Abstract: Disclosed are edge couplers having a high coupling efficiency and low polarization dependent loss, and methods of making the edge couplers. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device for optical coupling is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an optical waveguide over the substrate; and a plurality of layers over the optical waveguide. The plurality of layers includes a plurality of coupling pillars disposed at an edge of the semiconductor device. The plurality of coupling pillars form an edge coupler configured for optically coupling the optical waveguide to an optical fiber placed at the edge of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A dental vibration device is provided. The dental vibration device includes a controller, a mouthpiece, and a plurality of transmission elements. The transmission elements include a central transmission element, a left transmission element, and a right transmission element. The controller is housed in a casing. Each transmission element is coupled to a vibration motor. Each transmission element extends from the casing and is inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is composed of an anterior teeth part, a left posterior teeth part, and a right posterior teeth part spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are edge couplers having a high coupling efficiency and low polarization dependent loss, and methods of making the edge couplers. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device for optical coupling is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; an optical waveguide over the substrate; and a plurality of layers over the optical waveguide. The plurality of layers includes a plurality of coupling pillars disposed at an edge of the semiconductor device. The plurality of coupling pillars form an edge coupler configured for optically coupling the optical waveguide to an optical fiber placed at the edge of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a substrate with a gate structure, an insulating structure over the gate structure, and a S/D region; depositing a titanium silicide layer over the S/D region with a first chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The first CVD process includes a first hydrogen gas flow. The method also includes depositing a titanium nitride layer over the insulating structure with a second CVD process. The second CVD process includes a second hydrogen gas flow. The first and second CVD processes are performed in a single reaction chamber and a flow rate of the first hydrogen gas flow is higher than a flow rate of the second hydrogen gas flow.

Abstract: A method of producing a positioning guide for an orthodontic bracket is provided. The method includes determining and fixing a position of the orthodontic bracket in relation to a side surface of a corresponding tooth of a setup dental model, wherein the setup dental model has a dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment; forming a rigid guiding structure with a first part covering the outer surface of each orthodontic bracket and a second part covering the occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth; and forming a flexible linking structure to connect the first part and the second part of the rigid guiding structure to obtain the positioning guide for the respective orthodontic bracket, wherein the rigid guiding structure is inflexible and the flexible linking structure is elastic and retains form.

Abstract: A method of producing a positioning guide for an orthodontic bracket is provided. The method includes determining and fixing a position of the orthodontic bracket in relation to a side surface of a corresponding tooth of a setup dental model, wherein the setup dental model has a dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment; forming a rigid guiding structure with a first part covering the outer surface of each orthodontic bracket and a second part covering the occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth; and forming a flexible linking structure to connect the first part and the second part of the rigid guiding structure to obtain the positioning guide for the respective orthodontic bracket, wherein the rigid guiding structure is inflexible and the flexible linking structure is elastic and retains form.

Abstract: A vibration device for dental use is provided, including a support member and a vibration transmission member. The support member is adapted to fit in the space between the upper and lower teeth on one side of the mouth, and includes a frame and an elastic layer. The frame is configured to maintain a shape defining an inner cavity having a first opening formed on the first side of the support member and a second opening formed on the second side of the support member. The elastic layer covers the surfaces of the frame. The vibration transmission member has a connector end for coupling to a vibration source and an insertion end configured to be inserted into the inner cavity of the support member so as to transmit the vibration energy generated by the vibration source to the upper and lower teeth of the patient.

Abstract: An orthodontic device is provided, including an anchorage structure, a palatal expansion structure, and at least one protrusion. The anchorage structure includes left and right posterior teeth caps configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; a palatal bar connecting the left and right posterior teeth caps; and an expanded arch extending from the left posterior teeth cap to the right posterior teeth cap. The palatal expansion structure includes: left and right anterior teeth parts configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; and expansion screws connecting the left anterior teeth part and the right anterior teeth part to each other and to the palatal bar. The at least one protrusion is formed on then occlusal side of the expanded arch and configured to contact the patient's mandibular dental arch when the orthodontic device is worn.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided, including a main body, a cover, and an elastic spring element. The main body has an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire. The cover is hingedly connected to the main body, and the cover can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The open position exposes the archwire slot and the closed position covers the archwire slot. The elastic spring element is disposed in the main body, coupled to the cover and the main body, and configured to generate a force that moves the cover into the open position.

Abstract: A system for generating occlusal loading is provided, including a loading appliance and a controller. The loading appliance includes three load transmission elements and three actuators. The load transmission elements are adapted to be positioned between upper and lower anterior teeth of the patient and between upper and lower posterior teeth on the left and right sides of the patient's mouth, respectively. The load transmission elements are separated from each other. The actuators are coupled to the load transmission elements, respectively. The controller is configured to control the three actuators to actuate the three load transmission elements individually and sequentially, with a rest period between successive actions of the three load transmission elements, to transmit vibration energy from the three actuators to the patient's periodontal tissues of the anterior teeth, the left posterior teeth, and the right posterior teeth.

Abstract: A multifunctional handheld scanner includes a scanner main body (100) and a volume measuring module (200). The scanner main body (100) has a work surface (101) and a barcode capturing unit (102) exposed on the work surface (102). The volume measuring module (200) is disposed on the work surface (101) and has: photographic lenses (201a, 201b), an optical distance measuring unit (300) and an optical projection unit (400). The photographic lenses (201a, 201b) define a measuring zone (204). The optical distance measuring unit (300) is disposed corresponding to the measuring zone (204). The optical projection unit (400) projects an aiming indication cursor (410) toward a projection zone (401), wherein the projection zone (401) is located within the measuring zone (204).

Abstract: An orthodontic correction device includes a masticatory unit with a rigid body. The masticatory unit can be removably worn on a dental arch and does not deform when accommodating misaligned teeth. A recess is formed in the masticatory unit to accommodate a tooth of the dental arch which requires orthodontic correction. A guiding groove is formed on the occlusal surface of the masticatory unit. An elastic member is configured to stretch across the occlusal surface of the masticatory unit, retained in the guiding groove, and coupled with several connection parts affixed to the buccal surface and lingual surface of the tooth. Occlusal loading generated during mastication is transmitted to the teeth of the dental arch through the masticatory unit and activates the elastic member to move the tooth to its desired position. The orientation of the guiding groove determines the moving direction of the tooth.

Abstract: A masticatory orthodontic device includes a masticatory unit with a rigid body. The masticatory unit is configured to be removably worn on a dental arch, wherein when worn during mastication, the shape of the masticatory unit is maintained even under a stress from occlusal forces. The masticatory unit includes a teeth-receiving surface with several recesses for accommodating teeth of the dental arch. A shape memory mesh is disposed between the teeth-receiving surface and the dental arch, configured to remember the shape of the teeth in target teeth positions to guide teeth movements from initial teeth positions toward the target teeth positions. A buffering member is disposed between the teeth-receiving surface and the shape memory mesh. Occlusal forces loading on the masticatory unit are transmitted to the shape memory mesh and the teeth through the buffering member, to achieve teeth movements in the recesses.

Abstract: An orthodontic correction device includes a correction unit that is adapted to be removably worn on a dental arch. The correction unit includes at least one first receiving part for receiving at least one first tooth which needs correction. The shape of the first receiving part allows the first tooth to move toward the alveolar bone. At least one elongated opening is formed on the occlusal surface of the correction unit and extends to the lingual surface and the buccal surface of the correction unit. The opening exposes parts of the occlusal surface, the lingual surface and the buccal surface of the first tooth. A force exerting assembly is configured to contact the first tooth through the opening, thereby exerting a force on the first tooth to press the first tooth into the alveolar bone.

Abstract: An orthodontic correction device is provided, including a shell having a number of teeth receiving cavities configured to receive teeth of a dental arch of a patient. A first elastic member holding feature is formed on one side of the shell and corresponds to an undercut region of a tooth of the dental arch. A first orthodontic elastic member is coupled to the first elastic member holding feature and extends to the interior of the shell to engage with the undercut region of the tooth, thereby enhancing the retention of the orthodontic correction device on the dental arch.

Abstract: Laser weldable compositions are provided which in various examples include a tricyclodecane dimethanol-modified copolymer, a terephthalate-type polyester and an inorganic filler. Compared with compositions without the tricyclodecane dimethanol-modified copolymer, the compositions of the invention have improved, uniform laser transmittance, thereby welded products including the compositions have improved bonding strength and require stronger tensile strength to be torn apart.