Abstract: A device for detecting infectious agents, antibodies or other biological indicators in a biological fluid drawn from a patient comprises the following: a first endpiece for collecting a sample of a fluid from a patient and mixing a predetermined quantity of said fluid with means for reacting with and/or conditioning the biological agents; a suction tube forming an extension of the first endpiece and designed to completely mix the fluid with the reagent and/or conditioning means and to introduce the mixture in a sealed container that receives the mixture consisting of the fluid and the reagent and/or conditioning means; and means for opening the container designed to enable a controlled discharge of the mixture into corresponding detecting means for displaying a result.

Abstract: A filtering device is applicable to supply conduits for handpieces, the conduits comprising: at least one a first channel that supplies an operating fluid to the handpiece; the handpiece being equipped with a second channel for the passage of fluid; there being connecting means operating between the first channel and the second channel at the ends of the supply conduit and of the handpiece, respectively; and two-way fluid filtering means being fitted to the connecting means between the conduit and the handpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disinfecting composition comprising a first component as peracetic ion precursor, and a second component as source of peroxide. The invention also relates to a method for disinfecting and/or sterilising the water line of a dental unit. The method comprises the steps of: preparing an aqueous solution comprising peracetic ions as active agent; introducing in the water line of the dental unit a portion of the aqueous solution comprising the peracetic ions; allowing the portion of aqueous solution comprising the peracetic ions to act; and flushing the water line with an aqueous rinsing solution.

Abstract: A unit for detecting contaminating agents, especially in dental surgeries, comprises detecting-transducing means of a chemical, biochemical or electrical type designed to detect a quantity as a function of a variable to be checked and to provide an electrical signal corresponding to the quantity detected; and means for signaling the quantity, connected to the detecting-transducing means.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting biofilm in the water conduits of dental units, especially biofilm adhering to the inside surfaces of the conduits, can be used on a water line equipped with a plurality of conduits for supplying fluids to handpieces and fluid consuming units that use fluid from a main supply or accessory fluids from corresponding independent lines. A portion of one of the conduits is equipped with means for detecting the presence of the biofilm on the surfaces of the portion itself. The invention also relates to a method for detecting the biofilm. The method comprises the steps of contacting the biofilm attached to surfaces with a reagent substance or fluid; altering the biofilm by the reagent substance or fluid; and detecting the alteration that has taken place in the biofilm using the detecting means. [FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and sanitizing the water line of a dental unit comprises the following: at least one second branch connected and leading into a first branch which supplies a second disinfectant/sterilizing fluid into a main line, the second branch and the main line being equipped with respective second and third shutoff elements designed to supply the first branch with the first fluid and with the second fluid alternately and as required; a first container for holding handpieces during sterilization, disinfection, flushing or cleaning of the water line; and switching means connected to control means that can be operated manually or automatically upon the occurrence of defined events on the dental unit and designed to determine successive manual or automatic operating combinations and/or sequences that may be repeated two or more times during which the first, second and third shutoff elements are opened and closed in such a way as to perform cycles of treatment on the first branch with the first flu

Abstract: A device for detecting infectious agents, antibodies or other biological indicators in a biological fluid drawn from a patient comprises the following: a first endpiece for collecting a sample of a fluid from a patient and mixing a predetermined quantity of said fluid with means for reacting with and/or conditioning the biological agents; a suction tube forming an extension of the first endpiece and designed to completely mix the fluid with the reagent and/or conditioning means and to introduce the mixture in a sealed container that receives the mixture consisting of the fluid and the reagent and/or conditioning means; and means for opening the container designed to enable a controlled discharge of the mixture into corresponding detecting means for displaying a result.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing conduits that convey fluid to medical instruments, especially dental handpieces comprises the following steps: removing at least the end portions of supply branches or forks of the handpieces from their respective rest positions and placing them in a container; introducing a sterilizing liquid in each of the supply branches or forks for a predetermined time; and draining the sterilizing liquid out of the branches or forks. The final draining step is effected by flushing the inside of the branches or forks with a sterile fluid that can be supplied through a second branch independent of the main water source.

Abstract: A unit for detecting contaminating agents, especially in dental surgeries, comprises detecting-transducing means of a chemical, biochemical or electrical type designed to detect a quantity as a function of a variable to be checked and to provide an electrical signal corresponding to the quantity detected; and means for signaling the quantity, connected to the detecting-transducing means.

Abstract: A typical turbine handpiece comprises a housing accommodating the air-driven rotor, and in the head disclosed, the base of this housing is extended to create an annular seating connected at bottom with the water line of the spray circuit and occupied by a first ring exhibiting an annular cavity connected by way of a lateral orifice to the spray air line. A portion of the ring not occupied by the cavity is shaped so as to fill the annular seating only in part, thereby creating a gap admitting water from the spray circuit; the ring also affords a set of through holes connecting the cavity both with the gap and with a corresponding set of angled outlet holes in the bottom part of the head, from which sprays are directed convergently onto the tip of the bur. The seating and the cavity are enclosed by a second ring inserted from the turbine side to a fluid-tight fit.

Abstract: In dental surgery apparatus, provided with the usual compressed air and water circuits supplying power and spray to drills and other instruments, use is made of a reservoir from which to dispense physiological saline into a pipeline connecting with the main water supply circuit; upstream of the resulting connection, the respective lines carrying saline and spray water are controlled by a 3-way, 2-position valve that permits of alternating from one source of liquid to the other as required.

Abstract: The device consists in a variable restriction installed in conjunction with a chip blower, located between the warm water inlet and the return line connecting the relative handpiece to the main waste outlet, which is made to open continuously or intermittently, at least while the apparatus is in operation, so as to allow a moderate trickle of water through to the waste outlet and ensure that no stagnation occurs; the particular method of installing the restriction also permits of keeping the handpiece at a temperature near to that of the water supplied through the inlet, even when the blower is not actually in use.

Abstract: A portable dental instrument sterilizing container adapted to be connected to a support which flanks a dental chair. The container has a top section, an internal middle section and a bottom section. The bottom section has a projection adapted to be inserted into a well formed in the support. The top section has a plurailty of holes to form dental instrument holding sockets. A portion of the top section is shaped so as to rest a drinking cup thereon. The middle section forms an internal container that is in communication with the sockets. The internal container has a suction port, a drainage port and sized such that the dental instruments within the sockets, project above the top section.

Abstract: The removable section of the handgrip is formed with an axial chamber designed to accommodate a lampholder which incorporates a circumferential groove and is seated against a spring that ejects it from the chamber; the spring is kept loaded by a retaining mechanism which locates in the groove, and the entire retaining mechanism is concealed by at least one tubular element that ensheaths the removable section and can be separated from it.

Abstract: The apparatus prevents atomized fluid from being drawn back into the spray circuits of dental surgery instruments with separate air and water lines by virtue of incorporating a reservoir, installed on the air line at a point downstream of the relative control valve, the capacity of which is such as to ensure that air will continue to emerge from the instrument for a short duration after the control valve has closed.

Abstract: The apparatus carries suspended power driven dental surgery instruments, and features a system whereby each arm carrying a relative instrument is split into at least two members, hinged one to the other and provided with travel limiters and a return spring mechanism, such that when the power cable of the instrument is tugged by the user, the arm will rotate by stages, with the member farthest from the table shifting before the member to which it is hinged.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are designed to permit of sterilizing surgical instruments by inducing electrolysis in a water solution having pH-value of between 5 and 7.5 and a concentration of chloride ions between 0.45 and 0.85 g/l; the electrolyte is buffered with each sterilizing cycle, and its condition monitored continuously.

Abstract: The reclining chair frame disclosed is for use principally in dentistry, and has an adjustable seat and back-rest, the seat connecting with the base at one side, or both, by way of two struts that converge slightly toward the top ends and form an articulated quadrilateral with the seat and base. One of the struts extends upwards and is hinged to a connecting link, this hinged in turn to the back-rest at a point lower than the point at which the back-rest itself is hinged to the seat. An actuator impinges on the remaining strut, rotating it about the pivot by which it is anchored to the base in such a way that the chair is maneuvered through an infinitely variable range of adjustments from a normal sitting position, with the back-rest upright, to a fully reclined position in which the back-rest is disposed substantially horizontal and the seat ultimately positioned above the level of the back-rest.