachment from the carrier band.

Abstract: A sintered-metal convertible buccal tube for orthodontic use, and having a body with an integrally formed cover plate closing an outer side of an arch-wire slot. Lines of weakness are defined along opposite side edges of the cover plate so the plate can be sheared away from the body to open the slot at a later treatment phase.

Abstract: A triwing orthodontic bracket for mandibular teeth, and having a single wide occlusal tie wing of enhanced structural strength, and a pair of spaced-apart gingival tie wings which enable rotational tooth movement and simplified ligature installation.

Abstract: Debonding of cemented orthodontic brackets from teeth by application of a quick twisting force to fracture the adhesive bond. A torquing tool has slotted ends making a close slip fit over mesial and distal side surfaces of the bracket, and has a flattened center section providing a good tactile sense of applied force. The method and tool are especially useful with brackets made of brittle ceramic material.

Abstract: A multicompartment box for storing and dispensing sets of small parts such as orthodontic brackets. The box has a vacuum-formed base with cavity-like depressions for receiving the parts, and a transparent lid is slidably mounted on the base to cover and uncover the parts. The base defines button-like buttons or projections which fit into mating lid grooves arranged to retain the lid on the box, and to releasably secure the lid in the closed position.

Abstract: An electrically heated thermode mounts to a support movable to position the thermode for multiple lead reflow soldering and includes a flat resistance element folded on its flat side in a U-shape structure in which the bight portion forms the pressing portion and the legs the terminal portions of the thermode. To overcome a problem arising where a group of joints to be soldered have varying height tops, the way in which the thermode is mounted to the movable support provides freedom of rotational movement of the thermode relative to the support while providing a low resistance electrical connection between support and the thermode terminal portions. To overcome a problem arising because opposite end joints sink more heat than interior joints, terminal plates are shaped and connected to the terminal portions so as to distribute a sheet of current in a way that more of the current flows along side edges than along the interior portion of the U-shaped structure.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and palatal bar system for lingual placement in the maxillary dental arch. The bracket provides a generally vertical socket to receive a pin on the adjacent end of the palatal bar by upward movement of the bar within the mouth. The bar has an antirotation link which seats in a mating bracket slot, and the bracket includes a separate rectangular slot to receive an edgewise arch wire.

Abstract: A convertible-buccal-tube orthodontic bracket of compact design, and having an auxiliary-appliance hook which is gingivally inclined to prevent occlusal interference.

Abstract: A front body or plate for disposition in front of an arch wire is connected to a fork for disposition behind the arch wire by a crosstie forming a mounting that can be slid lengthwise of the arch wire to enable the fork to embrace the body of a tooth bracket behind the arch wire. A saddle projecting from the front body opposite the fork projects rearward to form a socket engageable with the arch wire by movement transversely of the arch wire. The prong of the fork nearer the rearward projection of the saddle may be shorter than the prong of the fork farther from the rearward projection to facilitate installation of the mounting.

Abstract: A head (9) projecting from the end of a rod body (1') or from the apex of a flat trifurcated quadrant body (1) has an offset fixed prong (10) projecting from its end which is crossed by a movable prong (22) carried by a rocker (20) mounted on the head and tiltable to alter the spacing between the prongs. The tip portions (13 and 25) of the prongs have notches (14 and 26) facing away from each other to hold a ligature ring (37) in stretched condition for application to the wings (44 and 45) of an orthodontic tooth bracket (39). The tip portions of the prongs are canted relative to the prong shanks to be disposed in parallel planes and a line passing through the notches is at an angle to one edge of the body. The notch (26) in the movable prong (22) is deeper than the notch (14) in the stationary prong (10) and the portion of the shallower notch (14) adjacent to the tip of the prong forms the prong tip as a probe.

Abstract: A force-producing connector connecting a force reaction orthodontic headcap or neckstrap and a J-hook for applying a force to a wearer's jaw includes a slide carrying a force-producing spring and guided for movement lengthwise of an elongated sidepiece base. The elongated base has a row of slots extending lengthwise of it selectively engageable by the toe of a pawl pivoted on the slide, which pawl can be held in locking position by a latch including an aperture in the pawl engageable with a catch on a post carried by the slide over which the pawl aperture can be moved.