A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or treating mood disorders, such as depression, is provided. Right vestibular function in subjects diagnosed with a mood disorder is diminished compared with subjects who do not have a mood disorder. Accordingly, a method and apparatus for determining right vestibular function in a subject is provided, from which a diagnosis of a mood disorder may be determined. Stimulation of the vestibular system of a subject diagnosed with a mood disorder may reduce symptoms of the mood disorder in the subject. A method and apparatus for registering a subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system and providing therapeutic vestibular stimulation based on the subject's response is provided. A subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system may be based on measurements of nystagmus in the subject.

An attachment for a device for generating an air flow or dispensing a fluid, which attachment is designed to be at least partially introduced into an external auditory canal of a human or animal ear, the attachment including a connection piece for connecting the attachment to the device for generating an air flow, and a tongue-type guide vane for conducting air that flows out of the device for generating an air flow via the connection piece, the guide vane having a bottom.

A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction, and expressing the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one RF electrode configured to direct RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland located in an eyelid of an eye, the at least one RF electrode further configured to selectively target an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction. The apparatus also comprises at least one expressor configured to express the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland.

An apparatus for cleansing and promoting tissue growth in wounds, in which irrigant fluid optionally containing cell nutrients and/or other physiologically active material from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing, a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The apparatus has means for supplying thermal energy to the fluid in the wound. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for exchanging heat with a human body part to reduce fever, reduce localized swelling, warm up feet, cool down the body, increase body core temperature, and the like. A double walled water-tight article of clothing, such as a boot or a glove, may include a fluid inlet and outlet. A single walled but water-tight article of clothing may be used around a body part and allow the water to contact the skin inside the article of clothing for more rapid and direct heat exchange. Pumps, heating or cooling elements, thermometers or other devices may be included with the article of clothing. The article of clothing may be compartmentalized to concentrate the fluid around a particular body part. Multilayered articles of clothing are also disclosed to inject a thermal gas into a heat exchange space to cool or warm a user.

A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or treating mood disorders, such as depression, is provided. Right vestibular function in subjects diagnosed with a mood disorder is diminished compared with subjects who do not have a mood disorder. Accordingly, a method and apparatus for determining right vestibular function in a subject is provided, from which a diagnosis of a mood disorder may be determined. Stimulation of the vestibular system of a subject diagnosed with a mood disorder may reduce symptoms of the mood disorder in the subject. A method and apparatus for registering a subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system and providing therapeutic vestibular stimulation based on the subject's response is provided. A subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system may be based on measurements of nystagmus in the subject.

A system for directing fluid flow in a mattress is disclosed. The mattress comprises a base support layer which is configured to spatially locate at least one insert support layer. The insert layer comprises a conduit to allow fluid flow.

A catheter for the delivery of a therapeutic fluid to a patient's cavity is provided. The catheter includes an inflow lumen for delivering fluid to the patient's cavity; an outflow lumen for recovering fluid from the patient's cavity; an electrode located, in use, in the patient's cavity; and structure for supplying power to the electrode. Also provided is a system for the delivery of a therapeutic fluid to a patient's cavity, including the catheter, and a method for delivering a therapeutic fluid into a patient's cavity, including the step of using the catheter.

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.

An electro-hydro massage device enhances the therapeutic benefits of electrical nerve and muscle stimulation by incorporating simultaneous tactile and thermal stimulation from water flow, using a hand-held source of electric current and water flow, in contact with the user's skin. The water flow also reduces the skin's resistance to electrical current and provides warming or cooling to complement and enhance effects of the electrical stimulation. The treatment surface of the hand-held electro-hydro massage device contacts the user's skin and contains two or more electrodes and one or more sources of water flow. The electrically conductive electrodes imbedded in the treatment surface are connected to a battery-powered electrical source with controls to select the source voltage amplitude, voltage frequency, pulse frequency, and other characteristics to achieve the desired physiological effects. The device is connected to a water source with selectable temperature and flow rate, with aeration to facilitate more gentle and uniform water flow over the treatment area.