Abstract: A cervical collar has a chin support slidably connected to an inside surface of an anterior component adapted to secure against an anterior chin and neck of a user. A posterior component connects to the anterior component to circumferentially surround the user's neck. A height adjustment mechanism has spring locks securing the height adjustment mechanism against the anterior component. The cervical collar includes a footplate continuously extending from the height adjustment mechanism generally without a variation in thickness. The posterior component has side portions with a plurality of living hinges located proximate to elongate slots for straps connecting to the anterior component.

Abstract: An orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame element defining opposed first and second sides, and is adapted to extend about at least a portion of a limb. The device includes straps formed from a variety of segments having stretchable and substantially inelastic segments. The straps adjustably secure to the frame element, and stretch relative thereto. The device also includes a central strap pad arranged to connect two straps together such that a first strap of the two straps is movable relative to a second strap, and the first and second straps are maintained diagonal relative to one another.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot can include a plate-like foot member extending along a longitudinal axis between an anterior end generally corresponding to a toe portion of a foot to a posterior end, and a metatarsal hinge comprising an elongate groove extending between medial and lateral edges of the foot member. The elongate groove can intersect the longitudinal axis of the foot member, and can be positioned along the length of the foot member at a location generally corresponding to a metatarsal region of the foot. The metatarsal hinge can also comprise a plurality of elongate apertures that extend completely through the foot member, or a plurality of recessed channels that extend only partially through the foot member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, system and method is arranged to generate negative pressure inside a prosthetic socket. A pump mechanism is connected to a prosthetic foot and has a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket during gait for drawing air from the prosthetic socket in step phase, and expelling air into the atmosphere in swing phase. The vacuum assisted suspension results in secure and intimate suspension as the negative pressure formed inside the prosthetic socket holds a residuum firmly to walls of the prosthetic socket. The vacuum is preferably formed at the distal area of the prosthetic socket, and sealed by a suspension liner having a seal component.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, system and method is arranged to generate negative pressure inside a prosthetic socket. A pump mechanism is connected to a prosthetic foot and has a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket during gait for drawing air from the prosthetic socket in step phase, and expelling air into the atmosphere in swing phase. The vacuum assisted suspension results in secure and intimate suspension as the negative pressure formed inside the prosthetic socket holds a residuum firmly to walls of the prosthetic socket. The vacuum is preferably formed at the distal area of the prosthetic socket, and sealed by a suspension liner having a seal component.

Abstract: A method of sensing ground contact with a lower limb prosthetic or orthotic device is provided. A first translational displacement between a frame and a connector can be sensed and then processed to identify an axial load caused by heel-ground contact. Additionally, a second translational displacement between the frame and the connector can be sensed and then processed to identify a torsional load caused by toe-ground contact.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee for active users has a locking head generally parallel to a vertical axis of the prosthetic knee, a chassis, and a plurality of links connecting the locking head to the chassis. The knee includes a swing control mechanism having a flexion stop connected to the chassis and arranged to control the flexion angle of the knee. The flexion stop extends outwardly from the chassis and obliquely relative to the vertical axis. The knee has an audible feedback mechanism for providing the user with information about the location of the knee. The knee may also have a block lock forming a manually activated mechanism allowing load bearing in a flexed position.

Abstract: A powered prosthetic thigh can have a proximal portion configured to couple to a prosthetic hip socket and can have a distal portion attached to the proximal portion. The distal portion can have a distal connector configured to couple to a prosthetic knee. The powered prosthetic thigh can also have a computer controlled actuator configured to rotate the prosthetic thigh relative to the prosthetic hip socket.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for an orthopedic device having a pivoting assembly and a spring biased lock for locking the pivoting assembly in place. The hinge assembly also includes flexion and extension stop assemblies arranged for selectively locking onto notches formed along an arcuate channel located on an inner plate of the hinge assembly.

Abstract: An orthopedic device has first and second elongate struts each having a strap coupling member, and a flexible strap securing to the first and second struts by the strap coupling members. A semi-rigid and resiliently bendable expander is connected to and spans a predetermined length between the struts. The expander provides two main configurations for the orthopedic device including maintaining the first and second struts in a generally flat configuration relative to one another and a curved configuration upon application of a load on the first and second struts. The expander reverts to a flat configuration upon removal of a load or from the first and second struts.

Abstract: A patellofemoral brace or support has a main substrate, a hinge located on at least one of the lateral and medial sides, and a support system coupled to the main substrate and the hinge. The support system has a compression element removably securable over the main substrate and a cable having a first end anchored to a pivoting element connected to the hinge and a second end anchored to the compression element. The cable engages the hinge such that articulation of the hinge from an extension position to a flexion position pulls the compression element toward the hinge to exert a generally medial force over the main substrate.

Abstract: A traction device for a prosthetic running foot having a curved profile and mechanisms for attaching the traction device to the prosthetic running foot are provided. The traction device includes a sole portion for traction and a midsole for improved rollover. The traction device has fasteners (e.g., clamps) that attach to the top of the prosthetic running foot or a cavity that removably receives the toe of the prosthetic running foot. The traction device also has a strap that removably couples to a clip permanently or removably attached to the top surface of the prosthetic running foot.

Abstract: A system and method to improve sensory functions in the hand or foot by dermal topical application of a local anaesthetic substance to adjacent skin areas, using a tailored application device or kit specially designed to fit the size and anatomical shape of the body part which is to be anesthetized. The concept is to block sensory input from the anesthetized skin area hereby inducing a functional reorganization in sensory brain cortex resulting in enhanced sensory functions in body parts adjacent to the anesthetized area with focus on the hand and sole of the foot.

Abstract: An immobilization device including an anterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human chest and an anterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped anterior section generally corresponding to the sternum of the wearer. The device also includes a posterior component including a two-dimensional shaped section contoured to a shape of the human back and a posterior outwardly bowed area relative to the two-dimensional shaped section corresponding to the spinal column of the wearer, with elongate cushion elements connected to and extending within a width of the posterior outwardly bowed area. A strapping system connects both the anterior and posterior components to one another.

Abstract: An orthotic brace includes a proximal support section pivotally connected to a distal support section, and each having a medial frame and a lateral frame connected to width adjustment plates. At least one angle adjusting component provided in the lateral or medial frames allows angular adjustment of the brace. The width adjustment plates include lateral and medial slots through which fixing members pass to engage the respective frame portions. This permits the space between the lateral frame and the medial frame to be adjusted according to the size of the wearer's body part. Proximal and distal shells are adjustably positioned on the width adjustment plates via a series of positioning holes axially arranged along the shells which selectively engage a fixing member passing through a positioning slot on the width adjustment plates. This allows for the shells to be both axially adjusted and positioned along the width of the brace.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system is used to increase or maintain negative pressure or vacuum in a sealed socket cavity as a socket and prosthetic limb attachment mechanism. The system includes a vacuum pump having a housing that defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing and at least one movable wall define a fluid compartment. The system includes a compression transfer element connected to the at least one movable wall and connected to a prosthetic foot. The compression transfer element causes the at least one movable wall of the fluid compartment to move and increase the volume of the fluid compartment in response to a compressive force on the prosthetic foot to draw in fluid from the prosthetic socket. In the absence of a compressive force, the volume of the fluid compartment decreases thereby expelling fluid out of the fluid compartment.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a flexible main body panel having first and second opposed sides, and first and second opposed surfaces having sections of hook receivable material. A securing device is arranged to removably secure to each of the opposed sides to join the two sides together. The securing device is a unitary strip having a plurality of hook elements located along a first surface thereof, and has first and second portions arranged to secure to the first and second opposed sides, respectively. The first portion includes first and second anchor tabs arranged to clamp onto the first and second surfaces, respectively, on the first side of the main body panel, and the second portion includes a tab head securing onto the first surface of the second side of the main body panel.

Abstract: A universal wrist brace is arranged for both right and left handed use. The wrist brace has a main body panel defining symmetrical first and second sides. Each of the first and second sides has a wing located at a distal end flaring outwardly from longitudinal side portions of the main body panel in a transverse direction of the main body panel and parallel to an upper edge portion. The main body panel defines an opening located between the first and second sides, proximate and adjacent to the upper edge portion. A main securing device is anchored to the first side of the main body panel and detachably attaches to the second side of the main body panel.