Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for controlled delivery of a therapy, such as a stimulant, to a mouth of a subject via an oral device positioned in a secured configuration in the mouth. At least one of a tongue position stimulator (TST) and tongue position sensor (TSE) is provided, according to certain aspects. According to another aspect, a stimulus is delivered to the mouth and/or tongue via a mouthpiece secured to the subject's teeth. In another regard, a stimulus is delivered that generates a natural response to eliminate or reduce sleep disorders, such as for example at least one of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: An oral device for improving the breathing of a user by means of protrusion of the lower jaw includes a first dental rail that covers at least some teeth of a lower row of teeth of the user; a second dental rail that covers at least some teeth of an upper row of teeth of the user; and at least one coupling element connecting the first and the second dental rail. The first dental rail comprises a front, labial connection point and the second dental rail has two rear, buccal connection points positioned substantially at its two posterior ends. The coupling element has a substantially U-shaped configuration, and an apex of the coupling element forms a joint with the front labial connection point on the first dental rail. The posterior ends of the coupling element form a joint with the rear connection points of the second dental rail.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: A patient lower extremity positioning system that is configured to facilitate easier use of surgical instruments during open and arthroscopic procedures of the lower extremity, including, but not limited to the hip joint, acetabulum, femur, femoral neck and femoral shaft is disclosed. The patient lower extremity positioning system may include one or more perineal pads configured to be supported adjacent to a patient torso support such that the perineal pad is positionable adjacent to a patient's perineum. The perineal pad may be formed from a perineal pad body coupled to a distal transition section extending distally from the perineal pad body. The distal transition section may have a distal tip with a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the perineal pad body, thereby enabling a surgeon to more easily position surgical instruments during surgery without the perineal pad conflicting with the surgical instruments.

Abstract: A splint for immobilizing a joint including at least one flat body that has two contact surfaces for limbs adjoining the joint to be immobilized and a supporting member in an outer contour having an angular structure for adjusting and bracing an angle between the contact surfaces for the limbs, wherein at least two surfaces are non-displaceably joined together to create a double-walled structure, and wherein a joint axis of the joint to be immobilized forms an angle of less than 60° with a normal of the non-displaceably joined surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting granulation and epithelialization at a tissue site having a substantially gas impermeable, flexible mat. A plurality of projections extend from a surface of the substantially gas impermeable, flexible mat, and each projection has a first end connected to the surface and a second end opposing the first end. A flexible membrane is positioned adjacent the second end of at least a portion of the plurality of projections and the flexible membrane is sufficiently flexible to allow deformation of the flexible membrane by the at least the portion of the plurality of projections when a biasing force exerted on the substantially gas impermeable, flexible mat or the plurality of projections is greater than or equal to a threshold force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulatable intraoral mandibular advancement device that can be used to prevent snoring and sleep apnoea. Said device comprises two splints connected by a central screw (1) inserted into a sheath (2) comprising an upper ring (3), said sheath being used as a guiding housing (4) for an upper bar (5) of an upper plate (6), and the lower part of the sheath comprising a longitudinal groove (8) enabling the course of an inner mobile threaded (10) ring (9) that is displaced by the screw (1), and on which a lower displacement ring (11) is arranged, open or closed, said ring being provided with a perpendicular hole (12) with elipsoidal conicity, in which the lower bar (13) fixed to the lower maxillary plate (14) is inserted. Said screw (1) is locked to the sheath (2) on its rear part.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conforming a support to a body are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn by a bed-stricken individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include adjustable supports which conform the assembly to the patient's body and which also help to distribute one or more fluid pad assemblies relative to the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting a support to a body are described in which a portable support assembly may be worn by a bed-stricken individual around particular regions of the body where pressure ulcers tend to form. The portable support assembly may generally include adjustable supports which conform the assembly to the patient's body and which also help to distribute one or more fluid pad assemblies relative to the body.

Abstract: An implant for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes a flexible chamber, a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the flexible chamber, and a fluid transfer assembly in communication with the fluid reservoir and the flexible chamber for transferring fluid therebetween for selectively modifying the rigidity of the flexible chamber. The flexible chamber is implantable within the soft tissue of an oropharyngeal airway of a patient, such as within the tongue, the soft palate, or the pharyngeal wall. The fluid reservoir and the fluid transfer assembly are implantable within the inframandibular region of the patient. The fluid transfer assembly is selectively engageable by the patient for transferring fluid between the two chambers for modifying the rigidity, flexibility, and/or shape of the flexible chamber with minimal or no change to the volume of the implant.

Abstract: A compression wrap for providing pressure to an injured portion of a joint of a limb is provided. The compression wrap includes flexible body that includes a pressure application portion for applying pressure to the limb of user and a strap portion. The strap portion is connected to the pressure application portion and adjustably secures the compression wrap to the limb. A strap attachment is attached to the flexible body having a first portion that releasably engages the flexible body when the compression wrap is in a large configuration and a second portion that releasably engages the flexible body when the compression wrap is in a small configuration.

Abstract: We describe fixator (10) comprising an articulated bracelet (12). The bracele comprises a plurality of elements (24,26) arranged in a plurality of rows. The elements have complementary linking means (48,62) to permit linking the rows of elements together in an articulated or fixed relationship. One or more of the plurality of elements comprises means (34) for receiving and engaging at least a portion of a connecting device (16) such that the position of the connecting device can be altered around the bracelet or the limb that it is mounted on. The fixator further comprises an articulated connecting device, a rod and a hinge device.

Abstract: A punctum plug includes a proximal head, a shaft, and a distal body, and an axial bore. The head is defined by a flexible circular flange with a convex upper portion and a concave lower portion. The body defines a frustoconically tapered distal tip and a two wings that extend in an arc and taper in thickness. The wings can extend further radially than the flange of the head. A recessed groove is defined around the shaft extending between the wings and a wall structure connecting the winged portions of the body. The above structure permits one plug or fewer plugs to accommodate a broad patient population.

Abstract: A knee brace for use by athletes or others requiring protection and support of the knee. The knee brace protects against abnormal motions of the knee, and provides direct and indirect patella stabilization. A base comprised of elastic material is configured to closely fit around portions of the knee and adjacent leg portions. Direct patella support is provided by upper crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg above the knee, or by lower crossed straps that are permanently fastened to the base and cross the front of the leg below the knee, or by both upper and lower crossed straps. Additional direct patella support may be provided by a patella opening. One or more generally upright lateral pockets containing semi-rigid stays may also be provided on the sides of the base for lateral support. A popliteal opening may be provided to reduce the possibility of chafing at the rear of the knee.

Abstract: A device for mitigation of temporomandibular joint disorder with lingual tooth surface contact surface, hard palate conformity, anterior pad, and pad wings.

Abstract: A medical drape has at least one suction port disposed. By one approach the medical drape includes a fenestration and the suction port is disposed within the fenestration. By one approach the fenestrated area includes an incise film (which may itself be fenestrated if desired) and the suction port is disposed through that incise film. Suction applied to this suction port facilitates maintaining the incise film in place on the patient. This suction port can have a first end configured to attach to suction tubing. The medical drape can include a patient-side spacer and this spacer can comprise a compressible, resilient material that is substantially permeable to liquids. If desired, such a spacer can be disposed over a patient-side suction opening of the suction port.

Abstract: Devices, such as medical devices for inhibiting conception, and methods of using and/or making these devices. In one aspect of the disclosure, a medical device has a delivery system and a first insert, which is removably coupled to the delivery system and which is designed to be deployed within a portion of a first fallopian tube, and a second insert, which is removably coupled to the delivery system and which is designed to be deployed within a portion of a second fallopian tube. Other aspects of the disclosure include, among other things, inserts made from one or more polymers; inserts which are designed to pierce and remain in place; and inserts which are implanted through a fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A head clamp for neurosurgery is described that includes a member for at least partially encircling the head of a subject. The first end and second end of the head clamp include first and second skull attachment portions for attaching the member to the head of a subject. A position setter, such as an indexing mechanism, is also provided that allows the member to be moved or indexed between at least two repeatable relative positions.

Abstract: A mouthguard assembly is provided. The mouthguard assembly includes a generally curved mouthguard for insertion into a user's mouth having an outer portion and inner portion, a channel formed within the outer or inner portion of the mouthguard, and an attachment means housed within the channel. The user can extend the attachment means out of the channel to temporarily attach the mouthguard assembly to clothing or apparatus of the user for storage of the mouthguard when it is not used.

Abstract: An adhesive preparation comprising a stretchable support and an adhesive layer laminated on at least one side of the support, wherein the stretchable support comprises a interlock woven fabric subjected to crimping processing, the adhesive layer contains 10% by mass or more of methyl salicylate with respect to the total mass of the layer, the whole adhesive preparation has moisture permeability of 1 to 350 g/m2·24 hr measured at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, and the methyl salicylate has a plasma AUC0-24 ranging from 3.0 to 60.0 ng·hr/mL in terms of a mean±standard deviation, and salicylic acid as a metabolite of the methyl salicylate has a plasma AUC0-24 ranging from 5000 to 13000 ng·hr/mL in terms of a mean±standard deviation, when the adhesive preparation is applied to a human skin for 8 hours such that an application amount of the adhesive layer applied is 50 to 300 g/m2 and a contact area is 280 cm2.