Disclosed are non-medical consumer products including a substrate that is coated with a layer of parylene. Particularly, the non-medical consumer products can include novelty items, such as adult novelty items, and children's products, such as pacifiers or toys. The layer of parylene extends lifetime of the non-medical consumer products and prevents bacterial growth thereon whilst also providing a protective barrier for a user of the non-medical consumer products, preventing adverse effects thereto from bioincompatible materials and toxic chemicals. A method of coating such items with parylene is also disclosed.

A breathing mask for use in administering inhalable medications to a patient in need of an inhaled drug is provided. The mask disclosed herein is particularly useful for use with very young children. The mask is made from a flexible molded plastic silicone or elastomeric material, and has an anthropometrically/anatoinically/ergonomically contoured shape to provide a good seal, a comfortable fit, and minimal dead space within the mask. The airway is aligned with nose. There may be an orifice for use with a soother device to calm a child using the mask. Also provided is a visual flow indicator to provide an indication of the quality of the seal of the mask on the face.

A pacifier weaning apparatus is provided that includes a shell or shell assembly providing a housing, and a nipple configured to protrude from the housing. The nipple includes a first end adapted to be held by the housing, and an opposing, sucking end adapted for insertion into a user's mouth. The nipple also defines a first chamber and an expandable, second chamber that are both open at the first end and extend in a direction from the first end to the sucking end, and the first chamber being open and the second chamber being closed at the sucking end. And the pacifier weaning apparatus includes an airflow-control component configured to regulate either or both a break pressure at or above which airflow through the first chamber is permitted, or a rate of airflow through the first chamber.

An intelligent pacifier estimates its state based on one or more sensors. Based on the estimated state, the pacifier may provide an alert or notification to a child or caretaker regarding the state of the child. The alert or notification may be generated by one or more output transducers and may increase in level depending on the estimated state. An application program communicates with the intelligent pacifier, allowing the caretaker to review and analyze the data collected by the intelligent pacifier, and to configure the intelligent pacifier. Embodiments of the intelligent pacifier may vary in the number and type of sensors, the number and type of estimated states, and the number and type of output transducers. The intelligent pacifier may be constructed as a single device or may consist of a housing that interfaces to a typical pacifier.

An infant intraoral device can include an intraoral portion and a sensory material carried by the intraoral portion. The intraoral portion may be formed of a biocompatible and food-safe polymeric material, with the intraoral portion being shaped and configured to sooth an infant upon one of sucking and chewing on the intraoral portion. The secondary sensory material can have one or more of a flavor or a scent associated therewith.

Customized nipples are provided herein that are designed to mimic a nursing woman's anatomic nipple to minimize nipple confusion for a nursing baby. The customized nipples are created in a noninvasive manner, for example, via a scan of the woman's breast that is received by a computer. The customized nipples also are preferably formed in an efficient manner based on the scan. The customized nipples may be formed for baby products, such as bottles and pacifiers.

A trackable pacifier assembly for locating a misplaced pacifier includes a panel that is flexible. A nipple is coupled to and extends from a first face of the panel. The nipple is configured to pacify a child. A tracker unit is coupled to a second face of the panel. The tracker unit comprises a transceiver so that the tracker unit is configured to communicate wirelessly. The tracker unit also comprises a receiver. The receiver is global positioning system enabled so that the receiver is configured to receive coordinates. The transceiver is positioned to communicate the coordinates to an electronic device of a user so that the user is positioned to locate the tracker unit.

An aromatic pacifier assembly for an infant gives off a predetermined scent by evaporation of volatile essential oils or similar substances. The aroma may be, for example, mint, menthol or eucalyptus, which may help relieve nasal congestion. The aromatic pacifier assembly is constructed to prevent evaporation of the essential oil before activation, so that the nipple does not become contaminated with a flavor the infant may find unpalatable, and so that the oil is conserved until it is desired to administer it to the infant.

An infant intraoral device can include an intraoral portion and a sensory material carried by the intraoral portion. The intraoral portion may be formed of a biocompatible and food-safe polymeric material, with the intraoral portion being shaped and configured to sooth an infant upon one of sucking and chewing on the intraoral portion. The secondary sensory material can have one or more of a flavor or a scent associated therewith.

A breathing mask for use in administering inhalable medications to a patient in need of an inhaled drug is provided. The mask disclosed herein is particularly useful for use with very young children. The mask is made from a flexible molded plastic silicone or elastomeric material, and has an anthropometrically/anatomically/ergonomically contoured shape to provide a good seal, a comfortable fit, and minimal dead space within the mask. The airway is aligned with nose. There may be an orifice for use with a soother device to calm a child using the mask. Also provided is a visual flow indicator to provide an indication of the quality of the seal of the mask on the face.