Abstract: A device for positioning a needle in an ultrasound-guided treatment or examination is disclosed. The device may include a main body portion attached to an ultrasound probe, an adjustable arm member attached to the main body member, and a needle mount attached to the arm member. The probe casts an ultrasound beam to identify a target portion of a material. The arm member is adjustable to position a needle attached to the needle mount in a desired position relative to a desired point of entry into the material. The needle mount is adjustable to position the needle at a desired insertion angle into the material. The needle may be inserted into the material to deliver medication in a vicinity of the target portion of the material, or extract fluid or a material sample from the target portion of the material. A system and method employing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an improved heat activated dispenser for releasing a vaporizable material into the ambient atmosphere. The inventive heat activated dispenser is made of a material which imparts excellent thermal insulating properties which control the rate of vaporization and provides a long useful life of the dispenser. Due to the novel use of absorbent compactable materials, such as synthetic silicates, the present invention utilizes no binders and substrates. Rather, the dispenser, according to the present invention, is an integral self-supporting structure. The nature of the absorbent compactable material used, makes the use of a novel method of manufacture especially advantageous. According to the novel method of manufacture, there is provided a compaction apparatus for compacting the absorbent compactable material, such as synthetic silicate, into the integral self-supporting structure of the heat activated dispenser.

Abstract: A heat activated dispenser is disclosed which is suitable for dispensing into the ambient a variety of materials including medicaments, insect repellants, odor maskants, and the like. The dispenser is formed from compacted diatomite shaped to fit around and receive heat from a heat source such as a light bulb. The diatomite is charged with a vaporizable material which is released into the ambient in a gaseous state when heat is applied to the dispenser. A method of dispensing a vapor into an ambient comprising providing a volume of material having a vaporizable material therein and applying heat thereby causing said vaporizable material to be dispensed into the ambient atmosphere.