634 results about "Preventing injury" patented technology

A device and method for dilating a Eustachian tube of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a guide catheter and a balloon dilation catheter. The balloon dilation catheter has an actuator that prevents injury to the middle ear. The balloon dilation catheter is slidably coupled with the guide catheter through the guide catheter lumen and is fully inserted into the guide catheter lumen when the distal side of the actuator is adjacent to the proximal end of the guide catheter. The method involves advancing the guide catheter and balloon dilation catheter through a nasal passage of the patient to dilate a portion of the Eustachian tube.

The present invention includes a device and a method for preventing injury of the esophagus during thermal ablation of the left atrium. The device has an esophageal probe with a balloon tip for insertion into the esophagus of a patient. During usage, coolant passes into the esophageal probe and then fills its balloon. The coolant, when circulating through the balloon and an external cooling machine, protects the esophageal tissue in contact with the esophageal probe from thermal damage during ablation of the posterior wall of the left atrium of the heart, or other procedure.

The present invention provides a method of post-conditioning reperfusion of an organ or tissue injured by ischemia. Also provided is a method of treating a myocardial infarction in a subject to prevent injury to the heart following reperfusion of the heart.

A method and apparatus for testing a football helmet utilizes a weighted pendulum arm to impart an impact force upon the helmet. Linear head acceleration and rotational head acceleration caused by the impact force is measured and a Head Impact Power Index is computed and used as a standard to judge the ability and effectiveness of the football helmet in preventing injury to a football player.

A mechanism for detachably mounting an earpiece having a receiver and an acoustic tube to any one of a variety of hearing aids includes using an adhesive and a clip attached to the acoustic tube to adhere the clip and thus the earpiece to a surface of the hearing aid, so that an open end of the acoustic tube is near an acoustic aperture of the hearing aid and can thus provide an acoustic sound signal to a microphone within the hearing aid. Alternatively, the clip can be provided with a magnet and a ferric plate can be fixed to a surface of the hearing aid, so that magnetic forces between the magnet and the ferric plate will attach the earpiece and the hearing aid together. The magnet and the ferric plate can be chosen so that the earpiece will separate from the hearing aid when a relative force between the earpiece and the hearing aid exceeds a predetermined threshold, thus preventing injury to a user wearing the hearing aid and the earpiece.

Devices and methods for translumenal access are provided. In one embodiment, a device for translumenal access includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough. A tissue-penetrating wire can extend through the lumen, and in use the wire can be selectively movable between a retracted position where the wire is in a constrained configuration within the lumen and an extended position in which a portion of the wire extends a distance beyond a distal end of the elongate member. The portion of wire which extends the distance beyond the distal end of the elongate member can be adapted to assume a non-linear unconstrained configuration to prevent injury to the tissue and/or tissue structures adjacent to the tissue.

The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient's mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.

A multi-functional portable electro-medical device that is capable of providing muscle stimulation and interferential current stimulation. The multi-functional portable electro-medical device includes a multitude of safety features which are designed to prevent injury to the user while at the same time to ensure that the portable power electro-medical device is easy to use. The portable electro-medical device can be programmed to impart any combination of wave therapy to the patient.

A surgical device and method for endoscopic surgical procedures capable of preventing injuries to internal organs during insertion. The surgical device can include one or more of the following: a multiple system of sharp blade edges or a single blade, a mechanical tissue protection device that includes a series of thin plastic guards sliding along the sides of the planar knives and having an angle between their edges smaller than that of the cutting knife edges, one or more fixed conical deflectors to expand the cut tissue passage leaving the guards to contact tissue contact only at their tips, an insufflation passage configured to transport fluid into the body cavity during penetration, a locking system for the guards that prevents accidental reuse of the cutting features, and/or an ergonomic design which facilitates handling.

A spring-loaded shelf for an existing beverage cooler, which obviates the need for a user to reach more deeply within the confines of the cooler for a beverage as the contents of the cooler become depleted. The spring-loaded shelf has a base, a platform pivotally attached to the base by two scissor-type linkages, and a lifting mechanism for selectively and automatically raising the platform with respect to the base upon the scissor-type linkages, as the weight of the beverages placed upon the platform gradually decreases. Use of the spring-loaded shelf prevents injury to the user while retrieving a beverage from the cooler, and also provides for increased accessibility and visibility of the contents of the cooler.

Life-threatening hepatotoxicity in the setting of acetaminophen overdose is due to depletion of glutathione (GSH), a vital cysteine-containing tripeptide that protects cells and organs against oxidant injury. Rapid administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which provides the cysteine necessary to replenish the depleted GSH, is the standard of care for preventing injury in acetaminophen overdose. Beneficial effects of NAC treatment have also been demonstrated in respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and infectious and other diseases. In fact, over fifty randomized placebo-controlled trials conducted in diverse clinical settings document positive responses to NAC treatment. The present invention relates to cysteine/glutathione (GSH) deficiency as a previously unrecognized clinical entity that can complicate the course of commonly encountered diseases and methods of treatment of this generalized deficiency involving administering N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative to a subject in need thereof and monitoring the subjects appropriate glutathione blood levels as needed.

Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable airbag for use in vehicles. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in controlling the trajectory of the airbag cushion during deployment. More specifically, the methods and patterns of the invention may be used to deploy an overhead airbag cushion forward and downward along a windshield to place a portion of the airbag cushion rapidly in front of a vehicle occupant before the cushion has the opportunity to inflate significantly in a longitudinal direction to provide support and deceleration to a vehicle occupant. These methods result in airbag deployment which may prevent injury to out-of-position vehicle occupants.

Gesture Interface Robot auto measure work zone to establish virtual puzzle cell locate in user gesture comfortable area where easy moving hands gesture to push out select virtual keys, prevent injury. Robot drawing virtual keyboard images graphic that display each puzzle cell command, and video vision sensing detect user's hand location that on its virtual keyboard in the workspace zone. Special unique gesture hand sings design for enhances hand control virtual key selections. Push hand z dimension distant divide into 3 select zones. Real-time display highlight selected key graphic image to visual indicate for user to see. Using UIRT cable sending IR signal remote control computer, machine. Instantly generate virtual puzzle cell keyboard or controller that user selected. Introduce new gesture interface method, a Touch Screen Mouse combine with Puzzle Cell virtual keys in sandwich layers gesture zones method for operate computer keys and mouse operations, robot.

A portable muscle stimulator with removable data storage card is disclosed in which the removable data storage card is secured within the power muscle stimulator on specially designed rail guides which prevent the removable data storage card from being inserted to the power muscle stimulator incorrectly and which ensure that the power muscle stimulator is secured in a removable fashion within the power muscle stimulator. The portable muscle stimulator include a multitude of safety features which are designed to prevent injury to the user while at the same time to ensure that the portable power muscle stimulator is easy to use.

A vaporizer comprising a mouthpiece and battery. The mouthpiece preferably includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a small distance and providing an air pathway through the length of the mouthpiece, and a cooling liquid surrounding a portion of the lower chamber. Electrically connected to the battery is a pan that includes a heating element that heats the top surface of the pan to a desired temperature for vaporizing, but not combusting, a substance desired to be inhaled. A pan protector, made of an insulating material, surrounds the sides of the pan to prevent injury to a user. The vaporizer further includes a controller for ensuring that the pan is heated only to a pre-selected temperature sufficient to vaporize, but not combust, the chosen substance.

A method of treating a wound or preventing injury to a region susceptible to injury comprising the steps of placing a pair of electrodes placed spaced apart in the region of a wound and applying a predetermined sequence of current waveforms across the electrodes. The sequence of current waveforms comprises a first waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 80 to 300 μA, having a frequency in a range from 0.5 to 1.5 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 333 to 1000 ms, a second waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 20 to 60 μA, having a frequency in a range from 2 to 4 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 125 to 250 ms and a third waveform comprising a series of current pulses having an amplitude in a range of from 250 to 640 μA, having a frequency in a range of from 80 to 120 pulses per second and a pulse width in a range from 4 to 6 ms.

Self-glowing phosphorescent blends comprises of silicates, phosphate, and their compounds with aluminates (e.g. alumino-silicates and alumino-phosphate) phosphors are disclosed. These blends can be optically charged by exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources, and are able to emit visible light for hours in darkness without the need of electricity or consumption of materials. Such optical charging-discharging cycles can be repeated at least 1000 times. These blends can be used to form many commercial products and used in many applications such as: self-glowing paints or coating blends, self-glowing adhesive tapes, self-glowing foils, self-glowing glues and sealants, self-glowing ceramic glazes, self-glowing writing and printing inks, self-glowing papers and stickers, self-glowing textiles and cloth, self-glowing glasses, and self-glowing plastic composites. The “self-glowing” refers to the ability to emit visible light or photon, without simultaneously being externally excited, or consumption of energy (like lamps) or materials (like candle) at the same time. These self-glowing blends or composites can glow in the darkness without consuming electricity and can be utilized in the following applications:

• • 1. Self-glowing marking, labeling, decoration, film coating, and paintings on the body of bicycles, automobiles, ships, and aircrafts. Such utility will display the contour, the location, and color of the subject's body at night or in darkness with the benefits of decoration and safety of traveling.
  • 2. Self-glowing marking, labeling, decoration, film coating, and paintings on the walls, the swimming pools, stairs, steps, and other outstanding objects inside or outside of a building. Beside apparent decoration utility in the darkness, they can also show the contour or locations of the objects in the darkness to avoid injury related liability.
  • 3. Low-level lighting source, i.e. “Electric less” lamps. By applying the blend on artificial lamp surfaces, they can self-glow in the darkness for hours after lamp is turned off. When lamp is back on, they can be optically excited and charged up, while shifting the lamp color to longer wavelength and warmer appearance.
  • 4. The blends can be utilized in many other special self-glowing products to save electricity and pollution and prevent safety hazards in darkness. For example, self-glowing paper and ink will allow people to write in the darkness without need for lamps. Self-glowing paint, tapes, ceramic glaze, and labels will allow people to act in the darkness without the need for electric lamps. Self-glowing glass and plastic articles will decorate or display at night without need for electric lamps. Besides conserving electricity and environment, self-glowing products may be used to direct traffic and prevent injury associated with power outage or electric lamps failure. These products also provide convenient safety measures in products such as self-glowing textiles that pedestrian and bicyclists can wear at night, without the need for electric lamps.

A vehicle safety system for preventing injury or death to persons or animals at risk of exposure to extreme temperatures within the vehicle. The system determines when a temperature within a vehicle is greater than or less than predetermined temperatures and also detects movement within the vehicle. As a result of a temperature being determined to be critical and movement being detected within a vehicle, certain responsive measures are automatically taken to alert the owner/operator and/or would-be rescuers of the potentially injurious situation present within the vehicle and/or to assist in a possible rescue.

A track device includes a first track, a second track slidably received in the first track, a stop member fixed on the first track, a limiting member pivotally mounted to the second track and including two cams for respectively releasably engaging with two stops of the stop member, and a connecting rod mounted on the second track. When a user manually operates the connecting rod to move the limiting member from the latching position to the unlatching position, a safety element on the limiting member comes in contact with one of the stops of the stop member when the second track is moved from the extended position into the first track and when the connecting rod is pulled, thereby preventing injury to the user's fingers that grasp the connecting rod.

Refrigerator which permits the user to taking out food conveniently by moving up a container therein, and in which panels are provided on opposite sides of the container to pivot when the container moves in the vertical direction, for preventing injury to the user at the time the container moves up/down.

A detachable tray of the type usually pivotally attached to the seat back of a conventional airliner includes a layer of threat-resistant material for precluding penetration of a projectile from a firearm or sharp edged or sharp pointed weapon and serves in the manner of a shield to prevent injury to a person's shielded body parts. Where the economics of manufactur permit, the whole tray may be made of threat-resistant material. One or more handles or straps may be disposed on the bottom side of the tray to facilitate manipulation in positioning the tray to render it most effective to ward off an attack.