Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which a user performs breathing exercises with breathing apparatuses. The breathing apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The valve mechanism of the breathing apparatus may be configured to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater than a threshold pressure. The breathing apparatus may be configured such that the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism is modifiable.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which a user performs breathing exercises with breathing apparatuses. The apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with an airflow resistance mechanism. The breathing apparatus may further include a chromogenic material, membrane, visual signal, airflow meter, acoustic device, or moveable element that may be configured to respond when the airflow or airflow rate is greater than a threshold airflow or threshold airflow rate, respectively. The breathing apparatus may be configured such that the airflow resistance mechanism is modifiable. The airflow resistance mechanism may provide a constant or variable airflow resistance during the performance of the exercise.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which a user performs breathing exercises with breathing exercise systems. The breathing exercise systems may include at least two different breathing apparatuses. Each breathing apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The valve mechanism of each breathing apparatus may be configured to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater than a threshold pressure. Each breathing apparatus may be configured such that the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism is modifiable. The at least two breathing apparatuses may define a combined housing.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus is disclosed that may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The breathing apparatus may further include an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element that may be configured, with or without a valve mechanism, to respond when the pressure within the member is greater than the threshold pressure. The valve mechanism of the breathing apparatus may be configured to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater than a threshold pressure. The breathing apparatus may be configured such that the threshold pressure of the valve mechanism is adjustable or to permit substitution of the valve mechanism. A breathing exercise system may include at least two breathing exercise apparatuses.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which a user performs head and neck exercises with head and neck exercise apparatuses. The head and neck exercise apparatus may include a moveable element that is displaced by tongue movement to a predetermined distance or with a predetermined force. The moveable element or another component of the head and neck exercise apparatus may be configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback. The head and neck exercise apparatus may be configured such that the moveable element is modifiable.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument includes fluid carrying channels incorporated into lateral aspects of jaws of the instrument and extending to outlets adjacent distal tips of the jaws, fluid carrying channels incorporated into a shaft of the instrument, and flexible fluid carrying channels connecting the distal ends of the shaft channels with the proximal end of respective jaw channels. An actuator on the device handle controls either delivery of fluid jets emanating lateral to tissue grasped between the instrument jaws or suction from the distal tips of the jaws to remove fluid in the vicinity of the jaws. The fluid jets perform atraumatic tissue dissection lateral to the structures grasped by the jaws, while the grasping jaws provide counter traction while conducting soft tissue hydro-dissection, by stabilizing the tissue in a direction opposite to the force exerted by the hydro-dissection fluid jets.