Abstract: A dental implant system includes bone growth promoting material configured for disposal within a body cavity about an implant. A protective element is configured to overlay the bone growth promoting material. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an adhesive strip, particularly an adhesive strip or bandage for use in periodontal treatments. The biocompatible adhesive strip comprises a flexible barrier with a biocompatible adhesive for use in an oral environment, wherein the adhesive is in a non-tacky state when dry and becomes adherent upon contact with liquids.

Abstract: Biodegradable stents and methods for selectively guided tissue regeneration in treating a periodontal defect adjacent to a root of a tooth are provided. The biodegradable stents and methods comprise a coronal portion and a transverse portion or shelf, which reduce unwanted migration of gingival epithelium, gingival connective tissue, and soft tissue and enable the cementum and periodontal ligament cells to re-establish the periodontal ligament in a proper sequence resulting in a new periodontal attachment.

Abstract: An implant includes an elongate body having at least two radially expandable portions in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. An expander is disposed at least partially within the axial bore of the body, the expander including a longitudinal shaft and a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The expander is longitudinally movable between a distal position wherein the tip is positioned distal to the distal end of the body and a proximal position wherein the expandable portions of the body are moved to a radially outward expanded configuration by a camming action of the tip.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for preparing a damaged area of a human knee to receive at least one graft according to which a moldable material is positioned over the damaged area and removed after it hardens. Cutting a tape in a configuration and dimension corresponding to the mold and forming at least one opening in the damaged area. Harvesting a graft from a biological sample that is configured to fit in the at least one opening, adhering the at least one graft to a surface of the tape and inserting the graft into each opening of the mold.

Abstract: A suture system that includes at least one suture having an end portion, a loop portion configured to be disposed about a fixed point and an anchor configured to be connected to the end portion for anchoring the suture to tissue adjacent to the fixed point, wherein the loop portion of the suture is disposed about the fixed point so as to reduce a gap between the tissue and the fixed point. A kit including at least one suture system, a surgical tool for manipulating the suture and written instructions of use are disclosed. A method for using the suture system is also described.

Abstract: An implant includes a body having an upper and lower ends, a longitudinal bore defined by a threaded interior surface, and a threaded exterior surface; at least one stabilizer arm associated with a corresponding longitudinal slot in the body, the stabilizer arm being hingedly attached to the body and having a bone gripping protuberance projecting laterally outward therefrom. The stabilizer arm is movable from a first position wherein the bone gripping protuberance is positioned within the bore and a second fully extended position wherein the bone gripping protuberance is positioned outside the threaded exterior surface of the body. The stabilizer arm is resiliently biased to the first position. A camming member is movable through the bore of the body from an initial position to a final position wherein the stabilizer arm is moved to the second stabilizer arm position.

Abstract: An implant includes a body having a longitudinal axis, at least one expandable portion configured to move between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, and at least one linearly and non-rotatably movable expander member configured to contact the at least one expandable portions such that linear movement of the expander member moves the expandable portion between the unexpanded configuration and the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of clearing an accumulation of matter from a surface is provided. The apparatus includes a collecting section, a casting section, and a shifting section. The shifting section is at least one of a diverting section, a sweeping section, and an air blowing section. The collecting section includes a blade and is in matter communication with the casting section. The diverting section includes an auxiliary blade oriented at an angle about an axis transverse to a direction of travel. The sweeping section includes a rotatable broom with bristles. The air blowing section is configured to blow air in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system for creating and editing image and or text-based projects includes a server connected to a data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, at least one data repository residing on the network, the repository accessible to the server, the repository containing images, and product-related graphics, a print configuration engine implemented in software residing on and executable from the digital medium or another accessible medium, the print configuration engine for rendering image and or text-based products for printing, and at least one bi-directional communication channel established between a computing appliance running a version of the GUI while connected to the network and a server managing the data repository.

Abstract: In a server-based system for creating and editing image and or text-based projects, the system having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, a method is provided for selecting a photo from a plurality of photos placed in the project by a project contributor for recommendation in a photo product. The method includes the steps (a) accessing the contributor's project photos stored in the database, (b) weighting data associated with each photo used in the project against one or more business rules, (c) selecting one or more photos based on the weighting results of step (b), and (d) recommending one or more photo products containing one or more photos selected at step (c) to the contributor at an appropriate time.

Abstract: In a server-based system for creating and editing image-based and or text-based projects, the system having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, a method is provided for triggering automatic page save operations and includes the steps, (a) monitoring editing activity occurring in the project editor viewport, and (b) upon detection of a loss of a page from an editor viewport and or detection of a violation of a safety measure, automatically persisting the current page data to the server.

Abstract: A system for hosting multiple collaborators in real time, the collaborators contributing content and or edits to content in an image and or text-based project hosted on a data network through a Website accessible to the collaborators by computer browser includes a server connected to the data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) for contributing content and for editing content, and a collaborator configuration interface available through the Website enabling a user to designate one or more other users as approved for collaboration on a given project. Users who are approved to collaborate have real time access to the image and or text-based project through their own versions of the network-based GUI.

Abstract: In an online collage-based editor, a method for determining an effective aspect ratio for a selected project orientation that includes a group of two or more available page sizes having different aspect ratios and displaying a project page at a derived aspect ratio in the GUI during editing includes the steps (a) determining for each page size in the group, the viewable area of each page, (b) recording the aspect ratios of the viewable areas of step (a), (c) using a mathematical function, describing a total amount of error present amongst the available aspect ratios of step (b) for a given aspect ratio, (d) using a mathematical program, process, or automated calculation tool, finding the effective aspect ratio that minimizes the function and hence the error value of step (c), and (e) displaying the project page at the selected effective aspect ratio.

Abstract: In a server-based system for creating and editing image and or text-based projects, the system having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, a method for automatically previewing edits to text items within the image-based project includes the steps (a) selecting or highlighting a text item within the project, (b) automatically displaying a text editing toolbar as a result of the action of step (a), the toolbar including controls for editing at least one of font style, font size, font justification, and font color, and (c) selecting one of the controls of step (b) and mousing over a menu option.

Abstract: In a system for creating and editing image and or text-based projects including a server connected to a data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) accessible by computer browser, the GUI for contributing and editing content, a method for selecting a color from the display for application to content includes the steps (a) selecting or invoking a color reading tool, (b) moving the tool over the display monitor to read and preview colors using mouse movement, and (c) selecting a color read by the tool.

Abstract: In a networked system for creating and editing image and or text-based-based projects, the system including a graphics user interface (GUI) residing on and executable from a digital medium, the GUI hosted by a Web site accessible by computer browser and a network-connected data repository containing creative assets not limited to stickers, shapes, backgrounds, layouts, and frames, an asset recommendation system implemented in software integrated with the GUI for presenting certain assets to users operating the GUI by hierarchical order of importance and/or by relativity to current assets being used. The system has a receiving function for receiving server calls relative to user GUI activity, a weighting function for ranking creative assets based on input against one or more rules for ranking asset appeal, and a server function for serving the recommended assets into the GUI.

Abstract: In a photo collage editor implemented in software residing on and executable from a digital medium, a method for configuring a project for three dimensional printing includes the steps (a) displaying in the editor, a page canvas for editing, (b) selecting or highlighting an image or item on the page canvas, (c) invoking a dimensional print effect configuration interface by selecting an interactive button on a toolbar displayed automatically as a result of step (b) or by implementing keyboard shortcut to execute the interface, and (d) selecting an option for applying one or more three dimensional effects from the interface.

Abstract: In a system for creating and editing image and or text-based projects including a server connected to a data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) for contributing and for editing content, the GUI accessible by computer browser, an interactive image container integrated as an image or photo cropping tool in the GUI includes an image display window of a predefined geometric configuration disposed on a project page for containing and displaying an image that has been placed thereon, and an image handle associated with the image container, the image handle visible on highlight or selection of the image within the image container.