The slide operation-type dovetail groove sliding stage may include a sliding lock screw for locking sliding of a sliding component, by causing the screw to abut on an inverted triangle-shaped protrusion, provided on a sidewall of a sliding component approximately parallel to a sliding direction and coupled to the sliding component, to bring the protrusion into contact with a dovetail of the fixed component and by tightening the screw. The sliding lock screw may be used as a sliding adjustment screw for performing fine adjustment of a degree of sliding of the sliding component with respect to the fixed component by adjusting an amount of rotation of the screw which abuts on the protrusion to bring it into contact with the dovetail of the sliding component, and a driving means which an operator grasps to perform an operation of sliding the sliding component to a desired position.

A system is invented to combine different signals from various sensors together so that an object (such as a car, an airplane etc.)'s position and/or orientation can be measured.

A micrometer includes: a frame; an anvil; a spindle; an encoder; a display; a strain gauge that detects a deformation of the frame; a storage that stores a change amount of the detection value (a displacement of the spindle detected by the encoder) per a unit deformation detected by the strain gauge, as a compensation factor; and a compensator that compensates the detection value based on a difference between a zeroset-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge when a command for zeroset is given and a measurement-time deformation that is detected by the strain gauge in measurement, and based on the compensation factor stored in the storage.

A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed.

A measuring assembly for measuring an inside of a lens frame of a spectacle frame, said lens frame at least partially delimiting an inscribed surface area F that corresponds to a lens shape, comprising a holding device for mounting the spectacle frame, at least one light source for generating a light beam to be projected on a region of the lens frame to be evaluated, and at least one sensor that can be coupled to an evaluation unit for detecting the reflected light beam, wherein the holding device can be rotated about a rotational axis r and moved in the direction of a movement axis x, and the movement axis x comprises at least one movement component in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis r. The holding device is used to fix the spectacle frame by spectacle frame bows, wherein at least one free space is provided in the region of the holding device, said free space being used to receive the spectacle frame bows of a spectacle frame to be held which are not folded in or cannot be folded in.

A device and method for inspecting a width of thread roots of a tubular component for exploration or working of hydrocarbon wells, the device including two arms each including a first and a second end, the first ends being connected together by a deformable portion allowing an angular displacement between the second ends, the second ends each carrying a contact element and a mechanism determining the angular displacement.

A portable device is used to aid a semi-truck driver in the repositioning of a tandem axle assembly of a trailer. The portable device may be easily attached and removed from the trailer's sub-frame during operation. The device will signal the driver visually when reaching the desired position during adjustment of the tandem axle assembly to a new location. The device may reduce time and increase safety for the driver during the tandem axle assembly repositioning operation. The device may be positioned at or near the desired tandem axle assembly position. A flap may pivotally hang in a position where a tire from the tandem axle assembly may deflect and pivot the flap when the tandem axle assembly reaches its desired position. A driver may see this flap deflection and know, with certainty, that they have achieved the desired tandem axle assembly position.

A tool for measuring, marking, or cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a plurality of lines formed thereon, and a plurality of windows formed in the lines to enable viewing of material underlying the tool. The windows can be outlined in opaque lines, and alternating windows can be filled with contrasting transparent colors.

A physiological measurement device or wearable device simulator includes a frame and a plurality of surfaces distributed within the frame. For each surface, a surface actuator links the surface of the frame. At least one of: i) force or position imparted by the surface on a physiological feature of a subject by the surface actuator; and ii) the force imparted by the physiological feature of the subject on the surface, can be employed to modulate the positions of the surfaces relative to each other independently of the forces imparted by or on those surfaces, thereby measuring the physiological feature of the subject or simulating a wearable device interface.

A system and method for inspection and quality control for goods determines whether the goods comply with desired configurations. In an embodiment, an inspection and quality control system for a good includes a template. The template includes a template body and a positive offset. The positive offset includes a maximum length of the good and a maximum width of the good. The positive offset is configured for the good to be disposed in the positive offset when the good is less than the maximum length and the maximum width. The system also includes a negative inset. The negative inset includes a minimum length for the good and a minimum width for the good. The negative inset is configured to be disposed in the positive offset over the good disposed in the positive offset.

The present invention relates to an encoder readhead. The readhead includes a housing having an opening for capturing an encoder scale including an elongate rod having a substantially circular cross-section, the opening defining an axial direction along which a captured encoder scale can slide back and forth. A scale reader, which may include an array of Hall sensors, is provided for reading a portion of an encoder scale located in the opening. The housing includes an access portion that allows the encoder scale to be inserted into, and/or removed from, the opening by a relative movement between the housing and the encoder scale in a direction other than the axial direction.

Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and a permanent end hook member attached to the elongated blade with a first hook portion. The rule assembly further has another or second end hook member that is removably attachable to the elongated blade with a second hook portion. Each of the permanent end hook member and second end hook member are capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The second hook portion can extend in a direction opposite to that of the first hook portion. A forward surface of the second hook portion can be aligned with a forward surface of the first hook portion to form a larger surface area for engagement with a workpiece.

A measurement gauge, comprising a pair of jaws biased in a closed position; a normalizing member surrounding one of the jaws when the pair of jaws is closed, the normalizing member biased in an extended position; a handle coupled to the pair of jaws and normalizing member such that movement from an extended handle position to an retracted handle position opens the pair of jaws and moves the normalizing member to an retracted position.

An instrument and method for determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis between the condyles of a femur is provided. The instrument includes first and second gauges each for measuring a radius of a femoral condyle and a frame. At least one of the gauges is movably connected to the frame. The method includes positioning the measuring end of each gauge against a separate condyle of a femur, actuating a pivoting member of each gauge to determine the radius of each condyle, measuring the distance between the condyles, and determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis of the femur. A measurement can be taken from a measuring scale provided on the gauge and from another scale provided on the frame. Determining the location of the axis can further include performing a calculation utilizing the radii of the condyles and the distance between the condyles.

A rugged hand-held mobile computing device for a forester to collect and use dendrometric data from trees and tree stands is claimed. The device includes a processor which operates in connection with a memory, a user interface, a GPS receiver, a sound sensor capable of emitting an ultra-sonic pulse and a computer readable code embodied on the memory. The device communicates with a transponder by way of the ultra-sonic pulse emitted by the sound sensor. The transponder also emits an ultra-sonic pulse back to device. The device calculates the distance traveled based on the knowledge of the speed of the pulses. The memory, which also includes basic mapping software, uses the data to update a map in real time with the location of the trees and other information collected.

Systems and methods for providing aircraft heading information are provided. In one embodiment, an attitude heading reference device comprises: at least one interface for receiving heading information from one or more IRUs; at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers; a memory device for storing data representing heading information received via the at least one interface; and a heading calculator coupled to the at least one interface, the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers, and the memory device. The heading calculator generating a heading output signal based on heading information when reliable heading information is received over the at least one interface; the heading calculator generating the heading output signal based on data from the memory device regarding previously reliable heading information and an output of the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers when reliable heading information is not received over the at least one interface.

A mechanical encoder including an assembly, a flexible element, and a signal sensing module is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of poking/stiring structure that provides poking/stirring function. The flexible element includes a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer are stacked on each other via an attach material. The flexible element is set up so that the poking/stiring structures stir/poke a first end of the flexible element, so as to output an electrical signal responsive to deformation of the flexible element. The signal sensing module receives the electrical signal to generate a position signal and a direction signal corresponding to the movement of the poking structures.

A recreational or outdoor mirrored compass is comprised of a base member, a hinged cover with a mirror and a sighting window for sighting a land mark, and a vial assembly pivotally coupled to said base member. The vial assembly comprises a vial, a magnetized indicator member pivotally journaled in the vial and an azimuth ring. At least parts of the inner sides of the sighting window are tapered in the line of sight.

An apparatus for aligning a wind turbine generator is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least, but is not limited to, a support flange engaging a securement stud via a securement aperture, and a force displacement plate contacting the support flange. The preferred apparatus further includes an indexing means attached to the securement stud and force displacement plate, the indexing means configured to translate a rotational force to linear force capable of moving the support flange in relation to the securement stud.

A method of operating a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising an articulated head having at least one rotational axis. The method comprises, in any suitable order, loading at least one interchangeable task module onto the articulated head; and loading at least one interchangeable task module counterweight on the articulated head. The at least one interchangeable task module counterweight at least partially counterbalances the weight of the at least one task module on the articulated head about the at least one axis.

A large bore measuring system includes a modular and extendable bore gage with analog and digital readouts, also includes a settable set-master. The modular bore gage is designed to measure two sets of large bore diameters. A first set of large bores is accomplished by using a modular bore gage design described in this disclosure. The second set of larger bores is accomplished by adding attachments therein extending the gage for the larger range of bore diameters. A set-master is used for both sets of large bores.

In a method for calibrating a star probe of an image measuring machine, the star probe includes one or more probe heads. Probe configuration information for the star probe is configured when there is no probe configuration file of the star probe stored in a storage device of the image measuring machine, and one of the probe heads to be calibrated is selected from the star probe. The method calibrates a radius value of the selected probe head, and calibrates the deviation between the center point of the selected probe head and the focus of the camera lens. The method further generates a star probe model of the star probe according to the probe configuration information and the probe calibration information, and displays the star probe model of the star probe on a display device of the image measuring machine.

A disposable saliva ejector that utilizes a single planar, double leaf shaped plate design that is embossed on their inner faces with a series of arced ribs and folded about its midpoint. A tab and slot arrangement about the center of the plates, joins the two plates. The distal tips are held together by a dovetail arrangement on raised pads at the distal tips of each plate. The distal and proximal tips are also held in operational contact by the suction forces passed through the device. The arced ribs form a series of channels about perimeter of the device. A trough runs along the linear axis of both of the plates to direct any fluid and debris that is sucked into the channels into a connected suction tube. Placement of the saliva ejector within the mouth lies along the interior of the patient's cheek, keeping the oral cavity clear of viewing obstructions. The discharge end connects to a discharge tube, wrapping around the oral commissure then hooking onto the patient's outer cheek. Once properly placed within the patient's mouth the dental assistant is relieved from providing suction during various procedures.

An oral cavity suction system that incorporates a disposable saliva ejector residing along the interior of the patient's cheek that utilizes a single planar, double leaf shaped plate design that is embossed on their inner faces with a series of arced ribs and folded about its midpoint. The arced ribs form a series of channels about perimeter of the device that directs saliva into a trough running along the linear axis of both of the plates to direct this saliva into a connected “U” connector that hooks around the patient's cheek. A sterile suction tube is also connected on one end to the “U” connector suction tube and on its other end to a quick connect fitting that mates to a tube adapted with a fitting for connection to a high volume suction pump.

Ultrasound scaler tip and ultrasound scaler has high sterilization effect. Toothbrush has reduced effect on mouth interior. An ultrasound scaler tip has tip body and optical fiber. Tip body has tubular shape with pointed-end opening and rear-end opening, rear end that can be attached to ultrasound scaler body, and intermediate curved part. Optical fiber is thinner than minimum inner diameter of tip body and has rear end toward which light from light source can enter. Optical fiber is inserted from rear-end opening to pointed-end opening of tip body, and has intermediate part that is in contact with curved part, so that end is vibrated by ultrasonic vibration of tip body. Ultrasound scaler body houses liquid supply device, ultrasound-generating device, and light source, which is attached to rear end of ultrasound scaler tip. Light source causes light for sterilization in predetermined wavelength range to enter rear end of optical fiber.

A method for applying a composition to teeth and a dispenser for dispensing a composition. The method of the present invention is directed to the storage and dispensing of a composition. During storage and subsequent use the composition in the storage chamber must be maintained segregated from the applicator surface. This is accomplished by delivering the composition from the storage chamber through a delivery channel having a length and a cross-sectional diameter sufficient to preclude the migration of moisture and the enzyme catalase from the application surface to the storage chamber. The composition is applied to teeth by means of bristles, a sponge surface or fibrillated surface. This applicator can be used with both aqueous and non-aqueous compositions.

To enable firm bonding to a member including a polyaryl ether ketone resin. A bonding method including: a bonding material applying step for applying, to the surface of a member including a polyaryl ether ketone resin, a bonding material including (A) a polymerizable monomer and (B) at least a portion of components for configuring a polymerization initiator, the content ratio of polymerizable monomers at least having two or more polymerizable functional groups in a (p2) molecule among all polymerizable monomers being 50% by mass or greater, and the content ratio of polymerizable monomers at least having one or more polymerizable functional groups and one or more functional groups capable of hydrogen bonding in a (p1h1) molecule being 5% by mass or greater; and a curing step for curing the bonding material. A bonding material and bonding kit using the bonding method.

The present document describes methods of use of photo activated compositions for oral disinfection and/or treatments which comprise at least one oxidant, at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant, and at least one healing factor chosen from hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and allantoin, in association with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses are described which can advantageously be applied to zirconium oxide ceramics in particular by pressing-on in the viscous state and form a solid bond with these.

A planning and guiding method and excavation guiding device correctly implant an artificial tooth root at a predetermined site, perform various excavation processes on a cortical bone section and a spongy bone section by stage-based guidance, and guide eccentric excavation of the cortical bone section and concentric excavation of the spongy bone section according to a bone pattern, such that the artificial tooth root thus implanted is not only positioned at a planned ideal site but also manifests appropriate initial stability.

An orthodontic apparatus for installation in a patient's mouth is disclosed. The orthodontic apparatus includes a first extension wire, a second extension wire, and a palatal archwire. Each of the first and second extension wires includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions and the palatal archwire are manipulatable to apply corrective buccal, labial, and transverse forces on the patient's dento-alveolar complex (DAC), to correct the shape of the patient's palate.

The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, devices, and systems having a dental attachment placement structure. One dental attachment placement apparatus includes a body having an attachment placement surface that is to be placed on an attachment affixing surface of a tooth and wherein the attachment placement surface includes a portion that is shaped to allow placement of an attachment at a particular position on the affixing surface of the tooth and a portion of the body having a contour that is shaped to correspond with a contour of an alignment surface of a tooth and when the contour of the body and the corresponding contour is aligned, the attachment is located at the particular position and can be secured to the affixing surface of the tooth.

The present invention provides a dental implant with a post section that can be implanted in a jaw with a designated mounting component. A crown may be attached to the mounting component. The cmounted components are designed in multiple sections, preferably in two sections, in which a first mounted component with an attached formed first contact pin can be firmly inserted into an allocated recess in the post section, and a second mounted section with an attached formed second contact pin can be inserted into the recess in the second mounted section.

A cement system for forming an implant comprises a reactive glass ionomer cement (GIC) powder, a polycarboxylic acid or salt, and a filler. The polycarboxylic acid or salt is included to initially provide a paste having a pH less than 7 when the cement system is mixed with water. In one embodiment, the filler is substantially inert when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)(AI2O3)6, (CaO)(AI2O3)2, calcium silicate (CaOSiO2), and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the filler is substantially reactive when mixed with water and is selected from (CaO)2(SiO2), (CaO)3(SiO2), and mixtures thereof, and the cement system includes an additional acid to maintain the paste at a pH less than 7 for at least one hour after the cement system is mixed with water.

A dental implant two-piece fixture mount includes an implant fixture-mount base portion at its distal end, and a snap-on, separate, separable top piece at its proximal end, the top-piece including an insertion-tool-engaging surface and a distal cylindrical skirt with a plurality of protrusions on the skirt's inner surface, and a distal insertion projection, the fixture-mount base portion including a separable proximal portion that includes a groove near the bottom of the separable proximal portion for engagement with the protrusions, a longitudinal through passage to receive a fixation screw for attachment of the fixture mount base portion to a dental implant, and that includes an internal, multi-sided region to anti-rotationally engage the distal insertion projection.

The present invention relates to an endosseous implant assembly adapted for treatment of peri-implantitis. The implant assembly comprises an implant core body configured to receive and couple with implant insert structures that potentially facilitate treatment of peri-implantitis.

Root canal abutment devices and methods which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured within a pulp chamber of a pre-existing tooth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy sleeves or plates or elements extending along the abutment. Each of the sleeves has a length with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.

A multi-layer coating of alternating titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium carbo nitride (TiCN) layers is applied to at least part of a dental device for use in attaching crowns, overdentures, and the like in a patient's jaw, where the outermost layer is TiCN with a predetermined percentage of carbon to produce a pink color. The pink outermost layer is of sufficient thickness to conceal the color of the underlying layers, and is very hard and resistant to wear and damage in use. At the same time, the outermost TiCN layer is of a color consistent with the gingival anatomy, and is very hard and resistant to wear and damage in use.

Apparatuses, components, devices, methods, and systems for determining jaw movement are provided. An example patient assembly for capturing motion data of a patient includes a clutch configured to be worn by the patient on a dentition of the patient. The clutch includes a dentition coupling device configured to couple to the dentition of the patient and includes an extension member configured to protrude through the patient's mouth. The clutch also includes a position indicating system rigidly connected to the dentition coupling device. An example position indicating system emits a plurality of light beams. Some examples also include an imaging system and a motion determining device. An example imaging system captures a plurality of image sets that each include at least one of a plurality of screens upon which the light beams project. An example motion determining device processes the captured image sets to determine the motion of the patient's dentition.

The present invention relates to oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s), to tooth cleaning methods using these agents, and to the use of oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s) to reduce the restaining of teeth and/or to reduce biofilm development on dental surfaces and/or to reduce the adhesion of bacteria to dental surfaces and/or to extend the antibacterial action of antibacterial substances.

The present invention provides an intraoral imaging and illumination apparatus (10) comprising a rear portion (12) and a front portion (14) removably connected to the rear portion (12). The front portion (14) is formed as a light guide (29). The rear portion (12) comprises an imaging device (16) and an illumination device (18). The illumination device (18) is adapted to couple light into the front portion (14) and towards a leading end (30) of the front portion (14) opposite the rear portion (12) so as to illuminate a first object (66). The imaging device (16) is adapted to image the first object (66).

A dental bur (10) is disclosed having an elongated shank (11) which extends to a cutting head (12). The shank includes a gripping portion (14), a tapered transition portion (15), and a neck portion (16). The diameter of the neck portion (D1) is generally the same as the diameter of the cutting head (D2). The cutting head includes six helical cutting flutes (20) extending from the neck portion (16) to a tip (18). Each cutting flute has a top cutting edge (21) and a series of generally rectangular shaped cross-cut notches. The rectangular shaped cutting notches are formed by a generally flat floor (25) and two oppositely disposed sidewalls (26). The floor forms a floor cutting edge (28) while the sidewalls form sidewall cutting edges (29). The intersection of the floor cutting edge with the sidewall cutting edges form two interior cutting corners (30).

The tool for treatment of interdental surfaces includes a strip (10) having an abrasive field (12) on at least one of its longitudinal sides (11). The field is situated at a distance (A) from the apical edge (11a) of the longitudinal side, the latter being blank between the apical edge and the field.

A post for a dental crown is disclosed having improved structural features—including increased post strength and reduced likelihood of root fracture. In one embodiment, the post includes a quadrangle (4-way) split shank for increased compliance and root stress reduction while providing very high mechanical grip strength and pull-out resistance. In another embodiment, a shortened threaded section and a thread-free shank tip minimize the possibility of root fracture while still providing high grip strength and pull-out resistance. Embodiments also include a radiused transition from a primary thread to a secondary thread portion of the shank for stress reduction; and axial grooves, cross-axis through holes and other shape features of the post head for increased crown retention strength.

An archwire for use with a passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a resilient main body which is received in the archwire slot, and which further has a predetermined width dimension, and a variable thickness dimension, and wherein the variable thickness dimension of the archwire can be varied so as to facilitate an adjustable application of a force to the passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket so as to achieve a clinician selectable and controllable second and third order movement of a patient's tooth.

An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes an archwire slot for receiving and cooperating with an archwire having a given shape, and wherein the bracket body has multiple forms each having an immovable anterior facing surface which lies in a given plane, and wherein the various forms of the bracket body can be rendered operable to express first, second or third order movement to a patient's tooth undergoing a clinician directed orthodontic treatment.

The present invention provides a dental implant that can deal with a subsequent reduction in bone mass while reducing a burden on a patient, and a set thereof. The present invention is directed to a dental implant comprising: a first stage implant 1 that has a bottomed tubular shape, a male thread 3 formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a female thread 4 formed in an inner periphery thereof; and a second stage implant 2 that has a tip part 6 having a male thread 5 threadably engaged with the female thread 4 of the first stage implant 1 and a rear end part 7 to which an upper prosthesis is to be attached via an abutment 8, wherein the female thread 4 of the first stage implant 1 and the male thread 5 of the second stage implant 2 are tapered threads.

The present invention provides a dental member, which has a reduced size, and thus prevents damages to tooth roots upon implantation, has high strength and low elasticity, and is excellent in engraftment stability after implantation. The dental member is produced with an amorphous alloy having a composition represented by formula: ZraNibCucAld [wherein “a” ranges from 60 to 75 at. %, “b” ranges from 11 to 30 at. %, “c” ranges from 1 to 16 at. %, and “d” ranges from 5 to 20 at. %] and is used as an orthodontic anchor screw wherein the screw part has a core diameter of 0.5-1.0 mm or a length of 2-5 mm, a one-piece-type dental implant wherein the screw part has the largest diameter of 0.5-2.9 mm and a length of 2-13.4 mm, or a two-piece-type dental implant wherein the screw part has the largest diameter of 0.5-2.9 mm and a length of 2-5.9 mm.

Custom dental prosthesis or implants each individually designed and manufactured to replace nonfunctional natural teeth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example dental prosthesis/implant includes a dental implant body having a prosthesis interface formed therein to receive an occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component. The prosthesis interface has a custom three-dimensional surface shape positioned and formed to create a form locking fit with respect to the occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component when positioned thereon.

A method of analyzing a positional relationship between a dental restoration and a dental substructure. The method has steps of scanning a reference area and determining the shape of the dental substructure in its positional relationship to the reference area, and thereby providing a virtual dental substructure model and scanning the reference area along with scanning at least a portion of the dental restoration in fit position with the dental substructure to provide a virtual assembly model. The method further has the step of providing fitting quality information between the dental restoration model and the dental substructure model. The method utilizes superposing of further virtual models to provide the fitting quality information. The method facilitates the assessment of the quality of the fit between a dental restoration and a dental substructure.