Abstract: A compressed tablet of a pharmaceutical compound which contains uncoated pellets containing a pharmaceutical compound, where the uncoated pellets are dispersed in a matrix containing the pellets and a swellable polymer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for scanning imaged storage photo-stimuable phosphor plates including automatic gain capabilities once scanning of the thus imaged plate is initiated permitting preliminary reading of a portion of the storage foil or photo-stimuable phosphor imaging plate to determine pixel values for evaluation within a predetermined range, and adjusting the gain if such pixel value is outside the predetermined range by modifying the high voltage supply setting and thence to complete generation of a computer stored image having maximum depth of field.

Abstract: A method of coating spherical particles of a beta blocker compound which is based on (a) determining the surface area of a weighed sample of said spherical particles; (b) determining the weight of coating material per surface area unit of spherical particles that will provide a desired release profile for said beta-blocker; (c) determining the surface area of a subsequent batch of spherical particles containing the same beta; (d) coating the subsequent batch of spherical particles with the coating applied in step (b) to provide a coating having substantially the same weight of coating material per surface area unit of spherical particles as determined in step (b).

Abstract: This dental intra-oral film packet configuration includes a film chip and a non-lead radiation shielding member insertable in the light-tight envelope or integral to a wall of the light-tight envelope. The film chip has two sides sensitive to radiation exposure, and the packet protecting the film chip incorporates the radiation shielding fiber powder element on one side of the film chip to provide backscatter radiation equal to the lead (Pb) foil embodiment when the film packet is exposed to radiation. The radiation shielding embodiment is a compounded material of thermoplastic and non-lead metal which couples as the light-shielding member of the envelope or as an insertable shield.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for interrogating or scanning an imaged storage substrate wherein a laser beam is directed towards the imaged storage substrate in a plane disposed at a non-orthogonal angle to such storage substrate thereby to stimulate luminescent information for detection by a linear sensor.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an apparatus and process for evaluating an image-wise exposed storage film positioned about a cylindrically-shaped member and linearly passed a cylindrically-shaped slot for interrogation by a light beam wherein a processing assembly is co-axially disposed within a processing chamber formed by the cylindrically-shaped member and wherein the processing assembly includes a plate member disposed for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the processing chamber and having a pentaprism and a fluorescence light sensor positioned proximate a contact point of the interrogating light beam with the storage film and further including converting electronics for the thus generated fluorescence light wherein after interrogation, the storage film is immediately restored in the same apparatus for subsequent reuse.

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: The invention proves a novel compressed tablet of a pharmaceutical compound and a method of making a tablet of a pharmaceutical compound which are based on uncoated pellets containing a pharmaceutical compound that are dispersed in a matrix which comprises said pellets and a swellable polymer which is compressed into a tablet.

Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an apparatus and process for evaluating an image-wise exposed storage film positioned about a cylindrically-shaped member and linearly passed a cylindrically-shaped slot for interrogation by a light beam wherein a processing assembly is co-axially disposed within a processing chamber formed by the cylindrically-shaped member and wherein the processing assembly includes a plate member disposed for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the processing chamber and having a pentaprism and a fluorescence light sensor positioned proximate the contact point of the interrogating light beam with the storage film and further including converting electronics for thus generated fluorescence light.

Abstract: An erasure assembly for imaging plates comprised of a cover member and a base member, the cover member in the form of an inverted rectangular tray having a plurality of light sources and reflective sources mounted therein behind a diffuser glass member, the base member, complimentary with the cover member having a support area for the placement of imaging plates on their non-reactive surface, their photo-stimulable surface facing upwardly, the cover member closed upon the base member and there being a control means to activate the light sources for a time sufficient to erase the retained images on the photo-stimulable surface of the image plates.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and process having positioning surface for a reusable storage film having information projected image-wise therein wherein the image-wise containing storage film is advanced by a transportation assembly through an information retrieval or interrogation assembly and thence introduced into a restoration collection chamber including a source of light at an energy level sufficient to remove residual image information thereby restoring the storage film to a condition of reuse.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention achieved by adjustable linkage mounting member for shaft members associated with articulating positioning arm members of a dental x-ray assembly wherein each adjustable linkage mounting member is comprised of a housing member mounted within a chamber thereof for receiving a shaft member of a positioning arm member and having a brake shoe disposed in the chamber in frictional contact with the shaft member and wherein frictional contact is adjustable in response to a threaded member disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an improved mounting assembly for a dental x-ray assembly comprised of a base plate member having outwardly-extending wall portions defining a U-shaped chamber along a longitudinal axis thereof and having upper threaded orifices and lower threaded orifices having axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base plate member and wherein a bearing block member is mounted with the U-shaped chamber for rotation by screw members threaded within the upper threaded orifices after mounting of the base plate member to a vertical support member in a vertical plane in a plane perpendicular to the vertical support member and wherein the block member is secured in the base plate member by locking means disposed in a lower threaded orifice once the bearing block is adjusted to a point eliminating any swinging of the dental x-ray assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for withdrawing an exhaust stream including gas, liquids and solids from the dental operatory connected to the suction side of a vacuum pump wherein solids and liquids are sequentially removed such that compressed gas from the vacuum pump is passed through a heat exchanger for cooling, thus permitting the use of lightweight, less expensive conduit piping for a vent exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. The product container further includes an upper end connected to an expansion chamber and a lower end including an orifice plate having a plurality of openings for passage of fluidized air or gas. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. Particles located within the product container circulate upwardly through the partition and the coating liquid spray, between the up bed and the down bed. A central discharge assembly is provided at the lower end of the product containers for emptying particles from the machine.

Abstract: A barrier envelope for reusable photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plates, particularly for digital dental imaging comprised of a plastic transparent film and a plastic opaque film sealed to each other about three sides thereof defining a chamber for an imaging plate and wherein a free side of each film is formed with a flap and one flap is coated with an adhesive medium protected by a peel strip and wherein a “Y” shaped notch is provided on a side of the barrier envelope adjacent to the free side of each film the barrier envelope to facilitate tearing open of the barrier envelope in a removal procedure and transport of an exposed imaging plate to an optical scanning assembly.

Abstract: A barrier envelope for reusable photo-stimulable phosphor imaging plates, particularly for digital dental imaging comprised of a plastic transparent film and a plastic opaque film sealed to each other about three sides thereof defining a chamber for an imaging plate and wherein a free side of each film is formed with a flap and one flap is coated with an adhesive medium protected by a peel strip and wherein a “Y” shaped notch is provided on a side of the barrier envelope adjacent to the free side of each film the barrier envelope to facilitate tearing open of the barrier envelope in a removal procedure and transport of an exposed imaging plate to an optical scanning assembly.

Abstract: A foot switch, interface and associated software, the foot switch having a plurality of switch positions and which permits the operator to duplicate the equivalent series of keyboard entries for the operation of computer functions by means of foot manipulation utilizing the foot switch.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system for use in dental operatories wherein a dental aspirator tip and in the dental operatory is in fluid communication with a vacuum means for providing suction to the system, there being interposed between the aspirator tip and the vacuum means a separation chamber for the separation of effluent, and solids, including amalgam and other particulate matter from the air stream, the separation chamber being in communication with a collection chamber for the separation collection of solids, amalgam and other particulate matter, from the effluent which is discharged, the collection chamber being removably replaceable from the system for the recycling of the contents.