A heating device includes a heating unit and device electronics. The heating unit is configured to deliver heat to a user's body. The heating unit includes a substrate and a heating element supported by the substrate. The device electronics are coupled to the heating element and are configured to store a first heating profile that includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a first period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the first heating profile. The device electronics are configured to wirelessly receive a second heating profile from an external computing device. The second heating profile includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a second period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the second heating profile.

An apparatus for processing a phlebotomy needle having a double-ended needle with a hub between its tips. The apparatus has a clamping electrode for contacting/clamping one end of the needle between the hub and tip and a tip electrode for contacting the needle at its tip. A voltage is applied between the clamping electrode and the tip electrode, to soften/melt the needle via resistive heating, at the same time as the tip electrode is advanced to compress the needle tip and blunt it. The apparatus includes means for allowing the needle to be rotated through so that the first tip and the second tip can be blunted. Also disclosed is means for detaching the needle from a main body and/or for removing a cover covering one end of the needle. The apparatus enables a Vacutainer-type needle to be disassembled into its various parts and the needle rendered blunt and non-hazardous.

A device for controlling the temperature of and thawing a temperature-controlled product, with a housing containing the temperature-controlled product, a heating module for introducing heat at least at one side of the temperature-controlled product and an actuating member, using which movement can be introduced into the temperature-controlled product. The actuating member is designed as a mechanical actuating element which extends along and ideally makes direct contact with the temperature-controlled product, and which can be controlled such that it executes a periodic and/or non-periodic movement.

A heating device includes a heating unit and device electronics. The heating unit is configured to deliver heat to a user's body. The heating unit includes a substrate and a heating element supported by the substrate. The device electronics are coupled to the heating element and are configured to store a first heating profile that includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a first period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the first heating profile. The device electronics are configured to wirelessly receive a second heating profile from an external computing device. The second heating profile includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a second period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the second heating profile.

A pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes a base unit structured to generate the flow of breathing gas and including a heating control unit, a conduit coupled to the base unit and structured to carry the flow of breathing gas, a thermistor disposed in the conduit, and first and second resistive wires extending along the conduit from the base unit to the thermistor. The heating control unit is structured to selectively operate in a first mode to heat the conduit using the first and second resistive wires and a second mode to sense a temperature of airflow in the conduit with the thermistor via the first and second resistive wires.

A medical heater includes: a substrate having a first plate surface and a second plate surface; and a conductive portion provided on the first plate surface. The substrate is folded back in a state where the first plate surface forms an outer surface in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, the conductive portion includes: a pair of connecting portions to which wiring members are electrically connected; a heat generating portion; and an electric path portion that is connected from the connecting portions to the heat generating portion, and the heat generating portion has a configuration in which a resistance value of the heat generating portion is higher than resistance values of other parts in the conductive portion, and a thickness measurement of at least a part of the heat generating portion is smaller than thickness measurements of other parts in the conductive portion.

A cost-effective, single use bag or container is provided for storing biological substances that incorporates on its inner wall an electronic device that is configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the enclosed biological substances, such as source history, identification, demographics, time stamping, temperature, pH, conductivity, glucose, O.sub.2, CO.sub.2 levels etc. The electronic device of the disclosed bag comprises a sensor configured to measure physiological and/or physical parameters of the biological substances enclosed within the bag, and a radio-frequency (RF) device communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to: (a) acquire from the sensor data associated with the measured parameters, (b) store the acquired sensor data in nonvolatile memory, and (c) communicate the stored data wirelessly to a RF reader.

Dry thawing systems and devices for thawing biological substances are provided herein. Methods for thawing biological substances are also provided.

Dry thawing systems and devices for thawing biological substances are provided herein. Methods for thawing biological substances are also provided.

A dry powder inhaler consisting of a reusable base unit and a disposable drug package is disclosed. The reusable portion may house a transducer, a controller, battery and user interface. The disposable portion may house a dose pellet in a sealed dose chamber that includes an integrated mouthpiece. A user may couple the disposable portion to the reusable portion of the inhaler. The inhaler may sense the user's breathe and synchronize delivery of the pharmaceutical or drug to the user.