Abstract: A computer implemented method and an image processing system (IPS) for constructing and rendering an object oriented image (OOI) of a target object in an original spatial position and orientation of the target object are provided. While recording an image of a target object, the IPS records extended image data (EID), for example, spatial coordinates of an image recording device (IMR), multi-dimensional position and orientation of a line of vision of the IMR and the target object, etc. The IPS determines the original spatial position and orientation of the target object from the EID, constructs the OOI of the target object by repositioning and reorienting the recorded image based on the original spatial position and orientation of the target object, and renders the constructed OOI on an image display device. For constructing a three-dimensional OOI, the IPS records multiple images and the EID of the target object at multiple orientations.

Abstract: A precision configuration system includes a plier device having clasp members, a heat transfer clamp member, a bending force transducer, and a temperature controller. One clasp member has a single jaw tooth that contacts and heats a component, for example, a wire positioned by a component holder and accommodated within a receptacle defined between double jaw teeth of the other clasp member. The heat transfer clamp member includes a heating coil that generates and transfers heat to the single jaw tooth. The bending force transducer controls magnitude and direction of bending forces applied by the plier device to precision bend and reshape the component at one or more bending points on the component based on force commands received from a component configuration computer system. The temperature controller controls the generation and transfer of heat to the single jaw tooth to facilitate temperature controlled, precision bending and reshaping of the component.

Abstract: A detachable orthodontic bracket and wire system includes bracket bases, brackets, and an arch wire for guiding alignment of teeth. The bracket bases are positioned on a lingual surface and/or a facial surface of the teeth. Each bracket base includes a first surface, a second surface, and at least one first interlocking element. The first surface is rigidly attached to the lingual surface and/or the facial surface of the teeth. The second surface opposes the lingual surface and/or the facial surface of the teeth. The first interlocking element is attached to and positioned in a direction substantially perpendicular to or parallel to the second surface of each bracket base. The brackets include at least second interlocking element that interlocks with the first interlocking element. The arch wire is inserted through a slot channel of each bracket. The bracket and the arch wire are infused and rigidly anchored within enclosing layers.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and a mask development system (MDS) for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) facial mask for air supply and air exchange are provided. The MDS receives images of a face and biometric data, constructs a 3D facial structure of the face's actual size using one or more facial parameters obtained from the received images and biometric data, and constructs a 3D mask structure that fits on internal and/or external areas of one or more facial parts of the 3D facial structure. The MDS configures the 3D mask structure by creating a seal around the internal and/or external areas, configuring grooves proximal to the internal and/or external areas for incorporating air supply and air exchange elements, and configuring design parameters, in the 3D mask structure. The MDS transmits the configured 3D mask structure to a 3D printer for constructing the 3D facial mask for air supply and air exchange.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and an image processing system (IPS) for constructing and rendering an object oriented image (OOI) of a target object in an original spatial position and orientation of the target object are provided. While recording an image of a target object, the IPS records extended image data (EID), for example, spatial coordinates of an image recording device (IMR), multi-dimensional position and orientation of a line of vision of the IMR and the target object, etc. The IPS determines the original spatial position and orientation of the target object from the EID, constructs the OOI of the target object by repositioning and reorienting the recorded image based on the original spatial position and orientation of the target object, and renders the constructed OOI on an image display device. For constructing a three-dimensional OOI, the IPS records multiple images and the EID of the target object at multiple orientations.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and an object development system (ODS) for developing a three-dimensional (3D) object are provided. The ODS receives a 3D image in one or more image formats from one or more sources. The ODS determines object development requirements and a display type of the received 3D image. The ODS creates a support structure based on the object development requirements and the display type. The support structure includes one or more branching elements movably attached to each other and/or a support element for facilitating movement in the 3D object. The ODS fits the received 3D image on the support structure and constructs a multi-layered volumetric 3D image therefrom. The ODS segments the multi-layered volumetric 3D image into multiple 3D printable units. The ODS transmits the 3D printable units to one or more 3D printing devices for printing each 3D printable unit for assembling and developing the 3D object.

Abstract: A visualization apparatus and a system for enhancing hand-eye coordination during a medical procedure are provided. The visualization apparatus includes an elongate support member, a head member, an operating head element, and a processor. The head member connected to the elongate support member at a predetermined angle includes an angled wall for mounting a reflector. The operating head element connected to an upper end of the head member mounts and supports an objective lens. The objective lens focuses light from an operating field to a reflector to create an image of the operating field. An eyepiece lens accommodated in the elongate support member or the head member magnifies the created image. The processor operatively communicating with an image receiver processes and transmits the magnified image to a viewer. The orientation of the magnified image on the viewer is similar to the orientation of the operating field, thereby enhancing hand-eye coordination.

Abstract: A dental floss and brush apparatus includes a handle, an arcuate head member including a first arcuate arm and a second arcuate arm, a flossing assembly, and an interdental cleaning member including a flossing element and brush bristles. The flossing assembly includes an elongate channel to accommodate and allow traversal of the flossing element, and a spool member to wind and rotate the flossing element for the traversal of the flossing element through the elongate channel. The flossing element supported between two tubular members dislodges interdental substances in an oral cavity. The brush bristles create a diverging extension arm of a wide dimension towards the first arcuate arm to brush away the dislodged interdental substances from a buccal side of teeth, and another diverging extension arm of a narrow dimension towards the second arcuate arm to brush away the dislodged interdental substances from a lingual side of the teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus including a transducer head and a motion transfer member, and a method for rupturing connective tissues that attach a tooth to an alveolar bone socket are provided. The transducer head generates and transfers vibrational and tapping movements to the motion transfer member. The motion transfer member, extending from the transducer head via a neck of a transducer assembly, includes a ball projection and a flexible member. The ball projection connected to a distal end of the neck transfers the generated vibrational and tapping movements received from the transducer head to the tooth. The flexible member housing and surrounding the ball projection contacts a tooth surface and generally conforms to a shape of the tooth to distribute the generated vibrational and tapping movements uniformly in multiple directions on the tooth to rupture the connective tissues and allow the tooth to be loosened and removed from the alveolar bone socket.

Abstract: A precision configuration system includes a plier device having clasp members, a heat transfer clamp member, a bending force transducer, and a temperature controller. One clasp member has a single jaw tooth that contacts and heats a component, for example, a wire positioned by a component holder and accommodated within a receptacle defined between double jaw teeth of the other clasp member. The heat transfer clamp member includes a heating coil that generates and transfers heat to the single jaw tooth. The bending force transducer controls magnitude and direction of bending forces applied by the plier device to precision bend and reshape the component at one or more bending points on the component based on force commands received from a component configuration computer system. The temperature controller controls the generation and transfer of heat to the single jaw tooth to facilitate temperature controlled, precision bending and reshaping of the component.

Abstract: An intraoral biofilm control apparatus including a suction unit, a suction chamber positioned within and in communication with an inner space of the suction unit, a tubular connection member operably connected to and extending into the suction chamber, and an angular head member adjustably connected to an upper end of the tubular connection member is provided. The suction chamber, in communication with the suction unit, creates a negative air pressure in an inner space of the suction chamber. The angular head member in fluid communication with the suction chamber via the tubular connection member, contacts and suctions the intraoral biofilm from the intraoral areas into the inner space of the suction chamber when the negative air pressure is created. The angular head member having an angularly curved suction tip configurably accesses the intraoral areas. The angular head member having a suction plate suctions the intraoral biofilm from intraoral tongue areas.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted dehydration system including a vacuum chamber, a gas compressor, a heating coil, and a vacuum pump is provided. A sealing member removably attached to an opening of the vacuum chamber is opened to introduce one or more instruments into the vacuum chamber. The gas compressor, in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, recirculates a pressurized gas into the vacuum chamber. The heating coil within the vacuum chamber heats the recirculating gas, which contacts the instruments positioned therein and transfers heat energy into interstitial cavities and to surfaces of the instruments or onto other moist components, for example, hands to vaporize moisture present therein. The vacuum pump, in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, creates a negative gas pressure in the vacuum chamber to exhaust the vaporized moisture entrained in the heated recirculating gas from the vacuum chamber to dehydrate the instruments or the moist components.

Abstract: An apparatus including a bite frame and a bite shaped member is provided. The bite frame includes one or more arcuate frame elements defining an opening for accommodating a mesh element or the bite shaped member that receives a bite registration material for registering a bite impression. The bite shaped member has a geometrical body structure, upper and lower channels of configurable shapes, and upper and lower windows. The upper and lower windows are separated by a space for receiving and allowing flow of the bite registration material to register a vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws. An image processing system operably connected to the apparatus determines the three-dimensional relation between the upper and lower jaws with reference to temporomandibular joints using panoramic images of the upper and lower jaws, reference points provided by radio-opaque markers, three-dimensional scanned images of the bite impression, and three-dimensional head surface images.

Abstract: An amphibious protection apparatus includes wall members that define an occupancy space for accommodating one or more users, and an access region for providing access to the occupancy space. Each wall member is foldably and detachably connected to each other. Each wall member includes a thick outer layer defining an outer enclosed space and an inner inflatable member having an inner enclosed space. The outer enclosed space accommodates the inner inflatable member. A fluid injected into the inner enclosed space inflates the inner inflatable member, thereby inflating each detachably connected wall member to form a buoyant enclosure that bounces on land and floats on water. The buoyant enclosure protects the accommodated users from impacts from different directions on land and water. The amphibious protection apparatus also includes an access port having an arrangement of lenses that enables magnification and viewing of objects present in an external environment.

Abstract: An amphibious protection apparatus includes wall members that define an occupancy space for accommodating one or more users, and an access region for providing access to the occupancy space. Each wall member is foldably and detachably connected to each other. Each wall member includes a thick outer layer defining an outer enclosed space and an inner inflatable member having an inner enclosed space. The outer enclosed space accommodates the inner inflatable member. A fluid injected into the inner enclosed space inflates the inner inflatable member, thereby inflating each detachably connected wall member to form a buoyant enclosure that bounces on land and floats on water. The buoyant enclosure protects the accommodated users from impacts from different directions on land and water. The amphibious protection apparatus also includes an access port having an arrangement of lenses that enables magnification and viewing of objects present in an external environment.

Abstract: A toothbrush apparatus includes a handle with a longitudinal axis and a toothbrush head constructed and arranged to hold multiple bristles. The bristles are formed in a non-circular configuration. The non-circular configuration is on a distal end, or a portion including the distal end, or the entire bristle. A wall defining an elongated bristle body of each bristle tapers from a base end towards a chisel end of the elongated bristle body. The toothbrush head is of an arcuate shape that conforms to a dental arch. The toothbrush apparatus includes one or more bristle carriers for detachably attaching multiple bristles to the toothbrush head. The second end of each of the bristles of predetermined heights defines a first curved trim profile and a perpendicular second curved trim profile. The bristles in the first curved trim profile at a terminal end of the toothbrush head are extended to reach rear teeth.

Abstract: An amphibious protection apparatus including wall members, an occupancy space, and an access region is provided. Each of the wall members is foldably and detachably connected to the other wall members. Each of the wall members has an enclosed space that is inflatable by a fluid injected into the enclosed space. The inflation of each of the detachably connected wall members forms a buoyant enclosure of a predefined configuration, which bounces on land and floats on water. The occupancy space is defined by the detachably connected wall members and accommodates the users. The access region defined by opening one of the detachably connected wall members provides access to the occupancy space. The amphibious protection apparatus inflated to form the buoyant enclosure protects the users accommodated within the occupancy space from impacts from different directions on land and water and provides safety to the accommodated users on land and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for allowing a user to access multiple services by providing an access code having a monetary balance associated therewith. A first monetary amount, which is not greater than the monetary balance of the access code, is assigned to a first account balance associated with the access code and usable only in conjunction with a first service. A second monetary amount, which is not greater than the monetary balance of the access code, is assigned to a second account balance associated with the access code and usable only in conjunction with a second service, which is different from the first service. In this manner, the access code can be used by the user to redeem the monetary balance in conjunction with both the first service and the second service.

Abstract: An amphibious protection apparatus including wall members, an occupancy space, and an access region is provided. Each of the wall members is foldably and detachably connected to the other wall members. Each of the wall members has an enclosed space that is inflatable by a fluid injected into the enclosed space. The inflation of each of the detachably connected wall members forms a buoyant enclosure of a predefined configuration, which bounces on land and floats on water. The occupancy space is defined by the detachably connected wall members and accommodates the users. The access region defined by opening one of the detachably connected wall members provides access to the occupancy space. The amphibious protection apparatus inflated to form the buoyant enclosure protects the users accommodated within the occupancy space from impacts from different directions on land and water and provides safety to the accommodated users on land and water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rupturing connective tissues that attach a tooth to a patient's alveolar bone socket are provided. The apparatus includes a metal cap removably attached to the tooth using a cementing agent, and a transducer assembly having a transducer head and a ball projection. The metal cap includes a body section having a hollow space defined by its coronal surface and contiguous vertical surfaces for enclosing the tooth. The body section has a slit terminating with an apical strip and loop arrangement. The metal cap further includes a ball socket extending from the coronal surface of the body section. The transducer head generates vibrational and tapping movements in the ball projection. The ball projection operatively engages the ball socket to transfer the vibrational and tapping movements to the metal cap and thereby to the tooth, which ruptures the connective tissues of the tooth.