37results about How to "Increase patient comfort" patented technology

The ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy interfaces a ventilation device to the patient's airways. The ventilation interface includes a pair of nasal inserts made from flexible, resilient silicone which are oval shaped in cross-section and slightly tapered from a base proximal the ventilation supply to the distal tip end. A bead flange is disposed about the exterior of each insert at the distal end of the insert. In one embodiment, a valve is disposed between the nasal inserts and a source of positive airway pressure, the valve having a rim with a one-way diaphragm pivotally attached to the valve body with an inflatable bladder depending from the rim which seals against an exit port during inspiration and deflates to uncover the exit port on expiration. Another embodiment has nasal inserts without positive airway pressure but with a removable filter in the inserts for filtering inspired air.

A system for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface configured to contact the patient's head. The patient interface includes a frame, a cushion supported by the frame and configured to sealingly connect the patient interface to the patient's face and form a chamber between the frame and the wearer's face, and an inlet port in the frame to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas. A flow generator is configured to generate the pressurized flow and is capable of creating a pressure of about 2-40 cm H20 in the chamber. A flow generator housing is provided to house the flow generator. The flow generator housing is mounted on the patient interface and configured to reduce the transmission of vibration and / or noise generated by the flow generator to the patient interface.

In accordance with the invention, there are provided medical devices for providing a fluid passage between two areas in the body. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a stent comprising a tubular member comprising a distal transition region and a proximal transition region adapted to provide the ability for the stent to accommodate the dynamic urinary tract anatomy that stretches and relaxes. The distal transition region and the proximal transition region is adapted to exhibit a physical property that provides both longitudinal elasticity, allowing for stretch and recoil, as well as radial elasticity, allowing for bending and recovery.

Airflow restriction systems are described herein which may be used to treat various disorders by creating expiratory positive airway pressure while providing for patient comfort regardless of the patient's anatomical variances. Such a device may be removably secured externally over the patient's nose rather than within the nasal passages to increase patient comfort. The restriction device may be secured, e.g., via an adhesive, to the patient and actuated via any number of mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms. Moreover, the restriction device may include one or more sensors to detect the patient's respiration activity such that the device may be actuated to correspond to the patient's exhalation and squeeze or otherwise constrict the nasal passages at least partially by pressing against the exterior surface of the nose to restrict the expiratory airflow.

The invention features methods for preventing platelet activation and aggregation and for treating individuals suffering from conditions or undergoing procedures that may result in unwanted platelet aggregation. The methods are based on the intravenous, subcutaneous, or transdermal administration of a platelet activation or aggregation inhibitor, e.g., xemilofiban, followed by oral administration of the same or a different platelet activation or aggregation inhibitor. The treatment may commence prior to a medical or surgical procedure or after the outbreak of an adverse medical condition, either of which results in the activation of platelets that may lead to thrombus formation, and may continue thereafter.

A patient restraint member is provided for medical procedures, such as radiation therapy. The restraint member is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material that can be softened upon heating so as to be formable into a shape corresponding to a patient's body part to be restricted and setting upon cooling to retain the shape. The sheet includes spaced apart groups of perforations which minimize shrinkage during the formation process. The sheet also includes solid bands extending between the groups of perforation to provide rigidity and strength to the formed sheet.

A lancer device that enables a user to draw blood from a patient and discard the used lancet without touching it. The device also has an adjustable tip for selecting the depth of stylet penetration into the patient and a triggering mechanism that utilizes a yoke latch and a leaf spring to discharge the lancet. The lancer also has a dampening feature to reduce vibrations when the lancet is moving.

Medical transport system for lifting and moving heavyweight patients, said system comprising an articulated pallet (i.e. bed) which stays with the patient for the duration of treatment and a Movable, variable height lifting mechanism for receiving or depositing said pallet from or to the ground, a bed or an operating table. Said system further comprising means to easily move the lifted pallet from one place to another.

A surgical binder undergarment system and method are disclosed which are designed to prevent skin chafing / irritation on patients recovering from abdominal / thoracic / back surgery and who must wear a surgical binder to prevent post-surgical injury to patient muscle and skin tissue because of incisions necessitated by the surgical procedure. The present invention is generally constructed of a seamless tubular fabric optimally comprising a fabric weave of 50% cotton and 50% polyester that is latex free and stretches over the abdomen / thorax of the patient to form a flexible protective low friction interface between the patient's skin and the surrounding surgical binder. Use of the present invention permits the surgical binder to remain clean with a corresponding reduction in incision infections and increase in overall patient comfort during post-operative recovery.

A biopsy device, comprising a flexible coaxial structure, comprising an obturator within a sheath, the obturator being adapted to be displaced with respect to the sheath along the coaxial axis by a force applied at a proximal end; a disruptor, at a distal end of the obturator, adapted to disrupt a tissue surface to free cells therefrom, having a first position covered within the sheath and a second position freely extending beyond the sheath; an element, having a fixed position on the obturator, and a close clearance with respect town inner surface of the sheath, such that a retraction of the obturator within the sheath causes an associated change in pressure in a space between the obturator distal to the element and the sheath, to thereby draw fluid proximate to an end of the sheath within the sheath.

A microfluidic exosome profiling platform integrating exosome isolation and targeted proteomic analysis is disclosed. This platform is capable of quantitative exosomal biomarker profiling directly from plasma samples with markedly enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Identification of distinct subpopulation of patient-derived exosomes is demonstrated by probing surface proteins and multiparameter analyses of intravesicular biomarkers in the selected subpopulation. The expression of IGF-1R and its phosphorylation level in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient plasma is assessed as a non-invasive alternative to the conventional biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Detection of ovarian cancer also is assessed. The microfluidic chip, which may be fabricated of a glass substrate and a layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane), includes a serpentine microchannel to mix a fluid and a microchamber for the collection and detection of exosomes.

An extendable airflow restriction system is described herein which may be used to treat various disorders by creating expiratory positive airway pressure while providing for patient comfort regardless of the patient's anatomical variances. Such a device may be removably secured within the patient's mouth and may include an extendable member which may project to urge the patient's upper lip towards the nostrils to restrict airflow. Moreover, the restriction device may include one or more sensors to detect the patient's respiration activity such that the device may be actuated to correspond to the patient's exhalation.

A method, signal processor, device, and system for estimating a parametric or functional image 47 mapping a biological process on the basis of a limited or incomplete sequence of biological process images 40 recorded as a function of time, e.g. by a PET or SPECT scanner after injection of a radio tracer. One or more kinetic parameters 43 are first extracted by applying a pharmacokinetic model 42 (compartmental model of the underlying tracer kinetics) to the sequence of biological process images 40. Additional data 41 are used in the model, comprising at least a predetermined kinetic parameter range (e.g. from the literature), and optionally an input function or a blood clearance function. Next, an iterative algorithm 44 is applied to arrive at a modified sequence of images 45, e.g. by inserting an estimated image into the incomplete sequence of images, utilizing the one or more kinetic parameters 43. After a stop criterion has been fulfilled, the resulting image 47 is finally estimated 46 from the modified sequence of images 45. The method can be used e.g. to estimate a hypoxia parameter k3 image in the case of a FMISO data set where only late-time images are available. The method may be implemented as part of existing PET, SPECT, CT, MR or Ultrasound scanner software, and since only a limited amount of late time post injection images are necessary to provide a reliable result, the method helps to increase patient comfort and clinical throughput.

An inflatable dental tray for creating a dental impression. The tray is inflated for retention of an impression material that solidifies after a dental structure has been impressed therein. The inflatable tray can be configured for various inflation methods and in various shapes to form full or partial impressions. In one aspect of the invention the tray is inflated with impression material that flows from apertures forming a buildup. In another embodiment, the inflatable tray has a rigid support. Various additional inventive aspects include an exterior filled inflated tray and fill tubes that provide for proper mixing of impression material.

An adhesive dressing comprises a substrate formed by an apertured removal layer embedded within an adhesive layer, wherein the removal layer facilitates easy and atraumatic removal of the dressing from a patient's skin. The removal layer may takes the form of an open net-like material that may extend beyond one or more edges of the adhesive layer for grasping with the fingers, attaching auxiliary devices, or other purposes.

A microfluidic exosome profiling platform integrating exosome isolation and targeted proteomic analysis is disclosed. This platform is capable of quantitative exosomal biomarker profiling directly from 30 μL plasma samples within approximately 100 minutes with markedly enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Identification of distinct subpopulation of patient-derived exosomes is demonstrated by probing surface proteins and multiparameter analyses of intravesicular biomarkers in the selected subpopulation. The expression of IGF-1R and its phosphorylation level in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient plasma is assessed, as a non-invasive alternative to the conventional biopsy and immunohistochemistry. The microfluidic chip, which may be fabricated of a glass substrate and a layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane), can include a first capture chamber, a second capture chamber, a serpentine microchannel, a first microchannel, a second microchannel, a sample inlet, a buffer inlet, a bead inlet, at least a first connector channel, and a reagent inlet.

Methods and Apparatus are disclosed by which a stream of air, under the facile control of the patient, is created and directly impinged upon a selected body located through a yieldable discharge tube of variable length to improve patient comfort. The direction of the stream may be readily changed from time-to-time by the patient, above or below the bed covers. The temperature of the stream may be ambient, above ambient and below ambient, as desired. The air flow generator is completely safe, even when placed on the bed contiguous with the patient.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus to protect a limb having a wound or condition requiring dryness from moisture. The method of applying a protective covering for a wound or condition requiring dryness comprising the steps of positioning a waterproof polyester fabric sock around an appendage having a gasket secured to an open end of the sock for sealing the sock to an appendage.

The present invention relates to urinals for use by the bedridden. The anti-spill urinal of the present invention includes a flexible tube for improved contact with the patient. The present invention may also include a rounded lip for improved contact with the patient. The urinal of the present invention may include a substantially closed vessel having a bottom wall, side walls, and a top wall with an opening in the top wall of the vessel in combination with a tube in fluid connection with the opening. Preferably, the tube has a number of flexible sections, separated by a number of rigid sections to increase patient comfort and reduce spills. The present invention may also include an extensible section at the distal end of the tube and a graduated section formed in a sidewall of the vessel for measuring the volume of fluid within the vessel.

Dental prosthesis to be fixed on implants (103) is arranged in a dental arch (100), completely or partially edentulous. The prosthesis (1) includes a primary structure (200) which is configured to be screwed on the implants (103) of the dental arch (100) and which has primary inserts (410, 420, 430, 440); and a secondary structure (300) which is configured to support a reproduction (104) of the teeth and of the gum of the dental arch (100) and which has secondary inserts (510, 520, 530, 540). The primary inserts (410, 420, 430, 440) and the secondary inserts (510, 520, 530, 540) are configured to work in collaboration and allow the coupling of the secondary structure (300) on the primary structure (200) through a vestibular insertion.