Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental laser-emitting device capable of treating both soft tissue applications and hard tissue applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to rigidly connect the imaging elements such as camera(s) and the monitor on a single arm, or a single arm element, which maintains the proper relationship between the camera and the monitor while simultaneously allowing the monitor height to be at the ideal viewing height for the dentist. While the imaging elements of the invention are rigidly connected on a single arm or arm element, there is provision for changing the tilt, on a horizontal axis, of the monitor, as well as its height, to accommodate differences in height among dentists. This rigid connection of the invention assures that the image of the operative site will always be presented in the most understandable frame of reference for the dentist.

Abstract: A low-profile, retractable ear-bud system is adapted for attachment to a portable electronic device such as an MP3 music player. The system comprises a housing within which there is disposed wiring having a proximal end in electrical communication with the portable electronic device and a distal end terminating in a pair of ear-buds. The wiring is wound on a spring-biased spool disposed within the housing, the spool having at least a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use of the ear-buds. In the preferred embodiment, the wiring is wound on the spring-biased spool in a single pancake-style layer. The proximal end of the wiring is in electrical communication with the portable electronic device preferably through a multi-conductor slip ring.

Abstract: A low-profile, retractable ear-bud system is adapted for attachment to a portable electronic device such as an MP3 music player. The system comprises a housing within which there is disposed wiring having a proximal end in electrical communication with the portable electronic device and a distal end terminating in a pair of ear-buds. The wiring is wound on a spring-biased spool disposed within the housing, the spool having at least a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use of the ear-buds. In the preferred embodiment, the wiring is wound on the spring-biased spool in a single pancake-style layer. The proximal end of the wiring is in electrical communication with the portable electronic device preferably through a multi-conductor slip ring.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) includes the ability to store rescue information. The AED has a case for housing a power supply that is electrically connected to a circuit for generating a defibrillation pulse. The circuit is electrically connected to a pair of electrodes that are applied to a patient to deliver the defibrillation pulse. The AED further comprises an archival storage means for storing rescue information. The archival storage means is containable within the case and is able to store various types of rescue information including patient data, operational data of the AED, and sound that occurs within the immediate vicinity of the AED during a rescue.

Abstract: A defibrillator battery includes at least one battery cell, a housing surrounding the at least one battery cell, and a memory connected to the at least one battery cell. The memory can be positioned inside of the housing that surrounds the at least one battery cell. The defibrillator battery can be used with a defibrillator including a battery status indicator which communicates with the defibrillator battery to indicate the status of the defibrillator battery. In a method of determining defibrillator battery status using the defibrillator battery and associated battery status indicator enables an operator to always determine the remaining charge of the battery and to determine when to replace the battery. The defibrillator battery, and associated battery status indicator, insures constant readiness of an automated external defibrillator for defibrillating a patient by preventing defibrillator failure due to an unknown reduced battery charge.

Abstract: A method and system for managing cardiac rescue events is disclosed. Unlike prior systems, this method and system uses a rescue scene computer to obtain patient and incident data at the rescue scene and then marry that data with ECG rescue data and automated external defibrillator (AED) rescue data. All of this data is then simultaneously transmitted to a base computer at an emergency medical center for review. Accordingly, a reviewer at the base computer can immediately review the ECG and AED performance in context with patient and incident data. The method and system includes a Windows-based single screen graphical user interface for entering and reviewing the data and particularly includes a window for viewing ECG data simultaneously with entry and review of all other data available in the single screen user interface.

Abstract: A curing system for a photohardenable material is disclosed having an electrically powered light source and a variable power supply electrically connected to the light source. During calibration, a photocell determines the power output of the light source and produces an output signal representative thereof. A control circuit then controls the illumination of the light source by the power supply. This control circuit includes a comparator which compares the power output signal from the photocell with a target value and then varies or increases the power from the power supply to the light source up to a maximum power output whenever the power output signal from the photocell is less than the target value. Following calibration, the control circuit also activates the power supply for a time period sufficient to obtain a substantially constant energy output from the light source per light activation.

Abstract: An automated external programmable defibrillator (AED) with the ability to perform operational self-tests, determine whether a patient is undergoing cardial defibrillation, deliver an electrical defibrillation pulse, store data pertaining to the self-tests. Certain operational parameters are alterable by software installable in a computer. The operational parameters include second defibrillation shock energy value, the maximum shocks to be delivered during a rescue, whether the same energy will be delivered to the patient upon conversion to a shockable rhythm, whether the AED will automatically convert to daylight savings time, whether an electrode test will occur during the self-test, and whether ambient sound will be recorded during a rescue.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating sources for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons.

Abstract: A system for automatically correcting data of recorded times from a plurality isolated clocks is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment a computer implemented software is used to download recorded time data from an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The computer also includes an internal clock synchronized with a 911 emergency call time tracking clock. On the initiation of the download, the computer compares its internal clock with the clock on the AED and calculates a correction or adjustment factor. Recorded event data, representing AED intervention times, are downloaded from the AED's memory bank and the software computes a corrected response time using the calculated adjustment factor. This corrected response time is then stored in the AED.

Abstract: A system of treating teeth or associated tooth structure by the use of abrasive-laden fluid stream provides fluid at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves delivers fluid at a selected pressure to a device for mixing the fluid with abrasive and delivers the air/abrasive mix to a hand-held device for application of an abrasive-laden stream to a tooth or associated tooth structure. Priming air at a relatively low pressure pressurizes the air abrasive device. A flow path for pure air bypasses the air/abrasive device. A selective control allows the operator to deliver a stream of air or air and abrasive to the tooth or associated tooth structure as desired. Preferably the fluid pressure is controlled by a manually-operable servo valve system. Upon termination of a treatment with the air abrasive mix, the pure air is diverted through a purge line to purge the system downstream from the abrasive device of excess abrasive particles.

Abstract: Treating teeth or associated tooth structure by the use of an abrasive-laden fluid stream which provides fluid at high pressure to a manifold with selectively operable valves, delivers fluid at a selected pressure to a mixer for fluid and abrasive and delivers the mix to a handpiece for application of abrasive-laden air to a tooth or tooth structure. Low pressure priming air pressurizes the air abrasive device. A path for pure air bypasses the air/abrasive device. A control allows for delivery of air or air and abrasive as desired. Fluid pressure is controlled by a manually-operable servo system. Following treatment with the air/abrasive, a purge line purges the system downstream from the abrasive device of excess abrasive particles. A vacuum removes abrasive particles and debris from the patient's mouth. The abrasive delivery device may include a hand-held nozzle having fluid ports operable by the fingers of the operator to control system functions.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons.

Abstract: A combination air abrasive system and laser system are provided for dental applications. The air abrasive system creates an abrasive material laden gas flow and then directs this gas flow towards a target site in the patient's mouth. The air abrasive system also includes a vacuum system which creates an air flow to remove the abrasive material after impingement on the target site. The abrasive material is filtered from the air flow and the resulting clean air is then used to create a positive pressure within the housing for the dental laser system to prevent the entry of debris and other contaminants within the laser system. Additionally, the clean air flow is used to clean the lens system for the laser. Also, the air abrasive system and laser system include a common control system and may also utilize a common aiming and illumination mechanism.

Abstract: A handpiece assembly is disclosed for use with a dental laser assembly of the type having a laser and an elongated optical fiber assembly. The optical fiber assembly has a proximal end which receives radiation from the laser and a distal end which delivers the laser radiation to a target site. The handpiece assembly includes an elongated handpiece which is dimensioned to be held in a human hand. A longitudinal throughbore is formed in the handpiece and is dimensioned to slidably receive the optical fiber assembly so that the distal end of the optical fiber assembly extends outwardly from one end of the handpiece. A locking assembly removably locks the other end of the handpiece against longitudinal movement to the optical fiber assembly. Furthermore, the entire handpiece assembly is discarded after use on a single patient to prevent disease transmission by the handpiece.

Abstract: Eye glasses are disclosed for improving the vision of people with macular degeneration, optic nerve damage or similar low vision problems. The glasses comprise two lens assemblies, each having a magnifying lens with two convex surfaces and a reducing lens with two concave surfaces. The reducing lens incorporates prism rings which focus an image or light onto an undamaged portion of the macular. A frame is employed for supporting each assembly at a predetermined distance from an eye of a user and for supporting the lenses assembly in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other with the lenses defining a fixed space therebetween. Also disclosed are the lenses themselves and the method of using them.

Abstract: An eyeglass testing device is provided with independent side-to-side positioning of left and right lenses and independent side-to-side and front-to-back positioning of a separate set of front left and right test lenses on a platform attached with universal adjustment to a head harness and worn by a patient while being tested for vision assistance.

Abstract: Eye glasses are disclosed for improving the vision of people with macular degeneration, optic nerve damage or similar low vision problems. The glasses comprise two lens assemblies, each having a magnifying lens with two convex surfaces and a reducing lens with two concave surfaces. The reducing lens incorporates prism rings which focus an image or light onto an undamaged portion of the macular. A frame is employed for supporting each assembly at a predetermined distance from an eye of a user and for supporting the lenses assembly in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other with the lenses defining a fixed space therebetween. Also disclosed are the lenses themselves and the method of using them.