Abstract: An improved transaxle having space along an input shaft so that transmission fluid can flow along such input shaft. The input shaft is splined to a forward drum. In order for transmission fluid to be able to pass the splines of the input shaft and the mating splines of the forward drum, either one or more splines or one or more mating splines are removed. Some of each may also be eliminated. The structural integrity of the input shaft is maintained by having the splines radiate from the surface of the input shaft. Optionally, a bushing and tubes facilitate the movement of transmission fluid from the surface of the input shaft, to a cooler, and back to the surface of the input shaft. Furthermore, a variety of construction techniques are employed for, inter alia, further strengthening the improved transaxle.

Abstract: A torque vectoring gear drive apparatus for controlling drive torque distribution. The gear drive apparatus comprises an input shaft, first and second output shafts, a planetary interaxle differential unit for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the first and second output shafts, and a speed gear assembly provided for overriding said planetary interaxle differential unit. The planetary differential unit includes a planet carrier drivingly coupled to the input shaft and rotatably supporting at least one planet gear, a sun gear drivingly coupled to the at least one planet gear and a ring gear drivingly coupled the first output shaft, the sun gear drivingly coupled to the second output shaft. The speed gear assembly selectively couples the input shaft to the sun gear to define a first drive mode in which the sun gear is driven at a first speed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention involves a drive apparatus with a housing, a first and second axle mounted in the housing and a ring gear located within the housing. A brake clutch assembly is located on each axle with a planetary gear arrangement, a drive plate engaged to the planetary gear arrangement, a brake plate mounted on the corresponding axle and an engagement assembly disposed about the drive plate and the brake plate. The engagement assembly is used to selectively engage the drive plate or the brake plate.

Abstract: A system and method for actively decelerating a combine rotor is provided. The system includes an electronic control system configured to disengage the combine rotor from an engine, to brake the combine rotor at a first deceleration rate for a first time interval, and to subsequently brake the combine rotor at another deceleration rate until the rotor is stopped.

Abstract: A multi-step reduction gear includes a drive shaft, output shaft, three single rod planetary gears, seven rotational shafts and six shifting elements, whose selective engagement realizes seven forward gears and one reverse gear, whereby the drive takes place through a shaft, which is continuously connected with the sun wheel of the first planetary gears; the output takes place through a shaft which is connected with the annulus of the second planetary gear set and the annulus of the third planetary gears; a shaft is connected with the annulus of the first planetary gears; a shaft is connected with the rod of the second planetary gears and the rod of the third planetary gears; a shaft is connected with the rod of the first planetary gears; a shaft is connected with the sun wheel of the second planetary gears; a shaft is connected with the sun wheel of the third planetary gears.

Abstract: The transmission 10 is constructed so that, in the first transmission portion 36, the rotation of the input shaft 16 is outputted to the second transmission portion 38 via the first intermediate output path M1 and the second intermediate output path M2 accelerated and rotated with respect to the first intermediate output path M1, and, in the second transmission portion 38, the first rotary element RE1 (S2 and S3) is selectively connected to the first driven gear CG1B via the first clutch C1 and is selectively connected to the second driven gear CG2B via the third clutch C3, the second rotary element RE2 (CA1 and CA2) are selectively connected to the first driven gear CG1B via the second clutch C2 and are selectively connected to the transmission case 12 operating as a non-rotating member via the first brake B1, the third rotary element RE3 (R1, R2 and CA3) is connected to the output gear 28 operating as an output rotating member, the fourth rotary element RE4 (S1) is selectively connected to the transmission

Abstract: A multi-step transmission comprising an input shaft and an output shaft, three spider supported planetary gear sets, seven rotational shafts, six shifting elements, whose selective engagement realizes seven forward gears and one reverse gear, whereby the input takes place through a shaft, connected with an element of the first planetary gear set; a further element of the first planetary gear set connected to the housing through a shaft; the output takes place through a shaft, connected with the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set; a shaft is connected with the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set; a shaft is connected with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; a shaft is connected with the ring gear of the first planetary gear set.

Abstract: An interlock for a vehicle platform lift meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 403) effective in late 2004 with minimum modification of vehicle electronic control arrangements. The interlock prevents forward and rearward mobility of vehicles unless the platform lift is stowed. The interlock operates to prevent accidental release but does not affect vehicle movement when the platform lift is stowed. Operation of the lift is allowed by placing the transmission in park or by placing the transmission in neutral and actuating the parking brake. A vehicle body computer controls operation when the vehicle is running. A bypass enable relay allows use when the vehicle's engine is not running.

Abstract: A therapeutic device (10) is formed to have an area (11,12,13) upon which marking instruments (26) may be used to form a design. A subject (25) may use the area to form a design of a person that causes stress to the subject. The subject can express internal feelings toward the design. The design may be removed and the area used by another subject to form a different design.

Abstract: A detritus removal roller construction particularly suited for a lint roller is disclosed having an elongated strip with a backing layer and an adhesive layer overlying one side of the backing layer. The strip has a first end, a second end and two spaced apart sides and is wound from its first end to its second end into a tubular cylindrical roll. The backing layer is made of a compressible material which retains and/or creates an electrostatic charge in use.

Abstract: A tabletop converter has a conversion assembly that inwardly gathers and crumples a stock material to form a strip of dunnage. The conversion assembly includes a feeding assembly that moves the stock material and a controller that controls the feeding assembly to operate in both a forward direction and a reverse direction. To automatically separate a discrete dunnage product from the strip, a holder grabs and holds the strip of dunnage at a holding location downstream of the feeding assembly. The feeding assembly then operates in a reverse direction and urges the strip away from the holding location. This causes the strip to separate at or between the holding location and the feeding assembly, leaving a discrete dunnage product ready for use. The converter is mounted to a stand that allows the converter to rotate relative to part of the stand about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a disease state or a condition ameliorated or prevented by electromagnetic field application. A person having or susceptible to such disease state or condition is subjected to electromagnetic fields having a frequency between zero and about 200 Hertz. The diseased state or condition may include diseased heart valves, an enlarged heart, circulatory blockage, coronary insufficiencies, and ischemia. The treatment may be administered non-invasively or invasively. An implantable device for invasively administering the treatment may include at least one component emitting electromagnetic fields having a frequency between zero and about 200 Hertz. The component may include at least one inductor.

Abstract: A method and device featuring at least one component providing a potential to kinetic converted elastic, magnetic repulsion, or, an elastic and magnetic repulsion, pushing, pulling, or, pulling and pushing, type of radially outward expansive force or pressure to an inner, outer, intermediate, and, combination thereof, wall region of the left ventricle, for reducing intraluminal hydrostatic pressure of the left ventricle (LV filling pressure) during the ventricular diastolic stage of the cardiac cycle, thereby, improving diastolic function of the left ventricle of the heart in subjects having a condition of diastolic heart failure (DHF), while minimally disturbing systolic function of the heart. The expansive force or pressure is in a range of about 5–40 mm Hg, whereby, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is reduced down to the normal range of about 6–12 mm Hg, during ventricular diastole of the heart.

Abstract: An implantable hearing aid transducer including a transducer housing, a driver, and an actuator movably connected to the transducer housing. The transducer driver includes at least one coil and one magnet. In one aspect of the present transducer, a seal is provided to seal transducer components that are located at a location other than at the movable connection between the actuator and the transducer housing. According to this aspect, the seal may be disposed around one of a magnet and a coil that is connectable to the actuator, to protect the same from body fluids. The other one of the magnet and the coil may include its own seal within the transducer housing.

Abstract: A full size fully articulated doll possessing visual and postural verisimilitude with that of an adult human female is provided selectively displayed alternative faces with exchange of faces masks or heads. Articulation is provided by an internal skeleton having movable joints between rigid members. A flexible resilient material inclusive of silicone rubber is used for simulated skin inclusive of the faces. A rigid moldable material inclusive of epoxy is used for a simulated skull possessing a movable jaw that can be displaced mechanically. An audio device can be added to provide aural verisimilitude in conjunction with the movable jaw and artificial eyeballs can also be displaced mechanically. A moderately soft resilient material inclusive of polyurethane foam is used for simulated flesh. Alternatively selected faces enable variation of appearance inclusive of both expression and genotype.

Abstract: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the pressure pump so that a pressure is created inside each of the at least two vacuum chambers and exerted upon the extremity received therein when the pressure pump is operating. One of the at least two vacuum chambers has a different inner circumference than another one of the at least two vacuum chambers so that a different level of prevention from bending is provided to the extremity in the direction of the plaque formation with each of the at least two vacuum chambers during operation of the pressure pump. Methods for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are also provided.

Abstract: An anatomic space of the body, particularly the pericardial space, is accessed in a minimally invasive manner from a skin incision by an access instrument to facilitate visualization and introduction of devices or drugs or other materials, performance of medical and surgical procedures, and introducing and fixating a cardiac lead electrode to the heart. An elongated access instrument body preferentially bends in one direction and resists bending in a transverse direction, whereby the access instrument body distal end can be directed through a path around body structures to the anatomic site by manipulation of the access instrument body proximal end portion. A distal header formed at the access instrument body distal end extends outward of the access instrument body in the transverse direction and supports an inflatable balloon surrounding a working lumen exit port that is directed toward an anatomic surface when the balloon is inflated by inflation media introduced through an inflation lumen.

Abstract: A lifting tool for use with a standard rib or chest retractor device where the tool acts to obliquely lift and spread open an incision, the chest wall and ribs, the tool having a pair of extended hook members disposed generally parallel and co-planarly on a mounting flange member.

Abstract: Quality control system in Disease Management Services involving education, development and motivation of patients suffering from widespread chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma or hypertension, possibly involving telemonitoring of critical body values and resultant early identification and avoidance of risk situations, where an automatic delivery monitoring facility is provided which monitors the receipt of all messages and information by the patients and, if appropriate, informs a control station in order to eliminate access problems.

Abstract: A biological photometer having, in its signal processing unit, a memory unit in which characteristics of hemoglobin change pattern of healthy case and various diseases are stored as reference template, characteristic extraction unit in which characteristic of hemoglobin change patterns are extracted from hemoglobin signals measured in a photometer unit, and a judgment unit in which the characteristics of the hemoglobin change patterns thus extracted are compared with the reference templates stored in the memory unit so as to judge whether the subject is healthy or ill. As the characteristics of the hemoglobin change pattern, use is made of hemoglobin change pattern curve as well as factors determined therefrom such as latent time, maximum level, time for attaining the maximum level, differential quantitative change, integral quantitative change, etc. Using this biological photometer, various diseases can be easily and quantitatively diagnosed.

Abstract: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope blood pressure data and an oscillometric envelope derived from the previous blood pressure data. In addition, the method and system include making a reversion decision based on whether the shift exceeds an allowable threshold. Once a reversion decision is made a subsequent decision may be made as to the need for increasing the cuff pressure level.

Abstract: Doppler Velocimetry is a widely used method for estimating stroke volume (SV). The accuracy and reliability of its measurement however, is dependant on a) the correct assessment of the aortic valve cross-sectional area (CSA), and b) the maximal systolic velocity integral (SVI). The invention avoids the conventional assessment of aortic valve CSA by using a calibration method: a reference stroke volume SVREF is determined by a method different from Doppler velocimetry, e.g. by thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB), or thoracic electrical bioadmittance, measured via surface thorax electrodes (transthoracic approach) or via electrodes located directly on an esophageal catheter/probe (esophageal approach). In the latter case, if esophageal Doppler velocimetry is used, the same catheter can be used for the placement of the electrodes and for an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, systems, devices, and methods that use frequency domain analysis of a thoracic signal. One example uses frequency domain analysis for discriminating between different pulmonary physiological states. Examples of breathing states include normal breathing, periodic breathing, Cheyne-Stokes breathing, obstructed respiration, restrictive respiration, and pulmonary edema. The frequency domain analysis may also be used for performing heart rate variability (HRV) diagnostics. In one example, a frequency domain adaptive filter implements a variable cutoff frequency for separating heart contraction spectral content and other spectral content from lower frequency respiration spectral content and other lower frequency spectral content.

Abstract: Described are a positive airway pressure system and method for treatment of a sleeping disorder in a patient. The system includes a generator, a sensor and a processing arrangement. The generator supplies airflow and applies a pressure at to an airway of a patient. The sensor measures data corresponding to patient's breathing patterns. The processing arrangement analyzes the breathing patterns to determine whether the breathing patterns are indicative of at least one of the following patient's states: (i) a regular breathing state, (ii) a sleep disorder breathing state, (iii) a REM sleep state and (iv) a troubled wakefulness state. The processing arrangement adjusts the applied pressure as a function of the patient's state.

Abstract: An introducer sheath/temperature probe assembly that is insertable into a blood vessel of a human or veterinary patent to measure the temperature of blood flowing through that blood vessel. The introducer sheath/temperature probe assembly may be used in conjunction with an indwelling heat exchange catheter system to warm or cool all or a portion of the patient's body to a desired target temperature and to maintain such target temperature for a desired period of time.

Abstract: A guide wire, which has excellent follow-up characteristics, sufficients contrasting characteristics and flexibility at a distal end portion thereof and high elasticity at a proximal end portion thereof, includes a core wire, and a coil wire provided on the distal end portion of this core wire coaxially therewith. The coil wire is formed by winding a plurality of wires, which are formed of different constituent materials and placed side by side on a plane, uniformly in an axial direction of the core wire so that the wires are adjacent to each other on the same plane.

Abstract: A guidewire torque device formed from a single piece that may be either molded or machined. The device includes an insertion slot for receiving a guidewire, such that the device does not have to be backloaded over the end of the guidewire. Two rotation slots, provided in opposite sides of the device, allow the device to be rotated so as to secure the guidewire within the device. The rotation slots terminate at a hole in the center of the device that is sized to secure a guidewire of a selected diameter. The device can be operated by a physician with a single hand, and is particularly useful during rapid exchange procedures.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for increasing intrathoracic pressure for resuscitating cardiac arrest patients. The apparatus comprises a flexible, substantially inelastic belt wrapped around the patient's chest and attached to a force converter. The force converter converts a downwardly directed force into a chestward resultant, which depresses the sternum, and two belt tightening resultants. The force converter comprises a pair of arm assemblies, each having a pair of spaced arms, which are pivotably mounted to a base. The base is positioned near the patient's sternum and the ends of the belt attach to one end of each arm assembly. The opposite, handle ends of the arm assemblies are depressed toward the chest causing tightening of the belt and compression of the chest cavity.

Abstract: There is provided a process for making a massage device comprising taking the body and motor of an electric toothbrush and a brush head therefor; and adapting the bristle head of said brush head to produce a massage head that is substantially smooth and devoid of bristles.

Abstract: A head massager including a bundle of malleable rods having a top member within which the top end of the bundle of rods is fixed and the rods are free at the bottom end of the bundle, a handle including a top half and a bottom half articulated together, the bottom half defining a lower recess receiving the top member fixed therein.

Abstract: A head massager including a bundle of malleable rods having a top member within which the top end of the bundle of rods is fixed and the rods are free at the bottom end of the bundle, a handle including a recess detachably receiving the top member therein.

Abstract: An orthosis can comprise a first body member that can conform to a portion of a patient's body and a second body member that can conform to another portion of a patient's body. A closure unit having a first connector member with a first plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the first body member, while a second connector member with a second plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the second body member. An elongated flexible pull member can operatively extend between the respective first and second support posts so that when tightened by a patient, a pull member slides across the support posts to provide a mechanical force advantage to draw the first body member and the second body member against the patient's torso. A closure unit can be of a modular configuration for subjective mounting on various components of an orthosis to provide a highly adaptable closure unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus for improving the yield for separating components of fluids, for example biological or sensitive fluids such as blood, and improving the component yield, for example, from donated whole blood by separating its components by density in a centrifuge bowl with a multi-axial lumen. The apparatus, system, and method eliminate the need to batch-type separate blood and can reduce the time needed to treat patients suffering from T-cell or white blood cell mediated diseases or conditions to less than 70 minutes. In one aspect, the invention is a centrifuge bowl (10) comprising an outer housing (100); a core (200); a lower plate (300); a lumen (400); a first bowl channel (420) within said lumen (400) for inflowing said fluid (800); a second bowl channel (410) for removing a first separated fluid component (810); and a third bowl channel (740) for removing a second separated fluid component (820).

Abstract: An object is to provide a blood component collection system capable of collecting a desired blood component of high quality. A blood component collection system 1 comprises a centrifugal separator 20 centrifuging blood into a plurality of components, first line 21 for feeding the blood to the centrifugal separator 20, a second line 22 for releasing the blood component from the centrifugal separator 20, a temporary reservoir bag 26? for temporarily reserving the platelet concentrate, a leukoreduction filter 261 for separating and reducing leukocyte from the platelet concentrate, and a platelet collection bag 26 for reserving the platelet concentrate having passed through the leukoreduction filter 261.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating glaucoma, such as a method that includes inserting a stent through an incision in an eye; the stent having an inflow portion that is in fluid communication with an outflow portion of the stent; transporting the stent from the incision through the anterior chamber of the eye to an aqueous cavity of the eye, such that the inflow portion of the stent is positioned in the anterior chamber and the outflow portion of the stent is positioned at the aqueous cavity; and infusing fluid from the inflow portion to the outflow portion of the stent.

Abstract: A dry-eye treatment method includes collecting fluid from the inside of the eye and transporting the collected fluid into the eyelid fornix, where it accumulates. At each blink, accumulated fluid from the fornix is spread across the surface of the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablating, severing, cutting, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises a multi-lumen shaft having a plurality of internal lumens, and a return electrode coil oriented substantially parallel to the shaft distal end. The active electrode may be in the form of a metal disc, a hook, or an active electrode coil. In the latter embodiment, the active electrode coil is typically arranged substantially orthogonal to the return electrode coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for intradermally administering a pharmaceutical composition or other substance into and through the skin of a mammalian body in a manner that avoids or eliminates excess pain and discomfort normally caused as a result of the microabraders or microneedles entering the epithelial layers beneath the stratum corneum. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a microdevice with an array of microabraders or microneedles with a manipulating member.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. The inlet structure is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir, to allow the reservoir to be filled or re-filled. The housing has an outlet through which the infusion medium may be expelled.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for performing an angioplasty procedure on a lesion in a vessel comprising a flexible elongate catheter shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A balloon is secured to the distal extremity of the catheter shaft and has an outer surface extending between proximal and distal extremities of the balloon. A flexible elongate element is provided which extends over the outer surface of the balloon. The flexible elongate element has proximal and distal extremities which are secured about the catheter shaft in positions spaced longitudinally away from the outer surface of the balloon to permit expansion of the balloon and to cause movement of the flexible elongate element into engagement with the lesion to form a longitudinal channel in the lesion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insertion of medical devices is disclosed. One embodiment, includes an access tube with a retention portion disposed at a distal end. The retention portion is reconfigurable between first and second configurations of reduced and increased lateral extent. A trocar can be moveably disposed within the access tube, which can be movably disposed within an overtube. One method of the invention includes inserting the trocar and access tube through a patient's body wall where the retention portion is configured from a reduced to an increased lateral extent. An overtube can be inserted around the access tube through the body wall where the retention portion can be received through a slot defined by the overtube. The retention portion can be returned to reduced lateral extent. The access tube can be removed and the medical device can be inserted within the overtube.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided which provides a flexible catheter tube having one end provided with a catheter hub. A hollow needle having a needle hub on its end is installed in the catheter tube with its sharp end extending out from one end of the catheter tube and a portion of the needle extending through the catheter hub. A needle shield, which is on the needle within the interior of the catheter hub, is biased axially within the catheter hub with its ends being fixed to prevent axial expansion.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly for locking over a hypodermic needle to inhibit inadvertent contact with the hypodermic needle includes a tube being configured to receive an end of the syringe and being in fluid communication with the syringe. A hypodermic needle is fluidly coupled to and extending away from the tube. A cap is selectively positioned over and covering the hypodermic needle. The cap is positioned in either a covered position or an exposed position. The covered position is defined by the cap being positioned over a portion of the tube and a free end of the hypodermic needle to inhibit access to the hypodermic needle. The exposed position is defined by the cap being positioned away from the hypodermic needle to expose the free end of the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: A syringe and a reconstitution syringe are provided for the delivery of controlled doses of any of numerous different sterile substances, such as vaccines, medicaments, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, and food products. A plunger of the syringe defines a resealable stopper frictionally and slidably received within a hollow syringe body for dispensing the medicament or other substance through a dispensing tip of the syringe upon movement of the plunger. The resealable stopper defines a heat-sealable portion to allow the stopper to be penetrated by a needle or other filling device to fill the syringe with a medicament or other substance, and in turn allow the hole remaining upon withdrawal of the needle to be heat sealed by transmission of laser energy thereon.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for washing or irrigating the vaginal cavity and the urethral ostium having a flexible container for the washing solution, an olive-shaped nozzle with apical, radial and basal ejection openings. The nozzle further comprises a stem to be inserted into the tube, to which a disc or cup is also fitted.

Abstract: Novel component devices for urine management systems including a novel collection device, a novel conveyance tube, and a novel storage container. The collection device, a novel male catheter, comprises a waterproof, thin-walled conduction tube surrounding the penis, having wettable internal walls and containing a spacing wick. At one end, the conduction tube is connected to, or surrounded by, an elastic compression tube that provides a uniform compressive force around the girth of the penis for attachment and liquid seal to said penis, and at the other end is attached to a fitting that connects to the conveyance tube. The elastic compression tube is radially expanded prior to donning and, when in place over the penis, is allowed to elastically retract, providing radial compression for comfortable, and leak-free fit and use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter system. The system comprises a catheter body having a chamber containing a low acoustic impedance medium. The catheter body includes an elongated body with an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having an external side between a first end and a second end. The ultrasound transducer is positioned over the external surface of the elongated body such that the first end is adjacent to the chamber.

Abstract: A medical delivery system for delivering a fluid to a desired location within a body that includes a first member having an aperture, and a second member adapted to be positioned over the first member. The fluid to be delivered is contained within a fluid storage device, formed by at least one of the first member and the second member. The medical delivery system includes means for repositioning the first member relative to the second member between a first state preventing passage of the fluid through the aperture and a second state enabling passage of the fluid outward from the fluid storage device through the aperture.

Abstract: A device for introducing an object into a vagina includes finger mounting means whereby the device is mountable on a user's finger, and a holder which protrudes from the finger mounting means and which is insertable into a user's vagina, the holder being configured to hold an object whilst being inserted into the user's vagina and then release the object once positioned inside the vagina.