Abstract: Force magnitudes and/or directions may be determined objectively using orthodontic brackets having an elastomeric member which allows one portion of the bracket to be resiliently moveable relative to at least on other portion of the bracket. In a preferred embodiment, the brackets include a lower base member, an upper bracket member, and an elastomeric layer interposed between the lower base and upper bracket members. The orthodontic bracket is advantageously employed as part of a system whereby the orthodontic bracket includes a force indicator which distorts in response to relative movement between the at least one and other portions of the bracket to provide an indication of force applied to the bracket. An optical detector may be provided to optically detect the indicator and issue an output signal indicative of the relative resilient movement between the lower base and upper bracket members.

Abstract: Microreactors (10) and methods for generating hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. More specifically, microreactors (10) and methods are provided for the batchwise generation of hydrogen peroxide in which respective hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis chambers, and a hydrogen peroxide reaction chamber is fluid-connected to and positioned physically between, the electrolysis chambers. In specially preferred embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide microreactor (10) of the present invention will be in the form of a silicon chip reactor body having a pair of electrolysis channels (14-1, 14-2), reactant channel (14-3) positioned between the electrolysis channels, and at least one (preferably several) connector channel(s) (14-4) which fluid-connect(s) the pair of electrolysis channels (14-1, 14-2) with said reactant channel (14-3). A pair of electrodes (16-1, 16-2) is provided so that each is in operative association with a respective one of the electrolysis channels (14-1, 14-2).

Abstract: A skin cleansing and moisturizing device including a hand-held control wand that is detachably secured to a pad, one side of which is adapted to cleans the user's skin. A mechanical vibratory assembly is provided within the housing and imparts a vibratory motion to the pad. Additionally, a heat source is provided for heating the user's skin. The vibratory assembly may also apply suction to the skin through the pad.

Abstract: A device for cleansing teeth, including an arcuate housing defining an open top channel for placement over an arch of teeth and a plurality of cleansing components disposed within the channel for engaging and cleansing side and bottom surfaces of the teeth in the housing. The cleansing components include micro-fibrils that project from wall(s) of the housing or are defined on carriers suspended in a medium disposed in the channel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a microelectromechanical valve having two or more diaphragms containing non-aligned holes to control the flow of fluids. Fluid flows through the holes in the first diaphragm and then must flow between the first and second diaphragm to reach the holes in the second diaphragm, whereupon the fluid is free to flow past the second diaphragm.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a microelectromechanical valve having two or more diaphragms containing non-aligned holes to control the flow of fluids. Fluid flows through the holes in the first diaphragm and then must flow between the first and second diaphragm to reach the holes in the second diaphragm, whereupon the fluid is free to flow past the second diaphragm.

Abstract: This invention relates to the area of satellite temperature control systems. The methods and devices disclosed allow heat to be selectively reflected away from a satellite or selectively emitted by a satellite controlling the temperature of the satellite.

Abstract: In a fiber optic system, a method for aligning an incoming beam of light and a target fiber that does not use light travelling down the core of the fiber to make adjustments to the relative positions of the beam of light and the fiber. According to the method of the invention, cladding mounted light detectors detect light in the cladding as the beam of light sweeps across the fiber, and a minimum amount of light detected in the cladding is established during the course of the sweeps. The relative positions of the beam of light and the fiber are then adjusted so that the light detected in the cladding corresponds to the minimum detected during the sweeps.