Abstract: An adjustable chair including a control system based around a microprocessor and operated by way of switches preferably located on each side of the seat back. The switches are low voltage flat membrane switches by which the operator moves the chair to a desired position. The switches present a low voltage and sterile environment for both the operator and the patient. The switches can also be easily programmed by the operator to act either in a "momentary" fashion to cause movement of the chair only as long as they are depressed or in a "maintaining" fashion whereby a single depression of a switch causes selected movement of the chair until such movement is stopped by, for example, a limit switch. In addition, one of the switches can also easily be programmed by the operator to alternatively act as either a recline switch or an "auto up" switch. The auto up switch causes the chair to assume a raised and reclined position suitable for performing a specific medical procedure.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated piston apparatus including an outer cylinder having an inner telescopically received piston rod. An elongated slot forms a hydraulic fluid outlet through the wall of the cylinder adjacent the closed end of the cylinder. The piston extends from the open end of the cylinder and, in one aspect of the invention, is rigidly secured to an examination chair to provide for vertical adjustment of the chair. One end of the piston is adapted to gradually block the elongated fluid outlet slot to provide for smooth, linear deceleration of the piston to a stop at the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A medical treatment cabinet having a top work surface and a supply stand extending upwardly from the rear of the top surface. The top drawer of the cabinet has a control panel on its from face for operating various electric examination and treatment equipment. The control panel includes connectors and controls for operating fiber optic instruments and the top drawer contains the control box for the fiber optic instruments and the cabinet power box. One or more electric heating units are mounted above a second drawer for warming instruments contained in the drawer. A lower compartment houses a pneumatic pressure pump and a pneumatic vacuum pump for applying positive pressure and vacuum pressure to the patient during treatment. A vacuum collection container is pivotally mounted within the lower compartment such that it may be pivoted out of the compartment to be easily removed and replaced with a sterile container.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and heating medical or dental examination instruments includes a treatment cabinet having a number of drawers including an instrument drawer located immediately beneath a ledge mounted in the interior of the treatment cabinet. The ledge is formed with a recess within which a heat conductive plate is mounted having heating elements affixed thereto. The heating elements are effective to heat the heat conductive plate, which, in turn, elevates the temperature of the interior of the instrument drawer in excess of the body temperature of a patient. Examination instruments stored within the instrument drawer are heated to the same, elevated temperature in preparation for use in examining a patient.