1001 results about "Environmental health" patented technology

The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises one or more microheaters. In various embodiments, the microheaters provide for improved control of vaporization of an aerosol precursor composition and provide for reduced power requirements to achieve consistent aerosolization. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.

A phonopneumograph system for analyzing breath sounds includes a plurality of breath related sensors placed around the respiratory system of a patient for measuring breath related activity and a breath analyzer. The breath analyzer matches the breath sound data produced by the breath related sensors to a plurality of breath sound templates each of which parametrize one type of breath sound and determines the presence of regular and/or adventitious breath sounds only when the breath sound data matches, within predetermined goodness of fit criteria, one or more of the breath sound templates.

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

Devices, cartridges, and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein a device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract, while reducing Hoffman analytes and mutagenic compounds delivered to the user as compared to a common tobacco cigarette.

A smokeless cigarette that provides for the dispensation of vitamins to the user by way of a vitamin infused cartridge whereby a liquid mixture of vitamins and/or botanicals are injected into a liquid supplying bottle within the nicotine cartridge for inhalation and absorption by the user.

The present invention provides systems and methods for analyzing glucose present in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). In certain embodiments of the invention, electrochemical- or coulometric-based sensing technologies are used to analyze EBC for the presence and/or concentration of glucose.

The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring therapeutic drug concentration in blood by detecting markers, such as odors, upon exhalation by a patient after the drug is taken, wherein such markers result either directly from the drug itself or from an additive combined with the drug. In the case of olfactory markers, the invention preferably utilizes electronic sensor technology, such as the commercial devices referred to as “artificial” or “electronic” noses or tongues, to non-invasively monitor drug levels in blood. The invention further includes a reporting system capable of tracking drug concentrations in blood (remote or proximate locations) and providing the necessary alerts with regarding to ineffective or toxic drug dosages in a patient.

A method and system for monitoring and/or controlling a glycemic state of a subject, comprising a housing device having one or more chambers, extendable and retractable sensors, extendable and retractable catheters, insulin reservoir, neuroprotective agent reservoir, release mechanism for releasing insulin and neuroprotective agent into the subject, and a control mechanism with a processor for receiving and analyzing outputs from the sensors and for controlling the release mechanism, a clock mechanism for providing logging and/or circadian information to the processor, an internal analysis chamber, a byproduct storage chamber, a sampling mechanism, a transfer mechanism, a self-sealing membrane, a calibration chamber, a replacement sensor chamber, a prevention mechanism to prevent deposition of unwanted substances on a sensor or catheter, a removal mechanism to remove unwanted substances from a sensor or catheter, a warning mechanism, a real-time clock and non-volatile memory to store and log information processed by the processor, a failure detection mechanism, and wired and/or wireless communication linkages both internally and externally.

The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring endogenous compound concentration in blood by detecting markers, such as odors, upon exhalation by a patient, wherein such markers are the endogenous compound itself or result from the endogenous compound. In the case of olfactory markers, the invention preferably utilizes electronic sensor technology, such as the commercial devices referred to as “artificial” or “electronic” noses or tongues, to non-invasively monitor endogenous compound levels in blood. The invention further includes a reporting system capable of tracking endogenous compound concentrations in blood (remote or proximate locations) and providing the necessary alerts with regard to emergent or harmful conditions in a patient.

A system for determining a risk of pressure ulcer onset on a subject being in contact with a supporting-surface, the system comprising: an arrangement of sensors, located at predetermined locations between the supporting-surface and the subject; and a data processor for receiving and processing data sensed by the sensors; the sensors and the data processor being designed and programmed for determining the risk of pressure ulcer onset on the subject being in contact with the supporting-surface.

In order to use a commercially available cigarette or cigar as it is, vaporize nicotine from the tobacco leaves, and enable inhalation of the vaporized nicotine without burning the product, a non-combustion smoking tool comprises a slender heater 1 having a sharp end which is directly inserted into a commercially available cigarette or cigar 100 to directly heat the leaves of the cigarette or cigar by the heater so as to vaporize nicotine contained in the tobacco leaves and enable inhalation of the vaporized nicotine.

A method and composition to help persons reduce or quit smoking is disclosed, employing raw tobacco leaves, or tobacco fluid extract, or food grade tobacco like flavor and aroma, and Antioxidants, with or without and SAMe and caffeine. All ingredients can be in a micro-powdered or liquid form, for buccal administration. The composition can be in a tablet or capsule that is intended to be slowly sucked and dissolved in the mouth, and that delivers the nicotine, caffeine or SAMe, proved to be effective in alleviating smoking withdrawal symptoms. The composition can also be embedded inside a soft squeezable plastic cigarette for simulated smoking, providing additional periodic doses of nicotine, caffeine and SAMe to satisfy cravings for cigarettes.

A nicotine delivery reduction system includes an electronic cigarette having a breath monitor and a flow controller. The breath monitor detects user breath characteristics such as breath duration, rate, depth, and strength and adjusts the amount of nicotine delivered to the user based on user breath characteristics. In particular examples, if the user is breathing with more urgency, additional nicotine is delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system also includes an interface to allow implementation of different reduction programs based on personal preferences and characteristics. If the user is breathing normally, the flow controller gradually reduces the level of nicotine delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system maintains user breath characteristics over time to allow reduction and possible elimination of nicotine dependence. Neuro-response data including electroencephalography (EEG) can be obtained and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of a nicotine reduction program.

The present invention provides several smoking and tobacco use cessation devices and methods which entirely eliminate the requirement of ignition and burning of substances which emit harmful substances and vapors while simultaneously providing therapeutically efficacious amounts of nicotine and/or nicotine substitutes, and optionally tobacco aroma and taste and/or other undesirable habit inhibiting compounds and antagonists and other desirable orally ingestible substances.

A health monitoring and management device, system, and/or method can include a sensor adapted to detect changes in one or more health indicators and transmit data related to the health indicators. The system can further include an interventional element adapted to receive a health intervention command and provide a health intervention related to the health indicators. The system can further include a microprocessor adapted to receive and analyze the health indicator data transmitted by the sensor, formulate the health intervention command related to the health indicator data according to pre-determined parameters, and transmit the health intervention command to the interventional element. The health intervention command can be transmitted to the interventional element within a clinically relevant time period.

A patient is diagnosed and a regimen of treatment is prescribed in a system which tests the patients, receives test results from a patient, including DNA test results. A database of human genome data correlating human health disorder with DNA genetic tests is accessed. A database of environmental factors which correlate known human health disorders with environmental conditions is accessed. Risk factors including genetic risk and environmental risk are developed, and from these, a composite risk factor is developed. This is used to access a database of prescribed drug therapy.

The alkane profile (FIGS. 12-14) comprising the alveolar gradients of n-alkane in breath having 4 carbons to 20 carbons, and the methyl alkane profile (FIGS. 30-34) are determined for the diagnosis of disease in mammals, including humans.

The present invention relates to a visual indicating device and an article for controlling odors, in particular foot, garbage, basement, cooking, pet, tobacco, feces and urine odors. The article comprises a visual indicating agent that is color sensitive to the odor, and optionally, an odor absorbing agent. The visual indicating agent changes color when the article has been exposed to a sufficient amount of odor to saturate the article. The indicating agent may be applied in differing concentrations to two or more zones so as to indicate to a user of the article how much of the odor absorbing capacity has been used, or conversely, how much of the odor absorbing capacity remains. Suitable visual indicating agents that change color in response to odors are also described. The article for controlling odors may be a disposable odor absorbing sheet, air freshening product, diaper, undergarment pad, face mask, air filtration device, sanitary napkin, tampon, panty shield or incontinence pad.

The alkane profile, comprising the alveolar gradients of n-alkanes in breath having 4 to 20 carbons, is determined for the diagnosis of disease in mammals, including humans.

A method of providing bolus dosage recommendations for diabetics includes presenting a plurality of representative foods to a user. The user's response to estimate a carbohydrate value for each one of the plurality of representative foods is received. An input is then received from the user indicating a food to be consumed and an estimated carbohydrate value for the food to be consumed. A bolus dosage recommendation is calculated based on the input from the user and the user's response to estimate the carbohydrate value for at least one of the plurality of representative foods.

A system is disclosed for monitoring a property of an ingested or in-taken drug, food, drink or toxic substance, non-invasively or minimally invasively, which can also identify the subject person being monitored, if desired. The system comprises: a means of labeling the substance with a labeling media to have a useful signature indicative of, or bearing a relation to the property; a means to allow the signature to be read non-invasively or minimally invasively; and a means to identify, in any manner, who is being monitored.

The present invention relates to a low cost and portable system and method for detecting substances related to oral health. In one example embodiment, the system includes a sensor that is incorporated into an oral healthcare device (e.g., a toothbrush). The sensor detects bacterial and/or chemical levels that are within a mouth in order to provide an indication as to the presence of oral malodor and/or bacteria within the mouth.

The present invention provides novel methods for monitoring subject adherence in taking prescribed drugs by detecting markers in exhaled breath after a subject takes the prescribed drug. In particular, the present invention provides novel methods for making additives that are combined with the drug(s). Upon biological breakdown of the drug/additive formulation in a subject's body, markers resulting directly from the biological breakdown of the additives are detected in exhaled breath using sensor technology. In certain embodiments of the invention, the drug adherence monitoring systems and methods include a reporting system capable of tracking subject compliance (either remotely or proximately) and of providing necessary alerts to the subject, caregiver, healthcare provider, and the like.