Abstract: A dental flossing device replicating a dinosaur, includes a handle part extending in a first direction and a floss holder part extending from the handle part in a second direction different from the first direction. The handle and floss holder parts respectively are formed by shapes replicating (a) the head and open jaws and (b) the remaining body of a dinosaur, the jaws having proximal ends that are joined and distal ends that are spaced apart. The dental flossing device further includes a strand of dental floss extending generally linearly between and secured to the distal end of the jaws.

Abstract: A dental flosser having a pair of spaced apart arms across which a strand of dental floss is extended and a handle extending in a direction different from said the arms, the arms and handle being essentially a flat contiguous injection molded plastic board, the handle having an aperture through its central area bordered by a pair of legs which are bendable to converge toward each other, a pair of wings extending from both outside edges of these legs, each wing being bendable out of the plane of the board to extend transversely therefrom to provide a surface thicker than the original edge of the handle, each of the arms being an extension of one of the legs so that when the legs are pressed toward each other the corresponding arms are urged to diverge from each other, thus stretching and tensioning the strand of floss extending therebetween with the wings providing a comfortable surface against which the users' fingers are pressed.

Abstract: A hair transplant scalp punch comprising a handle and a plurality of punch elements extending from one end of said handle, each punch element having a proximal end secured to said handle and a distal end remote from said handle, each of said distal ends formed as a sharp cutting edge, each cutting edge having a elongate shape, said cutting edges being spaced apart from each other with their said elongate shapes each having opposite sides and opposite ends and being generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: A dental flossing device having a strand of dental floss, a gripping element attached to each end of the floss and at least one structural element for engaging and maintaining the gripping elements in fixed spatial relation relative to each other or the elements being releasably secured to each other, with the dental floss extended generally linearly between the gripping elements, each gripping element being breakable apart from the other or from the structural element for rendering the gripping elements freely movable relative to each other with the floss freely extendible or bendable between the gripping elements.

Abstract: A dental floss holder comprising: a body part, first and second spaced apart arms extending from the body part, a first strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms, said strand having opposite ends secured to the arms, and a second strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms and situated generally parallel to and laterally displaced from the first strand, and a handle extending away from the body part with a pick defined and die cut within the handle, the pick being accessible by bending the pick or the adjacent material out of the plane handle.

Abstract: A dental floss holder comprising: a body part, first and second spaced apart arms extending from the body part, a first strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms, the strand having opposite ends secured to the arms, and a second strand of dental floss extending generally axially between the arms and situated generally parallel to and laterally displaced from the first strand.

Abstract: A disposable dental floss holder for removing plaque and food debris from tooth surfaces and from the interspaces between teeth has a handle part, a bow and a length of dental floss spanning the bow. A movable element is provided which can cause a portion of the floss holder to move and tighten the strand of floss and thus momentarily reduce slack in the floss. The invention further includes methods for manufacturing floss holders with slack in the floss, and for manufacturing floss holders with operable components for momentarily reducing slack which was designed into a flosser or which developed in the flosser due to stretching of the floss. The floss holder designs vary to include multiple bows on a single device, and to reduce the slack by moving selected parts of the bow.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a trocar/cannula assembly through a wall of an anatomical cavity of a patient, the apparatus including a housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, a spine having a longitudinal axis, the spine having proximal and terminal ends, the housing coupled to the spine for movement along said axis, holding means on the housing for holding a trocar/cannula assembly, and drive means coupled to said housing and spine for driving said housing axially on said spine toward said terminal end thereby moving said housing from an initial position to a final position, whereby the trocar/cannula assembly carried by said housing is moved axially along said spine.

Abstract: A trocar system is provided for use in obtaining access into a body cavity for laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures. The trocar system includes a protective housing releasably secured to a trocar housing. An obturator shaft is slidably mounted within the housings and has a stylet at an end thereof terminating at a sharp tip. The obturator shaft is movable in a direction of movement between a retracted position, wherein the sharp tip is retracted into the protective housing, and an extended position, wherein the sharp tip extends out of the protective housing. The trocar system also includes a latching and release mechanism provided within the trocar housing for latching the shaft in its extended position and for releasing the shaft to allow retraction thereof to its retracted position. This latching and release mechanism includes a slide plate movable between first and second positions for permitting movement of the obturator shaft between its retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Dental floss loop devices are formed by a pair of parallel floss strands extending between and having their ends secured to a pair of spaced apart gripping elements. These devices are made by feeding a pair of continuous strands of floss from a source, molding onto these strands gripping elements at successively large and small intervals along the length of the strands, and cutting the strands at the small intervals. In a variation single gripping elements are molded onto continuous parallel strands at equal intervals afterwhich each single element is divided into separate halves, with the spaced apart halves being the pair of gripping elements for each device. The invention also includes dispenser packages for these devices.

Abstract: A plurality of dental floss holders, each formed of a length of floss with gripping elements are aligned in succession with the floss of each being part of a continuous strand that is severable between holders, and with each two adjacent gripping elements of adjacent holders being separable parts of an initially unitary component. Also disclosed is an assembly of parallel disposed floss holders releasably joined together in dispenser packages and other assemblies of packaged dental floss holders.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system, apparatus and staple wherein a resilient staple has a relaxed closed configuration, is expanded into an open crescent shape, and finally is allowed to return to its closed configuration while simultaneously piercing and drawing together adjacent edges of an open incision or wound. The stapling apparatus contains a plurality of staples and includes projections which engage and secure each staple to the apparatus until its closure to tissue is complete and separation from the apparatus is desired. Further mechanism is provided to control the staple as it closes and optionally to re-open a closed or partially closed staple.

Abstract: A soft and flexible device with a gripping portion for releasably engaging, stabilizing and aligning the portion of a naso-gastric tube where it exits the nose adjacent a patient's upper lip; the device is releasably secured on the patient's head by an adjustable harness that encircles the head.

Abstract: This invention is a retention suture bridge device for positioning and securing the exposed portion of a retention suture above and out of contact with an incision closure while the retention suture remains tied. This new device is formed of an arch part with end parts thereof aligned along a longitudinal axis, a series of holes along the arch through which the ends of a retention suture may be extended, and a generally round foot part secured to each end part and pivotal on the end part about the longitudinal axis.