Abstract: An interdental twisted wire brush having roughened, tapered and rounded bristle ends prepared by rotating the interdental brush both transversely to the axis of the brush and axially along its longitudinal axis, while flexing the bristles and grinding the bristle ends of the interdental brush against a flat, moving abrasive surface.

Abstract: An interdental twisted wire brush having roughened, tapered and rounded bristle ends prepared by rotating the interdental brush both transversely to the axis of the brush and axially along its longitudinal axis, while flexing the bristles and grinding the bristle ends of the interdental brush against a flat, moving abrasive surface.

Abstract: An interdental handle having a molded-in-place twisted wire brush that includes a handle having a generally tapered first portion of reduced cross-section at one end with a flexing and substantially resilient capability, and a second portion of a larger cross-section at an opposite end which is relatively rigid. A brush with a twisted wire stem includes a distal end embedded in at least the first portion of the handle and a proximal end projecting from the first portion of the handle. At least one concentric groove is adjacent the distal end of the twisted wire stem for preventing protrusion of the twisted wire stem from the first portion during the manufacturing process. The concentric groove includes a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of the twisted wire stem.

Abstract: An improved seat-bed extender assembly for a convertible seat-bed. The assembly includes an attachable platform and corresponding linkage to allow conversion to a full-sized bed in conjunctive relation with a convertible seat and for operation of the platform independently of the seat.

Abstract: A stent for maintaining fluid flow through a body passage in a patient comprises a tubular member having an inlet at one end, an outlet at the other end and a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. The preferred stent also includes at least one projection on the outer wall of the tubular member which enters the wall of the body passage when the stent is rotated in the proper direction. A kit also is disclosed which includes the stent and a tool for grasping and turning the stent from outside the patient's body.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with an unreinforced stem collapses compactly. A method of introducing a balloon catheter into the body passage of a patient consists of loading the balloon end of the catheter into the unattached sheath of an endoscope and passing the elongated tubular leg attached to the balloon through the lumen of a working channel of an unattached bridge of an endoscope; then joining the bridge and the sheath to form a unitary endoscope and introducing the balloon into the body passage of a patient. A kit is disclosed which includes a balloon catheter and a separate adapter which can be used to introduce inflating fluid into the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon catheter with an unreinforced stem collapses compactly. A method of introducing a balloon catheter into the body passage of a patient consists of loading the balloon end of the catheter into the unattached sheath of an endoscope and passing the elongated tubular leg attached to the balloon through the lumen of a working channel of an unattached bridge of an endoscope; then joining the bridge and the sheath to form a unitary endoscope and introducing the balloon into the body passage of a patient. A kit is disclosed which includes a balloon catheter and a separate adapter which can be used to introduce inflating fluid into the balloon.