Abstract: A method of folding a plurality of flexible elements about a central fluid storage element includes of urging an intravaginal device into a folding device; imparting relative rotation between at least a portion of the folding device and the intravaginal device; and contacting the plurality of flexible extensions with the folding device. Wherein the intravaginal device includes a fluid storage element and a plurality of flexible extensions extending therefrom, and the flexible extensions are folded about the fluid storage element in a uniform direction. Alternatively, in place of relative rotation, the flexible extensions are folded by means of guide rails of the folding device. Several apparatus may be employed in this and related methods.

Abstract: A device for directing a liquid onto a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity, the device including a chamber for maintaining the liquid proximate the surfaces, where the chamber is defined by front, rear and base inner walls of the device and the front and rear inner walls each include a plurality of openings, the devices further including a first manifold and a second manifold, a first port and a second port; and means for providing an effective seal of the device within the oral cavity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an oral cavity by positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from the surface within the oral cavity having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on the surface. The surface is substantially simultaneously cleaned and irradiated with a light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with said fluorescent agent. A portion of the fluorescent emission is collected (APV1), and compared to a predetermined threshold value (PPTV). If APV1 is less than PPTV, the device is moved to another section. If APV1 is greater than or equal to PPTV, then another portion of fluorescent emission is collected (APV2). The percent reduction from APV1 to APV2 determines when the device is moved to another section.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The invention also includes methods and apparatus useful in the production of an intravaginal device.

Abstract: A device for directing a liquid onto a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity, the device including a chamber for maintaining the liquid proximate the surfaces, where the chamber is defined by front, rear and base inner walls of the device and the front and rear inner walls each include a plurality of openings, the devices further including a first manifold and a second manifold, a first port and a second port; and means for providing an effective seal of the device within the oral cavity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an oral cavity by positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from the surface within the oral cavity having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on the surface. The surface is substantially simultaneously cleaned and irradiated with a light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with said fluorescent agent. A portion of the fluorescent emission is collected (APV1), and compared to a predetermined threshold value (PPTV). If APV1 is less than PPTV, the device is moved to another section. If APV1 is greater than or equal to PPTV, then another portion of fluorescent emission is collected (APV2). The percent reduction from APV1 to APV2 determines when the device is moved to another section.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. It is produced by providing an individual sheet of material having properties useful to move bodily fluids, attaching the individual sheet to a substantially cylindrical fluid storage element to form the at least one fluid storage element, folding the fluid storage element, and packaging the resultant device. The at least one fluid transport element is capable of extending radially away from the fluid storage element during use. The invention also includes alternative methods of forming the intravaginal device.

Abstract: A toothbrush containing a handle, a neck, a brush head region extending from the neck and including cleaning elements extending from a base thereof, a motion sensor for acquiring data indicative of motion of the toothbrush along at least one direction thereof concurrent with brushing, a microprocessor for analyzing the data indicative of motion of the toothbrush concurrent with brushing; and means to provide feedback to a user of the toothbrush, wherein the motion sensor, the microprocessor and the feedback means cooperate to provide the user substantially instant feedback, such that the user may adjust brushing motion while brushing teeth, and methods of providing substantially instant feedback to the user of the toothbrush.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a process for winding tape to prevent or reduce telescoping of the tape (e.g., dental tape) as it is wound onto a bobbin spool. Dispensers comprising such bobbins are also discussed herein.

Abstract: The present invention regards methods and devices for detecting plaque on a surface in the oral cavity to which a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque has been applied, whereby a radiation source emits incident radiation for contacting the surface, reflected light and fluorescent emission resulting from contact of the radiation with the surface is collected by an optical collector and conveyed by an optical pathway in the device, where the optical light signal of the reflected light and fluorescent emission is converted to an electrical signal, and where the electrical signals of the fluorescent emission and the reflected light are then mathematically manipulated to provide a compensated plaque value as a function of the distance from the optical collector and the surface of the oral cavity to which the fluorescent agent has been applied.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The invention also includes methods and apparatus useful in the production of an intravaginal device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an oral cavity, the method including positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from a surface of the oral cavity within the oral cavity, cleaning and irradiating the surface of a tooth in the oral cavity, the tooth having applied thereto a fluorescent agent, with incident radiation of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with the fluorescent agent on the tooth, collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a first time period, determining a first average fluorescent emission value (APV1), collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a second time period, determining a second average plaque value (APV2); and comparing the APV1 to the APV2.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The fluid transport element may substantially envelop the fluid storage element, and it may be attached to the withdrawal end of the fluid storage element, on at least one longitudinal side of the fluid storage element, to itself proximate the withdrawal end of the fluid storage element, and/or to the withdrawal string.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an intravaginal device includes a forming tool having an aperture, a male tool having a plurality of forming blades arranged radially about an aperture, at least one bonding element, and at least one moveable pushrod. The forming tool includes a holding plate having a plurality of vacuum ports, and the aperture of the forming tool is located in the forming plate. The aperture of the forming tool has a plurality of slots connected to and extending therefrom. The bonding element is moveable toward the aperture in the forming tool. The apertures are aligned along a machine axis to permit the pushrod to move a fluid storage element through each aperture, the forming blades of the male tool are aligned with the slots of the forming tool, and guide edges of the forming blades accommodate a fluid storage element aligned with the aperture of the male tool.

Abstract: Devices for collecting a fluid sample from the oral cavity, the device including a mouthpiece that includes a chamber, the chamber including front and rear inner walls; and means for collecting the fluid sample from the oral cavity; and methods of collecting and analyzing samples of fluid from the oral cavity, including the steps of placing the device in the oral cavity, collecting the fluid sample and conducting an analysis of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning an oral cavity by positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from the surface within the oral cavity having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on the surface. The surface is substantially simultaneously cleaned and irradiated with a light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with said fluorescent agent. A portion of the fluorescent emission is collected (APV1), and compared to a predetermined threshold value (PPTV). If APV1 is less than PPTV, the device is moved to another section. If APV1 is greater than or equal to PPTV, then another portion of fluorescent emission is collected (APV2). The percent reduction from APV1 to APV2 determines when the device is moved to another section.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an oral cavity, the method including positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from a surface of the oral cavity within the oral cavity, cleaning and irradiating the surface of a tooth in the oral cavity, the tooth having applied thereto a fluorescent agent, with incident radiation of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with the fluorescent agent on the tooth, collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a first time period, determining a first average fluorescent emission value (APV1), collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a second time period, determining a second average plaque value (APV2); and comparing the APV1 to the APV2.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an absorbent article includes a holding tool, a female tool disposed along a machine axis, and a male tool disposed along the machine axis. The holding tool has an aperture aligned along the machine axis and means for holding a flexible sheet across the aperture. The female tool has at least one folding element extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis, and the male tool has means for holding a fluid storage element and at least one pleating blade extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis. At least two of the holding tool, female tool, and male tool are capable of relative motion along the machine axis. Further the at least one pleating blade and of the male tool and the at least one folding element of the female tool are aligned to permit manipulation of the flexible sheet about the fluid storage element.

Abstract: The present invention regards methods and devices for detecting plaque on a surface in the oral cavity to which a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque has been applied, whereby a radiation source emits incident radiation for contacting the surface, reflected light and fluorescent emission resulting from contact of the radiation with the surface is collected by an optical collector and conveyed by an optical pathway in the device, where the optical light signal of the reflected light and fluorescent emission is converted to an electrical signal, and where the electrical signals of the fluorescent emission and the reflected light are then mathematically manipulated to provide a compensated plaque value as a function of the distance from the optical collector and the surface of the oral cavity to which the fluorescent agent has been applied.

Abstract: A method for providing a beneficial effect to an oral cavity of a mammal, the method including contacting a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity with a liquid effective for providing the beneficial effect to the oral cavity and providing reciprocation of the liquid over the plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity under conditions effective to provide the beneficial effect.