Abstract: A zygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior threaded bore, and an asymmetrical external feature. The generally cylindrical body has a coronal portion and an apical portion. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis. The interior threaded bore is formed in the coronal portion of the generally cylindrical body for receiving a screw configured to removably hold an abutment in engagement with the zygomatic dental implant. The interior threaded bore has a bore-central axis. The asymmetrical external feature is on at least a portion of a first side of the generally cylindrical body such that the asymmetrical external feature is configured to directly engage alveolar bone of the patient. The asymmetrical external feature includes a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves.

Abstract: A zygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior threaded bore, and an asymmetrical external feature. The generally cylindrical body has a coronal portion and an apical portion. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis. The interior threaded bore is formed in the coronal portion of the generally cylindrical body for receiving a screw configured to removably hold an abutment in engagement with the zygomatic dental implant. The interior threaded bore has a bore-central axis. The asymmetrical external feature is on at least a portion of a first side of the generally cylindrical body such that the asymmetrical external feature is configured to directly engage alveolar bone of the patient. The asymmetrical external feature includes a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves.

Abstract: A zygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior threaded bore, and an asymmetrical external feature. The generally cylindrical body has a coronal portion and an apical portion. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis. The interior threaded bore is formed in the coronal portion of the generally cylindrical body for receiving a screw configured to removably hold an abutment in engagement with the zygomatic dental implant. The interior threaded bore has a bore-central axis. The asymmetrical external feature is on at least a portion of a first side of the generally cylindrical body such that the asymmetrical external feature is configured to directly engage alveolar bone of the patient. The asymmetrical external feature includes a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves.

Abstract: A zygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior threaded bore, and an asymmetrical external feature. The generally cylindrical body has a coronal portion and an apical portion. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis. The interior threaded bore is formed in the coronal portion of the generally cylindrical body for receiving a screw configured to removably hold an abutment in engagement with the zygomatic dental implant. The interior threaded bore has a bore-central axis. The asymmetrical external feature is on at least a portion of a first side of the generally cylindrical body such that the asymmetrical external feature is configured to directly engage alveolar bone of the patient. The asymmetrical external feature includes a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves.

Abstract: An hourglass shaped blood fractionation tube is sized and shaped such that whole blood that has been centrifuged with a density gradient medium yields a PBNC layer within the narrowed neck of the tube. This orientation results in an elongated or widened PBMC layer, versus what would result in a conventional fractionation tube. Elongating or widening the PBMC layer allows technicians to harvest higher purity and higher volume PBMC samples versus samples harvested with a standard cylindrical blood fractionation tube. The hourglass shaped blood fractionation tube according to the present invention preferably includes a cap and can be used in conventional centrifuges and robotic pipetting stations.

Abstract: A zygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior threaded bore, and an asymmetrical external feature. The generally cylindrical body has a coronal portion and an apical portion. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis. The interior threaded bore is formed in the coronal portion of the generally cylindrical body for receiving a screw configured to removably hold an abutment in engagement with the zygomatic dental implant. The interior threaded bore has a bore-central axis. The asymmetrical external feature is on at least a portion of a first side of the generally cylindrical body such that the asymmetrical external feature is configured to directly engage alveolar bone of the patient. The asymmetrical external feature includes a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an automated method and apparatus useful for separating and harvesting cells of interest, e.g., mononuclear cells, in a whole blood sample. The method of the invention uses the aspirating/dispensing probe of an automated sample preparation instrument to underlay a density gradient medium beneath a whole blood sample in a centrifugation tube, and the same probe is used to harvest cells of interest from a cell layer formed in the tube as a result of a centrifugation step. In harvesting cells, the probe is advanced inside the tube by a fixed, predetermined distance at which the probe tip (i.e., its aspiration port) is known to be located at, or within a predetermined distance below, the bottom of the cell layer. A predetermined volume of liquid is then aspirated through the probe tip, whereby most cells of interest (and more than 90% of those cells that can be harvested by a flawless manual method) are removed from the cell layer and collected for analysis.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for separating and harvesting cells of interest, e.g., mononuclear cells, in a whole blood sample. The method of the invention uses the aspirating/dispensing probe of an automated sample preparation instrument to underlay a density gradient medium beneath a whole blood sample in a centrifugation tube, and the same probe is used to harvest cells of interest from a cell layer formed in the tube as a result of a centrifugation step. In harvesting cells, the probe is advanced inside the tube by a fixed, predetermined distance at which the probe tip (i.e., its aspiration port) is known to be located at, or within a predetermined distance below, the bottom of the cell layer. A predetermined volume of liquid is then aspirated through the probe tip, whereby most cells of interest (and more than 90% of those cells that can be harvested by a flawless manual method) are removed from the cell layer and collected for analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing biological cell samples for intracellular analysis. The invention is based upon the recognition that many of the steps of the conventional methods for such sample preparation can be eliminated, leading to a process that readily lends itself to automation and the advantages associated therewith. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) cell-fixation, (b) permeabilization and (c) staining (or labeling) of intracellular molecules of interest by probes that are readily detectable by flow cytometric techniques, all without any intervening cell-washing (and re-suspension) steps. Rather, the single cell-washing step is effected after these three steps have been carried out. Preferably, the washing step is carried out by passing the fixed, permeabilized and stained cell sample through a semi-permeable membrane that serves to filter out (by transmission) interferants to waste while retaining the cells of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing biological cell samples for intracellular analysis. The invention is based upon the recognition that many of the steps of the conventional methods for such sample preparation can be eliminated, leading to a process that readily lends itself to automation and the advantages associated therewith. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) cell-fixation, (b) permeabilization and (c) staining (or labeling) of intracellular molecules of interest by probes that are readily detectable by flow cytometric techniques, all without any intervening cell-washing (and re-suspension) steps. Rather, the single cell-washing step is effected after these three steps have been carried out. Preferably, the washing step is carried out by passing the fixed, permeabilized and stained cell sample through a semi-permeable membrane that serves to filter out (by transmission) interferants to waste while retaining the cells of interest.