Abstract: Dental anesthetic injection apparatus and methods for administering dental injections are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a portable device comprising a foot pedal, a control unit and a delivery head which receives a disposable cartridge of dental anesthetic and connects with a disposable syringe kit. The portability of this unit facilitates placing the dental cartridge within the dentist's field of vision while administering an injection. This and other embodiments provide a pen-grip type of needle grip which is movable independently of the anesthetic cartridge, and a programmable flow rate. Other embodiments comprise delivery heads mountable on dental equipment or fixtures, such as the dental chair.

Abstract: Dental anesthetic injection apparatus and methods for administering dental injections are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a portable device comprising a foot pedal, a control unit and a delivery head which receives a disposable cartridge of dental anesthetic and connects with a disposable syringe kit. The portability of this unit facilitates placing the dental cartridge within the dentist's field of vision while administering an injection. This and other embodiments provide a pen-grip type of needle grip which is movable independently of the anesthetic cartridge, and a programmable flow rate. Other embodiments comprise delivery heads mountable on dental equipment or fixtures, such as the dental chair.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle structure for making shallow injections of local anesthetic into human tissue under relatively high pressure in which an elastomeric sheath on the needle shank bears against the punctured tissue immediately surrounding the needle shank to form a pressure seal against leakage of the anesthetic liquid and of the puncture hole to facilitate the maintenance of relatively high liquid pressures at the lumen of the needle while the liquid works its way through connected tissue to the targeted nerve site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the power and computer assisted injection of local anesthesia into a patient in which anesthesia pressure is automatically monitored as an input to the computer, in which the patient is able at any time to order the automatic reduction of anesthetic pressure, in which a single pole switch is the only control input to the computer required of the doctor administering the injection, and/or in which the flow rate of anesthesia from the needle continuously increases with time over a substantial portion of the injection.

Abstract: A disposable needle assembly having a holster for receiving and piercing a vial of anesthetic. The assembly is designed to facilitate the removal of the spent vial from the holster.

Abstract: A disposable needle assembly having a holster for receiving and piercing a vial of anesthetic in which means are provided to facilitate the removal of the spent vial from the holster.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the power and computer assisted injection of local anesthetic into a patient in a virtually pain free manner, in which anesthetic pressure is automatically monitored as an input to the computer, in which the patient is able at any time to order the automatic reduction of anesthetic pressure and in which a simple single pole switch is the only control input to the computer required of the doctor administering the injection.

Abstract: A disposable thermoplastic hypodermic syringe having a hollow metallic needle and thermoplastic body portions at least part of which are formed of temperature calibrated thermoplastic having a full flow liquefaction temperature corresponding to point on the time-death curve for microbial life at which the most resistant spore forms are killed within the time the thermoplastic can be liquefied and resolidified. Heat resistant indicia can be applied to the syringe in a manner to reappear on the solidified thermoplastic mass.

Abstract: A prophylactic dental apparatus is designed to minimize splatter from rotation of a rotating resilient element with a diverter which substantially surrounds at least a portion of the resilient element while affording full visibility to the operator of the instrument.

Abstract: A disposable thermoplastic hypodermic syringe having a hollow metallic needle and thermoplastic body portions at least part of which are formed of temperature calibrated thermoplastic having a full flow liquefaction temperature corresponding to point on the time-death curve for microbial life at which the most resistant spore forms are killed within the time the thermoplastic can be liquefied and resolidified. Heat resistant indicia can be applied to the syringe in a manner to reappear on the solidified thermoplastic mass.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing regulated medical waste using a processing oven having multiple temperature ranges and compacting means and an oven with means for sensing and generating heat near the base of the medical waste container. Temperature-calibrated thermoplastic engineered to liquefy at temperatures assuring sterilization of biological contaminants within the time frame of liquefaction and re-solidification is formed into a waste-receiving hopper capable of withstanding waste compaction pressures prior to liquefaction and compaction states are performed both before and after liquefaction. Self-lidding thermoplastic containers utilize the mass of thermoplastic covers, or other forces, to consolidate the mass. A laminate is applied to the container to control plastic flow during liquefaction.

Abstract: An aspirating hypodermic syringe and method for injecting dental anesthetic in which anesthetic flow through the needle is established independently of the fingers of the operator and in which different rates of flow are provided, including positive flow while the needle is entering the tissue. Effective aspiration in syringes which use expendable anesthetic vials is assured by means of a yieldable resistance member in the syringe which holds the vial with sufficient force to enable the syringe plunger to lock positively onto the piston of the vial.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterilizing and encapsulating contaminated waste particularly medical implement waste in which a volume of thermoplastic compound having a melting point temperature-calibrated at a value which corresponds substantially to the temperature at which all biological contamination is rendered sterile substantially on contact, and impregnating a space containing contaminated waste items with the liquid compound and thereafter cooling the mass to its solidified phase while containing it against protrusion of any waste item. Two stage treatment of the waste is effected by utilizing a second calibrated thermoplastic having a lower melting temperature in a common deformable waste container with the first thermoplastic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterilizing and encapsulating contaminated waste particularly medical implement waste in which a volume of thermoplastic compound having a melting point temperature-calibrated at a value which corresponds substantially to the temperature at which all biological contamination is rendered sterile substantially on contact, and impregnating a space containing contaminated waste items with the liquid compound and thereafter cooling the mass to its solidified phase while containing it against protrusion of any waste item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting painless hypodermic needle administration of liquid anesthetics particularly in dentistry in which the needle is carried on a light wand and the anesthetic is delivered to the needle by motive means independently of the operator's fingers during penetration of the needle, with both the rates of penetration and expression of liquid being controlled to achieve intermediate numbing followed by a high rate of liquid expression, if desired, to achieve full anesthesia of the site.

Abstract: A dental method and apparatus for swiftly performing gingival retraction and conditioning in which a mass of moldable coherent plastic, preferably thixotropic, is lightly pressure molded both into and around the gingival trough of a prepared tooth to apply substantially balanced forces around the gingival flap which maintain the gingival trough without distortion. The moldable mass is rendered hydrosorbent at least on its surface by intimately bonded absorbent fiber, enabling it to absorb all the liquids and debris which would normally preclude the material from flowing into the trough. To effect a slight enlargement of the trough and to prevent prolapse in the case of very narrow troughs a preliminary bead of flowable thixotropic material can be injected into the trough to transmit light lateral outward pressure on the flap when pressed into the trough by the moldable absorbent mass.