The invention features a pharmaceutical suspension containing drug particles, a drug delivery device anchored in the mouth for continuously administering the pharmaceutical suspension, and methods of their use.

A medical that is implantable into a human or animal body or being an augmentation device for strengthening human or animal hard tissue for subsequent implantation of a separate implant. The device includes a sheath element suitable of being brought into contact, during a surgical operation, with live hard tissue and/or with hard tissue replacement material. The sheath element has a, for example, generally elongate shape and a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal opening reaching from a proximal end of the sheath element into a distal direction, and a plurality of holes in a wall of the opening. Further, the device includes a liquefiable element that is insertable or inserted in the longitudinal opening and at least partly liquefiable by the impact of energy impinging from the proximal side.

A method for providing a beneficial effect to an oral cavity of a mammal, the method including contacting a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity with a liquid effective for providing the beneficial effect to the oral cavity and providing reciprocation of the liquid over the plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity under conditions effective to provide the beneficial effect.

An electrical discharge irrigation device and method is described. An electrical discharge irrigation device includes a power source, a circuit coupled to the power source, and an output tip coupled to the circuit. The output tip includes a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return including an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge.

Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth include a carrier that remains stable and translucent during storage. The compositions include a carrier comprising a stable and translucent resin and a fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to teeth being treated. The carrier resists formation of solids that can plug a 25 gauge (or 30 gauge) syringe brush applicator tip. The compositions may also include an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.

The invention features a drug delivery device held in the mouth and continuously administering either a fluid comprising drug dissolved and/or dispersed in water or in a non-toxic liquid, or a drug in solid form.

An electrical discharge irrigation includes a power source to produce a first voltage, a circuit coupled to the power source to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, a discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage from the circuit, a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier coupled to the discharge capacitor to receive the second voltage, and an output tip. This tip is coupled to a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the tip to receive an electrical charge from the a transistor and/or a controlled rectifier and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return. The ground return is an outside surface of the tip. A space between the electrode and the ground return holds a conductive medium in contact with the electrode and the ground return.

A discharger for discharging fluid includes a sleeve, a discharge section, a carriage including a receiving space disposed therein, the carriage cooperating with a proximal end of the sleeve such that the carriage is moveable relative to the sleeve, and a piercing tip having a flow channel configured to establish a flow connection for the fluid from the receiving space to an inlet of the discharge section, the piercing tip having a shell surface, the piercing tip being integrally formed with at least a portion of the sleeve or formed as a unitary separate piece linked with at least the portion of the sleeve, the shell surface of the piercing tip having a convexly curved configuration, and the sleeve surrounding a proximal end of the discharge section and having an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the carriage.

Fluoride releasing compositions comprising water, ethanol, partially neutralized hydrogenated acid rosin, and fluoride releasing agent. The fluoride releasing compositions are often in the form of dental varnishes. Methods of using the same, such as by application to one or more teeth.

An oral care implement herein may be embodied as an oral device for placement in the oral cavity. The device may include an insert configured for placement in the oral cavity in contact with a wearer's teeth and an activating member configured for placement in the oral cavity and selectively attachable to the insert.