177results about How to "Minimize discomfort" patented technology

The invention relates to analyte monitoring / drug (pharmaceutical agent) delivery device. The invention is suited for monitoring various blood constituents such as glucose. The device has a housing that at least partially encloses a plurality of microneedles disposed on a carrier and an electronics portion. Each microneedle is in fluid communication with a corresponding microchannel. Each microneedle is individually addressable. That is, each microneedle can be extended and retracted individually via an actuator. The electronics portion includes a processor and associated circuitry (e.g., memory, supporting electronics and the like), a motor or the like, a sensor, a power supply (e.g., battery) and optionally an interface. In general, the processor controls the operation of the device and is data communication with the actuator, motor, sensor and interface. The invention provides for autonomous operation, that is, without intervention of the user. The invention can optionally provide for calibration without intervention of the user. The invention can also provide for semi-continuous monitoring for day and night time. The invention can provide for up to four, or more, weeks of operation. The invention can provide for a device that is relative small in size, and therefore unobtrusive. The invention can also provide for device with remote control and interactive electronics. The invention may be also used for the delivery of various pharmaceutical agents including high potency drugs to minimize patient intervention and minimize discomfort.

An instrument for precisely cutting tissue to controlled dimensions (length, width, depth, and shape) is provided for the removal of tissue specimens from remote sites in the body of a patient, such as from the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, or vascular structures, or any tissue surface or soft tissue of the body. The instrument has a housing and a substantially flexible shaft extending from the housing to a distal end. The distal end of the instrument has an open cavity into which tissue is receivable. Suction can be communicated along the shaft to the distal end for distribution across the cavity utilizing a manifold having a grated tissue engaging surface with opening(s) for applying the suction, thereby pulling tissue adjacent to the distal end into the cavity against the tissue engaging surface of the manifold. One or more hollow needles are extendable from the housing through the shaft into the cavity to enable infusion of fluid, such as saline or a hemostatic agent, into the tissue. A blade in the distal end is extendable through the cavity over the manifold and across the opening to cut the tissue held by suction and stabilized by the needles in the cavity. The shape and depth of the tissue removed by the cuts is in accordance with the contour of the tissue engaging surface and the size and shape of the cavity at the distal end. The tissue so removed by the instrument may be for therapeutic intervention and / or represent a tissue specimen for biopsy suitable of diagnostic evaluation. The tissue edges in the patient's body left after cutting with this instrument readily avail themselves to apposition for enhanced healing.

A guide device is provided that can interact with a number of sleeves of a tooth template. The guide device can include a handle part, a support part, and a guide part. The handle part can include first and second parts. The first part can be connectable to the second part, and the second part can include a space having a variable size. The variable size of the space can be determined by the position of the first part relative to the second part. The supporting part can be sized and configured to engage the space of the handle for allowing selective positioning of the supporting part relative to the handle part. The guide part can be connectable to the supporting part with the guide part being operative to align a tool for use in the dental treatment.

A combination cushion, carry device, and garment apparatus for use as a protective weather resistant garment, blanket, pillow, seat cushion, and transport device. The apparatus has, among other elements, a planar member, a hood, a right sleeve, a left sleeve, a waistband retainer, a carrying system, and a pouch. The sleeves are attached to the apparatus with sleeve attachment devices that allow for a broad range of motion while minimizing the loss of coverage associated with traditional ponchos. The entire apparatus may be folded, rolled, or bunched, for storage and transport in the pouch. The carrying system is attached to the planar member and serves dual functions. The carrying system acts both as a convenient adjustable method of carrying the apparatus during transport and as a method of adjustably securing the apparatus to the body when worn as a garment.

A device for promoting the healing of a topical stress crack in a predetermined skin portion of the body. The device comprising a first means engageable with a skin portion of the body for drawing such stress crack together. A screen member disposed intermediate with the skin crack and first means for maintaining closure of such skin crack. A medical adhesive engageable with a screen member as a means for sealing the stress crack together.

Disclosed is a medical device that operates as a supporting splint for the limbs and other body parts necessary for the treatment of a variety of medical and surgical conditions. Said device is an inflatable, flexible, lightweight water-resistant splint whose measure of rigidity is easily controlled by the fitter or user. According to the present invention there are several embodiments of the splint, each suited to fit a different body part such as the limbs, torso, chest, pelvis, and neck. Said device, which is constructed of inflatable tubes, is made of two nylon layers welded together and coated with polyurethane. The tubes may be inflated by any means of supplying air pressure. The present invention is especially designed to allow normal blood circulation to the treated body part, provide ventilation to the area, enable easy inspection of an injury, and allow partial movement of the treated part.

A soft contact debridement tip for use with hand-held wound debridement devices. The soft contact debridement tip of the present invention provides concurrent irrigation and suction to the area to be debrided. The soft contact debridement tip includes a foam end having an opening for providing irrigation and suction to the area to be debrided. Advantageously, the foam end of the present invention facilitates the removal of excess fluid at the debridement site, and at the same time alleviates pain and discomfort associated with wound debridement. The soft contact tip of the present invention is adapted for single use, and is easily attached and detached from a hand-held debridement device.

A system and method are disclosed for the provision of assisted breathing by the delivery of a controlled pressurized airflow to the pulmonary airway of a user with breathing disorders. The system comprises a source of compressed respiratory gas (112), a user interface unit (115) including at least one Venturi device (120) and a thin flexible tubing (116) connecting between the source of high pressure gas (112) and the Venturi device. The system and method provide a regulated and controlled flow of air to the user (105) in accordance with the user needs. The invention further discloses a novel small light-weight user interface for replacing prior art breathing masks.

A device for closing and promoting the healing of a skin laceration in a predetermined skin portion of the body. The device comprising a first means engageable with a skin portion of the body for drawing such laceration together. A screen member disposed intermediate with the skin laceration and first means for maintaining closure of such skin laceration. A medical adhesive engageable with a screen member as a means for sealing the skin laceration together.

A method and apparatus for stimulating a muscle of a subject are provided. The apparatus comprises a signal generator for generating an electrical pulse signal of a frequency and a current amplitude for inducing contractions in the muscle, and an electrode apparatus for applying the signal to nerves associated with the muscle to be stimulated or adjacent the muscle of the subject for stimulating the muscle. The frequency and current amplitude of the electrical pulse signal are selected so as to maximize the bulk of the muscle being subjected to the contractions so as to generate a shivering phenomenon therein.

Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described herein related to a virtual monitor display technique for augmented reality environments targeted at allowing a user of a display-enabled computing device to substitute their conventional hardware-realized display screen with a virtualized display screen of equal or better usability characteristics than the hardware-realized device. A virtual screen is rendered via a micro display in an augmented reality environment to a human user wearing a see through head mountable device. The system architecture makes use of liquid lens technology in order to adjust the relative position of the display as well as the focal distance by optical means only thereby ensuring that the virtual screen is rendered at the maximum resolution of the micro display at all times. The system architecture also comprises an occlusion matrix thereby ensuring that the virtual screen is free of ghosting. The system is configured in such a way that a display auto-hide function is triggered whenever certain threshold parameters are exceeded. The virtual monitor display technique described herein has been designed with the aim of reducing the effects simulator sickness during prolonged use of the virtual display.

This invention relates to an automatic or semi-automatic bladder relief and hydration system, designed to increase sanitation and comfort for users that require disposal of urine and hydration in the absence of sanitary facilities or potable fluids. This invention incorporates an inflatable urine collection means that may be deflated after use. A dual chambered back pack stores urine and potable fluid and / or liquid food. This invention incorporates disposable batteries integrated into a disposable urine storage bag. The disposable urine storage bag has a cleaning fluid chamber with a directional valve and pump system that automatically rinses and sanitizes the pump, hoses, collection means and the user with cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid chamber. The disposable urine storage bag also contains absorbent polymer crystals capable of absorbing the urine as it is deposited in the bag during use.

An apparatus for controlling the movement of an animal using an integral collar and self-retracting leash apparatus. According to the invention, an elastomeric cord is attached to a strap, which is adapted to be secured around the neck of an animal. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap encloses the fixed end of the elastomeric cord, which is attached to an anchor located near the first end of the strap. The cord extends from the anchor in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strap and passes around about 180° of a pulley or spool located near the second end of the strap. The cord then extends from the pulley in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strap to an opening located near the first end of the strap. The free end of the cord passes through the opening in the strap. A handle is attached to the free end of the cord to prevent the free end from retracting through the opening into the enclosed area of the strap and to allow the user to easily grasp the cord to control the movement of the animal.

Disclosed is a pain relief composition comprising an effective amount of a nerve inhibiting component, including capsaicin, a capsaicinoid or a capsaicin analogue, which numbs or inhibits the nerve endings that signal pain, in combination with at least one of the following: an effective amount of an inflammation control component which is designed to reduce immediate pain and discourage future pain in the joints and muscles; an effective amount of a cooling component; an effective amount of a heat minimizing or blocking component; an effective amount of a circulation increasing component which effectuates better penetration of the actives to the skin and nerves; and an effective amount of a soothing and anti-inflammatory complex for the joints and / or muscles comprising Glucosamine sulfate or HCl, Zingiber officiniale (Ginger Root) extract, Methyl sulfonylmethane (MSM), Polygonum cuspidatum (Mexican Bamboo) extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf, and Salix alba (white willow) bark extract. Additionally, the composition includes an encapsulation or entrapment system for a timed release delivery.