Abstract: An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm to an associated retractor or other structure that is fixedly located relative to the operative site. The base assembly includes a fixed portion, which is coupled to the retractor or other fixed mounting point and a rotatable turret, allowing rotation of the arm relative to the fixed portion of the base assembly. A tensioning mechanism mounted to the turret applies tension to compress the turret around a corresponding pivot mounted to the fixed portion of the base to rotationally lock the turret and to lock the arm in its current configuration.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a pair of small grips that are disposed at the ends of arms that can be moved toward or away from each other. The grips engage and separate the sides of an incision that has been made in a patient. A lifting mechanism that can be attached to one of the arms enables one side of the incision to be raised relative to the other side of the incision. The lifting mechanism includes a clamp that can be connected to the retractor and a foot that is connected to the clamp and which is movable relative thereto. The foot is engageable with the patient such that extension of the foot causes a selected grip to be raised. Retraction of the foot permits the selected grip to be lowered. In the preferred embodiment, the foot is disposed at one end of a notched rack; a rotatable pinion is in contact with the notches to extend and contract the rack; and a pivotally movable pawl permits movement of the rack in one direction and prevents movement of the rack in the other direction.

Abstract: An edgewise orthodontic bracket for use in an edgewise or straight-wire technique having a standard horizontally opening rectangular archwire slot and a mesiodistally extending tunnel or lumen separate from and vertically angled to the archwire slot for receiving a relatively small flexible wire during the use of an undersize rectangular archwire in the archwire slot to apply a force to the bracket for capturing lost torque.

Abstract: An platform for use with an instrument during an endodontic procedure. The platform includes a substantially rectangular-shaped body for holding the instrument pierced partly therethrough, a linear measure for establishing the working length of the instrument; and a reservoir for receiving a medicament. The platform may also include a removable marker for staking out distance along the linear measure and a plurality of scoreable stage markings for indicating the particular stage of the endodontic procedure.

Abstract: An implant system includes: an implant for implanting into a bone; an abutment to serve as a support for fixing a prosthesis to the bone; and a pivotal coupling between the implant and the abutment to permit, after the implant has been implanted into the bone, precise angulation in all directions of the abutment with respect to the implant before the abutment is fixed at the desired precise angulation with respect to the implant. Preferably, the pivotal coupling includes a ball-and-socket having complementary shaped contacting surfaces which are uneven to temporarily hold them in a direct pivoted position before permanently fixing them.

Abstract: An assembly for handling a bone implant includes a transfer cap which can be snapped onto the implant, and an adapter which engages with the implant. The head of the implant has a polygonal socket, an outer implant shoulder, and a shoulder edge located beneath the shoulder, while the transfer cap has an elastic lip that snaps over the shoulder edge, and the adapter has a polygonal drive projection adapted to engage within the polygonal socket. The adapter also has a plug-type extension for attaching a screw-in instrument. When the transfer cap is snapped onto the implant and the adapter is inserted, the polygonal projection engages with the polygonal socket on the implant, while the plug-type extension of the adapter that projects through the transfer cap is located on the outside. The transfer cap and the adapter plugged therein are detachably connected to one another.

Abstract: An endodontic file (6) including a discontinuity (18) formed within the file shank (7). The discontinuity (18) creates a safe breakage point at which the file (6) will fail prior to a failure occurring at any other point along the length (11) of the file. The safe breakage point prevents the tip (21) of the file (6) from becoming irremovably embedded in a human tooth (12) after file failure. Substantially the entire length (11) of the file (6) remains connected to the tip (21) after file failure, thereby providing a considerable portion of the file which may be gripped and manipulated in order to accomplish file removal. Empirical data is presented to permit proper characterization of the region surrounding the discontinuity (18).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-ligating lingual orthodontic bracket includes a base, flanges extending from the base to define a slot, and a clip. The clip applies a force to an object to secure the wire within the slot in a self-ligating manner. The clip is adapted to be urged vertically toward the occlusal plane from a closed position to an open position to expose the slot to receive the wire, the clip being biased against the second flange when the clip is in the open position due to the applied force. The clip is adapted to be urged vertically away from the occlusal plane from the open position to the closed position to secure the wire within the slot, the clip being biased against the wire when the clip is in the closed position and the wire is secured within the slot due to the applied force.

Abstract: An anal retractor includes four retractor valves (48), which are offset 90° relative to each other and can be moved radially apart from each other. For this the four retractor valves (48) are guided by sleds (30) in radial guide slots (14) of a base plate (10). For movement of the sleds (30) guide bolts (36) extend through the radial guide slots (14) of the base plate (10) and spiral shaped actuating slots (24) of a rotor plate (20), which is rotatable relative to the base plate (10).

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for manipulating and supporting an organ. The subject devices are characterized by having an inflatable annular member having a central opening and an organ contacting surface, a vacuum distribution element configured to create a diffused vacuum space in the central opening, and a positioning element having a lumen coupled to a vacuum source and to the inflatable annular member. The subject devices are suitable for use in a variety of surgical approaches and, as such, may be configured to be inserted into a patient's chest cavity through a sheath. Methods are also provided for using the subject devices, where the order of the methods may be altered. Also provided are systems and kits for manipulating and positioning an organ.

Abstract: A soft disposable ejector tip 2 that can match the various contour of the mouth cavity is attached to a chamfer shape copper wire reinforced tube end 3. This tube is attached to a metal holder with finger control level to regulate the negative vacuum pressure needed to extract saliva or spray water inside the mouth during dental works.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting feet comprising a left vertical wall, a right vertical wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a left side mirror, a right side mirror, a center mirror, and a top mirror; said left vertical wall is attached to a first end of said bottom wall, said right vertical wall is attached to a second end of said bottom wall, said top wall is attached to top end of said left vertical wall and top end of said right vertical wall via hinging means, said top mirror is affixed to a bottom side of top wall via affixing means; said center mirror is affixed substantially in the center to bottom wall via affixing means; said right side mirror is affixed to bottom wall substantially adjacent to said center mirror via affixing means; said left side mirror is affixed to bottom wall substantially adjacent to said center mirror via affixing means.

Abstract: The invention provides a dental scaler system and method of use. The dental scaler system has a dental scaler apparatus and a scaler handpiece enclosing a coil. The dental scaler apparatus has a housing and a scaler power control circuit. The coil is connected through an electrical conductor to the scaler power control circuit. The housing has a holder side, and a first and a second base side each having a plurality of first base feet extending therefrom. The first base side is connected to the second base side at an angle greater than 30 degrees. The second base side is connected to the holder side. The holder side has a scaler handpiece holder integrally formed therein. In the method the system is supported on the first feet, and then on the second feet.

Abstract: An improved dental scalpel provides a convenient possibility to make accurate surgical operations into oral cavity with the extraordinary access to the different oral cavity areas. An improved dental scalpel includes a coupling device, a handle comprising an opening in the coupling portion of the handle including an inner thread along handle main axis, and a blade portion comprising a blade holder including the coupling portion at the handle side of the blade holder and a blade on another side of the blade holder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a dental occlusal registration impression; developing a digital 3D surface contour model of the occlusal registration impression from the image data; electronically transferring the data representing the digital 3D surface contour model of the occlusal registration impression; fabricating a physical replicate of the occlusal registration impression; correlating features on upper and lower jaw dental models with features on the replicate occlusal registration impression model; and determining occlusal alignment of the upper and lower jaw dental models using the replicate occlusal registration impression model.

Abstract: A dental articulator for connecting first and second dental models generally includes upper and lower arms hinging at their rear ends by a hinge. Each arm front end is connected by a coupling to a dental model. Each coupling generally includes a ball, a coupling, a rear socket and a fastener joining the coupling and rear socket such that the socket is movable rotationally, up and down, and side to side on the ball to a selected position. The hinge also provides for movements of the arms mimicking those of a human jaw. The lower arm means for adjusting the height of the hinge. Upper and lower dental models each include a holder of an incisor spacing assembly co-cast into the base. The holders hold an incisor pin for adjusting the vertical spacing between the fronts of the dental models.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retraction system for retracting body organs and/or body tissue in a body cavity. The retraction system includes an elongate shaft configured and dimensioned to be inserted into the body cavity, a retractor device operatively associated with the elongate shaft, the retractor device having a first configuration for insertion into the body cavity and at least a second configuration for retraction of the body organ, and at least one anchor member operatively coupled to the retractor device for anchoring the retractor device to a wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use during a spinal surgery procedure. The surgical instrument being configured to distract two adjacent vertebral elements and retract the nerve root to provide access to the distracted site. The instrument including an elongated blade member having a wing located on an edge of the blade member, and a handle.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly comprising; a first part for fixing a tooth, a second part configured for receiving a threaded fastening means, said fastening means having a head portion and a threaded portion for fastening said first and second parts, a locking mechanism provided with both said first and second parts for locking rotational motion against each other on placing on top of one another, and, characterized in that; said first and second parts and head portion of the fastening means have predetermined profiles such that on screwing said fastening means into said second part a substantial part of the head portion descends into the second part and rests on the profiled sections of first and second parts making a complete contact, thereby, shielding threaded portion of the fastening means from masticating forces.

Abstract: The invention involves an attachable orthodontic hook system for the attachment of an orthodontic hook to a vacuum formed orthodontic appliance, the hook designed for the reception of orthodontic elastics used to correct the patient's bite.