Abstract: The present invention relates to a male contraception apparatus for obtaining temporary sterility of a male mammalian individual. The apparatus has an implantable restriction device adapted to restrict vas deference in the region downstream the ampulla during a controlled period in order to preventing sperms to reach the urethra. Further, the apparatus has a control device for controlling the operation of the restriction device.

Abstract: Rotation unit (16) for connecting to an operating table for rotation of a patient's leg about its longitudinal axis, wherein the rotation unit (16) comprises: an interface (24) for attachment of the foot of the patient's leg on the rotation unit (16); a rotor, to which the interface (24) is connected in a torsionally resistant manner and which is used for rotation of the interface (24) and thus of the patient's leg about the longitudinal axis; a stator (42), on which the rotor is rotatably mounted, such that the rotor can rotate relative to the stator; a rotary handle (22) for rotation of the rotor; and a locking assembly (26) for blocking the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. The locking assembly (26) can be actuated by means of an action on the rotary handle.

Abstract: A passive spine elongation device has a front portion and a rear portion pivotally connected to the front leg portion. An adjustment device connected to the front portion and the rear portion allows the distance between the front and leg portions to be adjusted, thereby allowing a variable apex angle and adjustable height of the same. The front portion includes a head support, a torso support and a pelvic/hip support. The rear portion includes a leg support. The head support is spaced from the torso support, while the torso support is also spaced from the pelvic/hip support.

Abstract: A extremity offloading system including a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, and a first thickness extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The outer surface can be at least partially round. The inner surface can define an aperture. The aperture can be configured to accept insertion of a leg or an ankle of a patient.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic casting slipper kit for custom molding of a foot casting, wherein the kit includes a low-cut casting slipper shaped to extend upwardly on a patient's foot from a plantar surface of the foot to an open end. and a quantity of curable resin for impregnation into the fabric of the casting slipper, the improvement comprising a sheer removal sock which is first placed on the patient's foot, prior to the casting slipper to facilitate removal of the hardened mold.

Abstract: Support braces and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A support brace includes a flexible fabric substrate and an elastomeric member disposed on the surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is disposed so as to apply pressure non-uniformly about a limb or joint of the wearer, in a pattern selected to divert pain and/or reduce loads on the joint. The flexible fabric substrate can include regions having different levels of elasticity, to provide different levels of compression to different parts of the joint or limb in addition to the compression provided by the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can be deposited, screen printed, injection molded, or otherwise applied to the fabric substrate, optionally without adhesive.

Abstract: An arm retainer for supporting a patient's arm at a desired position on an articulatable support assembly secured to an operating table. The arm retainer includes a rigid arm tray (11) provided with a pair of spaced openings (16) for securement of a disposable arm support liner (10) to the tray. The arm support liner (10) is comprised of a sheet of malleable material (13) with a soft engagement surface (14) for skin contact with the patient and is provided with a predetermined cut configuration for wrapping the malleable liner (10) about the patient's arm for retention of the arm therein. The line (10) has two spaced foldout tabs (17) aligned with the corresponding tray openings (16) for securing the liner to the tray (11) by folding the tabs (17) through respective of the openings (16) and thereafter against the bottom side of the tray.

Abstract: A lift, a head support, and methods for use thereof for use with a surgical frame are provided. The lift and the head support can be used with the surgical frame that is capable of reconfiguration before, during, or after surgery. The surgical frame can include a main beam that can be rotated, raised/lowered, and tilted upwardly/downwardly to afford positioning and repositioning of a patient supported thereon, and the lift and the head support can be used in lifting the patient from a table/gurney and positioning the patient with respect to the main beam.

Abstract: An ankle/foot orthosis with a foot part, which has a sole for receiving a foot, and with a shin part which, when fitted in place, bears on the frontal aspect of a shin and is connected to the foot part via a medially extending spring, wherein the spring, behind an ankle area, forms a hinge area that allows a movement of the shin part relative to the foot part in the anterior-posterior direction.

Abstract: A patient securing overlay includes a sheet of fabric configured to support a patient's torso on a surgical table. The sheet of fabric includes friction enhancing elements applied to at least a portion of an upper surface. The sheet of fabric is attached near its side edges to two or more side flaps that extend laterally outward from the side edges of the sheet of fabric. Each of the side flaps is attached to the surgical table at two or more attachment points. A distance between adjacent attachment points is greater than a distance between an attachment point and the sheet of fabric in order to naturally create a favorable retaining force vector angle of less than 45° between the attachment point and the sheet of fabric.

Abstract: The invention comprises an elastomeric athletic or orthopedic brace, support for a joint complex and is a network of interlinking elastomeric bands that extend radially from a hub member to support a joint in tension but provide for controlled hinging about an axis defined through the hub member. In particular, the brace is provided for an ankle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods for providing extension and flexion assistance about a joint of a user. In some cases, a device may manipulate an arm of a user, thereby providing extension or flexion assistance to the arm about an elbow. In other cases, a device may manipulate a hand of a user to provide palmar flexion or dorsiflexion assistance about a wrist of the user.

Abstract: In device for placing a toe of a patient's foot in traction may broadly include a shoe portion (e.g., a sole, counter, and strap(s)); a toe attachment apparatus (e.g., a Chinese finger trap) having a cable extending therefrom; a pulley, with the cable wrapped about the pulley; and an apparatus (e.g., a ratchet, an actuator, and the like) configured to apply tension to the cable to create traction in the toe. A second actuator may adjust lateral positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of adduction for the traction provided to the toe by the cable. A meter may be coupled to the cable to indicate an amount of tension provided thereto. Another actuator may adjust elevational positioning of the pulley relative to the shoe portion to set a desired angle of dorsiflexion for the traction provided to the toe by the cable.

Abstract: A device that decompresses the lower spine while the wearer is seated or standing. The device includes two belt-shaped straps. The first strap circles the upper torso just below the breast line. The second strap circles the waist at or slightly above the normal belt line riding on the hip. In embodiments of the invention, the lower strap can be a normal belt. The straps can be equipped with pockets that are aligned along the upper edge of the upper strap and the lower edge of the lower strap designed to receive and hold flat splints. Typically, two rigid flat splints extend vertically between the straps centered laterally on the left and right sides of the torso. When the device is worn, it decompresses the lower spine when the person stands or sits.

Abstract: The present invention provides protective repositioning appliances, accommodating mouth guards, and covering guards that protect an orthodontic patient against impact-induced injuries, as well as related systems and methods. A protective appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. An accommodating mouth guard can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to accommodate a patient's teeth from a first arrangement to a second arrangement and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. A covering guard can include a guard segment that covers at least a portion of an appliance. The combination of a guard segment and an appliance can provide an occlusal compliance that absorbs impacts.

Abstract: A surgical boot system and sleeve accessory for hip distraction. The surgical boot system includes an L-shaped rigid shell having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A soft liner is attached to the rigid shell and extends along at least one of the proximal portion and the distal portion. The surgical boot system also includes at least one strap assembly (which can be a plurality of strap assemblies) extending around the rigid shell. A load transmission hoop is connected to and extends around the distal portion of the rigid shell and an attachment point is connected to the load transmission hoop. The rigid shell is pivotable about the attachment point. Specifically, the attachment point is configured to interface with a hip distractor apparatus in a way that allows for multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method of splinting limbs of a patient by a single person and an elongated splint device, for use in the method. The splint device has a first track member and second and third elongated riding members movably held and positioned on the first track member. The riding members are freely movable on the first track member along a single longitudinal axis to obtain a proper length for splinting and a releasable locking mechanism is included to maintain the selected length. Two or more adjustable belt elements are removably connected to the riding member and serve to affix the splint device to a patient in a proper splinting position.

Abstract: A low profile, lightweight hinged knee brace is provided for use in providing support to individuals having injuries to their ligaments. The brace includes an upper component that can be formed to fit the thigh of a wearer. The brace further includes a lower component that can likewise be formed to custom fit the calf of the wearer. Both the upper and lower components are encapsulated in a continuous liner. Between the upper and lower components are inflexible rigid members constructed of a lightweight yet durable material to provide strength and rigidity to the brace. The brace is constructed from a two dimensional structure which allows for malleability coupled to a formed three dimensional structure which provides stiffness and enhanced protection of the knee. Methods of treating injuries to a ligament of the knee are similarly provided.

Abstract: A facemask includes an air-filtering portion comprising an air-permeable filtering media; a see-through portion in the filtering media; and a layered portion on each opposing side of the see-through portion. The see-through portion is configured so that, in use, a mouth of a wearer is visible therethrough, and is formed from a transparent film covering a void in, and fixed along its periphery to, the filtering media. The film extends across the length of the facemask, including over the void, forming layered portions of film on filtering media on opposing sides of the clear-portion. A method of manufacture includes removing, e.g., kiss-cutting, the air-permeable filtering media away to form the see-through portion, after layering the film onto the filtering media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical drape configured to selectively allow or block a patient's view of the surgical field, as is desired in Caesarean section operations. Generally, the drape includes a main sheet, a substantially transparent sheet attached to the main sheet proximal the patient's head, and a substantially opaque screen attached to the patient-facing side of the substantially transparent sheet. This substantially opaque screen occludes the patient's visual access through the substantially transparent sheet but may be at least partially removed to permit the patient viewing access through the substantially transparent sheet towards the area of the surgery, without compromising the sterility of the surgical field. Desirably, the drape is provided with an adhesive strip disposed on the sheet or screen to permit reconnection to thereby again occlude the patient's view through the sheet.