Abstract:
Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth. The composition includes a carrier comprising a resin and an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. A fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) is dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to the tooth tissue being treated. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.
Abstract:
An oscillatory measurement system is disclosed that includes a visual recorder for detecting irregularities such as bubbles in a fluid to be measured. Techniques are provided for scanning the recorder across the oscillatory tube.
Abstract:
Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth. The composition includes a carrier comprising a resin and an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. A fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) is dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to the tooth tissue being treated. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.
Abstract:
Activating endodontic points and dental tools are sized and configured to be placed in the root canal of a tooth. The activating endodontic points or dental tools are coated or impregnated with a curing agent that initiates or accelerates polymerization of a sealer or filler composition when placed in contact with the sealer or filler material. Curing agents can include amines that can destabilize a peroxide in the sealer or filler material to initiate or accelerate polymerization, or they may comprise the peroxide. An implement can be dipped in a concentrated curing composition just prior to inserting the implement into a root canal to contact the filler or sealer composition. Kits may include a plurality of curing agent compositions having different concentrations and/or amounts of curing agent. Kits may also include a curable resin material that includes a first part of a multi-part curing system and a curing composition that includes, as curing agent a complementary part of the curing system.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for forming an adherend and bonding the adherend to a test piece. A bonding and molding platform is used to form a cylindrically shaped adherend that is bonded to the test piece. The bonding and molding platform limits the bond site to a particular area on the test piece. The bonding and molding platform forms an adherend that is substantially cylindrically shaped and substantially perpendicular to the substrate.
Abstract:
A system and method for polarimetry are disclosed in which a polarimeter may include a light source for transmitting a light beam through a sample within a container; a wavelength selector configured to specify a target wavelength at which the polarization rotation of the light beam emerging from the sample will be evaluated; a polarization rotator configured to be selectively moved into and out of a path of the light beam from the light source; and a detector for obtaining a first measurement of the light beam polarization rotation with the polarization rotator outside the path of the light beam, and a second measurement of the light beam polarization rotation with the polarization rotator within the path of the light beam, with both measurements occurring at the wavelength resulting from the configuration of the wavelength selector.
Abstract:
A sample cell in a polarimeter comprises a thermally conductive body enclosing a substantially cylindrical internal volume with an insulating outer cover which leaves one face exposed for complementarily contacting a temperature controlled base plate so as to keep the sample cell at a predetermined temperature, and a means for positioning the sample cell at a predetermined position such that a measuring light beam longitudinally passes through the sample cell. The water jacket system required for the conventional cylindrical sample cells is eliminated. A cell holder for holding a cylindrical sample cell in a polarimeter comprises a heat transfer element having a concave cylindrical heat transfer surface for complementarily contacting an external cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sample cell so as to keep the sample cell at a predetermined temperature. The heat transfer element is thermally conductive to a thermal electrical conductor element the temperature of which is controllable by an electric current. The cylindrical sample cell is positioned in the light path of the polarized light beam by a cell mount formed by the heat transfer element, or by a pair of flanges resting on a pair of parallel rails. The invention eliminates the use of the water jacket temperature control system for the cylindrical sample cells.
Abstract:
An improved ellipsometry method and a self-correcting simultaneous multiple angle/multiple wavelength return path ellipsometer are disclosed which allow for simultaneous measurement at multiple angles of incidence in a manner which permits separation of instrument error from the measured properties. In the method polarized light from a single beam of light is simultaneously directed to interact with an optical system under study at different angles of incidence and the change of polarization state is measured for at least one and preferably each of a plurality of the angles of incidence. Non-sample optical system ellipsometric effects of the ellipsometer are measured and the measured changes in polarization state are corrected to eliminate errors introduced thereby. The disclosed embodiment is self-correcting by way of a convex reflector which can be inserted into and removed from the optical path of the beam of polarized light between a focusing optic and the sample optical system under study. The convex reflector when inserted into the optical path causes the light rays of the beam of polarized light in each of the plurality of angles of incidence to retrace its path through the focusing optic for detection by a detector array without undergoing reflection and re-reflection as during a sample measurement configuration of the ellipsometer where the convex reflector is removed from the optical path.
Abstract:
A critical-angle refractometer which utilizes an in image of light reflected from an optical interface with a vessel containing a sample under test to determine an optical property of the sample, sample properties are evaluated to prevent improper testing of the sample. This evaluation includes establishing reflectance information associating the amount of reflection with locations in the image; and utilizing a plurality of properties of the reflectance information to determine if the vessel contains a proper sample under test.
Abstract:
A system and method for polarimetry are disclosed in which a polarimeter may include a light source for transmitting a light beam through a sample within a container; a wavelength selector configured to specify a target wavelength at which the polarization rotation of the light beam emerging from the sample will be evaluated; a polarization rotator configured to be selectively moved into and out of a path of the light beam from the light source; and a detector for obtaining a first measurement of the light beam polarization rotation with the polarization rotator outside the path of the light beam, and a second measurement of the light beam polarization rotation with the polarization rotator within the path of the light beam, with both measurements occurring at the wavelength resulting from the configuration of the wavelength selector.