Abstract:
A system and method for providing a customized on-line shopping interface and/or manufacturing is disclosed. The system uses customer's computer, location, URL, IP address, email domain, embedded promotion code, or other predetermined criteria to provide special product offerings and pricing for a particular class or subclass of customers. If an unauthorized user attempts to access the system, a series of screens containing non-customized pricing is presented to the intruder so as not to alert the intruder that he or she has reached the restricted content. Based on the authentication information, automated manufacturing processes and equipment may be utilized to produce the customized products.
Abstract:
Endodontic instruments or intermediate products (e.g., blanks) used to form finished endodontic instruments having a desired cutting edge and/or taper are formed, at least in part, by molding a metal powder into a desired shape and then sintering the metal particles together. The metal powder is initially formed into a green molded part that is sintered to yield a solid metal part. The sintered metal part may optionally be further processed by additional steps, as needed, to yield a finished endodontic instrument. One additional process includes cold forming the sintered metal body to provide a cutting edge, remove cracks and microfissures, or otherwise modify the characteristics of an intermediate product or endodontic instrument. Other processes include chemical milling and mechanical milling, grinding or cutting to sharpen the cutting edge, form a taper, or otherwise modify the intermediate product or endodontic instrument in a desired manner.
Abstract:
Non-customized dental treatment trays used to provide a desired treatment are formed from elastomeric silicone or silicone-like material. They may be injection molded from a two-part liquid silicone composition or a silicone-like TPE material (e.g., preferably SEBS and/or VERSAflex thermoplastic elastomer). The dental treatment trays possess high adaptability, flexibility, softness, and elastic elongation while also exhibiting resiliency in order to readily conform to the ridges, depressions and contours of a person's teeth during use. The trays possess a greater ability to adhere to a person's teeth compared to non-elastomeric thermoplastic materials. Due to their high adaptability and conformability, the non-customized dental trays behave like a semi-custom dental tray when placed over conformed to a person's teeth, particularly when used in combination with a sticky, viscous treatment composition.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for maintaining a quality of a Raman medium in a Raman conversion cell. In various examples, a flow velocity of the Raman medium is tailored based on a spatial nonuniformity of heat deposition resulting from the Raman conversion in the cell. In particular, in one example, the flow velocity of the Raman medium may be tailored to be higher where the heat deposition/temperature rise is larger and smaller elsewhere in the cell. This type of flow velocity profile reduces the overall required volumetric flow of the Raman medium in the cell without significantly affecting a quality of the Raman medium.
Abstract:
An endodontic instrument extractor tool is configured for removing a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument that has become lodged within a root canal of a tooth. The extractor tool comprises an elongate shaft, including a hollow gripping body at a distal end, and a proximal handle portion. The hollow gripping body includes an inside diameter that is initially greater than a cross-sectional dimension of a fragment of a broken endodontic instrument to be removed from a root canal of a tooth. The inside diameter of the hollow gripping body defines a hollow interior cavity portion into which at least a portion of the fragment is receivable. At least the hollow gripping body of the body is formed of a shape memory alloy (e.g., nickel-titanium) or polymer in an expanded configuration so that upon heating, the shape memory alloy or polymer returns to its unexpanded configuration, tightly gripping around a proximal end of the fragment.
Abstract:
A dental polishing tip is adapted to be coupled to a dental drive apparatus. The apparatus rotates the tip, thereby polishing the teeth. The tip includes: (i) a post having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be coupled to the dental drive apparatus; (ii) an electrostatically flocked polishing head. The electrostatic flocking material on the polishing head at least temporarily increases the retention of the polishing material on the polishing head, thereby deceasing splattering.
Abstract:
Lubricants for containers and for conveyors for transporting containers are provided. The lubricants provide container and conveyor surfaces having low coefficients of friction. In one embodiment, the lubricants comprise a cured coating containing hydrophobic polymers and waxes.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for improving the durability of lubricating layers on the surfaces of disks. The lubricating layers on the disks are exposed to ultraviolet and infrared radiation of sufficient duration and energy to reduce the total thickness of the layer but retain at least about 40% of the thickness of the remaining layer in bonded form. The useable lifetime of the lubricating surface is prolonged by treatment of the lubricating layer in this manner.
Abstract:
A cloud based system for providing data security, the system having a processor which creates a source data file; wherein the source data file is split into at least one fragments; an encryption key associated with the at least one fragments; and wherein the at least one fragments is encrypted by the encryption key; a plurality of cloud storage providers; wherein the at least one fragments is distributed among the plurality of cloud storage providers whereby no single cloud storage provider possesses all of the at least one fragments; a pointer file which is created on a local computer; wherein the pointer file stores the location of the at least one fragments; and wherein the pointer file is accessed; the encryption key authenticates the plurality of cloud storage providers; the at least one fragments are transferred from the plurality of cloud storage providers to the local computer; and wherein the at least one fragments are reassembled; and the source data file is deleted.