The Need

Tobacco addiction is a common problem in cancer patients and more than half of newly diagnosed lung cancer patients are active smokers. Smoking can affect a patient’s surgical safety, quality of life, and cancer recovery and survival outcomes. While treatment products can successfully treat physical nicotine addiction and emotional addiction, hand-to-oral habits remain a major problem. While products like toothpicks and fake cigarettes exist, they are ineffective cigarette replacements.

The Technology

As part of a non-smoking program, innovators at The Ohio State University have designed a novel device to address the hand-to-oral habits of patients seeking to quit smoking. The device is made of medical/ food-grade silicone and provides inexpensive, aesthetic and multifunctional support. The design satisfies the loss of holding a cigarette, helps occupy fidgety hands, reduces stress, and mitigates cigarette cravings while connecting patients to their medical support teams. The device also features an aesthetic design to provide aesthetic pleasure and connect patients to their medical support team.

Commercial Applications

• Support to quit smoking
• Devices for hand-to-oral habits of smokers

Benefits/Advantages

• Creates a more effective and realistic cigarette replacement
• Aesthetically pleasing