294results about How to "Avoid cavities" patented technology

The dilation introducer has a locked assembled configuration for placement of the dilation introducer against a patient's tissue to be treated, and an unlocked, collapsed configuration for dilating the patient's soft tissue down to tissue to be treated. Dilator tubes are successively released and advanced to progressively expand the patient's soft tissue down to the bone tissue to be treated. The dilator tubes and a guide insert may include spikes for engaging bone tissue. The dilation introducer may include a light emitter disposed in a dilator tube. A telescoping expander sleeve is also provided.

Medical imaging devices may comprise an array of ultrasonic transducer elements. Each transducer element may comprise a substrate having a doped surface creating a highly conducting surface layer, a layer of thermal oxide on the substrate, a layer of silicon nitride on the layer of thermal oxide, a layer of silicon dioxide on the layer of silicon nitride, and a layer of conducting thin film on the layer of silicon dioxide. The layers of silicon dioxide and thermal oxide may sandwich the layer of silicon nitride, and the layer of conducting thin film may be separated from the layer of silicon nitride by the layer of silicon dioxide.

The invention relates to a liquid sensor which can certainly judge the existence of liquid, and a liquid container including the sensor. A liquid sensor 60 in which a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer 47 on both surfaces of which electrodes 46 and 49 are formed is used, and a bottom 43a of a cavity 43 for receiving liquid as a detection object is vibrated. The sensor 60 includes a vibration cavity forming base portion 40 in which the cavity 43 having the vibratable bottom 43a is formed, and a flow path forming base portion 50 laminated on the vibration cavity forming base portion 40. A liquid supply path 53 for supplying the liquid as the detection object to the cavity 43 and a liquid discharge path 54 for discharging the liquid as the detection object from the cavity 43 are formed in the flow path forming base portion 50.

Surgical instruments and techniques are provided for creating a pneumostoma through the chest wall into the lung of a patient. The pneumostomy instruments and techniques may be used to create a pneumostoma which allows gases to escape from the lung through the chest wall and thereby treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Various cryptographic locks for securing assets, secure containers and methods of operating a cryptographic lock. One embodiment of a cryptographic lock includes: (1) a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a first and second phase, wherein the first phase inhibits access to an asset and the second phase allows access to the asset and (2) an RFID transponder, coupled to the SMA, configured to receive an authentication signal from an RFID transceiver and, based thereon, energize the SMA to temporarily change the SMA from the first phase to the second phase.

A device, method, and system are provided for aiding the whitening of teeth. The device includes a mouthpiece suitable for implementing a dental treatment, wherein the mouthpiece includes one or more stock dental cover layers suitable for forming a treatment cavity having a vacuum, wherein the dental cover layers includes a layer over the upper teeth and / or a layer over the lower teeth; and one or more treatment supply layers wherein the treatment supply layer has one or more flow channel in fluid communication with the treatment cavity so that the treatment supply layer can deliver and / or remove one or more treatment fluids from the treatment cavity.

A pneumostoma assessment and treatment system includes methods and devices for aftercare of a pneumostoma and for additional patient care utilizing a pneumostoma. The system utilizes a number of modalities to assess the health and functionality of the pneumostoma, the lungs and / or the patient as a whole. In response to an assessment of the health and functionality of the pneumostoma, lungs and patient, the tissues of pneumostoma may be treated with a treatment device and utilizing one or more different modalities to preserve or enhance the health and function of the pneumostoma and / or treat other conditions of the patient.

An accelerated two-phase surgical procedure is disclosed for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The first phase includes creation of a localized pleurodesis. The localized pleurodesis is created using chemical agents and / or mechanical fasteners to secure the visceral membrane to the pleural membrane. The second phase includes introduction of a surgical instrument into the lung via the pleurodesis to create the pneumostoma. The first and second phases are performed as parts of a single surgical procedure. The formation of a stable pleurodesis is to prevent pneumothorax during the procedure.

A pneumostoma assessment and treatment system includes methods and devices for aftercare of a pneumostoma. In particular, methods and devices are provided for standardized monitoring and assessment of pneumostoma patency thereby facilitating the establishment of standards-based protocols for pneumostoma management. Methods of standardized pneumostoma patency assessment includes the use of devices for raising alveolar pressure to a controlled repeatable pressure above ambient while analyzing gas flow through the pneumostoma. In response to an assessment the functionality of the pneumostoma, the tissues of the pneumostoma may be treated with a treatment device utilizing one or more different modalities to preserve or enhance the health and function of the pneumostoma.

An endoscope device comprises: an endoscope including an insertion portion and a first balloon attached to a distal end of the insertion portion; and an insertion guide that is to be covered on the insertion portion to guide insertion of the insertion portion, the insertion guide comprising a second balloon on its distal end, wherein the insertion portion or the insertion guide is fixed in a body cavity by expanding the first balloon or the second balloon, respectively, wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are substantially equal to each other in friction resistance against the body cavity when they are expanded.

A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter / valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma.

A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma and a pneumostoma aspirator for pneumostoma care. The pneumostoma aspirator includes a bulb or syringe for applying positive or negative pressure, a tube for entering the pneumostoma and a limiting device for limiting the depth of insertion of the tube into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma aspirator may also be used to introduce irrigation fluid into the pneumostoma and / or remove irrigation fluid and discharge from the pneumostoma.

A turbine blade damper-seal assembly includes a seal nested within a damper such that both the seal and damper are disposed to provide sealing between adjacent blade platforms. The seal traverses the seal slot in the damper and seals the gap between adjacent blade platforms for the full axial length of the neck cavity between adjacent blades. The damper is located in an aft most position and includes features to facilitate vibration-dampening performance. The damper also includes features that cause entrapment between blades and therefore avoids the conventionally required protrusions on the blade to retain it in the assembled position.

A system for determination of intraocular pressure includes: an intraocular pressure sensor; a light source illuminating the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and a detector that measures emitted light from the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate member, a spacer member, and a flexible membrane, which define a sealed cavity. The flexible membrane moves in response to intraocular pressure changes. A device for measuring intraocular pressure includes: the sensor; an anchoring member attached to the sensor for immobilizing the sensor in an eye; and a protective member attached to the anchoring member and covering the sensor to prevent contact between the flexible membrane and the eye. A method for determination of intraocular pressure includes: placing the sensor in an eye; illuminating, with a light source, the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and detecting, with a detector, a resultant light that contains information about intraocular pressure.

A continuous forming apparatus for molding foam material into foam products that includes a first endless belt and a second endless belt that cooperates with the first endless belt to mold the foam material. The continuous forming apparatus may also include a first plurality of cleats and a second plurality of cleats opposed to the first plurality of cleats that support the first endless belt and the second endless belt respectively. The first plurality of cleats may include a three-dimensional abutment surface that provides transverse and lateral support to the first endless belt. Additionally, the continuous forming apparatus may include a first frame disposed to support the first plurality of cleats, a second frame disposed to support the second plurality of cleats, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the first endless belt, the second endless belt, the first plurality of cleats, and the second plurality of cleats.

A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter / valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The flange is formed in one piece with the tube.

A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma and a drug delivery device for pneumostoma care. The drug delivery device includes a therapeutic agent dispenser for supplying a therapeutic agent and a propellant at positive pressure, a tube for entering the pneumostoma and a limiting device for limiting the depth of insertion of the tube into a pneumostoma. The drug delivery device may be used to introduce therapeutic agents into the pneumostoma for direct treatment of the pneumostoma, treatment of the lung by way of collateral ventilation, and / or treatment of non-lung tissues by diffusion into the bloodstream.

A door assembly has a first door integrated with a second door. The first door has a first door cowl. The second door is pivotably mounted to the first door and has a second door cowl forming at least a portion of the first door cowl. The door assembly includes at least one actuator coupled to the first and second doors. Each one of the first and second doors is pivotable between open and closed positions and defines an opening when moved to the open position. The openings of the first and second doors face in opposite directions. The actuator is operative to pivotably move at least one of the first and second doors between the open and closed positions.

A housing body is formed with an opening, and a cavity communicated with the opening and into which a mating connector terminal inserted through the opening in a first direction is fitted. An internal terminal is provided in the cavity to be electrically connected to the mating connector terminal fitted into the cavity. A pair of shutter members are disposed outside the cavity such that a part of each of the shutter members is movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, between a first position for concealing a part of the opening and a second position for revealing the part of the opening. An urging member urges each of the shutter members toward the first position, so that the mating connector terminal moves the shutter members toward the second position against an urging force of the urging member when the mating connector terminal is fitted into the cavity.

A continuous forming apparatus for molding foam material into foam products that includes a first endless belt and a second endless belt that cooperates with the first endless belt to mold the foam material. The continuous forming apparatus may also include a first plurality of cleats and a second plurality of cleats opposed to the first plurality of cleats that support the first endless belt and the second endless belt respectively. The first plurality of cleats may include a three-dimensional abutment surface that provides transverse and lateral support to the first endless belt. Additionally, the continuous forming apparatus may include a first frame disposed to support the first plurality of cleats, a second frame disposed to support the second plurality of cleats, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the first endless belt, the second endless belt, the first plurality of cleats, and the second plurality of cleats.

A clip to interconnect primary and secondary bone zones having edges and surfaces, comprising in combination a first tab to extend proximate a surface of the secondary bone zone; a second tab associated with the first tab, and located to extend proximate a surface of the primary bone zone, the second tab having at least one barb oriented to engage the primary bone to resist displacement of the second tab in a longitudinal direction toward the secondary bone zone.

A method and device are provided for simultaneously or near-simultaneously diagnosing and treating tension pneumothorax and / or hemothoraxA Veress-type needle portion includes a hollow needle for puncturing the chest wall over a blunt hollow probe biased by one or more springs to extend distally into the pleural cavity. Openings in the blunt hollow probe connect via a pathway to an automatic check valve, which permits the flow of air and / or fluid only in a proximal direction. Pressure from within the pleural cavity is transmitted to the interior surface of a pressure documenter. If pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is present in the pleural cavity, the pressure documenter will be automatically urged proximally to simultaneously allow air and / or fluid to escape from the pleural space through the device, thus treating the tension pneumothorax and / or hemothorax, as well as providing a stable indicator to positively document the diagnosis of increased pressure.

The invention relates to a liquid sensor which can certainly judge the existence of liquid, and a liquid container including the sensor. The liquid sensor has: a vibration cavity forming base portion 40 having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, in which a cavity 43 for receiving liquid as a detection object is opened at a side of the first surface, and a bottom of the cavity 43 is capable of vibrating; and a piezoelectric element including a first electrode 46 formed at a side of the second surface of the vibration cavity forming base portion, a piezoelectric layer 47 laminated on the first electrode, and a second electrode 49 laminated on the piezoelectric layer. A shape of the cavity 43 in a plan view has a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension.

A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter / valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch comprises of multiple thin layers of materials and which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange includes a filter, a protective outer layer and an inner hydrocolloid layer. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. An indicator responsive to gases exiting the pneumostoma is integrated into the device and provides and external indicia of the patency and efficacy of the pneumostoma.

An assembly structured for concurrent irrigation and aspiration of a nasal cavity including a housing having a supply container disposed therein for the removable retention of irrigating fluid. A nasal applicator comprises first and second passages respectfully structured to deliver irrigating fluid to the nasal cavity and concurrently remove waste fluid therefrom. An activating assembly includes a plunger biased into a continuous pressure applying, dispensing relation to the irrigating fluid and a valve assembly is selectively disposable into an open position facilitating fluid communication between the supply container and the applicator for the delivery of the irrigating fluid therethrough into the nasal cavity. The activating assembly is further structured to create a negative pressure within the chamber which communicates with the second passage of the applicator to facilitate delivery of the waste fluid therefrom along a path of travel to an interior of the chamber.

Surgical instruments and techniques are provided for creating a pneumostoma through the chest wall into the lung of a patient. The pneumostomy instruments and techniques may be used to create a pneumostoma which allows gases to escape from the lung through the chest wall and thereby treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter / valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof.

An absorbent article having a first essentially liquid permeable surface layer (13), a backing layer (14) and, located between said liquid permeable surface layer (13) and said liquid impermeable backing layer (14), an absorbent body (15). The absorbent body has cavities (20) which are essentially cone-shaped and extend at least through part of the absorbent body (15), said cavities (20) having a tip part (21) and a base (22), the tip part (21) being located towards or in the liquid permeable surface layer (13) and the base (22) being located away from the liquid permeable surface layer (13). The inner surface of said cavities (20) is treated with at least one functional substance.