Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room within a retail store or physician's office; and obtaining a sample. Methods for analyzing a sample include providing a sample collection room within a retail store or physician's office; obtaining a sample; and analyzing it. A waiting room; a bathroom; and a pass-through from bathroom to sample collection room may be provided. Sample collection rooms may include a warming table; a warming plate; a finger warmer; a fingertip warmer; an air-warmer; a reclining chair; a calming feature; and adjustable lighting. Samples may be analyzed at the collection location or sent to elsewhere for analysis. Sample collection rooms may house a sample analysis device or system. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick, and may be analyzed in a short period of time, e.g., in less than five hours, or less than four hours.

The invention relates to a vasodilation assembly for facilitating intravenous cannulation. The assembly comprises: (i) a flexible plastics sleeve (10); (ii) a heated air supply; and (iii) a conduit for conveying heated air from the air supply into the flexible plastics sleeve. The sleeve comprises an air inlet opening (12) for coupling to the conduit, and an opening (14) for accepting an appendage of a patient. The flexible plastics sleeve (10) is of a double-walled construction comprising transparent inner and outer sleeve layers (16, 18).

A thermal digit wrap system includes a thermal digit wrap assembly having a first edge having at least one loop mated fastener strip, a second edge, a third edge having at least one hook mated fastener strap, a fourth edge; a top side; a bottom side; and an interior volume having at least one cooling gel located between the top side and the bottom side. The thermal digit wrap assembly is structured and arranged to enable it to act in a capacity of a splint and immobilizes an injured digit. The thermal digit wrap system provides an isolated cold-pack via cooling gel to reduce swelling and pain following an injury to the digit.

Various embodiments of polymer gel products are described herein. A support pad comprising a viscoelastic polymer based gel substrate having a selected thickness and flexibility, and at least one sensor embedded within the gel substrate proximal to the surface of the support pad that is adjacent to the portion of the user's body. A method of embedding at least one sensor into a vis-polymer gel substrate. An impact dissipating pad insertable into a body protection apparatus and comprising a viscoelastic polymer based gel substrate having a selected thickness and first and second surfaces. A compression wrap comprising a gel band that is stretchable and a backing member adjacent to the gel band, wherein the backing member is stretchable in a similar manner as the gel band. An anti-vibration glove comprising at least one gel material disposed in the glove to cover at least a portion of the user's hand.

A hand warming device for warming a hand of a user gripping the device may comprise a housing having an exterior surface, a heating element to heating the exterior surface, a power source, and a power switch. The exterior surface may be contoured to facilitate contact between the exterior surface and the hand of the user when the housing is held by a clenched fist of the user. The housing may be elongated along a first axis between opposite first and second ends. The exterior surface of the housing has a shape having a longitudinal profile taken in a longitudinal plane extending along the first axis. The longitudinal profile may have an inner boundary and an outer boundary extending between the ends, and the longitudinal profile may be generally comma-shaped.