Abstract: An improved stabilizer or retractor or other surgical tool having an elongated distal arm carrying a tissue-contacting mechanism at its distal end and a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end for locking functional components of the tool in a desired position or configuration. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to a turret or other structure attaching the distal arm to a base by means of a shorter, proximally extending flexible arm. The flexible proximal arm allows the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base so that it can be placed more conveniently in the operative field.

Abstract: A guide and method of using the guide for positioning within a patient between vertebral members for contouring each of the members. The guide comprises a first section and a second section. A first edge is positioned along an edge of the first section, and a second edge is positioned along an edge of the second section. One or more elongated rods extend through the sections. One or both of the sections are movable along the rods to adjust a spacing between the first edge and the second edge. When positioned within the patient, the first edge is aligned along a first vertebral member and the second edge is aligned along a second vertebral manner. A manner of locking the sections is included for preventing the sections from moving relative to each other once the first and second edges are aligned within the patient.

Abstract: Lateral connector with adjustable offset for a connection between a rod and a member for fixation to the spine, comprising a component to be connected to the fixation member and provided with an extension inserted into a second component which comprises a seat for the rod and a way to immobilize the rod and the extension when placed in contact with each other. The first component comprises a head with an opening with a bearing surface of articulation cooperating with a corresponding bearing surface of the fixation member. The second component comprises an orifice for receiving the extension, permitting rotation of the second component about the extension, with the orifice intersecting the bottom of the seat to form a slot.

Abstract: A multiple diameter tangential set screw particularly for securing a rod within a hook shaped rod receiver includes a threaded mounting segment, a threaded rod engaging segment, and an abutment surface at a transition between the mounting segment and the rod engaging segment. The mounting segment has a larger diameter than the rod engaging segment and is received in a threaded bore formed in the rod receiver. The abutment surface has a concavely radiused surface of revolution. The rod engaging segment is positioned so that threads of the rod engaging segment cut into the surface of the rod to secure the rod from rotational movement. Engagement of the rod engaging segment and the abutment surface cooperate to urge the rod into frictional engagement with the rod receiver and to secure it from axial, radial and rotational displacement relative to the rod receiver.

Abstract: An articulated modular spinal fusion cage is implanted in the intervertebral space and adjusted in situ from an anterior access position to support adjacent vertebrae in normal curved alignment. The cage includes a first leg having a cylindrical pivot member and a second leg having a socket. The socket permits pivotal movement of the first leg with respect to the second leg to an anteriorly open, wedge-shaped orientation which may be selectively angularly adjusted. The laterally elongated socket and pivot member form a fulcrum that is positioned anteriorly from the posterior leg ends to enhance torsional stability and increase anterior preload. A driver is inserted through a bore in the socket and corresponding groove in the flange and is operable to engage a sloped interior surface of the first leg and to urge the anterior end upwardly by rotating the pivot member within the socket.

Abstract: A device for applying a product to keratinous material, such as hair, for example, eyelashes or eyebrows, or to fingernails. The device may comprise a support made of a first material and a mounting member coupled to the support. The mounting member may be made of a second material having a rigidity lower than a rigidity of the first material. The device also may comprise at least one row of applicator elements on the mounting member capable of applying the product to the keratinous material. The mounting member may be configured to pivot with respect to the support when at least some of the applicator elements contact the keratinous material during application of the product.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a product to keratinous fibers. The applicator may comprise a core curved about at least two axes that are not parallel to one another. The applicator may also comprise a plurality of application members extending from the core. The plurality of application members may be configured to apply the product to keratinous fibers.

Abstract: A multiple clip fastener for securing sections of hair of a human being in rows and for aligning hair clips. The apparatus is a semicircle headband, retaining comb, or barrette that has a plurality of hair clips integrally attached and aligned longitudinally along their top. In use, the headband, retaining comb, or barrette is attached to the hair and hair sections are neatly aligned and secured in rows to the multiple clip fastener by placing each corresponding hair section into corresponding hair clip. Each clip remains aligned with each other and the multiple clip hair fastener is removable and reusable.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece for use with a micro-cutting instrument, includes a motor contained within a housing. The housing includes a motor enclosure surrounding the motor and a sleeve placed about the motor enclosure. An internal passage is formed entirely between the sleeve and the motor enclosure. Finally, the sleeve defines a handling region and forms inlet and outlet ports proximal the handling region which are fluidly connected to the internal passage. During use, a cooling fluid, flows through the internal passage as the cooling fluid circulates from the inlet port to the outlet port. The motor is sealed relative to the cooling fluid by the motor enclosure. Thus, the cooling fluid does not directly contact the motor, but instead serves as a heat exchange medium through which heat generated by the motor is thermally transferred to the cooling fluid via the motor enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flavor enhanced protective dental floss comprising a dental floss and various dental desensitizing formulations that taste good. Regular use of such a flavor enhanced protective dental floss will therefore provide not only a significant reduction in the incidence of dental hypersensitivity but also provide all other benefits normally associated with flossing. As a result, consumers will now be able to achieved better overall results; inexpensively, safely, and in a much more pleasurable manner than is otherwise possible.

Abstract: A cosmetic case includes a frame unit and a stack of trays. The trays are mounted pivotally on the frame unit, and are turnable about a single axis to move between a closed position in which the trays are aligned with each other, and an open position in which the trays are out of alignment from each other. Each of the trays lags behind an adjacent one of the trays during turning movement of the trays, and has a first engaging member, a slide rail, and a second engaging member. The first engaging member of each of the trays is slidable along the slide rail and is engageable with the second engaging member of an adjacent one of the trays for subsequent simultaneous movement therebetween.

Abstract: A self-analysis hair density measuring device comprises a housing body with a calibrated gauge element movably affixed to one side of the housing body. There are at least two or preferably three movable pronged tines extending from within the proximal end of said housing body with a gear or pivot mechanism disposed within the housing body that operatively connects the tines with the gauge. There is also a flexible, handle extending from the distal end of the housing body that is numerically calibrated with a flexible, tapered distal tip. Using a minor, the tines may be used to measure the width of one's part which, over time, may indicate whether the part is widening or narrowing and thereby is directly indicative of the rate of hair loss and/or regrowth. The flexible handle is wrapped around the user's ponytail or mane and is directly indicative of hair density.

Abstract: The present application relates to a device for applying a product to keratinous fibers. The device may include a plurality of applicator elements oriented substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the device and comprising a first applicator element and a second applicator element consecutive with the first applicator element. A first portion of a peripheral edge of the first applicator element may be at a first longitudinal distance from a corresponding first portion of the second applicator element. A second portion of the peripheral edge of the first applicator element may be at a second longitudinal distance from a corresponding second portion of the second applicator element. The second longitudinal distance may be less than the first longitudinal distance so as to define at least one narrowed section configured to engage at least one keratinous fiber between the first and second applicator elements.

Abstract: A hair cosmetic applicator includes a container for accommodating a hair cosmetic, and a comb section for discharging the hair cosmetic that is inside the container. The comb section is configured by aligning a plurality of plate-form comb teeth having liquid passageways for the hair cosmetic formed in the interiors thereof in the thickness direction of those plate-form comb teeth, discharge holes for the hair cosmetic are provided in at least one side of opposing surfaces of the adjacent plate-form comb teeth, and an inclined surface is formed in the base part of the plate-form comb teeth between adjacent plate-form comb teeth so as to face toward the hair cosmetic application surface when the hair cosmetic is being applied.

Abstract: Wig or hairpiece having a flexible antislip system (2) which allows a user to non-adhesively and removably attach the wig or hairpiece to the user's head. The wig or hairpiece includes a drawable fabric (3) impregnated with a thin drawable film (4). The thin drawable film is arranged on a surface of the drawable fabric which contacts the skin of the user's head when the wig or hairpiece is positioned on the user's head. The thin drawable film prevents the wig or hairpiece from slipping on the user's head when positioned on the user's head. The thin drawable film has at least one of a non-sticky and a non-gummy antislip surface at temperatures lower than a softening temperature of the thin drawable film.

Abstract: A method of treating a bone fracture includes a step of attaching a pair of bone fragments together with an internal screw. An outrigger pin is then attached to the internal screw. An alignment guide is positioned in the internal screw and in the outrigger pin. An external fixator frame is then attached to the outrigger pin. This structure combines the function of an internal screw with an external fixation pin in cases where there are at least two significant bone fragments that need to be compressed together and a need for external buttressing in order for proper healing of the bone fracture.

Abstract: A dental implement includes an elongate body having a dental tool at one or both ends and a comfit grip which is attached to the body and employed for manipulating the tools. The comfit grip includes an oral hygiene enhancement constituent carried in an electuary. The comfit grip may be removed from the implement body and placed in the user's oral cavity for release of the oral hygiene enhancement constituent through contact with saliva and/or by chewing. The oral hygiene enhancement constituent may comprise an anticaries agent, a malodor inhibitor, a tooth whitener, a plaque inhibitor or other constituents known to have oral hygiene enhancement properties.

Abstract: A finger nail decal attaching device includes a base member having a recess for receiving finger therein. A strip driven by two mandrels is movably located above the base member and a plurality of decals are connected to the strip. A heating member is located beside the strip and softens the decals. A pressing member has a rod and a soft pad which is connected to a first end of the rod and located above the strip. The rod is moved toward the strip by pivoting a lever connected to the rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air cushion unit (2) of single use type for stopping bleeding. The unit (2) comprises a base plate (4) and an inflatable air cushion (8) attached to the base plate (4). The air cushion (8) comprises a reinforced portion (16), integral with the cushion surface, and extending radially along the inside of the cushion, and corresponding to an area of contact with a wound site.

Abstract: Illuminated tweezers with flexible extension and magnifying mirror (10) utilized for the extraction of unwanted facial hair. The present hair removal device includes a housing (12) encasing a battery or other electrical source and being adapted to accommodate a folding, hinged mirror (26). The housing is coupled to an elongated flexible extension (14) having illuminated tweezers (40) at the distal end (18). A light source (38) is included in the base of the tweezers (40) such that it emits light toward the prongs of the tweezers (40). The housing (12) and the distal end (18) of the flexible extension (14) containing the illuminated tweezers (40) can each be positioned and oriented independently of one another allowing a single user to operate the device.