Abstract: An exercise assisting instrument assists the user's knee-bending exercise, and lightens a burden and maintains safety of the user. It has a base 10, supporting columns 20, lifting mechanisms 30 consisting of lifting arms, lever arms 40, and a chair 50. A three-member linkage system is formed by the supporting columns 20 and the lifting mechanisms 30, so that the chair 50 may move upward and downward. Further, it is equipped with an upward movement assisting device 33, which provides a force in the raising direction to the hinge point 30a of the lifting arms, so that stand-up movement of the user is assisted and lightening the user's burden is possible. Moreover, a locking device 11 and a stopper 13 are equipped, so the user's safety may be improved.

Abstract: An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket comprises a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings which define an archwire slot therebetween. Notches are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg of each T-shaped tie wing for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings and comprise sloped portions that extend labially towards the archwire slot. Convex sidewall portions and convex floor portions are provided in the archwire slot adjacent to the notches. The body of the bracket is interconnected to a base that includes a continuous series of characters that serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with a tooth. A discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base. A method for forming a bracket is also provided.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser cap for attachment to a toothpaste tube. The dental floss dispenser cap according to certain embodiments of the invention, comprises a housing and an annular base. Upstanding walls form a cylindrical protrusion and a cavity dimensioned to receive the cap of a toothpaste tube underneath. A spool of floss may be placed on the cylindrical protrusion for rotation and dispensing. A cover may be attached to the housing by a first hinge. The cover preferably comprises a notch opening for the dental floss to pass through and a metal cutting member such as a lance mounted to the cover. A lid may be attached to the cover by a second hinge. The lid can be opened and closed to access the dental floss and protect it from contamination when not in use as desired.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secured in place, and provide stabilization of the heart. In particular, the apparatus involves a retractor assembly having a pair of opposing blades having a channel adapted to engage an incision in a patient. The retractor blades may have features to cooperatively engage an instrument mount. The instrument mount may hold an instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and allows the instrument to be easily maneuvered. The retractor blades may have a number of suture locks for securing sutures used during surgery. The retractor system is particularly useful in accessing, positioning and stabilizing the beating heart for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Abstract: A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound to a desired diameter. The retractor includes first and second rings, each having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound. The first and second rings are adapted for disposition interiorly and exteriorly of the wound, respectively. A plurality of retraction elements is disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship between the first and second rings and extends through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound that is dependent on the distance separating the first and second rings. Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible, are contemplated with appropriate attachment elements at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. With a suitable retraction sleeve, a third ring can be provided to form a circumferential retainer to vary the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force.

Abstract: A saliva ejector or eductor including an ejector tube having a suction end and a discharge end. The ejector tube has a wire embedded in the wall thereof adapted to allow the tube to be easily bent into a selected configuration and to retain that configuration. A hollow tip is secured to the suction end of the ejector tube. The tip has an upper face and a lower face. A plurality of tear-shaped openings extend solely through the upper face and communicate the interior of the tip with the exterior thereof.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a plurality of orthodontic brackets, each bracket sized and configured to be placed on a particular tooth of a patient during an orthodontic treatment procedure. Each bracket includes at least two arch wire slots that lie in different planes. The arch wire slots are positioned relative to the bracket base so that when the patient's teeth have become properly aligned as a result of the orthodontic procedure, the corresponding arch wire slots of all the brackets will be substantially aligned.

Abstract: A radiolucent halo-type retractor (20) having a radiolucent curvilinear fixed member (32) connected to a radiolucent curvilinear movable member (34). Each of the fixed and movable members has a radiolucent male coupling (44, 46) projecting outward from a convex surface (40, 42) to receive a female coupling of a retractor arm. The ends (60, 68) of the movable member are separated by a distance less than a distance separating the ends (56, 64) of the fixed member. Radiolucent starburst connectors (58, 62) are disposed on first ends of the fixed and movable members to secure the fixed and movable members at a desired angular orientation. Radiolucent starburst connectors (66, 70) are also disposed on second ends of the fixed and movable members to secure the fixed and movable members at a desired angular orientation. A pin (72) rotatably connects the first ends. A locking shaft (76) rotatably connects the second ends and is operable to lock the fixed and movable members in a desired orientation.

Abstract: An interproximal squirt brush includes a solution container having a compressible solution chamber for containing a washing solution and a nozzle head having an opening, and a brush head including a brush arm and a brush member. The brush arm has a brush portion and a retention portion slidably inserted into the opening of the solution container, wherein a dispensing channel is formed between the retention portion of the brush arm and the inner wall of the nozzle head for allowing the solution to pass therethrough. The brush member is provided at the brush portion of the brush arm. Therefore, when a compression force is applied on the solution container, the solution is released to the brush member through the dispensing channel of the nozzle head.

Abstract: A compact, low-profile surgical retractor (100) avoids the need for a bulky frame. The retractor includes retractor blade components (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) joined pivotally. A cable (170) is guided by each retractor blade component. A winding mechanism (180), such as a spool, is carried by one of the retractor blade components (120) for winding up the cable to cause the retractor blade components to transition from a closed position to an open position. The winding mechanism may be actuated by a detachable handle (200). The retractor blade components may be unitary, injection-molded pieces. The retractor blade components may be fixed pivotally, such as by pins, or pivotally joined by living hinges. A less-invasive surgical method is also provided in which the retractor is inserted into the body through an incision.

Abstract: A method and device for identification of surgical instruments, in particular of dental instruments, uses a stationary geometric arrangement of instrument holders and a suitable positional allocation of the instruments to these holders. The holders are provided in an arrangement of raster modules which cooperate with a base unit, only a single raster module being accessible in each case for removal and fitting of instruments.

Abstract: An ergonomically and functionally improved combination nerve root retractor and sucker device, system, and methods of using such a nerve root retractor and sucker are provided. The nerve root retractor and sucker of the current invention having an adjustable geometry nerve root retractor/sucker shaft.

Abstract: A bite ramp includes a tooth-attachment element and ramp element. The tooth-attachment element is sized and configured for bonding to the lingual surface of a person's tooth, while the ramp element may be either fixed or else hingedly or bendably adjustable relative to the tooth-attachment element. The ramp element provides a ramp at a desired angle for engaging a corresponding tooth of the opposite dental arch when the person's mouth is closed. The engagement between the ramp element and the corresponding tooth of the opposite dental arch may cause the lower jaw to move forward, rearwardly, or not at all relative to the upper jaw, thereby incrementally correcting a deep bite or other abnormal orthodontic condition. A kit may be provided that includes multiple bite ramps, at least two of which initially include different ramp angles.

Abstract: Methods and devices for illuminating a surgical space in a patient are provided. A retractor provides a portal or working path for access to a working space location in the patient. The retractor transmits and emits light from a light delivery system to illuminate the working channel and surgical space.

Abstract: A fluteless endodontic file is provided, formed from a tapered shaft of material having a prismatic shape generally defined by three or more side surfaces and three or more interposed corners. A plurality of notches are cut into one or more corners defining cutting surfaces, points and/or edges. The notched cutting surfaces are formed such that the file, when rotated and/or reciprocated within a root canal, effectively cuts/debrides hard tissue (known in the art as dentin) as well as soft tissue, thus, forming an optimal canal shape. The cutting surfaces are also preferably formed at an angle to the centerline of the instrument to provide optimal cutting efficiency and material removal. The fluteless file design exhibits increased efficacy, with less tendency to bind and break within the root canal and also significantly reduces manufacturing and capital equipment costs.

Abstract: A device for use in assisting a person to stretch a targeted tissue in the body. The stretching device consists of a long, inelastic strap with a fixed loop at one end, and a connector on the other end. The connector has a fixed part and a movable part that, when connected together, form a second loop at the second end of the strap, of varying size. The device is used in combination with instructions that inform the user of the proper use of the device to stretch a targeted tissue in the body. Packaging of the device and the instructions together provides a convenient kit for use in stretching exercises for the body.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert for an ultrasonic dental tool is provided. The ultrasonic dental insert includes a transducer, a connecting body, a hand grip, at least one O-ring and a removable tip. The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The connecting body has a proximal end attached to the transducer and a distal end. The distal end has an engagement portion formed thereon. The hand grip envelopes at least a portion of the connecting body. At least one O-ring is for shock absorption, and is mounted between the connecting body and the hand grip and around the engagement portion. The removable tip engages the engagement portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering conduits into the wall of a patient's heart to communicate a coronary vessel with a heart chamber. The devices are passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall to place the conduit and establish a blood flow path between the vessel and the heart chamber. Additional devices and methods are provided for removing tissue from a coronary vessel or the heart wall to establish a flow path between the coronary vessel in communication with the heart chamber.