Abstract: An apparatus and method for therapeutic massage and heat therapy of the body or parts thereof by immersion in a fluidized solids bed.

Abstract: A heat storage device having a tubular configuration suitably adapted to warm the feet of a user, including use, especially in bed, to induce sleep. In a preferred embodiment, the heat storage device contains water as the principal heat storage source, and the tubular configuration is flexible for convenient application to a user's feet. The heat storage device effectively supplies heat to both upper and lower portions of the feet while having means which easily adjust to foot size and for variation of heat capacity with ventilation in a simple, economical manner.

Abstract: A hair and massage brush in which each bristle is a bent loop projecting from a perforated support. The ends of the loops extend through perforations in the support and are fixed by fusing the ends into a ball of a size greater than a perforation of the support. When two bristles extend from each perforation, their four ends are fused into a single ball.

Abstract: A whirlpool bath designed for use in hospitals and similar institutions has a tub which is raised sufficiently above the floor level on a recessed steel base so as to allow a vertical clearance for the use of trolleys and mobile patient-handling equipment to move patients toward and lower patients into the whirlpool bath. The recess also makes work around the tub easier for attendants, providing toe room allowing the attendants to move closer to the tub. Bumper strips and base moldings are attached to the whirlpool bath to protect the bath from damage from movable patient-handling equipment. The sides and ends of the tub have removable panels fitting under the rim of the tub and clipping to a steel frame for rapid and easy removal and replacement. A capped opening in the built-in plumbing allows the water supply from a wall-mounted mixing valve to be admitted directly to the tub through the whirlpool fittings as an alternative to a spout or hose.

Abstract: A spinal restraint device in the form of a body member having a head support portion, a neck support portion, and a back support portion. The back support portion and the neck support portion have a body wrap-around arm portion extending laterally from each of its sides. The body member has a front sheet-like layer of flexible material, a middle sheet-like layer of flexible material, and a rear sheet-like layer of flexible material. Laterally spaced longitudinal rows of stitching secure the front, middle, and rear sheet-like layers of flexible material together to form a plurality of longitudinal sleeves between the front sheet-like layer of flexible material and the middle sheet-like layer of flexible material. The longitudinal sleeves extend substantially across the entire width of the body member. Stiffener members are located within the longitudinal sleeves.

Abstract: A treatment chamber for a portion of a human body specially adapted for use with a pulsed or hyperbaric oxygen supply, the chamber comprising upper and lower sections adapted to be sealingly clamped together and provided at both ends with demountable annular sleeves fitting sealingly against the adjacent body surfaces, such as thighs and midriff, respectively.

Abstract: A pillow for manual therapeutics has an upper body substantially formed into a saddle-shape, and a plurality of protrusions symmetrically arranged on the surface of said upper body near the central portion thereof, so that the protrusions act as fingers for pressing on the affected parts of human head or body when the head or body is supported by the pillow.

Abstract: A plurality of non-rotating disc-shaped massaging members are fixed on a flexible shaft held at its ends by a bow. Spherical rolling members between the massaging members space the massaging members apart and limit their depth of depression into the skin.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in knee surgery or a related procedure, whereby the patient's knee can be maintained at a predetermined degree of inflection for a desired time interval. The device comprises a foot engaging means attached to an adjustable strap to engage the patient's thigh and a means for fixing the strap length once it has been adjusted. Also disclosed is the method for using the device.

Abstract: A device for home or self treatment of back pain, particularly in the lower back. The device comprises a plurality of elements affixed to a suitable support member arranged in a suitable manner to provide desirable pressure relief to the user.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb from a source of pressurized fluid. The device has an elongated pressure sleeve for enclosing a length of the patient's limb, with the sleeve having a plurality of laterally extending separate fluid pressure chambers progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the limb to an upper portion of the limb proximal the patient's heart relative to the lower portion. The sleeve has a laterally extending knee region intermediate longitudinally disposed chambers of the sleeve, with the knee region having an elongated laterally extending opening to enhance flexibility of the sleeve in the knee region. The device has a control assembly for intermittently inflating and deflating the pressure chambers.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb from a source of pressurized fluid. The device has an elongated pressure sleeve for enclosing a length of the patient's limb, with the sleeve having a plurality of laterally extending separate fluid pressure chambers progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the limb to an upper portion of the limb proximal the patient's heart relative to the lower portion. The sleeve has a plurality of laterally extending ventilation channels located intermediate different pairs of adjoining compression chambers and having openings for facing the patient's limb. The sleeve also has a connecting channel extending along the side of the pressure chambers and communicating with the ventilation channels. The device also has a control assembly for intermittently inflating and deflating the pressure chambers and for passing air into the ventilation channels to ventilate the patient's limb through the openings.

Abstract: A sex-aid of medical application which comprises a support element intended for location adjacent and in contact with an erect or partially erect penis so as to maintain the same in an upwardly directed disposition, and a belt or the like engageable with the support element and intended to extend about the wearer's body for linking the support element thereto.A method of producing such a sex-aid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures to a mammal's limb from a source of pressurized fluid comprised of a first and second chamber with the first chamber being fluid impervious and the second chamber being semi-permeable for virtually continuous ventilation. The device has both a means for connecting the chambers to a source of pressurized fluid and a retaining means for positioning and directing the expansion of the chambers on to the limb to provide aid in blood circulating.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a restraining harness for use on school buses, vans and other vehicles having a pair of straps and means for removably interconnecting the ends of the straps around the seat back for securingly attaching the harness to the seat back. A plurality of generally parallel, aligned loops are formed on each strap with a waist belt and a chest belt extending through respective pairs of generally aligned loops. The ends of the belts are connected together by means of material including minute hook members and pile or loop members on the other of the belt end.

Abstract: A diaper-changing aid for infants or retarded children, comprising a base which supports a vertical barrier of mesh, netting or other soft yieldable material which extends across the baby's chest. The barrier keeps the baby's hands out of the way and occupied. It is preferably stretched across an arch-shaped frame, with elastic fastened along the middle portion of the lower edge of the netting. One side of the arch is pivoted or hinged to the base, so that it can be swung up. The baby is then laid down on the base and the arch swung down and its opposite end fastened down by a suitable catch device. The elastic extends across the baby's chest. The diapering process may then proceed on the lower side of the barrier. Toys may be hung from the arch. Adjustable ankle straps may be provided at the lower portion of the base. The base may be made of a solid sheet of composition board or the like with padding on top.

Abstract: A device for massaging the sole of foot comprises a plurality of rows of projection rollers having projections extending in substantially radial directions of the respective rollers. The positions of the rollers and the lengths of the projections are so determined that a surface connecting the uppermost points of the projections is raised at the central portion thereof. Such arrangement of the rollers renders the projections as a whole into conformity with the soles of feet, particularly to the arches of feet. One may place both feet on the device and move the feet back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the rows to conduct press massaging on the soles of feet.

Abstract: A diffuser drape for use in surgical procedures includes a sheet with an elliptical aperture therein for placing over the patient with the aperture defining the area of the proposed surgical incision; an annular, elliptical air duct on and attached to the sheet surrounding the aperture, the air duct including a diffuser ring on its lower, inner side surrounding the aperture when in use for diffusing clean air radially outwardly into the area above the aperture to keep the area of the incision clean, the ring having a non-uniform elliptical configuration, i.e. the ends of the diffuser ring are narrower than the sides thereof; and an air inlet integral with the air duct at each end thereof for introducing clean air into the duct for passage through the diffuser ring and the remainder of the duct.

Abstract: A surgical element for fixing the position of the hand and the fingers during an operation consisting of a plate that is configured as a hand with spread-apart fingers and elastic, removable rings positioned over some of the fingers of the patient and the fingers of the plate to secure the hand to the plate.

Abstract: An integral intrauterine contraceptive device comprises a relatively thick elongated stem, a downwardly bowed crossbar secured to the top of the stem, and a pair of downwardly and inwardly extending arms formed as continuations of the crossbar. The crossbar and arm construction is designed for atraumatic embedding in the endometrium to reduce expulsion caused by uterine contractions.