Abstract: The dropper mount assembly includes an angled mirror and a clip that mounts to an eye drop bottle. The angled mirror allows the user to gain proper alignment by viewing a reflection of the expected trajectory of the medicinal eye drop to the eye of the user. The clip is configured to receive eye drop bottles having a circular or oval cross section and is capable of either being mounted from an axis end of the eye drop bottle or from a side of the eye drop bottle. The clip has a set of prongs that provide a number of features, including providing spring tension against the eye dropper bottle, are permitted to receive eye dropper bottles of variable sizes, and serve as a grip and leverage that assists the user in squeezing the eye drop bottle when the user contracts the prongs together.

Abstract: A device for producing control data for a laser device for the surgical correction of defective vision. The device produces the control data such that the laser emits the laser radiation such that a volume in the cornea is isolated. The device calculates a radius of curvature RCV* to determine the control data, the cornea reduced by the volume having the radius of curvature RCV* and the radius of curvature being site-specific and satisfying the following equation: RCV*(r,?)=1/((1/RCV(r,?))+BCOR(r,?)/(nc-1))+F, wherein RCV(r,?) is the local radius of curvature of the cornea before the volume is removed, nc is the refractive index of the material of the cornea, F is a coefficient, and BCOR(r,?) is the local change in refractive force required for the desired correction of defective vision in a plane lying in the vertex of the cornea, and at least two radii r1 and r2 satisfy the equation BCOR(r=r1,?)?BCOR(r=r2,?).

Abstract: An ocular device for placement under an eyelid that includes a plate with a back surface having at least one protrusion having a convex contact surface to contact the sclera of the eye and to provide an offset space. The plate can be connected to an elongated support member. The ocular device can deliver a material to an eye of a user, including, for example, a pharmaceutically active agent. A case for holding and dispensing an ocular device includes a well configured to retain fluid, a stabilizer, and a lid. The lid is connected to the well and rotatable between a position covering the well and a position with the well uncovered. The lid can have a port for adding fluid to the well, and a receiver, which can hold an ocular device, can project from the lid.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to drug delivery devices for the ionophoretic delivery of a therapeutic agent(s) to the eye. In some aspects, the disclosed ionophoretic ocular delivery device is configured for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the anterior portion of the eye. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods for treatment of an ophthalmological disorder, disease, or clinical condition by delivering a therapeutic agent(s) to the eye using a disclosed ionophoretic ocular delivery device. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An extraction device can include a delivery shaft having a lumen and a distal end, a first wire forming a first arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the first arc are at a distalmost end of the delivery shaft, and a second wire forming a second arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the second arc are at the distalmost end of the delivery shaft. A distalmost extent of the first wire is distal to a distalmost extent of the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are separately retractable relative to the delivery shaft.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).

Abstract: A donor corneal tissue cutting blade provided with integrally formed asymmetrical markers for facilitation identification of the anterior and posterior sections or portions of the donor corneal tissue is disclosed. The blade is a cylindrical body having, in one embodiment, a U-shaped extension which cooperates with the body to define a keyway. Protrusions may be formed on the body and/or extension to provide further markers.

Abstract: An illustrated view of an exemplary heated welding lens device for eliminating fogging of a welding helmet is presented. The heated welding lens device is useful adjusting a temperature of a lens of the welding helmet such that the fogging that is common for temperature differentiation during welding. The heated welding lens device is useful for ensuring the safety, efficiency and comfort of a welder during a work shift or a welding activity.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: a plurality of different articles of personal protection equipment (PPE) that are all controlled by a particular user, and a computing device. The computing device may include one or more computer processors configured to receive sets of data from each of the different articles of PPE, wherein each set of data is based at least in part on a type of each of the different articles of PPE; generate for display a user interface that contemporaneously includes a plurality of graphical elements that are based at least in part on at least two sets of data that correspond to at least two different articles of PPE of the plurality of different articles of PPE; and in response to receiving an indication of user input that corresponds to at least one of the plurality of graphical elements, perform at least one operation.

Abstract: A device for ultrasonic object detection, having at least two independent transducers that are able to emit at least two ultrasonic signals respectively in order to produce reflected ultrasonic signals in return, and able to receive the reflected ultrasonic signals, wherein it has an electronic processing unit configured so as to convert the received reflected ultrasonic signals into respective spectrograms, in an audible frequency band, and form respective audible temporal signals through an inverse Fourier transform of the spectrograms.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site may include a base layer, a sealing member, a first and a second wicking layer, and an absorbent layer. The base layer may have a periphery surrounding a central portion and a plurality of apertures disposed through the periphery and the central portion. At least one of the apertures in the periphery may be positioned at an edge of the periphery, and may have an interior exposed at the edge. The sealing member and the base layer may define an enclosure. The first and the second wicking layer may each be disposed in the enclosure with the absorbent layer positioned between the first and the second wicking layer. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue interface configured to be positioned at a tissue site is provided. The tissue interface may include a first tissue interface layer, a second tissue interface layer, and a bonding layer disposed between the first tissue interface layer and the second tissue interface layer. The bonding layer may couple the first tissue interface layer to the second tissue interface layer. The interface layers may be bonded together lightly such that the bonding layer is sufficiently strong to hold together a first interface layer and a second interface layer, but weak enough to allow the first tissue interface layer to be separated or detached from the second tissue interface layer when pulled apart by a user. This allows a user to add or remove any number of tissue interface layers to adjust the height of the tissue interface 108 in order to accommodate the depth of a tissue site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing absorbent sanitary articles according to a Machine Direction technique, each sanitary article having an absorbent body, a front waistband and a rear waistband having different lengths from each other.

Abstract: An absorbent pad includes a body, having a first edge, and a first tab projecting from the first edge wherein the first tab and the first edge outline a first aperture.

Abstract: A sanitary pad system includes a first pad and a second pad. The first pad has a first set of fastening tabs and the second pad has a second set of fastening tabs. The two sets of fastening tabs are offset so that, when the two pads are stacked in overlapping relationship on an undergarment, both pads are directly attached to the undergarment with the associated fastening tabs.

Abstract: An electrically actuated wheeled stretcher system which is adapted to provide electrically actuated raising or lowering of a stretcher mounted on a gurney. The system is primarily composed of a stretcher and a gurney, and may be used to transport patients and load and unload the patients by automated transfer of the stretcher from the gurney to other medical equipment, for example, a hyperbaric chamber, and automated transfer from the other medical equipment back on to the gurney. The system further includes an additional electrically actuated fifth wheel configured to provide smoother turning and rotation in place of the system. The system further includes continuous treatment items, such as intravenous fluid and medical gasses to travel with the system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

Abstract: A patient handling apparatus includes a patient support surface, a base, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a hydraulic cylinder operable to selectively raise or lower the patient support surface or the base. The hydraulic circuit controls flow of fluid between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir to thereby control the movement of the base or patient support surface. In addition, the hydraulic circuit may include a manual bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump in response to a manual input, which allows manual extension or retraction of the cylinder, for example, when the pump is not operational. The hydraulic circuit may also include a pump bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump to allow fluid to discharge from the cap end to the fluid reservoir for faster evacuation of fluid from the cylinder, thereby increasing retraction speed of the rod.

Abstract: A litter lift system includes a winch system and a lifting strap. The winch system includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate segment extending away from the lifting strap between the first end and the second end. The first end is coupled to the rotatable spool such that rotation of the spool in a first direction winds the lifting strap about the spool and rotation of the spool in a second direction unwinds the lifting strap from the spool. The second end defines a first lifting segment and the intermediate segment defines a second lifting segment. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to define two separate lifting loops.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic mobile support system configured to autonomously follow a subject with impaired mobility from a close but safe distance behind the subject and react to movements of the subject's torso and upper body to provide dynamic support for the subject and stop the subject from falling. The system comprises a mobile base vehicle, a robotic arm installed on the mobile base vehicle, and a LIDAR sensor for detecting the distance to a subject and the direction/speed of the subject. The robotic arm comprises one or more adjustable rear and side soft supports configured to support the subject and stop the subject from falling. The system can also comprise an onboard computer configured to process LIDAR data to control the movement of the mobile base vehicle and the robotic arm to stop the subject from falling.

Abstract: A wheelchair armrest storage system may include a housing for a wheelchair, where: the housing includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, the housing extends longitudinally between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and at least one cover receiving cavity is defined in each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The wheelchair armrest storage system may further include a storage area defined within the housing, and a cover configured to translate within each of the at least one cover receiving cavity defined in each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side.

Abstract: A modular bed includes a frame assembly, a plurality of elongated support units, and at least one vibration assembly including a rack, a stretchable web, and a vibration motor. The rack is detachably mounted on two selected adjacent ones of the elongated support units. The stretchable web has a central portion suspended across a lower opening of the rack. After the through bore is stretched to permit insertion of a positioning plate of the vibration motor, resilient retraction of the through bore causes a neck portion of the vibration motor to be trapped in the through bore with a motor body and the positioning plate of the vibration motor to be in abutting engagement with upper and lower surfaces of the stretchable web, respectively.

Abstract: A patient repositioning apparatus includes a mounting frame configured to couple to an underside of a bed frame. A motor housing is rotatably coupled to the mounting frame for rotation about an axis. The motor housing carries a motor and a winch. The motor is operable to turn the winch. A strap is coupled to the winch and configured to be wound around the winch by the motor. The strap has at least one coupling mechanism configured to couple to a bed sheet.

Abstract: Methods and systems of patient offloading include positioning an inflatable transfer mattress in a first position with respect to a surface supporting the inflatable transfer mattress. At least one inflatable positioning wedge is positioned in a second position with respect to the surface. The inflatable transfer mattress is positioned in a third position in which a portion of the inflatable transfer mattress overlaps a portion of the at least one inflatable positioning wedge. The at least one inflatable positioning wedge is inflated to transition the portion of the inflatable transfer mattress overlapping the portion of the at least one inflatable positioning wedge to a non-zero angle with respect to the surface.

Abstract: A sling for supporting a subject such as a patient includes a panel assembly including a left flank with a left end, a right flank with a right end, and an interflank panel. The interflank panel has a left extremity permanently joined to the left end of the left flank and a right extremity permanently joined to the right end of the right flank. The sling also includes a left closure element and a right closure element which are securable to each other and releasable from each other to adjust an effective dimension of the sling. In another embodiment, the sling includes a frangible closure member which secures the left flank to the right flank.

Abstract: The present invention is a therapeutic pad with breast receiving cavities. The therapeutic pad with breast receiving cavities contains a platform, a cavity, and an adjustment element. The cavity traverses into the platform. The adjustment element is positioned within the cavity. The therapeutic pad with breast receiving cavities may take the form of a therapy device to replace surgical table padding, chiropractic dorsal pads, or other various therapeutic treatment table paddings to accommodate humans with breasts or additional curvature in the breast area. The therapeutic pad with breast receiving cavities constitutes specialized padding with breast recess areas to provide maximum comfort by allowing patients to control the pressure in the breast area when receiving therapeutic care or medical procedures.

Abstract: The invention pertains to positioning a patient in prone position, comprising: positioning a patient in a supine position, attaching a chest body contact sheet to the chest of the patient with an attached inflatable chest cushion in the deflated state, attaching a pelvic body contact sheet to the pelvic region of the patient with an attached inflatable pelvis cushion in the deflated state, transferring the patient from the supine position to a prone position, with the chest body contact sheet attached to the chest of the patient and the pelvic body contact sheet attached to the pelvic region of the patient and the patient in the prone position, inflating the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion, thereby making that the chest cushion and the pelvis cushion together bear the weight of the torso of the patient with the abdominal region of the patient being decompressed.

Abstract: A reusable casket has a four-sided frame. A base is also provided. The base extends to the outer edges of the frame, so the frame rests on top of the base. Trim pieces surrounding the bottom of the frame are offset so that the base is hidden from view when the frame is on the base. The offset also creates a pocket that holds the base in place, in part, when attached to the frame. The base is manually secured to and released from inside of the frame by release buckles having male and female ends, each of which has an attached polypropylene strap. The straps of the male ends are secured inside of the frame. The straps of the female ends pass through openings in the base, and are secured to the underside of the base.

Abstract: A cloth assembly for a casket includes a first fabric segment, a second fabric segment, and a substrate. The first fabric segment has a first length and a first width, and the second fabric segment having a second length and a second width. The substrate has a third length and a third width. The first lengthwise edge of the first fabric segment is secured to the substrate along the third length of the substrate, such that the second lengthwise edge of the first fabric segment can be disposed beyond at least one lengthwise edge of the substrate. The first lengthwise edge of the second fabric segment is secured to the substrate along the third length of the substrate, such that the second lengthwise edge of the second fabric segment can be disposed beyond the at least one lengthwise edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A device and method for engaging the foot distal to the metatarsi that enables a full stretch of the plantar fascia, muscles of the feet and lower leg. The invention has an elongated shaft that has a brace element affixed to the end of the shaft pointed away from a human user and a handle element affixed to the opposite end of the shaft. When the handle element is pulled toward the human user, the brace element engages the foot such that the intended stretch on the plantar and posterior portions of the foot and leg is initiated.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus recognizes an exercise move of a user based on motion information of the user, determines torque reference information based on a result of the recognizing, determines torque command information based on the determined torque reference information and a predetermined factor, and outputs a torque based on the determined torque command information.

Abstract: A modular artificial skeletal muscle (MASM) actuator having a plurality of dielectric elastomer units assembled in series or in parallel. A proximal anchoring member is connected to a proximal end of at least one proximal dielectric elastomer unit and is configured for attachment to a proximal anchor point relative to a user. A tension member has a proximal end attached to a distal end of at least one distal dielectric elastomer unit and a distal end configured for attachment to a distal anchor point relative to the user. A controller is configured to cause simultaneous contraction or expansion of plurality of dielectric elastomer units, which contraction or expansion causes displacement of the tension member. A plurality of MASM actuators may be attached to an exoskeleton attached about an ankle of a user and controlled for therapeutic purposes, such as for assisting pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Abstract: A wearable massage and/or compression device for applying controllable scrolling or intermittent sequential forces, such as compression forces, to the body and limbs of a user comprises an elongated fabric body sized to encircle a limb of a user, one or more shape-memory wires carried by the fabric body and configured to apply a compression pressure to the limb through the fabric body upon changing shape in response to a stimulus, and a micro-processor based controller for selectively actuating the one or more shape-changing elements to reduce the effective diameter of the device encircling the limb, to thereby apply pressure to the limb.

Abstract: A wall-mounted massage device includes a mounting member having a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A groove is formed in the rear surface of the mounting member and exposes each aperture of the mounting member. The massage device also includes one or more accessories capable of being removably mounted to the mounting member. To removably mount each accessory to the mounting member, each accessory includes an accessory mounting part that is complimentary in shape to one or more apertures formed in the front surface of the mounting member. In one embodiment, the accessory mounting part is a peg or plug that can be at least partially received within the one or more apertures.

Abstract: An improved device and method for treating Peyronie's disease is disclosed. The improved device and method allows use of the device in pbulic.

Abstract: An example tail assembly includes a bodily insertion device that extends along a longitudinal axis from a base to a tip. A shackle is secured to the base and includes a pair of spaced apart arms. The example tail assembly also includes a tail having an eyelet, and a rod inserted into respective openings in the spaced apart arms. The rod is inserted through the eyelet between the respective openings, thereby securing the tail to the bodily insertion device. A method of securing a tail to a bodily insertion device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A massage apparatus includes a housing, a massage head, a wireless communication module, and a processor. The wireless communication module and the processor are located inside the housing. The massage head is located on an outer surface of the housing. The wireless communication module is electrically connected to the processor. The processor is electrically connected to the massage head. The wireless communication module is configured to perform wireless communication with an electronic device. The processor is configured to determine a first working state of the massage head, wherein the first working state is determined by motion data collected by the electronic device. The processor is further configured to control the massage head to vibrate according to the first working state.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject disclosure relate to a compounder system having a cartridge that includes controllable fluid pathways. One or more rotary piston pump/valves may be used to move fluid and/or gasses through the various fluid pathways of the cartridge. For example, the cartridge may include a dedicated rotary piston pump/valve for each process that moves fluid and/or gas through the cartridge. When turning, the rotary piston pump/valve acts as a pump to move the fluid or gas, and when the rotary piston pump/valve stops turning, it effectively acts as a shutoff valve, preventing any fluid flow. Magnetic couplers for the cartridge may be provided on a pump head of the compounder system.

Abstract: A sealing device for a medication vial which is highly efficient and easy to use. The sealing device comprises a valve and a compressible stopper. Fitted vertically on top the valve and stopper is a coupling portion. When a syringe is coupled to the sealing device, the syringe compresses the stopper which in turn exposes an aperture defined in a central neck portion of the valve. As medication is withdrawn from the vial, the medication enters the valve and travels through the central neck where it then exits through its open apertures and subsequently into the syringe itself. As the syringe is withdrawn, the stopper is allowed to expand or relax which again closes the apertures defined within the central neck of the valve, thereby ceasing the flow of medication through the sealing device.

Abstract: Various aspects of the subject disclosure relate to a compounder system having a cartridge that includes controllable fluid pathways. The cartridge may include a syringe pump for moving fluid and/or gas, and one or more syringe valves or rotary valves for controlling which of the controllable fluid pathways is open for flow of the fluid and/or gas.

Abstract: A pill splitter that cuts circular pills into four quarters and prevents a user from having to split a single pill, rotate the split pill, and split the pill again in order to obtain a fourth of a dose. The four-way pill splitter is composed of an upper and lower housing. The upper housing contains blades that meet at a vertex and the lower housing contains an inverted cone-shaped insert that the blades from the upper housing fit into so that the vertexes of the blades and the inverted cone-shaped insert only touch in the closed position.

Abstract: A medicine cassette 100 includes a side-wall constituent body 110, a first rotating body 120, a second rotating body 130 and a medicine discharging part 144c. The medicine cassette 100 can scrape up medicines prepared in a medicine containing part 182 along with a rotation of the first rotating body 120 to transfer and place the medicines onto the second rotating body 130 and transfer the medicines toward a downstream side of a rotational direction of the second rotating body 130 to discharge the medicines from the medicine discharging part 144c. An expanding portion 110a expanding toward an outer side of a radial direction of the second rotating body 130 is provided in the side-wall constituent body 110 on a lower side of the second rotating body 130.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a smart medication blister pack comprising cavities for storing medicine, and a cover is disclosed. The smart medication blister pack also includes an RFID tag, a circuit, a chip, a communication module for communicating with one or more devices, a reminding module comprising audio/visual means for reminding a patient about medication, receiving module for receiving instructions from a server and/or an authorized means, self-programming module for adjusting the instructions automatically based on one or more event and a chip for storing the instructions and information about medicine, the tablets, a manufacturer of the medicine, dosage, diseases, side effects, usage, expiry date, manufacturing date, and batch information.

Abstract: A baby bottle is provided for improving feeding tolerance and reducing nipple confusion. The bottle includes a cylindrical bottle; a nipple disk; a valve disk; and a retaining ring. The valve disk prevents liquid flow until the nipple is elongated to at least a predetermined length. The bottle has a threaded surface on an exterior of one end and the retaining ring has mating threads. The nipple disk is configured to mimic a natural breast, with an areola portion and a nipple portion. The valve disk has multiple openings. The valve disk is adjacent to the inside of the nipple disk. The baby bottle includes a piston slides within the bottle. The piston maintains vacuum within the bottle as liquid exits the nipple.

Abstract: A bottle teat consisting of a soft elastic material for a drinking bottle, in particular for infants and small children, having: a teat flange, a hollow teat sleeve that projects upward from the teat flange and is connected at its bottom end to the teat flange, a hollow suction part that is connected at its bottom end to the top end of the hollow teat sleeve and projects upward therefrom, a dome-shaped palate-contacting region on a side of the mouthpiece facing the palate, at least one drinking hole in the palate-contacting region that extends from the outside to the inside of the mouthpiece, wherein: an elevated surface that bulges to the outside is on the outside of the palate-contacting region, and the at least one drinking hole is arranged in the elevated surface so that the suction part with the elevated surface can be pressed in a sealing manner against an inwardly bulging sealing surface on the inside of the cap bottom of a cap to cover the bottle teat.

Abstract: A duodenum built-in jejunum cannula releasing system and a use method therefor, the system including: implanting device, pushing assembly, fixing line and releasing line. The implanting device includes storage pipe shell, releaser, membrane pipe and stent; the storage pipe shell is tubular and provided with near-end opening and far-end opening; the membrane pipe and the stent which are to be released are arranged in the storage pipe shell in folded state; the pushing assembly includes push-pull guiding wire, inner pipe, middle pipe and outer pipe which are sleeved with one another from the inside out in sequence and may move relative to one another.

Abstract: A pacifier strap with a wireless locator is provided. The device includes a flexible strap having a first end opposite a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the flexible strap. A connector is disposed on the second end of the flexible strap, wherein the connector can removably secure a pacifier thereon. An electronics housing is disposed within the flexible strap, wherein a power source is disposed within the electronics housing and is operably connected to a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver can transmit a location of the flexible strap to a remote device. In some embodiments, the pacifier is permanently affixed to the second end of the flexible strap.

Abstract: A hygienic oral pacification device includes a fluid-filled bladder. The bladder includes a nipple and alveolar ridge-mating flanges. The bladder is dynamically shaped and allows for pressures provided by the suckling child to re-shaping the bladder and flanges. A bite-block extends into the bladder to maintain a fluid path from nipple to flanges. As the child completes the suckling cycle, the bladder nipple is depressed and fluid is forced in the engorging flanges. The flanges thus cover the alveolar ridges and fill the vestibules. Hard pads set along a superior surface of the nipple are compressed against the maxilla palate and provide lateral force to encourage expansion of the palate. The nipple may be bifurcated into left and right opposing lobes which can split laterally to enhance lateral force on maxilla.