Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially smooth, seamless managed friction material surface and apparatus for placement on a support surface between the support surface and a living being for preventing abrasion or decubitus ulcers in a living being. The managed friction material surface comprises a plurality of plies having a smooth side and a first, high friction zone and second, low friction zone. At least one adhesive ply is interposed partially between adjacent plies; and the plies are selectively bonded to form adjacent frictional zones of high and low friction. Unbonded plies are allowed to move substantially freely with respect to one another thus providing a lower friction zone. The apparatus comprises the managed friction material surface such that the bonded zone is configured for positioning remote the bony prominence and the unbonded zone for positioning proximate the bony prominence, seamlessly occupying different areas on the same side of the material surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for placement on a support surface between the support surface and a living being, wherein the living being has a bony prominence. The apparatus includes a first zone having a first coefficient of friction, the first zone being configured for positioning proximate the bony prominence. A second zone is adjacent the first zone, the second zone having a second coefficient of friction higher than the first coefficient of friction. The second zone is configured for positioning remote from the bony prominence. A method of preventing or healing decubitus ulcers includes positioning the bony prominence over the first zone and positioning an area remote from the bony prominence over the second zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for reducing friction between a portion of skin of a living being and an object adjoining that portion includes two layers of tricot fabric. Each layer has a shiny side and the shiny sides of the two layers of fabric face each other. Each layer of fabric has a machine direction M, and the layers of fabric are positioned such that the machine direction M of one layer is perpendicular to the other layer. A garment includes a low friction zone and a higher friction zone adjacent the low friction zone, the higher friction zone comprising a material different from a material of the low friction zone. The low friction zone comprises two layers of fabric with their shiny sides, facing each other and their machine directions M oriented perpendicularly. Also described is a method of preventing or treating a skin wound comprising clothing a living being in a garment.

Abstract: A substantially smooth, seamless managed friction material surface and apparatus for placement on a support surface between the support surface and a living being for preventing abrasion or decubitus ulcers in a living being. The managed friction material surface comprises a plurality of plies having a smooth side and a first, high friction zone and second, low friction zone. At least one adhesive ply is interposed partially between adjacent plies; and the plies are selectively bonded to form adjacent frictional zones of high and low friction. Unbonded plies are allowed to move substantially freely with respect to one another thus providing a lower friction zone. The apparatus comprises the managed friction material surface such that the bonded zone is configured for positioning remote the bony prominence and the unbonded zone for positioning proximate the bony prominence, seamlessly occupying different areas on the same side of the material surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for placement on a support surface between the support surface and a living being, wherein the living being has a bony prominence. The apparatus includes a first zone having a first coefficient of friction, the first zone being configured for positioning proximate the bony prominence. A second zone is adjacent the first zone, the second zone having a second coefficient of friction higher than the first coefficient of friction. The second zone is configured for positioning remote from the bony prominence. A method of preventing or healing decubitus ulcers includes positioning the bony prominence over the first zone and positioning an area remote from the bony prominence over the second zone.

Abstract: A device for reducing friction between a portion of skin of a living being and an object adjoining that portion includes two layers of tricot fabric. Each layer has a shiny side and the shiny sides of the two layers of fabric face each other. Each layer of fabric has a machine direction M, and the layers of fabric are positioned such that the machine direction M of one layer is perpendicular to the other layer. A garment includes a low friction zone and a higher friction zone adjacent the low friction zone, the higher friction zone comprising a material different from a material of the low friction zone. The low friction zone comprises two layers of fabric with their shiny sides, facing each other and their machine directions M oriented perpendicularly. Also described is a method of preventing or treating a skin wound comprising clothing a living being in a garment.

Abstract: A patch of low friction materials, such as a film of polytetrafluoroethylene is sized to provide an area of low friction support for a portion of a human body relative to an object such as a shoe or prosthetic socket. The patch can be lined with foam, or preferably, a stretch fabric so that it will fit around irregular contours of the shoe, or socket, or the skin itself. The patches reduce shear trauma in critical load areas. After identifying regions of high loads, the method comprises applying the patches as needed to avoid sores, calluses, blisters and abrasions.

Abstract: An orthosis that provides hinging action between two shell parts that are on opposite sides of a skeletal joint of a limb is provided with joint components on the medial and lateral sides of the skeletal joint. A spherical bearing connection between two parts of each of the joint components is used. The spherical connection is such that the pivot axes of the medial and lateral joint component do not have to be precisely coaxial when hinging due to the accommodation by the spherical bearing. Also, in fabricating an orthosis, a dummy joint component is used in the molding process, or, for metal frame fabrication and repair, the joint is plugged in neutral alignment during the fabrication process.

Abstract: An orthosis that provides hinging action between two shell parts that are on opposite sides of a skeletal joint of a limb is provided with joint components on the medial and lateral sides of the skeletal joint. A spherical bearing connection between two parts of each of the joint components is used. The spherical connection is such that the pivot axes of the medial and lateral joint component do not have to be precisely coaxial when hinging due to the accommodation by the spherical bearing. Also, in fabricating an orthosis, a dummy joint component is used in the molding process, or, for metal frame fabrication and repair, the joint is plugged in neutral alignment during the fabrication process.

Abstract: An assembly for an orthosis includes a flexure unit for joining two parts of the orthosis, such as a foot shell and an ankle or leg shell. One end portion of the flexure unit is supported on a housing that permits angular adjustment of the end portion of the flexure unit relative to the section of the orthosis on which the end portion is mounted. The angular adjustment is accomplished by utilizing a positive drive between a base portion and a housing that traps the end portion of the flexure in position on the base. This permits varying the assisting force, for example, toe lift, of the flexure unit between orthosis shell parts when the orthosis is worn.

Abstract: A pad for supporting a portion of the human body is made of two substantially non-stretchable or non-elastic layers that are joined together along a peripheral edge and then are joined together in local regions to form individual capsules in the pad. The layers are “quilted” in the areas defined by the capsules to control where and how much the pad can bulge. The pad is filled with a wax material that is plastic but does not flow readily. By repeated applications of loads the wax will flow or migrate slowly to change the configuration of the wax to conform to and support the surface contacting the pad.

Abstract: A patch of low friction materials, such as a film of polytetrafluoroethylene is sized to provide an area of low friction support for a portion of a human body relative to an object such as a shoe or prosthetic socket. The patch can be lined with foam, or preferably, a stretch fabric so that it will fit around irregular contours of the shoe, or socket, or the skin itself. The patches reduce shear trauma in critical load areas. After identifying regions of high loads, the method comprises applying the patches as needed to avoid sores, calluses, blisters and abrasions.

Abstract: A punch assembly includes a frame that has a pair of arms forming a deep throat for receiving material to be punched, and a single acting punch and die set held by the outer ends of the arms. The punch is actuated with a lever mounting a swing frame that is supported so that when the punch is to be changed, the swing frame can be moved out the way and the punch removed. The die can also be removed when the swing frame is moved away from its working position. The punch can be actuated through the lever either with a manual handle, or with a power actuator.

Abstract: An insole construction for an athletic shoe has a shell portion that is positioned under the heel and midfoot of the foot, and is covered with an insole and having low friction material on the upper sides in selected regions. The low friction material may be a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene material, the low friction material extends across the heel region, and/or across the metatarsal area, and these areas may be joined by a lateral side strip. The shell is cupped to form a wall along the lateral side of the foot and about three quarters of the way behind the heel or calcaneus region of the foot. This cup wall is joined to a base wall with a generously radiused rounded portion that mirrors the concave/convex contour anatomy of the foot in this region for comfort and for distributing impact forces received during running, across a substantially increased contact area of the foot.

Abstract: A modular orthotic seat is made up of individual shells or modules that are adjustably connected together for accommodating changes in size of the user. The modules include a pelvic module for support of the thighs, pelvis and sacrum, a thoracic module for support in the thorax and lumbar regions, and a cervical-head support. The modules are mounted on a strut that permits adjustment between the modules. Suitable bedding or padding can be used for final custom fitting. An adjustable seat pan is provided for permitting adjustment of the supporting seat to accommodate angular variations of the pelvic regions of the user.