Abstract: A skating frame which incorporates hockey flippers to allow inexperienced skaters to play hockey while learning to skate. It is designed to be used as a multi surface game apparatus, allowing for wide accessibility. The apparatus aims to increase the people that can play hockey by allowing inexperienced skaters, when used on ice, to maintain balance and be supported while allowing them to also be able to interact with the object in play. The apparatus may also be adapted for ground use to help those with mobility impairments to play floor hockey. The interaction with the object used in the game is facilitated by the flipper blades that run along the play surface allowing the user to engage with the play object easily without having to compromise their support.

Abstract: A skating frame which incorporates hockey flippers to allow inexperienced skaters to play hockey while learning to skate. It is designed to be used as a multi surface game apparatus, allowing for wide accessibility. The apparatus aims to increase the people that can play hockey by allowing inexperienced skaters, when used on ice, to maintain balance and be supported while allowing them to also be able to interact with the object in play. The apparatus may also be adapted for ground use to help those with mobility impairments to play floor hockey. The interaction with the object used in the game is facilitated by the flipper blades that run along the play surface allowing the user to engage with the play object easily without having to compromise their support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for providing electrical stimulation to a patient's diaphragm (or other organ or tissue) including the steps of: introducing an endoscope transviscerally (e.g., transgastrically) into the patient's body cavity; delivering an electrode into the patient's body cavity through a lumen of the endoscope; applying suction to attach the electrode to a stimulation site on the diaphragm (or other organ or tissue); and delivering a stimulation pulse to the stimulation site. The stimulation may be repeated at multiple stimulation sites.

Abstract: A method of placing an electrode in a peritoneal cavity including the following steps: inserting an endoscope through a patient's mouth into the patient's stomach; passing the endoscope through an opening in the stomach into the peritoneal cavity; and using the endoscope to place the electrode in contact with tissue within the peritoneal cavity other than stomach tissue. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of electrically mapping tissue accessed from a peritoneal cavity including the following steps: inserting an endoscope through a patient's mouth into the patient's stomach; passing the endoscope through an opening in the stomach into the peritoneal cavity; passing an electrode through the endoscope; placing the electrode in contact with tissue within the peritoneal cavity other than stomach tissue; and applying a mapping stimulation signal to the electrode from a mapping stimulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a cannula includes a rigid rod which is receivable and movable in the cannula throughout a range of operative positions in which inner and outer end portions of the rod extend longitudinally outward from the inner and outer ends of the cannula. The apparatus further includes a contact electrode which is configured to be supported on the inner end portion of the rigid rod for movement with the rigid rod through the cannula.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a diaphragm of a patient is provided. The method can include the steps of implanting an electrode adjacent a target site in the diaphragm of the patient and operating the electrode to deliver a sufficient amount of electrical stimulation to the target site in the diaphragm of the patient to cause the diaphragm to contract.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide effective neuromuscular stimulation to meet a host of different prosthetic or therapeutic objections. The systems and methods also provide convenience of operation, flexibility to meet different user-selected requirements, and transportability and ease of manipulation, that enhance the quality of life of the individual that requires chronic neuromuscular stimulation.