Abstract: A dental nozzle, cartridge, capsule or container having a porous or foam flow through applicator connected at the discharge end thereof; and having a body portion containing or receiving a low viscosity dental material. In one form, a displaceable plunger or piston is disposed within the body portion to extrude the dental material through the discharge orifice and attached flow through applicator. The foam or porous applicator may be connected to the discharge end at the time of manufacture as by molding, or by mechanically connecting or by adhering the same to the discharge orifice as part of the assembly process. The flow through applicator may be made in a variety of shapes to provide improved and controlled application of a low viscosity dental material to a dental site. Additionally, the porosity of the porous or foam material may be matched to the viscosity of the dental material to control the flow of dental material therethrough.

Abstract: A pill or tablet crusher and splitter using a combination lever and screw action. A lever attached to a ring having an internal screw thread advances a transversely movable platen towards a transversely fixed or placed anvil crushing a pill or tablet placed between the platen and anvil. The anvil may be removable for easy cleaning. A pill or tablet splitter may be placed in a sunken area beneath an intermediate portion of the lever. The pill or tablet splitter has a tray with a plurality of slopped bottom V-shaped pill or tablet holding clamps. A blade attached to a cover-cutter is placed over the tray. The cover-cutter is forced downward by the movement of the lever splitting or cutting the pills or tablets.

Abstract: A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue (21) prior to the taking of an impression of a tooth (20) for making a crown or bridge which is attained by controlling any bleeding in the gingival sulcus area (21), and utilizing a dental dam (24; 124; 224) preferably formed of a sponge or foam like material to contain an astringent fortified silicone impression material (26) embedded about the prepared tooth (20), and using the patient's biting force to apply the necessary pressure onto the dam until the silicone impression material (26) sets and adheres to the dam to enhance easy removal of the set impression material from the tooth (20). The dam (24; 124; 224) is formed to accommodate either the posterior teeth or the anterior teeth. The dam has retainers (125A, 125B; 225A, 225B) formed therein for aiding in holding the silicone impression material.

Abstract: A serpentine tube used in the manufacture of a fluorescent lamp is coated with a reflective or phosphor material. A magnetic material and coating material slurry is placed within one end of a serpentine glass tube. A magnet is placed adjacent the magnetic material and coating material slurry and is moved in a path conforming to the shape of the serpentine tube. The magnet causes the magnetic material and coating material slurry to travel along therewith, coating a portion of the interior surface of the serpentine tube with a reflective, phosphor, or other material. In another embodiment of the invention, abrasive magnetic material is placed within the serpentine lamp for removing a previously coated material resulting in an aperture being formed. The present invention is particularly suited to the manufacture of serpentine fluorescent lamps that are used to illuminate flat panel displays.