Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving a patient's buccal corridor, including developing treatment plans and/or appliances to improve and enhance buccal corridor. Also described herein are methods of treating a patient's teeth to enhance the patient's buccal corridor.

Abstract: A universal attachment device configured to be secured to a tooth for engagement with a removable dental positioning appliance including a base including a lateral surface including a plurality of faces for effecting a plurality of repositioning forces on a tooth, wherein when the device is engaged with the appliance and when the base is secured to the tooth, one of the repositioning forces is effected upon the tooth and at least one of the other repositioning forces are not effected upon the tooth. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bracket bonding guide, insertion tool and method to place orthodontic brackets to predetermined positions and orientations. Indirect bonding trays typically are made to fit specific brackets of specific shapes and parameters. Design software has to include bracket CAD files in order to work for specific brands. This invention presented a bonding guide with guiding features and insertion tools with alignment mechanism and guiding features that ensure the brackets will be placed onto right positions regardless the actual shape and dimensions of the brackets.

Abstract: A bracket attachment system is described herein. One variation of an orthodontic bracket assembly generally comprises a main body having a contact surface for placement against a surface and defining a wire slot therethrough. A covering having a retention member configured to be inserted at least partially into the wire slot when the covering is positioned upon the main body may be included such that when a wire is positioned within the wire slot, the wire may be retained via the retention member in a secured position.

Abstract: The present dental implant, whether tapered or cylindrical, is cannulated, to allow placement over a slender post pre-embedded into the host bone. The post is a rigid, not a flexible, construct that can be placed accurately, as to position and angle, in the jawbone. With the post in the correct position, the implant is then installed directly over the temporarily anchored post, and after tightening of the implant by rotation the post is removed.

Abstract: A one-piece formed abutment tooth contains: an implant, a rotatable connector, a screw bolt, and a photocurable resin capsule. The implant includes a threaded section. The threaded section has a rotatable adjustment seat, and the rotatably adjustment seat has an upper connection portion. The upper connection portion has a groove, two spherical portions, and a receiving trench. The rotatable connector includes a spherical rotation face, two end faces, an abutment, an internal screwing section, and a stepped notch. The screw bolt includes an external screwing section, a rotary head, and a force segment. The external screwing section is screwed with the internal screwing section of the rotatable connector, and the rotary head is movably received in the stepped notch of the rotatable connector. The photocurable resin capsule includes 0.1 g to 0.8 g of light-cured resin and is accommodated in the receiving trench of the implant.

Abstract: A method of providing an accurate three-dimensional scan of a dental arch area is disclosed. The arch area has two segments and a connecting area between the two segments. The connecting area has homogeneous features. A connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature is affixed to the arch area. The definable feature overlays at least part of the connecting area. The arch area is scanned to produce a scanned dataset of the arch area. The definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool on the connection area is determined based on the scanned dataset. The dimensions of the arch area are determined based on the data relating to the definable features from the scanned dataset.

Abstract: A disclosed method for designing a prosthetic element is executable prior to a cutting of a tooth of a patient for placing the prosthetic element.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first layer of a disk, the first layer comprising a first material and forming a second layer of the disk by depositing a second material on the first layer. The method further includes irradiating at least the second layer of the disk to cross-link the second material. The first material has a higher melting point than the second material, and the dual-layer disk is configured to be thermoformed into an oral appliance.

Abstract: A dental cleaning system (2) comprising a holder (12) for dental floss (18), which includes two mutually spaced brackets (19) and dental floss (18) held between the two brackets (19), and an, in particular U-shaped or annular, base body (1) to be slid onto a finger, which includes a recess (4) situated in the longitudinal direction (3) of the base body (1) for accommodating a fingertip. Essentially, the brackets (19) extend transversely to the longitudinal direction (3) of the base body (1). A first grip surface (9) is situated at least on each of the two sides of the base body (1), which is provided for controlling the movement of dental floss (18) in the mouth with the aid of the fingers adjacent to the base body (1).

Abstract: An interdental instrument may include a handling section (handle) for manual gripping of the interdental instrument, a carrier held by the handling section, on which an interdental part (e.g. a flossette or an abrasive element) is arranged, a joint device for pivotally holding the carrier on the handling section, so that the carrier can be pivoted relative to the handling section about a pivot axis between at least two mutually angularly offset holding positions. The joint device may include two mutually opposite sliding guide surfaces which are formed on the carrier side and/or handling section side, where the pivot axis crosses the sliding guide surfaces and may be being perpendicular to the two sliding guide surfaces.

Abstract: An oral cleansing device including a base and a tip holder configured to hold a tip for the oral cleansing device, such as a brush head, a jet tip, or a combination tip. The tip holder may be removably coupled to the base.

Abstract: A customized oral irrigator which is adapted to the user's dentition, has multiple nozzles or cutout openings to point to the area to irrigate. User can anchor such device by biting with the teeth and irrigate the teeth and gum, especially between the teeth and under the gum, in one instance. Such a device is fast and effective. It will be beneficial to everyone but will especially benefit busy professionals, children, seniors, handicapped, disabled, and other users who have difficulty cleaning teeth, for example people who wear dental devices such as braces. This device is meant to combine oral care procedures such as tooth brushing and dental flossing in one instance and will yield better dental hygiene and with better compliance than conventional brushing and flossing and conventional single channel oral irrigators.

Abstract: The invention is about a stomatological negative pressure mouth gag and its usage, which falls into the scope of stomatological technologies. The upper and lower wings of the mouth gag is connected by a thin-walled tube. The inner wall of the thin-walled tube is in direct contact with the lips, while its outer wall is exposed to the oral cavity. There are holes or slots evenly distributed on the outer wall of the thin-walled tube mounted along the arc-shaped lip holders. The left and right lip holders are connected by a negative pressure catheter between them. The thin-walled tubes on the left and right sides join with the negative pressure catheter and form a complete structure with it.

Abstract: An apparatus for suctioning matter expelled during treatments involving an orifice of a patient; the apparatus includes a suction head, a conduit attached to the suction head and a suction device for attaching the conduit thereto, thereby putting the suction head in communication with the suction device. The conduit includes a flexible and bendable body that is easily manipulated into different positions and supports the suction head about the orifice of the patient during treatment. Preferably, the orifice is a mouth, and the treatment is a dental treatment. In this embodiment, the apparatus provides for the hands-free suction of aerosols and/or saliva and blood splatter produced from the mouth of the patient during the dental treatment.

Abstract: A system and a method for a hands-free dental suction device includes a contoured tube that may be connected to dental suction lines commonly found in dental operatories. One specific embodiment includes features which allow the hands-free suction device to be attached to a dental lip/cheek retractor, and/or to the patient's lip, in a manner that is both comfortable for the patient and allows convenient, unobscured access to the patient's oral cavity. One potential benefit of the device is the collection and removal of dangerous aerosols generated during dental procedures which may be responsible for spreading disease.

Abstract: A hands free suction device configured to remove matter generated during a dental procedure on a patient. The device includes a hose including a suction end, a connection end configured to be connected to a dental suction system, and a hollow fluid flow passageway extending between the suction end and the connection end. The hollow fluid flow passageway is configured to pass evacuated matter from the suction end to the connection end. The device also includes a nozzle that is coupled to the suction end of the hose and adapted to be disposed outside of an oral cavity of the patient. A first portion of the hose is articulable relative to a second portion of the hose, such that a dental professional performing the dental procedure does not need to hold the device during the dental procedure but can easily reposition the device if needed.

Abstract: A mouthpiece cleaning device includes a U-shaped mouthpiece skeleton that defines opposing channels to receive a user's teeth therein. The channels each have a respective teeth facing surface, and transducers are disposed along the channels at the respective teeth facing surfaces. UV LEDs are disposed along the channels at the respective teeth facing services. The UV LEDs are interspersed with the transducers.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a toothbrush body. The toothbrush body includes a toothbrush head. The toothbrush head includes a handle part, a first platy body disposed below the handle part, and a first brushing sheet and a second brushing sheet disposed side by side and below the first platy body. The lower surface of the first platy body is provided with a first brush bristle, the rear side surface of the first brushing sheet is provided with a second brush bristle, and the front side surface of the second brushing sheet is provided with a third brush bristle.

Abstract: A dental aerosol protection system for controlling dispersion of aerosol and splatter particles produced during dental procedures, the system including a ring assembly, a support mask for supporting the ring assembly on a patient, and a suction generating device, the ring assembly and support mask having suction ports which are connectable to the suction generating device to provide a negative suction force around the oral cavity, wherein the ring assembly and support mask can be connected or used separately to control dispersion of aerosols depending upon the requirements of the dental procedure, and one or more flexible extensions connectable to the ring assembly and support mask extending superiorly away from the patient around and over the oral cavity, the flexible extensions forming an adjustable physical barrier between the dental professional and the patient's oral cavity.

Abstract: A dental device for the treatment of dental alveoli, comprising a suction element; and a dental impression of a patient which defines at least one sealing surface configured to seal an alveolus of said patient. The sealing surface has a suction hole connected to the suction element in order to create a vacuum in the alveolus. Method for manufacturing a dental device for the treatment of dental alveoli and a kit associated with it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optimal organ-tolerable sealing, with minimal irritation, of bodily orifices, said device consisting of an extremely thin-walled, externally fillable balloon body having a central tube piece connecting the interior of the intestine to the perianal region of the anus, the tube piece being made of a soft-film-type material with a low volumetric expandability, wherein in a preferred design, one end of the balloon, which during the production process is completely formed to its required final dimensions, is reverse folded through the other end, and both balloon ends are tight-fittingly interconnected in the region of the outer bodily orifice and a thin-walled, adhesive-coated soft-film proximally adjoins the connection region of the two balloon ends, allowing direct fixation of the device to the skin and thus completely eliminating rigid, potentially irritating components in the region of the anal canal and in the perianal region.

Abstract: An endovascular system includes inner and outer catheters, a handle system operably coupled one end of the catheters, and a microvalve coupled to the other end of the catheters. The microvalve is constrained in a radially-collapsed closed configuration for advancement within a vessel to a treatment site. The handle system is operable to displace the inner and outer catheters portions relative to each other to move the microvalve between closed and open configurations. An indicator is provided to visually indicate the extent by which the microvalve is opened within the vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes decellularized, biologically-engineered tubular grafts and methods of making and using such decellularized, biologically-engineered tubular grafts.

Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm comprises at least a first double-walled filling structure having an outer wall and an inner wall and the filling structure is adapted to be filled with a hardenable fluid filling medium so that the outer wall conforms to the inside surface of the aneurysm and the inner surface forms a generally tubular lumen to provide blood flow. The first filling structure comprises a sealing feature which forms a fluid seal between the filling structure and the aneurysm or an adjacent endograft when the filling structure is filled with the hardenable fluid filling medium, thereby minimizing or preventing blood flow downstream of the seal.

Abstract: The implant includes an aortic portion and a branch, which is intended to be placed in a first of the three arteries that lead into the aortic arch. The aortic portion and branch are formed by two separate sub-assemblies which are capable of being mounted together; the aortic portion has a first opening capable of receiving the branch and a second opening arranged such that it is located substantially opposite the outlets of the other two arteries when the first opening is located opposite the outlet of the left subclavian artery. The second opening has a specific shape such that the edges of the membrane that define it follow the segments of the underlying annuli, which are in a broken line.

Abstract: A visceral double-barreled main body stent graft and methods for its use, the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft having distal and proximal ends, the main body stent graft's length ranges from about 100-120 mm and diameter at the proximal end ranges from about 30-45 mm, first and second lumens defined at the main body stent graft's distal end, the first lumen's diameter ranges from about 18-20 mm, the second lumen's diameter ranges from about 16-18 mm, the first and second lumens have about the same length from about 50-70 mm, the first lumen is secured to the second lumen along a shared length, and the main body stent graft defines a tubular wall that is contiguous with the first and second lumens such that any fluid entering the main body must exit through one of the first or second lumens.

Abstract: A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a suture construct on a soft tissue graft with a graft assembly. The graft assembly includes a frame with an opening extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The frame has a wall with a first side extending to a first edge and a second side extending to a second edge. A lumen extends between the first side and the second side and a plurality of channels extend through the wall between the first edge and the second edge. The graft assembly also includes a transverse hole extending through the proximal end of the frame and a pin removably inserted into the transverse hole.

Abstract: A corneal implant injector system includes an injector including a plunger slidable in a plunger housing, and a distal cartridge grabbing member engageable with an implant-holding cartridge.

Abstract: A system/method allowing hydrophilicity alteration of a polymeric material (PM) is disclosed. The PM hydrophilicity alteration changes the PM characteristics by decreasing the PM refractive index, increasing the PM electrical conductivity, and increasing the PM weight. The system/method incorporates a laser radiation source that generates tightly focused laser pulses within a three-dimensional portion of the PM to affect these changes in PM properties. The system/method may be applied to the formation of customized intraocular lenses comprising material (PLM) wherein the lens created using the system/method is surgically positioned within the eye of the patient. The implanted lens refractive index may then be optionally altered in situ with laser pulses to change the optical properties of the implanted lens and thus achieve optimal corrected patient vision. This system/method permits numerous in situ modifications of an implanted lens as the patient's vision changes with age.

Abstract: A double-sided aspheric diffractive multifocal lens and methods of manufacturing and design of such lenses in the field of ophthalmology. The lens can include an optic comprising an aspheric anterior surface and an aspheric posterior surface. On one of the two surfaces a plurality of concentric diffractive multifocal zones can be designed. The other surface can include a toric component. The double-sided aspheric surface design results in improvement of the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the lens-eye combination by aberration reduction and vision contrast enhancement as compared to one-sided aspheric lens. The surface having a plurality of concentric diffractive multifocal zones produces a near focus, an intermediate focus, and a distance focus.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering an implant to an eye using hydraulic fluid flow or pressure. An implant may be stored, advanced, and delivered to an eye using hydraulic fluid stored in a sterile container through a hollow advancement plunger. The plunger may rigidly advance the implant to a sealed position in a first phase, and then the implant may be advanced into the eye via hydraulic pressure or fluid flow in a second phase.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for controlling placement of intraocular implants within a patient's eye including but not limited to placement within or near the collector ducts of Schlemm's canal located behind the trabecular meshwork. In some embodiments, a handheld peristaltic rotor device having a compression element can be positioned on a corneal surface of the eye and rotated to create a peristaltic movement of blood in one or more episcleral veins to generate blood reflux within Schlemm's canal such that one or more collector ducts, or channels, of Schlemm's canal can be located. In some embodiments, an implant can be implanted near the identified location of the one or more collector ducts, or channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bileaflet heart valve that has a central flow hemodynamic configuration similar to the human aortic valve. Further, the present invention provides a bileaflet heart valve that successfully removes the incidence of thrombosis. This design minimizes the mechanical resistance against leaflet movement and allows for a greater washing effect to minimize thrombosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and function of a compressible valve replacement prosthesis, collared or uncollared, which can be deployed into a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter delivery system. The design as discussed focuses on the deployment of a device via a minimally invasive fashion and by way of example considers a minimally invasive surgical procedure preferably utilizing the intercostal or subxyphoid space for valve introduction. In order to accomplish this, the valve is formed in such a manner that it can be compressed to fit within a delivery system and secondarily ejected from the delivery system into the annulus of a target valve such as a mitral valve or tricuspid valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for a heart valve comprises a valve portion with prosthetic leaflets capable of reproducing the function of the valve leaflets of a native heart valve, expandable from a collapsed configuration for implantation to a working expanded configuration. The prosthetic device comprises also a containment portion which surrounds the valve portion to contain its expansion in the working expanded configuration. The prosthetic device comprises also a connecting portion which stably connects the valve portion to the containment portion through connecting elements. The containment portion has sub-components with joint mechanisms which allow them to be deformed elastically in a straight configuration.

Abstract: A modular heart valve prosthesis includes a first heart valve device and a second heart valve device. The first heart valve device includes a first valve support including a first prosthetic valve disposed within the valve support, and an anchoring frame surrounding the first valve support and coupled to the first valve support. The first prosthetic valve includes synthetic fabric leaflets having a first thickness. The second heart valve device includes a second valve support including a second prosthetic valve disposed within the second valve support. The second prosthetic valve includes tissue leaflets having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In a first configuration, the second heart valve device is separate from the first heart valve device, and in a second configuration, the second heart valve device is disposed within the first valve support of the first heart valve device.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve assembly, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame assembly including a plurality of struts and a prosthetic valve secured inside the frame assembly by sutures. The sutures are inward of the outermost surface of an outer periphery of the frame assembly. In certain embodiments the struts contain recesses in which sutures can be disposed. In other embodiments, the struts can have holes through them which the sutures pass through. The implantable prosthetic valve assembly can also be collapsed within a catheter such that an outermost surface of a periphery of the frame assembly touches the catheter but the sutures are spaced apart from the catheter or are flush with the outer surface of the frame.

Abstract: To provide an artificial heart valve capable of aiding the functions of the mitral valve of a patient in a minimally invasive manner. An artificial heart valve 1 which includes a valve leaflet securing part 2 and valve leaflets (a first valve leaflet 5 and a second valve leaflet 7), and in which the valve leaflets are connected to the valve leaflet securing part 2 at the top portion of the artificial heart valve 1, the valve leaflets each have a region which narrows in width toward the bottom of the leaflet, and the artificial heart valve is an artificial mitral valve or an artificial tricuspid valve.

Abstract: According to a system and method for percutaneously delivering a replacement tricuspid valve to a heart, a wire is percutaneously introduced into the venous vasculature. A distal end of the wire is passed into a right atrium, through a tricuspid valve ring, and into a right ventricle, within which it is anchored to tissue of the right ventricle. A tricuspid valve delivery device carrying a replacement tricuspid valve is positioned over the wire, and a director is positioned over the wire proximally adjacent to, and in contact with, the tricuspid valve delivery device. The director and delivery device are pushed over the wire into the right atrium while traction is applied traction to the wire that is fixed within the right ventricle. The director is actively articulated during advancement, to articulate the replacement tricuspid valve on the valve delivery device within a tricuspid valve ring of the heart.

Abstract: A modular surgical apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is a modular incision apparatus. The modular incision apparatus may be used in a minimally invasive surgery. The modular incision apparatus includes a base having a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, a proximal opening, and at least one slide guide. The modular incision apparatus includes visual and cleaning access to the blade. The modular incision apparatus is suitable for safely, efficiently, and accurately making small incisions during surgical procedures. The modular incision apparatus provides a means of making small incisions of controlled depth, while reducing the chances of inadvertent exposure of surgical staff to sharp instrument.

Abstract: An intravascular device delivery system includes an elongated member with a distal end cap and a delivery disc that are longitudinally movable using a disc handle. A main body of the disc handle is configured to move the distal end cap and a movable body of the disc handle is configured to move the delivery disc. The movable body is movable relative to the main body, and the main body and movable body are movable together.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring is provided including a core defining a closed ring and comprising one or more flexible portions, wherein the core is capable of deformation about the flexible portion between a first configuration and a second configuration upon application of a predetermined force; a resilient intermediate layer; and a fabric cover layer.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for heart valve replacement comprises an annular support structure within which a valved prosthetic body can be expanded until it meets opposition. The annular support is provided in ring segments having terminal connectors for forming, in the condition of use of the prosthetic system, a stable and durable annular structural continuity capable of withstanding the opposition exerted by the valved prosthetic body. The prosthetic system is deployed using guide wires within a cardiac chamber guided through an introducer catheter having through lumens, within which at least two first guide catheters are positioned. These guide catheters have respective deflected or deflectable distal ends adapted to emerge from the distal end of the introducer catheter to convey and direct the distal ends of respective guide wires, placed within the guide catheters, towards a capture member of a capture system which is provided within the introducer catheter.

Abstract: A prosthetic venous valve includes an expanding anchoring frame, a valve seat at the middle portion of the anchoring frame, a ball disposed within the lumen of the anchoring frame and having an outer diameter, and least one ball retention tether coupled with the ball and the anchoring frame. The ball retention tether includes at least one elastic component or material. The anchoring frame has an upstream end, a downstream end, a middle portion and a lumen extending through the anchoring frame from the upstream end to the downstream end. The ball moves between an open position, in which the ball is located apart from the valve seat, and a closed position, in which the ball is located in contact with or near the valve seat to reduce or prevent backflow of blood through the prosthetic venous valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an expandable medical implant for the repair of cranium defects in adolescent patients. The implants of the present disclosure can include a plurality of interconnected links that are movable with respect to each other as the underlying cranium grows and expands.

Abstract: Anatomically shaped augments that are configured for implantation in a bone and which have one or more reliefs. A distal end of an outer portion of the augment can have a shape that is configured to generally conform to the shape of a metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of an intramedullary canal of a bone. A proximal end of the outer portion can have a shape that is configured to generally conform to a shape of the metaphyseal region of the intramedullary canal. The reliefs can be configured to reduce a size of the augment and enhance the degree of freedom in the implant positioning and/or sizing of the augment. Further, such reliefs may contour the augment so as to prevent cortical bone contact and/or prevent contact with the implant device that may be associated with misalignment between an intramedullary canal and metaphyseal or diaphyseal regions of the bone.

Abstract: Bone void filler compositions and methods for preparation to provide substrates with carbonate surface coatings to promote bone growth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bioscaffold implant for a specific patient is provided. The method can comprise obtaining an image of a tissue section of the specific patient from imaging scans of the tissue section, wherein the tissue section includes a resected portion. The method can further comprise determining on the image of the tissue section a surface topography of the resected portion, determining an image of a bioscaffold implant that matches the surface topography of the resected portion, and manufacturing a bioscaffold implant with a surface portion that mirrors the surface topography of the resected portion.