Abstract: A spectroscopic system may include: a probe having a probe tip and an optical coupler, the optical coupler including an emitting fiber group and first and second receiving fiber groups, each fiber group having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the fiber groups are formed into a bundle and optically exposed through the probe tip; a light source optically coupled to the second end of the emitting fiber group, the light source emitting light in at least a first waveband and a second waveband, the second waveband being different from the first waveband; a first spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the first receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the first waveband; and a second spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the second receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the second waveband.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for monitoring acne is disclosed. A sensor device includes an image sensor and a position sensor. A processing device receives image data and position data from the sensor device. The processing device then combines portions of the image data for different images to generate composite image data, the combination being based on the corresponding position data for each image. A user interface displays a composite image of the user's skin based on the composite image data, the composite image including a skin condition indicator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal care implement is disclosed. The personal care implement has an emitting end and an electromagnetic source for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto an area of skin to treat a skin condition. A light sensor is configured to sense an amount of ambient light present at the emitting end. A controller instructs the electromagnetic source to begin projecting only when the light sensor senses that the amount of ambient light at the emitting end is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system may include: a probe having a probe tip and an optical coupler, the optical coupler including an emitting fiber group and first and second receiving fiber groups, each fiber group having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the fiber groups are formed into a bundle and optically exposed through the probe tip; a light source optically coupled to the second end of the emitting fiber group, the light source emitting light in at least a first waveband and a second waveband, the second waveband being different from the first waveband; a first spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the first receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the first waveband; and a second spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the second receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the second waveband.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system may include: a probe having a probe tip and an optical coupler, the optical coupler including an emitting fiber group and first and second receiving fiber groups, each fiber group having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the fiber groups are formed into a bundle and optically exposed through the probe tip; a light source optically coupled to the second end of the emitting fiber group, the light source emitting light in at least a first waveband and a second waveband, the second waveband being different from the first waveband; a first spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the first receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the first waveband; and a second spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the second receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the second waveband.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal care implement is disclosed. The personal care implement has an emitting end and an electromagnetic source for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto an area of skin to treat a skin condition. A light sensor is configured to sense an amount of ambient light present at the emitting end. A controller instructs the electromagnetic source to begin projecting only when the light sensor senses that the amount of ambient light at the emitting end is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: This application is directed to methods of assessing polymer deposition on dental surfaces using near infrared spectroscopy, providing a rapid and efficient method to screen for and identify optimal polymers for use in oral care formulations, (i) near infra red (IR) absorption of a dental substrate is measured in the absence of a polymer under test, and subsequently of the test sample comprising the dental substrate contacted with the test polymer. After washing or rinsing the test sample near IR of it is determined again (iii). The IR absorption of the test polymer itself is also measured (ii). Through the comparison of the three measurements (i), (ii), and (iii) the degree of deposition and retention of the test polymer on the test sample is determined.

Abstract: A color or shade assessment system and a method of assessing color or shade of an object. The system may include a color or shade measurement device having a probe portion terminating at a distal end, a light emitter assembly, and a light receiver assembly. Furthermore, a spacer including a sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a passageway may be coupled to the probe portion. The spacer may be alterable between (1) a first state in which the spacer is detached from the probe portion; and (2) a second state in which at least a portion of the probe portion extends into the central passageway of the sleeve and the distal end of the probe portion is located between the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system may include: a probe having a probe tip and an optical coupler, the optical coupler including an emitting fiber group and first and second receiving fiber groups, each fiber group having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the fiber groups are formed into a bundle and optically exposed through the probe tip; a light source optically coupled to the second end of the emitting fiber group, the light source emitting light in at least a first waveband and a second waveband, the second waveband being different from the first waveband; a first spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the first receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the first waveband; and a second spectrometer optically coupled to the second end of the second receiving fiber group and configured to process light in the second waveband.

Abstract: A color or shade assessment system and a method of assessing color or shade of an object. The system may include a color or shade measurement device having a probe portion terminating at a distal end, a light emitter assembly, and a light receiver assembly. Furthermore, a spacer including a sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a passageway may be coupled to the probe portion. The spacer may be alterable between (1) a first state in which the spacer is detached from the probe portion; and (2) a second state in which at least a portion of the probe portion extends into the central passageway of the sleeve and the distal end of the probe portion is located between the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: This application is directed to methods of assessing polymer deposition on dental surfaces using near infrared spectroscopy, providing a rapid and efficient method to screen for and identify optimal polymers for use in oral care formulations, (i) near infra red (IR) absorption of a dental substrate is measured in the absence of a polymer under test, and subsequently of the test sample comprising the dental substrate contacted with the test polymer. After washing or rinsing the test sample near IR of it is determined again (iii). The IR absorption of the test polymer itself is also measured (ii). Through the comparison of the three measurements (i), (ii), and (iii) the degree of deposition and retention of the test polymer on the test sample is determined.

Abstract: This application is directed to a fast method of quantitatively and qualitatively validating the amount of silicone adhesive in a composition comprising silicone adhesive and silicone polymer which comprises of testing a sample of the composition with near IR or mid IR spectroscopy. The method can be extended to analyzing the amount of silicone adhesive in an oral care composition.

Abstract: This application is directed to a fast method of quantitatively and qualitatively validating the amount of silicone adhesive in a composition comprising silicone adhesive and silicone polymer which comprises of testing a sample of the composition with near IR or mid IR spectroscopy. The method can be extended to analyzing the amount of silicone adhesive in an oral care composition.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising surfactant, water, and a suspending agent comprising microfibrous cellulose that is characterized by a particle size distribution of the microfibrous cellulose that provides for increased structuring of the composition to suspend material.

Abstract: A process that degasses a structured surfactant composition that comprises at least one surfactant, water, and at least one suspending agent chosen from polysaccharides, gums, and celluloses. By degassing the composition, the suspending agent can form a structured system. Gas, such as air bubbles, disrupts the formation of the structuring system, which reduces the ability of the composition to suspend materials.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprising surfactant, water, and a suspending agent comprising microfibrous cellulose that is characterized by a particle size distribution of the microfibrous cellulose that provides for increased structuring of the composition to suspend material.

Abstract: A process that degasses a structured surfactant composition that comprises at least one surfactant, water, and at least one suspending agent chosen from polysaccharides, gums, and celluloses. By degassing the composition, the suspending agent can form a structured system. Gas, such as air bubbles, disrupts the formation of the structuring system, which reduces the ability of the composition to suspend materials.