Abstract: A back support device for supporting a wearer's back during various activities is described. The back support device includes an inner belt, and outer substantially inelastic belt, and a semi-rigid abdominal plate positioned beneath the outer substantially inelastic belt. The back support device is designed to be positioned circumferentially about a wearer's waist or lower torso region, such that the abdominal plate overlies an abdominal region of the wearer, with the substantially inelastic belt securing the abdominal plate firmly in position thereon, in order to increase the intraabdominal pressure and thereby support the wearer's lower spine. The inner belt is desirably substantially elastic in order that it closely conforms to the wearer's body and assists in increasing the intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A back support device for supporting a wearer's back during various activities is described. The back support device includes an inner belt, and outer substantially inelastic belt, and a semi-rigid abdominal plate positioned beneath the outer substantially inelastic belt. The back support device is designed to be positioned circumferentially about a wearer's waist or lower torso region, such that the abdominal plate overlies an abdominal region of the wearer, with the substantially inelastic belt securing the abdominal plate firmly in position thereon, in order to increase the intraabdominal pressure and thereby support the wearer's lower spine. The inner belt is desirably substantially elastic in order that it closely conforms to the wearer's body and assists in increasing the intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A shoe to be worn on a foot cast for providing a more normal gait as the wearer of the cast walks, the shoe has a molded sole formed of a foam material, a shoe upper connected to the molded sole and adapted to extend around the foot cast, and straps connected to the shoe upper for securing the shoe upper and the molded sole on the foot cast. The molded sole is formed of integrally molded foam material wherein an upper portion thereof defines an innersole and a lower portion thereof defines an outersole. The innersole has a concave recess extending throughout major portions thereof and with the depth thereof being such as to receive lower portions of the foot cast and to permit the wearer thereof to have a gait corresponding substantially to that of a normal shoe. The outersole has a roughened outer surface for providing increased frictional resistance with the surface upon which the outersole contacts.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a low cost cervical collar for use in emergency situations when there is a possible cervical/spinal injury. The cervical collar comprises a flexible foam plastic body member having sufficient length to substantially encircle the neck of the wearer in use. The body member includes a medial portion and opposite wing portions arranged to overlie the ears and provide substantial support for the head. The cervical collar is also provided with a hole centered at the front thereof to provide access to the throat in the event an emergency tracheotomy is needed. In a preferred embodiment, the cervical collar further includes a solid plastic sheet overlying a substantial portion of the body to provide additional strength and support.

Abstract: A unitary orthopedic cast material is provided which comprises a layer of plaster splint material, a relatively thick padding layer on one side of the plaster splint material, and a resilient covering fabric enclosing the plaster splint layer and the padding layer. The padding layer and covering fabric are each fabricated from a hydrophobic textile material, such as polypropylene fibers, which acts to wick moisture from the skin of the wearer to the outer surface of the cast material, where the moisture readily evaporates, to thereby alleviate skin irritation and odor beneath the cast.

Abstract: A two part cervical collar which comprises a pair of U-shaped body members which are adapted to be positioned in a mating face-to-face arrangement encircling the neck of the wearer, with the oppositely directed end portions of the members over-lapping each other. Each body member comprises a core of air permeable foam material having sufficient firmness to provide adequate support about the entire circumference of the wearer's head and neck. The core of each body member defines a smooth exterior surface which is in the form of a portion of a cylindrical surface, and the core is covered by a fabric which is smoothly bonded to the surface thereof. Also, strap means having Velcro type hook fastening means thereon is provided for releasably interconnecting the two mating members.

Abstract: An orthopedic knee brace which is able to be adjustably sized in both length and circumference. The brace comprises a sheet of flexible material which is adapted to encircle the knee and adjacent leg portions of the wearer, and three rigidifying members are mounted on the sheet and extend between the upper and lower end edges thereof. The rigidifying members are each adapted to be readily shortened by the physician or the user, such that the sheet may be severed along the upper and/or lower end edges of the sheet, as well as along the side edges thereof, to selectively reduce both the length and circumference of the brace and thereby permit the brace to be properly fitted to patients of varying size.

Abstract: An inexpensive, air permeable body protector adapted to be positioned on an elbow or heel of a bedridden patient for protecting against the development of decubitus ulcers or the like. The protector includes a resilient pad of porous foam material, the pad having a generally circular outline and a concave inner surface which defines an elbow or heel receiving pocket. A separate porous tubular knit sleeve is also provided which is adapted to be drawn onto and over the limb of the wearer and over the pad so as to surround the pad when positioned on the elbow or heel of the wearer.

Abstract: An elongate body support binder and method of fabricating the same. The binder comprises serially arranged fabric panels, and a joint structure for interconnecting the adjacent ends of the panels and which includes a plastic strip having substantial resistance to lateral bending to thereby resist rolling of the longitudinal side edges of the binder when in use.

Abstract: A protective pad adapted for being positioned on an elbow or heel of a bedridden patient for protecting against the development of bedsores. The pad includes a scoop-shaped body member of cushioning material having a concave inner surface thereon defining an elbow or heel receiving pocket, a pair of straps extending in spaced apart relation from a rear portion of the body member and being of a length sufficient to permit positioning the straps across the body member for overlyingly engaging the limb of a patient, and a pair of fasteners carried by a front portion of the body member for releasably securing an end portion of each strap to the front portion of the body member.