Abstract: A one-piece molded bruxism treatment device which in upright orientation has top and bottom parts, including: an elongated band having a generally U-shape defining a closed front end part and legs extending rearward and adapted to be positioned around the outer surfaces of a person's upper gums and teeth, and two generally planar resiliently deformable bite pads oriented generally horizontally, each extending from one of the feet of the band medially toward the other.

Abstract: A pannus support member is configured to support and contain a pannus during a surgical procedure to provide unobstructed access to the surgical site and provide, post surgery, a clean site that is exposed to air to promote proper healing.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, an adjustable seat assembly, a means for slidably adjusting the seat assembly axially along the frame, a means for pivotally adjusting the seat assembly between a generally upright position and a recumbent position, an adjustable resistance assembly which includes rotatable pedals, and a display panel with means for providing omnidirectional positionability of the display panel. The exercise machine allows a user thereof to simultaneously perform crunching exercises and actively engage the adjustable resistance assembly in order to allow the user to reach the highest, optimized levels of cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning during a physical exercise interval.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be positioned at least partially in a mouth of a user to reduce resistance of air flow in the oral pharyngeal region and to improve anatomic and functional relationships of the oral pharyngeal structure. The device comprises a base unit adapted to be removably mounted on a lower jaw of the mouth, a pair of tongue positioner guides, each tongue positioner guide connected at a proximal end to the base unit, and a pair of tongue positioners, each connected with a distal end of a corresponding tongue positioner guide. The tongue positioner guides each comprise a bendable material so that the pair of tongue positioners are repositionable relative to the base unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal indifferent electrode device including a flexible shaft, an energy transmission device adapted to be inserted into the body supported on the shaft, and a connector adapted to mate with the power return connector of a power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A support dressing comprises a conformable material that is capable of conforming to a body part when secured thereto; an adhesive for releasably securing the dressing to said body part; and at least one resilient component that has greater stiffness than the flexible material. It is particularly useful in preventing or reducing undesired torsion, especially of the lower back.

Abstract: A hemostatic device includes a flexible band adapted to be wrapped around a patient's limb at a site on the limb where bleeding is to be stopped, a portion for securing the band in a wrapped state to the limb, a curved plate which is made of a material more rigid than the band and at least a portion of which is curved toward the inner peripheral side thereof, a main balloon which is provided on the inner peripheral side of the curved plate and which inflates when a fluid is introduced therein, and a pressing member which is provided between the curved plate and the main balloon so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the balloon and which is adapted for pressing against the balloon. The device provides an excellent hemostatic effect and prevents numbness and poor circulation in areas peripheral to the site of attachment.

Abstract: The present invention is a simple, adaptable orthotic device that can correct and/or prevent deformational posterior plagiocephaly, especially if used before the infant is 4 months of age. The manufactured article provides an anatomically correcting, adjustable, concave-shaped resting surface for an infant's head in a manner that effectively eliminates uneven pressure on the infant's occiput. The orthotic device has a modular design which permits easy adjustments of the devices' head cavity to accommodate differences in individual infant head size and shape, thereby providing the infant's head with a custom fit. Also, as the infant continues to grow in size, the adjustable head cavity and torso recess features of the orthotic device allow the contoured spatial volume and dimensions of the molded supporting surfaces to expand as the infant's calvaria grow; and thereby facilitate a progressive, normalization and rounding of the infant's occiput.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase wherein a) the continuous phase comprises a water vapor permeable hydrophobic polymer; and b) the discontinuous phase comprises a water soluble salt.

Abstract: A CPAP device and a method for treating sleep apnea use a head appliance with an oral adaptor comprising a tube partially inserted in a person's mouth and a diaphragm applied over the tube against the mouth, such that the lips are formed into a tight seal with the tube. A nasal seal is described comprising two rollers to which a strap is attached, so that the nasal seal is easily put in place, adjusted and maintained by rolling the rollers on the nose sides or pulling the straps.

Abstract: A mouth guard that may be used to treat temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is configured to eliminate pressure on an individual's back teeth. Such a mouth guard may also be configured to prevent a subject's lower jaw from moving in a posterior direction, or from “distalization.” Methods for treating TMD include spacing the top teeth at the back of a subject's mouth from the bottom teeth at the back of the subject's mouth without applying pressure to either the top teeth or the bottom teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in surgery comprises a sleeve (1) having an entry opening (4) at an outer end and an exit opening (5) at an inner end to access a patient's body. Exit sealing means (10) are provided for sealing the exit opening (5) to a body. Entry sealing means (20) are provided for sealing the outer entry against an arm passing therethrough to create a controlled environment within the sleeve. A valve (101) comprises an outer ring (105,106) and a sealing sleeve (107) of flexible material mounted to the ring (105,106) and extending into the opening defined by the ring to terminate in a substantially centrally disposed inlet opening (108).

Abstract: An adjustable resistance joint brace with a pair of pivotally interconnected semi-flexible struts compressing a rubber disc washer to impart resistance during knee, elbow, ankle and hip flexion and extension. A manually adjustable knob controls the amount of resistance by squeezing together the upper strut, a rubber disc washer in between, and the lower strut. The brace includes a sleeve for housing the struts and the brace opposes movements when the struts articulate about a transverse axis corresponding to the anatomical pivot axis of the body joint of the knee, elbow, ankle, and hip. At the pivot axis, a turn of the knob clockwise tightens the brace and a counterclockwise turn of the knob would lessen the resistance. The brace has application for dynamic sports movements, daily routine movements, rehabilitation and weightlessness strength training.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods develop static and/or kinetic and/or pressure forces to fixate or brace tissue in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.

Abstract: A sterile drape, a surgical system with the drape, and a draping method are provided. In one embodiment, a sterile drape includes a plurality of drape pockets, each of the drape pockets including an exterior surface to be adjacent a sterile field for performing a surgical procedure and an interior surface to be adjacent a non-sterile instrument manipulator coupled to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system. The drape further includes a plurality of flexible membranes at a distal face of each of the drape pockets for interfacing between outputs of an instrument manipulator and inputs of a respective surgical instrument, and a rotatable seal adapted to couple a proximal opening of each of the drape pockets to a rotatable element at a distal end of the manipulator arm.

Abstract: A method of forming a compression device including providing a wicking layer having a perimeter generally corresponding to a perimeter of the device and a surface area comprising the area bounded by the perimeter of the wicking layer. A bladder segment is provided including opposing bladder layers of air-impermeable bladder material defining an inflatable bladder. The bladder segment has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. An outer layer is provided having openings therein. A portion of the wicking layer is not overlaid by the bladder segment by virtue of the bladder segment having a smaller surface area than the surface area of the wicking layer. The portion of the wicking layer not overlaid by the bladder segment is overlaid by openings in the outer layer. A compression device is also described.

Abstract: A draping system provides a continuous sterile field between a patient incision area and one or more medical practitioners. The draping system has a quick release system incorporated into the drape that enables a medical practitioner to separate from the continuous sterile field without disrupting the sterile field around the practitioner or the patient. The draping system may include an abbreviated practitioner gown, a drain and an integral patient incision area or a flap for extending the continuous sterile field around to one or more additional operating room tables. A modular drape and gown system extends the sterile field beyond the operating table allowing practitioners to couple to the extended field. A tent provides an enclosed sterile field useful in mobile or other non operating room surgical environments. Integral lighting and information displays facilitate field surgical procedures.