Abstract: A relatively rigid, adjustable faceplate fitted over and working in conjunction with a relatively flexible respiratory facemask. The faceplate pushes (urges) the facemask against a user's (patient's) facial features to assure a better fit of the facemask to the patient's face. Straps are disposed on the faceplate, rather than on the facemask. The faceplate may provide or comprise: filter protection from user contact, strap locking features, cutouts for accommodating stick-on filters mounted to the facemask, and a nebulizer cutout. An upper portion of the faceplate is provided with a slider to allow the faceplate to achieve an effective fit when used with different size (adult, child, pediatric) facemasks by adjusting the distance between a nose pressure point and a chin pressure point of the faceplate.

Abstract: A filtration device (FD) having a front plastic sheet (PS), a sponge element (SE), and a filter element (FE) may be secured to a mask (M) with a “stickie” interface (AL, FS; FIGS. 5 and 6), or with a rigid mechanical interface (FIGS. 7 and 8) which may include a rigid support (RS) (FIG. 9). The rigid support (RS) may have a recess for receiving the sponge element (SE) and avoiding it being compressed when the filter element (FE) is disposed between to the outlet side of the rigid support (RS) and the filter element (FE). The sponge element (SE) may be provided with a cutout (CO; FIG. 10) for accommodating the flap of a non-rebreather mask (M). A protective cover (PC; FIG. 11) having perforations (PF) and a second sponge element (SE2) may be provided on the outlet side of the filter element (FE). Methods of use.

Abstract: A PPE shield mounted on a tongue deflector (depressor) or an oral/nasal swab establishes a barrier between the patient and a healthcare provider to substantially block aerosols and the like which may be exhaled or expelled by the patient, thereby protecting the healthcare provider from exposure to these aerosols and the like while performing a procedure. The shield may be generally concave, such as frustroconical or hemispherical. The depressor or swab may be inserted through an opening in the shield. A support structure may be formed at or around the opening. A flat view port may be provided in the shield, allowing the healthcare provider to have an unobstructed and undistorted view of the patient's oral cavity or nasal passage while performing the procedure. The shield may be vacuum formed.

Abstract: A phone support is provided as a flat sheet of card stock (or plastic) which may be folded into a 3-dimensional structure having a horizontally-extending base portion comprising two side panels (arms, wings). The phone may be supported on top edges of the side panels. Notches may be provided extending into the top edges of the side panes to receive a bottom (or side) edge of the phone. The flat sheet may be provided to a user as a template which is marked or perforated into a larger sheet of material from which the phone support may be separated. Alternatively, a flat strip of material may have notches in its top edge and may be bent (bowed, not folded) so that an edge (e.g., the long side edge) of a phone may be supported in the two notches.

Abstract: A foldable phone support is provided as a flat sheet of card stock and is marked or perforated with a template which is removed from the flat sheet then folded into a 3-dimensional structure having a horizontally-extending base portion and a vertically-extending back portion. The base portion has two arms (wings), and features may be provided on the top edges of the base portion to inhibit or prevent the phone from sliding off of the support. Three-sided and four-sided supports are disclosed.

Abstract: A Non-Rebreather Exhalation Filtration Device (FD) with a front plastic sheet (PS), an aerosol separator (AS) and optionally a collection reservoir (R) may be fitted (i) (FIG. 3A) by its inlet port (IP) onto a nebulizer exhaust tube (NET), or (ii) by an adhesive layer (AL) onto a respiratory mask (M) having a port (P) and a flat surface (FIG. 5), or (iii) by an adhesive layer (AL) and flexible substrate (FS) onto a respiratory mask (M) having a port (P) and a non-flat (FIG. 6) surface. A deflector (D), stiffener component (SC) and rear plastic sheet (PS2) are disclosed. Methods of using the Filtration Device are disclosed.

Abstract: A foldable phone support is provided as a flat sheet of card stock and is marked or perforated with a template which is removed from the flat sheet then folded into a 3-dimensional structure having a horizontally-extending base portion and a vertically-extending back portion. The base portion has two arms (wings), and features may be provided on the top edges of the base portion to inhibit or prevent the phone from sliding off of the support. Three-sided and four-sided supports are disclosed.

Abstract: A dental mask (M) comprises a very flexible mask substrate (MS) with a relatively rigid front plate (FP) which may be a viewing window (VW) causing the mask substrate to extend forward from a patient's face, forming a chamber in front of the patient's mouth. Instrument ports (IP) allow instruments to be introduced through the mask into the patient's oral or nasal cavity to perform dental or medical procedures. An elastic band (CE) on the mask substrate to conform the mask to contours of the patient's face. A malleable metal strip (MM) for conforming the mask to the patient's nose. Methods of fabricating the mask are disclosed. The mask, and variations thereof, may be used to perform various treatments, including non-oral procedures. Using a nebulizer in conjunction with the mask, wherein the nebulizer is supported independently of the mask.

Abstract: A medical ventilator comprising two pistons moving in unison with one another within respective two (a “first” and a “second”) cylinders. During an exhale phase of a breathing cycle, the first cylinder receives pressurized air which causes both pistons to move (upward). In the second cylinder, this creates a negative pressure to extract exhaled air from a patient's lungs. During an inhale phase of the breathing cycle, a weight acting on a link between the two pistons causes both pistons to move in an opposite (downward) direction, whereupon (i) the first piston delivers the pressurized air to the patient and (ii) the second piston vents the exhaled air. The second cylinder may have a larger bore or a larger stroke than the first cylinder, or may comprise multiple (a bank of) smaller cylinders.

Abstract: An adapter for retrofitting filters to face masks. Filters welded to the mask. A spacer allowing a check valve to operate. A method of providing oxygen and/or a nebulizing treatment to a patient is disclosed. Modifications to a mask may include: adding nose cushion to increase conformance of the mask to facial features; covering breathing ports with viral/bacterial filters; and adding desiccant material to capture moisture accumulation. A face plate fitted over and working in conjunction with a mask which pushes the mask against a user's facial features to assure a better fit. Straps are disposed on the face plate, rather than on the mask. The face plate may provide or comprise: filter protection from user contact, strap locking features, and a nebulizer cutout.

Abstract: Dental caliper and method for determining occlusion. The caliper may comprise an elongate member, or “beam”, marked with a scale (indicia); a first jaw (or probe) extending from the beam, and fixed to the beam; and a second jaw (or probe) extending from the beam, and movable along the beam; wherein: a proximal portion of the first (fixed) jaw is offset from a distal portion of the jaw. The offset may be is fixed, such as 3 mm, or may have a gradient, such as 3-5 mm. The method may comprise using the caliper to (i) measure the eye-to-ear distance and (ii) measure the nose-to-chin distance. This may be done without adjusting the probes. The caliper and method of use may represent an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,850 (Knebelman).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for illuminating a patient's face during performing anesthesia (or other medical procedures) may comprise mounting a lighting device to a breathing circuit having a mask or an intubation tube. A clamp having two clips may be used to mount the lighting device, which may be a glowstick. One clip may hold the glow stick, while the other clip may mount the device to an appropriate portion of the breathing circuit. In use, the user (anesthesiologist) would activate the lighting device (e.g., glowstick) and attach (mount) the lighting device to the breathing circuit using the clamp.

Abstract: A contra-rotating dual rotor system may be driven by an electric motor disposed outside of the rotor system. A first rotor may be driven by a drive shaft protruding out from the front (or top) of the motor. A second rotor, mounted to the front of the motor, may be driven by the motor housing itself, via an extension of the motor housing which is coaxial with the drive shaft.

Abstract: Handheld dust collector (or disposable dust cabinet) for sandblasting small objects, such as extraoral sandblasting of dental devices. The apparatus may comprise a bag with an open, resealable end. An access panel on the bag allows a user to insert their fingers into the bag, such as with integrated finger cots. A filter may be provided to allow air to escape from the bag. Methods of treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: In blow mold apparatus, the emergence of a parison from an extruder may be controlled (the parison supported), such as by pulling on the parison or resisting gravity pull to tailor parison wall thickness, overall and locally. The process may proceed discontinuously, such as by stopping extrusion before a parison has achieved its full desired length and continuing pulling. After molding the parison, it may be filled with a material (solid, liquid or gas). A subsequent parison may be molded onto a previously formed parison. Various elements or devices (such as needles, caps, stoppers, valves, plungers) may be incorporated into the part during the molding process.

Abstract: A micro-abrasive blasting device comprises a mixing chamber, a delivery conduit extending from external the mixing chamber to the mixing chamber and a discharge conduit extending from the mixing chamber. Embodiments having delivery and discharge conduits extending from the same, or from opposite ends of the mixing chamber are disclosed. Abrasive material may selectively be sealed in the chamber by positioning the discharge conduit to abut the inlet port. Other sealing techniques are disclosed, such as capping or plugging the delivery and discharge conduits. The chamber may be spherical to deliver consistent powder perturbation at all mixing chamber orientations. Methods of using the device are disclosed. Methods of making the device by blow molding are disclosed.

Abstract: A micro-abrasive blasting device comprises a mixing chamber, a delivery conduit extending from external the mixing chamber to the mixing chamber and a discharge conduit extending from the mixing chamber. Embodiments having delivery and discharge conduits extending from the same, or from opposite ends of the mixing chamber are disclosed. Abrasive material may selectively be sealed in the chamber by positioning the discharge conduit to abut the inlet port. Other sealing techniques are disclosed, such as capping or plugging the delivery and discharge conduits. The chamber may be spherical to deliver consistent powder perturbation at all mixing chamber orientations. Methods of using the device are disclosed. Methods of making the device by blow molding are disclosed.

Abstract: In blow mold apparatus, the emergence of a parison from an extruder may be controlled (the parison supported), such as by pulling on the parison or resisting gravity pull to tailor parison wall thickness, overall and locally. The process may proceed discontinuously, such as by stopping extrusion before a parison has achieved its full desired length and continuing pulling. After molding the parison, it may be filled with a material (solid, liquid or gas). A subsequent parison may be molded onto a previously formed parison. Various elements or devices (such as needles, caps, stoppers, valves, plungers) may be incorporated into the part during the molding process.

Abstract: A micro-abrasive blasting device comprises a mixing chamber, a delivery conduit extending from external the mixing chamber to the mixing chamber and a discharge conduit extending from the mixing chamber. Abrasive material may selectively be sealed in the chamber by positioning the discharge conduit to abut the inlet port. The chamber may be spherical to deliver consistent powder perturbation at all mixing chamber orientations. Methods of using the device are disclosed. Methods of making the device by blow molding are disclosed.

Abstract: A micro-abrasive blasting device comprises a mixing chamber, a delivery conduit extending from external the mixing chamber to the mixing chamber and a discharge conduit extending from the mixing chamber. Abrasive material may selectively be sealed in the chamber by positioning the discharge conduit to abut the inlet port. The chamber may be spherical to deliver consistent powder perturbation at all mixing chamber orientations. Methods of using the device are disclosed. Methods of making the device by blow molding are disclosed.