Abstract: A touch screen interface of a medical or dental device coupled with a touchless interface to allow for sterile zone operator input, while still allowing for touch screen interaction for non-sterile zone operator input. In some embodiments, the touch screen interface usage is suspended while in a sterile zone mode, and resumed when the mode is switched to a non-sterile zone mode. In some embodiments, use of the touch screen interface while in a sterile zone mode of operation causes an alert message.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dental restoration pre-form for use in a making a dental prosthesis is disclosed comprising providing a design of the prosthesis and a protocol for manufacturing the prosthesis and producing a dental restoration material pre-form having three dimensional (3D) characteristics based on said design of the prosthesis and steps of the protocol. There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis comprising providing dental restoration material pre-form having an associated 3D digital map, the 3D map comprising information on a spatial distribution of characteristics of the pre-form; and processing the pre-form according to a processing protocol the protocol based on a design of the prosthesis and the 3D map of the pre-form.

Abstract: An intra-oral scanning system includes a hand piece having a scanning head with one or more projectors for projecting light onto an oral region and image sensors for detecting reflected light in the oral region. A computer system is operatively connected to the hand piece for receiving data from the image sensors. The data is representative of a scanned area in the oral region. The computer system images a 3D representation of the scanned area and a display assembly operatively connected to the computer system displays the 3D representation of the scanned area. A transducer operatively connected to the computer system emits a visual, audible and/or vibratory signal that provides information related to a status of the scanning system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for supplying powder for solid free-form fabrication from a powder supply reservoir (2) that is movable from a servicing position to a dispensing position. The powder supply reservoir may be supported by a horizontally retractable support arm (4). It may also be supported by a support pivot (22), and the support pivot may comprise a horizontally retractable support arm. These features add the convenience of permitting the powder supply reservoir to be serviced outside of a housing that encloses the solid free-form fabrication apparatus during the article-building operation.

Abstract: Gas permeable molds and mold segments having open porosity (60) are disclosed. Blind vents (56) in the mold wall's (54) outside surface (52) allow for an uninterrupted molding surface (62) while enhancing the gas permeability provided by the open porosity (60). Methods of making such gas permeable molds include forming them from sintered material. Methods also include the use of solid free-form fabrication followed by sintering. Also disclosed are unitary structures (150), for use in EPS bead molding, having a steam chest portion (152) with gas impermeable walls (156) and a mold section (154) having a gas permeable mold wall (172) having open porosity (176), and, optionally, open and/or blind vents (180, 178). Methods for making such unitary structures (150) include the use of solid free-form fabrication.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a layered manufacturing process to produce an article (2) having at least one small-diameter fluid conduction vent (6) produced during the layered manufacturing process. The invention also includes articles (2) containing at least one small-diameter fluid conduction vent (6) wherein the article (2) and the small-diameter vent or vents (6) are simultaneously produced by a layered manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a layered manufacturing process to produce an article (2) having at least one small-width fluid conduction vent (6) produced during the layered manufacturing process. Such small-width fluid conduction vents (6) may have any desirable cross-sectional shape, orientation, and curvature. The invention also includes articles (2) containing at least one small-width fluid conduction vent (6) wherein the article (2) and the small-width vent or vents (6) are simultaneously produced by a layered manufacturing process.

Abstract: A binder, and a method of using it in conventional powder metallurgy processes and solid free form fabrication including metal powder, or combinations of metals and ceramics, in which the binder contains at least one carbohydrate as the active binding compound. The carbohydrate generally contains between 6 and about 900 carbon atoms and may be selected from various categories including but not limited to: 1) monosaccharides; 2) disaccharides; 3) trisaccharides; and 4) polysaccharides containing the base sugars identified in 1)-3) above; and 5) hydrolyzed starches in which the hydrolysate contains between about 6-900 carbon atoms, including dextrins such as limit dextrin, hydrolyzed amylose, and hydrolyzed amylopectin. The amount of carbohydrate in the binder solution is generally on the order of about 5-50 grams carbohydrate per 100 ml of carrier solution, more preferably 5-30 g/ml, and most preferably 15 g/ml (or comparable amounts on a dry basis).

Abstract: A binder, and a method of using it in conventional powder metallurgy processes and solid free form fabrication including metal powder, or combinations of metals and ceramics, in which the binder contains at least one carbohydrate as the active binding compound. The carbohydrate generally contains between 6 and about 900 carbon atoms and may be selected from various categories including but not limited to: 1) monosaccharides; 2) disaccharides; 3) trisaccharides; and 4) polysaccharides containing the base sugars identified in 1)-3) above; and 5) hydrolyzed starches in which the hydrolysate contains between about 6-900 carbon atoms, including dextrins such as limit dextrin, hydrolyzed amylose, and hydrolyzed amylopectin. The amount of carbohydrate in the binder solution is generally on the order of about 5-50 grams carbohydrate per 100 ml of carrier solution, more preferably 5-30 g/ml, and most preferably 15 g/ml (or comparable amounts on a dry basis).