Abstract: A heated dental mirror is disclosed which includes in combination a handle portion and separable reflecting portion. The handle portion includes a hollow, cylindrical body within which are positioned a two cell electrically rechargeable battery. The body includes a first phone jack to facilitate recharging of the battery by employing a battery recharging stand. An electrical circuit is provided in the handle portion which includes an LED and a second phone jack wherein electrical energy from the battery will simultaneously energize both the LED and the second phone jack. The separable reflecting portion is removably connectable at the second phone jack to facilitate sterilization of the reflecting portion when desired. The reflecting portion includes a pair of first and second reflecting surfaces, one of which surfaces is positioned to receive and reflect illumination from the LED.

Abstract: A device for and method of determining the thermal sensitivity of teeth and other nerve sensitive tissue is disclosed. The device comprises a portable probe for emitting a stream of pressurized fluid and a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the emitted fluid. The probe includes cooling means, preferably in the form of a vortex tube for cooling the pressurized fluid and heating means downstream of the cooling means for heating the cooled pressurized fluid. The probe is covered with a replaceable sleeve made of soft, resilient material and having soft, pliable end portion for engaging the surface of the tissue under test. A temperature sensor is disposed within the probe adjacent the end of the probe where the pressurized fluid is emitted for detecting the temperature of the emitted fluid. The temperature sensor and heating means are connected to the temperature controller.

Abstract: An improved device for supporting and holding an object in place under temperature controlled conditions is described. The device comprises a shaft mounted for rotation about a rotation axis, and a top plate coupled to and rotatable with the shaft. The top plate comprises a top substantially planar surface disposed normally to said axis, a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, and at least one aperture disposed in the top surface for providing a negative pressure vacuum so that the object can be held in place on the top surface by the negative pressure vacuum. Electrical temperature sensing means is disposed in the top plate for providing an electrical signal as a function of the temperature of the top plate. Electrical temperature modification means is coupled to and rotatable with the shaft and disposed relative to the bottom surface of the top plate for maintaining the temperature of the top plate at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: An improved system for and method of testing electrical components under temperature controlled conditions includes a chamber, within which the component can be mounted, for maintaining a predetermined environmental temperature for the component. A window forming part of a wall of the chamber includes a plurality of flexible, substantially transparent, spaced-apart sheets of plastic film. Dry gas is forced through the space between adjacent sheets to prevent moisture from forming on the sheets. A probe needle can be inserted through any random point of the window into contact with the component disposed within the chamber.