A method of promoting a desired oral microbiota to treat an inflammation condition related to an allergic reaction in a subject in need of such treatment including providing a preformulated edible composition including an amino acid containing ingredient comprising L-arginine, the composition configured to be present as individual molecules of L-arginine within an oral cavity of the subject; removing a biofilm from surfaces within an oral cavity including exposing the biofilm to a biofilm degrading enzyme; wherein during or following removal of the biofilm, the composition is provided contained and at least partially dissolved within an oral cavity of the subject for a period of at least from about 30 seconds to about an hour on a daily basis comprising at least one day to promote an increased concentration of selected oral microbiota, the selected microbiota including Veillonella and Streptococcus.

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting or positioning a thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. A number of exemplary thermal devices are disclosed, including bone anchors, inserts for use with bone anchors, K-wires, bone anchor extensions or towers, cross-connectors, spinous process plates, spinal rods, pedicle markers, bone taps, drill bits, bone plugs, bone plates, clamps, interbody or disc implants, thermal pads, and tubing loops. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner.

A crush and kink resilient tubing system for an infusion system. The tubing system has an inner sheath with an inner wall forming a passageway for an infusion fluid, and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath, wherein the inner sheath material which has a structural rigidity greater than a structural rigidity of the material of the outer sheath, such that a neutral strain line is formed closer to the tube's inner wall than to its outer wall. This combination of materials characteristics and relative thicknesses provides autonomous recovery and rebounding of the tube following removal of a shape deforming force.

A device includes light sources, electromagnetic field generators, and vibration components to apply a variety of treatment regimens to a living animal organism, including a human person or a body part of a person. The light and electromagnetic therapy are applied at frequencies which have physiological effects, and which can be combined to induce lipolysis, stimulate muscle, and achieve other effects. Feedback is used to dynamically adjust the intensity, duration, and other parameters of the light, electromagnetic, and vibration treatment modalities.

Methods and apparatuses of treating meibomian glands are disclosed. An apparatus suitable to treat meibomian glands comprises a heat source, a controller, and a pressure applicator. The heat source is configured to apply regulated heat to an eyelid containing at least one meibomian gland to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within the at least one meibomian gland and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state. The controller is configured to maintain the regulated heat for a time period adequate to melt the at least one obstruction and place the at least one obstruction in the melted state. The pressure applicator is configured to be placed into direct contact with the eyelid and apply a pressure over at least a portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the at least one meibomian gland.

Devices for therapeutic interaction with an Abreu brain thermal tunnel (ABTT) terminus. Such devices provide heat to or remove heat from the ABTT terminus, and may also provide heat to or remove heat from veins connected to the ABTT. Therapeutic devices for engaging with the ABTT terminus benefit from diagnostics obtained at the ABTT terminus, or from other locations on the body.

Devices, systems and methods for controlling the temperature of all or part of the body of a human or animal subject.

A method of manipulating a quick connect/disconnect system includes connecting a first coupling portion of a first connecting member to a fluid conductor and inserting a second coupling portion of the first connecting member within a third coupling portion of a second connecting member. The method further includes inserting the third coupling portion within a ring assembly which is rotatably coupled to the first coupling portion and engaging a mating feature on an external surface of the third coupling portion with a mating feature on an internal surface of the ring assembly. The method also includes rotating the ring assembly about the third coupling portion while the first mating portion is engaged with the second mating portion; and forcing the second coupling portion to move further within the third coupling portion by rotation of the ring assembly.

Methods and apparatuses of treating meibomian glands are disclosed. The method comprises applying regulated heat to an eyelid to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within at least one meibomian gland. The method also comprises maintaining the regulated heat for a time period adequate to place the at least obstruction in the melted state. The method further comprises positioning a pressure application device into contact with the patient's eyelid and applying a pressure with the pressure application device over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland. An apparatus suitable to treat meibomian glands comprises a heater, a controller, and a pressure applicator configured to be placed into contact with the eyelid and apply a pressure over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland.

A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomian gland to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften the obstruction.