Abstract: An apparatus arranged to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material is described. The apparatus has a heating assembly including a heating cavity arranged to receive at least a portion of an article including aerosolizable material. The apparatus also has a heating element arranged to provide heat to the heating cavity, the heating element including a heat pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged to heat aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is described. The apparatus has a heating zone to receive at least a portion of an article that includes aerosolizable material. The apparatus also has a magnetic field generator including a helical inductor coil to generate a varying magnetic field. The helical inductor coil defines an inductor zone within the inductor coil. The apparatus also has an elongate heating element which is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field and arranged to heat the heating zone. The elongate heating element extends between the heating zone and the inductor zone.

Abstract: Improved entity identification is provided. Reference data sourced from various data sources may be used to more accurately identify an individual to improve the ability for multiple transaction processing systems to more effectively match identities for the transmission, receipt, and linking of data records. Accordingly, various enterprises are enabled to communicate about a particular entity without each enterprise having the same identifier or having the same, accurate entity demographic information.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical clement adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomy of a patient in preparation of a medical procedure. A system can have transducers defining a grid to collect data about the target anatomy. A user interface (22014) can be disposed on area of the system to visualize the target anatomy. The visualization can include a virtual representation (22016) formed by an imager processor based on the data collected by the transducers. The method can include positioning the visualization device at an orientation where the transducers face the target anatomy. The method can further include adjusting the position of the visualization device to a target anatomy displayed on the virtual representation. The method can further include directing a medical instrument towards a target displayed on the virtual representation.

Abstract: Improvements to the process of providing patient assistance to conform with prescribed courses of treatment are provided. Providing assistance based on patient-specific data is implemented via an assistance analyzer communicated with a processing clearinghouse, and the process of determining how to assist the patients in adhering to their courses of treatment at the time the prescription is filled, without the patient engaging in a separate process to apply for a discount. By applying the present disclosure, existing systems improve their sensitivity to patient need when providing time sensitive information, and may be configured to use fewer processing resources than before; improving the functionality of the systems themselves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for visualizing a target anatomy of a patient in preparation of a medical procedure. The device can include a pad having a conductive material. The pad can include an engaging element that can engage the conductive material to a medical imaging device. The method can include attaching the gel pad to a visualization device. The gel pad can contact the patient. The method can further include viewing the target anatomy using the visualization device. The visualization device can include transducers to collect data on the target anatomy and a user interface to visualize the target anatomy. A medical instrument can be directed into the gel pad and towards the target anatomy. A device can be provided to manage pain during the procedure. The device may include a stimulating element to decrease pain experienced by the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomical site of a patient using one or more imagers. The method can include placing multiple imagers on multiple locations at an anatomical site. The method can further include generating separate image data sets from the multiple images and combining the image data sets to generate a volumetric imaging data of the anatomical site. The volumetric imaging data can include all anatomical features within the target anatomical site. A visualization system for medical imaging can include transducers on the imagers to visualize the target anatomical site. The system can further include a processor to combine the image data sets to generate the volumetric imaging data set. The system can further include a display device to display the volumetric imaging data set.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inserting a needle and a method for cannulation of a blood vessel. The apparatus can include a targeting assembly to identify a target location and an insertion path for the needle. The apparatus can further include a frame and insertion assembly to hold and place the needle. A user interface can be provided to provide feedback to an operator. The apparatus can include an adjustable band that engages a body portion of the patient. The method can include placing and securing the frame to the body portion. The method can further include locating the target location and inserting the needle through a target area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for visualizing a target anatomy of a patient in preparation of a medical procedure. The method can include providing a visualization device (400?) that probes the target anatomy and provides a display to the operator. The method can include positioning the visualization device at a location near the target anatomy. The method can further include directing a medical instrument towards a target trajectory displayed on the visualization device. The visualization device can have a body that defines two surface areas. The visualization device can include transducers along one surface area of the device to capture the target anatomy. A user interface (420?) can be disposed on another surface area of the device. The display can include parallax for adjusting the visualization.

Abstract: Improved entity identification is provided. Reference data sourced from various data sources may be used to more accurately identify an individual to improve the ability for multiple transaction processing systems to more effectively match identities for the transmission, receipt, and linking of data records. Accordingly, various enterprises are enabled to communicate about a particular entity without each enterprise having the same identifier or having the same, accurate entity demographic information.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical clement adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: Improvements to the process of providing patient assistance to conform with prescribed courses of treatment are provided. Providing assistance based on patient-specific data is implemented via an assistance analyzer communicated with a processing clearinghouse, and the process of determining how to assist the patients in adhering to their courses of treatment at the time the prescription is filled, without the patient engaging in a separate process to apply for a discount. By applying the present disclosure, existing systems improve their sensitivity to patient need when providing time sensitive information, and may be configured to use fewer processing resources than before; improving the functionality of the systems themselves.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical element adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical clement adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical element adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic probe assembly includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a housing and a phased array transducer supported inside the housing. The housing includes a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, and a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls define a housing cavity in which the phased array transducer is positioned. The first and second side walls each have an inside surface that include a plurality of projections.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade which improves the transmission of light from the laryngoscope to enhance the amount of light reflected from an area of interest in a patient. The laryngoscope blade has a channel which extends at least partially though the blade and receives a light source. The channel has a substantially transparent end face which is situated towards the blade end and has an optical clement adapted to reduce the ambient light signal from the light source in the channel.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic probe assembly includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a housing and a phased array transducer supported inside the housing. The housing includes a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, and a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls define a housing cavity in which the phased array transducer is positioned. The first and second side walls each have an inside surface that include a plurality of projections.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes (1). In particular, it relates to laryngoscopes (1) or devices which have a disposable blade (3) and provides means for restricting the re-use of blades (3) which have been used previously.