Abstract: Hygienic Hydrophilic coatings, hydrophilic coating formulations and wetting fluids that include an anti-infective agent.

Abstract: A trans-anal irrigation (TAI) device has a pump base unit, an irrigation fluid reservoir, a wireless electronic controller, fluid tubing, and a disposable rectal catheter in fluid communication with the tubing. The rectal catheter has a retention balloon and a waste control valve. The fluid tubing contains two or three separate lumens for irrigation fluid and retention balloon inflation/deflation and optionally for waste control valve actuation. None of the lumens ever communicates with any other lumen. A hydraulic control circuit has a pump that pumps in one direction only but, with suitable control valves, is able to pump water to and from the retention balloon and to and from an optional waste control valve. A water temperature sensor is mounted in the pump base unit at a thin-wall section. The temperature sensor sends a signal to a controller which provides an indication of whether the water temperature is suitable for use.

Abstract: A reusable urinary catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft and a plurality of removable members associated with the catheter shaft. A different one of the removable members is configured to be removed from the catheter shaft between each consecutive use of the reusable urinary catheter assembly. By such a configuration, the number of times that the reusable urinary catheter may be reused is limited by the number of removable members.

Abstract: A portable trans anal irrigation device has a hand-held water management unit removably connectable to an irrigation arm. The water management unit includes a water cartridge and a controller. The irrigation arm has a cone head for interfacing with the user's body.

Abstract: A trans anal irrigation device that can be used on a bed. The device includes a rectal catheter connected to an irrigation fluid supply. A waste collection bag is also connected to the catheter. The catheter may be insertable in a seat attached to a fluid supply line. A valve in one of the catheter or seat selectably allows or prevents fluid communication between the catheter and a waste collection bag. The catheter may include an inflationless cuff made of a flexible material that permits it to be inserted in the rectum to prevent leakage around the exterior of the catheter.

Abstract: An ankle brace has first and second semi-rigid shell members for extending over the ankle and the lower leg on the inner and outer sides of the ankle. A sealed bladder pad is mounted to each of the shell members on the side of the shell member facing the ankle. Each bladder pad includes three small-interconnected bladders wherein a first larger bladder is mounted at the lower end of the shell, and two side-by-side upper bladders are mounted on an upper portion of the associated shell member. The three bladders having restricted openings permitting limited flow of air between the bladders. When a patient wearing the ankle brace walks, the lower bladder is compressed, and air is directed through the restricted openings to the upper bladders, thereby intermittently varying the pressure on the ankle and lower leg, and promoting circulation.

Abstract: An ankle support (100) is constructed using a molded pad (110) and a rigid shell (112). The pad (110) and the shell (112) may be sealed together to form a bladder-pad cushion for comfort. The internal structure of the pad (110) is molded to include geometrically shaped cells of various size, shape and thickness to provide differing levels of localized comfort to the user of the ankle support (100). The pad may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is spring-like and resists compression sets. The pad may include integrally-molded fingers extending to the shell. The fingers may have different lengths in one or more regions, in order to increase the cushioning effect in a particular region. The pad/shell combination may form a sealed bladder, and a pneumatic pump may be provided in conjunction with the shell so that the user can inflate the bladder.

Abstract: An ankle brace has first and second semi-rigid shell members for extending over the ankle and the lower leg on the inner and outer sides of the ankle. A sealed bladder pad is mounted to each of the shell members on the side of the shell member facing the ankle. Each bladder pad includes three small-interconnected bladders wherein a first larger bladder is mounted at the lower end of the shell, and two side-by-side upper bladders are mounted on an upper portion of the associated shell member. The three bladders having restricted openings permitting limited flow of air between the bladders. When a patient wearing the ankle brace walks, the lower bladder is compressed, and air is directed through the restricted openings to the upper bladders, thereby intermittently varying the pressure on the ankle and lower leg, and promoting circulation.

Abstract: An improved ankle brace that is easily adjustable for improved comfort and use. The ankle brace includes a pair of relatively rigid side supports to fit about a lower leg of a patient, and the lower area of the side supports may be adapted to position an assembly of heel straps. The assembly may include at least two straps, which are coupled at the ends and adapted to adjust the effective length of the assembly, so that it may be accommodated for different heel widths of different patients. Alternatively, the assembly may include three pieces, an intermediary member for linking the other two straps. The assembly may be attached to the side supports through a pin mechanism that may be either capped (as by heat staking) or welded at the end to hold it in position. Alternatively, a cap with protruding plastic pin may be molded directly onto the strap, effectively making them one piece to be assembled as such.

Abstract: An improved ankle brace may have two relatively rigid side supports, the outer edge portion of the lower area of the side supports, adjacent to the ankle being covered with a flexible or resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be permanently secured to the side supports by bonding, mechanical interlocking, or by any other suitable arrangements. Additional resilient flexible material may be placed on the interior surface of the side supports to improve the fit and comfort of the brace around the user's lower leg. The rigid side supports may be of an open type with the resilient flexible material extending across the side supports and beyond the edges thereof. The lower area of the side supports may include a pivoting mechanism to adjustably receive heel straps. Each of the side supports may include a structural frame that surrounds but does not cover the ankle or malleolus.

Abstract: An orthopaedic support includes a sheet of foam material that has been compression molded in specific areas. These areas have a thickness and density that is different from other areas of the support and serve to better fit the support to the body. The support may include compression molded grooves or cavities to accommodate straps, struts, gel-filled pads, inflatable bladders, pumps, and other accessories. The support may also include compression molded grooves that reduce bunching when the support is bent, and may include molded edges to minimize skin irritation during activity. The brace may also be a back brace or an ankle brace having compression molded components. A method of compression molding an orthopaedic support includes compression molding at least one sheet of resilient foam material in selected areas to reduce the thickness and increase the density of the material in those areas.

Abstract: A back support assembly including a bulb pump which when pumped or squeezed by the user inflates an air cushion to exert the desired pressure and fit against the user's lower back. The cushion is secured to the middle of the elastic belt, which is adapted to wrap around the user's back to position the air cushion against the middle of the user's back. Opposing adjustment straps are attached to the back of the strap. With the belt secured around the user the adjustment straps can be pulled and releasably secured to the belt and/or each other at respective positions exerting the desired force on the air cushion and against the user's back. The bulb pump is conveniently attached to and carried by one of the adjustment straps. It is secured to the rear of that strap, and has its rounded forward portion extending out through an opening in the strap, operatively accessible for inflation/deflation by the user.

Abstract: An improved ankle brace may have two relatively rigid side supports, the outer edge portion of the lower area of the side supports, adjacent to the ankle being covered with a flexible or resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be permanently secured to the side supports by bonding, mechanical interlocking, or by any other suitable arrangements. Additional resilient flexible material may be placed on the interior surface of the side supports to improve the fit and comfort of the brace around the user's lower leg. The rigid side supports may be of an open type with the resilient flexible material extending across the side supports and beyond the edges thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic ankle brace having a pair of relatively rigid side supports with inflatable main bladders attached to their inside surfaces. The inflatable main bladders are coupled to an interconnected foot pump. Additional support and back-up bladders may be placed distally upon the main bladders to provide further cushioning and support. The foot pump is activated through normal use, such as walking or running, whereby entrapped fluid is displaced back and forth between the main bladders and the pump. This creates a pulsing action which provides a massaging compression effect which helps reduce swelling and increase venous and lymphatic return.