Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.

Adjoining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections are mechanically interlocked. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. A composite structure may be at least partially produced by such a method.

The present invention represents a qualitative technique modification of the self-uprighting bracket technique. The present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an orthodontic bracket assembly having a base with rotatable body engaging the archwire and removable plate inserted into the base to retain the archwire. In addition, the removable plate can allow or prevent the rotation of the rotatable body depending on the different stages of the treatment.

Improved orthodontic appliances, as well as related systems and methods, are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance can include a shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive a patient's teeth. The shell can include an exterior layer and an interior layer having a stiffness less than a stiffness of the exterior layer. A discontinuity can be formed in the exterior layer.

To manufacture a thermoacoustic energy converting element part, a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates are formed. The first plate is provided with a plurality of linear penetration slits which are in parallel with each other and separated along a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the slit. The slit penetrates the first plate in a thickness direction. The second plate is not provided with any penetration slit. A plate assembly is formed by layering some of the plurality of first plates between adjacent two of the plurality of second plates of which main surfaces face each other. The plate assembly is provided with a plurality of communicating passages formed with the penetration slits adjoining each other in a layering direction. Portions of the assembly at both ends in the extending direction of the penetration slits are cut off to open the communicating passages on both sides of the assembly.

Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.

Earpieces and methods of forming earpieces for radio frequency (RF) mitigation are provided. An earpiece is configured to be inserted in an ear canal. The earpiece includes an insertion element and a sealing section disposed on the insertion element and configured to conform to the ear canal. The sealing section is configured to substantially mitigate radio frequency (RF) transmission and to substantially isolate the ear canal from an ambient environment.

Aligners and orthodontic systems are provided. In some embodiments, an aligner includes a polymeric shell including a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities, an interior layer, and an exterior layer. The exterior layer can comprise a discontinuity formed therein. When the aligner is worn on a patient's teeth, the interior layer can interact with the discontinuity to impart one or more forces to facilitate repositioning of the patient's teeth.

Methods for fabricating layered appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes generating a digital model of a polymeric shell including a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The polymeric shell can include an interior layer having a first stiffness, and an exterior layer having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. The exterior layer can include a discontinuity formed therein. The method can further include transmitting the digital model to a fabrication system configured to fabricate the polymeric shell based on the digital model.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of providing RF mitigation exposure to a user, more specifically an eartip that can provide RF mitigation. The eartip can be an elastic layer forming a cavity with a conductive medium within.