A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid (26) into a nasal cavity (22) of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid (26) washes biological material into an oropharynx (30) of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity (22), (b) a nasopharynx (32) of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity (22) and the nasopharynx (32). Thereafter, a specimen sample (24) is collected that passed out of an anterior opening (34) of an oral cavity (36) of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx (30) by the nasal wash fluid (26). Other embodiments are also described.

A chemical-liquid injector includes a piston-driving mechanism (130) that moves a piston member of a syringe containing a contrast medium, which includes an actuator and a ram member which is moved back and forth by the actuator, a control circuit (150) which is electrically connected to the actuator, and an operating knob unit (170) which includes an operating knob that is to be operated by an operator, and a rotation sensor that outputs an electric signal corresponding to a rotation of the operating knob. The control circuit is configured to generate a predetermined control signal accordingly, on the basis of a signal from the rotation sensor, and the piston-driving mechanism is operated according to the control signal.

A patient interface includes a shell with a central opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of air, a foam cushion, and an elastomeric support portion that is attached to the shell, supports the foam cushion, and forms at least part of a chamber together with the shell and the foam cushion. The elastomeric support portion includes a side wall that forms a continuous perimeter around the chamber and a resiliently flexible lip that supports the foam cushion and extends from the side wall toward an interior of the chamber. The resiliently flexible lip has an outer perimeter that is anchored to the side wall and an unsupported inner perimeter. The foam cushion overhangs the inner perimeter of the resiliently flexible lip, and the shell is more rigid than the elastomeric support portion. In addition, the foam cushion is configured to directly contact and engage a portion of the patient's skin in use.

The invention is a wearable breast pump system including a housing shaped at least in part to fit inside a bra and a piezo air-pump. The piezo air-pump is fitted in the housing and forms part of a closed loop system that drives a separate, deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure. The diaphragm is removably mounted on a breast shield.

The present invention relates to a kit comprising: a) an ampoule; b) a material comprising a hemp plant or parts thereof; and c) a color indicator capable of reacting by contacting the hemp plant and/or at least a part thereof to change the color of the color indicator, wherein the material and the color indicator are disposed in the ampoule; and a method for qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting one or more substance(s) contained in the hemp plant using the kit.

A device for infusing a medicament into a patient includes a disposable component having a collapsible reservoir for holding the medicament, a cannula, and an elastomeric tube connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the cannula. A manipulator is mounted on a chassis for engagement with the elastomeric tube. The manipulator includes a piston and respective pinchers upstream and downstream from the piston for a close/open open/close changeover operation. In concert therewith, the piston cyclically advances and withdraws relative to a platen to thereby alternatingly dilate/constrict the tube section. When the upstream pincher is open, the piston withdraws to create a low fluid pressure, p.sub.Lo, in the tube section to draw medicament into the tube. Alternately, when the downstream pincher is open, the piston is advanced to create a high fluid pressure, p.sub.Hi, on the tube to infuse medicament into the patient.

An air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.

An implantable drainage device is provided. The device is adapted to move body fluid from one part of the body of a patient to another part of the body.

Delivery systems and methods for forming and delivering biomaterials from two components are described herein. In particular, apparatus and methods for performing controlled delivery of multicomponent delivery of biomaterials into or onto a body part, such as a body lumen are described. More specifically, in some embodiments, the apparatus and methods are directed towards controlled delivery of micro-volumes of biomaterials into or onto a target location, the micro-volumes being defined as 0.001 mL-1 mL (or 1 μL-1,000 μL) of volume.

A therapeutic vibrational system for treating such conditions as hypertension may have a plurality of vibrating patches; each including a vibrating motor with an adhesive for application to a person's skin permitting the plurality of vibrating patches to be placed in two or more locations on the person's skin, as well as a controller with a user interface and configured to provide control instructions to the plurality of vibrating patches.