Abstract: An integrated dental care apparatus includes a patient chair and a dental care unit. The dental care unit is mounted on a floor while the dental care unit and the patient chair are structurally connected by a structure which supports the patient chair. Both the dental care unit and the patient chair have means for enabling them to be turned in relation to a vertical axis.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mobile surgical dental chair includes an adjustable backrest, an adjustable headrest, a plurality of locking wheels configured to provide mobility to the mobile surgical dental chair, dental tools integrated with and coupled to the mobile surgical dental chair, and connect hook-ups configured to connect the dental tools to one or more supply sources. The dental tools may include an air/water syringe, suction tube, and a rotary hand piece.

Abstract: To evaluate an exact bone mineral density, when a reference bar region in an X-ray picture of a mandible and a reference bar disposed beside the mandible is selected, the mean value and deviation of the brightness of this region are displayed by means of letter groups. When an evaluation object region is selected, the brightness of this region is corrected according to the mean value and deviation of the brightness of the reference bar region and standard mean value and deviation, or, in other words, according to a fixed reference. The corrected brightness is displayed in the form of histogram. Furthermore, the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness are determined, and they are displayed by means of letter groups. The bone mineral density is quantitatively evaluated from the histogram and the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MRI system, comprising: an examination table including a cradle in which a patient may be positioned; a magnetic assembly disposed in the examination table and including first and second electrode assemblies, the respective electrode surfaces of which are disposed so as to be perpendicularly spaced apart by a certain distance and opposite each other such that space for imaging may be formed therebetween; and an RF coil unit contactingly or contactlessly attached to a part of a patient to be examined or an attached part corresponding to the part to be examined, applying an RF pulse to the part of the patient to be examined, and detecting an MR signal from the examined part.

Abstract: Dental unit, which comprises at least one connection for at least one ancillary device, a drive-power and feed system for providing drive power or feed to said at least one ancillary device, and a control system for controlling the drive-power and feed system as well as the at least one ancillary device. For its part, the control system comprises at least one programmed function, which includes at least one predefined control operation directed to at least one ancillary device. In addition, at least one trigger is defined for each programmed function within the control system, in response to which said programmed function is performed. According to the invention, the dental unit comprises configuration means, which are arranged to receive control commands from the user in order to configure at least one programmed function and to configure said at least one programmed function according to control commands received from the user.

Abstract: A scanning system that acquires three-dimensional images as an incremental series of fitted three-dimensional data sets is improved by testing for successful incremental fits in real time and providing a variety of visual user cues and process modifications depending upon the relationship of newly acquired data to previously acquired data. The system may be used to aid in error-free completion of three-dimensional scans. The methods and systems described herein may also usefully be employed to scan complex surfaces including occluded or obstructed surfaces by maintaining a continuous three-dimensional scan across separated subsections of the surface. In one useful dentistry application, a full three-dimensional surface scan may be obtained for two dental arches in occlusion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mobile surgical dental chair includes an adjustable backrest, an adjustable headrest, a plurality of locking wheels configured to provide mobility to the mobile surgical dental chair, dental tools integrated with and coupled to the mobile surgical dental chair, and connect hook-ups configured to connect the dental tools to one or more supply sources. The dental tools may include an air/water syringe, suction tube, and a rotary hand piece.

Abstract: A scanning system that acquires three-dimensional images as an incremental series of fitted three-dimensional data sets is improved by testing for successful incremental fits in real time and providing a variety of visual user cues and process modifications depending upon the relationship of newly acquired data to previously acquired data. The system may be used to aid in error-free completion of three-dimensional scans. The methods and systems described herein may also usefully be employed to scan complex surfaces including occluded or obstructed surfaces by maintaining a continuous three-dimensional scan across separated subsections of the surface. In one useful dentistry application, a full three-dimensional surface scan may be obtained for two dental arches in occlusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental care apparatus which comprises a dental care unit (4) and a patient chair (5) arranged in the immediate vicinity of each other and to which is structurally connected at least a treatment arm (7) for dental care instruments (9) and/or an arm for holding some other appliance or device used in a dental environment, such as a display (3), and which additionally comprises at least one arm part (11) arranged in the immediate vicinity of the dental care unit (4) whereon at least either of the imaging means an X-radiation source (14) and an image information receiver (15) is arranged, in which apparatus (2) the mutual position of said arm part (11) and patient chair (12) is arranged such that the arm part (11) is located or is positionable substantially above said patient chair (5), and in which apparatus said arm part (11) carrying at least one imaging means (14, 15) and/or the patient chair is arranged rotatable by an actuator.

Abstract: Provided is an assistant apparatus for oral treatment including dental treatment and a unit chair equipped with the same. The assistant apparatus includes an oral cavity insertion member positioned in the oral cavity in front of the uvula of a patient, or preferably, on the soft palate, such that washing liquid or saliva is prevented from entering a patient's throat during oral treatment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent patient discomfort and interruption of treatment. Further, medical instruments/components are prevented from entering the throat and injuring the pharynx.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dental chair and accessory unit that includes an adjustable support device that can be quickly and easily configured for either left hand or right hand operation and requires a minimum of valuable office floor space without resorting to expensive and time consuming disassembly and reassembly of the support device while providing a secure and stable support for the DAU. Also disclosed is a DAU with an adjustable support device as described above, configured for retrofit to an existing dental chair.

Abstract: The invention concerns an integrated dental care apparatus which comprises a patient chair and a dental care unit, which according to the invention are arranged to comprise means for mounting the dental care unit on a floor while the dental care unit and the patient chair are structurally connected by means which support the patient chair, and wherein both the dental care unit and the patient chair are arranged to comprise means for enabling them to be turned in relation to a vertical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light measurement apparatus (34), having a light source to which a light guide apparatus (24) is connected, with the light guide apparatus (24) having a light outlet area (30) on the light output side and the light measurement apparatus (34) having a light sensor arrangement (36), and having a stop for the light guide apparatus (24) to make contact with. The light sensor arrangement (36) has at least two sensors (40a, 40b, 40c, . . . ), to which light from the light outlet area (30) can be applied.

Abstract: A system for reconfigurably adapting a dental chair for use, including, e.g., use from the right side or left side, use by right-handed or left-handed practitioners and use in various dentistry practice styles, may include a link arm, a primary arm and a secondary arm. The link arm is pivotably connectible to a rear side of the dental chair. The primary arm is pivotably connectible to the link arm to swing in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical axis. The secondary arm is coupleable to the link arm, preferably along substantially the same axis. The secondary arm has multiple pivotably connected segments allowing its distal end to be positioned as desired.

Abstract: An indirect bonding apparatus is made by initially placing spacer material over a replica of the patient's tooth structure. A tray is then formed over the spacer material and hardened. Next, the spacer material is removed from the tooth replica and orthodontic appliances are placed on the replica at desired locations. A matrix material is placed between the tray and the replica and allowed to harden. Optionally, the apparatus includes features for facilitating removal of the transfer apparatus after the bonding procedure has been completed, and features for applying firm, uniform pressure to the appliances during the bonding procedure. Other aspects of indirect bonding are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary modular dental chair system and methods for its use. In one embodiment, a compressor, vacuum pump, water reservoir, waste container and associated fittings, wiring, and plumbing are integrated into a dental chair. The compressor, vacuum pump, water reservoir, and waste container provide the services needed to perform dental procedures. Such a configuration allows the chair to be located and relocated without having to connect to facility centralized air, water, and waste.

Abstract: A dental handpiece holder adapted such that the length of the handpiece holder for holding and accommodating a dental handpiece is shortened in the axial direction, whereby the main unit of the handpiece can be attached to and detached from the joint section of the handpiece for the purpose of replacement with one hand of an operator. Also a dental treatment assembly by use of the holder.The handpiece holder comprising a gutter-shaped receiving seat, first and second grip sections extending from both side fringes of the receiving seat, contact sections formed at the leading ends of the first and second grip sections respectively and an engagement groove or projection extending across the contact sections or the peripheral areas thereof in the internal circumferential direction of the grip sections.

Abstract: An improved cellular telephone communication system is described having operational steps which prevent a call from being dropped due to a radiotelephone not receiving a handoff instruction from its host base site. The system includes a switch controller for determining that the radiotelephone requires a handoff from a first base site coverage area to a second base site coverage area and for communicating a handoff message to the associated first and second base site equipment. The first base site equipment then transmits the handoff message to the radiotelephone. If the radiotelephone does not receive the message, it determines that the call has been lost, siezes a signalling channel from the second base site, and requests, via the second base site a call reconnection by transmitting a special message. The second base site then informs the radiotelephone of the handoff instruction and the handoff is completed with a successful reconnection of the call.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dentist chair with a chair top carrying at least a chair seat. A chair bottom contains a height-adjusting system for the chair top, and at least one apparatus adaptable at the chair bottom which requires various supplies, such as air, water, electric current, which by means of supply lines are brought into the apparatus through the chair bottom from a connection box at the floor. For hookup of the apparatus the chair bottom contains a hookup portion which contains coupling means both for mechanical coupling and for coupling of the various other supply lines. The apparatus is connectible to the supply lines through a counter-piece which matches the hookup portion of the chair bottom and which, for mechanical coupling of the apparatus contains counter-coupling means which can be brought into engagement with the coupling means and which then establishes the proper required connection.

Abstract: A dental equipment stand with an adjustable multi-component carrying arm for a dental mounting component, wherein the carrying arm consists of two hingedly interconnected pivot arms, of which the first pivot arm is arranged to be pivotable about a pivot bearing at the end remote from the second pivot arm so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. The pivot bearing is, in turn, supported in a carrying component so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and in which the second pivot arm at its free end supports the mounting component. The mounting component which is arranged at the free end of the second pivot arm so as to be pivotable can, for example, be a holder for dental instruments, a repository plate with, possibly, a holder located thereon for dental instruments, or the like.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dental treatment chair which contains in its backrest a dispensing controller for compressed air and water to be distributed to the dental instruments of the chair; the controller includes a distributing block for air and water, air-pressure-operated on-off valves, and couplings to connect flexible connecting pipes connected to the instruments to the supply source side. The chair can reduce the number of compressed air and water pipes leading from the seat body to the backrest of the chair and can diminish the distance of piping between the dental instruments and the dispensing controller to reduce passage resistance.

Abstract: An improved dental handpiece holder supports a handpiece in the region from the rear end of the grip portion to the tail-stock portion. A front gripping holder portion prevents movement in the horizontal direction, a rear gripping holder portion prevents a forward tipping moving, and the front and rear gripping portions co-act to prevent movement of the handpiece in the axial direction. The front gripping portion is provided with three separate portions, one on the left hand wall and two on its right hand wall. The two supporting portions on the right hand wall are spaced axially apart from one another, and the single supporting portion on the left hand wall is located in a axial position intermediate that of the opposing two portions. Right and left supporting portions in the rear gripping portion support the tail-stock of the handpiece.

Abstract: A dental treatment system comprising a treatment chair seat, a backrest mounted tiltably thereto, and a headrest characterized in that the device includes a unit box assembly adapted to be stored inside or underside the backrest and to be drawn out therefrom. The unit box assembly having a variety of instruments housed therein is designed such that the instruments may be positioned in the space on the shoulder of the backrest or on the side of the headrest or on both of the shoulder and the side because of the construction of the assembly that, when the box assembly is stored in the backrest, it may be interlocked with the tilting of the backrest and, when drawn out therefrom, may be freely moved, stopped, vertically and bilaterally rotated and stopped independently of tilting the backrest to thereby facilitate handling of the instruments and to save additional space for separate arrangement of instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for attachment to the headrest of a dental chair which incorporates audio speakers connected to a suitable audio source and tube means conveying nitrous oxide or other analgesic gas to a nosepiece positioned on the patient whereby the patient is made comfortable with stereo music and "laughing gas" in a convenient fashion utilizing a minimum of dangling wires and tubes and cumbersome equipment.

Abstract: A transportable treatment recliner continuously adjustable in height and from the seating to the lying position, and rotary about the vertical axis, for medical, particularly dental or surgical care, characterized in that the recliner can be disassembled manually without tools into its individual parts or assemblies which can be placed in a transport container for saving space, with the component parts or assemblies being connected or fastened to the recliner upper portion by loosenable clamp and plug connections and the recliner upper portion consisting of three hinged parts to be laid flat. A pneumatic spring, which can be locked by a control lever, may be fastened to the rear side of the back part. This spring is hinged on its other end to an extension on the seating part. Between the seating part and the foot part there is a click-stop adjustment actuated via a clamp lever. The pneumatic spring may be held on the extension by an angled pin with turnable safety tab.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dental treatment chair assembly wherein the assembly is detachably positioned inside the backrest of the chair and comprises a number of cartridge boxes; each of the boxes contains therein an instrument and an extensible connecting pipe and means for assisting manual extension and reeling-in of the pipes from the top of the shoulder part of the backrest, whereby a dentist can arrange the type, number and position of dental instruments in compliance with his convenience and desire by arranging the cartridge boxes. Any instrument can be removed and repaired by withdrawing the cartridge box that contains the defective instrument.

Abstract: This invention discloses an orthodontic unit disposition structure wherein a clinical area and a consultation area are provided in an adjacent relation with each other so as to carry out systematic and rational treatment and instruction from first to last whereby a patient can have his case initially diagnosed and then receive treatment and instruction, thus being enabled to undergo an effective operation.