Abstract: There is provided an attachment structure for a personal care appliance, the attachment structure comprising a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end has a coupling receptacle that is for coupling to a drive shaft of a handle of the personal care appliance; and wherein the coupling receptacle has one or more portions of shear-thickening material on an interior surface thereof. A corresponding personal care appliance and method of securing an attachment structure to a handle of a personal care device are also provided.

Abstract: A brush head assembly (100) comprising a sandwich assembly (200) comprising a flexible matrix (30?) positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material (220), a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), a bristle tuft retention element (250) for each bristle tuft (21), the bristle tuft retention elements (250) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts (21) to the sandwich assembly.

Abstract: An oral cleaning system provides motivating feedback to a user before brushing and includes: a power toothbrush (10); one or more sensors (26) on or within the toothbrush; a processor (30) within the toothbrush configured to process sensor information obtained from the one or more sensors during a first brushing session of a user; and a feedback system (40) on or within the toothbrush responsive to the processor and configured to communicate brushing information to the user at a time subsequent to the first brushing session but before a second brushing session of the user.

Abstract: A measurement chip is for use with a microfluidic resistance network comprising a microfluidic sample preparation stage, a sample outlet and a waste outlet both in fluidic communication with said preparation stage. The measurement chip comprises a sample channel for receiving a sample from the sample outlet, the sample channel comprising measurement means and having a first fluidic resistance; and a waste channel for receiving a waste stream from the waste outlet and having a second fluidic resistance.

Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus include a handle. A controller operably couples to the housing. A subsystem is in operable communication with the controller and configured to generate an excitation signal causing an emitted fluorescence light to be reflected back to the subsystem and to the controller for analyzing one or more properties of the emitted fluorescence light. The one or more properties corresponding to a decay time of the emitted fluorescence light, wherein plaque emitted florescence light decays faster than tooth emitted florescence light. The controller is programmed to analyze detected emitted fluorescence light to determine if the emitted fluorescence light is indicative of a plaque emitted fluorescence decay time or tooth emitted florescence light decay time to detect the presence of one of dental plaque and tooth demineralization.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: A detection apparatus enables detection of a substance that may be present on the surface based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through a stream probe includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion and a distal optical gum detector reception portion in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller, enables the controller to determine if an open port of a distal tip of the stream probe is in contact with a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus to override false positive signals.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured such that passage of a fluid through an open port of a distal probe tip enables detection of a substance that may be present on a surface, e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port. The apparatus includes a proximal pump portion and at least one distal probe portion configured to be immersed in another fluid, e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system includes one or two such apparatuses. A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid through the distal probe tip. The distal probe tip may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port. The distal probe tip may also have a non-uniform wear profile. The at least one distal probe portion may include two or multiple components to improve performance and reliability.

Abstract: A measurement chip (100) is disclosed for use with a microfluidic resistance network (20) comprising a microfluidic sample preparation stage (34, 38), a sample outlet (42) and a waste outlet (44) both in fluidic communication with said preparation stage. The measurement chip comprises a sample channel (104) for receiving a sample from said sample outlet (42), the sample channel comprising measurement means (120, 130) and having a first fluidic resistance; and a waste channel (114) for receiving a waste stream from said waste outlet (44) and having a second fluidic resistance.

Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle including a power button configured to place the dental apparatus in on/off configurations. A controller is housed within the handle and includes a mouth detection module and a tooth anomaly module. Electrical circuitry is in operable communication with the mouth detection module and tooth anomaly module and is configured to emit a low intensity excitation light having a first frequency and a high intensity excitation light which may have a second frequency. The low intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of tooth material and the high intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of a tooth anomaly or to treat a dental condition.

Abstract: A plaque detection system is presented including a dental implement and a multi-mode optical waveguide for receiving fluorescence light from a plurality of angles, the fluorescence light traveling along a core of the multimode optical waveguide at different path lengths resulting in modal dispersion. The plaque detection system also includes a detector configured to receive the fluorescence light for detecting plaque, calculus, and/or caries, and communicating plaque identification information of teeth based on frequency domain lifetime measurements. The modal dispersion is used to detect at least one plaque, calculus, and or caries fluorescence area on the teeth. The plaque fluorescence area detected with modal dispersion includes different levels of plaque with respect to a center point of the plaque fluorescence area. Thus, a plaque detection signal depends on a radial distance from the center point of the plaque fluorescence area.

Abstract: A dental apparatus (4) is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle (6). A controller (20) operably couples to the housing and includes a calibration module (44) configured to calibrate the dental apparatus. The dental apparatus emits a modulated excitation signal and the calibration module compares a detected modulated fluorescence signal with first and second reference values such that if a difference between the detected modulated fluorescence signal and the second reference signal is greater than a difference between the first reference value and the second reference value then the first reference value is updated.

Abstract: A microfluidic resistance network (20) is disclosed that comprises a first microfluidic channel (112) in fluidic communication with a first fluid inlet (22); and a second microfluidic channel (114) in fluidic communication with a second fluid inlet (24); wherein the microfluidic resistance network (20) further comprises a cross-shaped dilution stage (100) having the first microfluidic channel (112) as a first dilution stage inlet and the second microfluidic channel (114) as a second dilution stage inlet, the dilution stage further comprising a first microfluidic outlet channel (122) for combining a portion of a first fluid from the first microfluidic channel with a second fluid from the second microfluidic channel (114) and a second microfluidic outlet channel (124) for receiving the remainder of first fluid. A microfluidic device (200) comprising such a microfluidic resistance network (20) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thin film circuit comprises a plurality of thin film transistors, wherein the output response of the circuit is dependent on at least first (36) and second (34, 22) of the transistors. The first thin film transistor (36) is, in use, exposed to a source of illumination (2) and the second thin film transistor (16) is shielded from the source of illumination. The first thin film transistor (36) is operated in use as an analogue switch which provides an analogue output in response to a control input. The illumination of this transistor reduces the effect of dynamic threshold voltage variations, which can be a limitation to circuit performance.

Abstract: The electrical properties of particle solutions can be investigated on a single particle basis by using micro fluidic channels. The impedance can be measured across the channel using at least one pair of conductive electrodes, at least one electrode of a pair being a fingered electrode having a plurality of fingers. The pattern of fingered electrodes creates a longer and more complicated measurement signal shape which leads to a significant improvement of measurement sensitivity. An application for the proposed technology is to significantly improve the measurement sensitivity of impedance measurements on blood cells, leading to a better differentiation between different types of white blood cells. Better measurement sensitivity also enables the measurement of smaller particles and higher throughput.

Abstract: A measurement chip (100) is disclosed for use with a microfluidic resistance network (20) comprising a microfluidic sample preparation stage (34, 38), a sample outlet (42) and a waste outlet (44) both in fluidic communication with said preparation stage. The measurement chip comprises a sample channel (104) for receiving a sample from said sample outlet (42), the sample channel comprising measurement means (120, 130) and having a first fluidic resistance; and a waste channel (114) for receiving a waste stream from said waste outlet (44) and having a second fluidic resistance.

Abstract: A microfluidic resistance network (20) is disclosed that comprises a first microfluidic channel (112) in fluidic communication with a first fluid inlet (22); and a second microfluidic channel (114) in fluidic communication with a second fluid inlet (24); wherein the microfluidic resistance network (20) further comprises a cross-shaped dilution stage (100) having the first microfluidic channel (112) as a first dilution stage inlet and the second microfluidic channel (114) as a second dilution stage inlet, the dilution stage further comprising a first microfluidic outlet channel (122) for combining a portion of a first fluid from the first microfluidic channel with a second fluid from the second microfluidic channel (114) and a second microfluidic outlet channel (124) for receiving the remainder of first fluid. A microfluidic device (200) comprising such a microfluidic resistance network (20) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises an array of electro wetting cells, each cell comprising first and second liquids (14,18) which are immiscible in each other. An electrode arrangement (60a,60b) is used to control the position of the interface between the first and second liquids, and comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. Each cell comprises a first switching device (64a) for applying a cell drive voltage to the first electrode (60a), and a second switching device (64b) for simultaneously applying the same cell drive voltage to the second electrode (60b). The cell circuit can be produced without requiring any additional control lines to those required for a single electrode and associated switching device, but the use of two switching devices enables the ultimate signal applied to each electrode to be different as a result of different capacitive effects. This then enables control over the way the liquid interface moves in response to control voltages.

Abstract: The electrical properties of particle solutions can be investigated on a single particle basis by using micro fluidic channels. The impedance can be measured across the channel using at least one pair of conductive electrodes, at least one electrode of a pair being a fingered electrode having a plurality of fingers. The pattern of fingered electrodes creates a longer and more complicated measurement signal shape which leads to a significant improvement of measurement sensitivity. An application for the proposed technology is to significantly improve the measurement sensitivity of impedance measurements on blood cells, leading to a better differentiation between different types of white blood cells. Better measurement sensitivity also enables the measurement of smaller particles and higher throughput.

Abstract: An active matrix display device comprises an array of display pixels, each pixel comprising: a current-driven light emitting display element (2); a drive transistor (22) for driving a current through the display element; a storage capacitor (24) for storing a voltage to be used for addressing the drive transistor; and an addressing transistor (16) for coupling data from a data line (6) to the pixel during pixel addressing. The addressing transistor (16) comprises a phototransistor, and the data line (6) is used for external monitoring of the phototransistor. This device design uses a pixel-addressing transistor (16) as the optical feedback element. This addressing transistor is a fundamental requirement of an active matrix-addressing scheme, and its use as a feedback element can therefore avoid any addition pixel complexity to implement an optical feedback function.