Abstract: The invention relates to a hand brace for immobilizing and adjustably positioning one or more digits of the hand, and more specifically, to a brace having a flexible sheet member for application to a wrist and hand, at least one adjustable stabilizing member extending the length of the sheet member that is sufficiently rigid to maintain joints at a desired angle of flexion, a semi-rigid member positioned against the flexible sheet member for protecting and supporting joints of the hand and defining an opening for relieving pressure on a joint, and straps for adjustably securing the invention to the hand. Advantageously the invention immobilizes the hand such that the fourth and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand are positioned at a desired angle of flexion and fourth and fifth interphalangeal joints of the hand are positioned at a desired angle of extension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand brace for immobilizing and adjustably positioning one or more digits of the hand, and more specifically, to a brace having a flexible sheet member for application to a wrist and hand, at least one adjustable stabilizing member extending the length of the sheet member that is sufficiently rigid to maintain joints at a desired angle of flexion, a semi-rigid member positioned against the flexible sheet member for protecting and supporting joints of the hand and defining an opening for relieving pressure on a joint, and straps for adjustably securing the invention to the hand. Advantageously the invention immobilizes the hand such that the fourth and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand are positioned at a desired angle of flexion and fourth and fifth interphalangeal joints of the hand are positioned at a desired angle of extension.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing movement of an ankle comprises in one embodiment a flexible body member for receiving a foot and a stiffening unit secured to selected portions of the body member such that the stiffening unit minimizes movement of upper portions of the body member with respect to lower portions of the body member, without obstructing forward and rearward movement of the upper portions of the body member with respect to the lower portions of the body member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ankle stabilizing apparatus for minimizing inversion and eversion of the foot, and more specifically, to a body member having at least one cuff member positioned against a cuff portion of the body member, wherein the cuff member defines at least one opening for receiving at least one stabilizing strap such that the cuff and stabilizing strap dynamically apply a variable force against the body member and ankle. The invention promotes variable compression against the ankle upon application and during wear. The invention also resists distal migration of the apparatus during wear.

Abstract: An adjustable support device for the knee provides in one embodiment a strap, a primary tensioning device positioned on the strap, and a secondary tensioning device carried on the strap. A preferred embodiment of the device includes an elongate bar secured to the strap between first and second ends of the strap by a patch of material, stitching, or any number of known adhesives. The secondary tensioning device may include one or more patches of elastic, or alternatively, inelastic material that provide radially-directed pressure against the knee joint. In another embodiment, the secondary tensioning device provides pairs of ligatures secured to each end of the elongate bar for concentrating radially-directed pressure against the knee joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.

Abstract: An adjustable support device for the knee, including a strap having at least one elastic portion and first and second ends. A primary tensioning device is positioned on the strap for securing the strap around the knee and positioning the strap in a primary tensioned position relative to the patella, knee joint, and attachment sites of the connective tissues of the knee joint. A secondary tensioning device is also carried by the strap and includes an elastic element and at least one attachment member for being placed in a secondary tensioned position relative to the strap for increasing the tension of the strap and applying concentrated radially-directed support pressure to, the knee joint, attachment sites of the connective tissues of the knee joint, and an anterior aspect of the patella.

Abstract: An adjustable abduction apparatus, including a cushion for being received against the torso, a sling pouch attached to the cushion for maintaining a limb and shoulder of the wearer in an abducted position, and a support connected to the pouch for immobilizing the limb and shoulder in the abducted position and distributing the weight of the abducted limb evenly across the torso of the wearer. A waist strap is carried by the cushion and releasaby secures the apparatus against the torso. A back strap interconnects the waist strap and the sling pouch and extends therebetween generally parallel to the spinal column of the wearer for supporting the sling pouch and maintaining the limb and shoulder in the abducted position.

Abstract: A plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot. An ankle-encircling retention strap is attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region. The support strap includes an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place. Complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements are carried by the retention strap and the support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot.

Abstract: A plantar fascitis foot support apparatus, including a support strap for being positioned in a generally U-shaped configuration along the medial and lateral aspects of the ankle and extending under and supporting the plantar fascia region of the foot. An ankle-encircling retention strap is attached by its opposite ends to the support strap at a substantially right angle thereto for retaining the support strap in a supporting position against the plantar fascia region. The support strap includes an inelastic segment and at least one attached elastic segment for providing controlled stretch of the support strap during placement on the foot and during subsequent movement of the foot while the support is in place. Complementary and releasably-adjustable fastener elements are carried by the retention strap and the support strap for permitting lengthwise adjustment of the support strap relative to the plantar fascia region of the foot.

Abstract: A back support device for supporting a wearer's back during various activities is described. The back support device includes an inner belt, and outer substantially inelastic belt, and a semi-rigid abdominal plate positioned beneath the outer substantially inelastic belt. The back support device is designed to be positioned circumferentially about a wearer's waist or lower torso region, such that the abdominal plate overlies an abdominal region of the wearer, with the substantially inelastic belt securing the abdominal plate firmly in position thereon, in order to increase the intraabdominal pressure and thereby support the wearer's lower spine. The inner belt is desirably substantially elastic in order that it closely conforms to the wearer's body and assists in increasing the intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A wrist brace including a body member which has a dorsal for positioning adjacent the dorsal side of a user's wrist and a palmar portion for positioning adjacent the palmar side of the user's wrist, with the dorsal having a dorsal fastening surface of a predetermined size. A wrist strap is provided for encircling the wrist of the user, and the wrist strap has a fixed end fixed to the body member and a free end for positioning about the user's wrist. An arrangement for releasably fastening the free end of the wrist strap about the user's wrist is also provided. A first thumb strap has a fixed end attached to the palmar portion and a first distal end, while a second thumb strap has a fixed end attached to the palmar portion and a second distal end, and the first and second distal ends are joined together at a joined end. The first and second thumb straps define an opening therebetween for receiving the thumb of the user.

Abstract: An ankle stabilizing appliance for restricting inversion and eversion of the foot while allowing flexion and dorsiflexion is described. The appliance includes a boot-like body member and a pair of stabilizing straps which extend in opposite directions toward the front of the body member. Each of the stabilizing straps is adapted to extend across and under the foot of the wearer, and then upwardly to a releasable attachment point on the side of the body member. A first fastener of a unidirectional fastener pair is positioned on a lower portion of the body member, in a position where it will be positioned beneath the calcaneus of a wearer when the device is worn. A mating fastener is positioned on a central portion of one of the stabilizing straps so that when the strap is wrapped across and under the foot of the wearer, the mating fasteners are secured together, and the unidirectional fastener protects against relative movement between the body member and the strap.

Abstract: A back support device for supporting a wearer's back during various activities is described. The back support device includes an inner belt, and outer substantially inelastic belt, and a semi-rigid abdominal plate positioned beneath the outer substantially inelastic belt. The back support device is designed to be positioned circumferentially about a wearer's waist or lower torso region, such that the abdominal plate overlies an abdominal region of the wearer, with the substantially inelastic belt securing the abdominal plate firmly in position thereon, in order to increase the intraabdominal pressure and thereby support the wearer's lower spine. The inner belt is desirably substantially elastic in order that it closely conforms to the wearer's body and assists in increasing the intraabdominal pressure.

Abstract: A bone screw having a helical thread with a constant outside diameter and curling around a tapered core. The fine screw tip and thread at the tip of the screw can be inserted into a bone with minimal tearing or cracking of the bone. The thicker core just below the screw head increases the screw's ability to withstand compressive and distractive loads. The core is thickest just below the head because it is at that point on the screw that the fulcrum loads are greatest.

Abstract: A shoe to be worn on a foot cast for providing a more normal gait as the wearer of the cast walks, the shoe has a molded sole formed of a foam material, a shoe upper connected to the molded sole and adapted to extend around the foot cast, and straps connected to the shoe upper for securing the shoe upper and the molded sole on the foot cast. The molded sole is formed of integrally molded foam material wherein an upper portion thereof defines an innersole and a lower portion thereof defines an outersole. The innersole has a concave recess extending throughout major portions thereof and with the depth thereof being such as to receive lower portions of the foot cast and to permit the wearer thereof to have a gait corresponding substantially to that of a normal shoe. The outersole has a roughened outer surface for providing increased frictional resistance with the surface upon which the outersole contacts.

Abstract: A bone screw having a helical thread that gradually increases in thickness from the tip to the head of the screw. The thin thread at the tip of the screw can be inserted into a bone with minimal tearing or cracking of the bone. The thicker treads ascending from the tip to the head of the screw displaces bone against the superior (top) thread surfaces. This displacement of bone increases the screw's resistance to being pulled-out of the bone. The thicker core just below the screw head increases the screw's ability to withstand compressive and distractive loads. The core is thickest just below the head because it is at that point on the screw that the fulcrum loads are greatest.

Abstract: An ankle stabilizing appliance is disclosed which comprises a boot-like body member, and a pair of stabilizing straps which extend in opposite directions from the rear edge portion of the body member. Each of the stabilizing straps is adapted to extend across and under the foot of the wearer, and then upwardly to a releasable attachment point on the side of the body member. The body member also includes a pair of oppositely directed binding straps which overlie the stabilizing straps and which are adapted to be looped about the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a low cost cervical collar for use in emergency situations when there is a possible cervical/spinal injury. The cervical collar comprises a flexible foam plastic body member having sufficient length to substantially encircle the neck of the wearer in use. The body member includes a medial portion and opposite wing portions arranged to overlie the ears and provide substantial support for the head. The cervical collar is also provided with a hole centered at the front thereof to provide access to the throat in the event an emergency tracheotomy is needed. In a preferred embodiment, the cervical collar further includes a solid plastic sheet overlying a substantial portion of the body to provide additional strength and support.

Abstract: Device useful as a heat exchanger for blood or as an apparatus in which blood may be treated or reacted with selected reactants. Device comprises hollow tubing which has spacing means on its outer surface, said spacing means being in the form of continuous or discontinuous projections or ridges of material. Hollow tubing having such spacing means is also included.