(1) An instrument used for vibratory massage to improve the tone of muscles and to relax them. It is of help in speeding the healing process after muscle or ligament strains.
(2) A penis-shaped, battery-driven device used by women to attain sexual stimulation and climax.
n. a machine used to generate vibrations of different frequencies, which have a stimulating effect when applied to different parts of the body. A vibrator may also be used to loosen thick mucus in the sinuses or air passages.
a flexion deformity of the fingers (usually the ring and little fingers) caused by a nodular *hypertrophy and *contracture of the *fascia in the palm. The characteristic sign is a nodule at the distal palmar crease or over the proximal phalanx of the finger. The condition is treated by surgical excision of the contracted and thickened tissue. Dupuytren’s contracture may be associated with excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, repetitive hand use, or vibratory trauma. [Baron G. Dupuytren (1777–1835), French surgeon]... dupuytren’s contracture
a device to improve the hearing. Simple passive devices, such as ear trumpets, are now rarely used. An analogue hearing aid consists of a miniature microphone, an amplifier, and a tiny loudspeaker. The aid is powered by a battery and the whole unit is small enough to fit behind or within the ear inconspicuously. If necessary, aids can be built into the frames of spectacles. In a few cases of conductive hearing loss the loudspeaker is replaced by a vibrator that presses on the bone behind the ear and transmits the sound energy through the bones of the skull to the inner ear. Digital hearing aids are in some respects similar to analogue aids but in addition to the microphone, amplifier, and loudspeaker, they have digital-to-analogue converters and a tiny computer built into the casing of the aid. This enables the aid to be programmed to the patient’s particular requirements and generally offers improved sound quality. See also bone-anchored hearing aid; cochlear implant; environmental hearing aid; implantable hearing aid.... hearing aid
(ultrasonic waves) n. sound waves of high frequency (above 20 kHz), inaudible to the human ear. Ultrasound in the range 2–20 MHz can be used to produce images of the interior of the human body as the waves reflect off structures back to the probe (see ultrasonography). Ultrasound waves have the advantage over X-rays of not being ionizing and are therefore much less harmful, particularly at energy levels used for diagnosis. The vibratory effect of ultrasound can also be used to break up stones in the body (see lithotripsy) and in the treatment of rheumatic conditions and cataract (see phacoemulsification). Ultrasonic instruments are used in dentistry to remove *calculus from the surfaces of teeth and to remove debris from the root canals of teeth in *root canal treatment. High-intensity focused ultrasound (see HIFU) can be used to destroy tissue, such as tumours. Keepsake ultrasound is the provision of ultrasound images of a fetus to the parents for nonmedical purposes; it is said by its proponents to help with bonding and to strengthen relationships in the family. See also endoscopic ultrasound.... ultrasound
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