Abstract: A water line decontamination unit has inlets for connection to a supply of irrigant liquid, a supply of disinfectant, and a pressurized gas supply, and an outlet for connection to a water line inlet. A valve assembly in the unit controls the supply of irrigant liquid, disinfectant and gas to the water line so that only one of the fluids is supplied to the water line at any one time. A manual selector allows an operator to select a run condition in which irrigant liquid is supplied to the water line, a flush condition in which disinfectant is supplied to the water line, and a purge condition in which gas is supplied to purge liquid from the water line.

Abstract: A manual dental and medical living tissue cutting instrument for obtaining living tissue grafts. The manual dental and medical tissue cutting instrument includes an elongated member with two portions. One portion is sized and shaped to be grasped by the hand of the user of the cutting instrument and the other adjacent blade holding portion that is located at the end of the elongated member and is adapted to hold two removable blades. The blade holding portion is adapted to hold the two removable blades in an angular relationship with each other in such a manner that the pointed ends of the removable blades either touch or come in close proximity to each other. The invention includes both the elongated member with its handle portion and blade holding portion without the removable blades and the combination of the elongated member and the removable blades.

Abstract: A water line decontamination unit has inlets for connection to a supply of irrigant liquid, a supply of disinfectant, and a pressurized gas supply, and an outlet for connection to a water line inlet. A valve assembly in the unit controls the supply of irrigant liquid, disinfectant and gas to the water line so that only one of the fluids is supplied to the water line at any one time. A manual selector allows an operator to select a run condition in which irrigant liquid is supplied to the water line, a flush condition in which disinfectant is supplied to the water line, and a purge condition in which gas is supplied to purge liquid from the water line.

Abstract: A method and composition for promoting the growth of bone that are particularly useful in treating bony defects in the human jaw. The method includes surgically exposing the bony defect, cleaning the defect and adjacent teeth, and implanting the composition in the bony defect. The bone growing composition includes two sizes of Hydroxyapatite for supporting the growth of new bone, Tetracycline for its antibiotic effect, freeze dried decalcified human bone for promoting bone growth, and Fibronectin for promoting connective tissue generation and for jelling the bone growing composition.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis on a root implant including a base member having a lower end sized to seat on the upper end of an implant cylinder and an upper end of outer diameter substantially equal to the average outer diameters of various teeth, a securing device for securing the base member on the root implant, and various straight, angled or variable angled prosthetic heads for securing to the prosthesis. The upper end of the base member and the lower end of the prosthetic head have interengageable and indexable locking formations for preventing rotation between the parts which can be engaged in any of a number of possible relatively rotated fixed, indexed positions. A releasable securing device secures the prosthetic head to the base member. The prosthesis can be mounted on the prosthetic head by cementation, screw fixation, or other techniques.

Abstract: A method and composition for promoting the growth of bone that are particularly useful in treating bone defects in the human jaw. The method includes surgically exposing the bony defect, cleaning the defect and adjacent teeth, and implanting the composition in the bony defect. The bone growing composition includes two sizes of Hydroxyapatite for supporting the growth of new bone, Tetracycline for its antibiotic effect, freeze dried decalcified human bone for promoting bone growth, and Fibronectin for promoting connective tissue generation and for jelling the bone growing composition.

Abstract: A dental implant attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis on a root implant comprises a base member having a lower end sized to seat on the upper end of an implant cylinder and an upper end of outer diameter substantially equal to the average outer diameters of various teeth, a securing device for securing the base member on the root implant, and various straight, angled or variable angled prosthetic heads for securing to the prosthesis. The upper end of the base member and the lower end of the prosthetic head have interengageable and indexable locking formations for preventing rotation between the parts which can be engaged in any of a number of possible relatively rotated fixed, indexed positions. A releasable securing device secures the prosthetic head to the base member. The prosthesis can be mounted on the prosthetic head by cementation, screw fixation, or other techniques.

Abstract: A method for using a conventional electrostatic type copier to copy medical x-ray negative transparencies that involves the steps of providing a movable source of light external to the copier, a movable light diffuser locatable between the source of light and the copying surface of the copier and providing apparatus for adjusting the light illuminance at the copying surface of the copier. The method then involves the steps of locating the medical x-ray negative on the copying surface of the copier and illuminating the medical x-ray negative with light which passes through the movable light diffuser with the illuminance at the copying surface of the copier being between the predetermined limits of about 950 foot candles and about 1,425 foot candles while making a copy of the medical x-ray negative with the copier.

Abstract: Mirror apparatus for examining body cavities such as the mouth including a handle having inner and outer end portions, valve apparatus connected to the outer end portion of the handle and a syringe tip connected to the outer end portion of the valve apparatus. A detachable elongated body cavity member for insertion into a body cavity is provided that can be placed on or removed from the syringe tip as is a detachable mirror assembly that can be placed on or removed from the outer end portion of the body cavity member. The body cavity member has an elongated fiber optic member that can be connected to the end of a flexible fiber optic bundle so that light can be projected onto the mirror surface. The valve apparatus has manual push buttons that permit the delivery of air, water or a spray of air and water to the mirror surface for cleaning the surface. Both the body cavity member and the mirror assembly are made from materials that permit them to be subjected to thermal sterilization.

Abstract: An oral electrical treatment apparatus and method that includes contacting gingival tissue around a plurality of teeth with electrical contact members, providing means for supplying an electrical current to the electrical contact and providing means for adjusting the electrical current supplied to the electrical gingival contact members. The oral electrical treatment apparatus and method also includes means for monitoring the current received by the gingival tissue from the electrical gingival contact members. The oral electrical treatment apparatus and method permits defects and diseases in the mouth to be conveniently treated with a minimal amount of discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A blade locking mechanism formed integrally on the end of an elongated instrument handle permitting available slot mounted disposable surgical blades to be attached perpendicular to the axis of the handle service end for use as a knife in applications such as oral surgery. A cleat formed in the service end of the handle projects therefrom in line with the axis of the handle end. The base of the cleat has a rectangular cross-section sized to have a sliding fit within the minimum slot dimension of the disposable blade, and of a length greater than the thickness of the blade. The horns of the cleat lie in a plane perpendicular to the handle service end and are sized to pass easily through the maximum blade slot dimension when in line therewith, but prevent removal of the blade from under the cleat horns when the blade is turned 90.degree. to the axis of the cleat horns and the blade slot is fitted about the cleat base.

Abstract: A medical cutting instrument including an elongated member having one end thereof curved to permit the application of pressure from a finger. A cutting blade is associated with the curved portion of the elongated member to permit tissue to be cut at a precise depth and width. A cutting blade forms an integral part of the elongated member and is so shaped that a rearward pull on the elongated member serves to cause the blade to cut the tissue. The entire elongated member including the blade and curved portion are all made of material that is readily sterilizable without losing its temper so that the instrument can be resharpened and sterilized numerous times. The instrument is particularly useful in obtaining tissue grafts that can be used in dental surgery and the like.