Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating some symptoms associated with cognitive and emotional conditions wherein the composition comprises at least one butyrate alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of n-butyric acid, preferably, a mixture of calcium and magnesium butyrate.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated delivery of gifts uses a computer system to obtain user and sender data and provides for the sending of health care products as gifts.

Abstract: The invention is a composition and method for treating the symptoms associated with cognitive and emotional conditions such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit/hyper activity disorder (AD/HD), Tourette's Syndrome, some forms of autism, and other physiological conditions. The method involves administration of a formulation containing a GABA substrate composed of at least one alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of n-butyric acid, preferably, a mixture of calcium and magnesium butyrate, which crosses the blood brain barrier and transform into GABA, an inhibiting neurotransmitter in the brain.

Abstract: A high strength, flexible, foldable and printable sheet, such as a label sheet or cardstock, is provided with a line of weakness. The sheet has maximum dimensions greater than that of a box into which the sheet is to be located, and is therefore folded flat to fit into the box. The sheet is later removed, and may be printed in a laser or ink jet printer or copier. The sheet is formed to have a tensile strength of at least 4.5 or 5.0 or more kilograms, across the line of weakness, so that it will reliably feed through an office type printer or copier.

Abstract: A medicament containing dental brush includes a plurality of parallel fibers having a medicament such as tetracycline, chlorhexidine, or sodium fluoride disposed between or within the individual fibers. The medicament is released during brushing to provide direct contact of the medicament with the areas in the mouth receiving treatment, including those areas both above and below the gum line. The brush is disposable and contains a sufficient dosage for one use and is preferably used with a rotary toothbrush. Utilizing a dental brush as a means for delivery of the medicament to a treatment area, increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without causing tissue damage.

Abstract: A distillation column reactor is provided having special trays arranged within the column to provide better mixing and thus achieve better mass and energy transfer between the liquid, vapor and catalyst. The trays comprise a slotted support plate for the catalyst with openings to allow vapor passage through the catalyst from the tray below. A draft chimney or riser is provided directly above the slotted openings to increase the vapor velocity and carry the liquid and catalyst upward on the tray. A hood is included at the upper end of the chimney to direct the liquid-vapor-catalyst flow back down onto the tray. The liquid from the tray above is distributed onto the tray about the chimney by distributors which preferably extend below the static catalyst level on the tray.

Abstract: A medicament containing dental brush includes a plurality of parallel fibers having a medicament such as tetracycline, chlorhexidine, or sodium fluoride disposed between or within the individual fibers. The medicament is released during brushing to provide direct contact of the medicament with the areas in the mouth receiving treatment, including those areas both above and below the gum line. The brush is disposable and contains a sufficient dosage for one use and is preferably used with a rotary toothbrush. Utilizing a dental brush as a means for delivery of the medicament to a treatment area, increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: A toothpick has an elongated body portion having an upwardly extending ridge and a pair of angulated legs defining a longitudinal groove, a tooth gap traversing tip which is substantially flat relatively long and tapers to a point for substantially traversing the gap between adjacent teeth, and a tooth scraping tip which is substantially flat relatively short and tapers to a point for scraping adjacent tooth surfaces in an upward movement. The tips are substantially flexible perpendicular to the flat surfaces for adjusting to the curved surfaces which are encountered in the spaced between teeth. The tips are highly effective in removing food debris from the gap between tooth surfaces yet can be produced at relatively low cost from plastic.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without casuing tissue damage.

Abstract: A constant pressure periodontal probe (1) has a probing portion (3) and is connected to a handle (2) through a flexing joint (10). A backing portion (4) extends from the handle adjacent to but spaced away from the probe tip such that a gap (17) exists between the probing portion and the backing portion. As the probing portion is inserted into a pocket between the tooth and gum, the amount of resistance causes the probe portion to be displaced about the flexible joint, closing the gap between the probing and backing portions. When the probing portion contacts the backing portion, a constant insertion pressure has been reached and a reading is taken to determine the depth of the pocket. Utilizing such a constant pressure periodontal probe assures that each reading is taken at a set pressure, preventing damage to the gum tissue and assuring accurate readings.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without causing tissue damage.

Abstract: A multi-measurement periodontal probe (5) has a probing portion (7) which utilizes a needle-like tip (8) to determine the depth of a periodontal pocket. The probe additionally has a measurement member (9) extending opposite to the needle-like tip. The measurement member has gradations or other markings for determining the distance between an occlusal tooth surface and the bottom of the periodontal pocket, at the same time that the depth of the periodontal pocket is determined from the gumline. The use of such a probe allows determining whether periodontal disease is progressing while eliminating the bias encountered with changes in the gumline which may occur as a consequence of periodontal disease. Utilizing such a probe assures that accurate readings are taken and improves the accuracy of the diagnosis of periodontal disease.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of fibers welded together to form a bottom plate. The bottom plate has formed structures produced by partially melting one end of the fiber bundle while pressing the bundle into a shaped recess in a heated tool. The shaped structures allow interlocking of the brush head with mating structures in a driving devise.

Abstract: A high strength, flexible, foldable and printable sheet, such as a label sheet or cardstock, is provided with a line of weakness. The sheet has maximum dimensions greater than that of a box into which the sheet is to be located, and is therefore folded flat to fit into the box. The sheet is later removed, and may be printed in a laser or ink jet printer or copier. The sheet is formed to have a tensile strength of at least 4.5 or 5.0 or more kilograms, across the line of weakness, so that it will reliably feed through an office type printer or copier.