Abstract: A writing guide system including a piece of sheet-like material having a depressed area in the shape of an alphanumeric character. In another embodiment the invention is a progressive writing guide system including a first set of papers including a writing guide feature, and a second set of papers including a writing guide feature. The second set of papers are coupled to the first set of papers. The writing guide feature of the first set of papers provides more guidance to a user that the writing guide feature of the second set of papers.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A binding mechanism system including a first support portion including a first ring portion located thereon and a second support portion including a second ring portion located thereon. At least one of the first and second support portions is movable relative to the other between a closed position wherein the first and second ring portions contact to form a generally closed ring, and an open position wherein the first and second ring portions are spaced apart from each other. The binding mechanism further includes an indicator that is generally visible when the ring portions are in one of the open or closed position and that is generally not visible when the ring portions are in the other one of the open or closed positions.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus having a light source adapted to direct light toward a patient for facilitating a care giver's performance of typically a medical or dental procedure upon the patient. A camera lens is located adjacent to the light source and configured so that a photographic view from the camera is similarly directed as the light from the light source for viewing and/or recording the performance of the care giver's procedure upon the patient. Alternatively, the camera lens may be coupled to or mounted directly to the light source to achieve the common direction toward the patient.

Abstract: A self cleaning fluid distribution system for clean water applications including a water source interconnected to a sterilizing or disinfecting fluid source by a fluid conveyance system. The fluid conveyance system configurable for dispensing both water and disinfectant fluid from said system and for automatedly circulating disinfecting fluid through a substantial entirety of said system in a self-sterilizing/disinfecting process.

Abstract: A sonic delivery system for dentistry. The sonic delivery system includes a hand piece housing an exciting energy source connected to a driver rod which is further releasably engaged with an energy transfer tip. The driver rod linearly extends and contracts in response to the exciting energy source producing a reciprocating linear movement of the driver and energy transfer tip. In one embodiment, a rotary coupler is connected to the driver to convert the reciprocating linear movement of the driver into rotary movement of the energy transfer tip. Preferably the exciting energy source is alternating current and the driver is a rod constructed of terfnol material.

Abstract: A dental air-abrasion system having at least one air source for supplying pressured air to at least a primary air passageway and a secondary air passageway. The primary air passageway has an inlet conduit that establishes fluid communication between the air source and a venturi cup. The venturi cup is capable and intended to contain abrading particulate to be suspended in a primary air flow passing within the primary air passageway. The primary air passageway also has an exit conduit establishing fluid communication between the venturi cup and a manifold. The secondary air passageway includes a bypass conduit establishing fluid communication between the air source and the manifold. The manifold provides a fluid juncture for joining the primary air passageway with the secondary air passageway into a single uniform particulate delivery passageway. The uniform particulate delivery passageway terminates in a dispensing tip.

Abstract: A non-rotary caries removal and restoration system for use in the treatment of tooth structures. The system includes at least two solution constituent reservoirs adapted to separately store the constituents of a solution capable of abating organic tooth decay. Each of the solution constituent reservoirs are fluidly connected to an activation reservoir by means of pump and solution constituent conduits. The activation reservoir is adapted to receive, mix, and activate the solution constituents to form and hold said solution. A solution channel is fluidly connected to the activation reservoir by a solution conduit and adapted to dispense the solution upon or into a carious lesion having an organic component or matrix of decay. A handpiece shaped for hand use houses driver adapted to communicate sonic energy to an energy transfer tip. The energy transfer tip is releaseably coupled to the driver and configured to agitate the solution dispensed upon or into the carious lesion or matrix of tooth decay.