A PPE shield mounted on a tongue deflector (depressor) or an oral/nasal swab establishes a barrier between the patient and a healthcare provider to substantially block aerosols and the like which may be exhaled or expelled by the patient, thereby protecting the healthcare provider from exposure to these aerosols and the like while performing a procedure. The shield may be generally concave, such as frustroconical or hemispherical. The depressor or swab may be inserted through an opening in the shield. A support structure may be formed at or around the opening. A flat view port may be provided in the shield, allowing the healthcare provider to have an unobstructed and undistorted view of the patient's oral cavity or nasal passage while performing the procedure. The shield may be vacuum formed.

A PPE shield mounted on a tongue deflector (depressor) or an oral/nasal swab establishes a barrier between the patient and a healthcare provider to substantially block aerosols and the like which may be exhaled or expelled by the patient, thereby protecting the healthcare provider from exposure to these aerosols and the like while performing a procedure. The shield may be generally concave, such as frustroconical or hemispherical. The depressor or swab may be inserted through an opening in the shield. A support structure may be formed at or around the opening. A flat view port may be provided in the shield, allowing the healthcare provider to have an unobstructed and undistorted view of the patient's oral cavity or nasal passage while performing the procedure. The shield may be vacuum formed.

Devices and methods for assisting a mother to ensure correct latching of an infant onto the breast or bottle during feeding. A latch-assist tool may include a hands-free warm, soft light that can be directed towards the baby's mouth so as to provide light for the mother to see to help with successful feeding, along with a spatula-like tip designed to help flange the baby's lips out for proper latch positioning. Optionally, the latch-assist tool can be used with a magnetic storage device and/or a magnetic holder that may also serve as a breast-feeding reminder clip.

Certain configurations of removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral device includes a palatal element. In certain configurations, the palatal element may comprise a variable hardness at different areas, e.g., edges can be softer than other areas of the removable oral device. In other instances, the removable oral device may comprise two or more individual palatal elements which together can form the palatal element and permit user adjustment of the oral volume. Various materials used in the palatal element are described. Sensors and other on-board devices are also described.

Certain configurations of removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral device includes a palatal element. In certain configurations, the palatal element may comprise a variable hardness at different areas, e.g., edges can be softer than other areas of the removable oral device. In other instances, the removable oral device may comprise two or more individual palatal elements which together can form the palatal element and permit user adjustment of the oral volume. Various materials used in the palatal element are described. Sensors and other on-board devices are also described.

Dental instrument assemblies (e.g., mouth pieces, bite blocks, vacuum dental mirrors, illuminated dental mirrors, illuminated dental wedges, trans-illumination dental instrument, illuminated dental bite blocks, etc.) are provided. The dental instrument assemblies may be adapted to be periodically sterilized. The dental instrument assemblies may include a magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler may be configured to allow dental instrument adapter to rotate with respect to an associated fiber optic cable that is removably connected to the magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The dental instrument assemblies may include a fiber optic material that is encapsulated.

Dental instrument assemblies (e.g., mouth pieces, bite blocks, vacuum dental mirrors, illuminated dental mirrors, illuminated dental wedges, trans-illumination dental instrument, illuminated dental bite blocks, etc.) are provided. The dental instrument assemblies may be adapted to be periodically sterilized. The dental instrument assemblies may include a magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler may be configured to allow dental instrument adapter to rotate with respect to an associated fiber optic cable that is removably connected to the magnetically energetic fiber optic coupler. The dental instrument assemblies may include a fiber optic material that is encapsulated.

Systems and methods for measuring analytes in fluid samples are disclosed. The systems and methods employ test strips which are generally comprised of a substrate, at least one electrical connection, at least one sensing chemistry and at least one additional layer. The test strips can be batch calibrated.

An apparatus for tissue ablation using radiofrequency energy comprises a housing extending from a first end to a second end. One or more pipes extend from the first end and each of the one or more pipes terminates at a tip. Each tip includes a light source operable to provide light. The apparatus further comprises a probe extending from some of the one or more pipes. Each probe is operable to deliver RF energy and to extend from or retract into the tip.

A far ultraviolet light application device for killing pathogens on tissue and proximate thereto includes a tube that is to be utilized in a medical procedure. A first fiberoptic cable is engaged to a wall of the tube so that a first end of the first fiberoptic cable is positioned proximate to a first terminus of the tube. The first fiberoptic cable has a second end operationally engaged an ultraviolet C light emitter so that ultraviolet C light is emitted proximate to the first terminus of the tube. The first fiberoptic cable directs the ultraviolet C light from the ultraviolet C light emitter so that the ultraviolet C light impinges upon tissue and pathogens proximate to the first terminus of the tube to inactivate the pathogens.