Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle having first and second ends and a head operatively connected to the second end of the handle. Bristles are on the head; an inner cavity is disposed within the first end of the handle; and dental floss is contained in the cavity. A lid is hinged to the first end of the handle and the lid is comprised of a cover member and a flap member.

Abstract: A periodontal surgical instrument is disclosed which includes a motor. A rotary member is mounted for movement at a center of rotation of the rotary member. A shaft couples the output of the motor to the center of rotation of the rotary member. A coupling structure is secured to the rotary member at a point displaced from its center of rotation. A follower member is coupled to the coupling structure. A track member is coupled to the follower member and configured to allow the follower member to move in a closed loop path. A tool secured to the follower member. A method of use is also described for this periodontal surgical instrument for procedures where extraction is desired.

Abstract: A surgical retractor securing apparatus includes an adjustable securing device which attaches the apparatus to the surgical accessory bar of a halo style head fixation device and a capture assembly that releasably engages the elasticized band of a scalp hook retractor. The adjustable securing device compressively grips along a portion the length of a surgical accessory bar or otherwise attaches to an external support, providing a plurality of attachment points. The capture assembly may include a pivotable cam that releasably grips the elasticized band of a scalp hook retractor by compressing the band between the gripping cam and the surgical accessory bar or other external support.

Abstract: A method of making a judgment on emotional positivist or negativity of a person, comprises the steps of obtaining asymmetry ratio between the brain waves of the left and right cerebral hemisphere measured in a given unit time by means of electrodes attached to the left and right side of the scalp, calculating asymmetry ratio versus time at each frequency of the measured brain waves if the time taken for measuring the brain waves exceeds a given time interval, calculating an increase and a decrease of the asymmetry ratio of the previous step with time, and entering the increase and decrease into an artificial neural network to make a judgment on the emotional positivity or negativity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter system adapted for pressure sensing. It comprises a transmitter/receiver for polarized light and an optical fiber to be connected to said transmitter/receiver, said fiber at its distal end being provided with a cylindrical body of transparent plastic material, and said body having a hollow central inner lumen provided around its longitudinal axis, and said cylindrical body is provided with a mirror at its side facing away from said fiber.

Abstract: A measuring device is disclosed which includes a proximal end portion having an actuation member thereon and a distal end portion having an expandable member thereon wherein the actuation member and the expandable member are in mechanical or fluid communication via a lumen which extends therebetween such that actuation of the actuation member causes the radial expansion of the expansion member so that when the measuring device is placed in a puncture with the distal end portion in a blood vessel, the measuring device may be withdrawn until the expandable member contacts the wall of the blood vessel adjacent to the puncture to provide the user with an indication of the distance between and/or depth of the blood vessel beneath the skin of the patient.

Abstract: A device for application to a body part of a patient to determine the physiological condition of the patient. The device includes a housing, in the form of a hollow socket closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end, for receiving the body part, a pressurizing device for applying a pressure field around the body part when received in the housing, and a sensor for sensing changes in the body part related to changes in pulsatile blood volume therein. The housing includes at least three contiguous but separate sections including a distal end section at its distal tip, a proximal end section at its opposite end, and at least one middle section between the end sections. The pressurizing device applies a pressure field to the portions of the body part received within at least the distal end section and the middle section of the housing. The distal end section is configured to apply pressure to all of the distal portion of the body part including its distal most tip.

Abstract: An oral cavity washer with a video scope, has a video scope having image-forming means of forming an image from light from an object, an image pick-up device for converting the light from which the image is formed by the image-forming means into an electric signal, and a first grip portion for being held by an operator; a display for displaying an image picked up by the video scope; and an oral cavity washer having a nozzle for jetting a fluid and a second grip portion for being held by the operator, for washing an oral cavity by jetting the fluid to teeth or gums, wherein the first grip portion and the second grip portion are capable of being made integral with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite orthodontic device including a base of a first material, with a first surface configured to facilitate attachment of the base to a tooth and a second surface configured to provide a mechanical interlock facilitating attachment of a bumper formed of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: An automated screening tool for the exclusion of deep venous thrombosis generally comprises a sensor array for gathering thermal data from the lower limbs of a patient suspected of DVT; a processor for automated analysis of the gathered data; and a display device for reporting the exclusion or non-exclusion of DVT. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a microprocessor based system is utilized to control the gathering of thermal data and, thereafter, the reporting of the gathered data to the processor. According to the preferred method for use of the present invention, the gathered thermal data is utilized, alone or in combination with other indicators, as a factor for exclusion of DVT based upon an implemented algorithm. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a neural network or genetic algorithm is implemented within the processor in order to make an entirely objective determination relative the presence of DVT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handpiece (3) for medical purposes, having a tool holder (5) arranged in the forward end region of the handpiece (3), a retaining coupling (16) for releasably fixing a tool (6) in the tool holder (5), and a drive connection (8), for a rotary and/or stroke drive of the tool holder (5), extending longitudinally through the handpiece (3), there being provided an arrangement for limiting the maximum torque value which can be transmitted to the tool holder (5) to a lesser torque value. For the purpose of broadening the range of application of the handpiece (3), the arrangement can be selectively deactivated and again activated, by means of a setting device (14).

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical device and methods for accessing and retrieving a tissue mass from a body cavity through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. The device consists of a handle comprising an inner rod, which is rotatably engaged within a tubular member, and a loop adapted to hold a surgical bag. The loop comprises first and second bowed leaf elements, wherein the first bowed leaf element is attached to the inner rod and the second bowed leaf element is attached to the tubular member. The device further has a rotatable articulation, such as a hinge, joining the first and second bowed leaf elements, wherein rotation of the inner rod causes the first bowed leaf element to rotate about the articulation, such that the surgical bag may be opened and closed by rotation of the inner rod.

Abstract: A dental implant system having an implant and an coordinating abutment is described. The implant includes an hexagonal reference post against which a prosthesis can be keyed and a Morse-tapered cavity wall. The abutment is adapted to engage the implant cavity wall and can be indexed relative to the implant. In an alternative embodiment, the post within the implant is provided as a separate piece which fits snuggly within the implant.

Abstract: A glenoid prosthesis including a bearing shell, the reverse side of which has a plurality of anchoring pins which are arranged to one another. At least one anchoring pin has a coupling element, and at least one sleeve with a fitting securable coupling element and an outer anchoring structure is provided in order to selectively enable a cementing in of the anchoring pin or a mechanical hammering in of the pin together with the sleeve which is fixed to it.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a guidewire having a compressible guide section capable of deflecting a catheter to abut a lumen wall. The compressible guide section exerts an outward radial force while it is at least partially compressed within a lumen. The guide section permits a physician to precisely locate a catheter within a body lumen and adjust a catheter tip orientation to be directed to a particular side of a body lumen. A method is disclosed for properly matching a guidewire and a catheter to operate together in the present invention, along with a force measuring instrument to assist in measuring a catheter's resistance force value. This method and systems of the present invention involve determining the exact force relationship between the compressible guide section and the resistance of the catheter in vitro.

Abstract: An implantable sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically performing on a periodic basis, e.g., every 1 to 24 hours, specified integrity tests which verify proper operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for immediately placing a non-occlusive and non-functional temporary dental implant prosthesis in the jawbone of a human patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an articulated guidewire for insertion into a blood vessel. The articulated guidewire includes a rotatable sensor cable, a sensor, a connector, and a satellite wire. The sensor cable has a proximal end and a distal end. A sensor connects to the sensor cable near the distal end and rotates with the sensor cable. The satellite wire attaches to the distal end of the sensor cable and holds the sensor cable in the blood vessel. The connector includes a ball and socket joint which aligns the satellite wire and the sensor cable at a variable angle.

Abstract: A method of increasing the probability that a woman will conceive either a male child or a female child, comprising the steps of determining an infrared body temperature of the father, determining an infrared body temperature of the mother, categorizing the determined infrared body temperatures of the mother and the father as either “high” or “low” according to a predetermined categorization criteria, and correlating the stress level of the mother and the father according to a correlation where in the case of high temperature for both the mother and the father, the probability of a male child is greater than the probability of a female child; in the case of high temperature for one of the mother or the father and low temperature for the other of the mother or the father, the probability of a male child is greater than the probability of a female child; and in the case of low temperature for both the mother and the father, the probability of a male child is less than the probability of

Abstract: An optical type pulse wave detection section 1 detects the pulse waveform MH above the skin while moving in the circumferential direction of the arm, when a manual position change mechanism 2 is operated. Capillary vessels and arterioles surrounding a radial artery 24 are formed inside the skin, and pulsation of the capillary vessels and arterioles are opposite in polarity. When a polarity detection section 3 outputs a polarity detection signal KS showing the polarity of the pulse waveform MH, the polarity is displayed on a display 4. Accordingly, a subject can position the pulse wave detection section 1 above the arterioles surrounding the artery by operating the manual position change mechanism 2 while observing the display 4, allowing the pulse waveform MH to be detected with an optimal SN ratio. In addition, the pulse waveform of the arterioles can be detected by specifying the position of the artery without causing a constrictive feeling to the subject.