Donna R Scarborough

US Patent:

20090292228, Nov 26, 2009

Filed:

May 26, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/471857

Inventors:

Michael Bailey Van Kuren - Hamilton OH, US
Donna Scarborough - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Miami University - Oxford OH

International Classification:

A61H 7/00

US Classification:

601 84

Abstract:

A method and device for reducing gag reflex by applying pressure to a pressure point in the palm of the hand. A splint that holds the hand relatively immobile has a rigid member and an actuating pressure system, such as a solenoid, at the pressure point. The rigid member at least partially immobilizes the human user's palm and fingers. The actuating pressure system is mounted at an inner side of the volar side of the enclosure adjacent to a pressure region of the palm. A power supply is connected to the actuating pressure system to apply an electrical current to the pressure system, which exerts pressure to the pressure region of the user's palm in order to diminish or normalize the user's gag reflex response.

US Patent:

20100252563, Oct 7, 2010

Filed:

Apr 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/753147

Inventors:

Michael Bailey-VanKuren - Hamilton OH, US
Donna R. Scarborough - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

MIAMI UNIVERSITY - Oxford OH

International Classification:

A47G 19/22
G05D 7/00
B65D 25/28
G06F 3/041
H03M 11/00
G06F 3/02
B67D 7/16

US Classification:

220713, 220714, 700282, 220752, 178 1803, 341 22, 345168, 222 71

Abstract:

An advanced transitional cup (ATC) for training developing children and developmentally-challenged individuals to drink from a cup. The ATC includes a lid with a small fluid aperture and an electric air valve. A microcontroller located in the base of the ATC converts a user-defined “flow rate” into a PWM voltage signal that successively opens and closes the air valve. A higher flow rate results in a PWM signal that opens the air valve for longer spans of time and closes the air valve for shorter spans of time as compared to a lower flow rate, thereby allowing more air to enter the ATC and fluid to be expressed from the fluid aperture more readily. A touch sensor on the sidewall of the ATC prevents the air valve from being opened, and thus fluid from exiting the fluid aperture, unless a drinker is touching the touch sensor, thereby preventing accidental spills.