Abstract: A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting a device into airway-forming tissue without affixing the device to the tissue and permitting a bioerodable portion of the device to bioerode to apply a force to the airway-forming tissue to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.

Abstract: A Mayo stand cover and integrated medical waste refuse container that includes a pair of thin plastic sheets sealed together to cover the top and bottom of a Mayo stand with a liquid barrier and a strategically positioned, substantially rectangular visually clear sealable plastic refuse container sheet attached in a specific area of the Mayo stand cover to be positioned vertically perpendicular to the Mayo stand. The refuse container allows surgical personnel direct access for disposing of surgical waste and a visual opportunity to determine what has been placed in the refuse bag for counting purposes, and prevents waste material from falling out during removal of the Mayo stand cover after surgery.

Abstract: A custom ankle brace system is disclosed which is constructed from a low temperature non-olefinic elastomeric blend material, and methods of fabricating and fitting the same. This material can be molded directly to a custom mold made from a casting of an affected body part. The final product will be an ankle brace that is able to be heated at low temperature (150° F.-200° F.) by use of an oven or equivalent, and custom molded directly on the patient. If necessary reheated, the ankle brace may be remolded to account for a change in the patient's anatomy or for an increase in comfort.

Abstract: A low density fabric substrate for a medical bandaging product. The substrate has a plurality of longitudinally-extending voids formed in the fabric for permitting water penetration through the fabric thickness from one of the major faces to the other major faces. A reactive system is impregnated into or coated onto the substrate and remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture-free conditions and hardens upon exposure to sufficient moisture to form a rigid, self supporting structure. A soft, flexible protective material covers at least one of the major faces of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of a patient when the material is in use.

Abstract: The invention described is directed to an intracorporeal occluding device having elements with non-traumatic ends and devices, systems and methods for occluding the lumens of anatomical passageways and/or for delivering drugs or other substances to the bodies of human or animal subjects.

Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.

Abstract: A ring splint that includes a first loop, a second at least partial loop, an elongated support and optionally a third at least partial loop, the first loop and the second at least partial loops being attached to the elongated support such that the elongated support contacts the ventral surface (e.g., palmar or plantar) of a phalange (e.g., finger or toe) when in position on a phalange.

Abstract: A Modular Upper Extremity Support System (MUESS) improves hand function by optimizing the balance of flexion and extension at the wrist and stabilizing thumb abduction. This is accomplished through a basic support unit of a forearm cuff, a wrist extensor strap, and a web spacer strap. Various components and inserts can be attached to the basic support unit. The MUESS has several interchangeable components, inserts, and attachments, which allow the hand therapist and other caregivers to make adjustments to the orthotic in real time to support various hand functions that are critical to activities of daily living such as grasping.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an ingrown nail condition is provided. The method prevents a phenol solution that is applied during a P & A procedure from coming into contact with the surrounding skin and nail bed. The device is essentially a plastic tube which comes in different lengths and widths and has a specially shaped aperture located at one end. A stick-shaped cotton applicator is inserted through the tube so as to ensure direct application of the phenol solution onto only the nail matrix. As a result, the phenol solution is prevented from coming into contact with the skin and nail bed, thereby reducing post-operative healing time, post-operative infection and post-operative pain.

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: Apparatus, systems, and methods constrain and/or support tissue structures along an airway.

Abstract: The main housing is defined by a large aperture formed in its side. The side aperture provides access to an internal treatment chamber. The user can insert one or both hands into the chamber through the side aperture to provide therapeutic treatment for the skin of the hands. The device has a removable fluid reservoir seatable into the main housing. Fluid from the reservoir is ported to an internal cool mist vaporizor such as a transducer or other misting apparatus. The mist is driven down a mist conduit by user-adjustable airflow. As the mist passes down the mist conduit, it passes a heating element that allows the user to selectively deliver heated or cool vapor into the treatment chamber. The user may utilize water and/or fluid having additives such as extracts, therapeutic medications and essential oils as the raw material for mist formation.

Abstract: A first aid bandage includes bandaging material, a dressing pad and a bandaging element. The dressing pad is attached underneath the bandaging element. The bandaging material is attached to the bandaging element. The bandaging element has been rolled up so that there is a rolled-up portion and a straight portion in the bandaging element. The rolling has been done so that the rolled-up portion can be rolled up over the straight portion, whereby the bandaging element is put in a state of tension. There is an opening arrangement in the rolled-up portion of the bandaging element, in which opening arrangement there are guiding structures. The bandaging material is arranged to fit into the opening arrangement so that a part of the bandaging material is under the guiding structures.

Abstract: A portable massage bed having a plurality of pressure point pads that protrude from a surface of the massage bed and contact one or more key pressure points of a user to relieve pain in muscles and tendons in pain afflicted areas.

Abstract: An objective is to perform a leg massage under appropriate temperature conditions. The lower leg massage apparatus 1 comprises: a pair of right and left insertion recesses 4,4 in a vertically-extending continuous form, into which are inserted feet F and calves C of a user; a first massage mechanism 5 disposed within an upper part of the insertion recess 4, for massaging the inserted calves C, and a second massage mechanism 7 disposed within a lower part of the insertion recess 4, for massaging the inserted feet F. Further provided are a cover body 12 of a two-layer structure which is disposed in the insertion recess 4 so as to cover the first massage mechanism 5 and the second massage mechanism 7, and a warm air/cool air supply section 15 for supplying a warm or cool current of air to a region between the two layers constituting the cover body 12.

Abstract: A CPR apparatus includes a chest compression unit and a means for mounting the chest compression unit on a patient. The chest compression unit includes a plunger disposed in a housing. At its one end extending from the housing, the plunger has a compression member. The plunger is driven in a reciprocating manner by a reversible electromotor via a mechanical device for translating rotational motion of the motor to linear motion of the plunger or the plunger is driven by a linear induction electromotor. An electromotor control unit including a microprocessor, a first monitor for monitoring the position of the plunger in respect of the housing and a second monitor for monitoring the position of the plunger in respect of the mechanical device for translating rotational motion to linear motion or the rotor of the linear induction electromotor. The monitored positions are communicated to the electromotor control unit. Also disclosed is a corresponding CPR method.

Abstract: A TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) balancing appliance and a method for using the same are provided, in which a first base portion accommodates incisor teeth, a second base portion is extended from a left side of the first base portion and accommodates left molar teeth, and a third base portion is extended from a right side of the first base portion and accommodates right molar teeth. The first base portion includes an upper part for accommodating upper incisor teeth and a lower part for accommodating lower incisor teeth and has a center for accommodating the upper and lower incisor teeth higher than the left and right sides.

Abstract: A reversible orthosis is configured to support and/or immobilize at least one limb of a patient, including a textile article with first and second faces. The faces are equally able to contact a limb or limbs of the patient. The device includes at least one fastening tab having an active face with fastening elements cooperable with first or second securing device arranged respectively on the first and second faces and an inactive face opposite the active face. The fastening tab is fixed non-removably via its inactive face on a zone of the textile article contiguous to one of the edges of the textile article, allowing a pivot, about a pivot axis substantially parallel to this edge, between a first position, in which the active face catches by contact on the first securing device, and a second position, in which the active face catches by contact on the second securing device.

Abstract: A self-customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person including occlusal pads with a connecting arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and lingual walls. The appliance is formed of a semi-crystalline polyolefin polymer or crystallizable blend. In one embodiment, the appliance is formed of elastomeric propylene-ethylene polypropylene, optionally including high density polypropylene. An optional occlusal lifting pad can be used in the self-customizable dental appliance.

Abstract: A knee brace includes a sleeve; and a plurality of flaps including a first lateral flap coupled to a first side of the sleeve and configured to extend toward a center of the sleeve; a second lateral flap coupled to a second side of the sleeve substantially opposite to the first side and configured to extend toward a center of the sleeve and overlap with the first transverse flap; a first transverse flap and a second transverse flap coupled to a rear side of the sleeve and configured to wrap around the first side and the second side of the sleeve, respectively, and overlap the first and second lateral flaps. Additionally, the knee brace may include a lower flap as an anterior cruciate ligament support and first and second transverse straps configured to extend over the plurality of flaps.