Abstract: A template for use with an instrument to drill a hole in a surface at a desired location. The template includes a body which has a negative impression of the surface, and a guideway having a first end positioned to open onto the desired location when the body is placed in conforming contact with the surface and a second end positioned on an exterior surface of the body. The second end of the guideway is connected to the first end by a passage. The guideway is preferably positioned in a portion of the template which is removable from the remainder thereof. The template also includes a stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into the hole, a first fastener for attaching the stop to the body and a second fastener for fastening the removable portion of the template to the remainder of the template.

Abstract: A drink cover for covering a mouth of a can or a bottle is formed of a flexible sheet material. The drink cover includes a mouth-covering portion dimensioned for placement above the mouth of the one of the can and the bottle so that the entire area of the mouth is covered by the mouth-covering portion and a retaining portion proximate the mouth-covering portion comprising a first edge engageable with the pull tab of the can or the bottle adjacent to the mouth for retaining the drink cover in an installed position on the can or the bottle. The mouth-covering portion is attached to the retaining portion by at least one connection.

Abstract: A device for use in optical scanning and CT scanning including a radiographic template and at least one shape of known dimension (SKD). The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and is configured to take an impression of at least one surface of a patient. The SKD is removably attached to the radiographic template and serves as a basis for registration of data of a CT scan of the device with data of an optical scan of the device. The device may further comprise a mounting plate. The SKD is mounted on the mounting plate such that the at least one SKD is in an exact same position with respect to surfaces in a model formed from the impression as when the impression of the patient is formed in the radiographic template.

Abstract: A straw holder for vertically supporting a drinking straw in the mouth of a bottle containing a beverage to be consumed and for limiting vertical movement of the straw with respect to the bottle. The straw holder includes a straw support portion dimensioned for placement across the mouth of the bottle and having an aperture defined in the straw support. The aperture receives the drinking straw so that the straw is disposed through the aperture with a leading edge of the straw positioned in the bottle in communication with the beverage. The aperture is dimensioned for adjustably maintaining a vertical position of the leading edge of the straw in the bottle once a desired vertical position is selected. The straw holder also includes a bottle retaining portion coupled to the straw support portion for maintaining the position of the straw support across the mouth of the bottle. The bottle retaining portion includes at least one turn dimensioned for engaging the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: A system and method for orthodontic alignment includes a radiographic template. The radiographic template has a plurality of metallic markers. A negative impression of a patient's dental arch is made. At least one orthodontic treatment aligner is produced. The aligner is manufactured based in part on a computed axial tomography (CT) scan of a patient wearing the radiographic template and a separate scan of the radiographic template, wherein the data is processed by superimposition of the orthodontic aligner on the CT images of the patient including a jaw in axial and panoramic views. In this manner, the tooth above the gum line, represented by the negative impression as well as the tooth below the gum line, represented by the CT data is used to design the orthodontic aligner.

Abstract: A beverage container having a mouth includes a straw holder having a straw support portion dimensioned for placement across the mouth of the container and comprising an aperture designed to receive a straw therethrough and support the straw with respect to the straw support portion. A first retaining portion of the straw holder is connected to the straw support portion and connected or connectable to the container. The straw support portion being movably arranged on the first connecting portion for moving from a first position to a second position relative to the first retaining portion. The aperture for receiving the straw is aligned with the mouth of the container when the first connecting portion is in a connected position on the container.

Abstract: A device for use in optical scanning and CT scanning including a radiographic template and at least one shape of known dimension (SKD). The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and is configured to take an impression of at least one surface of a patient. The SKD is removably attached to the radiographic template and serves as a basis for registration of data of a CT scan of the device with data of an optical scan of the device. The device may further comprise a mounting plate. The SKD is mounted on the mounting plate such that the at least one SKD is in an exact same position with respect to surfaces in a model formed from the impression as when the impression of the patient is formed in the radiographic template.

Abstract: A process for creating a dental model to avoid periodontal defects during planned dental work includes obtaining CT scan data and optical scan data of a patient's dentition and integrating the CT scan data and the optical scan data by at least one of surface to surface registration, registration of radiographic markers, and registration of optical markers of known dimensions, to produce a dental model that includes the dentition and underlying bone and root structures. The process then segments anatomic sites of the tooth roots and underlying bone. A plan for the dental work is then generated based on the segmented anatomic sites, whereby the plan avoids periodontal defects based on the knowledge of the anatomic sites of the roots and underlying cortical bones in the dental model.

Abstract: A method for producing a virtual model of a patient includes placing a radiographic template in contact with a first surface of the patient. The radiographic template includes a plurality of radio-opaque markers and a shape of known dimensions. A negative impression of the first surface is formed by the radiographic template. A first CT scan of the radiographic template and said first surface is performed. The radiographic template is removed from the first surface. A second CT scan of the radiographic template apart from the first surface is performed. The first CT scan and said second CT scan are merged to produce an artifact-corrected image. An optical scan of the radiographic template including the negative impression is performed. The artifact-corrected image and the optical scan are merged based on the shape of known dimensions to produce a virtual model of said patient.

Abstract: A beverage container having a mouth includes a straw holder having a straw support portion dimensioned for placement across the mouth of the container and comprising an aperture designed to receive a straw therethrough and support the straw with respect to the straw support portion. A first retaining portion of the straw holder is connected to the straw support portion and connected or connectable to the container. The straw support portion being movably arranged on the first connecting portion for moving from a first position to a second position relative to the first retaining portion. The aperture for receiving the straw is aligned with the mouth of the container when the first connecting portion is in a connected position on the container.

Abstract: A system and method for orthodontic alignment includes a radiographic template. The radiographic template has a plurality of metallic markers. A negative impression of a patient's dental arch is made. At least one orthodontic treatment aligner is produced. The aligner is manufactured based in part on a computed axial tomography (CT) scan of a patient wearing the radiographic template and a separate scan of the radiographic template, wherein the data is processed by superimposition of the orthodontic aligner on the CT images of the patient including a jaw in axial and panoramic views. In this manner, the tooth above the gum line, represented by the negative impression as well as the tooth below the gum line, represented by the CT data is used to design the orthodontic aligner.

Abstract: A stop for a drill bit having a shaft, the stop having a first member which includes a collet. The collet is configured to receive the shaft of the drill bit and is positionable along the shaft of the drill bit. The stop also has a second member which includes a clamp, for clamping the first member in a desired position along the shaft of the drill bit by securing the collet in a desired position along the shaft of the drill bit. The stop further has an abutment surface on one of the first and second members, for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into an object, the abutment surface being disposed in a fixed position along the shaft of the drill bit by the clamping of the first and second members.

Abstract: An endoscopic intracorporeal suture tying aid allows a suture to be looped around itself multiple times and cinched, enabling a throw of a surgeon's knot to be easily made. The tying aid includes a needle holder connected to a proximal end of a shaft for releasably holding a needle; a hook that slides longitudinally with respect to the beaks; and the shaft being axially rotatable with respect to the hook.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide and retractor for treating mandibular fractures includes an adjustable length sleeve having an inner segment slidably mounted within an outer segment. The adjustable length sleeve also has a through-going lumen which connects a first opening at an end of the outer segment with a second opening at an end of the inner segment. The lumen is dimensioned for slidably receiving a drill bit or other instrument therein. A handle slidably retracts the inner segment into the outer segment to expose a preselected length of a drill bit or other instrument inserted through the lumen of the sleeve. A proximal end of the drill guide includes a mandibular retractor which is inserted intraorally or extraorally and has a retractor blade shaped to retract the cutaneous region laterally away from the bone. The retracting blade also has an aperture which allows surgical instruments to be inserted through the aperture to the bone.

Abstract: An endoscopic intracorporeal suture tying aid allows a suture to be looped around itself multiple times and cinched, enabling a throw of a surgeon's knot to be easily made. The tying aid includes a needle holder connected to a proximal end of a shaft for releasably holding a needle; a hook that slides longitudinally with respect to the beaks; and the shaft being axially rotatable with respect to the hook.

Abstract: An improved healing abutment includes a deformable cap which rotationally contacts a surface connected to an implant fixture. The deformable cap maybe selectively positioned at a desired angle with respect to the implant fixture. An overcap is positioned over the deformable cap. The overcap has an inner surface which contacts and compresses the deformable cap into secure contact with the surface connected to the implant fixture at the desired angle. This secures the overcap in position at the desired angle, which allows the soft tissue to heal except where the dental prosthesis will be located.

Abstract: A mandibular retractor which is inserted intraorally has a retractor blade shaped to retract the cutaneous region laterally away from the mandible. The retracting blade also has an aperture which allows surgical instruments to be inserted through an incision in the cutaneous region, through the aperture, and to the mandible. The retractor allows a surgeon to retract with one hand and view the surgical site by looking down in to the mouth. The surgeon's other hand is free to operate surgical instruments such as a drill or screwdriver.

Abstract: A template for use with an instrument to drill a hole in a surface at a desired location. The template includes a body which has a negative impression of the surface, and a guideway having a first end positioned to open onto the desired location when the body is placed in conforming contact with the surface and a second end positioned on an exterior surface of the body. The second end of the guideway is connected to the first end by a passage. The guideway is preferably positioned in a portion of the template which is removable from the remainder thereof. The template also includes a stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into the hole, a first fastener for attaching the stop to the body and a second fastener for fastening the removable portion of the template to the remainder of the template.