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 improved poster frame and display holder for replaceable posters and similar advertising material is disclosed. The sides of the frame include sets of interconnected, and preferably pivotably engaged, extruded metal, molded plastic, or other front and back frame members. A spring member biases the front and back members together for releasably holding a poster or similar display. Interlocking portions of, or attachments to, the front or back members substantially prevent relative longitudinal movement therebetween, while still allowing relative pivotal movement therebetween.

Abstract: A method of diminishing venous leakage to obviate male impotence by injecting fluid into penis implants so as to increase the size of these implants and correspondingly squeeze the flow passage of the leakage that is between the implants to reduce flow through the squeezed flow passage.

Abstract: An offshore fish cage for farming fish comprises a polygonal frame composed of a multiplicity of frame elements. An upper net is hung down from the polygonal frame and is slackened enough so that it has a length of slack sufficient to cover up and down movement of the polygonal frame caused by waves. A lower net composed of a side net fixed to the upper net and a bottom portion fixed to a bottom end of the side net is provided. The lower net has an opening at its top end. Underwater floats are fitted to the side net, and mooring wires are provided to moor the bottom end of the lower net to the bottom of the sea. The polygonal frame is composed of a multiplicity of frame elements which are joined by flexible joints.

Abstract: A dental laboratory die tray having first and second side members and a bottom member with the side members being joinable to form a housing with an open top and an open bottom, and with the bottom member being holdable between to the side members to close the open bottom when the side members are in a housing closed position. The side members may be moved away from each other to a partially closed position permitting removal and reinsertion of the bottom member, thereby providing a die tray with a closed bottom for some operations and with an open bottom for other operations.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system comprising a flexible container for simultaneously dispensing two fluids, and dispensing apparatus for controlled compression of the container. The flexible container includes two separate and independent compartments, each compartment comprising a reservoir portion for holding a supply of one of said two fluids, an outlet and a bi-ended labyrinthine portion communicating with the reservoir portion at one end thereof and with the outlet at the other end thereof. The dispensing apparatus includes a frame having a fixed wall and a movable container impinging member for movement relative to the fixed wall for squeezing the container therebetween to effect the dispensing of the two fluids therefrom substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: An artifical tooth comprises a contacting member formed of a composite material having compatibility with living tissues and diaposed at an outer portion of the artificial tooth to be contacted with alveolar bone, a metal base member having an opening therein and disposed inside of and attached to the contacting member, a metal post inserted into the opening of the metal base member and at least two elastic buffer members disposed in a space between the metal base member and the metal post. The composite material having compatibility with living tissues contains 40 to 95% by weight of a calcium phosphate compound and 60 to 5% by weight of an organic polymer. Each of the elastic buffer members is spaced apart for movably receiving the metal post by which pressure imposed upon the artificial tooth is transmitted.

Abstract: A dental coupling assembly for anchoring a prosthesis in the mouth in which a holding member has a recess defined by a straight right circular cylindrical wall and a closed bottom which confronts the outer right circular cylindrical wall of a plug member whose end receivable within the recess is likewise closed so that the plug member forms a displacement body for displacing a fluid adhesive throughout the cylindrical gap between the two members and between the bottom wall of the recess and the end surface of the plug. Because the walls are cylindrical and not undercut or tapered, the parts can be machined with greater precision and ease while allowing adjustment because of the adhesive field gap. The T-shaped slots and other lateral openings need not be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of the dentin layer of a tooth in a patient, at a region where the dentin is exposed, during a dental treatment, by the steps of: establishing an electric voltage between the dentin at the region where it is exposed and a region of the patient's body spaced from the tooth to create an electric current flow through body tissue between those regions; monitoring the current flow to produce an indication of the electrical impedance between those regions; and converting the electrical impedance indication into an indication of the thickness of the dentin layer.

Abstract: The mandible oscillator system comprises an intraoral-extraoral appliance mounted on the upper and lower arches of the user. Extraoral oscillating means are coupled to the extraoral portion of the appliance for forcibly oscillating the lower jaw within a predetermined angular range between a starting position and an end position. During one-half cycle of oscillation, the lower jaw is forced to move away from the upper jaw, and during the other half-cycle, the lower jaw is forced to move toward the upper jaw.

Abstract: A device for treatment of sexual impotence in human males comprises parallel rods movably interconnected with a possibility of pivoting around their axes, each of the rods being connected to one of the ends of arcuate members which form a glans penis retainer shaped as curved plates, a control retainer and a penile base retainer. The free ends of the arcuate members of the penile base retainer are interconnected through an elastic member provided with a mechanism for reversible adjustment of the degree of its tension and having an eyelet made of the same material as the elastic member.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously separating segments of a dental cast from a plaster base wherein the segments are mounted to the base with pins positioned within holes that extend through the base with the apparatus comprising a platform and a clamp for positioning the base in a predetermined position spaced from the platform. A set of engaging pins are positionable upon the platform in alignment for insertion into the holes of the base. A threaded driver is provided for moving the platform and engaging pins thereon toward a base located at the predetermined position to engage the engaging pins with the dental cast pins thereby dislodging the pins and separating the segments from the base.

Abstract: In dental technology, in order to match root posts to curved root canals, the fixation part consists of a material with mechanical properties, such as ductility and flexural rigidity, that permit topical matching of the fixation part to the curved root canal. For example, the ductility increases from the oral side of the fixation part to the root apex.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing attractive and customized illuminated signs, the apparatus comprising a shroud for the mounting of desired letters, numbers, or other designs, a set of figures for mounting upon said shroud and a means for transmitting illumination energy through said shroud to said figures for illumination. The apparatus may be enhanced by a mounting mechanism and a photoelectric cell to facilitate more efficient and convenient outdoor use.

Abstract: A preformed, elastomeric orthodontic ligature includes a molded protrusion or bumper portion integrally connected to an occlusal region of a ring portion of the ligature. When the ligature is connected to a bracket, the bumper portion extends over occlusal surfaces of the bracket including an occlusal tie wing in order to prevent direct contact of the bracket with an opposing tooth. In preferred embodiments, the bumper portion is connected to the ring portion by a thin web which is configured to enable the ring portion to firmly seat under the tie wing and also enables the bumper portion to conform to the occlusal surfaces of the bracket such that the ring portion does not normally stretch and disengage the tie wings during mastication.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic debonding instrument has jaws that may be opened to place jaw tips over mesial and distal sides of the bracket, and then closed to enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket sides. An actuator is moveable along the length of a handle of the instrument, and cooperates with a lever arm fixed to the moveable jaw to facilitate precise movement of the latter and enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket when the jaws are closed. A slight, quick pivotal movement of the instrument handle by the user presents a torsional force to the bracket base which is particularly advantageous when debonding ceramic orthodontic brackets.

Abstract: An identification device for an electrical wire, comprising a cylindrical left portion adapted to be mounted on a wire to be identified, and a cylindrical right portion severably attached to the left portion and adapted to be severed and slid transversely over the left portion to frictionally engage the first portion. The left portion is preferably integrally connected with a wire terminal, such as a ring, pin, or spade terminal and the like. The left portion is crimped along with the terminal to from an electrical connection between the terminal the stripped end of the wire the terminal is to be connected to. An identifying portion is connected to the right portion, and adapted to visibly display alpha-numeric symbols or the like. The identifying portion is preferably an at least partially transparent hollow portion adapted to contain members with indicia printed thereon.

Abstract: A dental flossing cord is made from only a single kind of material. The inventive cord has a leader portion which is created by causing the multi-strands of the cord to cling together in a unified mass, preferably by an ultrasonic heat treatment which welds the strands together. The invention is especially useful on osseointegrated implant pillars.

Abstract: A replaceable fluid flow control device having a first element for providing valve bodies and a second element for providing fluid inputs and outputs. The second element is firmly mounted on a dental unit with a pair of mounting rods, and the first element is engaged with the second element by screws. It is convenient to dismount the first element from the second element by detaching screws, while blockage occurs within the first element.

Abstract: A dental spray handpiece, consisting of a gripping sleeve having a media inlet connection at one end thereof and a media discharge outlet at its other end, the gripping sleeve having media conduits arranged therein which extend from the media inlet connection to the media discharge outlet and discharge media outwardly therefrom. The media conduit has an electrical heating installation associated therewith for heating the medium, as well as a shutoff valve which is adapted to be brought into an open position through finger-actuation.