Abstract: A kit for injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the disc annulus comprises a plurality of needles, each sized for introduction through the annulus opening with a passageway for injecting the biomaterial therethrough, and each including a distal end to be disposed within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the annulus opening. Each needle includes a stop affixed thereto at different pre-determined distances from the distal end to define the location of the distal end within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the opening in the annulus. The kit further includes a plurality of seals defining a bore for sliding engagement with a needle, each of the plurality of seals including a sealing face for engaging the annulus around the needle. Each sealing face defines a differently configured area of contact, such as circular, elliptical, tapered and threaded.

Abstract: A kit for injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the disc annulus comprises a plurality of needles, each sized for introduction through the annulus opening with a passageway for injecting the biomaterial therethrough, and each including a distal end to be disposed within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the annulus opening. Each needle includes a stop affixed thereto at different pre-determined distances from the distal end to define the location of the distal end within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the opening in the annulus. The kit further includes a plurality of seals defining a bore for sliding engagement with a needle, each of the plurality of seals including a sealing face for engaging the annulus around the needle. Each sealing face defines a differently configured area of contact, such as circular, elliptical, tapered and threaded.

Abstract: An inflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice includes an inflatable bladder. In an embodiment, when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder includes a baffle member. The baffle member includes a plurality of baffles, and each of the plurality of baffles has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The inflatable bladder also includes an opening formed between a first end of the inflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder for viewing an inside of the orifice. In another embodiment, when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder includes the opening formed between the first end of the inflatable bladder and the second end of the inflatable bladder, a pump and inflation line for inflating the inflatable bladder, and an applicator.

Abstract: A stethoscope is described. The stethoscope includes a head assembly, an ear piece assembly, and a tubing assembly. The tubing assembly has a first end connected to the head assembly and a second end connected to the ear piece assembly. The tubing assembly includes a first acoustic chamber and three insulation chambers. The insulation chambers include a first material having a first density and are disposed around the first acoustic chamber. The tubing assembly also includes an outer layer, which includes a second material having a second density. Moreover, the outer layer is disposed around the insulation chambers. In another embodiment, the outer layer is substantially frictionless and the tubing assembly is flexible. In yet another embodiment, the stethoscope further includes a second acoustic chamber and the insulation chambers are disposed around a portion of the first acoustic chamber and a portion of the second acoustic chamber.

Abstract: According to this invention an orthopedic screw having a first portion and a second portion is disclosed, wherein said first portion comprises a head having a substantially smooth exterior surface and further comprising a recessed portion, wherein said recessed portion comprises a polygonal shape and a deflection beam, such that said first portion receives a driver head within said recessed potion, and wherein said second portion comprises an elongated portion adapted for insertion into a substrate.

Abstract: According to this invention an orthopedic screw having a first portion and a second portion is disclosed, wherein said first portion comprises a head having a substantially smooth exterior surface and further comprising a recessed portion, wherein said recessed portion comprises a polygonal shape and a deflection beam, such that said first portion receives a driver head within said recessed potion, and wherein said second portion comprises an elongated portion adapted for insertion into a substrate.

Abstract: An unrolling inflatable speculum comprising an insertion device, wherein said insertion device comprises a mandrel having a shaft portion and a head portion, a baffled bladder, wherein said baffled bladder comprises an open cell structure and an at least one such that access is permitted through the surface of said bladder through said opening, and an inflation mechanism, wherein said inflation mechanism is comprised of a handheld bulb-pump and an inflation line.

Abstract: A direct bonding dental arch bar comprised of a flexible base portion having a first side and a second side, which may be comprised of a woven medical grade nylon. This arch bar further comprises a dental positioning device, where said positioning device is an at least one guideline and locking lug, and may utilized to secure this arch bar to a patient's row of teeth prior to adhesion to the teeth is permitted. Furthermore, a light curable adhesive is used that enables said flexible base portion to be secured to at least one tooth when exposed to light, and in particular a blue light spectrum.

Abstract: A radiographic bitewing for determining the depth for a dental implant comprising a patient bite portion and an extension portion, wherein said bite portion is adapted for placement between a patient's upper row of teeth and lower row of teeth, and wherein said extension portion is aligned in a substantially perpendicular position relative to said bite portion and comprises at least one radio-opaque calibration template, wherein said calibration template comprises a first vertical bar having a first dimension, a second vertical bar having a second dimension, a third vertical bar having a third dimension, and a fourth vertical bar having a fourth dimension.

Abstract: A radiographic guide being comprised of a first material and a second radio-opaque material, and further comprises a top and bottom surfaces having grooves providing for a means of securing said guide in a stable position in a patient's bite path, and wherein said second material may comprise a calibration template, wherein said template comprises four calibration means of varying height and being disposed of within said first material. The calibration template of said radiographic guide may be displayed in a panoramic x-ray film and may further provide for a self-contained calibration system for determining the actual distance from a patient's gum line to a nerve or sinus of a patient from a distorted distance from said patient's gum line to a nerve or sinus depicted in said panoramic x-ray film.

Abstract: A replaceable and disposable elastomeric soft diaphragm or cover for use with a stethoscope whereby said elastomeric soft diaphragm or cover is a molded piece of elastomer being sufficiently flexible allowing for simple application and removal, whereby said diaphragm or cover, when attached, forms an airtight seal with the stethoscope, and whereby device may act as a soft diaphragm in stethoscopes with removable rigid diaphragms with said rigid diaphragm removed or as a cover where said rigid diaphragm remains attached to said stethoscope.

Abstract: This invention discloses an ear tip used in connection with a stethoscope. Whereby the disclosed ear tip is formed of a single piece of molded elastomeric material that is inverted and sealed to form a sealed chamber that is filled with a liquid gelatin, whereby standard loads deform the liquid gelatin filled cavity under principles of displacement providing for the ear tips capability of contouring to the infinite variations and configurations of different outer ear canals, and thereby creating a complete acoustic seal between the outer surface of the ear tip and the outer ear of the user. Furthermore, this invention discloses a means of attachment to a listening device that facilitates the attachment and removal of the ear tip to the listening device.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of stethoscopes and specifically a method for controlling the functions and operations of a digital stethoscope. The disclosed invention portrays a rotating control barb extending from the head of a digital stethoscope. The disclosed invention allows a user to selects between multiple features that are available on a digital stethoscope by rotating the control barb 360° around the circumference of the control barb to multiple stopping points, whereby said rotation along the 360° circumference sets the electronic features within a digital stethoscope. A method of controlling the functions of a digital stethoscope without adding cumbersome or difficult to use controls to the stethoscope head, and whereby external connections are not required. Furthermore, the disclosed method does not hamper the quality or affect the operations of the stethoscope head.

Abstract: This application discloses a stethoscope that utilizes a dual diaphragm construction such that the user of the stethoscope is able to tune in to or to allow the user to select between the isolation and accentuation of either high frequency sounds or low frequency sounds while using a single stethoscope and without the removal of said stethoscope from the patient's skin.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method for the holding of a power source, such as a battery, within the head of a digital stethoscope in order to provide power to electronic and digital features offered by certain electronic stethoscopes. This disclosed battery holder teaches a method of incorporating a battery, or other portable power source, into the head of a stethoscope without compromising the conventional stethoscope's advantages of size, convenience, and ease of use. Additionally, The disclosure provides for a device for holding a battery cell that allows for easy replacement of the battery and does not encompass the stethoscope head so as inhibit the use of other features.

Abstract: A mixing device comprising a body portion, a removable tip portion, wherein said tip portion comprises an opening and a filter portion, wherein said filter portion comprises four filters. The mixing device may also comprise a plunger portion adapted for insertion into said body portion, wherein said plunger portion comprises a first plunger, wherein said first plunger comprises a mixing element, wherein said mixing element comprises a series of blades and said blades being disposed of within said body portion, and a second plunger, wherein said second plunger comprises a compression disk, and wherein a portion of a first plunger is disposed of within a second plunger, and wherein said first plunger operates independent of said second plunger.

Abstract: A device and method for the mixing a two-part composition, where such composition may be characterized as synthetic bone being formed by the mixing of a liquid solution and a powder. The device is comprised of a syringe within a syringe, where the contents of the first syringe pass directly from the outlet of the first syringe into the second syringe. A filtering mechanism is further incorporated into the outlet of the second syringe such that the filtering mechanism restricts the removal of the powder, but allows the passage of solution. The filtering mechanism serves an innovative function that permits the application of solution to ensure saturation and then permits the removal of excess solution so as to minimize too rapid or excessive drying times of the synthetic bone. This invention further discloses a method of utilizing vacuum pressure to remove air bubbles that may be present in the synthetic bone that affects the ability of the solution and powder to form a cohesive bond.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of uniform and accurately sized thin metal blades, particularly for Microkeratome blades used in the Lasik eye correction procedure. The steps comprise qualifying raw blades stock with an accurately positioned dowel hole. Once the raw blade stock is qualified, individual blades are stacked one on top of each other via the accurately positioned dowel hole. Multiple raw blades, stacked one on top of another, are clamped. The wire EDM process is then used to cut precise geometries through individual blades, which are accurately stacked one on top of each other. This process is unique in that multiple blades and individual sharp edges are stacked such that all sharp edges have the same leading edge location.

Abstract: A stethoscope is described. The stethoscope includes a head assembly, an ear piece assembly, and a tubing assembly. The tubing assembly has a first end connected to the head assembly and a second end connected to the ear piece assembly. The tubing assembly includes a first acoustic chamber and three insulation chambers. The insulation chambers include a first material having a first density and are disposed around the first acoustic chamber. The tubing assembly also includes an outer layer, which includes a second material having a second density. Moreover, the outer layer is disposed around the insulation chambers. In another embodiment, the outer layer is substantially frictionless and the tubing assembly is flexible. In yet another embodiment, the stethoscope further includes a second acoustic chamber and the insulation chambers are disposed around a portion of the first acoustic chamber and a portion of the second acoustic chamber.