Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelling, portable massaging device which can move back and forth along an arm, leg, or other body part of a user while providing a massage to the user. In an embodiment, the massaging device comprises a massage element having ends, wherein the ends are attached to one or more rotational connectors forming a limb opening, wherein the limb opening is at least partially surrounded by the massage element, wherein a user inserts a body part into the limb opening for contact with and massaging by the massage element; the one or more rotational connectors connected to one or more motors, wherein the one or more rotational connectors cause a rotation of the ends when the one or more rotational connectors are rotated by the one or more motors.

Abstract: Examples for messaging with a specified delay by a system are described. In an example, the system comprises a server coupled to at least one user device. The server may receive a messaging information from a first user device. The messaging information may include a first and a second message and a timing information. The server generates a computing resource for the first message and the second message, and enables access to the first and the second message based on the timing information. For example, the first message is made accessible at a first access time that is previous to a second access time at which the second message is made accessible.

Abstract: Device, system and method to monitor user breathing patterns utilizing posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device comprises a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g. changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes.

Abstract: Examples for messaging with a specified delay by a system are described. In an example, the system comprises a server coupled to at least one user device. The server may receive a messaging information from a first user device. The messaging information may include a first and a second message and a timing information. The server generates a computing resource for the first message and the second message, and enables access to the first and the second message based on the timing information. For example, the first message is made accessible at a first access time that is previous to a second access time at which the second message is made accessible.

Abstract: Device, system and method to monitor user breathing patterns utilizing posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device comprises a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g. changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes.

Abstract: Device, system and method to monitor user breathing patterns utilizing posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device comprises a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g. changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes.

Abstract: A system and method to monitor, guide, and evaluate breathing, with respect to user definable breathing patterns, sequences, and preexisting breathing exercises, utilizing posture and diaphragm sensor signals and a method to process thereof, composed of hardware and software components. The application describes a system which monitors the output signals of sensors as part of a breath training device worn by a user for measuring the state of a user's posture and diaphragm to derive a filtered breath signal. This is obtained using one or more sensors, a microcontroller to receive, process, and transmit sensor signal data, a breath training program which receives, calibrates, interprets, evaluates, and provides feedback on said sensor signal data, utilizing a set of breathing algorithms.

Abstract: A universal mechanical dilator combined with massaging action comprises a probe (12) consisting of a two rods (22 and 24), a drive unit (14) and an adapter (16) that connects the probe (12) to the drive unit. The instrument is intended for dilation of the urethra or other ducts of a human body and can operate in three different modes: pure dilation, pure vibration, and dilations combined with vibrations. This is achieved by using the adapter (16) as an adjustable coupling. The probe (12) together with the adapter (16) can be disconnected from the drive unit (14) and used separately as a mechanical manual dilator. At its distal end, the probe (12) has means for connecting replaceable tips (28a, 32a) used for various applications, i.e., urethral, anal, vaginal, etc. The invention also relates to a method of treatment of voiding or an orectal diseases by combining dilations with vibrations. The instrument can also be used for training sphincteric muscles.

Abstract: A vibratory device (20) for treating female voiding dysfunctions, such as urinary stress incontinence, by inserting it into a patient's urinary tract and imparting vibrations to the urethral walls and the bladder neck. The device is made in the form of a urological bougie (23) which has a distal end and a proximal end and consists of two resilient rods (26 and 28). The rods are removably interconnected at their distal ends by means of two short extensions (52a and 52b) which are inserted into a cup-shaped cavity (68). This cavity is formed at the end of a cam (66). The cam has an elliptical or oval shape and is driven into rotation from a rotary drive unit (24) through a cam shaft (64) which passes through the hole formed by grooves (54) on the mating surface of the rods. Due to the elliptical configuration of the cam, its rotation causes expansion of the rods (26 and 28).

Abstract: A combined mechanical dilator-urethrotome comprising a radially-expandable probe (12) consisting of two rods (16 and 18) of a semicircular cross-section which form a complete circle in a closed state of the probe. One of the rods (16) has a core (32) rigidly attached thereto at the proximal end of this rod and arranged at an angle to the direction of the probe. The second rod (18) has a post portion (52) at the proximal end. The post portion (52) has a central opening (51), and the aforementioned core (32) is slidingly inserted into the central opening (51). The end of the core that projects beyond the limits of the post is connected to a handle (14) that can rotate with respect to the core (32) and has a thread engageable with the mating thread on the post. As a result, rotation of the handle causes screwing or unscrewing of the thread of the handle onto or from the thread of the post. Displacement of the handle (14) with respect to the core (32) causes expansion or contraction of the probe.

Abstract: An instrument for extracting stones from the urinary tract of a patient comprising a urological catheter (12) and a stone-extracting basket (26) formed from resilient wires and slidingly inserted into catheter (12). The instrument has a drive unit (18) which is connected to the basket via a rod (22). Drive unit (18) transmits to the rod rotation and axial vibrations, which in turn are transmitted to the basket. When rod (22) rotates, curved portion (21) generates radial vibrations which are transmitted to the basket. In order to prevent basket (26) from rotating, but to transmit to it only axial and radial vibrations, rod (24) is connected to basket (26) through a spherical joint (42). On its front end the basket has a filiform (38) which facilitates insertion of the instrument into the urinary tract. In use, after insertion of the catheter to a position in which the basket is aligned with the location of the stone, the basket is released from the catheter and expands.

Abstract: A vibratory method for treating female voiding dysfunctions by applying to the inner walls of the urethra radial expansion forces combined with axial friction forces. This improves blood circulation, trains the urethral sphincters, and produces massaging action on the urethral walls. A device for realization of the method comprises a probe (12) formed of two rods (16) and (18) and a drive unit (14). Drive unit (14) have two output elements, which reciprocate simultaneously in mutually opposite directions. Each rod (16, 18) is connected to a respective drive unit. On their inner or mating surfaces the rods have respective cams (32, 34) and curved grooves (36, 38). During reciprocation of the rods, the cams and grooves interact and thus provide radial expansions of probe (12). Massaging action is provided by serrations (40) which are formed on the outer surface of the rods and massage the inner walls of the urethra through application of friction forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating internal muscle and connective tissue disorders is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a vibration source into a body cavity and applying vibratory massage in the form of expansions and contractions of the body cavity at a predetermined frequency. The apparatus includes a probe shaped for insertion into a body cavity, an actuator for causing the probe to expand and contract, and a mechanism for adjusting the frequency with which the probe expands and contracts.

Abstract: A vibrational method and apparatus for accelerating and increasing in efficiency of passage of stones from the ureter comprises introducing into the ureter (U) of a catheter (10) with a vibrating head (12) which imparts radial oscillations to the walls of the ureter at a distance of 0 to 30 mm from the areas where the stone (S) is lodged. Catheter (10) is a flexible tube which has a head (12) which is expandable radially and axially by means of an oscillating element (24) driven from a reciprocating vibrational drive (26). Drive (26) has a tapering end (32) which, during its reciprocations, causes expansions and constrictions of the resilient head, due to its interaction with inner projections (18) and (20). The apparatus is universal in its application and can be used without any changes for pushing the stone, located in the upper part of the ureter, back to the kidney, where the stone can be more readily disintegrated by means of subsequent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprising a driver having two elements which, upon selective activation thereof, will reciprocate in two mutually opposite directions; a probe comprising two rods, each having a semicircular cross-section such that when one of the rods is placed adjacent the other, they will form a substantially complete circle in cross section. The rods are attached to each other at one end thereof to form a tip, their other ends being attached to the respective reciprocating elements, the mating surfaces of the rods having at least one pair of engaging cams, for causing the rods to expand and contract in diameter due to engagement of the cams in response to reciprocations of the rods.

Abstract: A vibrational method and apparatus for accelerating and increase in efficiency of passage of stones from the ureter comprises introducing into the ureter (U) of a catheter (10) with a vibrating head (12) which imparts radial oscillations to the walls of the ureter at a distance of 0 to 30 mm from the areas where the stone (S) is lodged. Catheter (10) is a flexible tube which has a head (12) which is expandable radially and axially by means of an oscillating element (24) driven from a reciprocating vibrational drive (26). Drive (26) has a tapering end (32) which, during its reciprocations, causes expansions and constrictions of the resilient head, due to its interaction with inner projections (18) and (20). The apparatus is universal in its application and can be used without any changes for pushing the stone, located in the upper part of the ureter, back to the kidney, where the stone can be more readily disintegrated by means of subsequent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its the surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A combined bottle opener and stopper (10) comprises a metal plate (12) with side edges (14) and (16) bent downward and inwardly. A rubber pad 26 is attached to the bottom face of the plate. Teeth (38a, 38b) are formed on the inner sides of the bent edges for engagement with serrations on the periphery of the cap to be removed. These teeth allow removal of threaded crown caps by unscrewing the caps in the position of engagement between their serrations and the teeth of the opener. Bent edges (14, 16) have different heights with the difference corresponding to the pitch of the thread on a threaded bottle neck. For temporary closing the bottle, i.e., with beer or carbonated water, the device is screwed onto the threaded bottle neck as a nut until the rubber pad is tightly pressed to the upper face of the bottle to hermetically close the latter.