Abstract: A knee brace with an inflatable air bladder. In a post-surgical embodiment the brace includes a rigid shell that fits behind the knee. The rigid shell includes an inflatable air bladder on its posterior surface. A wrap is placed around the knee and the air bladder. When the air bladder is inflated, the knee is urged in the posterior direction—thereby decreasing flexion. In a rehabilitative embodiment, a rigid shell is placed over the anterior portion of the knee. An air bladder is positioned between the rigid shell and the knee. The rigid shell is held in place using the securing straps of the rehabilitative brace. When the air bladder is inflated the knee is again urged in the posterior direction.

Abstract: A positioning system for securing a patient relative to a surgical table is provided. The system may include a pad body, a plurality of pad straps and a plurality of body straps. The pad body may include an upper body portion, a lower body portion with first and second lower body extensions, and first and second arm extensions corresponding to the respective first and second lower body extensions. The plurality of pad straps may be configured to be positioned through at least one of the upper body and lower body portions. The plurality of body straps and the plurality of pad straps may be configured to engage each other. The system may include a support strip to increase friction and resist movement relative to the surgical table. A method of a positioning system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to convert a dental, oral, orthodontic appliances, retainers, and dentures into a multifunctional oral appliance. The apparatus includes plurality of mechanical connectors and attachments made of plastic, ceramic, or metal, that convert any dental or oral appliances, into multipurpose, three dimensionally adjustable oral appliances for treating obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, temporomandibular joint and musculoskeletal disorders of the jaw, and for improving breathing from the mouth even when nasal passages are blocked.

Abstract: A thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis attachment for configuring an orthopedic device as a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis by connecting the attachment to the orthopedic device. The attachment has an anterior aspect including an anterior panel arranged to connect to an orthopedic device. An anterior thoracic extension (ATE) is securable to the anterior panel, and a support bar extends from the ATE. A strap system includes an axillary strap system and/or a shoulder strap system removably securing onto a surface of the orthopedic device, and/or the ATE.

Abstract: A fall prevention device configured to be coupled to a person and comprising a mechanical torso configured to be coupled to the person's torso and a mechanical structure configurable to be coupled to the mechanical torso from its first end. The mechanical structure and mechanical torso resist forces at least along one direction to maintain their posture relative to each other. In operation the second end of the mechanical structure is positioned behind the person and substantially close to the ground. When the second end of the mechanical structure contacts the ground, contact points of legs of the person on the ground and contact points of the second end of the mechanical structure outline a multi-sided polygon on the ground. If the vertical projection of the center of gravity of the person to the ground intersects the ground within the multi-sided polygon, the person and fall prevention device remain stable.

Abstract: A dual access catheterization sleeve includes a first panel and a second panel attached to each other along sides thereof and at one end, wherein a closed distal end and an open proximal end are formed, a first access fenestration formed through the first panel at a location in a center portion of the sleeve between the proximal and distal ends; and a second access fenestration formed through the first panel at a location between the first access fenestration and the closed distal end. The sleeve is dimensioned to cover a hand and at least a portion of an arm of a patient.

Abstract: A disposable IUD/IUS inserter is for use in conjunction with a hysteroscope, or blindly, including an inner part which has a flexible metal inner tube, between 1 and 2 mm in diameter. The inner tube has a front end portion including a stylet, the stylet being less than 1 mm in diameter, and the stylet being provided with a stylet tip. The IUD/IUS inserter is further provided with a handle at a rear end of the inner tube, a handle unlocking mechanism for positioning of an IUD or IUS, a release mechanism for releasing of a tail of the IUD/IUS, and an outer tube sized to allow passage through a hysteroscope working channel, the handle unlocking mechanism being connected to the outer tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nasal breathing training tape adapted to impart training to a user to breathe from the nasal, and not from the mouth, during sleep time or wake-up time. The nasal breathing training tape includes a stretchable strip, an adhesive layer, and a cutout portion. The stretchable strip includes a first surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The stretchable strip is stretchable to create tension therein. The adhesive layer may be applied to the second layer of the stretchable strip. The cutout portion is configured on the stretchable strip along a substantially central location of the stretchable strip. The stretchable strip is stretched up to a size to be accommodated and stick around a lip portion, surrounding the mouth but not touching the lip portion, of the user, such that the lip portion held together by the tension created in the stretchable strip.

Abstract: In combination with a knee brace, the variable radius spring assembly of the present invention provides a full range knee orthotic with support to the leg muscles without compromising the range of motion and the patient's normal walk/gate. The assembly comprises upper and lower hinge pieces attached to upper and lower sections of the brace, a spring bracket, and an elongated spring element that extends downward from the upper hinge piece past a catch on the lower hinge piece. Two such assemblies are attached to a knee brace, one on the inner side and one on the outer side. As the lower leg, and the lower hinge piece, move rearward, the catch forces the spring element rearward and slides downward along the spring element. Consequently, the spring element has a non-linear response requiring approximately the same about of force to deflect the spring element throughout its range of rearward travel.

Abstract: A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

Abstract: A head encapsulation unit is disclosed which filters virus contaminated air. The head encapsulation unit does not require a fitting process since the primary interface between the head encapsulation unit and the user is the user's neck. The head encapsulation unit has an expandable seal that a user can insert his or her head. The seal is then wrapped around and places light pressure against the person's neck so that virus contaminated air that does not enter the inner volume of the head encapsulation unit and infect the user. A cap at the upper portion of the unit and the seal aligns the head encapsulation unit on the user's head. This head encapsulation unit allows for both medical personnel and infected individuals to better and more easily communicate than mouth covered filters, goggles and face shield while offering substantially more mitigation from spreading an infection or being infected.

Abstract: A core muscle strengthening suit for scoliosis is described. The suit uses pieces of material constructed and assembled to transfer force generated by the wearer while walking to rotate the wearer's trunk in the direction of an existing axial twist to exercise and strengthen countervailing muscles in an attempt to maintain a normal gait. The resulting stronger rotational muscles persist in pulling the wearer's spine into alignment when the suit is removed.

Abstract: An external structural brace apparatus for supporting a user in a semi standing position on a surface includes first and second support extension beams that to attach to the surface, also included is a channel having a base with first and second legs, wherein the first and second legs extend in the same direction from opposing sides of the base, the first leg is affixed to the first support structure and the second leg is affixed to the second support structure, the channel can be lockably positioned along the first and second beams. In addition, a saddle seat with a midpoint extension portion, the saddle is attached between the first and second legs and positioned such that the midpoint extension extends opposite of the base, wherein operationally the user partially rests their buttocks on the saddle and leans their back against the base to assume a semi supported standing posture.

Abstract: A brace configured for attachment to a joint of a subject is provided. The brace includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The brace includes a second arm having a first end and a second end. The brace includes a hinge assembly coupling the first end of the first arm with the first end of the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm are movable to different relative angular orientations. The brace includes a potentiometer coupled to the hinge assembly. A method of monitoring a relative angular orientation of a first arm of a brace relative to a second arm of the brace is also provided. The method includes monitoring an output of a potentiometer coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A locking hinge with a first component and a second component which are mounted against each other in a pivotal manner relative to each other about a pivot axis. The first component has a latching recess, and the second component has a latching element which is designed to penetrate the latching recess in a latching position of the first component relative to the second component, thus preventing a pivoting movement of the first component relative to the second component in at least one direction. The latching element is designed to penetrate the latching recess to different depths in at least two different latching positions.

Abstract: An ankle brace with a base having an inelastic body portion extending from an ankle opening to a forefoot opening, with a continuous elastic band sewn to the forefoot opening, and a floating tongue bearing a band loop. The floating tongue is not sewn to the inelastic body portion of the base, instead the floating tongue is sewn only to the elastic band at a single point underneath the band loop.

Abstract: A habit corrector appliance including a front portion, a first ramp and a second ramp extending from the front portion. The first ramp is located at a high position adjacent to or at a user's palate to ensure the tongue is positioned at the palate which widens the palate and which also prevents or reduces mouth breathing. The second ramp is located at a position lower than and beneath the first ramp, wherein the second ramp substantially prevents the tongue from entering a lower space within the oral cavity, wherein the first ramp aids in an elevated tongue position and the patient learns to swallow with the tongue elevated to substantially reduce or prevent air from entering the oral cavity through the mouth and to prevent mouth breathing. Slits at the ramp sides allow for lateral expansion of the appliance. Lingual tabs promote proper anterior positioning of the jaws.

Abstract: A rapid donning face mask is disclosed. The rapid donning face mask is desirable for emerging situations in which the user is unable to maintain proper social distancing. When needed the user deploys a filter element that is coupled to the fingers of a user's hand via rings. As the user splays their fingers, the filter element deploys, allowing the user to cover their mouth and nasal openings with the filter element.

Abstract: Certain configurations of removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral device includes a palatal element. In certain configurations, the palatal element may comprise a variable hardness at different areas, e.g., edges can be softer than other areas of the removable oral device. In other instances, the removable oral device may comprise two or more individual palatal elements which together can form the palatal element and permit user adjustment of the oral volume. Various materials used in the palatal element are described. Sensors and other on-board devices are also described.

Abstract: Devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea include appliances for securing to one or more teeth of a patient and connected to a lingual bridge configured to change shape and apply pressure to a patient's tongue, preventing backward movement of the tongue and blockage of the patient's airway. The lingual bridge is composed of a shape memory alloy to allow the bridge to change shape once deployed in a patient's oral cavity and exposed to increased temperature in the patient's mouth. Pulse generators and electrodes are included to electrically stimulate the nerves and muscles of the tongue to assist in keeping the tongue from moving backward in the mouth during sleep.