Abstract: An integrated infusion and aspiration system includes of a flow control system and a catheter assembly. The catheter assembly includes an infusion catheter and an aspiration catheter, each having ports located at the distal end of thereof. The distal ends of the catheters are separated so that the aspiration catheter ports can be positioned on an opposing side of a surgical wound site from the infusion catheter ports. Methods of operation of the integrated infusion and aspiration system provides for uninterrupted aspiration with concurrent controlled delivery of an infusion solution such that the infusion solution is substantially evenly dispersed of over the wound site.

Abstract: An orthosis is provided which is mountable on a knee having a femoral head and patella. The orthosis has upper and lower arms positionable about the knee and a hinge assembly positioned between the upper and lower arms at the knee to one side of the patella. A compression member is positioned at the femoral head adjacent to the patella on the opposite side of the patella from the hinge assembly. The compression member includes a tracking guide engaging the knee and a compression place in overlying engagement with the tracking guide. A tension strap is connected to the hinge assembly at an offset connection point by means of a tension strap mount. The tension strap applies a tension force to the compression member which increases when the upper and lower arms rotatably transition from the flexion position to the extension position and decreases when the upper and lower arms rotatably transition from the extension position to the flexion position.

Abstract: A portable, patient-controlled medication delivery system includes an infusion pump, a catheter assembly and an extension tubing set. The infusion pump retains a treatment fluid and provides a drive mechanism for delivering the treatment fluid to a patient. The catheter assembly has a medicine catheter which penetrates directly into the treatment site of the patient and the extension tubing set has an extension tube which connects the medicine catheter and infusion pump. The infusion pump includes a fluid reservoir, a dosage chamber, and a displacement piston displacable within the dosage chamber. An elastic member is also positioned in the infusion pump to exert a displacement force on the displacement piston. The elastic member is alternately transitionable between a more stressed position and a less stressed position.

Abstract: A tubing connector has a body, a tubular member, a compression member, a cap and a coupling. The body has a bore extending through it and a body portion of the tubular member is positioned in the bore of the body with an extension portion of the tubular member extending from the bore of the body. The compression member is fitted in the cap and also has a bore extending through it. The cap is provided with an opening and an orifice which are aligned with the bore of the compression member to define a continuous passageway through the cap. The coupling connectively engages the body with the cap. The tubing connector also optionally includes a coupling element which enables connective engagement of the body with an adjoining member. To use the tubing connector, the flexible tube is threaded through the continuous passageway of the cap and fitted over the extension portion of the tubular member. The cap and the body are then connectively engaged around the extension portion.

Abstract: A system for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body by circulating a nonambient temperature treatment fluid through a pad positioned on the treatment region. The system is provided with a fluid drive mechanism including a flow control assembly and a pump for delivering a drive fluid to the flow control assembly. The flow control assembly houses a pressurizing chamber having a drive fluid inlet and outlet and a treatment fluid inlet and outlet. A drive fluid outlet valve and treatment fluid inlet valve are provided to selectively restrict flow through the drive fluid outlet and treatment fluid inlet, respectively. Operation of the flow control assembly initiates with both the drive fluid outlet valve and treatment fluid inlet valve in an open position, enabling the pressurizing chamber to receive fresh treatment fluid in a receiving mode.

Abstract: A hinge is provided for an orthopedic brace having an adjustable range of rotation. The hinge includes an outer member and an inner member that are rotatably connected in parallel alignment to one another. The peripheral edge of the outer member has a plurality of rotation limiting notches formed therein and the peripheral edge of the inner member has a rotation limiting face formed therein that is selectively alignable with one of the rotation limiting notches. Each of the peripheral edges also has a locking notch formed therein that is selectively alignable with the other. A rotation limiting stop is provided at the peripheral edge of the inner and outer members that is selectively positionable in one of the rotation limiting notches to define an adjustable range of rotation during a rotation mode of hinge operation. Rotation of the inner member is limited when the rotation limiting face engages the rotation limiting stop positioned in the selected notch.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for an orthopedic knee brace that pivotally couples a first rotation member and a second rotation member. The hinge assembly includes a pad assembly, a hinge, and first and second adjustment members enabling adjustment of the normal force applied by the hinge assembly to the knee joint for the effective treatment of osteoarthritis. The hinge includes an end of the first rotation member, an end of the second rotation member, first and second hinge plates positioned on opposite sides of the ends, and first and second hinge fasteners. The first and second hinge fasteners each has a bore therethrough that is internally threaded. The first hinge fastener rotatably connects the end of the first rotation member to the first and second hinge plates and the second hinge fastener rotatably connects the end of the second rotation member to the first and second hinge plates.

Abstract: A method of forming an orthotic member conforming to a contour of a body is provided, wherein a flat member having a substantially two-dimensional shape and constructed from a pliable material is bent into a substantially three-dimensional shape approximating the contour of the body. The pliable material is then converted to a non-pliable material by heat treating the pliable material under controlled conditions of temperature and time, thereby forming the desired orthotic member contoured to the body. The contoured orthotic member is further provided with a coating covering the non-pliable material, wherein the coating material has cushioning properties.

Abstract: A hinge is provided for an orthopedic brace that pivotally couples the ends of upper and lower arms of the brace. The hinge includes a pair of hinge plates, each having a rigid support member enclosed within an inner covering and an outer covering that integrally form a continuous unitary covering providing the hinge plate with a smooth, friction-reduced surface. The ends of the upper and lower arms are positioned between the hinge plates and the plates and ends are interconnected such that the ends of the upper and lower arms rotatably engage the friction-reduced surfaces of the hinge plates.

Abstract: A hinge is provided for an orthopedic brace having an adjustable range of rotation. The hinge includes an outer member and an inner member that are rotatably connected in parallel alignment to one another. The peripheral edge of the outer member has a plurality of rotation limiting notches formed therein and the peripheral edge of the inner member has a rotation limiting face formed therein that is selectively alignable with one of the rotation limiting notches. Each of the peripheral edges also has a locking notch formed therein that is selectively alignable with the other. A rotation limiting stop is provided at the peripheral edge of the inner and outer members that is selectively positionable in one of the rotation limiting notches to define an adjustable range of rotation during a rotational mode of hinge operation. Rotation of the inner member is limited when the rotation limiting face engages the rotation limiting stop positioned in the selected notch.

Abstract: A pad is provided for therapeutically treating bodily injuries or ailments by positioning the pad on an affected part of the body and circulating a nonambient temperature treatment fluid through the pad. The pad has a bladder that is a symmetrical planar member configured in sections conformable to the contours of the body, thereby facilitating heat exchange between the pad and the patient. Included are a relatively wide main section and extension section that are fluid-communicatively joined with one another at the axis of symmetry across a relatively narrow connective section. The extension section is oblong-shaped, having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and substantially parallel to the forward and rearward edges of the planar member.

Abstract: A leg suspension device is provided enabling rehabilitative exercise of the leg, and specifically enabling passive or active range of motion exercise of the knee or hip joint. The leg suspension device includes a bar having proximal and distal segments, and a fulcrum rotatably engaging the bar between the proximal and distal segments to permit rotation of the bar about the fulcrum in a vertical plane. Upper and lower leg cuffs are connected to the proximal and distal segments, respectively, suspending the upper and lower legs while isolating the knee joint. A base is provided to free-standingly support the device during use, or, alternatively, the device is adapted for affixing to an overhead anchor. For passive motion exercise, the thigh and ankle are suspended from the cuffs and the user drives rotation of the bar solely with the upper body muscles about the fulcrum in alternate opposing directions, causing alternate passive flexion and extension of the knee and hip joint.

Abstract: A device is provided for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature treatment fluid circulated through a pliant heat transfer element positioned on the treatment region. In accordance with one embodiment, the device has a fluid inlet line supplying the treatment fluid to the heat transfer element from a fluid reservoir, and a fluid outlet line returning the treatment fluid to the fluid reservoir from the heat transfer element. The inlet and outlet lines are enclosed within a unitary sheath and a manual bulb pump is provided for driving the nonambient temperature treatment fluid between the reservoir and the heat transfer element. In accordance with another embodiment, fluid drive is provided by a motor-driven submersible pump positioned in the reservoir. Temperature control of the heat transfer element is enabled by adjusting the fluid flow rate therethrough. In accordance with yet another embodiment, the device has a pump and a single fluid flow line.

Abstract: A pad is provided for therapeutically treating bodily injuries or ailments by positioning the pad on an affected part of the body and circulating a nonambient temperature treatment fluid through the pad. The pad has a bladder that is a symmetrical planar member configured in sections conformable to the contours of the body, thereby facilitating heat exchange between the pad and the patient. Included are a relatively wide main section and extension section that are fluid-communicatively joined with one another at the axis of symmetry across a relatively narrow connective section. The extension section is oblong-shaped, having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and substantially parallel to the forward and rearward edges of the planar member.