Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing thermometric reliability are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a temperature module, an analysis module, and a recommendation module. The temperature module is configured to receive an inquiry from the user about a current measured temperature. The current measured temperature is received from a thermometer. The inquiry indicates that the user doubts the current measured temperature. The analysis module is configured to generate a query based on the inquiry and the current measured temperature. The analysis module is also configured to receive an answer in response to the query. The analysis module is further configured to analyze the current measured temperature in an analysis of historical data. The recommendation module is configured to generate a recommendation associated with the inquiry based on the answer and the analysis.

Abstract: An auditory device includes an electronics module, a receiver and a cable connecting the electronics module to the receiver. The electronics module includes an enclosure shaped to be positioned behind an outer portion of either a left ear or a right ear of a user and circuitry within the enclosure. The receiver is configured for being located in either a left or a right ear canal of the user. When inserted into the left ear canal, the receiver occupies a left ear canal insertion position, and when inserted into the right ear canal, the receiver occupies a right ear canal insertion position. The cable and the receiver are shaped and configured such that the receiver is presented in a neutral position when no external force other than gravity is acting upon the receiver, the neutral position being between the left ear canal insertion position and the right ear canal insertion position.

Abstract: An auditory device includes an electronics module, a receiver and a cable connecting the electronics module to the receiver. The electronics module includes an enclosure shaped to be positioned behind an outer portion of either a left ear or a right ear of a user and circuitry within the enclosure. The receiver is configured for being located in either a left or a right ear canal of the user. When inserted into the left ear canal, the receiver occupies a left ear canal insertion position, and when inserted into the right ear canal, the receiver occupies a right ear canal insertion position. The cable and the receiver are shaped and configured such that the receiver is presented in a neutral position when no external force other than gravity is acting upon the receiver, the neutral position being between the left ear canal insertion position and the right ear canal insertion position.

Abstract: A steam inhaler includes a steam chamber housing having mounted therein a heater assembly. The steam chamber housing defines a steam chamber adapted to receive water. A fitting mounted to the steam chamber housing has a steam conduit section extended toward an exterior vent opening, a nozzle conduit section extended from the steam conduit, and a fresh air conduit section extended from the steam conduit section at a location downstream of the nozzle conduit section. The fitting is configured such that steam flows freely from the steam chamber, through the steam conduit section toward the exterior vent opening, a suction provided at the nozzle redirects at least a portion of the steam into the nozzle conduit section toward a mask, and the fresh air conduit directs fresh air into the steam conduit section to reduce a temperature of the steam exiting the exterior vent opening.

Abstract: An auditory device includes an electronics module, a receiver and a cable connecting the electronics module to the receiver. The electronics module includes an enclosure shaped to be positioned behind an outer portion of either a left ear or a right ear of a user and circuitry within the enclosure. The receiver is configured for being located in either a left or a right ear canal of the user. When inserted into the left ear canal, the receiver occupies a left ear canal insertion position, and when inserted into the right ear canal, the receiver occupies a right ear canal insertion position. The cable and the receiver are shaped and configured such that the receiver is presented in a neutral position when no external force other than gravity is acting upon the receiver, the neutral position being between the left ear canal insertion position and the right ear canal insertion position.

Abstract: A device, system and method for monitoring a switchable load operably coupled to a positionable switch. The device including a face plate mountable on the positionable switch, a sensor mounted on the face plate, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the position of the positionable switch and electronics mounted on the face plate and operably coupled to the sensor, wherein the electronics are configured to determine the amount of time the positionable switch has been in a given position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for audio playback, comprising at least two earpieces wherein each of the earpieces include memory configured to store audio content and/or data thereon and a timing device. The two earpieces are configured to asynchronously provide audio playback of the audio content stored in said memory upon or after synchronization and at a rate determined by the timing device to provide acceptably matched audio content.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device, such as a wireless headset that may include a first expanded configuration and a second collapsed configuration. When collapsed the device may be stored and charged in a host device such as a portable laptop computer or cell phone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the storage and recharging of peripheral devices within a computer. In one exemplary embodiment the invention relates to an expandable computer mouse that may be stored and recharged in a port, such as a PCMCIA slot, of a portable computing device.

Abstract: A cleaning implement having a liquid delivery system, includes a handle with first and second ends, a cleaning head member attached to the handle at the first end, and a sprayer nozzle preferably attached to the cleaning head member, independent of the handle, for providing increased directional control of the sprayer nozzle.

Abstract: A new set of surgical instruments is described which provides a movable constraint such that the instruments include a saw guide which may be used in either a constrained or unconstrained fashion. The instruments have a movable restraint which, in the down position provides a continuous surface with the remainder of the instrument for guiding a saw, and when in the up position provides a constrained slot for guiding the saw of a surgeon in making cuts in prosthesis implantation surgery.