Abstract: This invention is directed to a dental instrument and the use of this dental instrument to measure deposits and other imperfections on a tooth surface. The dental instrument has an elongated portion and on at least one end a general curvature portion. The general curvature portion will have the general curvature of a posterior tooth or an anterior tooth. Preferably it also will be marked with measured segments. By placing the general curvature portion against a tooth a deposit or imperfection on a tooth can be measured. In a preferred embodiment the dental instrument will have a general curvature portion in each end; the general curvature on one end being for posterior teeth and the general curvature on the other end being for anterior teeth. When measuring plaque and related deposits a dye solution can be used to make the deposit more visible.

Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a tuft block having bristles wherein the tuft block is moved in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. A second tuft block having bristles is a vibrating section which is moved in and out in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. If desired, the head may also include a fixed section with fixed bristles. The movement of the first tuft block may be an oscillating rotational movement.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a powered or manual toothbrush having a polymer battery as a power source. The polymer battery contains no heavy metals, making it environmentally safe, and contains no alkaline, making it physically safe. The polymer battery is inexpensive and rechargeable, making it an economical power source for the toothbrush. The small size of the polymer battery saves space in the toothbrush housing, enabling the housing to be smaller and saving on materials of construction. The flexible nature of the polymer battery enables it to be shaped to fit into or around the periphery of the toothbrush housing design.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush brush section and method of use thereof is disclosed, the brush section having a generally disk shaped bristle carrier from which extend one or more bristle bearing fingers of varying length and width, which fingers provide increased contact area between bristles and oral gingival tissue for enhanced massaging thereof.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a handle having an elongated head mounted to the handle. The head has a longitudinally central portion which comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned segments connected to each other by a joint. Cleaning elements are mounted to the segments and extend outwardly from the outer surface of the head. A shelf-like protrusion extends laterally outwardly from each side of the central section. Further cleaning elements are flexibly mounted to the protrusions. Preferably the shelf-like protrusions are covered with an elastomer. The central section is made of a harder material than the material of the covered protrusions.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush to provide oral hygiene having a brush section with a first bristle carrier that is powered and driven to rotate in a first path of motion. A second bristle field including a plurality of brush elements extends from a base support of the brush section. An extension member having an end attached to the first bristle carrier and extending outwardly therefrom and at least partially into the second bristle field is also provided on the brush section whereby the extension moves upon movement of the first bristle carrier in the first path of motion to move the second bristle field in a second path of motion. The bristle fields may include a variety of elastomeric and/or non-elastomeric bristles to provide cleaning, polishing, whitening and stimulation to the teeth and gums.

Abstract: A catheter reinforced to prevent luminal collapse and tensile failure thereof, comprising an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal extent, the elongated tubular member defining at least one lumen therethrough for enabling fluid flow between the proximal end and at least one opening defined in at least one of the distal end and the elongated tubular member proximal to the distal end thereof; the elongated tubular member including an outer tubular cover and at least one helical reinforcing member for reinforcing the outer tubular cover to prevent radial collapse of the outer tubular cover during being and pinching of the elongated tubular member and to prevent longitudinal breakage of the outer tubular cover under tension, the at least one helical reinforcing member having an unwound length and a wound length, said at least one helical reinforcing member being wound around the longitudinal axis of said elongated tubular member with a length ratio LR less than one (1) pl

Abstract: The nature of a metal sample, such as the purity of precious metals and metal alloys such as gold, is determined using a handheld probe having an electrode embedded in an electrolyte in a reservoir of the probe and arranged to conduct electrically with the sample through the electrolyte and a fibrous tip. The tip can resemble the point of a marker or writing instrument. The tip is in fluid communication with the reservoir containing the electrolyte, and preferably has the electrode embedded therein. An electrical connection with the electrode is made at the rear of the probe. For testing gold purity, the electrode is preferably a thin platinum wire extending through the reservoir and into the tip to just behind the tip surface. A battery is coupled to a calibration potentiometer whereby the voltage on a millivoltmeter is set to full scale when the probe is open circuited.

Abstract: A support structure to aid in the creation of a corner joint between two planar perpendicularly-situated workpieces. The support structure of the invention consists primarily of a horizontal and vertical support surface, with the vertical support surface displaced from the horizontal surface and separated therefrom by a clearance area, such clearance area designed to accommodate excess material present at the formation of the corner joint between the two workpieces. The support structure of the invention may be used to create a single corner joint, or a second support structure may be implemented in conjunction with the first support structure to simultaneously create multiple corner joints. A variety of clamping and fastening implements are disclosed to maintain the workpieces attached to the support structure.

Abstract: A system of sensors to prevent cheating at a casino gaming table, where the sensors are strategically positioned about a casino gaming table to monitor the movement about certain established areas on the gaming table during certain established times during the play of the game. The tripping of a sensor in response to the detection of unauthorized movement about a certain area of the table sends a signal to a monitoring system which in turn alerts the casino so that the casino may respond to the unauthorized movement accordingly. The system of sensors can be used with a wide variety of card-based or chip-based casino gaming tables.

Abstract: A portable back and arm support device for use on a bleacher-type bench seat which incorporates a simple back support and two arm supports hingedly connected to the back support. Each arm support may be folded inward so that each arm support is in a parallel relationship with the back support as well as with each other in a tight, transportable arrangement, or each arm support may be folded outward in its operation position so that each arm support is in a somewhat perpendicular relationship with the back support. Each arm support contains a unique fulcruming arrangement which allows the arm supports to constrict, thereby attaching to, or "grasping" onto a bench-type seat by fastening to the mere edges of such bench-type seat.

Abstract: A hand operated leverage device is provided for contact with the outer surface of a roll of material, so that a relatively small amount of force applied to the device will result in a forward rotating movement of the roll of material a relatively short distance away from the user and away from the device. The support legs allow the device to be freestanding, with one of the support legs having the ability to accommodate a person's stepping force, while another support leg is pivotally connected to the body of the device and serves as a pivot point for the transmission of the force from the human operator to the roll of material. A curved, adjustable plate connected at the end of the leverage device enables it to actively engage the outer surface of the roll of material during the force-transmissive operation of the device.