Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for dental x-ray imaging, radiation monitoring, and related industrial and scientific applications. Flat or shaped small (and small hybrid) area storage phosphor plates, available in multiple sizes, are encased in SP-carriers and used as detectors for intraoral dental x-ray imaging as a replacement for analog x-ray film and digital x-ray cameras, offering good detection efficiency, high spatial and contrast resolution, and a wide dynamic range. After removal of the SP-carrier, a small area storage phosphor plate is loaded into a dental storage phosphor scanner for readout. Intermediate and large area storage phosphor plates (including hybrid versions) are suitable for non-intraoral dental x-ray imaging. Suitable storage phosphors may be used in radiation monitoring, replacing current detectors employed in a film badge format.

Abstract: A retractable water dispenser arm system for a grinder/polisher includes a flexible hose formed, in part in a loop and affixed at at least one location to a base of the grinder polisher. A spout is mounted to an end of the flexible hose. A biased tension arm engages the hose at the loop, and is moveable, along with movement of the hose, to maintain the hose in tension. The biased tension arm includes a roller over which the hose traverses. A mount on the base is configured to receive the spout and is further configured for traverse of the hose therethrough. The mount includes a mount roller operably mounted thereto for guiding the hose through the mount.

Abstract: A dental whip arm assembly that includes a whip arm base with a whip arm pivot point, a whip arm insert with a locking pin, and a whip arm that is pivotally connected to the whip arm base and includes a slot that receives the whip arm insert in a plurality of insert positions. The whip arm rotates about the whip arm pivot point through a range of motion defined at one end by a fully retracted position, at the other end by a fully extended position, and at least one operating position between the fully retracted and the fully extended position. Further included is a locking mechanism connected to the whip arm base that engages the locking pin, thereby locking the whip arm in the operating position with respect to the whip arm base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment element which is used to receive dental hand instruments. Said treatment element comprises a base part (1) which is provided with connections (2; 39) and which is used to accommodate the instruments, and a instrument storage place (5; 15). Said treatment element comprises an exchangeable upper part (4; 12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a utility line extension and retraction system for enabling users thereof to selectively extend a utility line for utility line use and retract the utility line for utility line storage. The utility line extension and retraction system essentially comprises a plurality of utility line cassettes. Each utility line cassette essentially comprises two laterally-spaced, pulley-receiving walls, an anterior line outlet end, a posterior line inlet end, a stationary pulley assembly adjacent the anterior line outlet end; a traveling pulley assembly intermediate the anterior line outlet end and the posterior line inlet end, and a utility line extending from the posterior line inlet end to the anterior line outlet end, which line imparts motion to the traveling pulley assembly. The traveling pulley assembly travels along a closed path comprising an ascension path, a descension path, and an extended-state rest stop intermediate the ascension and descension paths.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation, including a glass phase which is bioactive silica containing glass in the form of a paste, suspension or solution mixed in a physiologically suitable liquid or bound to a physiologically suitable vehicle, and which preparation reduces the pulpal irritation or a tooth and/or strengthens the structure of a tooth. Bioactive silica containing glass may be a material which contains only Si-oxide or Si-hydroxide and which allows the formation and movement of Si--OH-groups. Preferably, the preparation also contains calcium and phosphate sources.

Abstract: A dental control unit for use by dentists and having a base, a housing on the base to enclose control structure for dental handpieces and connections for conduits interconnecting the control structure and the handpieces and a removable top cover that is fitted over the housing to prevent spattering of contaminating fluids onto the housing and that further includes parallel, spaced apart elongate cavities that are shaped to receive, position and maintain separated the conduits and attached handpieces placed on the top cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rack for instruments, especially dental instruments (1) comprising a drum (2) mounted so as to revolve about a shaft (4), compartments (5) being provided on the periphery of the drum for at least one instrument (1) and its holder (3); an instrument supply line (6) arranged to be connected to one instrument (1) at a time; and a stationary outer casing (7) surrounding the drum (2) and provided with at least one opening for pulling out at least the instrument connected to the supply line. In the invention, to further improve the sterility of the instruments, walls (8) separating the compartments (5) of the drum (2) are sealed (9) relative to the outer casing (7); and the outer casing (7) is provided with means (10, 11, 12) for sterilizing the instruments (1) when they are not being used.

Abstract: A hose having multiple conduits or conductors for transmitting drive air, water, chip air, light and/or electricity to a turbine-driven dental handpiece or other tool and for conveying exhaust air away from that handpiece, such hose being equipped with a plurality of swivel connectors for permitting the handpiece to be rotated a limited amount in each direction about its longitudinal axis with no objectionable restraint imposed, or restorative force exerted, by the conduits as they twist about each other during such handpiece rotation. In each disclosed embodiment, a plurality of the conduits have at least adjacent portions unattached to each other and individually provided with separate swivel connections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for storing a dental handpiece, which has a supply hose connected to one end which supply hose hangs freely in a loop-like fashion below the stored handpiece when the handpiece is in a stored position. The device uses a guidance roller and either a U-shaped element or a second roller to guide the hose during movement of the handpiece from a stored position to an extended position and either the second roller or U-shaped element coact with the first roller to form a socket for receiving the handpiece and providing a first or upper storage position. The device can also include a second U-shaped member which receives the handpiece and holds it in a second storage position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dental treatment chair which contains in its backrest a dispensing controller for compressed air and water to be distributed to the dental instruments of the chair; the controller includes a distributing block for air and water, air-pressure-operated on-off valves, and couplings to connect flexible connecting pipes connected to the instruments to the supply source side. The chair can reduce the number of compressed air and water pipes leading from the seat body to the backrest of the chair and can diminish the distance of piping between the dental instruments and the dispensing controller to reduce passage resistance.

Abstract: One or more dental instruments are connected by flexible supply lines to a dental unit. A retractor is arranged to pull an extended instrument back to the unit upon being triggered. The dental instrument carries a magnet. A magnetic sensor is located near the retractor. When the instrument is passed near to sensor a signal activates the retractor which pulls in the instrument.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated piston is used to move an extended utility line back into a dental unit. The unit has a vent valve which permits the free exhaust of air from the unit as the utility line is pulled from the unit. For retraction of the utility line, the application of pneumatic pressure to move the piston also operates to close the vent valve.

Abstract: An elongated arm has a base end rotatably mounted on a spindle and such arm supports a hose for a hand piece in an arrangement whereby the hand piece and hose are movable between an extended use position and an automatically retracted non-use position. The arm is associated with a spring which is tensioned upon movement of the hand piece and hose to the use position, whereby it will provide such automatic return. An adjusting knob is connected to the spring to control its tension. The arm is arranged to be installed within an unused passageway portion of the hose to provide the necessary support for the hose intermediate its ends. The tip end of the arm carries a spring extension to prevent kinking of the hose.

Abstract: A pneumatic mechanism for dental units wherein a differential pressure applied directly to the utility supply line acts to move the line to a stored position within the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for removably supporting a medical or dental instrument is provided, which instrument is connected by a flexible supply tube to a connection means. The apparatus comprises a box provided with a holder for the instrument and accommodating the tube connection means. The box further contains a device for automatically retracting the tube at least partly into the box when the instrument is placed into the holder and for automatically releasing the tube from the box as soon as the instrument is taken from its holder.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dental treatment chair assembly wherein the assembly is detachably positioned inside the backrest of the chair and comprises a number of cartridge boxes; each of the boxes contains therein an instrument and an extensible connecting pipe and means for assisting manual extension and reeling-in of the pipes from the top of the shoulder part of the backrest, whereby a dentist can arrange the type, number and position of dental instruments in compliance with his convenience and desire by arranging the cartridge boxes. Any instrument can be removed and repaired by withdrawing the cartridge box that contains the defective instrument.

Abstract: A mobile dental unit having a housing of a tabletop height and having a width which is less than the height, the housing on a narrow side being provided with a plurality of side-by-side storage receptacles for dental handpieces, each of the dental handpieces having the supply hose extending through the receptacle to a source with take up devices for each of the supply hoses characterized by the receptacles of the handpiece being arranged in two separate rows with the first row containing primary dental handpieces and the second row containing receptacles for secondarily used handpieces, the first row of receptacles being disposed adjacent the top of the housing and the second row being disposed beneath the first row, a guide pulley for each of the receptacles of the first row being supported adjacent the receptacle and immediately below the top of the housing and the take up devices for each of the supply hoses of the first row including means for retracting the supply hoses into the housing when the handpiec

Abstract: A dental instrument delivery system of the type in which hand pieces are stored at the front edge of an instrument deck and are connected to utilities by means of flexible tubes with coiled memories is provided with structure to contain and support the weight of the tubing. The hand pieces may be held by removable hangers of heat resistant material so that the hangers may be separately sterilized. The instrument deck may further be provided with a slidably mounted tray adapted for cantilever suspension from either side of the deck.

Abstract: A sterile surgical cord and tube retractor for use by surgeons while operating to maintain accessories, such as suction tubes and cauterizing forceps, within easy reach of the surgeon without obstructing the surgical field with tubing and cord when not in use. The device comprises a housing adapted to be supported on the usual instrument table positioned adjacent the surgical field, and in turn supports the instrument tray. A plurality of spring tensioned retractors within the housing separately hold lengths of tubing and cord, permitting them to be withdrawn from the housing for use and then retracted back into the housing.