Abstract: Apparatus for decreasing stresses and pressure generated to a person's lumbosacral spine while sitting or lying supine, prone, or on the side comprises a belt which fits around the waist, and leg supports which attach to the wearer's legs between the knee and ankle. The belt has a series of foam pads positioned in such a way to help maintain the correct anatomical position of the lumbosacral spine while the person is sitting or lying down, and the leg supports are designed to minimize forces generated in the lumbosacral area from muscular tension. Such stresses and pressures may include; stretching forces on the outer wall of the disc, the annulus fibrosis, stretching forces on the ligaments, stretching forces on the back muscles, and intradiscal pressure.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluids between the inlet and outlet of a fluid valve. The valve assembly may comprise a barrier element disposed within the body of the valve and having a portion which is porous for providing fluid communication between the valve inlet and outlet. The valve assembly may also comprise a sealing element disposed in the valve body and movable, relative to the barrier element between a first position, in which fluid flow through the porous portion of the barrier element is sealingly blocked preventing fluid communication between the valve inlet and outlet, and a second position, in which the porous portion is unblocked, permitting fluid communication between the valve inlet and outlet.