Abstract: An apparatus for reorienting a person includes a wrap having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners. Each of the lateral portions are dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person. The wrap is made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for reorienting a person includes a wrap having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being releasably securable to one another along an anterior region of the wrap between lateral sides of the person and along a posterior region of the wrap between the lateral sides of the person via a set of fasteners. Each of the lateral portions are dimensioned to extend around a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the person and having anterior and posterior edges that are dimensioned to extend at most partway across to an opposite one of the lateral sides of the person. The wrap is made from flexible materials and dimensioned to extend at least from below knees of the person to above the elbows of the person and snugly retain the person therein.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a first latch member, a second latch member and a ramp mechanism. A first latch element of the first latch member is cooperatively structured with a second latch element of the second latch member to be engageable therewith. The first and second latch members are latched together when the second latch member is disposed in the latching position and the first latch element engages the second latch element. When at least one of the latch members is moved in a first direction to an unlatching position while the first and second latch elements are engaged, the ramp mechanism causes either the first latch member or the second latch member to be displaced in a second direction relative to the other latch member, whereby the first latch element and the second latch element disengage to unlatch the first and second latch members.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in bracing or exercising a knee joint in a manner that allows bending of the joint only along a predetermined path which approximates the natural bending of the joint. On one side of the joint are upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a connecting mechanism which includes a set of linkage arms and telescoping elements that allow the struts to pivot relative to one another along the prescribed pivot line. On the other side of the joint are other upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a ball and socket connector. The apparatus may be used as a brace or, alternatively, may be used with a cycling mechanism to cyclically flex and extend the joint or with a force-applying mechanism to apply a constant force urging the extension or flexing of the joint.

Abstract: A dynamic splint which braces any joint and particularly any body joint, and which is capable of cyclically moving the joint through a programmable range of motion while accommodating normal joint component motion and triplanar motion. In a preferred embodiment, a set of inner joint segments nest within a set of outer joint segments and are pivotally attached thereto. An extendable cable slidably attached to the outer joint segments causes a pivoting of the outer joint segments with respect to the inner joint segments and a consequent flexing and extending of the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the mobility of the ankle joint by application of a continuous or cycled force between the lower leg and anterior portion of the heel. In a preferred embodiment, an expandable cylinder is pivotally attached to a heel cup and to a lower leg cuff. A selected and quantifiable force is applied between the heel cup and lower leg cuff by a slidable expansion of concentric sleeves within the expandable cylinder using a coiled spring.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for operating a door hold-open device and a device for carrying out the method. A door hold-open device which unlatches a held door based upon the occurrence of an unlatch condition includes a door latching mechanism, a signal processing circuit having a power source. The method consists of the steps preventing the signal processing mechanism from consuming electrical current, upon occurrence of an unlatch condition, generating a unlatch condition signal and providing electrical current to the signal processing mechanism to power it, determining the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism and upon determination of the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism, transmitting an electrical unlatch signal to the door latching mechanism.

Abstract: A dynamic splint which braces any joint and particularly any body joint, and is capable of cyclically moving the joint through a programmable range of motion while accommodating normal joint component motion and triplant motion. In a preferred embodiment, an extendable cable with a cable sleeve mounted on one limb and a rotatable inner threaded cable threaded through a threaded mounting bracket on the other limb extends and contacts to cause flexing and extension of the joint.