Abstract: A tool for fitting a mouthguard in the mouth of a wearer consists of a mouthguard holding section; a flexible, positioning handle section; a first finger guide; and one or more second finger guides. The mouthguard holding section and the flexible, positioning handle section are molded as one “shot” during injection molding. The first finger guide and the second finger guides are molded as a second “shot.

Abstract: A protective case for a mouthguard has a base, a cover hinged to the base, and a partition on the base adapted to engage the mouthguard and to prevent movement of the mouthguard within the case. Alternatively, the protective case has a pivoting mouthguard holder that is spring-biased so as to raise the mouthguard away from the base when the cove is opened.

Abstract: A customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person consisting of occlusal posterior pads optionally with a connective arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and/or buccal walls. The appliance is made of low-density polyethylene with a tactifying resin.

Abstract: A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient.

Abstract: A device for tensioning web, such as a plastics web dispensed from a shuttle in a wrapping machine, is disclosed. The wrapping machine usually includes an endless track positioned about an object to be wrapped and the shuttle travels on the endless track, dispensing the web as it goes. The rate at which web is dispensed varies as the shuttle progresses around the track and is dependent upon the shape of the track and the shape of the object to be wrapped. The web tensioning device attempts to maintain a constant tension in the web and includes a pair of rollers covered with resilient material. The rollers are urged together to form a nip with the resilient covering of the rollers compressed in the nip. The web is fed between the nip of the rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing timely execution of periodic tasks in a redundant control system. A secondary controller in the redundant system receives a wakeup time array having at least one wakeup time element corresponding to a periodic task as well as a current time value from a primary controller, and schedules a run time for the periodic task at switchover based on the wakeup time element and the current time value from the primary control module. The secondary controller may further receive a task instance corresponding to the periodic task from the primary control module, and schedule a run time for the periodic task at switchover based on the task instance. In addition, the secondary controller may schedule a run time for the periodic task at switchover based on a default period associated with the periodic task, if no task instance and no wakeup time element were received corresponding to the periodic task.

Abstract: A system and method for selective scaling of an image by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. For enlargement scaling, the interpolation processor is implemented. For reduction scaling, the window averaging processor is implemented. For anamorphic scaling, the window averaging processor may be selected and implemented for reduction processing pursuant to a two-pass processing technique wherein the interpolator processing will be implemented thereafter. Image tags are provided for selective scaling of each area of an image according to the type of content of each area by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. The interpolation processor is implemented for line drawing areas of an image, and the window averaging processor is implemented for contone areas of the image.

Abstract: A customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person consisting of occlusal posterior pads optionally with a connective arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and/or buccal walls. The appliance is made of low-density polyethylene with a tactifying resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent graft prosthesis comprising a graft portion that includes a main body portion and an cuff portion, the cuff portion generally located at or near the proximal end of the main body portion and extending circumferentially therealong. Stents comprising the graft supporting structure are also attached to graft portion about the proximal end. In one embodiment, the cuff portion comprises material that is folded over the outside surface of the main body portion with an anchoring stent being attached over the cuff and main body portions, extending proximally therefrom. In another series of embodiments, the cuff portion comprises an external sealing zone that extends around the outer main body portion to help prevent leakage of fluids. In one example, the material of the second edge of the cuff portion is frayed to better engage the vessel walls and promote thrombus and/or tissue growth.

Abstract: A barbed medical prosthesis is disclosed in which the barb includes a basal portion comprising a point of union with the substrate of origin (such as a strut), an anchoring portion adapted to embed into tissue, and a stress-dispersing portion located between the basal and anchoring portions. In one embodiment the stress-dispersing portion comprises a helical coil having a free winding that is unattached to the strut from which the barb extends. In another embodiment, the stress-dispersing portion comprises a series of bends or curves formed in the barb proximate to the point of union with the strut. The barb can be mechanically attached and/or soldered to the prosthesis, or integrally formed therefrom. A second barb portion and stress-dispersing portion, may also extend from the basal portion.

Abstract: A system and method for selective scaling of an image by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. For enlargement scaling, the interpolation processor is implemented. For reduction scaling, the window averaging processor is implemented. For anamorphic scaling, the window averaging processor may be selected and implemented for reduction processing pursuant to a two-pass processing technique wherein the interpolator processing will be implemented thereafter.

Abstract: A customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person consisting of occlusal posterior pads optionally with a connective arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and/or buccal walls. The appliance is made of low-density polyethylene.

Abstract: A system and method for selective scaling of an image by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. For enlargement scaling, the interpolation processor is implemented. For reduction scaling, the window averaging processor is implemented. For anamorphic scaling, the window averaging processor may be selected and implemented for reduction processing pursuant to a two-pass processing technique wherein the interpolator processing will be implemented thereafter. Image tags are provided for selective scaling of each area of an image according to the type of content of each area by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. The interpolation processor is implemented for line drawing areas of an image, and the window averaging processor is implemented for contone areas of the image.

Abstract: A graft prostheses (11), materials and method for implanting, transplanting, replacing, or repairing a part of a patient. The graft prosthesis includes a purified, collagen-based matrix structure removed from a submucosa tissue source. The submucosa tissue source is purified by disinfection and removal steps to deactivate and remove contaminants, thereby making the purified structure biocompatible and suitable for grafting on and/or in a patient.

Abstract: A method and system implements selective, memory efficient, control over the amount of error diffused in a hybrid screening system. An image context error computer receives a pixel classification and an error value. Upon receiving these data, a set of shift registers supplies a fractional portion of the error value to an error diffusion circuit. A bypass thresholder receives screened video and applies simple thresholding. In parallel with the simple thresholding, an error diffuser receives screened video and applies error diffusion. The results of the two processes are output to a multiplexer which outputs one based on the pixel classification.

Abstract: A customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person including of occlusal posterior pads optionally with a connective arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and/or buccal walls. The appliance is made of low-density polyethylene.

Abstract: A device for tensioning web, such as a plastics web dispensed from a shuttle in a wrapping machine, is disclosed. The wrapping machine usually includes an endless track positioned about an object to be wrapped and the shuttle travels on the endless track, dispensing the web as it goes. The rate at which web is dispensed varies as the shuttle progresses around the track and is dependent upon the shape of the track and the shape of the object to be wrapped. The web tensioning device attempts to maintain a constant tension in the web and includes a pair of rollers covered with resilient material. The rollers are urged together to form a nip with the resilient covering of the rollers compressed in the nip. The web is fed between the nip of the rollers.