Abstract: An infant feeder has a handle with a proximally extending tongue and a pouch assembly for fitting over the tongue. The tongue has first and second axially spaced apart detenting structures. In a first configuration, a pouch assembly detenting structure is engaged with the first tongue detenting structure. In order to achieve a second configuration, a predetermined axial force is applied to the pouch assembly relative to the handle, so as to disengage the pouch assembly detenting structure from the first tongue detenting structure, slide the pouch assembly distally down a sidewall of the tongue and engage the second tongue detenting structure. This decreases the size of the food volume bounded by the pouch assembly and the tongue, and proximally displaces any food contained therein.

Abstract: A body pillow has an elongate body formed around an axis. An outer cover of the pillow includes a stretchy circumferential band of material disposed around the axis and to be spaced from either end of the pillow. Ends of first and second inner pillows are disposed near or under the circumferential band. The user may helically twist the body of the pillow around the axis at the circumferential band. Doing so separates the inner pillows and increases their firmness. An inner side of the outer cover may be made of a stretchy fabric that conforms to the body of the user, while outer side may be composed mostly of nonstretch material to retain the pillows' shape. The twisted and nontwisted configurations of the pillow make it an effective sleeping aid for expecting mothers during different stages of their pregnancies.

Abstract: A nursing pillow has three cushionable inserts of at least two different firmnesses. The user may install or remove any of the inserts through an opening in the outer shell of the pillow. A thermal therapy pocket is joined to an inner panel of the outer shell of the pillow, and is oriented vertically so as to face the torso of the mother.

Abstract: An infant bathing system has a sling for receiving the body of an infant and a tub into which the sling is installed. A second panel of the sling has a first end that is joined to a second end of a first panel. A third panel has leg holes for the infant and a first end that is joined to the second end of the first panel and to the first end of the second panel. A bar connected to the second end of the third panel is adapted to span the tub and to be installed in channels in the tub walls. In one use configuration, the second panel is positioned above the third panel and occludes the leg holes in the third panel. In another use configuration, the third panel is positioned above the second panel and allows use of the leg holes.

Abstract: A potty training system includes a base, a platform, a basin and a topper. In a first configuration, the platform is installed on top of the base, the basin is supported by its support flange on the platform so as to occupy a central hole of the platform, and the topper is installed on top of the platform and basin. The platform, basin and topper are keyed to each other. An inner surface of a basin pour spout intentionally is spaced from an outer surface of a downwardly depending topper ring. Instead of keying to the inner surface of the basin pour spout, the topper has a downwardly extending blade that is received in a blade receptacle spaced from an inner margin of the platform. In a second configuration, the base is inverted and used as a step, the basin and platform are not used and the topper is placed to span an adult toilet seat.

Abstract: An intravaginal conception assistance device for collecting and presenting ejaculate relatively close to a cervix. The device has a cup part for collecting the ejaculate present in a vaginal canal and presenting it relatively close to the cervix upon moving through the vaginal canal towards the cervix. The cup part is substantially invertible. The cup part can be brought from a first, substantially non-inverted state into a second, substantially inverted state in which the cup part has been folded substantially inside out. As a result, insertion of the cup part into the vaginal canal can be facilitated.

Abstract: A urine collection cup has a collapsible sidewall with a plurality of living hinges, such that the height of the cup in its collapsed configuration is much reduced. To reconfigure the collection cup into a use configuration, the user grasps a protruding bottom flange of the cup and pulls the flange downward and away from the cup's top rim. The cup may be part of a system that also includes a stick or strip for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in the urine. An end of the stick may abut a ridge in the cup floor when the urine is being sampled. The top rim of the cup has opposed notches across which the stick or strip may be placed while undergoing a visual change.

Abstract: A multihead grooming and cleaning tool, particularly for infants, has an elongate handle with two opposed slots. A tool body is housed in each respective slot and rotates around a tool body axis. In a first use configuration, a first tool head is deployed beyond the end of the handle while a second tool head is shrouded by the handle. In a second use configuration, the opposite is the case. Detenting structure in the slot coacts with detenting structure on the tool body to detent the tool body to the first or the second use configuration.

Abstract: An infant bathing system has a sling for receiving the body of an infant and a tub into which the sling is installed. A second panel of the sling has a first end that is joined to a second end of a first panel. A third panel has leg holes for the infant and a first end that is joined to the second end of the first panel and to the first end of the second panel. A bar connected to the second end of the third panel is adapted to span the tub and to be installed in channels in the tub walls. In one use configuration, the second panel is positioned above the third panel and occludes the leg holes in the third panel. In another use configuration, the third panel is positioned above the second panel and allows use of the leg holes.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer has at least first and second use configurations. In moving from one use configuration to another, probe arm swings about an axis that is located closer to one end of an elongate thermometer body than it is to the other end. In one of the configurations, a portion of the length of the probe arm is received within a channel in the body. One end of the body has an electric lamp that may be turned on and off by a switch. A switch button is located in the bottom of the channel. A user may press against the side of the probe arm which in turn will press against the switch button, thereby taming the lamp on or off.

Abstract: One or more biting elements of a teething system are cooled to below ambient temperature, while a handle of the teething system is left at ambient temperature. One of the biting elements is selected by the caregiver and is inserted into a receptacle in the handle. As assembled, a cooled teething surface on the biting element is exposed so that a baby may bite it, but at the same time the baby's hands are insulated by the handle from contacting the cooled biting element.

Abstract: A body pillow has an elongate body formed around an axis. An outer cover of the pillow includes a stretchy circumferential band of material disposed around the axis and to be spaced from either end of the pillow. Ends of first and second inner pillows are disposed near or under the circumferential band. The user may helically twist the body of the pillow around the axis at the circumferential band. Doing so separates the inner pillows and increases their firmness. An inner side of the outer cover may be made of a stretchy fabric that conforms to the body of the user, while outer side may be composed mostly of nonstretch material to retain the pillows' shape. The twisted and nontwisted configurations of the pillow make it an effective sleeping aid for expecting mothers during different stages of their pregnancies.

Abstract: A nursing pillow has three cushionable inserts of at least two different firmnesses. The user may install or remove any of the inserts through an opening in the outer shell of the pillow. A thermal therapy pocket is joined to an inner panel of the outer shell of the pillow, and is oriented vertically so as to face the torso of the mother.

Abstract: One or more biting elements of a teething system are cooled to below ambient temperature, while a handle of the teething system is left at ambient temperature. One of the biting elements is selected by the caregiver and is inserted into a receptacle in the handle. As assembled, a cooled teething surface on the biting element is exposed so that a baby may bite it, but at the same time the baby's hands are insulated by the handle from contacting the cooled biting element.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer has at least first and second use configurations. In moving from one use configuration to another, probe arm swings about an axis that is located closer to one end of an elongate thermometer body than it is to the other end. In one of the configurations, a portion of the length of the probe arm is received within a channel in the body. One end of the body has an electric lamp that may be turned on and off by a switch. A switch button is located in the bottom of the channel.

Abstract: A multi-configuration electronic thermometer operates in any of a plurality of modes, including a rectal mode, an underarm mode and an oral mode. A probe arm swings about an axis that is located closer to one end of an elongate thermometer body than it is to the other end. In a first, rectal configuration, only a limited length of the probe arm extends beyond a front end of the thermometer body. In a second configuration, the probe arm is swung to a position such that its free end is farther from a second end of the body than it was from the first end while in the first configuration. The probe arm is spring-loaded to lock to a user-selected one of the configurations and is torsionally biased to the more compact, first configuration. Different sensing algorithms are used depending on the mode selected.

Abstract: A multihead grooming and cleaning tool, particularly for infants, has an elongate handle with two opposed slots. A tool body is housed in each respective slot and rotates around a tool body axis. In a first use configuration, a first tool head is deployed beyond the end of the handle while a second tool head is shrouded by the handle. In a second use configuration, the opposite is the case. Detenting structure in the slot coacts with detenting structure on the tool body to detent the tool body to the first or the second use configuration.

Abstract: A multi-configuration electronic thermometer operates in any of a plurality of modes, including a rectal mode, an underarm mode and an oral mode. A probe arm swings about an axis that is located closer to one end of an elongate thermometer body than it is to the other end. In a first, rectal configuration, only a limited length of the probe arm extends beyond a front end of the thermometer body. In a second configuration, the probe arm is swung to a position such that its free end is farther from a second end of the body than it was from the first end while in the first configuration. The probe am is spring-loaded to lock to a user-selected one of the configurations and is torsionally biased to the more compact, first configuration. Different sensing algorithms are used depending on the mode selected.

Abstract: Methods and devices for orally administering fluids and medical instrumentation to individuals for the promotion of health are disclosed. An apparatus is described comprising a cartridge including a cartridge body defining a reservoir and a cartridge spout extending proximally from the cartridge body and terminating at an aperture. A cartridge seal is attached to a proximal tip of the cartridge spout, wherein the cartridge seal hermetically seals the liquid within the cartridge, and wherein the cartridge seal is detachable from the proximal tip of the cartridge spout and permanently coupled to the cartridge at a location distal to the cartridge spout. A proximal cartridge seal portion is positioned proximal to the location of permanent coupling and is moveable away from the cartridge aperture once the cartridge seal is detached from the proximal tip of the cartridge spout.