Abstract: To provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive component that can be quickly and easily used to fix an ankle joint by persons having no expert knowledge on taping without causing problems such as difficulty in wearing shoes due to thickening upon application of the tape, a pressure-sensitive adhesive component includes a bottom portion; a first tape-shaped body; and a second tape-shaped body, wherein a cut is provided between the first and second tape-shaped bodies running in a longitudinal direction, the first tape-shaped body including a first front tape body and a first rear tape body, and the second tape-shaped body including a second front tape body and a second rear tape body, and wherein a ratio of a width of the front tape body to a width of the rear tape body is within the range of 5:5 to 5:3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a snore detection device comprising a pressure sensor for detecting vibration generated by the human body with respiration, a sound sensor for detecting sound generated by the human body with respiration, and a judging circuit for judging the occurrence of snoring based on output signals of the two sensors. The judging circuit detects a peak occurrence time in variations generated by the output signal of the pressure sensor and a peak occurrence time in variations generated by the output signal of the sound sensor, to judge whether snoring occurs based on the peak occurrence times, respectively, of vibration and sound.

Abstract: A powder inhalator comprising: a housing; a supply member for holding a powdered drug for a large number of doses and having a drug discharge aperture at its bottom surface; a drug carrier, to which the powdered drug is supplied from the drug discharge aperture of the supply member, and having on its upper surface a measuring recess that has a volume equivalent to one dose of the drug; and an operation member disposed so as to move freely back and forth, and operate the drug carrier; the drug carrier moving in contact with the bottom surface of the supply member to carry the powdered drug loaded into the measuring recess from the position of the drug discharge aperture to an air inhalation channel, wherein the drug carrier is disposed slidably so that the measuring recess moves in a circular manner by sliding the drug carrier.

Abstract: A cervical support system for restricting head and neck movement of a patient recovering from an injury to or surgery on the spine. The support system includes a supporting member for mounting onto and around the head and neck of the patient. The supporting member includes an injection molded base portion integral with an occipital lobe supporting portion. The base portion is arranged to rest on the shoulder of the patient while the occipital lobe supporting portion is arranged to extend along the neck from the shoulder to the head of the patient. An arcuate member such as a C-collar is disposed on an outer surface of the supporting member. A plurality of adjustment devices such as a turn-tab adjustment mechanism on an outer surface of the arcuate member rotatably connect the arcuate member to the supporting member to position the arcuate member onto, and with respect to, the supporting member.

Abstract: An electronic oxygen conserving device for controlling a flow of oxygen from an oxygen storage container to a user. When a conserve setting is selected, a flow of oxygen travels through an oxygen regulating valve that has an open state and a closed state. A temporary electrical charge or current is provided to the oxygen regulating valve during the initial inhalation of oxygen by an individual, opening the regulating valve opens to delivery oxygen to the user. The oxygen regulating valve remains open even after termination of the electric current. After a predetermined timed delivery dose or upon exhalation by the individual, a subsequent temporary electric charge or current is provided to oxygen regulating valve, closing the regulating valve closes to prevent delivery of oxygen to the user, thus conserving oxygen. The oxygen regulating valve remains closed even after termination of the subsequent electric current.

Abstract: A group for controlling a second-stage regulator for scuba divers. The regulator comprises a regulator body with an inlet conduit for connection to a first-stage regulator which supplies a breathable gaseous mixture at a constant pressure and an outlet conduit for connection to a mouthpiece of the user. The group comprises a first bushing defining an intermediate chamber with a bottom wall wherein a central hole is formed, a poppet loosely engaged within the hole, the end of the poppet being connected to lever means, a second bushing engaged in the first bushing and defining an inlet chamber and a third bushing engaged in the second bushing and defining a regulator seat at one of its ends. The head of the poppet engages tightly in the seat and an elastic member is provided coaxial to the poppet in the intermediate chamber for maintaining the head against the regulator seat.

Abstract: A nasal CPAP cannula seal that includes a strip of flexible material, between about 3 to 10 cm in width and between about 5 to 15 cm in length. The strip defines a pair of substantially round nostril apertures, each aperture having a diameter of between 2 mm and 4.5 mm and being spaced apart by from 1.5 mm to 3 mm. Also, the strip further defines a set of cuts extending outwardly from each nostril aperture.

Abstract: An osteoarthritis brace having relatively large semi-rigid cuffs for abutting the wearer's thigh and calf. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid cuffs are secured to rigid cuffs of the brace only on one side and in substantially a center of the rigid cuffs. The semi-rigid cuffs bear reaction forces created by a medial/lateral force applied to the wearer's knee by a hinge of the brace. The semi-rigid cuffs provide flesh containment, distribute loads over a large portion of the wearer's flesh, eliminate pinch points and provide enhanced fitting capabilities.

Abstract: A system that can be used to perform an ophthalmic procedure. The system may include a patient support that supports a patient and a light source which can direct a beam of light onto the patient's cornea. The system may also include an airflow module that directs a flow of air above the cornea. The flow of air reduces the amount of contaminants that may become attached to the cornea during the procedure.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) utilizing positive airway pressure (PAP) by creating a single-piece, dual arch airway orthotic, using said orthotic to obturate the oral cavity via an acrylic seal between the upper and lower dental arches, retaining the upper and lower dental arches in elastomeric material via a snap-fit and applying PAP via the nasal passages from tubing which is supported from said airway orthotic.

Abstract: An immobilization apparatus incorporating a water permeable padding design that channels water away from the wearer and a method of preparing an immobilizing apparatus is described. In human or veterinary applications, the apparatus can be flushed with various solutions for cleansing of the limb beneath while avoiding the accumulation of excess moisture. The apparatus can be immersed in water then dried quickly in the open air. Subject invention allows for effective transfer of moisture away from the skin thereby avoiding skin maceration.

Abstract: A dispensing canister-add-on-component assembly, comprising a dispensing canister comprising a substantially cylindrical container having a closed end and an open end, said open end of the container being equipped by means of a ferrule with a dispensing means; a substantially cylindrical add-on component; said component being positioned adjacent to the closed end of the container to form a generally cylindrical canister-component sub-assembly having an interface between the canister and add-on component.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly adapted to be connected to a gas supply pump to deliver breathable gas to the inlet of a patient's respiratory system comprises a supply conduit, a patient interface, a branch swivel connector including a Y-piece and an elbow that swivels relative to the Y-piece, the branch swivel connector being adapted to be located to the rear of a patient's head in use and being connected to the supply conduit. A pair of inlet tubes each have a first end positioned in use near a mouth of a patient and are connected to the nose mask, a middle portion arranged to pass across a cheek of a patient and an end portion being joined to the Y-piece of the branch connector. The inlet tubes have a flat configuration and are provided with a plurality of internal ribs which prevent the tubes being crushed. A strap is secured to the patient interface and adapted to pass around the sides and rear of the head to hold the patient interface in position on the head.

Abstract: A forehead pad that includes a base member having a first side adapted to be coupled to a forehead support member. The pad also includes a patient contacting member having a first side adapted to contact a surface of a patient. A neck portion couples a second side of the base member and a second side of the first patient contacting member. The neck portion includes at least one cutout to allow at least a portion of the first patient contacting member to move relative to the base member so that the patient contacting portion of the pad is self-aligning with the surface of the patient even if the base member is not parallel with the surface of the patient.

Abstract: A cervical immobilizing device includes a pair of arms that can be folded to an upright position to engage and support a patient's head, an actuating device for folding the arms to the supporting position, and a locking device for locking the position of the arms in the folded supporting position. The actuating device is coupled to the outer ends of the arms for folding the arms to an upright position symmetrically and uniformly. In one embodiment, the actuator device is flexible member that passes around a guide to a position which can be gripped by the user. The locking device can be a cinching, ratcheting or clamping device, or a combination thereof, on the actuator device. In one embodiment, the folding arms include a coupling device for coupling the arms to a base in a sliding arrangement to enable the arms to slide along the base to a folded position. A blank is also disclosed that can be folded to form the cervical immobilizing device.

Abstract: An adjustable support device for the knee provides in one embodiment a strap, a primary tensioning device positioned on the strap, and a secondary tensioning device carried on the strap. A preferred embodiment of the device includes an elongate bar secured to the strap between first and second ends of the strap by a patch of material, stitching, or any number of known adhesives. The secondary tensioning device may include one or more patches of elastic, or alternatively, inelastic material that provide radially-directed pressure against the knee joint. In another embodiment, the secondary tensioning device provides pairs of ligatures secured to each end of the elongate bar for concentrating radially-directed pressure against the knee joint.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier for use in closing wounds under the microscope in small blood vessels modifies a well-known clip applier system to make more steady and reliable the application of very small clips during surgery on a scale of vessel size of 2 mm in external diameter and smaller. The known device is modified internally so as to be capable of receiving a flexible remote actuation device which can be a cable release such as used for a camera shutter, or which can be a flexible hydraulic or pneumatic line as a force-transmitting device. Thus, the surgeon can hold the clip applier very steadily at the site desired without contracting any intrinsic muscles while the cable release is depressed by another person, or with the surgeon's other hand, or with a foot pedal.

Abstract: A breathing gas supply system for supplying breathable gas in an aircraft includes an oxygen enriching apparatus which is operable in at least two modes to provide product gas with varying oxygen concentrations. A first feed line feeds more highly enriched product gas to one or more breathing gas outlets, and a second feed line feeds less highly enriched product gas e.g. to an aircraft cabin for breathing during normal high altitude flight. A control means controls oxygen enrichment apparatus to provide highly enriched product gas to the breathing gas outlet or outlets in the first mode of operation or less highly enriched product gas e.g. to the cabin for normal breathing, and controls a diverter valve. Which directs the product gas to the respective feed line.

Abstract: A method and system for the application of molecular sieves to the removal of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the patient expired gases during anesthesia. The system is especially useful in anesthesia using any of the halogenated ether inhalation anesthetic agents. The expired gases are dried using a non-reactive desiccant to remove water, passed through a filter capable of removing particles larger than 0.3 microns, passed through a bed containing either natural or synthetic molecular sieves capable of removing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and then returned to the breathing circuit for recirculation to the patient.

Abstract: An anesthesia delivery device can be coupled to a ventilation system. The device includes an inspiratory gas line having a machine end and a patient end. The machine end can be fluidly coupled to the ventilation system, and the patient end can be received within the naris of the patient. A face mask having a dome portion can cover the patient's nose without covering the patient's mouth and defines an inside air space between the patient's nose and the dome portion, and an outside air space exterior of the dome portion. A vent allows gas to pass between the inside and outside air spaces. An exhaust port can be fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas output. The exhaust port and vent can cooperatively exert a negative pressure on the outside air space for preventing inspiratory gas from entering the outside air space.