Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for preventing injury to the tongue of a user. An oral device can include a tongue protector configured to be disposed beneath the tongue of a user and having a tongue receptacle configured to receive the tip of the tongue of the user and cover a distal portion of the top surface of the tongue. The oral device can also include a left tooth protector and a right tooth protector configured to be disposed over only the left lower molars and canine and the right lower molars and canine of the user, respectively. A left coupler and a right coupler can couple the left tooth protector and the right tooth protector, respectively, to the tongue protector. The left coupler and the right coupler can be configured to allow limited movement of the tongue protector while retaining the tongue protector in the user's mouth.

Abstract: A wound cover device can include a backing, a micro-structure device, and one or more of a wound dressing and a skin replacement layer. The backing can be stretchable. The micro-structure device can include a plurality of fasteners, such as micro-staples, micro-pins, micro-barbs and the like, that can be used to attach the wound cover device to tissue such as skin. The micro-structure device can be stretchable to stretch with the backing. The micro-structure device can be configured such that the fasteners are positioned in a two-dimensional pattern or fill-in an interior portion of the wound dressing or skin replacement layer. The fasteners of the micro-structure device can extend through the wound dressing or skin replacement layer. The micro-structure device can additionally be placed around a perimeter or edge region of the backing.

Abstract: A multi-layer compression bandage system (the “Sandy Boot”) for treating patients having chronic venous insufficiencies and related conditions, including a first skin-contacting layer applied as a wet paste roll over the treated area, which bandage system is less prone to forming wrinkles, conforms well to the circumference of any shaped leg, adheres well to moist or dry skin due to its pliability, and resists slipping or rolling down the leg better than traditional bandage systems, thereby enhancing wound healing.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems disclosed within herein relate to a wound dressing, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, which may include a body of porous material, the body of porous material including a plurality of cuts which provide regions of flexibility within the body. Methods of manufacturing and methods of use of such wound dressings may also be disclosed herein. In addition, the wound dressing can include a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material m the expanded conformation.

Abstract: One embodiment of a waterproof bandage for reliably protecting sensitive sites from water intrusion, despite potential flaws in the seal to skin, comprises three major components: the inner bandage, comprising an absorbent layer (1) and a waterproof layer (2); the outer bandage, comprising an absorbent layer (3) and a waterproof layer (4); and an adhesive layer (5) binding the waterproof layer of the inner bandage (2) and the absorbent layer of the outer bandage (3) together. When properly sized, registered and bonded, the outer absorbent layer (3) functions to wick away and to prevent any water that may penetrate the outer waterproof layer (4) from breaching or damaging the inner bandage. The waterproof bandage can be configured in various sizes as a bandage (FIG. 1), or as a sleeve-like cover for a protected site on hands, arms, feet, legs, and other parts of the body (FIGS. 3 and 4).

Abstract: A therapeutic cushioning boot includes a foot portion configured to receive a foot of a user, and a leg portion configured to receive a leg of the user. The leg portion includes at least a first support chamber and a second support chamber. A first fiberfill material is provided in the first support chamber at a first concentration, and a second fiberfill material provided in the second support chamber at a second concentration that is less than the first concentration.

Abstract: A cooling tape and cooling pad. In a most general embodiment, the inventive tape includes a first layer of thermally conductive material; a second layer of thermal insulation; and a third layer of endothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. The third layer is constructed with reactants effective to cause an endothermic chemical reaction. In a first embodiment, the invention provides a beverage cooling device. In a second embodiment, the invention provides a pipe cooling/freezing device. The cooling pad is implemented with a first layer of thermally conductive material; a second layer of material; and a third layer of endothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. In the illustrative embodiment, the third layer has a contour effective to create suction whereby the pad adheres to a surface to be cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a wound. The apparatus includes a waterproof shield element to cover a wound area of a user's body, where the elevated top surface of the shield element is elevated away from the user's body. A retention mechanism selectively retains the shield element against the user's body, utilizing the elevated top surface to create a normal force between the shield element and the user's body to thereby form an effective seal between the shield element and the user's body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound. The apparatus can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a composite material for wound dressings, comprising the following steps: (I) providing a first film, having a first film surface and a second film surface running virtually parallel to the first film surface: (II) mixing an NCO-terminated polyurethane prepolymer with at least water to give a polyurethane prepolymer/water mixture, (III) applying the polyurethane prepolymer/water mixture to at least one part of the first film surface to form a layer, the layer having a first layer surface which is in contact with the first film via at least one part of the first film surface, and having a second layer surface which runs virtually parallel to the first layer surface; (IV) covering at least one part of the second layer surface with a further film, wherein the bond strength between the first film and the layer and also between the layer and the further film is greater in each case than the tensile strain at break of the layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating lower limb contractures is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of multi-sectional soles, which are movably affixed to a connector via a pair of arms using fasteners. The pair of soles are configured to support the user's feet. Each sole comprises four flat-solid plates, which are pivotally connected via hinges/fasteners. The four flat-solid plates are configured to cover, support, and align the user's feet. The apparatus further comprises a pair of ankle supports, securely and adjustably affixed to each sole, configured to support the user's ankle and lower leg. The plurality of straps is configured to secure the sole to the user's feet and lower leg while lifting and lowering the feet using additional straps that are coupled to one or more loops of the four-flat solid plates of the soles, thereby treating the limb contractures by facilitating the opportunity for the repetitive movement of every single joint and muscle in the lower limb of a the user.

Abstract: A dressing (as well as uses, systems, and methods including such dressing) is provided that includes a contact layer with a first surface configured to contact a tissue site in a subject and includes a scaffold configured to structurally support the contact layer, where the contact layer includes a bioresorbable material. The dressing may advantageously exhibit protease-modulating activity under physiological conditions.

Abstract: A wound dressing, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a body of porous material, the body of porous material comprising a plurality of cuts which provide regions of flexibility within the body. Further embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing and method of use of such wound dressings. In addition, the wound dressing can comprise a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.

Abstract: A bandage comprising a base substrate, a wound covering portion, a first side coupling member and a second side coupling member, and a first side and second side adhesive portion. The base substrate includes a central region, a first side region and a second side region, and comprises an elastic member. The wound covering portion is positioned over the central region. The first side coupling member extends over the first side region. The second side coupling member extending over the second region. The first side adhesive portion is positioned on the first side region. The second side adhesive portion positioned on the second side region. A method of use as well as a protective carrier are likewise disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound dressing material comprising a substrate, about 2.5% to about 8% by weight of a bicarbonate, and a film-forming agent, the film-forming agent serving as a binder for said bicarbonate to said substrate, the film-forming agent and the bicarbonate being present in a ratio of between 1:2 and 2:1 with respect to one another. Also disclosed are a method for preparing a wound dressing material and a method for treating a wound.

Abstract: A rear-entry ankle brace includes an elastomeric component defining an inside elbow channel configured to span an ankle joint. A channel opening extends the length of the elastomeric component for direct insertion on top of a leg. One or more leg straps are used to adjustably tension first and second rear edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the brace to the lower leg. Two foot straps are used to adjustably tension first and second bottom edges of the channel opening toward one another and secure the brace to the mid-foot. The foot straps overlap on the bottom to define a plantar surface of the brace and cross over each other on the topside of the elastomeric component and are secured to a leg strap. A pair of stabilizing stirrups optionally are included on the inside surfaces of the elastomeric component and receive the malleoli.

Abstract: A wound closure device and a method of its use are disclosed. The wound closure device includes a wound closure strip, the wound closure strip including a wound-facing side and a top side, the wound-facing side comprises an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the wound facing side of the wound closure strip and a non-symmetric, two-part release liner assembly detachably adhered to the adhesive, the release liner assembly including a first section and a second section with the second section including a wound closure strip-free portion forming a tab. In an alternate embodiment, the device is multi-segmented and the wound closure strip may be coextensive with the release liner assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes an applicator pad, an application device (e.g., a grip), and a reservoir. The grip can be releasably couplable to the applicator pad and configured to dispose the applicator pad against a wound of a subject such that pressure can be transferred to the wound via the applicator pad to enhance hemostasis. The reservoir can be configured to contain medication to be released to the wound via the applicator pad.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a medical tape includes: applying a solution polymer serving as an elastic base member portion having an elastic function to an upper layer of a film forming base portion having an inelastic function to form a film of the solution polymer; laminating an adhesion portion having a function to apply and hold the elastic base member portion to a skin on an upper layer of the elastic base member portion, and laminating a release portion having a function to protect the adhesion portion on an upper layer of the adhesion portion; peeling and removing the film forming base portion from the elastic base member portion to obtain the elastic base member portion in a state where a residual shrink force generated by a forming shrinkage of the solution polymer is reduced and to obtain a three-layer structure consisting of the elastic base member portion.

Abstract: A taping kit is capable of controlling a depth of a stimulation according to the purpose to structural parts from the epidermis to the dermis and fascia. The taping kit includes two or more tapes to be affixed to the body containing at least a stretchable substrate and an adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate. The taping kit includes a first tape which has a plurality of slits in a longitudinal direction, and a second tape which has a plurality of slits in a longitudinal direction and is overlapped and attached on at least a part of the first tape.