A method of disinfecting a readout device having a reader unit that reads an imaging medium, the method comprising: identifying an absence of the imaging medium from the inside of the readout device; and emitting, from a disinfecting element, radiation capable of destroying disease carriers onto an the interior of the readout device when the imaging medium is absent from inside the readout device.

A method of disinfecting a readout device having a reader unit that reads an imaging medium, the method comprising: identifying an absence of the imaging medium from the inside of the readout device; and emitting, from a disinfecting element, radiation capable of destroying disease carriers onto an the interior of the readout device when the imaging medium is absent from inside the readout device.

A multi-piece apparatus for performing dental hygiene includes a head portion including a concave support member; a floss attachment; and a tapered hollow water access portion. The hollow water access portion includes a water intake component continuous with a water exit component. A mechanism is connected to the head portion that reduces bacteria from the head portion. A handle portion is connected to the head portion and includes a first handle end; a second handle end; and a fluid aqueduct extending an entire internal length of the handle portion, wherein the fluid aqueduct is aligned with the water intake component and extends within the head portion. A hose is connected to the handle portion, wherein the hose is positioned to direct water to traverse through the fluid aqueduct.

A multi-piece apparatus for performing dental hygiene includes a head portion including a concave support member; a floss attachment; and a tapered hollow water access portion. The hollow water access portion includes a water intake component continuous with a water exit component. A mechanism is connected to the head portion that reduces bacteria from the head portion. A handle portion is connected to the head portion and includes a first handle end; a second handle end; and a fluid aqueduct extending an entire internal length of the handle portion, wherein the fluid aqueduct is aligned with the water intake component and extends within the head portion. A hose is connected to the handle portion, wherein the hose is positioned to direct water to traverse through the fluid aqueduct.

This invention is directed to an assembled implant comprising two or more portions of bone that are held together in appropriate juxtaposition with one or more biocompatible pins to form a graft unit. Preferably, the pins are cortical bone pins. Typically, the cortical pins are press-fitted into appropriately sized holes in the bone portions to achieve an interference fit. The bone portions are allograft or xenograft.

This invention is directed to an assembled implant comprising two or more portions of bone that are held together in appropriate juxtaposition with one or more biocompatible pins to form a graft unit. Preferably, the pins are cortical bone pins. Typically, the cortical pins are press-fitted into appropriately sized holes in the bone portions to achieve an interference fit. The bone portions are allograft or xenograft.

Systems and methods for reducing pathogens near an implant are discussed. In some cases, the methods include reducing contaminants in a portion of a patient that has an implant and that is disposed interior to a closed surface of skin of the patient. The method can further include placing a conduit in the closed surface of skin and flowing an antimicrobial fluid into that portion of the patient to contact the antimicrobial fluid with a surface of the implant and tissue adjacent to the implant. In some cases, the antimicrobial fluid is then removed from the portion of the patient having the implant. As part of this method, biofilm near the implant can be mechanically, ultrasonically, electrically, chemically, enzymatically, or otherwise disrupted. Other implementations are described.

An apparatus includes a conical body defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid and having a nozzle located a front end of the conical body and configured to discharge a stream of the liquid, a rear wall positioned at a rear of the conical body and at least partially defining the chamber, an inlet in communication with the chamber for introducing the liquid into the chamber, an acoustic transducer positioned at the rear wall, the acoustic transducer configured to generate acoustic energy and to introduce the acoustic energy into the liquid contained in the chamber, and an exhaust system including a vent in communication with the chamber to remove a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles from the chamber, an exhaust leading away from the vent, and an outlet in communication with the exhaust and configured to discharge the liquid and gas bubbles into or adjacent to the stream.

An apparatus includes a conical body defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid and having a nozzle located a front end of the conical body and configured to discharge a stream of the liquid, a rear wall positioned at a rear of the conical body and at least partially defining the chamber, an inlet in communication with the chamber for introducing the liquid into the chamber, an acoustic transducer positioned at the rear wall, the acoustic transducer configured to generate acoustic energy and to introduce the acoustic energy into the liquid contained in the chamber, and an exhaust system including a vent in communication with the chamber to remove a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles from the chamber, an exhaust leading away from the vent, and an outlet in communication with the exhaust and configured to discharge the liquid and gas bubbles into or adjacent to the stream.

The present invention relates to an environmental coverage oriented motion system. The system includes a rangefinder module configured to measure a distance in real time; an odometry module configured to measure a velocity or a position in real time; a powered vehicle carrying the rangefinder module and the odometry module; and a controller module carried by the powered vehicle, configured to receive one of the distance, the velocity and the position, performing an environmental coverage oriented motion scheme based on one of the distance, the velocity and the position to select a plurality of positions, and commanding the powered vehicle to move among the plurality of positions.