An ergonomic gauze pad holder, useful in holding an in site after an intraoral surgical procedure is disclosed. The use of the gauze pad holder foments and promotes a hygienic and safe clot formation in an intraoral extraction site after tooth extraction. The design of the holder in terms of its use includes an external section and an internal section that may be connected in different positions, relative to the position of the intraoral site wherein the gauze pad is intended to be used. The external section includes a handle and connecting section that allows the user to control the holder from the exterior of his mouth. The internal section, intended to be used inside the patient mouth, has two internal receiving channels wherein two extended inserting sections are inserted and secured creating an internal cavity wherein a gauze pad may be inserted secured, and assembled in different configurations. The particular configuration of the gauze pad depends on the particular position inside the intraoral site wherein the gauze pad is intended to be used. The external surface of the internal section is smooth, and it is designed ergonomically to be comfortably housed in the patient mouth. The whole design of the ergonomic gauze pad holder herein disclosed is directed to reduce the risks of complications after tooth extractions, reduce the healing time, and increase the safety of the patient during the post-surgical healing process.

An ergonomic gauze pad holder, useful in holding an in site after an intraoral surgical procedure is disclosed. The use of the gauze pad holder foments and promotes a hygienic and safe clot formation in an intraoral extraction site after tooth extraction. The design of the holder in terms of its use includes an external section and an internal section that may be connected in different positions, relative to the position of the intraoral site wherein the gauze pad is intended to be used. The external section includes a handle and connecting section that allows the user to control the holder from the exterior of his mouth. The internal section, intended to be used inside the patient mouth, has two internal receiving channels wherein two extended inserting sections are inserted and secured creating an internal cavity wherein a gauze pad may be inserted secured, and assembled in different configurations. The particular configuration of the gauze pad depends on the particular position inside the intraoral site wherein the gauze pad is intended to be used. The external surface of the internal section is smooth, and it is designed ergonomically to be comfortably housed in the patient mouth. The whole design of the ergonomic gauze pad holder herein disclosed is directed to reduce the risks of complications after tooth extractions, reduce the healing time, and increase the safety of the patient during the post-surgical healing process.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis using swabs. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a probe having a conductive proximal portion coupled to a porous material at a distal portion of the probe that is configured to retain a portion of a sample that has contacted the porous material, and a mass spectrometer having an inlet. The system is configured such that the porous material at a distal portion of the probe is aligned over the inlet of the mass spectrometer.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for sample analysis using swabs. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a probe having a conductive proximal portion coupled to a porous material at a distal portion of the probe that is configured to retain a portion of a sample that has contacted the porous material, and a mass spectrometer having an inlet. The system is configured such that the porous material at a distal portion of the probe is aligned over the inlet of the mass spectrometer.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

A method for intranasal delivery of a formulation comprising Botulinum toxin for the treatment of allergic rhinitis involved impregnating an absorbent tip of an applicator with the formulation, the applicator having a rigid rod having the absorbent tip at a distal end thereof, and inserting the applicator straight into a nasal cavity of a patient beneath the lower turbinates to target the nasal- or nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and the eustachian tube opening zone of the nasopharynx within the nasal cavity with the absorbent tip.

Helical body with blades for cutting, stirring, removing and cleaning in solids and closed and open tubular shapes. The blades create more points to cut and contact with less material and remove what they cut and withdraw in the same movement. In ear cleaning they reduce the risk of pushing in the cerumen. The helicoid to remove earwax is manufactured with the same processes and machines of the art of swabs, adding two steps, preforming and forming. This one, by placing halves of helicoid molds in bands or cylinders where, by pressure, a vacuum, and heat, they form the blades. The machine produces quantities per minute similar to the current ones. Uses of the invention are possible in cutting and removal of rocks, in mechanical tools for working on metals or hard materials, in medicine for removal and extraction in ducts, veins and arteries, in personal use and domestic utensils where blades replace fibers.

Helical body with blades for cutting, stirring, removing and cleaning in solids and closed and open tubular shapes. The blades create more points to cut and contact with less material and remove what they cut and withdraw in the same movement. In ear cleaning they reduce the risk of pushing in the cerumen. The helicoid to remove earwax is manufactured with the same processes and machines of the art of swabs, adding two steps, preforming and forming. This one, by placing halves of helicoid molds in bands or cylinders where, by pressure, a vacuum, and heat, they form the blades. The machine produces quantities per minute similar to the current ones. Uses of the invention are possible in cutting and removal of rocks, in mechanical tools for working on metals or hard materials, in medicine for removal and extraction in ducts, veins and arteries, in personal use and domestic utensils where blades replace fibers.

The present invention provides a device for collecting a fluid specimen. The device comprises a water-absorbing end part formed by bonding a first porous water-absorbing film and a second porous water-absorbing film. Preferably, the second porous water-absorbing film and the first porous water-absorbing film are sponge films.