Abstract: A pneumoperitoneum apparatus includes: an insufflation conduit for pneumoperitoneum; an endoscope connection tube connecting the insufflation conduit for pneumoperitoneum; an insufflation flow rate measuring section that measures an insufflation flow rate as a measured flow rate; a set flow rate setting section that sets the measured insufflation flow rate to a target set flow rate; an insufflation flow rate adjusting section; an adjustment value storing section that if the measured flow rate is equal to the target set flow rate, stores the adjustment value for the insufflation flow rate adjusting section; and a control section that if the measured flow rate varies to a value that is equal to or below a threshold value after the measured flow rate reaches the target set flow rate, performs control to set the adjustment value read from the adjustment value storing section for the insufflation flow rate adjusting section.

Abstract: A device for washing a suspension of cells. The device includes a bowl-shaped basin having a top end and a bottom end and an axis extending from the top end to the bottom end, and an inlet port formed in the basin. The inlet port is positioned at an angle to allow for a wash solution to be injected or delivered into the basin and circulate around the basin about the central axis. A suspension of cells can be washed in the circulating wash solution. The circulating wash solution forces the cells to settle at the bottom of the basin, where they can be extracted.

Abstract: A hand drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving a user's hands, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and a plurality of openings communication with the fan and arranged to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The cavity has an entrance delimited by a front edge and a rear edge in which the openings are located. The shape of the front and rear edges is such that, when in use the user's hands are introduced to the cavity, the distance between the user's hands and the nearest opening is substantially uniform. Alternatively, one of the edges is substantially straight and the other of the said edges is curved so that the distance between the edges varies along the length of the cavity entrance. These arrangements enhance the drying efficiency of the dryer.

Abstract: A thin-film splash guard for use with dental cuspidors is described. The splash guard includes a thin-film sheet, a pair of slots, and an adhesive. The thin-film sheet is composed of a flexible, flaccid material with front and back surfaces which is sufficiently stiff when conformed to the shape of a dental cuspidor so as to extend above the side wall of the cuspidor. The slots are disposed from one edge of and along the thin-film sheet so as to generally define a center region and a pair of side regions. The adhesive is disposed along the front surface within each side region and or along the back surface within the center region. The thin-film splash guard is readily conformable to the shape and size of a cuspidor, easily attachable to the cuspidor in a removable fashion, and disposable.

Abstract: A device such as a dental cuspidor or a dental delivery unit, with an electric field sensor, control circuitry, and a solenoid. The control circuitry is in electronic communication with the electric field sensor, and the solenoid is in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The electric field sensor has capacitive sensing and is operable to detect a change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to receive a signal from the electric field sensor indicative of a detected change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to actuate the solenoid in response to receiving the signal from the electric field sensor. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The flow of water to a cuspidor bowl-rinse spout and cup-filling spout is controlled by a normally closed valve that is actuated by a lever, the ends of which lever protrude through opposite sides of the cuspidor housing. Either end of the lever may be moved in either of two opposite directions for actuating the valve.

Abstract: A separator for separating a solid and liquid is disclosed which includes a sensor system for detecting the level of solid that is separated from the liquid and accumulated in a settling tank. A movable locking element locks the separator to the settling tank, and is movable between an open and a closed position. The sensor system is attached to the movable locking element thereby providing protection for the sensing elements which include at least one light barrier.

Abstract: A cuspidor having a substantially rounded basin with a bottom, a substantially upright surrounding sidewall and a fluid inlet spaced above the bottom adjacent one end of the basin for directing flushing fluid into the basin. The juncture between the bottom and sidewall of the basin is formed in a concave curve which varies from a first radius at the end of the basin adjacent the fluid inlet to a smaller second radius adjacent the opposite end of the basin. The bottom also has a substantially flat section adjacent a portion of the juncture section which merges with an intermediate section for directing flushing fluids to a drain hole. The configuration of the basin provides efficient flushing and minimizes the possibility of flushing fluid splashing over the sidewall.

Abstract: A cuspidor or spitting device for dental purposes comprising a bowl formed by a lateral curved wall and a conical bottom surface with the upper edge of the lateral curved wall merging with an inclined surface portion of the upper surface of the housing and the bottom wall having a discharge opening leading to a discharge channel. The lateral wall is preferably a cylinder or a tapering surface substantially forming a cylinder whose axis of rotation is arranged to incline from the user's side and forms an acute angle with the axis of the conical surface forming the bottom wall. Thus, the surfaces are smooth and easily cleaned and do not provide cracks or crevices for accumulation of dirt and prevent anti-hygienic conditions from occurring.

Abstract: A water recycling unit and system for dental operatories for use to supply operating priming water to liquid seal type vacuum pumps and including a conduit connectable to a municipal water supply, a solenoid valve in said conduit operated by a timer to open the valve for very short intervals periodically to furnish fresh makeup water to an air-water separator mounted above the level of the pumps and provided with a discharge to drain that is regulated to maintain a constant supply of contaminated water withdrawn from a patient's mouth and a small amount of the makeup water to comprise priming water delivered to the vacuum pump by gravity flow. The only moving element in the basic system is the solenoid valve and it only passes fresh municipal water free of impurities to insure complete closing of the valve and thereby obviate possible partial opening due to impurities lodged between the valve and its seat.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved dental cuspidor having a vacuum drain means. The specification also discloses a drain having a drain chamber of which one side is formed by a diaphragm so that when water reaches a given height in the chamber, the diaphragm actuates an air valve to drive a piston to open a drain valve to a vacuum drain.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a water recycling system for economy in water consumption by dental evacuating equipment employing a water seal type pump and includes a storage tank for waste water received from the pump, a fresh water tank above the storage tank, and an air and water separator compactly arranged with said tanks, passage means between said tanks to permit makeup and flushing water to pass from the fresh water tank to the storage tank and flush the latter through syphon mechanism, except residual seal water remaining in the pump. Conduits extend from dental evacuating equipment to the pump and then to the air and water separator to vent air to atmosphere and pass waste water to the storage tank, and an additional waste water conduit extends in gravity-flow manner from the storage tank back to the pump for recycling and economy in water consumption.

Abstract: A portable cuspidor supplied with rinse water and vacuum drainage through ganged flexible hoses has a hollow, enclosed cuspidor cup or bowl provided with a cushioned side wall opening against which facial areas surrounding the mouth of the patient or user are placed for expectorating. Interior rinse water jet streams are so directed and distributed against the interior of the cuspidor cup or bowl that substantially all of the rinse water, together with expectorant, will flow down for withdrawal at a drain orifice at the base of the bowl, no matter at what angle the device is being held for use.

Abstract: A water recirculation system is described wherein the discharge of one or more dental cuspidors is rendered reuseable and continuously used in the operation of a water sealed vacuum pump in a dental vacuum discharge system.