Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a metal on a semiconductor substrate with high control over plated thickness on a die-level includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element (e.g., a plate with channels), where the element allows for flow of ionic current through the element towards the substrate during electroplating, where the element includes a plurality of regions, each region having a pattern of varied local resistance, and where the pattern of varied local resistance repeats in at least two regions. An electroplating method includes providing a semiconductor substrate to an electroplating apparatus having an ionically resistive ionically permeable element or a grid-like shield having a pattern correlating with a pattern of features on the substrate, and plating metal, while the pattern on the substrate remains spatially aligned with the pattern of the element or the grid-like shield for at least a portion of the total electroplating time.

Abstract: An orthodontic indirect bonding apparatus including integral custom bracket bonding pads and methods of making. The indirect bonding apparatus includes a receptacle having a frame at least partially surrounding the custom bracket bonding pad perimeter, the receptacle joined to the bracket bonding pad with a sprue and configured to receive a tooth. The custom bracket bonding pad is configured to complement contours of a portion of the tooth surface. The bracket bonding pad is formed integrally with the receptacle.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The apparatus also includes a transparent cover positioned within the optical path and having a plurality of fiducials. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the cover, allowing the fiducials to be used to calibrate the apparatus or verify and correct the existing calibration of it.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The apparatus also includes a transparent cover positioned within the optical path and having a plurality of fiducials. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the cover, allowing the fiducials to be used to calibrate the apparatus or verify and correct the existing calibration of it.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the housing, allowing placement of the housing directly on the object when obtaining images of it.

Abstract: A light irradiation device that emits a light patch of uniform intensity. The device may be a dental light wand. The device has a light source, a lenslet array and an optional relay lens. The light source may be a laser or a collimated LED. Each lenslet of the lenslet array has two convex surfaces, a front convex surface, and a rear convex surface that is opposite to the front convex surface. The front convex surface has a focal point on the principal plane of the rear convex surface. The focal length of the front convex surface differs from the focal length of the rear convex surface. Light beams emitted by the light source pass through the lenslet array, and if a relay lens is present then pass through the relay lens, forming a light patch of uniform intensity.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the housing, allowing placement of the housing directly on the object when obtaining images of it.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the housing, allowing placement of the housing directly on the object when obtaining images of it.

Abstract: A light irradiation device that emits a light patch of uniform intensity. The device may be a dental light wand. The device has a light source, a lenslet array and an optional relay lens. The light source may be a laser or a collimated LED. Each lenslet of the lenslet array has two convex surfaces, a front convex surface, and a rear convex surface that is opposite to the front convex surface. The front convex surface has a focal point on the principal plane of the rear convex surface. The focal length of the front convex surface differs from the focal length of the rear convex surface. Light beams emitted by the light source pass through the lenslet array, and if a relay lens is present then pass through the relay lens, forming a light patch of uniform intensity.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The apparatus also includes a transparent cover positioned within the optical path and having a plurality of fiducials. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the cover, allowing the fiducials to be used to calibrate the apparatus or verify and correct the existing calibration of it.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus with enhanced depth of field to obtain electronic images of an object for use in generating a 3D digital model of the object. The apparatus includes a housing having mirrors positioned to receive an image from an object external to the housing and provide the image to an image sensor. The optical path between the object and the image sensor includes an aperture element having apertures for providing the image along multiple optical channels with a lens positioned within each of the optical channels. The depth of field of the apparatus includes the housing, allowing placement of the housing directly on the object when obtaining images of it.

Abstract: A 3D image apparatus using a single optical channel for capturing multiple view-angle images of an object for use in generating a 3D image or model of the object. The apparatus includes within the optical train an active optical component, an aperture plate having an aperture, a lens for focusing light from the aperture, and an image sensor. The active optical component has a changeable shape or position for providing first and second optical wavefronts through the aperture and focused by the lens onto the image sensor from first and second view angles of the object. The second optical wavefront is shifted by the active optical component on the image sensor with respect to the first optical wavefront in order to provide multiple view-angle images along the single optical channel, which can be used to generate a 3D model or image of the object.

Abstract: Methods and systems for designing an experiment using a computer to determine whether the experiment is a true experiment are described. These approaches allow a user who is unsophisticated in the complexities of true experimental design to design and deploy an experiment that produces substantially confound-free results and can be used to determine and quantify any causal relationship between independent and dependent variables. The computer may select one or more independent and/or dependent variables of the experiment or may assist the user in selection of independent and/or dependent variables. Formation of control and treatment groups, randomization and/or blocking to reduce the effects of confounding variables may be performed by the computer with or without input from the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for designing an experiment using a computer to determine whether the experiment is a true experiment are described. These approaches allow a user who is unsophisticated in the complexities of true experimental design to design and deploy an experiment that produces substantially confound-free results and can be used to determine and quantify any causal relationship between independent and dependent variables. The computer may select one or more independent and/or dependent variables of the experiment or may assist the user in selection of independent and/or dependent variables. Formation of control and treatment groups, randomization and/or blocking to reduce the effects of confounding variables may be performed by the computer with or without input from the user.