Abstract: A supporting part in the form of a boot-like partial shoe, made of substantially rigid material, and which is open at the front and laterally encloses the rear area of the foot and also a portion of the lower part of the leg, with an opening in the supporting part at least in the area of an anklebone and fastener elements beside the front opening. The front area of the partial shoe located between the front edge and the opening for the anklebone is interrupted and substantially forms two tabs which overlap at their end portions. Swivel joints are operably arranged between the substantially overlapping end areas of the two tabs for enabling restrained relative motion between the substantially overlapping end portions of the two tabs. The interruption in the front area of the partial shoe ensures elimination of compressive and tensile stresses on the front area when the support is being worn and particularly when the wearer is walking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a therapeutic table for providing traction in a prone position to a patient's lumbar region. The therapeutic table includes a frame; a table top having an upper-body section rigid with respect to the frame and a lower-body section slideable with respect to the frame, the said sections providing, in use, a separable surface for a patient to lie prone face down on the table top; hand grips rigid with respect to the upper-body section and accessible by a patient with arms above head to provide anchoring for upper body; a pelvic belt anchor rigid with respect to the lower-body section to provide, in use, an anchor to which the pelvic belt can be connected; and cylinder and piston drive for sliding the lower-body section in the frame to cyclically increase and decrease the distance between said hand grips and said pelvic belt anchors to cyclically apply traction to the lumbar region of the spine in use.

Abstract: The back support is constructed from a back brace of elastic material which carries a gel pad and an air bladder. The brace supports the pad against lower back of the user in firm engagement. The air bladder is juxtaposed and generally co-extensive with the pattern containing the gel-like material. The air bladder has three individually inflatable chambers so that the user may adjust the pressure exerted on the pad and hence the support of the lower back. The gel pad may also contain a heating element to electrically heat the gel-like material. A rheostat may be provided for regulation of the heat.

Abstract: A knee brace for control of ligament instability in all planes having thigh and shin cuffs, a polycentric hinge on the lateral side of the knee, and a pivoting articulation plate on the medial side of the knee. The cuffs are attached to the leg by non-stretchable straps and provide anterior-posterior stability. The medial pivot plate stabilizes the brace on the medial side of the knee and in combination with the lateral hinge and a lateral plate provides medial-lateral stability. In another embodiment the cuff is replaced by thigh plates with adjustable connecting means to accommodate different sized thighs. The thigh plates, medial plate and shin cuff are shaped to permit interchangeable use on left and right knee braces. Adjustable front and rear straps connect the medial pivot plate and shin cuff for providing ligament stability and adjustability as to various knee widths.

Abstract: A lumbar traction apparatus which includes a lower support attachable to a patient's pelvis and an upper support attachable to a patient's lumbar region. A pair of independent traction assemblies are provided with each spaced laterally from the other and each spanning between the supports. Each of the traction assemblies includes a vertically extending rod operatively connected to a raising mechanism housed in the lower support, with the traction assemblies serving to separate the supports thereby causing traction of the patient. Each of the raising mechanics are provided with a lever connected to the lower support and pivotable to raise incrementally a first plurality of thin metal caged plates on its rod with the plates being biased against a spring. Each of the raising mechanisms are provided with a release plate for enabling the patient to release traction thereof. When the raising mechanism is engaged it causes the upper support to slide up slowly on the rods thus producing the traction.

Abstract: A fluid operated device for applying continuous passive motion (CPM) to a person's spine is described, which comprises adjacent inflatable bladders adapted to be positioned transversely on opposite sides of a person's spine, against a fixed object and the person's body, a fluid conduit with a fluid control valve connecting the interiors of the bladders, a pump to force fluid intermittently into the first bladder and an exhaust to exhaust fluid from the second bladder, the intermittent pump rate and the flow restriction being selected so that the bladders fill and exhaust in sequence such that the peak pressure application to the body by the first bladder occurs before that of the second bladder.Also described is a method for applying CPM to a person's spine. Broadly the method utilizes a bladder placed adjacent one side of the spine, then inflated and deflated intermittently to simulate multi-dimensional natural motion of the spine.

Abstract: An air bubbling mat, which may be placed in the bottom a bath tub, provides a turbulence within the water. The mat includes three hinged or plugged in, and hollow blow molded sections with depressions on one side to form air passage ways through the hollow bath mat. In one embodiment, short sections of convoluted hose interconnect the three sections at the hinge or in another embodiment plug-in points provide communication for pressurized air between said sections. An input port is centrally formed on at least one edge of the center section to give a better distribution of air within the air passage ways and to drain the mat. On the opposite side, a centrally located port may be provided in most embodiments to make a connection for attachments.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ankle orthosis comprising a foot section, a cuff, and first and second flexible, non-elastic straps. The foot section has a heel portion to which an end of each strap may be secured. The cuff has material fastener elements for attaching the cuff around and over an ankle portion of a lower leg. The first strap has one end secured at the level or just forward to the base of the fifth metatarsal head and the other end secured to the cuff just forward of the fibular head. When the cuff is in operative association with an ankle, the securement of the other end of the first strap is lateral of the ankle. The tension in the first strap can be selectively adjusted. The second strap has one end secured to the heel portion rearward of the connection of the first strap therewith, and in direct line with the inferior pole of the distal fibular bone. The second strap is of a length whereby it can be wrapped around and over the Achilles tendon and at least a part of the medial portion of an ankle.

Abstract: A portable massage chair provides an integral, collapsible chair apparatus enabling on-site massage therapy. The chair comprises a generally elongate upright body member having a pair of side panels and carrying a chest cushion and face cushion, with a pair of arm cushions outwardly extendable from the side panels. A leg portion is pivotally connected to the body member. A seat cushion and seat support member are pivotally connected to the leg portion, and extend forward through the body member side panels to present the seat cushion beneath the chest cushion. The seat support member includes a receiver element beneath the seat cushion engageable with a complementary post element carried between the body member side panels. Thus, the leg portion, seat cushion, and seat support member are all movable to be carried within the side panels for storage and transport.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of Cyclic Traction Machines for the human back and, in particular, to a self-actuated portable machine for exercising the Cervical Area; and which occupies very little space on a wall above a stool on which the operator sits. The machine incorporates the principal of audio feedback signals to the operator, to monitor and make the operator aware of when he has reached preset pressure limits; and to communicate preselected interval and dwell time settings.An easily attached harness grips the chin and head of the operator. A pair of head grips, located at seat level, are attached to the two ends of a rope cable, which goes up and over and opposing pair of pulleys in the wall mounted unit. There is a center loop around a pulley which lifts a pressure monitoring unit; which contains the electronics for producing audio feedback signals. The monitor unit is connected to the head harness on the operator.

Abstract: An excavating tooth having a socket-equipped point mounted on an adapter nose and secured with a vertical pin on one side of the nose, the nose being grooved for receipt of the pin and equipped with a resilient keeper extending transversely of the point length, the point having a least one side wall extending rearwardly beyond the socket, the side wall having integral, vertically spaced apart lug portions having forwardly facing surfaces bearing against the pin, the nose groove providing a rearwardly facing surface bearing against the pin intermediate the lug bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A knee brace for control of ligament instability in all planes having upper and lower cuffs above and below the knee, a polycentric hinge on the lateral side of the knee, and a medial articulation plate on the medial side of the knee. The cuffs are attached to the leg with non-stretchable straps and provide anterior-posterior stability. The medial pivot plate is designed to stabilize the brace on the medial side of the knee and in conjunction with the lateral hinge and a lateral plate provides medial-lateral stability.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for treatment of injured joints or limbs having at least one gel pad including at least one phase change material for improving the thermal energy storage capacity of the gel pad. The phase change material included in the gel material inside the gel pad may be encapsulated, formed in pellets, soluble, insoluble, or in any desirable form. The gel pad may be removed from the orthopedic device, heated or cooled, and then used with the device for hot or cold therapy of injured joints or limbs, taking advantage of the increased thermal energy storage capacity of the phase change material. Two different phase change materials may be included in the gel pad, one of which may be used for cold temperature therapy while the other is used for hot temperature therapy. The gel pad may include encapsulated water as a phase change material.

Abstract: A bubbling air mat has an air hose leading to a control unit having a motor therein. A number of saftey devices are provided to prevent a user from being electrocuted if water reaches the control unit. In the most protected area within the control unit, a rope heater is provided to warm an air stream being driven by said motor and through said air hose to bubble from the air mat.

Abstract: A reusable ankle support for providing support to the ankle region comprises a socklike elastic sheath with a pair of crossed elongated elastic straps attached thereto. After the sheath is positioned on the foot of the wearer, the straps are wrapped around the ankle in a predetermined manner, and thereby present a pair of stirrups. Stretch locks limit the amount of stretch which may be pulled from the stirrups. The stirrup-lock system and the relative positioning of the straps on the ankle provide support to the lower region of the ankle to thereby help prevent low sprains.

Abstract: An ankle restraint device having a first or outer ankle brace configured to substantially conform to the lower leg, ankle and foot of the wearer and offer generalized support. A second or inner brace is imbedded between first and second side walls of the outer brace and is specifically configured to encompass the heel and bind it to the remainer of the foot in a heel lock type configuration. The inner brace acts independently of the outer brace and has forward edge portions with arms that extend through openings on the outer brace for purposes of fastening the forward edges of the inner brace together in order to bind the heel. Both the inner brace and outer brace have fastening means which can include a single shoelace trained through eyelets formed in forward edges of the inner brace and outer brace. In one form of the invention, the brace assembly is installed with respect to an outer item of footwear apparel such as an athletic shoe.

Abstract: An improved therapeutic bed comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rubber wires placed on a bed frame and a vibrating motor and an intermittent hitting plate operatively associated with the rubber wires for massaging and treating various portions of the human body.

Abstract: A hinge joint includes a first planer element and a second planer element, each of said planer elements having an exterior side and an interior side. Each planer element exhibits an opening for axial rotational attachment about an end of an intermediately rotationally secured third planer element. The first and second planer elements are secured, at a defined offset by several bolts. Such offset is proportioned to permit rotation of the end of the third planer element therebetween. The interior surfaces of the first and second planer elements are provided with linear channels within which are placed springs, the function of which is to regulate the angulation and resilience of the third planer element relative to the mutually secured first and second elements of the hinge joint.

Abstract: An orthopaedic body jacket including a semi-rigid thermoplastic shell adapted to be fitted and fastened around the abdomen of a patient. The shell has a constricted waist portion and outwardly flared upper and lower portions. An integrally moulded lateral portion extends upwardly from the flared lower portion and has an upper end protruding outwardly a substantial distance from the constricted waist portion. The lateral portion has a vertically-extending externally-facing channel that opens laterally outwardly from the shell and provides a straight, outwardly-facing planar surface for mounting an orthotic component in any of a plurality of positions of vertical adjustment.

Abstract: A portable bubble bath assembly disclosed is designed to be installed in the bathtub and includes an underwater electric pump, a nozzle and a retaining member for retaining the nozzle over the bath water upon the installment of the assembly. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. The nozzle is connected to the outlet of the pump. The retaining member includes: a setting member for stably setting the pump on the bottom wall of the bathtub; and a support member, interposed between the pump and the nozzle, for supporting the nozzle over the pump. The only step due upon the installment of this bubble bath assembly is the placing of the pump on the bottom wall of the bathtub with the nozzle positioned above the pump.