Abstract: Apparatus and methods for rapidly diagnosing the presence or absence of the symptoms of neurological pathology caused by physical head trauma (such as occurs in contact sports or automobile collisions), disease (such as occurs in Alzheimer's disease), toxins (substance abuse or environmental toxins) or infection (such as occurs as a side effect of later-stage AIDS infection). These inventions are useful for diagnosing neurological pathology, as well as for monitoring recovery from or maintenance or progression of neurological pathology.

Abstract: A hair cutting guide, for use by a hairdresser in cutting the hair of a person using scissors, having a pair of guide halves that are hingeably attached and selectively enter an open position and a closed position. Each of the guide halves have a plurality of teeth arranged along its longitudinal edges. The teeth have an inner surface that face the inner surfaces of the teeth in the other guide halve when the guide is in the closed position. Combs extend perpendicularly to the inner surfaces such that hair is extended transversely between the longitudinal edges and is held in place by the combs when the guide is closed. Straight cutting and point cutting is carried out by cutting with the scissors adjacent to the teeth along one of the longitudinal edges when the guide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A hair braider includes a body having a handle and a head portion. A selectively rotatable drive source is disposed within the body. First and second overlapping, rotatable rotors are disposed within the head portion and are operatively coupled to the drive source through a plurality of gears such that the first and second rotors rotate in opposite directions when the drive source is actuated. The hair braider includes a plurality of hair retaining members that are received within openings formed through the first and second rotatable rotors. Each hair retaining member has a bore formed within it for receiving a bundle of hair. A mechanism transfers one hair retaining member from one rotor to the other rotor as the rotors rotate. The rotation of the rotors and the successive transfer of one hair retaining member from one rotor to the other rotor results in a braid being formed.

Abstract: The hairclip (1) has two legs (4, 5) and a hinge (6) with a spring (7) connecting the legs. The legs (4, 5) each have a tine base (10, 11) and a number of curved tines (8, 9) arranged in rows on one side of it. Each tine base (10, 11) is adjoined by an actuating section (12, 13) on the opposite side. The two actuating-sections (12, 13) are disposed asymmetrically relative to a length of the tine bases (10, 11) and opposite each other. For the sake of tight spacing and easy manipulation, these hairclips (1) are placed on the curlers (2) in such a way that the actuating leg sections (12, 13) of one hairclip (1) are not disposed in the immediate vicinity of the actuating leg sections (12, 13) of an adjacent hairclip (1).

Abstract: The invention provides a plasticized bone and/or soft tissue product that does not require special conditions of storage, for example refrigeration or freezing, exhibits materials properties that approximate those properties present in natural tissue, is not brittle, does not necessitate rehydration prior to clinical implantation and is not a potential source for disease transmission. Replacement of the chemical plasticizers by water prior to implantation is not required and thus, the plasticized bone or soft tissue product can be placed directly into an implant site without significant preparation in the operating room.

Abstract: A disk prosthesis includes first and second plates (2, 3) to be fixed on neighboring cervical vertebrae and an articulation arrangement (7) inserted between the two plates in a superposed position. The articulation arrangement allows for flexion-tension movements in a sagittal plane (S) according to a limited clearance, lateral inflexion movements in a plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane (S) according to limited angular clearance, and relative rotation movements between the first and second plates according to a limited angular clearance. The first and second plates are assembled to form a prosthesis of a single piece.

Abstract: A dental floss device includes a handle having a head piece and a disposable holder for a length of dental floss. The holder includes a base portion and a pair of spaced-apart jaws extending from the base and which extend to embrace the head piece of the handle when the holder is in a correct alignment configuration with respect to the handle. The device has an interlock which ensures that the holder can be interengaged with the head piece only when the holder is correctly aligned with the head piece. The interlock includes a head interlock part provided by interlock grooves and a holder interlock part provided by corresponding interlock tongues. There are two interlock grooves and corresponding interlock tongues which slidably interengage when the holder is correctly aligned with the head piece. If the holder is turned so that it is not correctly aligned with the head piece, the interlock tongues of the holder prevent engagement of the holder with the head piece.

Abstract: A dye applicator including a head with a cavity (reservoir) and a plurality of bristles in the form of pins each covered with a sponge sleeve extending into the cavity and moistened with a catalyzed dye in the cavity by capillary action. A handle is connected to the head and includes a first container for receiving a dye compound, a second container for receiving a catalyst compound, a pump for each container, and a mixing chamber with a threaded compartment connected to the head cavity on one end, connected to the first container on the other end, and connected to the second container by a manifold for distributing the catalyst throughout the threaded compartment of the mixing chamber. A solenoid is positioned to actuate both pumps to deliver the dye and the catalyst separately to the mixing chamber and to deliver the mixed catalyzed dye to the head cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an electric oral cleaning device is provided and includes a handle and a power supply contained therein. The device has a motor that drives a motor linkage, which includes a push rod that has one end that engages and moves a dental cleaning head about a center pin to cause an oscillation motion of the head. The entire head assembly is also interchangeable such that a flossing tool and various brushing tools may be utilized by the same device.

Abstract: A dental curing light comprises an elongate hollow wand housing having a proximal first end, a distal second end, a light source disposed at the distal second end of the wand housing, and a heat sink disposed at least partially within the wand housing. The heat sink is in contact with the light source, and comprises a plurality of layers or regions comprising different materials. A first layer or region comprises a first material having a higher thermal conductivity than that of a second layer or region, while the second layer or region comprises a second material having a specific heat greater than that of the first layer or region.

Abstract: A unit for applying at least one product comprises a container defining a longitudinal axis curved over at least a portion of its length so that at least a portion of the axis defines at least one curve. The container comprises an interior and an opening. The unit further comprises a cap configured to seal the opening, a flexible stem, and an applicator member at an end of the flexible stem. The applicator member is removably arranged in the interior of the container and is accessible via the opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable nail polish remover. The prior nail polish remover has some problems in that, since the remover solution accommodating bottle and the swabs have to be keep individually, the keeping and management for them is troublesome. The remover of the invention comprises a remover body 10 having an opening at an upper end thereof; a non-woven fabric 40 accommodated within the remover body with wound to be exposed through the opening of the remover body; a remover solution receptacle 20 built in the remover body so that a outlet of the remover solution receptacle is directed to the opening of the remover body, the remover solution receptacle providing the non-woven fabric with the remover solution; and a head 30 engaged with the opening of the remover body to open and close the remover body, the head providing the non-woven fabric with the remover solution. Thus, since a user has a nail polish removed with the remover erected, the user may use and treat it simply.

Abstract: A hair curling iron/straightener includes a handle; a first elongated member connected with the handle and having a first flat straightening surface; a heating element for heating the first elongated member; a second elongated member pivotally connected relative to the first elongated member and including a second flat straightening surface for mating with the first flat straightening surface to straighten hair placed therebetween, and a curved surface; a second heating element for heating the second elongated member; a curved elongated member pivotally connected relative to the second elongated member for engaging with the curved surface thereof; a first lever for actuating the curved elongated member to pivot the curved elongated member away from the second elongated member; and a second lever for actuating the second elongated member to pivot the second elongated member and the curved elongated member together away from the first elongated member.

Abstract: A container with a metering apparatus and a process for metering liquid from the container where the metering apparatus includes an upper chamber and a coaxial lower metering chamber. Inverting the container dispenses liquid in the metering chamber and simultaneously introduces liquid from the container into the upper chamber. When the container is returned to an upright position, a portion of the liquid in the upper chamber flows to and fills the metering chamber; however, a surplus portion of the liquid remains in the upper chamber even when the container is again inverted. The surplus portion of the liquid never returns to the container.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly has a bracket having base with a mounting portion for attachment to a patient's tooth, and a plurality of arms forming a bracket slot to receive a rectangular archwire. A clip can be removably inserted into the bracket slot along the axis of the bracket slot and archwire, and is retained by the bracket slot. The assembled bracket slot and clip form a rectangular channel to removably secure the archwire in the bracket slot. Two of the archwire surfaces are engaged by the clip and the remaining two archwire surfaces are engaged by walls of the bracket slot.

Abstract: A barstock body fluid control valve comprising a barstock body of preselected material having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a preselected cross section defining the outer walls; a through machined main flow port located eccentrically on the inlet and the outlet ends wherein the main flow port eccentric location increases the available barstock thickness at one outer wall location and decreases barstock thickness in the opposite wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration.

Abstract: A tooth moving method and appliance for securing a space for an incoming permanent tooth to arrive includes two lingual buttons to be fixed to two teeth, respectively, to spread out a space therebetween or correct a dentition therebetween. An inner wire is pivotally connected to a first lingual button at an end thereof, and a tube is loosely fitted onto the inner wire and pivotally connected to the other lingual button at an end thereof. An open coil is loosely fitted onto the tube, and a split stop is provided for adjusting the tensile force of the open coil. Thus the tensile force of the open coil is adjusted by the split stop to move at least either of the two teeth, so as to spread out the space therebetween to a desired extent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved collapsible bag having a spout and one or more grooves on the interior surface of a wall of the bag. The grooves, which are integral to a wall of the bag rather than on a separate evacuation strip, are in liquid communication with the spout and are sized such that the opposing wall of the bag is not completely forced into the grooves under the suction of conventional pumps which are used to withdraw the liquid from the bag. Thus, the grooves enable substantially complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag without the use of an evacuation strip. Additionally, the present invention may be used in any orientation and does not require a slanted rack. Although the primary intended application of the present invention is in bag-in-box packages for containing and dispensing beverages, this invention may also be used to advantage in other liquid dispensing applications.

Abstract: Unless the nail exposure window of the finger protection sheath is strictly adjusted, the enamel-coated nail portion only is not brought into contact with the spongy member, and the enamel is not reliably and selectively wiped off without hurting the skin. Further, the finger protection sheath does not easily turn unless a large moment of turn is given thereto. The lower rotary shaft of the finger protector sheath of nearly a hollow cylindrical shape is deflected from the finger axis or the center line of the cone in a manner that they meet at ?, enabling the outer diameter portion of the enamel-coated nail surface to be turned like a fan maintaining a radius R(=r+?r) larger than the radius r of the prior art as viewed on a plan view to increase the moment of turn. The nail exposure portion is provided with an automatic cover to thereby also contrive an installation-type device for removing enamel from a multiplicity of nails and a device for removing enamel from the pedicured nails.