Abstract: A balance rehabilitation and training apparatus and method of using the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support member, an optional base member, a handle carriage structure, a free-floating handle container member and a free-floating handle member. The apparatus allows the user to perform balance enhancing exercises while holding the free-floating handle member within the area inscribed within the free-floating handle container member thus allowing the user to experience postural sway during the course of the exercise to reinforce the appropriate motor program. The apparatus provides rehabilitation and training in balance impaired patients and in individuals without balance impairment but who seek to enhance postural stability.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition with healing activity comprising at least one soluble dextran derivative and at least one platelet-derived growth factor. The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition with healing activity comprising at least one soluble dextran derivative and at least one platelet-derived growth factor, and also to the use thereof for the preparation of a medicament with healing action, in particular for use in the treatment of ulcers.

Abstract: Echocardiography table with an access cushion hinged within an access recess and a patient support cushion that swings out about a pivot from a swung in position within a patient support recess and a swung out position clear of the patient support recess. Retainers such as locking elements keep the patient support cushion in either the swung in or swung out position, as applicable. The patient support recess may have opposite walls that diverge and complement the tapering sides of the patient support cushion. The access cushion may be hinged to either rotate upright or swing to a hanging position.

Abstract: The invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions with wound healing or anti-complementary activity, and their uses, said compositions comprising, (1) at least a dextran derivative of general formula DMCaBbSuc, a, b, and c respectively representing the degrees of substitution in the groups MC, B and Su, wherein a?0.6, b=0 or ?0.1, and c=0 or ranges widely between 0.1 and 0.5 for a wound healing composition, and a?0.3, b?0.1 and c=0 or ranges widely between 0.1 and 0.4 for a composition with anti-complementary activity; (2) and at least a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said dextran derivative being present in a single unit dose or at a concentration adapted to the desired wound healing or anti-complementary activity.

Abstract: Encapsulation of an inner facing surface of a lead shield of a radiopharmaceutical pig. The inner facing surface defines a chamber in which is inserted a radiopharmaceutical syringe. The encapsulation protects the inner facing surface against contamination due to leaks of the contents of the radiopharmaceutical syringe and further obviates the need for a sharps container to enclose the syringe during transport. The outer facing surface may likewise be encapsulated and secured to the encapsulation of the inner facing surface.

Abstract: A radiopharmaceutical pig device that includes two pig sections and two complementary engaging elements that engage each other. One of the two complementary engaging elements in integral with one of the two pig sections. By holding the other of the two complementary engaging elements stationary while the two complementary engaging elements are engaged, the other section of the pig may be removed from the pig without having to grasp the sidewall of the one of the two pig sections. This other of the complementary engaging elements may be part of a pig retainer brace, a shipping container, and L-Block shield or a counter top.

Abstract: The invention concerns a biologically active material essentially comprising at least an insolubilized dextran derivative of general formula DMCaBbSUcSd and at least a growth factor having an activity on osteoarticular, dental and/or maxillofacial tissues, and the method for preparing same. The invention also concerns the uses of said biomaterial for preparing a repair or filing material, such as an implant, for osteoarticular, dental or maxillofacial applications and for preparing an orthopaedic, dental or maxillofacial prosthesis, and the prosthesis coated with said biologically active material.

Abstract: An inflatable suspension harness/body jacket and method of use in medical partial weight-bearing therapy. The suspension harness/body jacket is fit onto a patient and has bladders that are inflated sufficiently to achieve a tight conforming fit. Deflating and re-inflating the bladders where necessary to re-achieve the tight conforming fit allows for successful weight-bearing therapy without discontinuing the therapy for an extended period or removing the patient. The suspension harness/body jacket has shoulder straps and jacket portions that may pass through D-rings that, when attached to a frame or other apparatus, provide additional offloading capacity.

Abstract: Encapsulation of an inner facing surface of a lead shield of a radiopharmaceutical pig. The inner facing surface defines a chamber in which is inserted a radiopharmaceutical syringe. The encapsulation protects the inner facing surface against contamination due to leaks of the contents of the radiopharmaceutical syringe and further obviates the need for a sharps container to enclose the syringe during transport.

Abstract: A cyclocentric ergometer and method in which a relative position of a seat on a seat slide rack is adjusted, a load is applied on the seat slide rack with elastic cords to confine back and forth movement of the seat slide rack to within a range, and a user sits on the seat and pedals while the load is applied. The seat and seat slide rack move in unison together.

Abstract: The invention concerns dextran derivatives, their applications as medicines with specific biological action, and their preparation method. Said derivatives correspond to the general formula DMCaBbSUcSd, in which: D represents a polysaccharide chain, preferably consisting of sequences of glucoside units, MC represents methylcarboxylate groups, B represents carboxymethylbenzylamide groups, Su represents sulphate groups, S represents sulphonate groups, a, b, c and d represent the degree of substitution (ds), respectively in groups, MC, B, Su and S; a being equal to 0 or ≧0.3, b being equal to 0 or ≧0.1, c being equal to 0 or ≧0.1 and d being equal to 0 or ≧0.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gait rehabilitation aid and to a method for aiding gait rehabilitation. The gait rehabilitation aid resides in a treadmill having a belt which speed matches a user's own step cycle based on let length and which provides feedback in the form of an evaluation with respect to the user's length, cadence, gait velocity and gait pattern. A controller that is responsive to a user input device is employed to input information that inputs information pertaining to any one of cadence and leg length sets the belt speed to match an appropriate step cycle. In addition, footprints are scrolled on a display together with foot falls that correspond to actual heel strike events on the treadmill belt. The footprints appear in accordance with the user's own step cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting radiopharmaceutical substances. The apparatus comprises a radiation shielding pig having an elongated sidewall that extends between two ends and that defines an elongated, interior chamber. The sidewall is thinner than each of the ends. A radiation shield defines at least one cavity. The shield has two open ends and a central area between the open ends that is thicker than each of the two open ends. Also, a method of assembling and disassembling the apparatus includes, placing a syringe filled with a radiopharmaceutical substance into the pig; placing the pig containing the filled syringe in the radiation shield; placing the pig and the shield into an ammunition can for transporting the radioactive substance contained in the syringe.

Abstract: A transportable offloading weight apparatus for supporting a portion of a patient's weight undergoing gait training is provided. The offloading weight apparatus employs a resilient suspension system to reduce the amount of weight borne by a patient. The offloading weight apparatus includes a frame having a connection linkage, a rope routed in the frame through a pulley system, a resilient cord that is attached to the frame at one end and connected to the connection linkage through one end of the rope, a harness support assembly secured to another end of the rope and a tension adjustor for applying tension to the resilient cord.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus including a patient chair having a first side and a second side is disclosed. Structure is provided for the rehabilitation and exercise of a patient seated in the patient chair. Structure is provided to move the rehabilitation and exercise structure between a first position adjacent the first side of the patient chair and a second position adjacent the second side of the patient chair in a first linear path. Structure is provided to support the patient chair for movement along a second linear path toward and away from the exercise and rehabilitation structure.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and/or rehabilitation apparatus includes a fixture against which a force can be applied; a sensor which senses the force applied to the fixture and produces a load signal corresponding thereto; a speed detector which produces a velocity signal corresponding to the speed of the fixture; a servo motor which produces a rotational output of an output shaft thereof; a closed loop servo circuit which controls the motor in response to the load signal and the velocity signal to control rotation of the output shaft of the servo motor; and a conversion device connected between the fixture and the output shaft of the servo motor for translating the rotational output of the output shaft to linear motion of the fixture, the conversion device including a frame formed by a base, two spaced vertical support bars extending upwardly from the base, and an upper cap securing upper ends of the vertical support bars together, two vertical guide rods supported by the frame, a slide movable along the guide rods in

Abstract: A back attachment for a muscle exercise and/or rehabilitation apparatus of the type having a motor driven output shaft with a central axis, includes seat for supporting a person thereon; a back exercising frame connected to the output shaft for pivoting the back of the person about the central axis when the person is seated in the seat; a support stand for fixedly supporting the seat at a downward angle of approximately 15 degrees toward a front portion of the seat, regardless of the angle of pivot of the back exercising frame; securing straps for securing the person to the seat and back exercising frame; an adjustable foot rest connected to the seat for supporting the feet of the person, during pivoting the back exercising frame, the adjustable foot rest being adjustable along the length thereof toward and away from the seat; a lumbar support connected with the back exercising frame for supporting the lumbar region of the person about an axis offset from the central axis, during pivoting movement of the back

Abstract: A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus includes a movable fixture against which an actuating force can be applied; a particle brake clutch for applying a braking force to the fixture in linear dependence on a braking current supplied thereto, in counteracting relation to the actuating force; a control circuit for controlling the supply of braking current to the particle brake clutch so that the latter controls the fixture to move in at least one of an isometric, isotonic and isokinetic mode of operation; and a hysteresis compensating circuit for supplying a reverse current to the particle brake clutch to cancel out hysteresis in the particle brake clutch in dependence on the amount of braking current previously supplied to the particle brake clutch.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and rahabilitation apparatus includes a movable fixture against which a force can be applied; a servo motor having an output shaft coupled to the fixture; a strain gauge effectively coupled between the output shaft and the fixture for producing a load signal corresponding to the force applied to the fixture; a speed detector for producing a velocity signal corresponding to the speed of the fixture; a closed loop servo circuit for controlling the motor in response to the load and velocity signals to regulate the velocity of the fixture; a limit circuit for preventing movement of the fixture past opposite limits; a storage circuit for storing limit signals corresponding to each limit; a limit setting circuit for enabling the storage circuit to store each limit upon movement of the fixture thereto; a position sensing circuit for producing a position signal corresponding to the position of the fixture; a deceleration circuit for slowing down movement of the fixture as the fixture approaches each

Abstract: A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus comprises a movable arm against which a force can be applied; a servo motor mechanically coupled to the arm through a gear reducer; a sensing device for sensing the force applied to the arm and for producing a load signal corresponding thereto; a tachometer for producing a velocity signal corresponding to the velocity of the arm; a closed loop velocity servo feedback circuit for controlling the motor in response to a control signal and the velocity signal so that the arm has a constant resistive torque applied thereto and/or has its velocity regulated, regardless of the force applied to the arm, the feedback circuit including an amplifier for amplifying the load signal to produce the control signal, a torque control circuit and a speed clamp circuit for modifying the control signal of the amplifier to produce a modified control signal, depending on the mode of operation; a switch for switching in at least one of the torque control circuit, the speed clamp circuit