Abstract:
Automatic patient turning and lifting method, system, and apparatus. An exemplary turning and lifting mattress device discloses herein includes a plurality of left and right inflatable turning bladders, a mattress support structure positioned on the bladders and itself including an outer mattress casing including an inner chamber filled with a plurality of particles, at least one contact surface configured to be in contact with a patient during use, wherein the outer mattress casing is configured to be inflated and evacuated such that the outer mattress casing is capable of being shapeable when inflated, and forms a resilient structure configured to hold its shape when evacuated, and wherein, during use, the at least one contact surface conforms to the shape of a body, the plurality of particles displaced from around the body leaving a depression on the at least one contact surface in the shape of the body.
Abstract:
This invention is an improved padding used by athletes and others to prevent or greatly reduce the instances of injury due to blows to the body. This is accomplished through the utilization of a radial expanding and contracting structure encapsulated in a foam type material.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for treating a stricture in a body lumen. The method comprises (a) sensing pressure being exerted by a treatment device on the stricture, (b) determining if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, (c) if enough force is being exerted on the stricture, timing the application of enough force, (d) determining if too much force is being exerted by the treatment device on the stricture, (e) if too much force is being applied to the stricture, decrementing the force being applied to the stricture, (f) determining if not enough force is being applied to the stricture, (g) if not enough force is being applied to the stricture incrementing the force being applied to the stricture, and (h) repeating (a)-(g) until (i) a desired pressure has been maintained on the tissue for a desired time. The apparatus comprises a device for exerting pressure on the stricture, a controller for controlling the amount of pressure the device exerts on the stricture, and a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure being exerted on the stricture by the device.
Abstract:
A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.
Abstract:
A voice prosthesis comprising a outer cannula and an inner cannula wherein the outer cannula is generally in the shape of a spool and comprises two flanges connected by a hollow annular stem therebetween, and the inner cannula comprises a proximal flange and a stem configured to fit within a passageway of the stem of the outer cannula. The outer cannula comprises a retaining slot on its outer proximal edge which can be used to rotationally secure an obround inner cannula proximal flange. The inner cannula may also comprise windows for use with retaining nubs disposed on the interior of the outer cannula passageway and an insertion tool having a moveable protrusions.
Abstract:
A tracheostoma valve to be applied to a tracheostomized person's neck comprises an air passage to be connected with the tracheostoma for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve member is provided in the air passage, wherein the valve member is normally open and allows for inhalation and exhalation through the air passage. The valve further comprises a manually activated member for establishing an uninterrupted seal to block patient exhalation, thereby to direct it to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.
Abstract:
An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.
Abstract:
An adjustable tracheostoma valve is disclosed. The adjustable tracheostoma valve includes a passageway for connecting the trachea with the surroundings. A valve disk is provided in the passageway. The disk is moveable to allow for inhalation and exhalation through the passageway and is configured to close in response to pressure to direct air to the patient's pharynx, esophagus, sinuses, and mouth for speech following surgical removal of the larynx.
Abstract:
A voice prosthesis to be mounted in a fistula between trachea and esophagus includes an outer cannula and a removable, disposable inner cannula. Both outer and inner cannula are tubular shaped with the inner cannula fitting inside the outer cannula. The inner cannula element with a through passage and a valve mechanism controlling the connection through said passage. A coupling mechanism is provided on the proximal end of the inner cannula to provide easy, releasable attachment of the inner cannula to the outer cannula. The inner cannula is inexpensively constructed and is dimensionally compatible with the outer cannula.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical instrument system may include an instrument configured to puncture the tissue of a patient and detect when the instrument has entered a lumen of the patient's body. The surgical instrument system may include a balloon catheter including a percutaneous dilation balloon and a moveably positionable retainer. The retainer is configured to move relative to the balloon such that upon inflation of the balloon when the balloon is positioned in the opening in the patient's tissue, the retainer engages the patient's tissue to inhibit movement of the balloon catheter.