Abstract: A dental retractor has molded flexural support members to provide upper lip, lower lip, and cheek retraction. The retraction provides unobstructed access and visibility for facial/labial areas of the mouth during dental procedures. The lips are prevented from touching gingival tissue and tooth structure. Lips and soft tissue are retracted and held safely away from dental tools. Labial retraction is provided by flexible members which, when positioned in the use position, provide elevation and retraction for the labial surfaces both maxillary and mandibular, the counteractive forces of the maxillary and mandibular support members keep the lips retracted and away from treatment areas. As the flexural support members are flexed for labial retraction, the medial portions of the support members bilaterally retract the cheeks due to the designed forces in the support members.

Abstract: A disinfecting device is easy to use and can be easily mounted in a dental operatory or other similar environment. The device can include a removable solution chamber attached to a base unit. The solution chamber can be a refillable chamber or a disposable chamber. The base unit can receive pressurized air, typically from a standard connection present in the dental operatory, or a dental chair, or the like. The pressurized air can be used to deliver a mist or an electrostatic fog of the solution in the solution chamber out of a nozzle. A hose can connect the base unit with the nozzle. In use, the user can turn on the system and use an activation/deactivation mechanism to deliver the atomized mist or fog to all surfaces in the room.

Abstract: A disinfecting device is easy to use and can be easily mounted or removably connected in a dental operatory or other similar environment. The device can include a removable solution chamber attached to a base unit. The solution chamber can be a refillable chamber or a disposable chamber. The base unit can receive pressurized air, typically from a standard connection present in the dental operatory, or a dental chair, or the like. The pressurized air can be used to deliver a mist or an electrostatic fog of the solution in the solution chamber out of a nozzle. The solution bottle can be directly attached to the nozzle/sprayer device, with an air hose extending therefrom. In use, the user can turn on the system and use an activation/deactivation mechanism to deliver the atomized mist or fog to all surfaces in the room.

Abstract: A dental mouthpiece can provide multiple features that can benefit both the patient and the doctor. The mouthpiece can take a generally flat configuration when not in use and may be resiliently folded into a C-shape for insertion into the patient's mouth. In some embodiments, the frame may be rigid or semi-rigid. The mouthpiece may provide retraction, suction ability, tongue control, airway and throat protection and a bite block in a single disposable or reusable device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: A dental aspiration device including an inside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; an outside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; at least one of the interior surfaces of the inside housing and the outside housing including vacuum channels; a hinge connection mechanism hingeably connecting the proximal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing; and a locking mechanism for removably attaching the distal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing to each other.

Abstract: An intraoral device includes a flexible body having an upper front flap including evacuation holes and a upper edge; an upper rear flap forming an upper pocket with the upper front flap and including internal channels and a upper edge separated from the upper edge of the upper front flap to form an upper pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the upper edge; a lower front flap including evacuation holes and a lower edge; a lower rear flap forming a lower pocket with the lower front flap and including internal channels and a lower edge separated from the lower edge of the lower front flap to form an lower pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the lower edge.

Abstract: An intraoral device includes a flexible body having an upper front flap including evacuation holes and a upper edge; an upper rear flap forming an upper pocket with the upper front flap and including internal channels and a upper edge separated from the upper edge of the upper front flap to form an upper pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the upper edge; a lower front flap including evacuation holes and a lower edge; a lower rear flap forming a lower pocket with the lower front flap and including internal channels and a lower edge separated from the lower edge of the lower front flap to form an lower pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the lower edge.

Abstract: An intraoral device includes a flexible body having an upper front flap including evacuation holes and a upper edge; an upper rear flap forming an upper pocket with the upper front flap and including internal channels and a upper edge separated from the upper edge of the upper front flap to form an upper pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the upper edge; a lower front flap including evacuation holes and a lower edge; a lower rear flap forming a lower pocket with the lower front flap and including internal channels and a lower edge separated from the lower edge of the lower front flap to form an lower pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the lower edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: An intraoral device includes a flexible body having an upper front flap including evacuation holes and a upper edge; an upper rear flap forming an upper pocket with the upper front flap and including internal channels and a upper edge separated from the upper edge of the upper front flap to form an upper pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the upper edge; a lower front flap including evacuation holes and a lower edge; a lower rear flap forming a lower pocket with the lower front flap and including internal channels and a lower edge separated from the lower edge of the lower front flap to form an lower pocket opening, the internal channels terminating in grooves along the lower edge.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a vacuum source to an intraoral device has a plug portion and a connection portion extending proximally from the plug portion. The plug portion is configured for releasable mating engagement with a connection section of an intraoral device which communicates with one or more evacuation channels of the intraoral device. The connection portion has a proximal end configured for connection to one or more vacuum lines of a vacuum source. One or more vacuum lumens extend through the plug and connector portions to communicate with the one or more vacuum lines to remove fluid from a patient's mouth.

Abstract: A dental aspiration device comprising an inside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; an outside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; at least one of the interior surfaces of the inside housing and the outside housing including vacuum channels; a hinge connection mechanism hingeably connecting the proximal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing; and a locking mechanism for removably attaching the distal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing to each other.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a vacuum source to an intraoral device has a plug portion and a connection portion extending proximally from the plug portion. The plug portion is configured for releasable mating engagement with a connection section of an intraoral device which communicates with one or more evacuation channels of the intraoral device. The connection portion has a proximal end configured for connection to one or more vacuum lines of a vacuum source. One or more vacuum lumens extend through the plug and connector portions to communicate with the one or more vacuum lines to remove fluid from a patient's mouth.

Abstract: A dental aspiration device includes an inside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; an outside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; at least one of the interior surfaces of the inside housing and the outside housing including vacuum channels; a hinge connection mechanism hingeably connecting the proximal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing; and a locking mechanism for removably attaching the distal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing to each other.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for improved staining of a cell or tissue with a dye-conjugate that binds specifically to a particular component of the cell or tissue. The compositions, methods and kits include a polymeric material that reduces non-specific binding of a dye-conjugate to components of the cell or tissue other than the particular component specifically bound by the dye-conjugate. In some embodiments, the polymeric material is a synthetic polymer or a naturally-occurring polymer that is substituted by multiple sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate and/or phosphonate groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactamase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactamase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactamase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: A dental aspiration device comprising an inside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; an outside housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion with an interior surface; at least one of the interior surfaces of the inside housing and the outside housing including vacuum channels; a hinge connection mechanism hingeably connecting the proximal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing; and a locking mechanism for removably attaching the distal portions of the inside housing and the outside housing to each other.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a vacuum source to an intraoral device has a plug portion and a connection portion extending proximally from the plug portion. The plug portion is configured for releasable mating engagement with a connection section of an intraoral device which communicates with one or more evacuation channels of the intraoral device. The connection portion has a proximal end configured for connection to one or more vacuum lines of a vacuum source. One or more vacuum lumens extend through the plug and connector portions to communicate with the one or more vacuum lines to remove fluid from a patient's mouth.