Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a vessel in a patient. The apparatus includes a graft. The apparatus includes a mechanism for compressing the vessel to the graft and holding the vessel to the graft. A method of repairing a vessel of a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a first end of a graft in contact with a first side of the vessel. Then there is the step of placing a second side of the graft in contact with the second side of the vessel. Next there is the step of compressing the first side of the vessel against the first end. Then there is the step of compressing the second side of the vessel against the second end.

Abstract: A hair clip includes a pair of hair retainers for retaining hair therebetween and a pivotal shaft for pivoting the hair retainers. Each hair retainer has a pair of opposing hinge ledges at one end portion thereof. The hinge ledges of one of the hair retainers are disposed adjacent to those of the other hair retainer. A pivotal shaft is inserted into shaft penetrating apertures formed in the hinge ledges so that the hair retainers are pivoted about the pivotal shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a femoral prosthesis to be utilized as an implant into a human femur to connect the coxa. The femoral prosthesis comprises a stem body to be inserted into a femur bone, a neck portion fixed integrally at the proximal portion of the stem body, a spherical head member having an opening to receive the neck potion, and a cross pin for fixing the stem body to the femur bone, wherein the stem body is formed with a pinnig hole through a proximal portion thereof corresponding to a greater trochanter of the femur bone, and the cross pin is in a unthreaded cylindrical shape and inserted into the pinning hole, both ends of the cross pin being projected out of the stem body to be engaged with the bone wall of the femur bone.

Abstract: A surgical reamer in the form of a cap (1) fitted with arms (4) extending from the circular edge of the reamer toward the axis of the reamer for its attachment to a reamer spindle. The reamer comprises a central disk (3) to which said arms (4) are attached. The disk is intended to display an item of information, in particular the diameter of the reamer. In this way, the diameter of the reamer or any other information may be read without handling the reamer and turning it upward.

Abstract: A laser system and method are described that will improve dental treatments in small animals, particularly in situations where periodontal disease has progressed to the advanced stages of periodontitis and when dental pulp is exposed by fracture or disease. A laser system is employed to achieve enhanced precision by selectively ablating affected tissue without damaging the collateral tissue. The laser system is also capable of sealing the tubules and eradicating bacteria within the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additional pre-treatment methods may be employed to further enhance the laser therapy.

Abstract: A toothbrush providing a radiation source of selected optical range, having the radiation source built into a cavity in the handpiece of the toothbrush. The brush head may be transparent and the bristles may be transparent. Various combinations of scattering, transparent and reflective properties of the brush head, the type of radiation source, and bristle transparency allows selected influence directly on different field and tissues of the oral cavity. Radiation wavelength is selectable to provide treatment to both the soft tissue of the oral cavity and to the teeth. Selected radiation penetrates the pulp of the tooth to stimulate and enhance calcium transport to the dentine and enamel of the tooth to prevent and treat cavities.

Abstract: The hair clip includes two comb-shaped elements pivotably mounted in relation to each other and held in a brought-together state by an elastic member. Each comb-shaped element has teeth arranged on an end of the element. A first set of teeth has at least one opening in which a corresponding tooth from a second set of teeth engages when the cone-shaped elements are in a completely or a partially brought-together position to adequately clamp the hair.

Abstract: A toothbrush which dispenses dentifrice and dental floss. More specifically, the toothbrush is an assembly including a tubular handle integrally connected to a toothbrush neck and toothbrush head, over which a protective sheath having a floss dispenser is removably attached. A dentifrice dispensing mechanism is provided to drive a supply of dentifrice contained in the tubular handle through a duct and conduit in the toothbrush neck and head. The dispensing mechanism is comprised of a twistable knob, a threaded screw, and a screw driven follower. When the knob is turned the piston moves up to handle to force dentifrice through the brush head and into a outlet passage exiting the toothbrush head between the bristles. A plug of foam-like material is disposed within the conduit of the toothbrush head thereby occluding the outlet passage when the plug is in a decompressed state.

Abstract: A system for and method of shaving includes a bath of an evaporative astringent material such as witch hazel extract and alcohol in which a razor head is soaked after each shave and is used for the next shave while still wet with the material of the bath.

Abstract: A hand held braiding apparatus is operative for braiding elongated filaments in the nature of natural hair and filaments of synthetic material. The apparatus includes a rotatable actuator having an opening operative for receiving a plurality of filament holders in the form of elongated cylindrical tubes. By repetitive operation of the actuator, the filament holders are manipulated into a sequence of positions which effect braiding of filaments received therein.

Abstract: A hair roller is provided with an hollow outer member enclosing an inner member. A plurality of hair clips is connected to the inner member by flexible roots and connected to the outer member by integral pivot axes. The hair clips extend though longitudinal openings in the outer member. Longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the outer member, thereby causes the hair clips to either grip or release a user's hair when the user's hair is wound upon the outer member. Also provided is detent mechanism that allow the inner member to be restricted in gripping and released positions.

Abstract: A hair holder includes two symmetric holder members made of flexible material. Each holder member includes a first portion for holding hair, a second portion for retaining hair, and a transition portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion in an acute angle to thereby define a hair holding space therebetween. The first portion of each holder member includes a number of first slits spaced along a width thereof to thereby define a number of first teeth spaced along the width. The second portion of each holder member includes a number of second slits spaced along a width thereof to thereby define a number of second teeth spaced along the width. The width of each second tooth increases from a distal end of the second portion to the transition portion, thereby defining an engaging portion adjacent to the transition portion.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A one-piece drive gear including an enlarged bearing part and a forward gear end is journaled directly in the sleeve and held axially between a retaining ring engaging the rear of the enlarged bearing part and a ball engaging the forward gear end. A one-piece driven gear is journaled solely in a cap which is press fit in the head bore The driven gear is engaged and driven by the drive gear. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube and a lower gear part. The gear part of the driven gear rests on the ball, and is restrained from axial movement by the cap and the ball, which forms a thrust bearing for the driven gear. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.

Abstract: An intraoral camera connects to a shade analyzer subsystem, e.g., a digital video processor, and a color display monitor. The camera captures a digital color image of the patient's tooth and the subsystem compares that image to a stored plurality of tooth shades. Each tooth shade is represented in a block of data, including color image data, a tooth shade digital word, and a manufacturer type. The patient's tooth image includes an RGB chromaticity representation that is scanned and compared with the several tooth shades stored in memory, and a match is determined and communicated to a user of the system. The methodology includes the specification of fractional tooth shades, if needed, corresponding to a plurality of porcelain films for manufacturing a reconstructed tooth.

Abstract: A tooth powdering applicator. A container for holding infrared reflective powder has an inlet connected to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet connected to a rigid outlet tube. A cover is removably threaded on the container to allow for insertion of the powder. The container includes a circuitous path through which the pressurized fluid is directed lifting the powder therein and forcing the powder out through the tube. The tube is rotatably mounted to the container. An optional push button valve is provided to control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A cosmetics travel kit includes a case having a rectangular body with a floor and side walls projecting from the floor, a lid having a ceiling and side walls projecting from the ceiling, a stop member projecting inwardly from the lid side wall in spaced relation to the ceiling, and an inwardly facing anchor member; an implement carrier having a panel member and a retainer for cosmetic implements, first and second couplings for releasably holding the panel member in a closed position spaced within the lid for forming an openable lid storage cavity; and a supply of cosmetics selected from the set consisting of shadowing material, blushing material, lipstick, lip liner, coloring powder skin products, and coloring, calcium-bearing coating, and vitamin-bearing coating nail products. Also discloses is a method for grooming a user's fingernails.

Abstract: An electric comb, particularly for combing out and styling difficult hair, comprises a plurality of teeth which are individually mounted and guided to make oscillatory movements. The comb is constituted by a handle (10), a casing (20) containing the tooth drive mechanism, a series of teeth (22) and an electric motor (12). The tooth drive mechanism is a shaft (16) which is rotated by motor (12), comprising eccentric elements (18) forming a camshaft. A second portion of each tooth comprises means for guiding the tooth by eccentric elements of the drive mechanism, which are formed, for example, by a fork with two prongs.

Abstract: The hair extension of the present invention includes hair strands affixed to a ring assembly. The ring assembly comprises an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring is configured to nest within the outer ring, with distal ends of the hair strands impinged between the inner and outer rings. A plait of a user's hair is inserted through the ring assembly of the hair extension. In one embodiment, the hair extension is attached to the plait with a band, or by sewing the hair extension to the plait. In another embodiment, the ring assembly is modified with a fastening assembly for fastening the hair extension to the plait.

Abstract: A dental floss apparatus generally comprising a thimble, a pair of tines extending from the top surface of the thimble and a section of dental floss suspended between the tips of the tines. To floss, a forefinger or thumb is typically inserted into the thimble, which remains relatively fixed onto the forefinger or thumb by pressing the opposing forefinger or thumb on the same hand onto the side of the thimble. The thimble is sized and configured such that insertion of the forefinger or thumb causes a suction within the thimble that further aids holding the thimble. The section of dental floss across the tips is used to floss between the teeth. In an alternate configuration, a single tine extends upward from said thimble and dental floss is suspended between the tip of the tine and the thimble. In still another configuration, a second thimble is attached in tandem onto the first thimble for additional torque control.

Abstract: A dental floss article is provided comprising a fiber having a predetermined length and defined by at least one substantially rigid portion and at least one flexible portion.