Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a dental syringe having a capsule holder and a plunger for accurately and precisely placing a viscous or low viscosity composite resin dental restorative material from a capsule directly into a tooth. The improvement resides in a plunger having an ejector tip which is maintained under a positive bias that is intended to retract when a resistance exceeding a predetermined amount is met during an ejecting procedure so as to prevent any build-up of pressure within the capsule containing the material to be dispensed that may tend to distort or rupture the capsule. In the case of a low viscosity resin, the plunger having an ejector tip maintained under a positive bias that is intended to retract when the speed of ejection exceeds that of a predetermined rate, so as to prevent sudden and excessive extrusion of material from the capsule.

Abstract: Method for fixation of different positions of a model (2) of the mandible relatively to a model (1) of the maxilla of a patient. One of the models consists of two members (15, 16) namely a tooth member and a socket member unified along coinsiding joint surfaces forming a common boarder plane (19) in a predetermined mutual position. The method comprises impressions of the teeth of the mandible and maxilla respectively are made in an index (54) in the shape of a plastically deformable plate, partly in a thick plate and partly in a thin plate. The mandible and maxilla models (2) are positioned in an articulator (5) so that they coinside with the thick index. The thick index is replaced with the thin index, forming an interspace between the joint surfaces of the divided model. The interspace is cast by filling the space with a cast mass, obtaining a removable interlayer plate.

Abstract: A finger groomer attachment for a writing instrument is disclosed. The inventive device that performs a variety of manicure operations, and can be used to secure a writing instrument to an item, such as a shirt pocket to protect the writing part of a writing instrument from damage and to protect against unwanted marks made by an unprotected writing point while at the same time guarding against fouling of the instrument. The inventive device incorporates a fingernail cleaner for cleaning under fingernails, a pocket-clip for attaching a writing instrument to an item such as a shirt pocket, a cuticle pusher for pushing back the cuticle of a finger, and an abrasive strip for shaping of the fingernails. These are conveniently incorporated into a durable and easy to manufacture attachment which fits on a variety of writing instruments.

Abstract: A dental disc and sleeve assembly for removably coupling die portions of teeth from a dental model onto a cast base. The disc is inserted into a semi-circular cut formed in the underside of the die portions so that the disc is secured in the die and partially protrudes therefrom. A sleeve secured in the cast base has a head portion having a chamber matingly receiving the protruding portion of the disc and a tail portion. Two knobs provided on the opposite sides of the disc are snapped into two grooves formed at two opposite sides of the chamber. The grooves can release the knobs and the disc can be removed from the sleeve when slight pressure is applied to the tail portion of the sleeve to remove the die portion from the cast base.

Abstract: An osteointegrated implant comprises a shank formed with external threads at one end receivable in a bone formed in the jawbone; a cap at the opposite end of the shank and formed with an apertured end wall, to which cap a crown, bridge or denture is securable; a threaded pin threadable into the opposite end of the shank through the apertured end wall of the cap and having an enlarged head for removably securing the cap to the shank; and a shock-absorber spring interposed between the cap and the opposite end of the shank to absorb mastication forces applied to the crown, bridge or denture when secured to the cap.

Abstract: A dental appliance in which an elongated handle has a rectangular aperture at one end for removably receiving an insert with a rectangular cross section hub that has at least one elongated detent channel which is engageable with a complementary elongated protuberance within the aperture. The channel and protuberance may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to the major axis of the hub insert. The hub is rigid and protrudes from the opposite side of the handle aperture so that the insert may be expelled from the handle by applying pressure to the protrusion. Once removed, the insert may be replaced or readied for reverse installation on the handle, particularly where the portion of the handle containing the aperture is angled.

Abstract: An orthodontic device comprises a bracket formed of a sintered polycrystal of alumina exhibiting light transmittance of 70 to 80% and an auxilliary bonding member formed of a soft, transparent or translucent, thin, synthetic resin plate having a mounting aperture formed therein for mounting the bracket therein and a plurality of graduations drawn thereon for indicating the depth from a reference point on the free end of a tooth being subjected to orthodontic treatment to the center of the bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved erection system (30) for implanting in a male (10). The erection system (30) includes first and second inflatable cylinders (32) and (34) for positioning within first and second corpora cavernosa regions (24) of the male's penis (16). A first valve (48) is mounted in the first cylinder (32) to direct and maintain fluid in the first cyclinder and release fluid therefrom. A secon valve (48) is mounted in the second cylinder (34) to direct and maintain fluid in the second cylinder and release fluid therefrom. A pump (40) is provided to pump fluid from a reservoir (38) to the first and second valves (48) to inflate the first and second cylinders (32) and (34) and cause an erection of the male's penis (16) when the valves (48) are opened. After sufficient fluid (48) is pumped into the cylinders (32) and (34) the erection is maintained by closing the valves (48). The penis (16) can thereafter be relaxed by again opening the valves (48).

Abstract: A dental apparatus for perforating the cortical plate of human maxillary and mandibular bones comprises a solid metal needle moulded into a plastic shank, the shank being formed with means for cooperation with a dental contra-angle or straight handpiece into which the shank may be inserted. The shank has a collar at its front end, and a hollow protective cap is removably fitted over the exposed needle and engages the collar.

Abstract: A product and method for highlighting and/or coloring selective areas of hair on a person's head is disclosed. The invention is an improved product for and method of foiling hair to achieve highlighting comprising a segment of aluminum foil having two window panes of transparent material arranged equidistant from each other such that when the foil is folded in half the two panes are aligned one on top of the other.

Abstract: A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anesthesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or camentum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser is contained.

Abstract: A bridge for an artificial dental structure is made of titanium. The bridge is constructed from modular elements which are adapted one to the other and are treated for joining together, for example by means of laser welding. In a first treatment unit one or more first treatment stages are performed for the construction of the bridge. Identification data introduced or utilized in this or these stages relating to the individual different heights of the anchorage elements above the dentine and their different relative inclinations, and the positions and directions of the modular elements in relation to one another and to the anchorage elements are obtained and stored.

Abstract: A device for enabling visualization of the frontal proximity of the turbine housing of a dental drill, which comprises an air turbine dental drill, a coherent fiberoptic imaging scope, and an electronic means of video registration. By functioning as an integral unit, the device allows the combined control of visualization and drilling capabilities with just one hand.

Abstract: A badge for wearing on one's clothes or on any other surface, made of a body layer of synthetic foam and material of the type having no memory when compressed, the body layer carrying an image on its front face and fastening means at its back face. The body layer has a marginal portion of smaller thickness than that of the central portion of the body layer, with the foam material exposed at the periphery of the body layer.

Abstract: A device, a method of using such a device and a method for making such a device for threading floss between dental structures. The threading device is formed of a tube including a handle portion and a blade-like portion. A charge of dental floss is retained in the tube of which a lead portion extends through a tip aperture formed at a terminal tip or end of the blade-like portion. The lead portion is coated with a material to stiffen the same to further facilitate insertion of the device between dental structures. The device is formed by providing a tube and inserting a charge of floss therein. The tube and floss materials have different melting points such that the melting point for the floss material is greater than the melting point for the tube material. The tube is heated to its respective melting point whereupon a portion of the tube is formed into the blade-like portion.

Abstract: An implantable penile prosthesis comprises a tubular body for implantation in a patient's penis and a fluid reservoir for implantation in a patient's body outside the penis. The tubular body and reservoir are in fluid communication with each other. The tubular body comprises a tubular chamber which is inflatable from a flaccid to an erect state when filled substantially to capacity. Fluid flow to and from the chamber is by way of a manually actuatable valve system. The valve system moves between an open position allowing for change from the erect state to the flaccid state, and a closed position allowing for change from the flaccid state to the erect state.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of impotence in a human male patient includes the steps of (1) selecting a penile vein or a crus of a corpus cavernosum; and (2) implanting in the patient a vascular occlusion device that allows the selective restriction of the flow of blood from the selected vein or crus when erectile function is desired, normal flow being otherwise maintained. A preferred embodiment of the vascular occlusion device comprises an inflatable cuff adapted to receive the vein or crus, a squeeze-bulb reservoir containing a working fluid, and a valving mechanism that allows fluid to flow from the squeeze bulb to the cuff, through a tube, when the bulb is squeezed, thereby inflating the cuff to restrict blood flow through the vein or crus. To deflate the cuff, the valving mechanism is manually operable to allow fluid to flow out of the cuff back into the reservoir due to the pressure gradient created by the partial evacuation of the previously-squeezed bulb.

Abstract: An implantable valve accumulator pump for the delivery of medication is disclosed. The implantable pump comprises a drug reservoir maintained at constant pressure vapor. The medication metering assembly comprises a fixed volume accumulator positioned between a pair of valves. The valves alternately open and close to admit medication from the reservoir into the accumulator and to dispense a precise volume spike to an outlet catheter. In order to minimize dead volume and insure complete discharge, the accumulator employs a titanium diaphragm seated in one position by a recessed stop and in the discharge position by a spacer plate having a concentric groove pattern. The grooves are in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet. Also, a wide groove extending between inlet and outlet provides fluid communication between the grooves. The unit is externally programmed.

Abstract: A personal information carrier (10) having a radiographically readable code (12) uniquely identifying a person which is installed in a cavity (34) in the side (30) of the person's tooth (32) which is then filled with a radiolucent composite filler (50) to protectively seal the carrier (10) within the cavity (40). Detecting the location of a missing child is achieved by using a filler (50) which matches the color of the surrounding tooth surface (30) to conceal the presence of the personal information carrier (10) from a potential kidnapper and distributing the code (12) of the missing child to the authorities and professional dental community. Amnesics and corpses are also identified by radiographically reading the carrier (10) and comparing the code (12) to a list of codes (12) of missing persons which are listed in alphanumeric order.

Abstract: A self-contained inflatable sign for temporary attachment to prominent portions of structures to provide a highly visible message day or night. The sign is an envelope made from translucent flexible panels which is inflated by a blower within the envelope which also contains a series of lights. A message banner is interchangeably held onto the envelope. When inflated the envelope becomes a strong illuminated sign capable of withstanding severe outdoor environments but light enough to be quickly and easily erected on highly visible but otherwise difficult to access portions of buildings or structures. An alternate version is specifically designed for mounting against the front of a commercial building as a marquee-type display.