| 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) |
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| 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) |
| abortion, multiple | Couples who have had 2 or more miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) have about a 5% chance that one member of the couple is carrying a chromsome translocation responsible for the miscarriages. (12 Dec 1998) |
| advanced multiple-beam equalization radiography | A variant of scanning equalization radiography using several X-ray beams. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amyloidosis of multiple myeloma | Foci of amyloidosis in mesenchymal tissues of some persons with multiple myeloma; no direct relation between amyloid and Bence Jones protein is conclusively known. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer, multiple myeloma | A bone marrow cancer involving a type of white blood cell called a plasma (or myeloma) cell. The tumour cells can form a single collection (a plasmacytoma) or many tumours (multiple myeloma). Plasma cells are part of the immune system and make antibodies. Because patients have an excess of identical plasma cells, they have too much of one type of antibody. As myeloma cells increase in number, they damage and weaken the bones, causing pain and often fractures. When bones are damaged, calcium is released into the blood leading to hypercalcaemia (excess calcium in the blood) and that causes loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Myeloma cells prevent the bone marrow from forming normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system so patients may not be able to fight infections. The cancer cells can also prevent the growth of new red blood cells, causing anaemia. Excess antibody proteins and calcium may prevent the kidneys from filtering and cleaning the blood properly Cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diagnosed with a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. Follow-up examinations are important after lymphoma treatment. Most relapses occur in the first 2 years after therapy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| chromosomes in multiple miscarriages | Couples who have had more than one miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) have about a 5% chance that one member of the couple is carrying a chromsome translocation responsible for the miscarriages. (12 Dec 1998) |
| miscarriages, multiple, chromosomes in | Couples who have had more than one miscarriage have about a 5% chance that one member of the couple is carrying a chromsome translocation responsible for the miscarriages. (12 Dec 1998) |
| multiple | Manifold, occurring in or affecting various parts of the body at once. Origin: L. Multiplex (18 Nov 1997) |
| multiple alcohol | An alcohol containing more than one OH group. (05 Mar 2000) |