Abstract: A holder for medical/dental instruments and method of using the holder. The holder may include a body, including a first surface and a second surface. The holder may further include a ridge formed along a length of the first surface of the body; a wall portion formed along the length of the first surface of the body and extending vertically therefrom, wherein the wall portion may be parallel to and spaced apart from the ridge; and a plurality of grooves formed in the ridge.

Abstract: A motor-driven fluid, semi-fluid, or semi-sold material dispensing apparatus including a housing; a plunger/drive rack; an electric motor mounted transverse to the plunger/drive rack; a gear system mechanically coupled to the electric motor and configured to drive the plunger/drive rack, wherein the gear system includes a rack drive gear operatively engaged with the electric motor, the rack drive gear includes a plurality of saw tooth type gear teeth, the rack drive gear teeth being configured to engage with corresponding teeth disposed on the plunger/drive rack; and wherein, the electric motor and gear system are housed in a main body portion of the housing.

Abstract: A holder for medical/dental instruments and method of using the holder. The holder may include a body, including a first surface and a second surface. The holder may further include a ridge formed along a length of the first surface of the body; a wall portion formed along the length of the first surface of the body and extending vertically therefrom, wherein the wall portion may be parallel to and spaced apart from the ridge; and a plurality of grooves formed in the ridge.

Abstract: A motor-driven fluid, semi-fluid, or semi-sold material dispensing apparatus including a housing; a plunger/drive rack; an electric motor mounted transverse to the plunger/drive rack; a gear system mechanically coupled to the electric motor and configured to drive the plunger/drive rack, wherein the gear system includes a rack drive gear operatively engaged with the electric motor, the rack drive gear includes a plurality of saw tooth type gear teeth, the rack drive gear teeth being configured to engage with corresponding teeth disposed on the plunger/drive rack; and wherein, the electric motor and gear system are housed in a main body portion of the housing.

Abstract: Instrument containers for use in sterilizing, storing, transporting, and/or presenting medical instruments, such as dental and surgical instruments, are disclosed. The instrument containers may include, an instrument tray; a cover; and a plurality of openings formed in the instrument tray and cover. The instrument containers may be flexible containers, wherein the cover can be snap-fitted onto the instrument tray.

Abstract: A device having a vertical slot for sanitizing a dental appliance inserted in the device. The device comprises a removable tray for containing a dental appliance, the removable tray is suitable to be lifted in and out of the vertical slot of the sanitizing device. The device comprises vertically extending walls on opposing sides of the vertical slot between which the removable tray is inserted, wherein one of the vertically extending walls comprises an ultraviolet lamp for transmission of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The flossing of teeth for users wearing braces is facilitated by a device having a handle attached to side supporting elements and a central tip element where a piece of dental floss is attached to the side supporting elements. The side supporting elements and a central tip element are attached to the handle with a strand of dental floss rigidly connected to the side supporting elements and passing through the central tip element. The central tip element is thin enough to enter the space between the tooth and the brace wire. The user may position the central tip element into the space between a tooth and the brace wire such that one of the side supporting elements is positioned in the mouth and the user may then move the handle in an up and down motion in order to floss between the teeth.

Abstract: A HVE tip that includes two tubular members, each of which is formed with a straight portion and a connecting portion, and one of the connecting portions is telescopically received within the other connecting portions so that the two tubular members can be rotated relative to one another between a plurality of configurations, including a straight configuration in which the axes of the two straight portions of the two tubular members extend generally parallel to one another and in the same plane, and a right angle configuration at which these axes extend generally perpendicular to one another in the same plane. An indexing connection is provided between the two connecting portions.

Abstract: A dental floss package for containing and dispensing a length of floss therefrom, the package including a dispensing envelope formed of thin paper-type material that includes two flat side walls folded over one another in overlapping relation to lie closely adjacent one another, a flap portion joined to one of the side walls and folded over the other side wall, and a cutter element is mounted on the dispensing package. A multi-use supply of dental floss is contained within the dispensing envelope, and has one exposed end thereof passing out through an exit opening in the dispensing envelope. An outer sleeve may be provided over the dispensing envelope, and the floss may be contained in a plastic pouch.