Abstract: An apparatus includes a medical instrument, a sensor assembly, and a pair of wires. The sensor assembly is positioned at the distal end of the medical instrument. The sensor assembly includes a first coil member oriented along a first longitudinal axis and a second coil member oriented along a second longitudinal axis. The first and second coil members are coupled with each other in series. The first and second longitudinal axes are offset from each other. The first and second coil members are configured to generate electrical signals indicative of a position and orientation of the distal end of the medical instrument within a patient. First and second wires of the pair of wires are operable to communicate signals from the sensor assembly to a navigation system.

Abstract: A physician preparing to perform a surgical procedure may view pre-operative images of a procedure area of a patient and use a stylus or other interface to draw boundaries between or around areas shown in the images that should be treated with extreme caution during the procedure. These boundaries may be provided by an image guided surgery navigation system and used to provide warnings (e.g., audible or visual alerts having characteristics associated with the proximity to the bounded area) and control operations of a medical instrument (e.g., reducing a cutting speed or disabling the medical instrument entirely) during the procedure in order to reduce risks associated with using the medical instrument in or around the bounded areas. Other safety features that may be defined or pre-configured based on the procedure include reacting to movement patterns (e.g., high linear speed) and location patterns (e.g., steady advancement towards an unsafe area).

Abstract: A method of navigating a cutting instrument, via a computer system, the method comprising: (a) mounting a patient-specific anatomical mapper (PAM) to a human in a single known location and orientation, where the PAM includes a surface precisely and correctly mating with a human surface correctly in only a single location and orientation; (b) mounting a reference inertial measurement unit (IMU) to the human; (c) operatively coupling a guide to the PAM, where the guide includes an instrument inertial measurement unit (IMU) and at least one of a cutting slot and a pin orifice; (d) outputting data from the reference IMU and the instrument IMU indicative of changes in position and orientation of the guide with respect to the human; (e) repositioning the guide with respect to the human to a position and an orientation consistent with a plan for carrying out at least one of a cut and pin placement; and, (f) visually displaying feedback concerning the position and orientation of the guide with respect to the human us

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a surgical system for patella tracking and a method for selecting a properly-sized patellar implant utilizing the same. The surgical system may include first and second trackers and a patellar tracking system. The first tracker may be configured to contact an unresected or a resected patella, and the second tracker may be configured to contact a bone. The patellar tracking system may be configured to track the first and second trackers during patellar flexion and extension to generate patellar range of motion and patellar trial range of motion. A method for selecting a patellar implant may utilize the first and second trackers and the patellar tracking system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for intraoperatively confirming location of tissue structures during medical procedures. Preoperative image data of a patient's skeletal structure in a vicinity of an anatomical part undergoing a medical procedure is acquired. During the procedure, after exposing tissue intraoperative image data is acquired by scanning a selected region of tissue, in a vicinity of the skeletal structure using Polarization Sensitive-Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT). Regions of tissue exhibiting structural organization in the vicinity of the skeletal structure are identified from the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data. Geometrically correlating and registering the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data with the preoperative image data of the skeletal structure in the vicinity of the anatomical part is then performed using a priori known anatomical information about the regions of tissue exhibiting structural information.

Abstract: Devices, Systems, and Methods for detecting a 3-dimensional position of an object, and surgical automation involving the same. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector, surgical instruments, the patient, and/or other objects to be tracked include active and/or passive tracking markers. Cameras, such as stereophotogrammetric infrared cameras, are able to detect the tracking markers, and the robot determines a 3-dimensional position of the object from the tracking markers.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method of displaying images of portions of a human body on a display device. The method includes receiving a representation of a plurality of images that includes images of at least two different modalities, and location information corresponding to at least a subset of the plurality of images. A first image of a first modality is displayed on the display device in accordance with the corresponding location information. A second image of a second modality is overlaid on the first image in accordance with corresponding location information. At least a third image is overlaid on the first image in accordance with corresponding location information, the third image being of the second modality, and the second and third images being displayed concurrently for at least a period of time.

Abstract: Endoscope apparatus includes: a tube unit coupled to a rotary shaft to which a rotational force is transmitted so as to be rotatable, the tube unit being formed to extend in one direction; steering unit having one end installed at one end of the tube unit to rotate with respect to the tube unit so that a direction thereof facing forward is adjusted, the steering unit rotating together with the tube unit by the rotational force transmitted from the tube unit; an end effector installed inside the steering unit to rotate together with the steering unit due to the rotation of the steering unit, the end effector being disposed to face forward; and shaft-fixing tube body installed at the end effector, wherein the direction of the steering unit facing forward and relative rotation of the steering unit with respect to the end effector are adjustable.

Abstract: Robotic systems and methods for the automatic guidance of medical catheters into anatomical structures during various medical procedures are disclosed. A motor controlled insertion mechanism and a motor controlled rotation mechanism are configured to combine catheter insertion and rotation such as to twist the catheter while advancing into the anatomical structure. A navigation-system determines the position in the anatomical structure of a tracking-sensor disposed on the tip of the catheter. The motion of the catheter is controlled via the motors A controller controls, via the motors, the movement of the catheter into the anatomical structure function of the position of the tracking sensor. The methods, systems and devices described herein significantly decrease X-ray exposure to both patient and doctor, minimize friction between the catheter and robotic components, reduce the size of robotic systems, reduce production costs, and reduce the duration of clinical procedures.

Abstract: An operation system, a surgical system, a control device, a distortion generating body, a surgical instrument and the like for detecting a force acting on an end effector are provided. The surgical system includes an arm including one or more links, an end effector arranged at a tip end of the arm, a first distortion detecting unit that detects distortion generated in the end effector, a second distortion detecting unit that detects distortion generated in the link, and a processing unit that calculates a force acting on the end effector in a living body on the basis of detection results of the first distortion detecting unit and the second distortion detecting unit.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic and/or in vivo medical devices having compact joint configurations. Other embodiments relate to various medical device components, including forearms having grasper or cautery end effectors, that can be incorporated into certain robotic and/or in vivo medical devices.

Abstract: A system and method of breakaway clutching in a device includes an arm including a first joint and a control unit coupled to the arm and including one or more processors. The control unit switches the first joint from a first state of the first joint to a second state of the first joint in response to an external stimulus applied to the arm exceeding a first threshold and switches the first joint from the second state to the first state in response to a speed associated with the first joint falling below a speed threshold. Movement of the first joint is more restricted in the first state of the first joint than in the second state of the first joint.

Abstract: A teleoperational assembly is disclosed which includes an operator control system and a plurality of manipulators configured to control the movement of medical instruments in a surgical environment. The manipulators are teleoperationally controlled by the operator control system. The system further includes a processing unit configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment, project the position of distal end portions of the medical instruments into the image's coordinate space, determine initial positions for badges associated with the distal end portions of each medical instrument, evaluate a display factor for each badge based on its initial position, and determine a final display position for each badge in the image's coordinate space based on the display factor.

Abstract: To assist a surgeon performing a medical procedure, auxiliary images generally indicating internal details of an anatomic structure being treated are displayed and manipulated by the surgeon on a computer display screen to supplement primary images generally of an external view of the anatomic structure. A master input device controlling a robotic arm in a first mode may be switched by the surgeon to a second mode in order to function instead as a mouse-like pointing device to facilitate the surgeon performing such auxiliary information display and manipulation.

Abstract: A glove with an enhanced gripping textured surface is disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the glove contains a palm region adapted to cover the palm of a person's hand, a thumb region extending outwardly from the palm region, an index finger region disposed adjacent the thumb region, a middle finger region adjacent the index finger region, a ring finger region adjacent the middle finger region, and a little finger region adjacent the ring finger region with each region containing a textured surface. In preferred embodiments, the textured surface is formed by a plurality of dimensionally hierarchical structures superimposed in layers. The textured surface of the invention, when in contact with wet tissue, repels water at a first texture layer and traps tissue at a second texture layer, such that when in tissue contact, especially exudative tissue, tissue fixatively localizes to the glove surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile selection system for selecting medical accessories comprising a control system, a user interface and a treatment cart. The treatment cart comprises a plurality of storage devices each having at least two storage areas for a respective accessory type. The control system thereby implements a selection method having the following method steps. The treatment identifier of the treatment to be performed is determined in one method step via the user interface. In a further method step, a plurality of accessory set parameters which characterize a medical accessory set are determined on the basis of an accessory database and on the basis of the treatment identifier of the treatment to be performed.

Abstract: A medical package containing a medical article, including: a support element comprising a hollow support tube and a support cap, wherein the support element includes a first chamber configured to enclose the medical article and wherein the support cap includes a support structure configured to hold the medical article captive; a stopper configured to be coupled to the hollow support tube in such a way that the support element has a grip part that protrudes from the stopper, the grip part of the support element configured to be held by a hand of a person; a hollow protective cover configured to be coupled to the stopper in such a way as to delimit, in cooperation with the stopper, a second chamber inside which there extends the grip part of the support element, the hollow protective cover configured to be separated from the stopper, wherein when the hollow protective cover is coupled to the stopper, a part of the stopper protrudes from the hollow protective cover, and is configured to form a grip end of the st

Abstract: A system to measure and display the orientation of a handheld instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: A joint replacement balancing system which provides real-time feedback to a surgeon during a joint replacement surgery to assist the surgeon to balance a joint replacement. The joint replacement balancing system includes a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive a signal from a joint balancing apparatus, determine if the joint replacement is out of balance, determine a corrective course of action to bring the joint into balance and generate and display to the surgeon during the joint replacement surgery a recommended corrective course of action to complete the joint replacement surgery.

Abstract: In a measurement support device according to an aspect, in a case where an indicator figure (marker) is displayed in the vicinity of a spot position, since the indicator figure is displayed in different aspects between a case where measurement of a specific region by the displayed indicator figure is effective and a case where measurement of a specific region by the displayed indicator figure is not effective, it is possible to easily grasp effectiveness of measurement by the display aspect of the indicator figure, and thus effective measurement can be easily performed. In addition, in the above-described aspect, since the indicator figure having a size set according to the position of the spot is displayed, distance measurement is not necessary, the configuration is simple, and the processing load is low.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to decrease acute and late skin toxicity for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. This invention will enable better breast positioning during therapy, eliminating skin folds and reducing the skin dose below that required for development of moist desquamation. The present invention has the potential to reduce the volume of normal tissue and organs at risk of being irradiated during a course of whole breast radiation therapy.

Abstract: In a proposed surgical navigation method for a surgical operation to be performed on an operation target, a mobile device stores 3D imaging information that relates to the operation target before the surgical operation. Then, an optical positioning system is used to acquire spatial coordinate information relating to the mobile device and the operation target, so that the mobile device can obtain a relative coordinate which is a vector from the operation target to the mobile device, obtain a 3D image based on the relative coordinate and the 3D imaging information, and display the 3D image based on the relative coordinate, such that visual perception of the operation target through the mobile device has the 3D image superimposed thereon.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for generating exciter signals, for example, to activate a remotely located tag. The systems, devices, assemblies, and methods find use in a variety of application including medical applications for the locating of a tag in a subject.

Abstract: A holding arm for medical purposes, in particular for holding surgical mechatronic assistance systems and/or surgical instruments, includes a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving a surgical mechatronic assistance system and/or surgical instrument; at least one first and one second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint, wherein each joint is releasable and lockable. An operating unit is provided for bringing the holding arm into a desired pose, wherein the operating unit is adapted to release the associated joint upon contact between an operator and one of the first and second arm segments. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A guide device capable of guiding an angiographic wire while delivering fluid solvent to the wire. The guide device comprises a housing mated to a base in a manner that defines an aperture for slidably receiving the angiographic wire. The housing comprises a plunger configured for placement in an open position, a closed position, and one or more intermediate positions. The guide device comprises a port placed in fluid communication with an absorbent base pad capable of being impregnated with fluid solvent, and delivering the solvent to the surface of the angiographic wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for preconditioning endoscopes. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an endoscope preconditioning system that includes a sealable container to retain a contaminated endoscope, a foamed detergent source, a first system for applying foamed detergent to the outer surface of the endoscope, and a second system for applying foamed detergent or liquid detergent to the interior channels of the endoscope. In some embodiments of this endoscope preconditioning system, foamed or liquid detergent is applied to interior channels of the endoscope with a cleaning device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking surgical textiles includes receiving a first image comprising a first textile-depicting image region, receiving a second image comprising a second textile-depicting image region, measuring a likelihood that the first and second image regions depict at least a portion of the same textile, and incrementing an index counter if the measure of likelihood does not meet a predetermined threshold. The measure of likelihood may be based on at least one classification feature at least partially based on aspects or other features of the first and second images.

Abstract: Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including a body forming an open surgical space, the body further having a bottom contoured to reversibly affix to exposed bone of a dental surgical site and a top contoured to match a bottom side of a dental implant surgical guide; at least one anchoring strut that removably attaches to the body with an apex of the anchoring strut further denoting one or more indentations for matching up with and receiving one or more portions of one alveolar ridge that opposes another alveolar ridge supporting the dental surgical site; alternatively to the anchoring struts and a tissue spacing gasket, the dental implant surgical guide that removably connects to the body; and alternatively to the anchoring struts or the dental implant surgical guide, the tissue spacing gasket that removably connects to the body.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including a body forming an open surgical space, the body further having a bottom contoured to reversibly affix to exposed bone of a dental surgical site and a top contoured to match a bottom side of a dental implant surgical guide; at least one anchoring strut that removably attaches to the body with an apex of the anchoring strut further denoting one or more indentations for matching up with and receiving one or more portions of one alveolar ridge that opposes another alveolar ridge supporting the dental surgical site; alternatively to the anchoring struts and a tissue spacing gasket, the dental implant surgical guide that removably connects to the body; and alternatively to the anchoring struts or the dental implant surgical guide, the tissue spacing gasket that removably connects to the body.

Abstract: A mixing chamber for a handpiece of a medical device, in particular a dental abrasive jet device, having a first supply line for a first fluid stream, in particular a liquid fluid flow, and a second supply line for a second fluid flow, in particular a powder/air mixture, where the two supply lines extend along a central axis and the second supply line-ends within the mixing chamber in an outlet the mixing chamber having a mixing region, in which the first fluid flow is deflected towards the second fluid flow, downstream of the outlet, and an accelerating region in which the first supply line extends parallel to the second supply line over the length of at least 3 mm.

Abstract: A powder-cleaning device for dental use is provided. It has a proximal arm configured for attachment to a source of compressed air; a distal arm having a distal end configured for dispensing a mixture of air and powder to a patient a turbulence chamber, which has a loading side door configured for insertion of an abrasive powder into the chamber according to a loading direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by the prevailing extension s of the arms (DP, DD). The turbulence chamber is interposed between the proximal arm and the distal arm and in fluid communication with both in such a way that the compressed air can be adducted in the turbulence chamber through the proximal arm and a mixture of air and powder can escape therefrom within the distal arm. A controller for compressed air flow is also arranged on the proximal arm upstream of the turbulence chamber.

Abstract: Method and system for managing multiple impressions of a patient's jaw for an orthodontic treatment is provided. The method includes scanning at least a first impression and a second impression of same jaw for the orthodontic treatment; determining if the first jaw impression and the second jaw impression have distortion in different areas; selecting the first jaw impression or the second jaw impression as a base impression; and replacing a distorted tooth data from the base impression with data for the same tooth from a non-base impression. The method also includes scanning at least a first jaw impression for the orthodontic treatment; scanning a bite impression for the orthodontic treatment; matching the scanned first jaw impression with the scanned bite impression; comparing bite information with a tooth occlusal surface; and determining if reconstruction is to be performed on the tooth occlusal surface.

Abstract: Direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners with torque, rotation, and full-control anchors divots are provided. An example process generates multiple virtual models of orthodontic treatment based on progressive moduli of elasticity (MOE) of different materials that will be used to 3D-print a progressive set of 3D-printed aligners. A progression of 3D-printed aligners applies modeled forces to the divot anchors positioned by the models and to the teeth, in treatment stages that are also computed by the models. One class of the example 3D-printed aligners may have flat occlusal biting surfaces, enabling simultaneous treatment of bite correction, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), lower jaw growth, and sleep apnea, along with orthodontic movement of teeth. An example 3D-printed aligner has a micro blower for creating air pressure to treat apnea. The aligner may have a microprocessor, sensors, data handling, and data transmission, for controlling actions of the 3D-printed aligner.

Abstract: A removable orthodontic device includes an anchorage cap segment, a moving cap segment, a pair of spring elements, and a guiding wire. The anchorage cap segment is removably worn on the anterior teeth of a dental arch. The moving cap segment is removably worn on at least one posterior tooth on one side of the dental arch. The spring elements are disposed between the anchorage and moving cap segments to generate an elastic resilient force to move the moving cap segment relative to the anchorage cap segment. The guiding wire has a U-shaped portion and two rod portions. The U-shaped portion is embedded in and disposed around three sidewalls of the moving cap segment, and the rod portions are received in guiding channels formed in the buccal and lingual sidewalls of the anchorage cap segment to guide the movement of the moving cap segment.

Abstract: An intraoral device (1) with a pair of dental aligners (10), each aligner having an outer shell (100) of rigid plastic in the shape of a rounded V defining branches joined at the front part (10a) of the outer shell. The front part has a truncated part in the form of an elongate notch (104), which confers flexibility on the outer shell in a plane orthogonal to the median sagittal plane of the aligners by bringing together or spacing apart the branches of the V. The outer shell includes an impression (106) formed in the front part on the outer face of the outer shell and extending on either side of the elongate notch. The notch cooperates with an attached wedge (50) which serves as a mechanical abutment for blocking flexion of the outer shell at a given curvature when the attached wedge (50) is fixed in the impression (106).

Abstract: A bendable impression tray includes a base portion and a handle portion. In one embodiment, the bendable impression tray includes a U-shaped portion and at least three projections extending outwardly from the U-shaped portion by at least 5 millimeters in bottom view. In one embodiment, the bendable impression tray includes a base portion that is substantially U-shaped in bottom view, and defines at least two peripheral notches, each extending inwardly from an outer periphery of the base portion by at least 5 millimeters in bottom view.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning includes an elongate handheld wand that has a probe. One or more light projectors and two or more cameras are disposed within the probe. The light projectors each has a pattern generating optical element, which may use diffraction or refraction to form a light pattern. Each camera may be configured to focus between 1 mm and 30 mm from a lens that is farthest from the camera sensor. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A handheld wand comprises a probe at a distal end of the elongate handheld wand. The probe includes a light projector and a light field camera. The light projector includes a light source and a pattern generator configured to generate a light pattern. The light field camera includes a light field camera sensor, the light field camera sensor comprising an image sensor comprising an array of sensor pixels, and an array of micro-lenses disposed in front of the image sensor such that each micro-lens is disposed over a sub-array of the array of sensor pixels.

Abstract: An intraoral scanner includes a casing, a light source disposed in the casing, a reflection plate obliquely disposed in the casing for reflecting light of the light source to an object to be scanned through an opening of the casing, a transparent plate, and a receiver adjacent to the light source. A projection optical axis of the light source forms a first oblique angle with a receiving optical axis of the receiver. The receiver receives light after being incident to the object to be scanned and then reflected to the receiver by the reflection plate. The transparent plate is disposed between the light source and the reflection plate or covers the opening. The projection optical axis forms a second oblique angle with a norm of the transparent plate to make a reflection angle range of light reflected by the transparent plate fall outside a receiving angel range of the receiver.

Abstract: To provide a liquid material which can only adjust transparency by applying on a part of a zirconia crown having high transparency, without coloring. The present disclosure provides an opaque imparting liquid used for a prosthesis device cut and machined from a dental zirconia for cutting and machining, comprising; (a) 10 to 39 wt. % of a water-soluble aluminum compound and/or a water-soluble lanthanum compound, (b) 60 to 89 wt. % of water, and (c) 1 to 20 wt. % of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A ceramic body for dental prosthesis can suppress a variation in quality in the sole ceramic body for dental prosthesis due to expansion of its diameter. The ceramic body for dental prosthesis is made of a ceramic material, is shaped to have a circular planar shape and a disk-like external shape, and has a diameter of 50 mm or more. The method for manufacturing this ceramic body for dental prosthesis includes: preparing a ceramic material; shaping the ceramic material by press shaping or by a machine tool; temporarily sintering the ceramic material at a temperature from a sintering temperature that provides theoretical density ?700° C. or more to the sintering temperature ?100° C. or less; and shaping the ceramic material to have a circular planar shape and a disk-like external shape so as to prepare the ceramic body for dental prosthesis having a diameter of 50 mm or more.

Abstract: Provided is a denture base that includes a base portion; a socket that is demarcated by a step portion from a gingival area of the base portion and to which an artificial tooth is to be attached; and interdental papilla areas of the gingival area, which are positioned at both ends of the socket along a tooth row, wherein, in a state in which the socket is facing upward, a basal surface of the socket has a ridge-shaped socket apex portion configured by a surface that is convex overall, a peripheral area of the basal surface is in mutually continuous abutment with the step portion, and the socket apex portion is positioned at substantially the same height as, or higher than, apex portions of the interdental papilla areas that are seen from a labial side in a state in which the artificial tooth is attached to the socket.

Abstract: A dental post configured to be fitted within a dental cavity of a tooth being restored. The post comprises a head portion and a foot portion consecutively arranged in an axial direction of the post, the axial direction being defined as a direction in which a central axis of the head portion extends. The foot portion comprises a free lower end such that the post can be inserted into the dental cavity in the axial direction with the lower end inwardly facing a closed inner end of the dental cavity. At least the foot portion is composed of a composite material comprising a resin matrix reinforced with fibers. A method of fabrication of such a dental post, and to set comprising at least two such dental posts.

Abstract: Various implant analogs, model, and base designs are disclosed herein. In one example, an implant analog can include a main body and a second component. The main body can have an axis of symmetry and a passage therein. The second component can be received in the passage so as to extend substantially transverse to the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A three-in-one tooth-cleaning device structured as a toothpick, an interdental brush, and a floss pick includes a main body and an interdental elastic-bristle portion. The main body is integrally formed of a first plasticized material by injection molding and is structured as a floss pick at one end and as a toothpick at the opposite second end. The interdental elastic-bristle portion is integrally formed by injection molding a second plasticized material over the periphery of the main body in a section adjacent to the second end of the main body and forms a plurality of bristles. The second plasticized material has a lower hardness than the first plasticized material. The three-in-one tooth-cleaning device can be carried around to perform diversified, thorough, and effective removing operations on the dental plaque or food debris on and/or between teeth anytime and anywhere to prevent dental caries (especially interdental caries) and periodontal disease.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a corresponding part of the oral cavity of a person, in particular for cleaning of the teeth, preferably of a person; including supporting means, or handle, for means, or member, for engaging and cleaning the corresponding part of the oral cavity of the person, the engaging and cleaning means extending from the supporting means, or handle, and in particular being in the form of a corresponding brush, preferably of a dental brush, or in the form of corresponding dental floss. The supporting means, or handle, have a free end portion which is shaped to form gripping means for the fingers of the user, in particular to perform the cleaning of the corresponding part of the oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental matrix for use repairing and restoring inter-proximal cavities on a tooth with light-cured composites, the dental matrix comprising a matrix body and a plurality of light transmitting micro-pores positioned on the matrix body and overlying the inter-proximal surface of the tooth when the dental matrix engages the restored tooth. The present invention further relates to a method manufacture of such dental matrix.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth of a user that include a pulse width modulation circuit or a light source and a light delivery mechanism or reflector. The light source may deliver light to the user's teeth and may be located outside the mouth of the user when the device is being used to whiten the teeth of the user while the light delivery mechanism or reflector may be located inside the mouth. The pulse width modulation circuit may drive the light source. The light source may include LEDs or independently-controlled light sources. Intensity of the light source may be controlled, or the device may be controlled wirelessly, for example, using a separate electronic device or hand gestures (e.g., with a gesture sensor). The device may include two antennas or an infrared receiver.

Abstract: Devices for whitening teeth of a user that include a color sensor that detects color of the teeth or that collects data from light that is reflected from the teeth and that controls a teeth-whitening process using the data (e.g., color or shade of the teeth). The device may include a light source (e.g., cool and/or warm light-source elements) that emits light that is reflected by the teeth or to whiten the teeth. Intensity of light may be controlled, e.g., using a processor, learning algorithm, or pulse width modulation circuit. There may be independently-controlled light sources or multiple sensors that sense color in different areas of the mouth. The light source may be located outside the mouth, a reflector may be located inside the mouth, or both. The device may be controlled wirelessly, using a separate electronic device, or with a gesture sensor (e.g., sensing hand gestures).