Abstract: The present invention is a dental video camera which includes a housing, a light source, a CCD camera, an adjustably focusing lens system and a fixed focusing lens system. The housing has an elongated cavity with a distal end and a proximal end. The CCD camera disposed in the elongated cavity of the housing at the proximal end thereof. The adjustably focusing lens system is disposed within the elongated cavity of the housing and is optically coupled to the CCD camera. The adjustably focusing lens system provides a focusing adjustment between a near field of focus and a far field of focus. The fixed focusing lens system is optically coupled to the adjustably focusing lens system and is disposed in the elongated cavity of the housing adjacent to the distal end thereof. The rotatably adjustable iris is optically and mechanically coupled to the adjustably focusing lens system.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp includes a base, a first stiff lead-in wire and a second stiff lead-in wire, a connector, a filament and a non-opaque tubular envelope. The base is formed out of a non-conductive material. The first and second stiff lead-in wires, respectively, extend from the base. The connector is electrically coupled to the first and second stiff lead-in wires and mechanically coupled to the base. The filament has a first end and a second end which are electrically coupled to the first and second lead-in wires, respectively. The filament is formed out of a conductive wire in the shape which provides a radiation area which is similar to the illumination area of the bundle of optical fibers so that the radiation fills the illumination area within the geometric boundaries imposed. The non-opaque tubular envelope has an open end and a closed end and is mechanically coupled to the base at the open end. The base press-seals the non-opaque tubular envelope to form an enclosed chamber.

Abstract: The invention is a sensor which includes a porous microsphere and an optical fiber which having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the optical fiber is coupled to the porous microsphere by an adhesive material. The porous microsphere is doped with a dopant. The dopant may be either an organic dye or an inorganic ion. A sensing apparatus includes the sensor, a spectrophotometer and a source of light. The spectrophotometer is coupled to the proximal end of the optical fiber. The source of light causes either the organic dye or the inorganic ion to fluoresce.

Abstract: A testing device has a sample container open at one end and a sample collector which includes a tube having a first end and a second end, a piston having a first side and a second side and a hole communicating with the first and second sides, either an absorbent pad or a finger pricking mechanism affixed to the piston on the second side of the piston in fluid communication with the hole in the piston, a holding reservoir having a first end and a second end and a venting hole and a lid hingedly coupled to the holding reservoir at the second end for securing a sample of saliva in the holding reservoir. The piston fixed to the first end of the tube on the first side of the piston with the hole in fluid communication with the tube fits closely and slidably within the sample container. The absorbent pad has an exposed first portion, a second portion disposed within the piston and a third portion disposed within the tube.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing amorphous silica microspheres having fluorescence behavior includes the steps of placing into a container an organosilicon precursorand with a highly acidic solution and rinsing with a solvate to remove excess of the organosilicon precursor from the amorphous silica microspheres. The organosilicon precursor and the highly acidic solution are immiscible. The process for synthesizing amorphous silica microspheres also includes the steps adding a dopant from a group consisting of rhodamine-6G, rhodamine-B, europium 3.sup.+, fluorescein, coumarin-120, coumarin-314T, thionine, uranium and uranium-sensitized europium, stirring the organosilicon precursor and the highly acidic solution to form droplets of the organosilicon precursor in the highly acidic solution whereby water in the highly acidic solution hydrolizes the droplets of the organosilicon precursor to form amorphous silica microspheres and rinsing with a solvant to remove excess of the organosilicon precursor therefrom.

Abstract: A collection kit includes a sample container with a cap and a sample collector. The sample collector includes a holder, a swab and a plunger. The holder is formed out of a tube which has a first end with a slot and a second end. The swab is formed out of a collection material with a first side-edge and a second side-edge. The swab is coupled to the slot of the holder adjacent to the first side-edge. The swab has a plurality of notches cut along the second side-edge. The holder draws the swab along a tissue surface in order to collect either cells or fluids for investigation. Once the sample collector has collected a tissue sample, the plunger is slidably inserted into the holder so that the plunger dislodges the swab from the slot in the holder in order for the swab to be deposited into the sample container.

Abstract: A saliva sampling device includes a collection container, a saliva collector and a sample container. The sample container is inserted into the collection container and becomes fluidly coupled thereto by inserting the saliva collector into sample container and pressing it therein. This allows a sample of saliva to be collected, separated from the saliva collector and retained within the collection container for testing. The saliva collector includes a piston fitting closely within the sample container and a porous mass which may be compressed by the piston in the sample container to extract the sample of saliva for distribution to the collection container. A buffering solution may be retained within the sample container for mixing with the sample of saliva.

Abstract: A saliva sampling device includes a sample container, a cap, a sample collector and a sample adequacy system. The sample container has an inner wall surface and a retaining ridge which is disposed on the inner wall surface. The sample collector includes a piece of filter paper and a holder which has a tube and a paddle coupled to the piece of filter paper. The paddle has a peripheral edge for engaging the retaining ridge of the sample container. The cap has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface. The outer wall surface snugly engages the inner wall surface of the sample container. The inner wall surface has a truncated conical portion having a top and a cylindrical portion which is coupled to the truncated conical portion adjacent to the top thereof. The truncated conical portion thereof slidably engages the tube in order to guide the tube so that the cylindrical portion thereof snugly engages the tube.

Abstract: A system to exterminate and control subterranean termites and other subterranean pests inhabiting a subterranean area surrounding or in close proximity to a structure having a perimeter near ground level and support pads includes a plurality of first pipes, a plurality of second pipes, a source of steam, a plurality of temperature sensors, a temperature display and a controller. Each pipe has a plurality of holes in its sidewall. The first and second pipes are disposed beneath ground level along the perimeter of the structure and along its support pads, respectively. The source of steam is fluidly coupled to the pipes. Each temperature sensor is disposed adjacent to one of the pipes. The temperature sensors generate temperature signals. The temperature display displays a temperature reading of the temperature adjacent to each pipe in response to the temperature signals. The controller regulates pressure and/or temperature of the source of steam in response to the temperature signals.

Abstract: A golfing apparatus includes a speed measuring mechanism, a saturation detector, either an acoustic trigger or an optical trigger, a correlator and a display. The speed measuring mechanism has a boresight disposed at an angle with respect to level ground so that it can be aimed at the golf ball while in flight. Either the acoustic trigger or the optical trigger generates a trigger signal in response to either the sound or the sight of the struck golf ball. The saturation detector detects movement of either a club head or the struck golf ball and provides an indication signal that there is a STRONG SIGNAL condition. The trigger signal and the indication signal are ANDED together in order to turn on the speed measuring mechanism to allow the measurement of the speed of the golf ball. The speed measuring mechanism measures the component of the speed of the golf ball which is parallel to the boresight.

Abstract: A saliva testing device includes a sample container opened at one end, a tube, a piston, a holding reservoir and a filter. The piston is fixed to a first end of the tube on a first side of the piston and has a hole in fluid communication with the tube. The piston fits closely and slidably within the sample container. An absorbent pad is affixed to the piston on a second side thereof in fluid communication with the hole in the piston. The holding reservoir is in fluid communication with a second end of the tube. The filter is in fluid communication with a second end of the tube. The absorbent pad receives a sample of fluid to be tested. When the piston is slidably inserted into the sample container, a pressure is generated forcing the saliva of fluid into the holding reservoir through the tube.

Abstract: A dog-feces collection system includes a harness and a bag. The harness is attached to a dog adjacent to his rear-end. The bag has an open end, a first side edge and a second side edge and is detachably coupled to the harness. The harness holds open the bag in order to collect feces from the dog.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing decision-making using left to right to left hemisphere guidance includes a housing, two buttons which are coupled to the housing and four recording media with their respective instructions to a user. The first instruction is to think about a subject until an issue related to the subject comes to his mind, then to make a choice from alternatives of the issue and thereafter the user presses one of the two buttons to designate his choice of one of the alternatives of the issue. The second instruction is to look inside his head and ask himself if he is right while he is inclined to a new discovery. The third instruction is to see a picture of the subject in his head and while he is daydreaming the picture to listen for thoughts in his mind about how he is right, then to listen for thoughts in his mind about the other side of the issue, with both sides of the issue in his mind to listen for changes over a period of time.

Abstract: A transparent cube puzzle which includes a transparent cube-shaped container, a first number of cubes and a plurality of designators. The first number is defined by (n.sup.3 -n) with n being the maximum number of cubes in a row. The transparent cube-shaped container has six faces each of which has a second number of holes equally-spaced apart thereon. The second number is defined by n.sup.2. Each cube has six faces and is formed out of a transparent material. One first designator is coupled to each face of each cube. Each face of the cubes has an indentation thereon and a first designators is disposed in the indentation of each face of each cube. Four first sets of the first designators each of which consists of the second number of tabs which are of a color which is distinctive within the four first sets. Two second sets of the first designators each of which consists of a third number of tabs which are of a color which is distinctive within the four first sets and within the two second sets.

Abstract: A device for training a hitter to hit a baseball includes a striker rod having a striker head, a solenoid having a plunger, a ramp, a support structure and a control unit. The plunger is coupled to the striker rod. The support structure is coupled to the ramp. The ramp is coupled to the solenoid. The control unit is electrically coupled to the solenoid and activates the solenoid causing the plunger to move upward. When the plunger moves the striker rod upward the striker head propels a baseball upward.

Abstract: A fluid sampling and testing device includes a container which has a first portion and a second portion, a collecting mechanism, a removing mechanism, a sealing mechanism, an opening mechanism and a testing mechanism. The collecting mechanism collects a measured sample of a fluid and is coupled to the container in the first portion thereof. The removing mechanism removes the measured sample of the fluid from the collecting mechanism and is coupled to the container in the first portion thereof. The sealing mechanism seals the first portion of the container from the second portion. The opening mechanism opens the sealing mechanism so that the measured sample of the fluid may enter the second portion of the container from the first portion thereof. The testing mechanism tests the measured sample of the fluid and is coupled to the container in the second portion thereof.

Abstract: An IV bag has a front surface layer, a rear surface layer, a top peripheral edge, a right side peripheral edge, a bottom peripheral edge and a left side peripheral edge. The front surface layer is joined to the rear surface layer along the top, right side, bottom and left side peripheral edges to form the IV bag. A neck strap is fixedly coupled to the top peripheral edge and is detachably coupled to the left side and right side peripheral edges. The neck strap, once detached, may be placed around the neck of a user to support the IV bag. The neck strap by being detachably coupled along the right side and left side periperhal edges of the IV bag functions as a neck engaging support for the IV bag. During an emergency situation it is not necessary for the user to search for the neck strap becuase the neck strap is fixedly coupled to the top periperhal edge of the IV bag.

Abstract: A combined alarm system and window covering assembly includes a top housing, a bottom rail, a covering, a continuous conductive wire which has a first end and a second end and an alarm device. The alarm device has a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The covering is mechanically coupled to the top housing and the bottom rail. The continuous conductive wire extends from the top housing down to the bottom rail and up from the bottom rail to the top housing. The first and second ends of said continuous conductive wire are electrically coupled to the first and second input terminals of the alarm system. The continuous conductive wire is coupled with the bottom rail as a main pull string for raising and lowering the bottom rail and the covering.

Abstract: A saliva sampling device includes a collection container, a saliva collector and a sample container. The sample container is inserted into the collection container and becomes fluidly coupled thereto by inserting the saliva collector into sample container and pressing it therein. This allows a sample of saliva to be collected, separated from the saliva collector and retained within the collection container for testing. The saliva collector includes a piston fitting closely within the sample container and a porous mass which may be compressed by the piston in the sample container to extract the sample of saliva for distribution to the collection container. A buffering solution may be retained within the sample container for mixing with the sample of saliva.

Abstract: A saliva sampling device includes a holder, a saliva collector and an indicator. The saliva collector selectively receives a sample of saliva. The saliva collector is a piece of filter paper and is fixed to the holder. The indicator is activated by a preselected amount of the received sample of saliva. The indicator is coupled to the holder and to the saliva collector so that a technician can collect the sample of the saliva and determine that it is of adequate amount.