| assistive device | Any device that is designed, made, or adapted to assist a person perform a particular task. For examples, canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| ventricular assist device | A device that supports or replaces the function of a ventricle (LVAD or RVAD indicates which ventricle). The patient's heart remains in place when this device or system is used. The device is used in patients with potentially salvageable myocardium, where centrifugal or pneumatic devices can be placed in either heterotopic or orthotopic positions (the latter is termed a total artificial heart). The function of either the left, right, or both ventricles can thus be supported for days to weeks. Either recovery of heart function or need for transplantation then becomes apparent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| central-bearing device | In dentistry, a device which provides a central point of bearing, or support, between upper and lower record bases; it consists of a contacting point which is attached to one base and a plate attached to the other which provides the surface on which the bearing point rests or moves. (05 Mar 2000) |
| central-bearing tracing device | In dentistry, a central-bearing device used for making a tracing and/or for support between upper and lower bases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contraceptive device | A device used to prevent pregnancy; e.g., occlusive diaphragm, condom, intrauterine device. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contraceptive device, intrauterine | A device inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent conception (pregnancy). The IUD can be a coil, loop, triangle, or T in shape made of plastic or metal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dental device | <dentistry> Devices used in the home by persons to maintain dental and periodontal health. The devices include toothbrushes, dental flosses, water irrigators, gingival stimulators, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| device | 1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. "His device in against Babylon, to destroy it." (Jer. Li. 11) "Their recent device of demanding benevolences." (Hallam) "He disappointeth the devices of the crafty." (Job v. 12) 2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance. "I must have instruments of my own device." (Landor) 3. An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance. Improperly, an heraldic bearing. "Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by devices on their shields." (Addison) "A banner with this strange device - Excelsior." (Longfellow) 4. Anything fancifully conceived. 5. A spectacle or show. 6. Opinion; decision. Synonym: Contrivance, invention, design, scheme, project, stratagem, shift. Device, Contrivance. Device implies more of inventive power, and contrivance more of skill and dexterity in execution. A device usually has reference to something worked out for exhibition or show; a contrivance usually respects the arrangement or disposition of things with reference to securing some end. Devices were worn by knights-errant on their shields; contrivances are generally used to promote the practical convenience of life. The word device is often used in a bad sense; as, a crafty device; contrivance is almost always used in a good sense; as, a useful contrivance. Origin: OE. Devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, fr. F. Devis architect's plan and estimates (in OF, division, plan, wish), devise device (in sense 3), in OF. Also, division, wish, last will, fr. Deviser. See Devise, and cf. Devise. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| device approval | Process that is gone through in order for a device to receive approval by a government regulatory agency. This includes any required preclinical or clinical testing, review, submission, and evaluation of the applications and test results, and post-marketing surveillance. It is not restricted to FDA. (12 Dec 1998) |
| device, assistive | Any device that is designed, made, and/or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task. For examples, canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices. Device, intrauterine contraceptive (IUD): A device inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent conception (pregnancy). The IUD can be a coil, loop, triangle, or T in shape made of plastic or metal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intrauterine contraceptive device | <gynaecology> A contraceptive device that is placed within the uterus for the purpose of inhibiting conception. (27 Sep 1997) |
| intrauterine device expulsion | Spontaneous loss of intrauterine devices from the uterus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| focusing device | <microscopy> A device which effectively increases the angular aperture of the electron beam illuminating the object, rendering the focus more critical. (05 Aug 1998) |
| left-ventricular assist device | Mechanical pump inserted at some point in the circulation to parallel the activity of the left ventricle and thereby reduce its load. (05 Mar 2000) |
| attachment | 1. The act attaching, or state of being attached; close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; an passion of affection that binds a person; as, an attachment to a friend, or to a party. 2. That by which one thing is attached to another; connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle. "The human mind . . . Has exhausted its forces in the endeavor to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this history." (I. Taylor) 3. Something attached; some adjunct attached to an instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine attachment (i. E, a device attached to a sewing machine to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc). 4. A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process. The writ or percept commanding such seizure or taking. The term is applied to a seizure or taking either of persons or property. In the serving of process in a civil suit, it is most generally applied to the taking of property, whether at common law, as a species of distress, to compel defendant's appearance, or under local statutes, to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover in the action. The terms attachment and arrest are both applied to the taking or apprehension of a defendant to compel an appearance in a civil action. Attachments are issued at common law and in chancery, against persons for contempt of court. In England, attachment is employed in some cases where capias is with us, as against a witness who fails to appear on summons. In some of the new England States a writ of attachment is a species of mesne process upon which the property of a defendant may be seized at the commencement of a suit and before summons to him, and may be held to satisfy the judgment the plaintiff may recover. In other States this writ can issue only against absconding debtors and those who conceal themselves. See Foreign, Garnishment, Trustee process. Synonym: Attachment, Affection The leading idea of affection is that of warmth and tenderness; the leading idea of attachment is that of being bound to some object by strong and lasting ties. There is more of sentiment (and sometimes of romance) in affection, and more of principle in preserving attachment. We speak of the ardor of the one, and the fidelity of the other. There is another distinction in the use and application of these words. The term attachment is applied to a wider range of objects than affection. A man may have a strong attachment to his country, to his profession, to his principles, and even to favorite places; in respect to none of these could we use the word affection. Origin: F. Attachment. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |