Contemplated herein is an automated microscope slide antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments for individually and independently processing a plurality of individual microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually heatable heating plate. Each slide support element may support a microscope slide. Each microscope slide can be enclosed within an individual pressurizable reaction compartment. Pressures exceeding 1 atm or below 1 atm can be created and maintained in the reaction compartment prior to, during or after heating of the slide begins. Because of the ability to pressurize and regulate pressure within the reaction compartment, and to individually heat each slide, each slide and a liquid solution or reagent thereon can be heated to temperatures that could not be obtained without the enclosed pressurized environment of the reaction compartment. A reagent dispensing strip having a plurality of reconfigurable reagent modules may also be used.

Selectively controllable apparatus for insertion into an ear canal, and related methods of use and operation for behavioral control. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into an ear canal. In one variant, the body includes one or more thermal mechanisms which enable selective increase or decrease of temperature of at least portions of the ear canal so as to implement behavioral control of the user, such as to mitigate cravings for food, alcohol, narcotics, or other potentially deleterious substances. In one variant, a mild nausea or pre-nausea condition is created within the user according to a time-temperature profile so as to induce the aforementioned behavioral modification.

Apparatus for cooling an object, space, or tissues of a patient. A vacuum chamber is designed to be placed in thermal contact with the object or space to be cooled, or against a patient to be treated. A water sprayer is configured to spray water into the vacuum chamber or against a cooling wall of the chamber. A vacuum pump and control are designed to maintain vacuum below ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber sufficient to cause accelerated evaporation of the water and cooling to a temperature desired for cooling of the object, space, or patient.

An automated therapy system having an infusion catheter; a sensor adapted to sense a patient parameter; and a controller communicating with the sensor and programmed to control flow output from the infusion catheter into a patient based on the patient parameter without removing fluid from the patient. The invention also includes a method of controlling infusion of a fluid to a patient. The method includes the following steps: monitoring a patient parameter with a sensor to generate a sensor signal; providing the sensor signal to a controller; and adjusting fluid flow to the patient based on the sensor signal without removing fluid from the patient.

A medical device including an introducer; a first section configured to connect to a supply of therapeutic fluid; and a second section configured to connect to a supply of therapeutic elements. The therapeutic elements are drawn into the introducer by way of suction created by a flow of the therapeutic fluid through the introducer. The therapeutic elements are drawn into the introducer by way of suction created by a flow of the therapeutic fluid through the introducer.

A neurosurgical ultrasonic focusing assisted three-stage atomization cooling and postoperative wound film forming device has a transducer housing and a nozzle, wherein a horn is arranged in the transducer housing, at least two layers of piezoelectric ceramic sheets are arranged at the top of the horn, an electrode sheet connected with an ultrasonic generator is arranged between two adjacent layers of piezoelectric ceramic sheets, the bottom of the transducer housing is of a hemispherical structure, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected with the ultrasonic generator are arranged inside the hemispherical structure; and the nozzle is arranged at the bottom of the horn and connected with a medical nanofluid storage cup, compressed gas can also be introduced into the nozzle, and an electrode is also arranged inside the nozzle.

A method, and apparatus for the controlled acceleration, and/or retardation of the body's inflammatory response generally comprises a foam pad for insertion substantially into a wound site, a heating, a cooling pad for application over the wound site, a wound drape or sealing enclosure of the foam pad, the heating, and cooling pad at wound site. The foam pad is placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source for promotion of the controlled acceleration or retardation of the body's inflammatory response. The heating, and cooling provision controls the local metabolic function as part of the inflammatory response.

A chilled-air inhaler device for the alleviation of respiratory symptoms includes a body containing a hollow chamber through which air is forced or drawn past at least an air-chilling surface. In an embodiment the air-chilling surface may include water ice. Connected to the body and hollow chamber at one end is a mouthpiece including an opening that connects from environmental air outside of the hollow chamber to the hollow chamber. Connected to the hollow chamber at a second end is an inlet which connects to a source of air. In an embodiment, the inlet may connect to an external device such blower or nebulizer.

Systems and methods for a medical device configured to provide cooling to a tissue region are provided. The medical device may be configured to noninvasively cool the tissue region to a predetermined operating temperature via a two-phase heat transfer process. In some aspects, the medical device can be configured to be in communication with a vacuum to provide a suction to the medical device. In some aspects, the medical device can be adapted to a medical device to noninvasively cool the tissue region near a fractional treatment area.

Embodiments include methods and systems for treating back pain associated with a nerve. A needle of a cryogenic system may be inserted beneath a skin surface. The needle may include an electrically conducting structure at least partially surrounded by an electrical insulator for conducting electrical energy. The needle may include an outer lumen and an inner lumen extending distally within the outer lumen, the inner lumen include a distal opening open to the outer lumen. The needle may be positioned at a desired location in proximity to the nerve, and a cooling therapy including cooling cycles and thawing periods may be performed to cool tissue at the desired location. The cooling therapy may sufficiently reduce the back pain.