Abstract: A dental implant has a hollow shell with outer bio-compatible surface for engaging a soft tissue socket left in gingival tissue after a tooth has been extracted, to promote healing. The shell tapers outwardly from a first to a second perimeter, the second perimeter being asymmetrically scalloped with opposite distal and mesial peaks and opposite lingual and facial valleys between the peaks. A dental implant in the bone socket left after tooth extraction is rigidly connected to a temporary post, the temporary post extending in the shell. The shell engages against the soft tissue socket without gaps and without requiring alignment between the shell and implant axes.

Abstract: A dental implant arrangement and method has a hollow shell with outer bio-compatible surface for engaging a soft-tissue socket that is left in gingival tissue after a tooth has been extracted, to promote healing. The shell tapers outwardly from a first to a second perimeter, the second perimeter being asymmetrically scalloped with opposite distal and mesial peaks and opposite lingual and facial valleys between the peaks. A dental implant in the bone socket left after tooth extraction is rigidly connected to a temporary post, the temporary post extending in the shell. A luting compound fills the volume between shell and post and solidifies, thereby connecting shell to post and indirectly to the dental implant with no other connection between the shell and the implant so that the outer surface of the shell engages against the soft-tissue socket without gaps and without requiring alignment between the shell and implant axes.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining and subcutaneously injecting a mixture of drug and other liquid such as a buffering solution, uses cartridges with cylinders containing the drug and other liquid, and pistons pushable toward discharge ends of the cylinders for discharging the liquids. A drive unit housing with motor therein is activated by computer to linearly move a motor plunger. A multiple cartridge holder receives cartridges with the drug and other liquid and has a mixing chamber with inlets connected to the discharge ends for receiving a mixture of drug and other liquids. Micro-tubing is connected to an outlet of the chamber and has a handpiece with subcutaneous injection needle at its opposite end for receiving and injecting the mixture. Plural cartridge plungers are engages via a motion transmission to the motor plunger and move into open ends of the cartridges to push the pistons and discharge liquids from the cartridges into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus administers dental anesthetic to intraligamentary tissue with a drive unit and handpiece with injection needle connected by flexible tube to the unit. The drug is passes to the tissue at an instantaneous pressure at the needle tip that varies due to placement. A minimum threshold pressure is desired for administering the drug to the tissue. A practitioner moves the handpiece to insert the needle tip near the intraligamentary tissue and the instantaneous pressure is sensing or calculating. An auditory ascending signal indicates when the instantaneous pressure is rising, and when the instantaneous pressure reaches the threshold pressure a perceptible auditory specific signal indicates the practitioner has moved the tip into intraligamentary tissue. The tip is then maintained for supplying a selected dosage of the drug. Another auditory signal notifies the practitioner that the instantaneous pressure is declining or fluctuating before reaching the minimum threshold pressure.

Abstract: A surgical tool for preparing a surgical sinus-lift osteotomy has a defined thread geometry in series with an osteotome tip to cut, crack and push bone from the sinus floor upward into the sinus cavity in a tactual, gentle and controlled motion. The apical osteotome tip is driven into a pre-drilled pilot osteotomy after the cutting threads are engaged and rotated until the sinus floor is cracked free. Once the bony sinus floor is cracked free, a fluid passageway can be pressurized with a sterile fluid at a defined pressure to release and push the sinus membrane upward into the sinus cavity to create a desired apical cavity for grafting while minimizing the risk of compromising or tearing the sinus membrane.

Abstract: Self-injection system allows a user to inject a drug from a cartridge carrying unique identification information, into any one of a plurality of injection sites. Tissue at each injection site is associated with at least one injection parameter, such as flow-rate, that is different for each site. A scanner reads the identification information of the cartridge and cooperates with a central processing unit to determine the validity of the drug in order to permit an injection procedure to commence. The central processing unit has a memory for storing the different injection parameters and controls a drive unit for driving fluid from the cartridge and through a needle into the selected tissue, at the injection parameter that is associated with the user selected tissue for the injection.

Abstract: Apparatus administers dental anesthetic to intraligamentary tissue with a drive unit and handpiece with injection needle connected by flexible tube to the unit. The drug is passes to the tissue at an instantaneous pressure at the needle tip that varies due to placement. A minimum threshold pressure is desired for administering the drug to the tissue. A practitioner moves the handpiece to insert the needle tip near the intraligamentary tissue and the instantaneous pressure is sensing or calculating. An auditory ascending signal indicates when the instantaneous pressure is rising, and when the instantaneous pressure reaches the threshold pressure a perceptible auditory specific signal indicates the practitioner has moved the tip into intraligamentary tissue. The tip is then maintained for supplying a selected dosage of the drug. Another auditory signal notifies the practitioner that the instantaneous pressure is declining or fluctuating before reaching the minimum threshold pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing implants in the upper jaws of a person. A sleeve is inserted through the alveolar ridge to the maxillary sinus. The sleeve is used to raise the subantral membrane and form a cavity. A filler, such as a bone growth stimulant is injected through the sleeve into the cavity. In the process, the sleeve also can cut and/or condense the bone around itself so that the bone can hold an implant. Optionally, the bone growth stimulant is also introduced into the bone surrounding the sleeve. During the injection, the pressure within the sleeve or the cavity is monitored to detect and prevent the rupture of the subantral membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a controlled injection of a drug into a selected tissue of a subject by a practitioner, uses a drive unit for supplying the drug and a handpiece to be held and guided by the practitioner, connected to the drive unit for receiving the drug. The handpiece holds an injection needle to be inserted into the selected tissue by the practitioner for passing the drug to the selected tissue at an instantaneous and absolute pressure that varies as a function of the type of tissue and the placement of the needle. A pressure sensor senses this instantaneous pressure and a feedback mechanism supplies a perceptible audible, visual or other signal to the practitioner that indicates when the instantaneous pressure has reached a minimum desired pressure, the practitioner thus being informed that the correct placement and dosage has been attained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing implants in the upper jaws of a person. A sleeve is inserted through the alveolar ridge to the maxillary sinus. The sleeve is used to raise the subantral membrane and form a cavity. A filler, such as a bone growth stimulant is injected through the sleeve into the cavity. In the process, the sleeve also can cut and/or condense the bone around itself so that the bone can hold an implant. Optionally, the bone growth stimulant is also introduced into the bone surrounding the sleeve. During the injection, the pressure within the sleeve or the cavity is monitored to detect and prevent the rupture of the subantral membrane.

Abstract: Self-injection system allows a user to inject a drug from a cartridge carrying unique identification information, into any one of a plurality of injection sites. Tissue at each injection site is associated with at least one injection parameter, such as flow-rate, that is different for each site. A scanner reads the identification information of the cartridge and cooperates with a central processing unit to determine the validity of the drug in order to permit an injection procedure to commence. The central processing unit has a memory for storing the different injection parameters and controls a drive unit for driving fluid from the cartridge and through a needle into the selected tissue, at the injection parameter that is associated with the user selected tissue for the injection.

Abstract: An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller to determine the exit pressure of the fluid expelled by the device. This exit pressure is then used to identify the kind of tissue in which the injection is being introduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing implants in the upper jaws of a person. A sleeve is inserted through the alveolar ridge to the maxillary sinus. The sleeve is used to raise the subantral membrane and form a cavity. A filler, such as a bone growth stimulant is injected through the sleeve into the cavity. In the process, the sleeve also can cut and/or condense the bone around itself so that the bone can hold an implant. Optionally, the bone growth stimulant is also introduced into the bone surrounding the sleeve. During the injection, the pressure within the sleeve or the cavity is monitored to detect and prevent the rupture of the subantral membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a controlled injection of a drug into a selected tissue of a subject by a practitioner, uses a drive unit for supplying the drug and a handpiece to be held and guided by the practitioner, connected to the drive unit for receiving the drug. The handpiece holds an injection needle to be inserted into the selected tissue by the practitioner for passing the drug to the selected tissue at an instantaneous and absolute pressure that varies as a function of the type of tissue and the placement of the needle. A pressure sensor senses this instantaneous pressure and a feedback mechanism supplies a perceptible audible, visual or other signal to the practitioner that indicates when the instantaneous pressure has reached a minimum desired pressure, the practitioner thus being informed that the correct placement and dosage has been attained.

Abstract: An injection device is arranged and constructed to simultaneously rotate a needle during its forward translation as a therapeutic agent such as a liquid is ejected therefrom. In one embodiment the injection device is an automatic device including a pump forcing the liquid through a tube to a hand-piece. The needle has a first position in which it is disposed within a housing of the hand-piece, and a second position in which the needle extends outwardly of the hand-piece so that it can be used to eject the liquid, with the needle being automatically uni- or bi-directionally rotated as it is advanced between the first and second positions. In an alternate positions a syringe is provided with a barrel, a plunger extending into the barrel to eject the liquid through the needle, and a plunger which is pushed into the barrel by the operator.

Abstract: A device for delivering an IV catheter to an IV infusion site is disclosed. The device includes a cylindrical housing adapted to fit into the hand of the clinician. A catheter assembly is disposed in the housing and can be advanced to an extended position and retracted. The catheter assembly includes a needle adapted to be inserted into the vein and the catheter is mounted on the needle to allow the catheter to be removed at will. The catheter assembly is rotated as the needle is inserted into the vein. Preferably the catheter assembly is rotated during the insertion of the needle and catheter. After the needle and catheter are inserted into the vein, the needle is retracted into the housing leaving the catheter in place. The housing and the needle can now be discarded.

Abstract: A device for delivering an IV catheter to an IV infusion site is disclosed. The device includes a cylindrical housing adapted to fit into the hand of the clinician. A catheter assembly is disposed in the housing and can be advanced to an extended position and retracted. The catheter assembly includes a needle adapted to be inserted into the vein and the catheter is mounted on the needle to allow the catheter to be removed at will. The catheter assembly is rotated as the needle is inserted into the vein. Preferably the catheter assembly is rotated during the insertion of the needle and catheter. After the needle and catheter are inserted into the vein, the needle is retracted into the housing leaving the catheter in place. The housing and the needle can now be discarded.