device
(di-vīs' 
)
[Fr. devis, contrivance]
An apparatus, tool, or machine made for a specific function.
abduction d.A trapezoidal pillow, wedge, or splint placed between the arm and torso to prevent adduction. It is commonly used postoperatively for patients having total joint replacement or open reduction or internal fixation of the hip or shoulder.
SEE: illus.
adaptive d.Assistive technology.
ABBR: ASD
A device that provides a proper sitting position for those with limited motor control. Such devices include seating inserts, wheelchairs, and postural support systems designed to prevent deformities and enhance function. SYN: seating system.arterial disobliteration d.Plaque cracker.
assistive technology d.Assistive technology.
augmentative d.A device that helps people with limited or no speech to communicate. Examples include communication boards, pictographs, or ideographs (symbols representing ideas, not sounds).
bag mask d.A manually operated resuscitator used to ventilate a nonbreathing patient or assist the ventilation of a patient who is not breathing at an effective rate or tidal volume. The device consists of a bag, an oxygen reservoir system, a one-way flow valve, and a clear face mask. It is designed to be attached to an oxygen source by tubing to deliver concentrations approaching 100%.
SEE: illus.
belay d.A device using friction to brake or slow the movement of a rope, or to protect a patient, basket, climber, or other rescuer.
ABBR: BiVAD
A device that helps both ventricles of the heart contract more effectively. It is used to treat heart failure by propelling blood out of the chambers of the heart.ABBR: CRMD
An umbrella term for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter/defibrillators.ABBR: CID
A stiff neck brace or collar to prevent movement of the cervical spine in order to maintain spinal alignment and prevent injury or paralysis.ABBR: CCD
A device used in video and digital imaging (such as in CT scanning) that creates electronic images from light.clitoral vacuum d.A mechanical device used to engorge and stimulate the clitoris. It is used as a U.S. FDA–approved treatment for female sexual dysfunction.
closed-system transfer d.Any container used to transport or hold potentially toxic chemicals, drugs, gases, or radioactive elements. Examples include vials, syringes, and adapters.
distal embolic protection d.Embolic protection device.
ABBR: EID
Intravenous pump.SEE: infusion pump.
embolic protection d.A filter placed inside an artery, used to trap debris or blood clots that may damage the distal end of the vessel. SYN: distal embolic protection device.
esophageal intubation detector d.A syringe attached to the endotracheal tube immediately after an intubation attempt.
If aspiration is difficult or stomach contents are withdrawn, or both, the endotracheal (ET) tube may have been placed in the esophagus and needs to be removed and reinserted. If aspiration is easy and free of stomach contents, it is probable that the ET tube is located in the trachea; the rescuer should then confirm tube placement by other techniques, e.g., a combination of auscultation, x-ray, and pulse oximetry.
femoral compression d.A device used to apply pressure to the large artery or vein in the thigh after it has been cannulated in order to reduce bleeding from the punctured vessel. Femoral compression devices are used, e.g., after angiography.
flow-restricted oxygen-powered ventilation d.
ABBR: FROPVD
A ventilation device that provides a peak flow rate of 100% oxygen at up to 40 L/min.SEE: oxygen-powered ventilation device.
SEE: Flutter device.
head immobilization d.A device that attaches to a long back board and holds the patient's head in neutral alignment.
SEE: long back board.
humanitarian use d.Humanitarian device exemption.
ABBR: IED
Military jargon for a homemade bomb or land mine used in unconventional warfare.input d.In assistive technology, the device that activates an electronic device. This can be a manual switch, a remote control, or a joystick.
SEE: switch.
inspiratory impedance threshold d.Inspiratory impedance threshold valve.
ABBR: IUCD, IUD
SEE: intrauterine contraceptive device..
SEE: Kendrick extrication device.
ABBR: LVAD
A pump surgically implanted in patients with severe heart failure to move blood from the left ventricle to the ascending aorta. The LVAD usually augments the heart's function until it heals (following a severe myocardial infarction) or until a heart transplant becomes available, e.g., for patients with heart failure with a markedly diminished ejection fraction. The LVAD also may be used permanently for a patient who does not meet criteria for transplantation.light-emitting d.Any electronic device such as a laptop computer, e-reader, smartphone, or tablet. Use of such devices in the evening or at night can adversely affect circadian rhythms, melatonin release, and the quality of sleep.
listening d.A speech amplifier that aids the hearing-impaired in direct person-to-person communication or telephone conversation. Such devices differ from conventional hearing aids in that they reduce interference from background noises.
ABBR: MAD
SYN: splint, mand ibular advancement.medical d.Any health care product that is intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease and does not primarily work by effecting a chemical change in the body.
mobility d.Any assistive technology that aids the movement of people with physical impairments. Examples include lift chairs, rollators, scooters, walkers, and wheelchairs.
needleless d.A device that has no exposed sharp surface, used to inject drugs and fluids. It is designed to decrease the risk to health care professionals of needle-stick injuries.
oral mand ibular advancement d.Mand ibular advancement splint
ABBR: OCR
Any device that reduces the loss of administered oxygen into the environment, e.g., one that releases oxygen to a patient only when the patient inhales.oxygen-powered ventilation d.A multifunction ventilation device that uses high-flow oxygen. This device can often be triggered by negative pressure caused by an inhaling patient; it can also be operated by a button while the operator watches the patient's chest rise.
During resuscitation, it is necessary to use the positive-pressure aspect of this device and manually trigger or compress the button because the patient cannot open the valve by inhaling. These devices should be fitted with an overinflation high-pressure alarm to avoid gastric distention and /or barotrauma.personal assistive mobility d.Personal mobility device.
ABBR: PFD
A life vest to prevent drowning and near-drowning. People engaged in water sports, such as boating or water skiing, or rescuers working on or near the water should wear PFDs at all times. The U.S. Coast Guard sets stand ards and establishes specifications for the manufacture and use of PFDs. PFDs may be used to provide added buoyancy for the patient during aquatic therapy.personal mobility d.Any assistive device that facilitates individual human transportation. Examples include powered wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, and unicycles. Although many such devices are used by people with activity or mobility restrictions, mobility aids can be employed generally, e.g., for urban transportation in place of automobiles. SYN: personal assistive mobility device.
pointing d.A type of input device for sending command s to a computer. Moving the device results in movement of a cursor on the monitor or computer screen. Pointing devices range from the conventional desktop mouse, trackball, and touch-sensitive screens to infrared and ultrasound pointers mounted on the head.
SEE: light pointer; switch.
ABBR: PID
A device to guide the direction of the x-ray beam during the exposure of dental radiographs. This devices improves and stand ardizes dental radiographic imaging and reduces the patient's risk of radiation exposure.positive beam limiting d.A collimator that automatically adjusts the size of the radiation field to match the size of the imaging device. SYN: automatic collimator.
ABBR: PMD
Any assistive device (such as a powered wheelchair, a lift chair, or a scooter) that improves the movement of the functionally impaired.pressure relief d.An appliance filled with air, water, gel, or foam, used to reduce pressure points caused by the patient’s body weight when seated or bedridden. Examples include wheelchair cushions and air or water flotation mattresses.
prosthetic terminal d.A component of an upper extremity prosthesis that substitutes for the functions of the hand . There are many types of terminal devices, some of which are designed for use with specific tools and implements. These devices have two primary actions: voluntary opening and voluntary closing. SYN: hook.
protective d.An external support applied to vulnerable joints or other body parts to guard against injury. Protective devices include helmets, braces, tape or wrapping, and padding.
pubovaginal d.A device fitted for use in the vagina to help prevent urinary incontinence.
SEE: pessary.
radiological dispersal d.Dirty bomb.
ABBR: SCD
A device to reduce edema or prevent the formation of blood clots in an extremity. A chambered nylon sleeve is progressively inflated from its distal segment to the proximal segment, forcing venous and lymphatic return. Sequential compression devices are inflated with air (pneumatic compression) or, less commonly, chilled water (cryocompression). SCDs are used frequently in the perioperative period.SEE:
intermittent compression.
single-use d.A medical device used once for the care of a single patient and then immediately discarded.
spine arthroplasty d.A prosthesis to replace a damaged intervertebral disk.
superconductive quantum interference d.
ABBR: SQUID
A biomagnetometer used to measure magnetic fields in the body or the presence of magnetically active elements or minerals, such as body stores of iron.telecommunication d. for the deaf
ABBR: TDD
A device that allows the hearing-impaired to use the telephone even if they cannot comprehend speech. A keyboard and display screen are used.vascular closure d.A device for closing an incision that has been made into an artery or vein. It can be used instead of manual compression to obtain hemostasis in the brachial or femoral artery after coronary angiography.
venous access d.A specially designed catheter for gaining and maintaining access to the venous system. This device provides access for patients who require intravenous fluids or medications for several days or more, e.g., those having a bone marrow transplant or who are receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition.
SEE: venous port.
SEE:
illus..ABBR: VAD
A pump to treat heart failure. It helps the ventricles to contract and move blood to the lungs and /or the aorta.