Abstract: A head-measuring device is disclosed and includes a support frame. The head-measuring device also includes a plurality of movable arms comprising a first set of movable arms and a second set of movable arms. The first set includes a first outermost arm, the second set includes a second outermost arm opposite the first outermost arm, and each movable arm is movable between a first position and a second position. The head-measuring device also includes a stationary arm coupled to the support frame such that the stationary arm is approximately equidistant between the outermost arms as the outermost arms are moved between the first and second positions. The plurality of movable arms are parallel to each other and to the stationary arm. The first and second sets of movable arms are mechanically linked such that the first set moves synchronously with the second set between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The device for recording centric jaw relation and orientation jaw relation simultaneously is disclosed that provides an accurate and precise recording of centric jaw relation as well as orientation jaw relation recording and transfer. The device includes a central bar, a centric relation recorder, a dentulous adjustable fork or an edentulous fork, a semi-circular frame, a nasion pointer and an orbital pointer. The central bar is received by a plurality of clamping assemblies that adjustably position the nasion pointer, the adjustable fork or the edentulous fork and the centric relation recorder respectively. The device can be used in case of both, dentulous as well as edentulous subjects. The device can advantageously transfer the centric relation record to any semi-adjustable articulators or non-adjustable articulators.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring an occlusal distance and/or a space of a missing tooth comprises a connecting rod and a measuring head disposed at an upper end of the connecting rod, the measuring head comprises a first measuring ruler and a second measuring ruler perpendicular to the first measuring ruler, a lower end of the second measuring ruler and one end of the first measuring ruler are connected to the connecting rod. The occlusal distance checking can be performed simply and directly by using the first measuring ruler to directly compare whether it can pass through the occlusion gap in the region to be repaired, the gap of the single missing tooth analysis is performed easily and directly by using the second measuring ruler to directly compare whether it can pass the gap in the measuring region to be repaired.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products monitor a person's regimen for medicinal and dietary restrictions. When the person's regimen requires a liquid medication or supplement, an oral instrument is commanded to dispense a dosage of fluid. The oral instrument stores a reservoir of the fluid. If the oral instrument is a spoon, for example, the spoon may automatically dispense cough syrup or other medicine. A toothbrush, likewise, may automatically dispense mouthwash. A sensor may confirm presence of the oral instrument in the person's mouth, thus ensuring the dosage of fluid is ingested.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device useful for taking dimensions of the stomatognathic system, in particular the soft tissues which circumscribe the masticatory system, in particular the anterior part of the face in relation to the denture. This device has graduated parts that allow taking precise measurements and can be transferred or projected to an articulator, which is used in rehabilitation processes and restorative dentistry.

Abstract: A method for establishing an interaction between an operator and a monitor of a computer-assisted surgery system comprises tracking a tool manipulated by the operator for providing surgical data calculated from the position/orientation of the tool. A desired interaction is identified from the operator by tracking the tool reaching a specific position and/or a specific orientation. An interactive action is activated on a monitor as a function of the desired interaction, the interactive action being unrelated to said surgical data. A motion of the tool is converted to additional interactions related to said interactive action. A computer-assisted surgery system is also provided.

Abstract: A contact detection instrument including a rod, a tip sensor portion that is attached to one end of the rod and is inserted into a living body through a hole, a speaker that, from outside the living body, inputs a sound into a hollow space that is formed in the interior of the rod and the tip sensor portion, and a microphone that, outside the living body, outputs an electrical signal that corresponds to the sound inside the hollow space, with the tip sensor portion including an elastic material that covers the hollow space.

Abstract: A handheld differential contact probe includes a housing configured to be held in a hand of a user, a pair of probe arms carried by the housing, and a pair of opposing probe tip assemblies each carried by one of the respective probe arms and each having a probe tip circuit coupled to a probe tip at a distal end thereof. A probe tip span adjustment mechanism is carried by the housing and coupled to the pair of probe arms, and configured to adjust a span between the probe tips. A ground path mechanism is coupled between the probe tip circuits of the respective probe tip assemblies, and includes a pair of curved conductive ribbon springs each coupled at an outer end thereof to a respective probe tip circuit, and each curved conductive ribbon spring slidably engaging each other at a respective inner end thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a guide pin for dental implant surgery, providing guidance so that a practitioner easily determines a location and angle of an alveolar bone of a patient when forming an implant hole in the alveolar bone to place an implant in the alveolar bone. By using the guide pin for dental implant surgery according to the inventive concept, a practitioner may perform the surgery by determining an accurate location and shape of the alveolar bone of the patient when drilling an implant hole in the alveolar bone, and thus, the success rate of the implant surgery may be increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a dental prosthesis with the chronological steps: A) Inserting the prosthetic teeth into the prosthetic base and connecting them with it in such a way that after their insertion into the prosthetic base the prosthetic teeth have limited movability in the prosthetic base B) Changing the position and/or the orientation of at least one prosthetic tooth in the prosthetic base; C) Fixing the prosthetic teeth on the coronal side in a key, and securing the orientation and position of the prosthetic teeth to one another in the changed position and/or orientation; D) Separating the prosthetic teeth from the prosthetic base; F) Fastening the prosthetic teeth in the prosthetic base with a cement or an adhesive, the gaps between the surfaces of the prosthetic base that are provided for fixation of the prosthetic teeth and the prosthetic teeth being filled with the cement or the adhesive; and G) Allowing the cement or adhesive to harden, the prosthetic teeth being solidl

Abstract: Maxillary protraction device comprising a cranial support (1) that may be attached with straps (4) or similar on the forehead of the user. A guide (8) in a central position on the support (1) attaches to the upper end (9) of a vertical rod (2), at the lower end (13) of which a horizontal rod (3) is arranged with gripping points for the rubber bands that provide a tractive force on the jaw to be treated. Between the two ends (9, 13) of the rod, a ratchet mechanism (12) or similar may be arranged to adjust the angle, while the lower end (13) can be telescopic.

Abstract: A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.

Abstract: A device configured to provide a faster and more accurate measurement of depths of holes for placement of bone screws and fastener for bone implant fixation procedures. The device includes a combination of a bone probe for physical examination of a hole drilled in a bone and a depth gauge member for determining a depth of the hole and providing digital measurement of the depth via a display on the instrument and/or via a wireless exchange of measurement data to a remote computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone. The device may further be connected to a separate neuromonitoring device and be used for nerve sensing and/or nerve stimulation by way of the bone probe. For example, the bone probe may include a conductive material such that the distal probe tip acts as an extension of the neuromonitoring device and may be used to sense and/or stimulate nerves.

Abstract: The device for recording vertical and centric occlusion positions of edentulous jaws is a tool which allows a dental practitioner to maintain maxillary and mandibular record bases (and their respective wax rims) in their respective vertical and centric occlusion positions during transfer of the maxillary and mandibular record bases to a conventional dental articulator. A pair of telescopically adjustable rods are provided for measuring the vertical occlusion position of the patient's edentulous jaws. Each of the telescopically adjustable rods has a selectively adjustable and lockable height, with the opposed ends thereof being releasably secured to the maxillary and mandibular record bases, respectively. The telescopically adjustable rods are also horizontally adjustable with respect to the maxillary and mandibular record bases, allowing the centric occlusion position of the patient's edentulous jaws to be recorded.

Abstract: A bone depth gauge having a distal handle to which a tip is releasably connected. The tip is formed by photochemical machining to produce a tip and hook on the distal end with an approximate hexagonal cross section. The manufacturing costs of the tip are low enough to provide it in a one use package. A tubular element is releasably telescoped over the tip and handle to enable determination of the depth of a hole formed in a bone.

Abstract: A gauge system for measuring underbite and overbite in ruminants includes a handle having a spring biased retainer pivotally mounted thereon and a head portion at a front end having a tip receiving aperture, a set of interchangeable underbite measuring tips for use with cattle, a set of interchangeable underbite measuring tips for use with sheep, and a overbite measuring tip. The rear portion of the tip retainer is depressed by a user's thumb to pivot the front portion of the tip retainer upwardly to an open position and expose the tip receiving aperture for insertion or removal of a selected underbite measuring tip, or the overbite measuring tip, and thereafter removing the thumb allows the front portion of the tip retainer member to be lowered under spring pressure to the closed position and retain the selected underbite measuring tip, or the overbite tip in the aperture.

Abstract: A sizing gauge (4) is structured to be used with a patient (8) and is structured to enable an identification of a particular patient interface that is most appropriately sized for the patient. The sizing gauge includes a support portion (12) and a sizing portion (16). The sizing portion includes a first gauge element (36) and a plurality of second gauge elements (40A,40B,40C). The first gauge element is disposed on the support portion and is structured to be positioned at a first location on the patient's face. The plurality of second gauge elements are disposed on the support portion and are situated at locations spaced from the first gauge element. The distance between the first gauge element and each second gauge element is representative of a size in one direction (44) of each of at least some of the plurality of patient interfaces. At least one of the plurality of second gauge elements comprises a tactile feature.

Abstract: A graft caliper provides for a first member having a first pick at its distal end and its proximal end attached to a handle. A second member of the graft caliper is disposed above the first member and has a second pick at its distal end that extends beyond the first pick. The proximal end of the second member is attached to an adjuster which causes the second member to move from a first position to a second position in order to change a distance the second pick extends beyond the first pick. The graft caliper provides for an indication of at least one metric for describing the distance the second pick extends beyond the first pick and places an identifier on a surface of bone representing the location of a tunnel to be formed through a femur, tibia or any other anatomical structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods and a device for the determination of the centric position of a human set of teeth with improved precision. This is needed for the adjustment of an articulator in the production of dentures. For this purpose a plurality of successive bite movements or displacement movements of the lower jaw are recorded in form of electronic signal data and evaluated for the determination of the centric position.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting an apical position depending on the change in the impedance between a first electrode inserted into the root canal of the tooth of a patient and a second external electrode applied to a body surface of the patient. According to some embodiments, a regulated current such as an alternating current having a substantially constant amplitude is supplied between the two electrodes, and this current serves as a measurement signal. Alternatively or additionally, the frequency of the time varying (e.g. alternating) current is at least 50 KHZ, and/or at most about 300 KHZ. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed device includes a processing unit which determines a capacitance-governed function when the first electrode is in the apical region, and which determined a function at least moderately governed by resistance when the electrode is in the dental neck region. Optionally, the first electrode inserted into the root canal is a dental file or reamer.

Abstract: A device for measuring the skeletodental relationship of a human skull directly from a cephalometric radiograph or from a hand tracing of the craniofacial structures includes a flat transparent plate-like structure. The plate-like structure has a generally rectangular shape with a zero point and two protractors spaced one below the other and superimposed on a zero point. The protractors include radial lines from 0° to 90° for a first of the protractors and from 90° to 0° for a second of the protractors. Further, the 0° line in the first protractor is parallel with the 90° line in the second protractor. The 0° line in the second is parallel with the 90° line in the first. Further, three vertical scales are provided on the right hand edge and top of the device with two of the scales on the right hand edge, but ascending in different directions.

Abstract: A device for measuring the skeletodental relationship of a human skull directly from a cephalometric radiograph or from a hand tracing of the craniofacial structures includes a flat transparent plate-like structure. The plate-like structure has a generally rectangular shape with a zero point and two protractors spaced one below the other and superimposed on a zero point. The protractors include radial lines from 0° to 90° for a first of the protractors and from 90° to 0° for a second of the protractors. Further, the 0° line in the first protractor is parallel with the 90° line in the second protractor. The 0° line in the second is parallel with the 90° line in the first. Further, three vertical scales are provided on the right hand edge and top of the device with two of the scales on the right hand edge, but ascending in different directions.

Abstract: A measured object mounting tool for producing three-dimensional shape data includes a placing part at a lower face of a cylindrical part, an inclined part at a boundary between a side face and an upper face of the cylindrical part, and a pillar part at the upper face of the cylindrical part. The pillar part has a mounting part at the upper face thereof. A three-dimensional coordinate other than the engaging portion of a model is produced by engaging the model of the dental prosthesis with the mounting part of the tool on a placing table, detecting a position where a received light amount is remarkably decreased with a laser sensor to detect a lower end of the inclined part, and thereby calculating an upper end of the engaging portion.

Abstract: To remove an undercut part from three-dimensional data of the inner face, the program includes a surface model creating means to create a surface model based on three-dimensional data of a gypsum model including an abutment tooth, a cutting direction specifying means to specify a direction of a cutting bar, and a surface model creating means to create a surface model for machining by changing the three-dimensional data to have new coordinates by determining a base axis in parallel with the cutting bar in the surface model and plane moving coordinates of the cutting bar, and converting the coordinates of a point which becomes an undercut part, to be equal to the plane moving coordinates of a point having a high height from a specified face rectangular to the base axis at the opposite side of the occlusion face and a long distance from the base axis.

Abstract: This invention refers to a MEASURING APPARATUS FOR THE PROGRAMMING AND WELDING OF ADJUSTABLE BRACKETS permitting the electrical spot welding with a great accuracy of the elements of an adjustable bracket, in this manner being able to adjust or to program the information that the orthodontist wants to incorporate in the bracket in regard to inclination, angulation and rotation. In order to achieve this aim I developed two attachments: THE POSITION MEASURING ACCESSORY and the WELDING ACCESSORY. THE POSITION MEASURING ACCESSORY has the function of recording or measuring accurately the dental position as for inclination, angulation and rotation on dental casts. This measurement is performed by means of a template system that allows the recording a tooth position in relation to its osseous basis and the occlusal plane.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a locating and measuring device of facial anatomical parameters of a human face. It includes in particular a frame intended to be positioned in front of a face, and a bite yoke mounted on a cross member of the frame, intended to be inserted into the mouth and bitten onto by a patient. In a manner that is characteristic, the invention also includes materialization and positioning for an incisive line, materialization and positioning for a bi-pupillary line, and materialization and positioning for a Camper's plane on at least one profile of the face. The device of the invention finds a particular application in the fields of dental and periodontal reconstruction and repair in accordance with the aesthetic harmony of the face.

Abstract: A measured object mounting tool 2 for producing a three-dimensional shape data comprises a placing part 2b at the lower face of a cylindrical part 2a, an inclined part 2c at a boundary between the side face and the upper face of the cylindrical part 2a, and a pillar part 2d at the upper face of the cylindrical part 2a, where the pillar part 2d has a mounting part 2e at the upper face thereof, a three-dimensional coordinate other than the engaging portion 3a of a model 3 is produced by engaging the model of the dental prosthesis with the mounting part 2e of the tool 2 on a placing table 1; detecting a position where a received light amount is remarkably decreased to by a laser sensor detect a lower end of the inclined part 2c; and thereby calculating an upper end of the engaging portion 3a.

Abstract: An instrument for determining the occlusal space between a person's upper and lower teeth thereby facilitating the formation of apparatus such as dentures and splints for removable positioning in the person's mouth.

Abstract: To provide a production method of three-dimensional shape data of a part other than an engaging portion by a three-dimensional measuring device, the engaging portion has an engaging part in a cross sectional shape other than a rotary body and is projected and/or recessed on a jawbone side, a measured object mounting tool 2 comprises a cylindrical part 2a, a mounting part 2b and a placing part 2c, the mounting part 2b positions a prolonged line of an axis of the cylindrical part 2a in the engaging part 3aa, the placing part 2c aligns a pre-specified direction of the mounting part 2b with a specified providing direction of the placing table 1b, the center axis of the cylindrical part 2a is aligned with Z axis, and the model of the dental prosthesis 3 is rotated around Z axis on the basis of the specified providing direction of the placing table 1b.

Abstract: A dental-facial measuring instrument provides a possibility to determine an occlusion to make a denture. An improved dental-facial measuring instrument includes the first and second strips coupled by the connector and spring with a slidable strip comprising a horizontal portion and a scale, and wherein the first and second corbels of the slidable strip are appropriately inserted into the first and second slots of the first strip and second strip respectively.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product correlates measured endodontic signals to stored distance values indicative of probe position within a root canal. An appropriate distance value is retrieved from a memory having a plurality of electrical signal measurements and other information stored in associative relationship with respective distance values.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the stability of a tooth in the gum or an implant in the body is constructed to include a holder for holding a test object to be examined, an impact device disposed at one side of the holder for striking the test object, causing the test object to produce vibrations, and sensor means disposed at one side of the holder for detecting the vibrations produced by the test object upon the striking of the impact device against the test object.

Abstract: An apical foramen locator that a dental or medical practitioner can use to quickly and accurately identify the location of a patient's apical foramen during a dental/medical procedure is provided. The apical foramen locator determines the location of the apical foramen relative to a tool inserted into the patient's tooth by sensing an impedance—typically the voltage across two electrodes—and a stimulus voltage, and retrieving from an impedance map apical foramen location data that corresponds to the sensed impedance. The apical foramen locator can include a power circuit operable to apply a stimulus voltage across two electrodes and a reference resistor, an impedance-sensing circuit operable to read the stimulus voltage, a first voltage across the electrodes and a second voltage across the reference resistor and a processing component operable to derive first and second voltage indices from the stimulus, first and second voltages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to assist in accurate placement of teeth and jaws at orthognathic surgery. A recording of reference planes used prior to surgery to plan desired changes to an original position of teeth and jaws of a patient is made with a teeth indexing member. The teeth indexing member has a horizontal slot and scribe lines indicating the orientation of the reference planes. During surgery, the recording of the reference planes is transferred to the patient by positioning the teeth indexing member onto the patient's teeth. A swivel member is attached to the patient's head by a cranial structure. A port in the swivel member is oriented to the reference planes by inserting a coupling member into the horizontal slot of the teeth indexing member and into the port of the swivel member, aligning the coupling member to the scribe lines on the teeth indexing member, and securing the oriented swivel member in place. The port thereby records the reference planes.

Abstract: A dental measuring device in the form of a caliper includes a pair of elongate jaws, each having an abutment surface. The jaws are movable between a first zero position wherein the abutment surfaces are contiguous with each other and a second position wherein the abutment surfaces are displaced from each other, this displacement defining a measured distance. A distal end of each jaw and includes an arrowhead formation wherein the arrowheads at least partially overlap when the jaws are in the first position.

Abstract: A tooth inclination apparatus (10) for allowing assessment of the angle of inclination of an incisor tooth or cast thereof comprises a plane element providing a flat datum surface (14) for resting against e.g. the upper molars in the maxillary plane. From the underside of the plane element projects a protractor portion (18) with a graduated angular scale (24) which measures the angular deviation of an indicator pin (22) pivoted to the plane member at (20) and moved to contact the tooth whose inclination is being measured. Other mechanical or electro-optic devices may be used to determine the inclination of the incisor relative to the datum surface.

Abstract: A face bow assembly including a face bow having a bite fork portion to carry an index trays to be positioned in a patient's mouth. The bow has outwardly extending wings to enable a dentist to support the bow. A vertical indicator rod mounted to the bow helps align the tray horizontally and the indicator rod vertically to the patient's mid-sagittal, while bite impression material on the tray hardens. The upper index tray is then mounted on a platform on a dental articulator. The platform has an incisal line for alignment with an incisal line(s) for adjustability on the upper index tray. The platform also has vertical or horizontal adjustability with a built-in scale.

Abstract: A gauge for use in measuring, or evaluating, conical root canal gutta percha inserts has a body and a plurality of measuring locations. The measuring locations include a chute having first and second ends bounded by first and second walls and a floor. The first and second walls are portions of planes which meet at a first angle and a first distance between the first and second walls at the first end is greater than a second distance between the first and second walls at the second end. A standardized gutta percha cone may be received in the measuring location by placing the gutta percha cone in the chute and pushing it toward the second end to evaluate the taper and apex diameter of the gutta percha cone.

Abstract: A dental measuring device can be used to measure the separation of reference positions on a patient's upper and lower jaws to assist in the construction of dentures. The device has two elements which slide longitudinally relative to each other with a pointer on one and a scale on the other. The elements have projecting arms. The sliding elements can be reversed so that in one position the arms point in the same direction for measuring the separation of specific points on the patient's nose and chin, and in a second position the arms point in opposite directions for positioning beneath the patient's nose and chin.

Abstract: Holding device for aligning and mounting a workpiece in an apparatus includes a receiving opening (6) provided for the holding device (20; 30), means (7) for positioning the holding device disposed in the receiving opening (6) for determination of the position of the holding device in relation to the receiving opening, wherein the holding device (20; 30) is connected with a workpiece carrier (21; 31), wherein the workpiece carrier (21; 31) is adjustable relative to the holding device, and wherein optical means (8; 11-17) are provided for viewing of the workpiece and thereby alignment of the workpiece on the holding device is performed.

Abstract: An interproximal gauge (36) includes a plurality of blades (38), each having a key portion (40) and a handle (42) adjoining the key portion (40). The key portion (40) exhibits a predetermined thickness which is different for different ones of the blades (38) and is configured for placement in an interproximal gap (24) between adjacent teeth (26). The handle (42) includes notches (42) having numerical values representing the predetermined thickness of a particular one of the blades (38). Successive ones of the blades (38) are placed in the interproximal gap (24) and one of the blades (38) is selected having a predetermined thickness that is substantially equivalent to a width (28) of gap (24). The notches (42) are interpreted to determine the width (28) of the gap (24).

Abstract: A gauge serving as a jig to adjust exposed length of endodontic files with respect to respective encircling resilient stops which prevent overpenetration into a root canal of a patient. The gauge has a body bearing four parallel, coplanar tracks for slidably receiving an equal number of slides. Each slide has a plurality of spaced apart steps enabling endodontic files to be adjusted to differing operating lengths, and a thumbscrew which secures the slide in place within its track. The thumbscrews are arranged to establish a two discrete levels of friction, the first enabling fine adjustment and the second locking the slide in place. A retaining barrier formed in the body has a plurality of openings for each track, thereby being able to receive and make multiple adjustments to several files when the latter are placed against any one slide. Measurement indicia are optionally borne near one or more tracks, for setting the slides to correspond to radiographic lengths of a patient's root canals.

Abstract: An instrument has a sheet which has a centered perforation joined by an extension to another larger sheet which has two perforations and, from the larger sheet, an extension joining it to handle for a process verifying space between teeth.

Abstract: An instrument and method to measure the position of the occlusal plane of the mouth with reference to the structural features of the cranium. The instrument includes a vertical face bow, positioned on the nasal bridge and the forward edge of the base of the chin. The device employs light beams to make measurements of the patient's occlusal plane and the nose-to-chin distances. The device utilizes an internal processor to make the necessary calculations, provides direct numerical readouts, is battery powered and self-calibrating. The entire device is sealed to permit cold sterilization by liquids.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus is disclosed herein that confirms the accuracy of dental casts. The device has four adjustable arms terminating in rests. The rests are slightly concave to receive methylmethacrylate. The arms are adjustable to mate rests with selected points or cusp tips on the model. In use, the set screw is loosened to allow a friction fit adjustment of the four arms. Once the four arms are adjusted so that the rests are aligned over desired cusp tips a locking screw is tightened. The arms are held immobilized. Methylmethacrylate is now added to the concave portion of rests. While this acrylic is still soft it is returned in the same location on model to register the imprint of the preselected cusp tips. The verifier can now be utilized to verify accuracy of another clone model by placing in similar manner on second cast. The verifier should come to rest on the second model exactly as it did on the original.

Abstract: This invention consists of a method and apparatus for making patterns which establish the specific vertical dimensions and positions for patterns for the making of dentures which will provide a natural occlusion upon replacement of natural teeth.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for accurately measuring dentures comprises a C-shaped body, a horizontal ruler and a vertical ruler. The rulers are graduated and movable to determine the distance of the teeth from the center of the ridge and the intermaxillary distance of the two dentures.

Abstract: An inductive sensor is comprised of a sealed housing; at least one current path disposed in the housing; means for applying current to the current path; variable low reluctance magnetic path about the current path; and means for sensing the output from the current path as a function of variations in the magnetic flux path. Alternative current path configurations include a differential transformer, comprised of a permanent magnet or one or more primary coils in conjunction with two secondary coils, or a voltage divider, comprised of two primary coils. The variable magnetic flux path includes ferromagnetic fluid disposed in the housing to a level at which all coils are at least partially submersed. Tilt or other displacement of the sensor results in a change in the amount of fluid contacting the coils and a resultant change in current output from the current path means. The change in sensed voltage is indicative of displacement and sustained output voltage is proportional to the degree of tilt of the sensor.

Abstract: A clinical appliance (10) which is useful for taking samples from a tissue or a tissue associated material is disclosed. The appliance (10) has a head (13), and a handle (11) and a pressure sensitive element which comprises the head (13) and the handle (11) attached by a resiliently deformable member (12), and an instrument (140 retained in the head. Marks (21) are provided respectively on the head (13) and the handle (11) to indicate that when the marks are aligned a selected force is being exerted on the instrument (14). A portion of the instrument (14) consists of a needle member for probing periodontal pockets.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring angular displacement of a small body comprising a sealed housing containing a differential transformer having at least two primary coils, one primary and two secondary coils, or two primary and two secondary coils, said coils being partially submerged in a ferromagnetic fluid. Upon application of an AC current to at least the primary coils of the differential transformer, the voltage across the circuit defined by the two primary or the two secondary coils is indicative of the angle of tilt of the sensor and the body to which it is attached.