Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A multi-component sterile, disposable tip apparatus for laser surgical devices is provided and features assembly for alignment of a self-contained optical fiber to the surgical device and releasably locking assembly between the tip and device.

Abstract: An assembly for alignment of a sterile, releasably locking optical tip assembly housing an optical fiber connection to a laser surgical device includes a conductive wire sensing element. A second embodiment includes an emitter and a detector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A toothbrush head that includes a main body portion and a generally cylindrical connection member extending downwardly and defining an axis. The connection member includes bottom, outer and inner surfaces and a central opening. The connection member also includes a first lower protrusion that includes first and second inclined surfaces extending inwardly from the inner surface, a first slot defined in the bottom surface and the inner surface, a first lower notch defined in the inner surface, and a first opening defined in the inner surface above the first lower protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention describes an ultrasonic dental insert capable of enhanced operating efficiency. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic insert, when seated in the handpiece, is substantially decoupled, on a rotary axis, from the handpiece. A rotary force need only be applied to the insert to rotate it in the handpiece. At least one light source substantially proximate or distal to the tip may also be provided.

Abstract: A multi-component sterile, disposable tip apparatus for laser surgical devices is provided and features assembly for alignment of a self-contained optical fiber to the surgical device and releasably locking assembly between the tip and device.

Abstract: A multi-component sterile, disposable tip apparatus for laser surgical devices is provided and features assembly for alignment of a self-contained optical fiber to the surgical device and releasably locking assembly between the tip and device.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and head. The handle includes a neck with first upper and lower tabs and a first lug therebetween and second upper and lower tabs and a second lug therebetween. The head includes a main body portion and a generally cylindrical connection member that has bottom, outer and inner surfaces and a central opening, and a first lower protrusion that includes first and second inclined surfaces extending inwardly from the inner surface, a first slot defined in the bottom surface and the inner surface, a first lower notch defined in the inner surface, and a first opening defined in the inner surface above the first lower protrusion. The first slot and the first lower notch are disposed on opposite sides of the first lower protrusion, the first lower tab is positioned in the first lower notch and the first lug in the first opening.

Abstract: Photochemical demethylation reactions in solutions of thiazine dyes, in which the dye molecules act as both sensitizer and substrate, are reduced by quenching triple-state dye molecules, returning them to the unreactive ground state.

Abstract: An improved method for cleaning and sterilizing medical and dental instruments (16) employs the use of a banding device (10) to segregate and hold together medical or dental instruments (16) after use in a particular procedure. The banded instruments (16) are then cleaned and sterilized. This method essentially eliminates the time and effort formerly required when unsegregated instruments were mixed with other instruments for cleaning and sterilization and then stored according to the particular procedure for which they are intended and/or according to the intended particular user thereof.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved process for preparing TBO drug products includes the steps: (1) synthesising an indamine; (2) converting said indamine into an S-indaminyl thiosulfate; and (3) adding an oxidizing catalyst agent, complexing agent, and an acid to said S-indaminyl thiosulfate to formulate TBO and C-4-methyl regioisomer, and derivatives thereof. The invention further comprises new compositions of matter that are useful for detecting dysplastic tissue, as well as, treating dysplastic tissue, namely, TBO products predominantly comprised of peaks eight, peak six, or a combination thereof. N,N-dimenthyl-p-phenylenediamine as a starting material results in a TBO product composition comprised of peaks eight, seven, six, and five in the approximate ratios 33:5:5:1, respectively. Whereas N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine as a starting material results in a TBO demetylated product composition comprised of peaks six, five, tree and two in the approximate ratio 33:5:5:1, respectively.

Abstract: In diagnostic testing for cancer and precancer of the epithelium, the undesired binding of cancer-selective dyes to proteins in the extracellular matrix, which may lead to false positives, is reduced by applying to the epithelium being tested, before application of the dye, a solution of a non-toxic amphiphilic protein in a pharmacolgically acceptable solvent.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for detecting cancerous epithelial cells by selectively marking the mitochondria of the cancer cells, by delivering to the epithelium a cationic supravital mitochondrial marking agent. Selective killing of cancerous epithelial cells in the presence of normal cells is effected by delivering a cationic supravital mitochondrial marking agent to epithelial cancer cells. The killing agent can also comprise the reaction product of the marking agent and a cancer chemotherapeutic drug.

Abstract: A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

Abstract: A method and kit for screening patients for oral epitheleal cancer. The clinician is provided with a kit containing the staining dye test solution in preselected concentration and volume in prepackaged form, to permit the clinician to dispense the solution directly from the package without diluting or reconstituting before application to oral tissue.

Abstract: An improved swab applicator is provided including a swab connected to an elongate stick. The swab applicator further includes a sleeve encapsulating the swab and stick including a handle portion, receptacle portion and transition portion. The handle portion is preferably hollow and cylindrical in shape extending a substantial part around the length of the stick, while the receptacle portion of the sleeve is also hollow and cylindrically shaped having a substantially greater cross section than the handle portion. Meanwhile, the transition portion is preferably hollow and fristo conically shaped to connect the handle portion to the receptacle portion of the sleeve. The transition portion is substantially non-deformable when the receptacle portion of the sleeve is compressed creating a significant level of sheer stress to be imparted between the receptacle portion and transition portion of the sleeve causing the receptacle portion to sever from the rest of the sleeve.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing 2-amino-5-dimethlyaminophenyl thiosulfonic acid comprises the step of oxidizing N,N′-dimethyl-&rgr;-phenylene-diamine in the presence of a source of thiosulfate ions, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture not higher than about 10° C. This compound is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of toluidine blue O. A process for manufacturing toluidine blue O with improved yield, includes the step of preparing the intermediate 2-amino-5-diethylaminopropyl thiosulfonic acid according to the above described procedure.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing 2-amino-5-dimethlyaminophenyl thiosulfonic acid comprises the step of oxidizing N,N′-dimethyl-&rgr;-phenylene-diamine in the presence of a source of thiosulfate ions, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture not higher than about 10° C. This compound is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of toluidine blue O. A process for manufacturing toluidine blue O with improved yield, includes the step of preparing the intermediate 2-amino-5-diethylaminopropyl thiosulfonic acid according to the above described procedure.

Abstract: N-demethylated and N,N-demethylated derivatives of toluidine blue O and compositions which include these derivatives and the conformational isomers of toluidine blue O. Improved methods for the detection of dysplastic oral tissue using such compositions.Processes for synthesis of toluidine blue O products, in which a complexing agent is introduced prior to the last stage of oxidation of a three-step synthesis from N,N-dimethyl-.rho.-phenylenediamine.An HPLC method for characterizing toluidine blue O products in which the mobile phase is an aqueous solution of an organic acid.