Abstract: A transversely extending insert 20 for adjusting the length of a split level wheelchair support cushion 10, said split level wheelchair support cushion 10 having a raised forward section 12 for supporting a user's femoral region and a lowered rear section 14 for supporting the user's ischial and coccyx region, with a downwardly rearwardly slanting step face 21 separating the raised forward section 14 from the lowered rear section 12, said insert 20 having:substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces 24 and 22, top surface 24 being co-planar to top surface 17 of raised forward section 14, bottom surface 22 being co-planar with bottom surfaces 13 and 15 of both raised forward section 14 and lowered rear section 12,substantially parallel downwardly rearwardly slanting front and back surfaces 23 and 25, 27, back surface 25, 27 having a horizontally indented ledge surface 26 positioned therealong, ledge surface 26 being co-planar with the top surface 19 of lowered rear section 14.

Abstract: A quick release seat assembly (10) including a seat (11) having a seat cushion (12) and a seat frame (14), and a frame (16), wherein a pair of front seat mounts (18) support the front of seat (11) and a pair of rear seat mounts (20) support the back of seat (11). A pair of overlapping tabs (38, 42) are associated with rear seat mounts (20) and a pair of upstanding locking pins (32) and corresponding coupling mechanisms (50) are associated with front seat mounts (18). Each coupling mechanism (50) includes a releasable latch that engages the upstanding locking pin (32) and holds seat (11) on frame (16). A common pull cord (54) jointly releases the latches in order to allow removal of the seat.

Abstract: A mask for directing air to the facial area of a patient includes a mask body in the form of a conduit, a seal connected to an outlet end of the mask body for contacting the patient's face in a sealing relationship, the seal being soft and pliable for patient comfort, and a vent tube connected to an inlet end of the mask body to supply air to the mask body. The mask body is relatively flexible compared with the vent tube so that lateral stresses on the mask body are initially accommodated by distortion of the mask body rather than on breaking the sealing relationship between the seal and the patient's face. A frame is mounted for movement along the mask body to press the seal against the patient's face. The frame includes a nose bridge portion, an upper jaw portion, and two lateral portions, and the two lateral portions of the frame are contoured to conform to the shape of the seal so that gentle contact between the frame and the seal causes only the two lateral portions of the frame to touch the seal.

Abstract: A manually operated brake actuator for a wheeled walker and the like. For normal braking, a handle is manually moved from a neutral first position towards a second position for rotating a cable link to progressively pull on a brake cable to engage a wheel brake. When the handle is released, it returns to the first position. When the handle is manually moved from the first position to a third position, a parking link is rotated to push on and rotate the cable link to engage the brake. The parking link is rotated to a stable position when the handle is in the third position, wherein pull on the brake cable cannot release the brake until the handle is manually moved back to the first position.

Abstract: A foldable seat for a foldable invalid walker where the seat folds flush against the side of the walker when the user is not using the seat.

Abstract: A medicament nebulizer in which a liquid medicament is drawn through capillary flow along a bell shaped path to an annular medicament orifice. Pressurized atomization air is discharged from an orifice and is directed against a deflector which causes the air to flow with a swirling turbulence over one or more medicament orifices. The atomization air aspirates medicament from the medicament orifice and atomizes the medicament. The turbulent swirling flow of the atomization air decreases the average size of the droplets in the resulting aerosol. The flow path of the aerosol through an aerosol chamber to a mouthpiece may rapidly change directions to facilitate condensation of any large droplets in the aerosol. Alternately, a swirling or spiral flow direction may be imparted to the aerosol as it passes through the aerosol chamber to cause any larger droplets to contact and condense on the walls of the chamber.

Abstract: A bilevel continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) respiratory therapy system which applies a prescribed inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) to a patient's respiratory system during inhalation and applies a lower prescribed expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) to the respiratory system during exhalation. A blower provides pressurized air at least at the IPAP pressure. A fast response vent valve reduces the pressure applied to the patient to the EPAP level during exhalation and increases the pressure to the set IPAP level during inhalation. Leading edges of pressure changes between the IPAP and EPAP levels are rounded by an adjustable amount to enhance patient comfort and/or to allow the physician to modify the therapy. In an alternate embodiment, the pressure is controlled by controlling the speed of the blower.

Abstract: A seat assembly (21) for a wheelchair including a relatively rigid seat base (12) of substantially uniform thickness with an upwardly facing contoured top surface (14) and a cushion assembly mounted on the seat base. The cushion assembly includes a relatively soft foam member (30) substantially covering the seat base (12) for localized deformation of the foam member and for communication of the influence of contours on the seat base (12) through the foam member (30) to the user. In the preferred form, a flexible pouch (40) having a viscous fluid-like material contained therein is positioned in a recess (38) in the foam member (30) in the area of the user's ischial tuberosities and coccyx, and a water-impervious, flexible elastomeric envelope (50) completely surrounds the foam member (30) and the fluid-containing pouch (40).

Abstract: A headrest ?10! suitable for attachment to a wheelchair seating system, comprising: a cushioned backpad ?12!, a pair of laterally spaced apart cushioned sidepads ?14!, and a mounting assembly ?20! located substantially to the rear of said headrest ?10!. Said mounting assembly ?20! enables said backpad ?12! and said sidepads ?14! to rotate together as a unit about a vertical axis located forward of said mounting assembly ?20!. Said mounting assembly ?20! is formed such that said vertical axis substantially coincides with the spinal column of a human patient seated in a wheelchair. The rotational range of backpad ?12! and sidepads ?14! is manually adjustable and limited to a prescribed range. A force is formed resisting rotational displacement in said backpad ?12! and sidepads ?14! returning said headrest ?10! to a null, forward facing orientation. The strength of said force increasing with a corresponding increase in rotational displacement of said headrest ?10!.

Abstract: A glide cap for a walker of the type has four legs that extend into contact with the ground and support an upper handgrip portion. The glide cap encompasses at least a portion of the bottom of an elastomeric tip placed on the end of at least one of the legs of the walker. The glide cap has a hardness greater than the hardness of the elastomeric tip such that any vibration or noise caused by skidding the glide cap across a surface is dampened.

Abstract: An oxygen management device adapted to mount on a post on a compressed oxygen cylinder. The device includes a manifold block which is attached to the oxygen cylinder post. A pressure regulator is mounted directly on and is integral with the manifold block for reducing the oxygen pressure to a desired level. The manifold block also mounts an overpressure relief valve, a solenoid operated flow control valve, a bypass valve, a continuous flow restrictor and a pressure gauge. The manifold and the components mounted thereon, a control circuit and a battery for operating the control circuit are mounted in an annular housing which has a central opening for receiving the oxygen cylinder post. The control circuit senses when a patient inhales in a nasal cannula and opens the flow control valve to deliver a predetermined dose of oxygen to the nasal cannula at the beginning of inhalation.