Abstract: A dental implant includes a generally longitudinal body having a first portion for receiving an artificial tooth and a second portion for engaging the hard tissue of a person receiving the implant, the second portion having coronal end adjacent the first portion, and a apical end, and a surface characterized by a texture compatible with osseointegration of hard tissue with the second portion, the second portion having a contour adjacent its coronal end having a generally saddle shaped configuration so that upon implantation, the surface of the second portion extends further from the apical end between adjacent teeth than it does in front or behind the artificial tooth.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a guide at the end of the free end of the measurement tape that seats a marking instrument in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the tape and disposes the center line of the marking instrument aligned with the end of the tape. The tape measure may include at least one sharpener incorporated in its housing. The guide, or other attachments for the end of a tape measure, may include measurement markings on its upper surface aligned with measurement markings on the tape to permit precise measurements to be taken at the very end of the tape.

Abstract: A motorized display using piezoelectricity to impart motion to a jewelry item or other items is disclosed. A quartz movement, otherwise used for rotating hands of a clock, is preferably used to rotate the display. In a preferred embodiment, a housing which has a drive aperture encloses the piezoelectric motor and a battery. A drive shaft, which rotates when the motor is powered, passes through the drive aperture of the housing. A holder for removably but securely holding a jewelry item or other items is positioned on the end of the drive shaft exterior to the housing and may be removable from the drive shaft. The holder may be a ring holder, a watch holder, a broach holder, etc., or may even be an entire jewelry box. The rotation of the drive shaft may be either stepped or continuous and a kit may be provided to the user which includes both types of motors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining a shunt flow and particularly for hemodialysis shunts. The method includes determining a shunt flow in a shunt connected between a first point and a second point in a circulating system, wherein a first flow rate is established in the circulating system; a first flow time, or flow velocity is determined between spaced locations in the shunt during the first flow rate in the circulating system; a second flow rate is established in the circulating system; a second flow time, or flow velocity is determined between spaced locations in the shunt during the second flow rate in the circulating system; and a shunt flow is calculated from the first flow time or velocity, the second flow time or velocity, the first flow rate and the second flow rate.

Abstract: A flexible and protective support stay is disclosed. The support stay has insert tabs with rounded edges at both ends to reduce snags when inserting the stay into a garment. The flexibility of the stay is provided by a sinuous member that is independently flexible in two directions. This design enables the stay to flex and move with the wearer of the garment. Because the stay is made as an integrally formed plastic article, the probability that the device will shear and expose the wearer to sharp edges is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method of forming a working electrical discharge machining electrode for creating an injection mold having a gear form. A cutter tool having a single cutting surface is formed, and the cutter tool is used to machine the electrode to form a tooth surface having the same curvature as the single cutting surface. In machining the electrode, a longitudinal axis of the cutter tool is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of an EDM electrode blank.

Abstract: A drawer slide and drawer slide combination which incorporates a connecting clip for providing a quick-release connection between the drawer slide 3 and the drawer 21 the clip comprising a fixing part 1 for connection preferably with a snap-fit, and preferably to the slide and a latching part 13 having a projection 17 thereon, preferably for engagement with an aperture 19 in the drawer 21. The latching part 13 is preferably spring loaded and preferably pivotable between a first aperture engaging position for connecting the drawer to the slide and a second release position in which the projection 17 no longer engages in the aperture in the drawer, whereby the drawer and slide can be disconnected. Disconnection is achieved by applying finger pressure to a release latch portion 15, which may be integral with the latching part 13. The connecting clip could be made of spring metal, but is preferably made of resiliently deformnable plastics material. It may be formed in one or in two parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a latex balloon neck for sealing includes a cleaner and a refresher for cleaning and refreshing the surface of latex material at a region of the inner surface of the neck of a balloon and extending substantially around an inner circumference of the neck so that the neck can be sealed by bring opposed areas of the refreshed surface into direct contact with each other to form a latex—latex bond.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the surfaces of inaccessible objects such as the components of a nuclear power plant steam generator includes: an articulated inspection wand having a proximal end and a distal end movable into position adjacent the surface to be inspected, a laser light source located remotely from the distal end, first and second position sensing detectors located remotely from the distal end of the wand, first and second extending imaging light guides extending from the laser light source, and the position sensing detectors to the distal end of the wand.

Abstract: An improved 2D/3D display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display uses both an imaging LCD and a secondary LCD. The secondary LCD is a light line forming LCD which can be placed between a light line forming system and the imaging LCD for eliminating ghost images, or can be used as the light line forming system itself. Variations of a glass sandwich employing an imaging liquid crystal layer and a line forming liquid crystal layer are disclosed. Alternatively, the secondary LCD may comprise a liquid crystal layer and a series of polarizing strips. Displays in which a 2D or 3D window can be viewed within a 3D or 2D window, respectively, are disclosed using light line forming systems and alternatively using light line forming LCD's which have the opaque stripes divided into individually controllable areas. Movement of one window within another window is disclosed. Also disclosed is a strip diffuser for improving visual characteristics in 3D mode and movable elements for alternating between 2D and 3D mode.

Abstract: The invention includes a dilution sensor for determining a blood property in a peripheral artery distal to the heart and lungs, wherein the dilution sensor may be exposed to the blood flow by passing through a pressure arterial catheter.