Abstract: The exercise device of the present invention has an elongated member that extends from a user's head to the user's upper back for providing back support during abdominal crunches. The member is curved to conform to the user's cervical lordosis and kyphotic curve formed by the user's thoracic vertebrae and has a tapered lower portion to provide freedom of movement.

Abstract: The cervical traction or stretch device comprises: an inflatable bladder or bellows having a central U-shaped space so that the bladder or bellows can extend at least part way around the neck of a user, and a pumping mechanism coupled to the bladder or bellows and operable by a user for pumping air into the bellows. The bladder or bellows has an upper side and a lower side. The lower side is constructed and arranged to be positioned adjacent a user's shoulders and exert pressure thereagainst when inflated. And the upper side is constructed and arranged to engage and exert pressure against the base of a user's head.

Abstract: An automatic cardiac compression system that is portable, simple to install on a patient and provides effective cardiac compression on a wide range of patient sizes. The inventive device includes a housing including a removable board with straps, an arcuate arm pivotally attached to the housing, a reciprocating transmission attached to the arcuate arm by an adjustable connector, a variable speed motor mechanically connected to the reciprocating transmission, and a battery electrically connected to the variable speed motor. The user positions the patient upon the removable board with the sternum positioned directly below the distal end of the arcuate arm. The user then manipulates a control switch which operates the variable speed motor. The motor manipulates the arcuate arm so that the arcuate arm repeatedly engages the patient's chest to provide cardiac compression.

Abstract: A portable stretching device includes a seat portion on which the athlete sits so that an upright axle frame of the stretching device extends in an upwardly vertical direction from the area between the athlete's thighs. The athlete then grips a handle which is located at the end of a "swing" arm of the stretching device, which extends outwardly from the upright axle frame, away from the athlete, at approximately chest-level. The stretching device also includes thigh supports on the seat portion, which enable an athlete user to stabilize the device while performing stretching exercises. The athlete user then grips the handle, and then allows a retracting force applied to the swing arm to twist his/her torso to either side while the seat portion of the device remains stationary, thus simulating a full shoulder turn required for an optimal swing for golf, hockey, tennis (and other racquet sports) and baseball and softball.

Abstract: A total body exercise machine including a frame member. An adjustable seat portion is adjustably coupled with the frame member. An adjustable hand and foot exercise component is pivotally disposed with respect to the frame member intermediate forward and rearward ends thereof. The exercise component includes an adjustable sleeve. The adjustable sleeve has an open upper end and an open lower end. The exercise component includes an adjustable hand lever coupled with respect to the open upper end of the adjustable sleeve. The exercise component includes an adjustable foot lever coupled with respect to the open lower end of the adjustable sleeve. A plurality of forward shocks are secured between the forward end of the frame member and the hand and foot exercise component. A plurality of rearward shocks are secured between the rearward end of the frame member and the hand and foot exercise component.

Abstract: A rectangular frame made up entirely of tubes and tubular connectors, and glue securing them together. The tubes are self-biased to straight shape, thus self-biasing the frame to a position lying in a common plane. The frame includes end members made up of longitudinally spaced elements, and the frame may have selectively two, or three longitudinal members.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus and method of using the apparatus for exercising the lungs of a user. The breathing apparatus has a main body with a generally cylindrical inner cavity. The main body has a main aperture for the user to breathe into and at least two sets of outer openings. An inner cylinder is coaxially disposed within the inner cavity of the main body and is adapted to move relative to the main body. The inner cylinder has an open end adjacent the main aperture, and at least two sets of inner openings selectively matable with the openings in the main body upon movement of the inner cylinder with respect to the main body. By selecting the appropriate alignment of openings, either resistive, percussive, or pulsing breathing exercises can be performed.

Abstract: A hot and cold massaging unit (10) comprises a housing (12) having a receptacle (26) therein. A plurality of vibrators (36) are surrounded by padding (34) in the housing. A plurality of gel packs (32) which are capable of retaining heat and cold, are insertable within receptacle (26) which is then closable by a zipper (28). Gel packs (32) can therefor also be removed from and replaced in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rehabilitation apparatus to alleviate the stiffness for patients suffering from lower limb paralysis caused by acute cerebral vascular impairment or vertebra impairment. The essential mechanisms of the rehabilitation apparatus include a transversely movable slider mechanism which makes use of a transverse slider capable of moving in a predetermined direction and for a predetermined distance to provide the thigh with reciprocal motion of inward retraction and outward expansion by means of a spherical joint which drives the rotation of a longitudinal slide rail, the outward expansion or inward retraction having an angular range between 0.degree.-35.degree.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a base and a seat. The base has a pair of parallelly spaced first rods and a second rod extending between the pair of spaced first rods. The seat is mounted on one of the pair of the spaced first rods for a person to be seated thereon and has a pair of elastic cables respectively mounted at two sides thereof. The pair of elastic cables has two handles respectively and securely mounted to free ends thereof. Optionally, a weight element is mounted on the seat. The weight element is configured as a container in which liquid can be selectively stored to vary the weight thereof. Additionally, the exercise device includes a third rod. A first end of the third rod is pivotally mounted to a predetermined position of the second rod of the base and a second end of the third rod is pivotally engaging with a seatback. The seatback also has a pair of resilient cables respectively mounted thereon and having a handle securely connected to free end thereof.

Abstract: An intravenous securing device and secondary wound dressing for holding intravenous needle tubing and catheter tubing in place in a variety of anatomic locations on the human body. The securing device and secondary wound dressing is used without the need of adhesives. The intravenous securing device and secondary wound dressing consists of an elongated bi-directional wrap stretchable in opposite directions along a length of the wrap. The wrap includes a window opening therethrough which is sufficient in size to allow for visual inspection of the skin entry site of a needle or a catheter without having to remove the wrap. The wrap is washable and reusable. The bi-directional wrap is adaptable for conforming to various parts of the anatomy of a patient and includes releasable hook fasteners at one end of the wrap for securing the wrap around an arm, a hand, a chest, a neck and other parts of the anatomy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising the subtalar complex with controlled triplaner motion. The principal embodiment includes a standing platform and handrail in association with a rotatable foot plate. The foot plate is controllable and adjustable in three planes with fixed settings in all planes, including the oblique. The exerciser provides a method for isolating specific muscle groups involved with foot, ankle and calf extensions or where combinations of muscles are used, such as, with dorsiflexion-eversion or plantarflexion-inversion, while preventing tibial rotation of the foot. A second embodiment provides a more portable exercise apparatus utilizing the concepts employed with the principal embodiment wherein a rocker member is provided, attached to a support member. A foot plate attaches to the support member opposite the rocker and is pivotal in the transverse and frontal planes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing equilibrium exercises which includes a fitting assembly for fitting the device to a part of the body, for instance the head, of a user and a position indicating assembly connected to the fitting assembly for indicating the position of the device. The position indicating assembly is herein observable by the user and can be formed by a conventional or electronic spirit level instrument.

Abstract: A respiratory exercise apparatus and method for providing resistance and percussion during inspiration and expiration. The apparatus includes a main body having an inner cavity, an orifice in communication with the inner cavity, and at least one aperture in communication with the inner cavity. A member is disposed and is movable relative to the main body. Pursuant to the method, upon movement of the member, the aperture in the main body is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the member has a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures which can be of different sizes. The user can select different size apertures to align to provide varying degrees of resistance to inspiration and expiration. By moving the member during inspiration and expiration, the apertures are sequentially aligned with the at least one aperture in the main body, providing a percussion effect. The user can control movement of the member with a lever pivotally disposed within a mouthpiece disposed over the orifice in the main body.

Abstract: A new head and neck support for abdominal exercise for properly supporting a user's head and neck while performing crunches. The inventive device includes a base member having an elongated stem pivotally coupled to and extending upwardly therefrom. The stem has a notch formed within a free end thereof. An upper member has a forward edge hingedly coupled with a forward edge of the base member. The upper member has a plurality of apertures therethrough for selectively engaging the notch in the elongated stem to fix an angle of the upper member with respect to the base member. The upper member has an open rearward edge. A handle portion is adjustably received within the open rearward edge of the upper member. An adjustable strap is secured to a rearward edge of the base member. The adjustable strap has branched outer ends. A head harness is secured between the branched outer ends of the adjustable strap.

Abstract: An active compression/decompression CPR device includes two pressure members mounted on a common beam. When placed on the victim with one member on the chest and the other on the abdomen, pressure on one end of the beam causes compression of the thorax and decompression of the abdomen. Conversely, when pressure is applied to the other end of the beam, the abdomen is compressed and the thorax is decompressed.

Abstract: An auxiliary supporting device generally comprises a head pad section, a backrest, section, a hip section and a joint set. The insert of the head pad section can be inserted into the receiving hole of the backrest section such that the projected section of the head pad section is biased against to the front section of the backrest section. The moveable latch of the backrest section can be inserted into the moveable latch hole of the rolling rod. And then a pair of positioning latches can be inserted into the positioning latch holes such that the relative position between the supporting arm of the bottom bracket and the rolling rod can be attained. The clamp of the retaining block of the hip pad section can be engaged with the retaining beam of the backrest section. By this arrangement, a foldable auxiliary sporting device is attained.

Abstract: An adjustable physical therapy apparatus consisting of a support base. A horizontally oriented bounding platform assembly support bar is selectively mounted on the support base so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto. A bounding platform assembly consists of two pivotally connected bounding platforms which are selectively draped over the support bar so that the free ends thereof rest upon the floor. The angle of inclination of the pivotally connected bounding platforms is selectivley variable by vertically adjusting the support bar with respect to the support base so as to provide bounding surfaces for vigorous lateral rehabilitation exercises by the patient.A modified adjustable physical therapy apparatus is provided whereby two adjustable physical therapy units are fixedly attached in an end-to-end relationship so as to provide adjacent bounding platforms with a reverse angle of inclination so as to provide bounding surfaces for vigorous medial rehabilitation exercises by the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for exercising a user's muscles and providing the user with a cardiovascular workout. The exercise apparatus includes a base having two concentric circular closed tracks and a platform for supporting the user, wherein the platform comprises a turntable and four rollers which glide along the tracks of the base. The platform is adapted to rotate about a first axis and to concurrently move linearly along a second axis. The exercise apparatus optionally includes a resistance mechanism for opposing movement of the platform. Also optionally included is a hand rail surrounding the platform which may be detached from the base when the apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: A neck treatment apparatus for patient self-treatment, and a method for its use, with which a patient can apply repeated amounts of deep concentrated pressure to muscles in the area between the base of the skull and the first vertebra to lengthen the muscles therein and provide the patient with relief from tension and pain. The apparatus is compact in design, made from lightweight easy-to-clean materials, and comprises a single treatment member upwardly depending from the center portion of the upper surface of a base support. In the preferred embodiment the treatment member has a width dimension of approximately six inches, a thickness dimension of approximately one-half of an inch, and a height dimension of approximately four inches. In transverse cross-section, the top of the preferred embodiment of the treatment member tapers to a point to act as a wedge, having the configuration of an equilateral triangle with side dimensions each measuring approximately one-half of an inch.