Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A feeding transition system for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding includes at least one no-flow nipple and at least one flow nipple. The no-flow nipple has a fully enclosed tip portion such that no fluid can flow directly from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The flow nipple is formed of a no-flow nipple having an aperture formed in the tip portion for flowing fluid from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The system includes a bolus delivery nipple formed of a no-flow nipple including a bolus delivery conduit disposed in the nipple cavity and in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid. The bolus delivery conduit includes a conduit outlet attached to the nipple wall to output a bolus of fluid from the tip portion of the bolus delivery nipple via the outlet. A method for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A portable pill dispenser is disclosed herein. The portable pill dispenser includes a container configured to house at least one pill therein. The container is attachable to a housing, which comprises a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism, a ramp, and a control panel are disposed within the housing. The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense the at least one pill from the container to the dispensing opening. The ramp is configured to direct the at least one pill to the dispensing mechanism. A verification mechanism is disposed about the housing. The verification mechanism is configured to activate the dispensing mechanism. The control panel is in electrical communication with the dispensing mechanism and the verification mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A feeding transition system for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding includes at least one no-flow nipple and at least one flow nipple. The no-flow nipple has a fully enclosed tip portion such that no fluid can flow directly from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The flow nipple is formed of a no-flow nipple having an aperture formed in the tip portion for flowing fluid from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The system includes a bolus delivery nipple formed of a no-flow nipple including a bolus delivery conduit disposed in the nipple cavity and in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid. The bolus delivery conduit includes a conduit outlet attached to the nipple wall to output a bolus of fluid from the tip portion of the bolus delivery nipple via the outlet. A method for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a disposable tubing joint connector system which connects a tubing set and an endoscope. The connector embodiments disclosed herein include dual o-ring seals, in two separate channels, that enable an efficient and leak proof connection between two ports of an endoscope and corresponding flexible tubing.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a disposable tubing joint connector system which connects a tubing set and an endoscope. The connector embodiments disclosed herein include dual o-ring seals, in two separate channels, that enable an efficient and leak proof connection between two ports of an endoscope and corresponding flexible tubing.

Abstract: A portable pill dispenser is disclosed herein. The portable pill dispenser includes a container configured to house at least one pill therein. The container is attachable to a housing, which comprises a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism, a ramp, and a control panel are disposed within the housing. The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense the at least one pill from the container to the dispensing opening. The ramp is configured to direct the at least one pill to the dispensing mechanism. A verification mechanism is disposed about the housing. The verification mechanism is configured to activate the dispensing mechanism. The control panel is in electrical communication with the dispensing mechanism and the verification mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a disposable tubing joint connector system which connects a tubing set and an endoscope. The connector embodiments disclosed herein include dual o-ring seals, in two separate channels, that enable an efficient and leak proof connection between two ports of an endoscope and corresponding flexible tubing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-forming prosthetic device. The present invention is further directed to a method of making the self-forming prosthetic device. In addition, the present invention is directed to a new bra for use with a prosthetic device in the form of a breast prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-forming partial breast prosthesis suitable for use with partial mastectomies. The present invention is further directed to a method of making the self-forming partial breast prosthesis.

Abstract: An attachable two-chamber breast prosthesis includes two volumes of silicone materials that have different degrees of softness. The prosthesis includes three pieces of polyurethane film (a front film, a middle film, and a rear film) that form a front chamber and rear chamber. The periphery of the front chamber is smaller than the periphery of the rear chamber. The rear chamber, which contains the firmer silicone material, extends to the peripheral edge of the prosthesis. The front chamber, which contains the softer silicone material, does not extend all the way to the peripheral edge along the upper region of the prosthesis. By increasing the thickness of the rear chamber along a boomerang-shaped region defined by the peripheries of the front and rear chambers, the firmer silicone material in the rear chamber provides the prosthesis with proper support and reduces the tendency of the prosthesis to pull away from the skin along the top edge of the prosthesis.