Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodily injuries through active monitoring of bodily postures, supporting a body while in or restricting a body from entering predetermined postures which heighten the body's susceptibility to injury, and alerting one or more entities (e.g., an apparatus user) of a body's susceptibility to injury is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method may include one or more operations including monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodily movements, storing data associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, determining a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, and alerting one or more entities when a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A mobile compression integument for applying controllable scrolling or intermittent sequential forces, such as compression forces, to the body and limbs of a user comprises an elongated fabric body sized to encircle a limb of a user, one or more shape-changing elements carried by the fabric body and configured to apply a compression pressure to the limb through the fabric body upon changing shape in response to a stimulus, and a micro-processor based controller for selectively actuating the one or more shape-changing elements to reduce the effective diameter of the integument encircling the limb, to thereby apply pressure to the limb.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and/or monitoring compliance and/or quality of brace usage is provided that includes one or more straps, one or more assemblies interacting with the one or more straps, and measurement mechanism(s) associated with the strap/assembly combination to generate information related to compliance and/or quality of brace usage. The systems and methods may be retrofit to existing scoliosis braces and may be used to transmit information to remote devices and/or processors. In addition, information concerning compliance and/or quality of brace usage may be communicated to a user and/or health care provider(s), e.g., through one or more signaling elements such as aural, visual and/or haptic signaling elements associated with the at least one assembly.

Abstract: An automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen and a method for using an automated orthotic device with a treatment regimen to provide a plurality of prescribed tension settings. The orthotic device may comprise a body brace, a controller, a data storage means, and a communication means to address the problem of patients being required to visit the physician's office every time an adjustment must be made in the prescribed tension setting in their automated orthotic device. In one embodiment, a plurality of prescribed tension settings in the automated orthotic device are sorted so that as the patient's condition improves, the next prescribed tension setting in the treatment regimen may be applied. In another embodiment, the physician is allowed to edit or supplement a patient's treatment regimen remotely by connecting to the automated orthotic device over a network.

Abstract: A needle-coupled parallel mechanism is provided. The needle-coupled parallel mechanism is structurally improved so as to have a broad working area and a high precision. The needle-coupled parallel mechanism comprises a fixedly positioned frame, a main shaft, three first links, three second links, and a needle. The main shaft is arranged so as to be movable relative to the frame. One end of each of the first links is connected to the frame between both ends of the main shaft and the other end thereof is connected to one end of the main shaft. One end of each of the second links is connected to the frame between both ends of the main shaft and the other end thereof is connected to the other end of the main shaft. The needle is linearly movably coupled to the main shaft to perform a predetermined operation on a target object. Each of the first links and the second links has at least three joints selected from a prismatic joint, a 1-axis revolute joint, a 2-axis revolute joint and a spherical joint.

Abstract: An apparatus to relieve menstrual cramping includes one or more tapered pads having an inner and outer side, each outer side being semi-rigid and each inner side being flexible. The outer side of each pad is connected to one or more straps having first and second ends. A fastener is attached to the first end of each strap and a corresponding second fastener attaches to the second end of each strap. The apparatus includes a variable compression drive located proximate to one pad to create a compression force through each strap when the first and corresponding second fasteners connect. The drive includes an outer drum shell, an inner rotator having an inner diameter that is treaded, a motor which communications with the inner rotator, and a threaded shaft which engages the inner diameter of the inner rotator. A tab attaches the threaded shaft to the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus to relieve menstrual cramping which includes one or more symmetrical tapered pads having an inner and outer side, each outer side being semi-rigid and each inner side being flexible and compressible. The outer side of each pad is connected to one or more straps having a first and corresponding second end. A fastener is attached to the first end of each strap and a corresponding second fastener attaches to the second end of each strap. The apparatus also includes a constricting device (such as a ratchet) located on or proximate to one pad sufficient to create a compression force through each strap when the first and corresponding second fasteners connect to one another. The corresponding method includes the steps of placing one or more pads proximate to the hips, affixing each pad to each strap, connecting both ends of the straps to each other and creating necessary compression.

Abstract: A patella brace has two rigid shells, a compression member coupled about the two rigid shells, and two hinge assemblies operatively connecting the two rigid shells for allowing translation, wherein the compression member restrains a joint while the two rigid shells translate about the two hinge assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus to relieve menstrual cramping includes one or more tapered pads having an inner and outer side, each outer side being semi-rigid and each inner side being flexible. The outer side of each pad is connected to one or more straps having first and second ends. A fastener is attached to the first end of each strap and a corresponding second fastener attaches to the second end of each strap. The apparatus includes a variable compression drive located proximate to one pad to create a compression force through each strap when the first and corresponding second fasteners connect. The drive includes an outer drum shell, an inner rotator having an inner diameter that is treaded, a motor which communications with the inner rotator, and a threaded shaft which engages the inner diameter of the inner rotator. A tab attaches the threaded shaft to the strap.

Abstract: A medical device is arranged to provide adjustable, user-controlled, perpendicular compression to soft tissues. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure is adjusted by a threaded bolt or threaded bolt assembly incorporated into the design of a threaded mounting plate.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a cranial orthosis for treating cranial deformities in infants. The device 10 conforms to the contour of an infant's head 18 and is used to correct positional plagiocephaly by redirecting the compressive forces that would otherwise be imposed on soft, compliant areas of the developing cranium. The device 10 is comprised of a frame member 12 housing having front 14 and rear 16 pads incorporating means for adjusting pressure 24 thereon. The cranial orthosis 10 has at least one removable panel 44 for relieving pressure during nighttime use. Alternate embodiments disclose devices having three pads 14, 54 in either an “X” or “Y” configuration.

Abstract: A leg/elbow fixing device including a support bar having two connecting sections and two bracket assemblies fixable on the leg or elbow of a user. The bracket assemblies are adjustably located on the connecting sections of the support bar. Each bracket assembly includes a locating mechanism having a cavity in which the connecting section of the support bar is fitted. A receptacle is formed on top face of the cavity. A locating assembly is received in the receptacle. Each connecting section of the support bar is formed with notches. The locating assembly includes two arresting members each having a projecting block engaged with any of the notches of the support bar. The locating assembly further includes a restoring member compressed between the arresting members and a stop section. The stop section includes an upper cover and a cover member. The cover member is fixed in the receptacle for preventing the arresting members and restoring member from bounding out.