Abstract: A bite block and method of using the same in an animal's mouth. The bite block includes a gripping region, a bite receiving region and a transition region therebetween. A person's middle finger is inserted through an aperture defined in the gripping region. The person's index finger rests in an indentation in a top of the gripping region above the aperture. A lingual plate on the bite receiving region is elliptically-shaped and has a concave end wall that rests against the animal's tongue. Upper and lower troughs are located between the bite receiving and transition regions to receive maxillary and mandibular teeth, respectively, therein. The lingual plate is transversely-oriented relative to the bite block's longitudinal axis. The lingual plate is generally elliptical in shape when the bite block is viewed from a second end, being wider than tall, and includes a concave end face that is seated against the tongue.

Abstract: A toothbrush for use by an operator and capable of being connected to a suction device and a syringe. The toothbrush includes a head, a handle, and a suction assembly. The head includes a plurality of bristles and an irrigation port configured to be in fluid communication with the syringe. The handle is coupled to the head and includes a user interface and a controller configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the plurality of bristles in response to feedback from the operator through the user interface. The suction assembly is coupled to one of the head and the handle and configured to be coupled to the suction device. The suction assembly includes a suction tip that is moveable relative to the head.

Abstract: A toothbrush for use by an operator and capable of being connected to a suction device and a syringe. The toothbrush includes a head, a handle, and a suction assembly. The head includes a plurality of bristles and an irrigation port configured to be in fluid communication with the syringe. The handle is coupled to the head and includes a user interface and a controller configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the plurality of bristles in response to feedback from the operator through the user interface. The suction assembly is coupled to one of the head and the handle and configured to be coupled to the suction device. The suction assembly includes a suction tip that is movable relative to the head.

Abstract: A bite block and method of using the same in an animal's mouth. The bite block includes a gripping region, a bite receiving region and a transition region therebetween. A person's middle finger is inserted through an aperture defined in the gripping region. The person's index finger rests in an indentation in a top of the gripping region above the aperture. A lingual plate on the bite receiving region is elliptically-shaped and has a concave end wall that rests against the animal's tongue. Upper and lower troughs are located between the bite receiving and transition regions to receive maxillary and mandibular teeth, respectively, therein. The lingual plate is transversely-oriented relative to the bite block's longitudinal axis. The lingual plate is generally elliptical in shape when the bite block is viewed from a second end, being wider than tall, and includes a concave end face that is seated against the tongue.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems are disclosed that incorporate a steerable catheter control handle for bi-directional control of a steerable catheter. The steerable catheter control handle includes a slide assembly positioned within the inner housing and operable to translate linearly therein. The control handle further includes a proximal portion of at least two control wires being positioned through the slide assembly wherein one of the at least two control wires is indirectly coupled to the slide assembly via a direction reversing element. The steerable catheter control handle has a control knob rotatably coupled to the housing for linearly translating the slide assembly, thereby enabling the slide assembly to manipulate each of the at least two control wires, effecting a change in deflection of said catheter. The slide assembly further comprises a slide limiting mechanism to restrict linear translation of the slide assembly.

Abstract: A machine produces twisted paper for loose file packaging. The machine includes at least one auger to reduce a dimension, such as diameter, of paper as it is pulled from a roll. The material moves past the auger into a twisting assembly wherein the paper is twisted or rotated about a longitudinal axis of the machine inside a pipe or tube. The pipe or tube includes a cutout or interruption in the sidewall within which a wheel resides. The wheel grasps and advances the paper through the twisting assembly as it rotates. As the paper leaves the twisting assembly it is pulled or otherwise fed through an exist region and is cut into segments of small twisted pieces of paper. The twisted segments of paper are of suitable size for use as loose fill packaging.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for control of a steerable catheter, the catheter including at least two control wires, a distal end of each of the control wires being coupled to the catheter at a distal region thereof, the control system comprising: a housing coupled to the catheter; a slide assembly positioned within the housing and operable to translate linearly therein; a proximal portion of each of the at least two control wires being positioned through the slide assembly; and a control knob rotatably coupled to the housing for linearly translating the slide assembly, thereby enabling the slide assembly to separately manipulate each of said at least two control wires to effect a change in a deflection of said catheter.

Abstract: An energy generating device having a drum and at least one vane that is movable between a deployed state and a stowed state as the drum rotates to capture energy potential from flowing water and converting it to usable electrical and/or mechanical energy. The movable vanes can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water over the drum. The present system can generate usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water without the need to dam, restrict, or alter the path of the water flow.

Abstract: An energy generating device having a drum and at least one vane that is movable between a deployed state and a stowed state as the drum rotates to capture energy potential from flowing water and converting it to usable electrical and/or mechanical energy. The movable vanes can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water over the drum. The present system can generate usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water without the need to dam, restrict, or alter the path of the water flow.

Abstract: A steerable catheter control handle and method are provided for bi-directional control of a steerable catheter, the catheter including at least two control wires, a distal end of each of the control wires being coupled to the catheter at a distal region thereof. The control system comprises a housing. A wire actuation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled to at least two control wires for enabling actuation of the at least two control wires. The steerable catheter control handle additionally comprises a proximal control knob that is operably coupled to the wire actuation mechanism to enable actuation of the at least two control wires. The control knob is positioned proximal to the wire actuation mechanism to enhance ease of use of the steerable catheter control handle. The rotation of the proximal knob causes movement of the wire actuation mechanism within the housing for tensioning one of the at least two control wires for causing a distal end deflection of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: A toothbrush for use by an operator and capable of being connected to a suction device and a syringe. The toothbrush includes a head, a handle, and a suction assembly. The head includes a plurality of bristles and an irrigation port configured to be in fluid communication with the syringe. The handle is coupled to the head and includes a user interface and a controller configured to actuate at least one of rotation, oscillation, and vibration of the plurality of bristles in response to feedback from the operator through the user interface. The suction assembly is coupled to one of the head and the handle and configured to be coupled to the suction device. The suction assembly includes a suction tip that is movable relative to the head.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices and methods for ventilating patients. For example, provided are ventilation masks. The described ventilation masks can be used in ventilation procedures of patients.

Abstract: Provided is a hydro farm having two or more energy generating devices having movable vanes that can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water to generate usable electrical and/or mechanical energy from the energy potential of flowing water. The hydro farm can supply usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water. The hydro farm can also be used to charge portable energy storage structures, such as trailers, that can be delivered to an area remote from the hydro farm via truck or other transportation modes.

Abstract: An energy generating device having a drum and at least one vane that is movable between a deployed state and a stowed state as the drum rotates to capture energy potential from flowing water and converting it to usable electrical and/or mechanical energy. The movable vanes can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water over the drum. The present system can generate usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water without the need to dam, restrict, or alter the path of the water flow.

Abstract: A machine produces twisted paper for loose file packaging. The machine includes at least one auger to reduce a dimension, such as diameter, of paper as it is pulled from a roll. The material moves past the auger into a twisting assembly wherein the paper is twisted or rotated about a longitudinal axis of the machine inside a pipe or tube. The pipe or tube includes a cutout or interruption in the sidewall within which a wheel resides. The wheel grasps and advances the paper through the twisting assembly as it rotates. As the paper leaves the twisting assembly it is pulled or otherwise fed through an exist region and is cut into segments of small twisted pieces of paper. The twisted segments of paper are of suitable size for use as loose fill packaging.

Abstract: A truck accessory tool includes a handle and a generally planar end plate. The end plate is configured to be positioned adjacent a box or a bag located in a truck bed. The truck accessory tool enables the box or bag to be pulled out of the truck bed by contacting the box or bag while pulling the tool rearwardly. The truck accessory tool additionally enables the box or bag to be pushed into the truck bed by contacting the box or bag while pushing the tool forwardly.

Abstract: A truck accessory tool includes a handle and a generally planar end plate. The end plate is configured to be positioned adjacent a box or a bag located in a truck bed. The truck accessory tool enables the box or bag to be pulled out of the truck bed by contacting the box or bag while pulling the tool rearwardly. The truck accessory tool additionally enables the box or bag to be pushed into the truck bed by contacting the box or bag while pushing the tool forwardly.

Abstract: A toothpick assembly including a toothpick and case within which the toothpick is detachably engaged. The toothpick includes a tapered tip which is generally triangular in cross-section having opposed sides connected by a generally flat bottom and an apex. A bristle array is provided on each side and the bottom and apex are free of bristles. The bristle array is configured as a sinuous or serpentine wave. Bristles in each array are smallest closest to an end of the tip and progressively increase in size as you move away therefrom. The toothpick is movable within the case's bore between a fully retracted, a partially extended and a fully extended position. A locking mechanism selectively locks the toothpick in any of these positions. When the toothpick is to be changed, the locking mechanism is disengaged and the toothpick is slid out of the bore and is replaced with a new toothpick.