Abstract: Microneedle patches and systems, and methods for use of such patches and systems. In one aspect, a microneedle patch is provided including a tab portion for handling the microneedle patch. In another aspect, a system is provided including a microneedle patch and a tray for housing the microneedle patch. In still another aspect, various indicators providing for providing feedback prior to, during, and after administration of the microneedle patch are provided. Advantageously, the described microneedle patches and systems provide improved handling and ease of application of the microneedle patches to skin for the delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method for generating a dental arch map for a patient acquires a 3D surface image of patient dentition and automatically segments the 3D surface image to identify individual teeth. A mapping of outlines is formed for the identified teeth. The mapping is labeled according to a tooth numbering scheme and the labeled mapping is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor measuring patient spine vertebra angular orientation, including: a fastener, adapted to be fastened on a specific patient spine vertebra in a unique orientation relative to the specific vertebra, a support, solidary with the fastener in a unique orientation relative to the fastener, a detector, removably secured to the support in a unique orientation relative to the support and adapted to measure one or more parameters representative of the patient spine vertebra angular orientation.

Abstract: The devices 400, 500 include microneedles 450, 550 that may be separable from the drug delivery devices, control drug release rate and/or direction, or a combination thereof. When the microneedles are separable, a force applied to the drug delivery devices may be effective to penetrate a biological tissue with the microneedles and then to separate the microneedles from the drug delivery devices. The drug delivery devices may be capable of achieving discrete periods of drug release.

Abstract: Method and/or apparatus embodiments can provide a virtual orthodontic base, adapted to each virtual 3D dental model of the teeth (e.g., upper and lower jaw). The virtual orthodontic base should match each 3D model (e.g., size), conform to prescribed dimensional requirements and still be rapidly calculated. The 3D virtual teeth model can he provided or reconstructed (e.g., from a laser scanning, intra oral camera scanning or x-ray scan of a plaster, a negative impression (e.g., alginate or silicon) of a patient's dentition or directly from the patient's mouth).

Abstract: A microneedle array is provided for administrating a drug or other substance into a biological tissue. The array includes a base substrate; a primary funnel portion extending from one side of the base substrate; and two or more solid microneedles extending from the primary funnel portion, wherein the two or more microneedles comprise the substance of interest. Methods for making an array of microneedles are also provided. The method may include providing a non-porous and gas-permeable mold having a two or more cavities each of which defines a microneedle; filling the cavities with a fluid material which includes a substance of interest and a liquid vehicle; drying the fluid material to remove at least a portion of the liquid vehicle and form a plurality of microneedles that include the substance of interest, wherein the filling is conducted with a pressure differential applied between opposed surfaces of the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent glass substrate including at least one glass sheet provided with a thin-film multilayer coating acting on solar radiation, having a light transmission of greater than 10% and an emissivity of less than 50% after a heat treatment, such as a bending or toughening treatment, characterized in that said multilayer coating includes: a niobium Nb functional layer with a thickness of between about 5 nm and about 35 nm; and at least one layer of another material, chosen from the group formed by Ti, Mo, B, Al or an alloy comprising at least one of these elements, which is placed relative to the glass substrate above the functional layer, said layer having a thickness of between about 1 nm and about 5 nm. The invention also relates to monolithic glazing or double glazing incorporating such a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite implants for the replacement or augmentation of non-load bearing or load bearing soft tissues, and methods of making and using these implant compositions. In one embodiment, a composite implant of the present invention comprises a soft polymeric component coupled to a porous polymeric substrate.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a transparent glass substrate comprising at least one glass sheet provided with a thin-film multilayer coating acting on solar radiation, having a light transmission of greater than 10% and an emissivity of less than 50% after a heat treatment, such as a bending or toughening treatment, characterized in that said multilayer coating comprises: a niobium Nb functional layer with a thickness of between about 5 nm and about 35 nm; and at least one layer of another material, chosen from the group formed by Ti, Mo, B, Al or an alloy comprising at least one of these elements, which is placed relative to the glass substrate above the functional layer, said layer having a thickness of between about 1 nm and about 5 nm. The invention also relates to monolithic glazing or double glazing incorporating such a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite implants for the replacement or augmentation of non-load bearing or load bearing soft tissues, and methods of making and using these implant compositions.

Abstract: Microneedle devices and methods of use thereof are provided for the enhanced transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue by improving the interaction of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to (1) limit the elasticity, (2) adapt to the elasticity, (3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or (4) any combination of these methods. In preferred embodiments for limiting the elasticity of skin, the microneedle device includes features suitable for stretching, pulling, or pinching the skin to present a more rigid, less deformable, surface in the area to which the microneedles are applied (i.e. penetrate).

Abstract: A strap device is provided for holding objects held by infants, for preventing the object from falling to the ground if released by the infant. The strap device includes a flexible strap having a first end with a first securing means, a second end with a second securing means, a first attachment means mounted on the flexible strap near the first end, and a second attachment means mounted on the flexible strap near the second end. The attachment means each can be releasably secured to a position on the flexible strap, forming a primary loop for securing the flexible strap to the object or to a support structure. The first securing means preferably is an elastic loop, which can attach the object to the strap device regardless of the object's shape and dimensions, while the second securing means attaches to a support near the infant for his use.

Abstract: Microneedle devices for transport of therapeutic and diagnostic materials and/or energy across tissue barriers, and methods for manufacturing the devices, are provided. The microneedles are hollow and/or porous and have diameters between about 10 nm and 1 mm. The microneedle devices permit drug delivery (or removal or sensing of body fluids) at clinically relevant rates across skin or other tissue barriers, without damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. Microfabrication techniques are used to cost-effectively produce arrays of microneedles from metals, silicon, silicon dioxide, ceramic, and polymeric materials. Methods are provided for making porous or hollow microneedles.

Abstract: A strap device is provided for holding objects held by infants, for preventing the object from falling to the ground if released by the infant. The strap device includes a flexible strap having a first end with a first securing means, a second end with a second securing means, a first attachment means mounted on the flexible strap near the first end, and a second attachment means mounted on the flexible strap near the second end. The attachment means each can be releasably secured to a position on the flexible strap, forming a primary loop for securing the flexible strap to the object or to a support structure. The first securing means preferably is an elastic loop, which can attach the object to the strap device regardless of the object's shape and dimensions, while the second securing means attaches to a support near the infant for his use.