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 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.

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 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 orthopedic brace having length adjustable supports is provided. The brace comprises upper and lower supports rotatably connected by a hinge. Each of the supports comprises an elongate portion having a channel along part of its length, and a sliding upright that nests within the channel. The upright is incrementally longitudinally translatable within the channel so that the length of the support is adjustable. Flanges are provided along the edges of the channel to prevent lateral separation of the upright from the stationary portion. A spring-biased button protrudes from an upper surface of the channel. The button cooperates with one of a plurality of holes in the upright, providing a positive lock to retain the upright in one of a number of predetermined positions within the channel. The upright is also completely removable from the channel. Removal of the upright from the channel shortens the brace. Straps cooperate with brackets on the supports and / or uprights to secure the brace to a patient's leg.

An orthopedic brace having length adjustable supports is provided. The brace comprises upper and lower supports rotatably connected by a hinge. Each of the supports comprises an elongate portion having a channel along part of its length, and a sliding upright that nests within the channel. The upright is incrementally longitudinally translatable within the channel so that the length of the support is adjustable. Flanges are provided along the edges of the channel to prevent lateral separation of the upright from the stationary portion. A spring-biased button protrudes from an upper surface of the channel. The button cooperates with one of a plurality of holes in the upright, providing a positive lock to retain the upright in one of a number of predetermined positions within the channel. The upright is also completely removable from the channel. Removal of the upright from the channel shortens the brace. Straps cooperate with brackets on the supports and / or uprights to secure the brace to a patient's leg.

A system and method for reducing anxiety of a patient during medical scanning in a medical scanner which may produce significant levels of acoustic noise. A processor or control unit receives a measure of variation in a parameter of the scanner noise during the medical scanning. The processor then generates outputs to audio and video playback units that present an audio-video scenery to the patient during the scanning in accordance with the measure of variation in the parameter of the scanner noise. An image object in the video imagery is linked to the audio signal, so as to distract the patient's attention away from the scanner noise. The audio-video scenery may be switched according to an estimated scanner noise level. An effective distraction of the patient is obtained with a limited audio signal level which is far lower than the scanner noise.

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.

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 has a frame and a cushion supported by the frame. The cushion is configured to sealingly connect the patient interface to the patient's face and form a chamber between the frame and the patient's face. The patient interface also has an inlet port in the frame to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system further includes a flow generator mounted on the patient interface. The flow generator is configured to generate the pressurized flow, capable of creating a pressure of about 2-40 cm H2O in the chamber. A flow generator housing houses the flow generator and is configured to reduce a transmission of vibration and / or noise generated by the flow generator to the patient interface. At least one support arm extends from the flow generator housing to the frame of the patient interface. The at least one support arm is connected to the frame of the patient interface by a soft joint.

A magnetic coil system featuring a multi-layer structure (312a, 312b), a spherical shape, or both allows for efficient generation of a gradient magnetic field that induces an electric field in air in a region proximate to the coil. By subjecting at least a portion of a person's brain to the induced electric field various psychiatric disorders can be treated.

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 analyzes 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.

The application discloses a lancet device (100) that includes a base (102) that supports a lancet (104) and a cover (106). The cover can move controllably from an un-depressed position to a depressed position when a predetermined force is applied. The cover can provide access to the lancet in the depressed position.

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.