Abstract: A patient monitoring device for use with a patient and a caregiver is provided. The patient monitoring device may include a warning system configured to provide an alarm to indicate, to a caregiver, a change in the position of a patient and a flexible tether extending outwardly from the warning system. The monitoring device may include a clip configured to be removably coupled to the tether and removably coupled to the patient, where the warning system is configured to activate the alarm when the clip is decoupled from the tether.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating plantar fasciitis are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a dorsal splint device includes an upper portion and a foot portion which are pivotally connected to one another. A strap allows attachment of the upper portion to a suitable portion of the leg, such as the calf. A tensioning element, such as a shock cord, urges the foot portion and the upper portion toward one another. The tension provided by the tensioning element may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the tensioning element. In the method of the present invention, the tensioning element may be first unhooked to allow pivoting of the foot portion with respect to the upper portion so that the device may be attached to a user. The tensioning element is then hooked to the device at the appropriate position to provide the desired tension urging the foot portion toward the upper portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sensing when a person is disposed on or arises from a support that flexes or sags when a person is disposed thereon. Such supports include beds, supports for a mattress or a seat, such as a sling-type seat found on wheelchairs. In one embodiment, an assembly is positioned beneath the support and includes a sensor. The sensor indicates when tension on the assembly exceeds a certain amount which is indicative of sagging of the support. The assembly may be adjustable in length to maintain proper tension in the absence of sag. The sensor may be a switch that includes a plunger which operates against the bias of a biasing member which either completes or interrupts an electrical circuit in response to tension placed on the assembly due to sagging of the support. In another embodiment, the assembly may be at least partially elastic. In yet another embodiment, a strain gauge may be employed to detect stretching of the assembly due to sagging of the support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating plantar fasciitis are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a dorsal splint device includes an upper portion and a foot portion which are pivotally connected to one another. A strap allows attachment of the upper portion to a suitable portion of the leg, such as the calf. The foot portion is typically attached to the foot by use of a strap. A tensioning element, such as a shock cord, urges the foot portion and the upper portion toward one another. The tension provided by the tensioning element may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the tensioning element. In the method of the present invention, the tensioning element may be first unhooked to allow pivoting of the foot portion with respect to the upper portion so that the device may be attached to a user. The upper portion is attached to the calf, while the lower portion is attached to the foot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sensing when a person is disposed on or arises from a support that flexes or sags when a person is disposed thereon. Such supports include beds, supports for a mattress or a seat, such as a sling-type seat found on wheelchairs. In one embodiment, an assembly is positioned beneath the support and includes a sensor. The sensor indicates when tension on the assembly exceeds a certain amount which is indicative of sagging of the support. The assembly may be adjustable in length to maintain proper tension in the absence of sag. The sensor may be a switch that includes a plunger which operates against the bias of a biasing member which either completes or interrupts an electrical circuit in response to tension placed on the assembly due to sagging of the support. In another embodiment, the assembly may be at least partially elastic. In yet another embodiment, a strain gauge may be employed to detect stretching of the assembly due to sagging of the support.

Abstract: An improved foot orthotic is disclosed which includes an L-shaped boot and a sole plate which mat be mounted to the boot using a bracket disposed in a recessed arch portion of the boot. Typically, a projection extends from the sole plate into the bracket. The projection may extend into a slot and may have an enlarged head which nests in a recess in the bracket. The sole plate may be removed by withdrawing the projection from the bracket. Preferably, the bracket is recessed so that when the wearer of the orthotic walks, the bracket does not touch the walking surface. A toe plate may also be used in conjunction with the boot. The toe plate may be mounted to the bracket independently of the sole plate. In one embodiment, the toe plate includes two arms separated by a slot. The two arms embrace a portion of the bracket. Mating ribs and recesses on the bracket and toe plate arms retain the toe plate in the desired position.

Abstract: A chair having a monitoring device disposed on the back support of the chair for detecting a change in position of a patient. The monitoring device indicates when the patient is no longer in contact with the device to provide a warning when the patient is falling forward, or is slouching in the seat. The monitoring device may be a single sensor or multiple sensors. The monitoring device may be permanently affixed to the chair, or integrated into the back of the chair. The monitoring device may be adjustable in position, or it may be moveable from the back of the chair. Multiple monitoring devices may be provided, or a single monitoring device having multiple zones may be provided or detection or more complex behavior. Typically, an output is provided to a controller which may or may not activate a warning system. The warning system may be visual, such as a light, or it may be audible, such as a siren or the like. The warning system may be either adjacent to or remote from the patient.

Abstract: A keyboard wrist rest supports wrists in a comfortable position in front of a keyboard by use of a plural functional layered device having a cradling layer operatively engaging the wrist in use, and a support firm wrist positioning layer providing for a defined wrist support distance above an operating surface. The plural layered wrist rest device can have a firm foam acting as the positioning layer and a soft foam acting as a cradling layer for the wrist.

Abstract: An elongated yieldable conical element has a nonrigid body which is compressible to a conical shape increasing in diameter from a narrow diameter end. The conical element is used in a method of treating a contracture of successive fingers of the hand by threading a narrow and of the element through successive curled fingers of the hand and engaging the conical end at about the narrow diameter end to apply outwardly directed force to the fingers of the hand to open the curl to some extent with minimized discomfort to a user.

Abstract: An elongated yieldable conical element has a nonrigid body which is compressible to a conical shape increasing in diameter from a narrow diameter end. The conical element is used in a method of treating a contracture of successive fingers of the hand by threading a narrow and of the element through successive curled fingers of the hand and engaging the conical end at about the narrow diameter end to apply outwardly directed force to the fingers of the hand to open the curl to some extent with minimized discomfort to a user.

Abstract: A medical fastener strap for engaging the body has an elongated stiff strip of resilient engaging members on one side and a mating and overlapping elongated softer strip of material on a second side carrying coacting engaging members for coacting with the first strip. The strap is wrapped about a body member and overlapped at its ends to form a Velcro-type fastener. Parallel edges of the softer strip extend over and beyond edges of the stiffer strip and are positioned adjacent the body to cushion and protect the body from the stiff strip in use.

Abstract: A seating orthotic cushion comprised of an elongated wedge of resiliently deformable material having a substantially planar top surface, a front surface meeting the top surface, and a bottom surface comprising a plurality of planar portions extending side-by-side from the front of the cushion to the back, the portions meeting in such a way that the bottom of the cushion slopes progressively upward toward the top of the cushion on either side of a line substantially bisecting the cushion between its sides. This seating orthotic cushion preferably includes a waterproof cover having a high coefficient of friction, and filled with an organic foam material.