Abstract: Cleanroom particle capture systems and cleanroom workstations include a duct carrying a particle capture air stream. A fan and a particle filter are arranged at the first end of the duct with at least some of the particle capture air stream passing through the filter, wherein the particle capture airstream has a first air velocity at the filter. A blow off device provides a blow off airstream into the duct at a second end of the duct, with the blow off airstream having a second air velocity at the second end that is higher than the first air velocity. The duct has one or more intervening features to reduce the second air velocity such that it substantially matches the first air velocity when the blow off airstream reaches the filter.

Abstract: Cleanroom particle capture systems and cleanroom workstations utilizing the particle capture systems are disclosed. One embodiment of a particle capture system according to the present invention comprises a duct carrying a particle capture air stream. A fan is included at a first end of said duct that generates the particle capture air stream. A particle filter is also arranged at the first end of the duct with at least some of the particle capture air stream passing through the filter, wherein the particle capture airstream has a first air velocity at said filter. A blow off device provides a blow off airstream into the duct at a second end of the duct, with the blow off airstream having a second air velocity at the second end that is higher than the first air velocity. The duct has one or more intervening features to reduce the second air velocity such that it substantially matches the first air velocity when the blow off airstream reaches the filter.

Abstract: A micro particle flow facilitator, includes: (a) a bourdon tube having a flexible duct capable of expanding and contracting in response to pulsations of a pressurized fluid, the duct being hollow, closed-ended and having an inlet port; and (b) a fluid pulsator for providing the pulsations of a pressurized fluid to the inlet port of the bourdon tube, the pulsator being in fluid-tight communication with the inlet port of the bourdon tube and having a fluid inlet port for connection to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A portable air abrasion device has a dispensing chamber and a flow valve for controlling the flow rate from the dispensing chamber. The flow valve includes a fluid flow chamber for receiving granular materials exiting the dispensing chamber. The fluid flow chamber has a granular materials inlet port, a fluid flow inlet port for receiving the flow of a fluid to the fluid flow chamber and a fluidized granular material exit port for dispensing a fluidized mixture of the granular material away from the fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber also has a flow regulator employing a lead screw to control the flow of fluidized granular material through the fluidized granular material exit port.

Abstract: A micro particle flow facilitator, includes: (a) a bourdon tube having a flexible duct capable of expanding and contracting in response to pulsations of a pressurized fluid, the duct being hollow, closed-ended and having an inlet port; and (b) a fluid pulsator for providing the pulsations of a pressurized fluid to the inlet port of the bourdon tube, the pulsator being in fluid-tight communication with the inlet port of the bourdon tube and having a fluid inlet port for connection to a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A portable air abrasion device has a dispensing chamber and a flow valve for controlling the flow rate from the dispensing chamber. The flow valve includes a fluid flow chamber for receiving granular materials exiting the dispensing chamber. The fluid flow chamber has a granular materials inlet port, a fluid flow inlet port for receiving the flow of a fluid to the fluid flow chamber and a fluidized granular material exit port for dispensing a fluidized mixture of the granular material away from the fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber also has a flow regulator employing a lead screw to control the flow of fluidized granular material through the fluidized granular material exit port.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a handpiece assembly for use with air abrasion apparatuses used in a wide spectrum of applications and industries. This handpiece assembly comprises the following components: (1) a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end also comprising an attachment means for attaching the handle of the handpiece assembly to the air abrasion apparatus; (2) a quick-releasing and quick-connecting socket comprising a male portion and a female portion; and (3) a nozzle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the nozzle provides the male portion of the socket and the proximal end of the handle provides the female portion of the socket. The distal end of the nozzle also fits into the proximal end of the handle to form the quick-releasing and quick connecting socket. This novel handpiece assembly may further comprise an articulating socket located towards the proximal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: A tweezer-like dental pliers having a pair of elongated, flat and generally parallel handles with connected first ends, spaced-apart central portions, and second ends with normally closed gripping tips. The second ends are bent at an acute angle, preferably about 70 degrees, with respect to the handles, and a projecting fulcrum contacts the handles adjacent the bend so the gripping tips can be separated by squeezing the handle central portions together. A screw engaged between the handle central portions adjustably limits separation of the central portions to control gripping pressure of the normally closed tips.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a handpiece assembly for use with air abrasion apparatuses used in a wide spectrum of applications and industries. This handpiece assembly comprises the following components: (1) a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end also comprising an attachment means for attaching the handle of the handpiece assembly to the air abrasion apparatus; (2) a quick-releasing and quick-connecting socket comprising a male portion and a female portion; and (3) a nozzle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the nozzle provides the male portion of the socket and the proximal end of the handle provides the female portion of the socket. The distal end of the nozzle also fits into the proximal end of the handle to form the quick-releasing and quick connecting socket. This novel handpiece assembly may further comprise an articulating socket located towards the proximal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a handpiece assembly for use with air abrasion apparatuses used in a wide spectrum of applications and industries. This handpiece assembly comprises the following components: (1) a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end also comprising an attachment means for attaching the handle of the handpiece assembly to the air abrasion apparatus; (2) a quick-releasing and quick-connecting socket comprising a male portion and a female portion; and (3) a nozzle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the nozzle provides the male portion of the socket and the proximal end of the handle provides the female portion of the socket. The distal end of the nozzle also fits into the proximal end of the handle to form the quick-releasing and quick connecting socket. This novel handpiece assembly may further comprise an articulating socket located towards the proximal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: An autoclavable, abrasion resistant dental mirror comprises a holder and a mirror element mounted in the holder. The mirror element comprises a sapphire body, an optically reflective aluminum layer on the rear surface of the sapphire body, and a protective layer on the reflective layer.