Abstract:
A patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user is being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use. The patient-contacting element includes an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas, at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet, and a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user. The air-tight material has at least one opening therein.
Abstract:
A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.
Abstract:
A deflectable device (100) comprising an elongate body (110) and a folded elongate member (120) is configured to change an orientation of the distal portion (114) of the elongate body (110) with respect to the proximal portion (112) of the elongate body (110) upon an electrical current flowing through the folded elongate member (120) causing a change of a length of the folded elongate member (120).
Abstract:
An apparatus structured to contact external tissue, such as skin, of a user includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the external tissue. The contacting portion has an engineered surface (64A, 64B) that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features (70, 74B, 76B, 78B) designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch (P) between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height (H) of each of the surface features (70, 76B) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.
Abstract:
A patient interface device is described for delivering a gas to a patient, the patient interface comprising a fastening means for fastening the patient interface to the user, the fastening means consisting of an element adapted for engaging the user's nose during use, wherein the fastening means is adapted for being fixed to said nose by exerting a pressure on said nose substantially in the width direction of said nose; and associated method.
Abstract:
The present application relates to a device for cutting hair comprising a skin contacting face (3) that is placed against a surface of the skin (6) of a user during use. The device also has an optical system configured to direct a cutting laser beam (8) across a cutting zone (5) parallel to and spaced from said skin contacting face to cut hairs extending into the cutting zone. Also provided is a laser positioning mechanism which is arranged so that, during use of the device, the distance (H1) between said cutting laser beam and said skin contacting face is changed to maintain a predetermined distance between the cutting laser beam and the surface of the skin of a user.
Abstract:
A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.
Abstract:
A seal for a respiratory mask that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell, a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a predetermined pattern. The area of increased surface roughness provides the patient contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize patient comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a detector, a patient interface and a patient interface system comprising this detector, and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to the wearing of a patient interface (12) that is pressing against the skin of the patient (18) for a longer time. With the detector and via the method, the blood flow and/or the occlusion of the blood vessels of the patient (18) are monitored, and the assessed degrees are used as a basis to adjust the patient interface (12) in order to reduce the force pressing against the skin of the patient (18), such that the formation of red marks is prevented.
Abstract:
A patient interface device includes an elastomeric contacting portion that is structured to directly engage the skin of the user. The contacting portion has an engineered surface that includes a plurality of non-random, predesigned surface features designed to reduce friction and improve user comfort. In one implementation, the pitch between each immediately adjacent pair of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum pitch value, and the height of each of the surface features is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum height value.