6187 results about "Skin surfaces" patented technology

The invention relates to a preparation method and an application of multistage-spreading heat-dissipation fire-proof heat-insulation composite fabric. The multistage-spreading heat-dissipation fire-proof heat-insulation composite fabric is formed by successively arranging and laminating a metal foil reflection layer, a phase change temperature limitation layer, an interval composite membrane heat-insulation layer and a flame-retardant comfortable layer, wherein the metal foil reflection layer has high reflectivity and an enhanced heat-dissipation function; the phase change temperature limitation layer has functions of high energy consumption absorption and evenly-distributed heat conduction; the interval composite membrane heat-insulation layer has the functions of reflection insulation and even distribution of heat; and the flame-retardant comfortable layer has the functions of low-contact heat conduction, heat insulation and comfort. When the front side of the multistage-spreading heat-dissipation fire-proof heat-insulation composite fabric is under the action of open fire and strong heat flow environment, the back side of the multistage-spreading heat-dissipation fire-proof heat-insulation composite fabric can be kept below 50DEG C which is near the safe temperature state of the human skin, and the integral structural form and the mechanical property are stable. The natural thickness of the composite fabric is 5-15mm, the compression thickness of the composite fabric is 3-8mm, and the square meter quality of the composite fabric is 400-1500g/m<2>. The composite fabric is fire-proof heat-insulation material which is totally sealed, stuck and sewn and can be used for individual protection and environment heat insulation in special high-temperature occasions, such as fire control, military, exploration, safe escape and industry and the like.

Method and apparatus for obtaining a sample of blood from a patient for subsequent diagnostic tests, e.g., glucose monitoring. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of:

• • (a) placing a blood collection device over a region on the surface of the skin from which said sample is to be obtained,
  • (b) forming a seal between said blood collection device and said surface of the skin,
  • (c) creating a vacuum sufficient to result in said surface of the skin becoming stretched and engorged with blood,
  • (d) triggering a lancing assembly and causing a lancet to penetrate said skin,
  • (e) retracting said lancet,
  • (f) withdrawing blood toward and onto a fluid collector, and
  • (g) releasing the vacuum.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for carrying out the method described previously is provided. The apparatus comprises:

• • (a) a housing having a sealable chamber located therein and a sealable opening in fluid communication with said sealable chamber,
  • (b) a power source,
  • (c) a vacuum pump operably connected to said power source, said vacuum pump in communication with said sealable chamber,
  • (d) a lancing assembly positioned within said housing, said lancing assembly capable of moving a lancet towards said sealable opening, and
  • (e) a fluid collector positioned in said sealable chamber, said fluid collector in fluid communication with said sealable opening.

A gesture recognition apparatus for recognizing postures or gestures of an object person based on images of the object person captured by cameras. The gesture recognition apparatus includes: a face/fingertip position detection means which detects a face position and a fingertip position of the object person in three-dimensional space based on contour information and human skin region information of the object person to be produced by the images captured; and a posture/gesture recognition means which operates to detect changes of the fingertip position by a predetermined method, to process the detected results by a previously stored method, to determine a posture or a gesture of the object person, and to recognize a posture or a gesture of the object person.

Described are devices, methods, and kits for non-invasively measuring glucose. In general, the devices comprise skin patches for placement on a skin surface and measurement devices for measuring glucose collected in the patches. The patches may include an adhesive material, a collection layer, an interface layer, and a sweat-permeable membrane. The sweat-permeable membrane is configured to act as a barrier to epidermal contaminants and glucose brought to the skin surface via diffusion. In this way, non-correlatable skin surface glucose will not be measured. The patches may further include components to induce a local sweat response. The measurement device typically includes a display, a processor, and a measurement mechanism. The methods typically include the steps of wiping the skin surface with a wipe containing at least one solvent for removing glucose, placing a patch on a skin surface, and measuring glucose collected in the patch. Kits comprising the patch and measurement device are also described.

Patch-type physiological monitoring apparatus, system and network are disclosed. The patch-type physiological monitoring apparatus includes at least a node, and at least a patch for attaching to a skin surface of a user and for supporting the node on the skin surface through joining therewith, wherein the node includes at least a signal I/O port for externally connecting to at least a sensor or electrode through a connecting wire so as to acquire a physiological signal, and a RF module for transmitting and receiving signal. The apparatus according to the present invention is of light weight and compact size and easily attached to human body through adhesive patches. Through a RF module, the system can wirelessly communicate with corresponding devices without additional wiring. Further, the system can utilize conventional electrodes, patch electrodes and electrode wiring to avoid extra cost for facilities' renewal and replacement.

Microneedle devices and methods of use thereof are provided for the enhanced transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue by improving the interaction of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to (1) limit the elasticity, (2) adapt to the elasticity, (3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or (4) any combination of these methods. In preferred embodiments for limiting the elasticity of skin, the microneedle device includes features suitable for stretching, pulling, or pinching the skin to present a more rigid, less deformable, surface in the area to which the microneedles are applied (i.e. penetrate). In a preferred embodiments for adapting the device to the elasticity of skin, the device comprising one or more extensions interposed between the substrate and the base end of at least a portion of the microneedles.

The invention provides methods and apparatuses for the treatment of adipose tissue. The methods comprise application of ultrasound energy to a region of adipose tissue, and the apparatuses comprise at least one source of ultrasound energy configured to direct ultrasound energy through a skin surface into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In one embodiment, a pressure gradient is created in the region generating relative movement between fat cell constituents having different densities. In another embodiment, a protrusion of skin and underlying adipose tissue containing is formed and ultrasound energy is radiated into the adipose tissue in the protrusion. In another embodiment, an RF electric field is generated inside a region of adipose tissue together with the ultrasound energy.

I have discovered cosmetic or topical pharmaceutical compositions for external body part or organ slimming, firming, cellulite reduction, fat-reduction, and obesity control benefits that are in synergistic combination with benefits for the treatment of skin aging, skin wrinkles reduction, skin exfoliating, treatment of acne, treatment of rosacea, age-spots reduction, skin surface whitening, skin surface brightening striae distensae (stretch marks) reduction, treatment of pimples, treatment of skin infections and lesions, spider veins reduction, blood microcirculation (venous insufficiency) improvement, UVA/UVB protection of skin, and skin redness reduction. These compositions thus provide multiple combinations of skin and external body part or organ enhancement benefits that can be selective and specific for external body parts and organs such as face, chin, cheeks, arms, "love handles" in abdomen area, eye lids and eye zone, neck, breasts, thighs, and hips. These compositions include a body beneficial composition selected from certain nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical ingredients, a composition to promote collagen and elastin synthesis in the skin, and a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system.

A hearing-aid device and a method for transmitting sound through bone conduction are disclosed. The hearing-aid device comprises a piezoelectric-type actuator, housing and connector. The piezoelectric actuator is preferably a circular flextensional-type actuator mounted along its peripheral edge in a specifically designed circular structure of the housing. During operation, the bone-conduction transducer is placed against the mastoid area behind the ear of the patient. When the device is energized with an alternating electrical voltage, it flexes back and forth like a circular membrane sustained along its periphery and thus, vibrates as a consequence of the inverse piezoelectric effect. Due to the specific and unique designs proposed, these vibrations are directly transferred trough the human skin to the bone structure (the skull) and provide a means for the sound to be transmitted for patients with hearing malfunctions. The housing acts as a holder for the actuators, as a pre-stress application platform, and as a mass which tailors the frequency spectrum of the device. The apparatus exhibits a performance with a very flat response in the frequency spectrum 200 Hz to 10 kHz, which is a greater spectrum range than any other prior art devices disclosed for bone-conduction transduction which are typically limited to less than 4 kHz.

A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a casing which is pressed against a skin surface to produce a seal therewith. A cocking mechanism is pulled rearwardly to place a lancing device in a cocked state. By releasing a trigger, the lancing device is driven forward to produce an incision in the skin, and then is retracted out of the incision. A plunger mounted on the cocking mechanism is then retracted to generate a negative pressure at the front end of the casing to draw body fluid from the incision.

A packaging system and method which provides at least one tray or nest, having a number of wells and ribs to position and secure a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device having one or more patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir assembly within the device and upon which a disk, or Belleville spring assembly applies an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents. The device further provides for the release of one or more spring-loaded patient needles a patient's skin surface to establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents.

The human body is decorated with highly detailed, multicolored, personalized designs using Wirejet(TM) or electronically controlled ink ejection or similar printing technology. The designs are applied to the epidermal and upper dermal skin layers and last for at least several weeks. The decoration is produced by a print head comprising Wirejet(TM) nozzles, which spray biocompatible inks or dyes onto the skin. The Wirejet(TM) may be connected to a scanning mechanism to scan in one, two, or three directions. The decorations can be applied to contoured skin surfaces following flattening against a screen of intersecting wires, by robotic arm, or using z-axis technology. A computer stores the desired design and controls the firing of the Wirejet(TM) to produce the desired decoration or tattoo.

A hand held device generates a predetermined number of pulses of electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined electromagnetic spectrum, a predetermined duration, a predetermined inter-pulse interval, and a predetermined total energy. The pulse sequence is delivered to a skin surface to reduce or eliminate Xray or ultraviolet radiation damage to the skin surface.

An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.

One or more reflectance modifying agent (RMA) such as a pigmented cosmetic agent is applied selectively and precisely with a controlled spray to human skin according to local skin reflectance or texture attributes. One embodiment uses digital control based on the analysis of a camera images. Another embodiment, utilizes a calibrated scanning device comprising a plurality of LEDs and photodiode sensors to correct reflectance readings to compensate for device distance and orientation relative to the skin. Ranges of desired RMA application parameters of high luminance RMA, selectively applied to middle spatial frequency features, at low opacity or application density are each be significantly different from conventional cosmetic practice. The ranges are complementary and the use of all three techniques in combination provides a surprisingly effective result which preserves natural beauty while applying a minimum amount of cosmetic agent.

Topically applicable pharmaceutical/dermatological/cosmetic compositions well suited for the therapeutic treatment or care of sensitive human skin, hair, mucous membranes, nails and/or the scalp, in particular for reducing or avoiding the skin-irritant side effects of a variety of bioactive agents, for example the alpha -hydroxy acids, comprise a therapeutically/cosmetically effective amount of at least one calcitonin gene related peptide ("CGRP") antagonist, e.g., CGRP 8-37 or an anti-CGRP antibody.

A laser depilator comprising a unit for removing hairs from the skin, a light source for irradiating laser light, and a lens for irradiating the skin with the laser light irradiated from the light source while deforming the beam shape so as to conform to the shape of a region of the skin from which hairs are removed by the hair removing unit. Since removal of hairs shielding the laser light and irradiation of laser light for damaging hair roots can be carried out continuously, efficiency of depilation treatment can be enhanced. Furthermore, depilation can be carried out effectively through a simple arrangement because a shaved skin surface can be irradiated with laser light over a relatively wide range using a lens.

A pad assembly according to the invention is used for mounting a current generator for applying a therapeutic electrical current to an area of human skin. Such an assembly includes a pad comprising a thin, flexible, stretchable plastic film that conforms to human skin, which pad has electrical paths printed on an underside thereof with electrically conductive ink. Each of the paths include a terminal and a conductive contact for connection to a current generator. A pair of layers of an electrically conductive adhesive such as a hydrogel are disposed over the terminals at spaced positions for conducting electrical current to human skin underlying the terminals. A fixture secured to the pad is configured for mounting the current generator a manner effective to conduct current from the current generator to the terminals of the pad.

A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are housed in a penetrating member housing. Each of penetrating member is configured to be coupled to the drive force generator. A plurality of analyte sensors are housed in an analyte sensor housing. Each analyte sensor is associated with a penetrating member. The analyte sensor housing is in a surrounding relationship to the penetrating member housing and positioned to provide that upon launch of a penetrating member, and penetration of a penetrating member at a skin surface, blood flows into the analyte sensor.