Abstract: A method and a product for cleaning and/or whitening of teeth. Natural human cysteine proteinases are employed for cleaning and whitening purposes and this activity can be blocked by natural cysteine protease inhibitors, which are released secondarily from the product at a later stage. The use of natural cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors provides the advantage that they are man's own proteins, and therefore the risk of allegorization is minimized. In addition, their enzyme kinetics are will known.

Abstract: Silicon compound of general formula a), in which A, B, C, D are radicals which are different from OH and are covalently bonded to Si; two or three of these bond that are linked to Si are Si—O—C, Si—S—C or Si—N—C type bonds and are hydrolyzable in vivo, forming Si—OH bonds that are biologically active especially when in contact with living tissue, the A and D bonds of formula b) being invariably hydrolyzable; at least one of the hydrolyzable bonds corresponds to an acyloxy, aryloxy or vinyloxy radical; at least one of the compounds obtained after hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable bonds is a stabilizer, and the non-hydrolyzable bonds, which are of the Si—C type, correspond to hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon radicals for which Si is not directly linked to the phenyl ring.

Abstract: A method and device for defibrating fiber-containing material in a device operating with the pin mill principle. The device includes a housing and in it a first rotor equipped with collision surfaces; a second rotor concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces, the second rotor being arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotor; or a stator concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces. Further, the device includes a feed orifice in the housing and opening to the center of the rotors or the rotor and stator, and a discharge orifice on the housing wall and opening to the periphery of the outermost rotor or stator. The fiber-containing material is led from the feed orifice to the housing and made to flow together with air or liquid generating a suspension through the collision surfaces of the nested rotors, or the nested rotor and stator to the discharge orifice and further as a discharge flow out of the housing.

Abstract: This invention is thus related to a biospecific multiparameter assay employing single molecule detection. In particular, this invention is related to a new method for determination of several different biomolecules simultaneously in the same reaction solution. The method uses a fluorescent label for labelling biospecific primary probes and a combination of other labels, bound to secondary probes. Complexes are formed comprising primary probes, analyte molecules and secondary probes in the biospecific reaction. These single molecule complexes are counted selectively while discriminating the signals from other fluorescent molecules using confocal fluorometry or two-photon excitation fluorometry including an auto- and cross-correlator for the signals obtained from said fluorescent labels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shapable prepreg comprising fibers and a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix is a multiphase matrix comprising a first matrix component consisting of a monomer or a dendrimer, and a second matrix component consisting of high molecular weight organic molecules, said second matrix component forming a sticky membrane of the prepreg with an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) bonding to the first matrix component. Preferably, the prepreg further comprises a third matrix component consisting of high molecular weight organic molecules, said third component being distributed between the fibers.

Abstract: Organo silicon compound having the following general formula (I): R4—Si (OR1) (OR2) (R3)  (I) where R1 and R2 each one independently represent an atom of hydrogen or an alkyl group, R3 represents an hydrogen atom, an hydroxyl group, an amine group, an alkyl group, an alkoxy or a carboxylate group, and at least one of the OR1, OR2 or R3 groups represents an hydroxyl group, R4 represents an alkyl group substituted or not by a functional group such as, notably, an alkyl phosphate group or an alkyl phosphonate group, or any other group for which the R4—Si bond is not hydrolyzable, and the compound: is in solid form, and/or is possibly associated with at least one stabilizer, and/or is possibly associated with at least one dispersant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fender for absorbing shocks and preventing wear of a first object in relative movement with respect to a second object, comprising a main protective element with axial symmetry and circular cross-section rotating freely about a geometrical axis fixed relative to a support secured to one or the other of the first and second objects and having a hardness index less than that of said first object, and two secondary protective cone-shaped elements with axial symmetry and circular cross-section arranged at each end of the main protective element, independent thereof, and also freely rotating about the same geometrical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the viability of detrimental oral microorganisms in an individual, said method comprising subjecting the individual's oral cavity to a bioactive glass, the average particle size of which is less than 100 &mgr;m. Furthermore, this invention concerns a method for the prevention of dental caries and/or gingivitis in an individual, said caries being caused by a cariogenic bacteria; or for prevention or treatment of periapical infections. Further the invention relates to a method for the whitening and/or mechanical cleaning of an individual'teeth.

Abstract: An abdominal massaging device includes a support and a first plate rotatably mounted on the support. At least one projection extends from and is rotatably mounted upon the first plate. In this way, the projection is effective to rotate with respect to the surface of the plate. In an alternative embodiment a plurality of second plates are disposed on the first plate and projections are disposed on the second plates. The supports for the device further include concave portions for receiving a user's pelvis and rib cage.

Abstract: This invention is related to a flow fluorometric device and method employing a two-photon excitation and/or confocal optical set-up. The optical set-up of this invention is optimal for counting small fluorescent biological particles. The active focal volume is diffraction-limited and consequently much smaller than the volume of the flow channel. The excitation and detection concept has been found very efficient for rejection of the background signal. An objective lens with large numerical aperture for focusing the laser and for collecting the fluorescence is used and this restricts the active volume of measurement to a diffraction-limited volume which approximately corresponds to a volume of femtoliter. This volume is significantly smaller than the detection volume of ordinary flow cytometry.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of biologically active silicon compounds by hydrolysis of a precursor which produces a compound which prevents the formation of polymers from the silicon hydrolyzed bonds.

Abstract: A portable reading device for the blind consisting of a miniature housing (2) attached to a sleeve to be fitted over the tip of the user's index finger like a thimble. The housing (2) includes an optical sensor array (5) and an electromagnetic unit for displaying one printed character at a time in Braille on a tactile surface as soon as the user's finger passes over the character. The electromagnetic unit contains six electromagnets (7) for reproducing Braille characters, and two further electromagnets for indicating incorrect tracking to the user. The latter two electromagnets are activated when the blind user's finger moves too far up or down as it runs along a line of text.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of a patient's fibroproliferative vasculopathy following vascular injury or a vascular surgical operation. The method includes administering to the patient an agonist specific for at least one somatostatin (SST) receptor showing an increased expression in the patient's vascular wall subsequent to injury or operation, the administering being carried out for one to two weeks after the injury or surgical operation.

Abstract: A device for use particularly in reinforcement of teeth or dental prosthetic devices, where the device is used for wetting and for application of a reinforcing fiber bundle. The device includes a flexible pipe through the first end of which the reinforcing fiber bundle can be inserted and through the second end of which the reinforcing fiber bundle can be removed, where the wall of the pipe is treated so as to be essentially opaque to light intended for the curing of the reinforced fiber bundle, and a nozzle arranged at the second end of the pipe, the cross-section of the nozzle being smaller than the cross-section of the pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the controlled release of a therapeutically active agent, especially an androgen, over a prolonged period of time, said device including a core containing the therapeutically active agent, and a membrane encasing the core wherein the membrane is made of an elastomer. According to the invention, the elastomer is a siloxane-based elastomer which includes 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units.

Abstract: An installation device for installing a mobile phone onto the dashboard of a vehicle includes a fastening part attached to the rack of a radio in the dashboard and a supporting part for holding the mobile phone which is connected to the fastening part.

Abstract: A device for collecting refuse from moored ships, including a partially submerged float supporting a refuse collection box located above the water surface and having an open top for depositing refuse. The circular box includes an inner rotor with radial walls dividing the box into a plurality of compartments that each contain an open bag for receiving refuse deposited through the open top of the box. The bags filled with refuse are recovered from a craft by opening an access hatch and rotating the rotor so that each of the compartments may be accessed sequentially.

Abstract: A method of treating respiratory infections or complications derived therefrom in mammals, especially acute otitis media in humans, which includes administering to the mammal an effective amount of xylitol. The invention further concerns the use of xylitol for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of respiratory infections or complications derived therefrom in mammals. One or more therapeutically active agents may optionally be added to the pharmaceutical composition, which can be a solid preparation, such as chewing gum, a powder or tablet, or a liquid preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the controlled release of a therapeutically active agent, especially a progestin or an estrogen, over a prolonged period of time, said device including a core which contains the therapeutically active agent, and a membrane encasing the core wherein said membrane is made of an elastomer. According to the invention, the elastomer is a siloxane-based elastomer which includes 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a simulated wood product which has not only a texture similar to wood, but also exhibits a pattern similar to the grain of natural wood depending on molding conditions, and such a simulated wood product itself. Specifically, pulverized dust 102 obtained by pulverizing a cellulose material as raw materials is subjected to a trituration process to produce powdery particles 111, 121 having an increased bulk specific gravity, surface particles 112, 122 smaller in size and harder than the powdery particles are fixed to outer circumferential surfaces of the powdery particles to produce fixed particles 110, 120, a resin and a pigment are mixed with the fixed particles, and a resultant mixture is melted to be later or simultaneously molded into the desired shape by extrusion or injection molding.