Abstract: A nasal dilator for treating breathing problem is provided, which includes a hollow nasal dilator body and a one-way flow resistance unit. The hollow nasal dilator body has a first end opening and a second end opening opposing the first end opening. The hollow nasal dilator body longitudinally extends from the first end opening to the second end opening and being adapted for insertion into a user's nostril with the second end opening placed within the user's nasal passage so that the hollow nasal dilator body supports and dilates the nasal passage. The one-way flow resistance unit is assembled to the hollow nasal dilator body and in proximity to the first end opening and away from the second end opening. The one-way flow resistance unit creates an exhalation flow resistance higher than an inhalation flow resistance such that an expiratory positive airway pressure is generated within the nasal passage.

Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.

Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.

Abstract: A controller for a switching regulator of a LED lighting system has a current monitor, a voltage divider, an integration circuit, and a comparator circuit. The current monitor is used to sense a LED current passing through a current sensing resistor of the switching regulator, and to generate a sensing current. The voltage divider is used to receive the sensing current to generate a first through third divided voltages, wherein the first divided voltage is larger than the second divided voltage, and the second divided voltage is larger than the third divided voltage. The integration circuit is used to compare the second divided voltage with a reference voltage, and to generate an integration voltage across a RC circuit thereof accordingly. The comparator circuit is used to compare the integration voltage with the first divided voltage and the third divided voltage, and to generate a driving signal.

Abstract: A controller for a switching regulator of a LED lighting system has a current monitor, a voltage divider, an integration circuit, and a comparator circuit. The current monitor is used to sense a LED current passing through a current sensing resistor of the switching regulator, and to generate a sensing current. The voltage divider is used to receive the sensing current to generate a first through third divided voltages, wherein the first divided voltage is larger than the second divided voltage, and the second divided voltage is larger than the third divided voltage. The integration circuit is used to compare the second divided voltage with a reference voltage, and to generate an integration voltage across a RC circuit thereof accordingly. The comparator circuit is used to compare the integration voltage with the first divided voltage and the third divided voltage, and to generate a driving signal.

Abstract: An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.

Abstract: An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling negative pressure supplied in oral cavity, for relieving sleep apnea and snoring is provided. The method includes: sensing a physiological signal from the user and outputting the sensed physiological signal; extracting a physiological status based on said sensed physiological signal; and automatically controlling said negative pressure provided to the user's oral cavity based on said physiological status.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling negative pressure supplied in oral cavity, for relieving sleep apnea and snoring is provided. The method includes: sensing a physiological signal from the user and outputting the sensed physiological signal; extracting a physiological status based on said sensed physiological signal; and automatically controlling said negative pressure provided to the user's oral cavity based on said physiological status.

Abstract: A wound treatment includes a guiding unit and a negative pressure collecting module. The guiding unit includes a main body, an elastic member and an accommodating portion formed within the elastic member. The main body has a first end is communicated to the wound, and a second end. The elastic member is disposed in the main body to isolate the first end from the second end. The negative pressure collecting module, connecting with the guiding unit, includes a negative pressure source providing negative pressure to the wound, and a collecting device collecting exudates of the wound. When the negative pressure source sucks air from the guiding unit, the elastic member deforms, and the accommodating portion communicates with the first end and the second end, respectively. When the negative pressure source stops sucking, the elastic member is restored, and the accommodating portion isolates the first end from the second end.

Abstract: A phantom manufacturing method is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: disposing an exudate network with interconnecting first channel and second channel in a container in a manner that the first channel is transversely disposed for an exudate to flow laterally in the container and the top portion of the second channel is longitudinally disposed for the exudate to flow vertically in the container; forming a plurality of stacking solid layers while arranging the first channel at the bottommost solid layer and the top of the second channel at either inside the topmost solid layer or to be exposed outside the top of the topmost solid layer as the bottom of the second channel is connected to the first channel and extending therefrom upward to the topmost solid layer; and forming a recess in the topmost solid layer while connecting the bottom thereof to the second channel.

Abstract: A wound treatment includes a guiding unit and a negative pressure collecting module. The guiding unit includes a main body, an elastic member and an accommodating portion formed within the elastic member. The main body has a first end is communicated to the wound, and a second end. The elastic member is disposed in the main body to isolate the first end from the second end. The negative pressure collecting module, connecting with the guiding unit, includes a negative pressure source providing negative pressure to the wound, and a collecting device collecting exudates of the wound. When the negative pressure source sucks air from the guiding unit, the elastic member deforms, and the accommodating portion communicates with the first end and the second end, respectively. When the negative pressure source stops sucking, the elastic member is restored, and the accommodating portion isolates the first end from the second end.

Abstract: A phantom manufacturing method is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: disposing an exudate network with interconnecting first channel and second channel in a container in a manner that the first channel is transversely disposed for an exudate to flow laterally in the container and the top portion of the second channel is longitudinally disposed for the exudate to flow vertically in the container; forming a plurality of stacking solid layers while arranging the first channel at the bottommost solid layer and the top of the second channel at either inside the topmost solid layer or to be exposed outside the top of the topmost solid layer as the bottom of the second channel is connected to the first channel and extending therefrom upward to the topmost solid layer; and forming a recess in the topmost solid layer while connecting the bottom thereof to the second channel.

Abstract: A magnetic bead-based sample separating device is provided. The device includes a first reactor, a second reactor, a third reactor, a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel. The first reactor receives a mixing solution including several magnetic beads and a sample extraction. The sample extraction is bound with the magnetic beads. The second reactor receives a washing buffer for washing the magnetic beads with sample extraction. The third reactor receives an elution buffer for separating the washing buffer from the magnetic beads. The first micro-channel is for connecting the first reactor and the second reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the second reactor from the first reactor. The second micro-channel is for connecting the second reactor and the third reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the third reactor from the second reactor.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling negative pressure supplied in oral cavity, for relieving sleep apnea and snoring is provided. The method includes: sensing a physiological signal from the user and outputting the sensed physiological signal; extracting a physiological status based on said sensed physiological signal; and automatically controlling said negative pressure provided to the user's oral cavity based on said physiological status.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for microelectronic positioning bioparticles, which utilizes dielectric and non-contact electrical force of cell themselves associated with multi-phase electrical signals to attain uniformity of distribution of the bioparticles and positioning thereof within micro-areas in a cell culture system. The obstacle of system geometrical structure is eliminated so as to simplify the system layout and programmably change cells' positions. The present method is suitable for treating cell array in a large quantity. The present method utilizes electrical control for the cells. The clamping of the cells can be removed at any time. It is very advantageous for collection and redistribution of cell products.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip on a transparent substrate includes microchannels, and an electric layer having a heater and a sensor layout on the microchannel nearby and aside for supplying heat source and sensing the temperature individually. The sensor is close to the microchannel for controlling the temperature accurately. Hence, the microfluidic chip can measure the temperature precisely without using an isolation layer and lower energy consumptions and reduce production costs.

Abstract: A magnetic bead-based sample separating device is provided. The device includes a first reactor, a second reactor, a third reactor, a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel. The first reactor receives a mixing solution including several magnetic beads and a sample extraction. The sample extraction is bound with the magnetic beads. The second reactor receives a washing buffer for washing the magnetic beads with sample extraction. The third reactor receives an elution buffer for separating the washing buffer from the magnetic beads. The first micro-channel is for connecting the first reactor and the second reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the second reactor from the first reactor. The second micro-channel is for connecting the second reactor and the third reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the third reactor from the second reactor.